Chapter 36
Andross sat in the dark by the tree line. The enemy had moved all their remaining ships to the north side of their camp. He thought they did it to get them away from the archer that struck with fire arrows the night before. Their big mistake was tying them close together making them a prime target for another archer. He figured they had extra guards out to protect them but he only saw three though there was a large fire at the edge of the camp with about six or seven men around it that would probably be watching for any fire arrows and charging to where they came from. Further into camp were more fires surrounded by more men but more and more were heading to the tents to sleep. He waited patiently among the trees until most had left the fires. When he thought enough were sleeping he moved towards the camp looking for a way to slip in unnoticed since he was carrying his bow and a second quiver full of fire arrows.
He moved almost to the southern edge of the trees where the plain spread out heading to Thorntree castle before he saw his opening. A guard was asleep at his post or dead if someone else had snuck into camp. He moved silently past the guard as he snored softly. He was tempted to slip a knife into him but it would be better if he was alive. Once he was past and into the tents he picked up a small stick and tossed it at him. It struck the man on the leg and he sat up abruptly looking around to see if anyone had noticed. Andross was already a ways away from him and moving toward the center of the camp.
Behind the big tent in the center he pulled a fire arrow out and dipped it in the flask of oil he had, he then stuck it in one of the lanterns that kept the area lit. With a quick yet smooth motion he drew and fired the arrow. Before the arrow hit the first boat he was already moving to a new fire to light another arrow. He dipped the second arrow as he walked and as he slipped past another fire he dropped the tip in and disappeared behind another tent. His second arrow went to the farthest boat and embedded itself in the folded sail. The sail the second arrow hit burst into flames before the first arrow ignited the mast it struck as the sail had moved in the wind. His third arrow struck another sail near the first boat and it too burst into flames. Andross walked calmly through the camp lighting and firing his arrows into the ships. As panic spread throughout the camp he switched to his numbered arrows and struck again and again.
When his quiver was empty he walked out of the camp and into the trees. He watched to make sure he wasn't followed and went back to his camp. He lay down pulled his blanket over himself and slept.