Chapter 35

On the mainland they were waiting for a wagon so Josh sent four men into the forest to find some branches about four meters long and of a diameter they could grasp easily. Josh also had two men cut a spare tent into strips about six centimeters wide and as long as they could. When the men returned with the branches they tied the strips of tent cloth to two of the branches just short of a meter apart every other hand span, leaving a meter at each end. They then threaded more pieces through the cross pieces making a weave to support the injured men. When that was done the men packed up their gear and rested until the wagon arrived.

When the sand wagon from the road work was pulled into the camp the six men came from the tents and started to unload the sand. Josh then took the lead laying out long grass that had been cut out on the plains making up several beds for injured men. When they were ready they carried the stretchers into the tent Joey and Jeffrey were using to care for the injured. With Joey watching they carefully moved the men onto the stretchers and carried them to the wagon. When they were in place and comfortable the men strapped on their weapons and armor and mounted their horses ready to go.

Jason stood by the side of the wagon and asked Joey "Do you think they will all make it?"

"They will all make it. The only one I'm worried about is Alex but he is strong and fit so I believe he will not only make it to the healers school but will in time make a full recovery. It's just going to be a slow journey to that point."

"Thank you Joey have a safe trip."

"I'm not going, Jeffrey is going. I'm staying with you here until you no longer have need of me. Or at least till you no longer have the threat of needing me during this war." And he climbed down from the wagon.

Josh tied his horse to the back of the wagon and climbed onto the driver's seat taking the reins in his hand. "Let's move out, remember slow and steady until we reach the road then we can pick up the pace unless Jeffrey says no." The wagon of wounded left the camp with one man caring for those on board and six men riding guard.

Andross was again moving through the trees hunting. He was not hunting for dinner though, he was hunting Gallicans. Ahead of him rode four men, they seemed to radiate nervousness and their heads were constantly moving. He figured he could walk right up to them and pull them out of the saddle before they knew he was there since their heads moved so rapidly about they would never see anything. He was between them and their camp now and the trail they followed would soon come to a dead end. He smiled grimly as he thought of how appropriate that was. He raised his bow in a smooth motion and released an arrow, number forty five he noted. The last man in the group suddenly sat up straighter then fell from the saddle. The man in front of him turned to see what the sound he heard was and was himself impaled by an arrow, forty six.

Andross stood in the middle of the trail out in the open but the two remaining men continued to look about wildly for their nemesis. Andross waved an arm at them to get their attention then had to keep waving it for over thirty seconds before one of them saw him. He yelled and the other man turned, together they charged at him raising to a full gallop in the short distance. Andross waited. When they reached fifteen meters away he raised his bow releasing another arrow. The riders saw his movement and tried to shift their position but could not as the trees prevented them from moving to the side. Andross again raised his bow but waited till he saw the third member of the small group waver in his saddle. He drew back as the riders reached ten meters he released number forty eight. The horses continued past him but the riders lay on the ground three meters in front of him. He turned and walked into the trees.

Taylor went down the rope handover hand careful to make no noise. He went slowly so as to give no movement to see. Two knights had already gone down before him but he didn't want to be the one who gave the whole thing away. When he reached the bottom he slowly crouched waiting, listening. Hearing nothing he moved slowly and deliberately to the trees then behind one trunk and again waited listening. He was armed only with a small knife so he knew he had to make sure he avoided the Gallicans but still had to get to the Skandian camp with enough time for them to get ready and in position. He closed his eyes and pictured the route he would take through the trees avoiding bushes that would make noise but still remaining concealed.

With a nod to the other men at the edge of the trees waiting for those coming down the ropes he moved off to the east keeping to the trees. He had plenty of time so he moved with caution using the tips he had been given by Ranger Clarke. He wondered if he would be able to keep the cloak but then smiled knowing that it was Clarke's so he would want it back. When he came to where the trees gave way to long coarse grass and then the sand of the beach he stopped. He watched for what seemed a long time and was about to move when he heard Clarke's voice in his mind 'When you think you've waited long enough wait some more.' He knew he had a very wide clear area to cross before he would be under cover again so he waited and watched for a while more. He had seen no one nor any movement so he decided it was time to move but then he hesitated and it saved his life. Not four meters in front of him a man suddenly rose from the grass and walked toward the enemy camp. Taylor wondered what he had been doing there then decided he didn't want to know. He crouched down and moved off behind the man staying twenty meters behind him while moving towards the east end of the small town that had grown by the dock used to aid the Skandians.

Taylor knew this was going to be the hardest part of the journey, crossing the road to the dock. If they had men at the dock they might see him but it was dark and there was no light in any of the buildings. He had discussed with Ranger Clarke where the best place to cross this road would be and they had figured that it would be more likely that an enemy soldier was watching the castle from the west end of the small town. On the east end there were seven larger buildings that served as warehouses and he moved to the back of the three on the north side of the road. They were faced by three others across the road with the last one behind the building closest to the beach on the south side. The road went from the docks straight between the buildings then curved towards the castle which was a bit north. After it crossed a stream it went through the newer town then curved around the front of the castle to join the road that went from the castle west straight to the punt. The old town was on that stretch of the road though most of the buildings had been moved to the new town site. Between that road and the trees to the north were farms that grew the staples needed by the castle and the locals. In the past few years this area was widened by cutting down trees and digging up the stumps. This was done for two reasons, one for the extra growing space and two to provide a clear view from the castle to the punt. While they could now see the punt from the castle, the road ran close to the trees for the last two hundred meters to the punt.

Taylor moved between the warehouses closest to the dock stopping when he reached the end of the building. He slowly stood full upright and squaring his shoulders walked slowly yet purposely across the road and between the two warehouses on the other side. He didn't stop but kept walking past those buildings and past the one behind and into the trees a few meters behind that. Only when he was five meters into the trees did he stop while leaning on a tree. After catching his breath he walked to the Skandian camp stopping randomly to listen. When he figured he was close to the camp he took off the cloak and reached into the small bag he carried over his shoulder and took out his horned helmet. He walked on while scuffing his foot every few steps till suddenly a large man with a large axe was standing in front of him. Taylor looked at the man "I come with a battle plan for the morning if Sten and Torben are interested in letting you fight."

"If there is a fight to be had they will be interested. You shouldn't drag your feet when you walk, makes a lot of noise."

"Not as much as if I were to walk into camp right past the men on picket duty." He replied,

"Good point. Ok let's get you into camp." He walked toward camp making very little noise for such a large man. He turned to ask if Taylor was coming only to find him walking silently beside him. "I think you might have been able to get past me and into the camp."

"It may seem that way but you move pretty quietly yourself. I think you would have heard me. You have more experience stopping people than I do trying to get past."

As they stepped into the clearing the Skandian whistled a four note trill. Four men came from the tents and approached "You have something to report Bon?"

"Message from the castle Skirl. They want us to attack the enemy camp in the morning"

"How did you get a message from the castle?"

"I brought it." Taylor said, "I also have a few more details to add so you won't be killed by the castle archers."

"Hello Taylor, didn't see you there, not used to seeing people your size around here I guess. Let's hear this plan."

"Sure but you might want to wake your men so I can explain it to them all. It will save time and you have a ways to travel yet tonight to get into position."