4. The Mission
There are many things that are commonly found in army encampments such as weapons, artillery, and horses. Amongst other things to be found there is the requisite drunken soldier. It is normally a heavy-set man who is atrociously unkempt, even for a soldier. Frequently this soldier does not know one end of his sword from the other. Men rising through the ranks often wonder why such soldiers are allowed to remain in the army. Since they can normally be found straggling behind the rest while marching and they frequently exchange water canteens for bottles of drink, what are they good for?
Immediately following his conversation with Mathias, Casmir sought out the local drunken soldier. He knew, as any other man, that the one thing a drunken soldier could be depended upon to do is be a bad soldier. Snapping him out of his stupor, Casmir proceeded to instruct the soldier to take hold of the indicated prisoner and to ride out with him to some desolate spot. Once out of view from camp, the soldier was to oversee said prisoner as he began to dig his own grave. It was at this point that Casmir made sure to point out that he should begin his drinking. Raising a threatening finger, he said, "you must be sure to drink yourself into oblivion. And for God's sake, keep the key somewhere visible." Thus Casmir finished his command with instructions that he should make the horse readily available so that the prisoner could escape. Later that evening the soldier made a show in front of the prisoner, telling him that this was his last night alive.
Leon sat atop his horse, Strider. Beside him were three of Casmir's men. He felt awkward among soldiers he had not fought with. Now he felt even more estranged since he was supposed to act like some experienced tracker. He did of course know something of the art however not enough to be called the best as Mathias had crowned him. Two of the soldiers were just random knights selected form Casmir's company. The third man was named Kronon. Leon loathed admitting that Kronon's horse was larger than his, but nonetheless it was. This was not even the worrisome bit. While Kronon sat on the horse his legs could very nearly touch the ground. The man was a giant. So large was he that when he stood on the ground he seemed to hunch forward a little. The word whispered around camp was that he was from some savage Germanic tribe. Just from looking at him Leon believed it. The man did not speak with words. His only form of communication came in the form of gestures and grunts. Leon wondered if the man could speak. After all, a few grunts did not make him a mute. As they rode out in silent pursuit of the drunken soldier and his prisoner, the others were equally as speechless.
As instructed, the soldier stopped riding once the Sarn was out of sight. Leon and company kept a large distance between them and stopped behind a far away dune. The four of them watched as the Moslem prisoner was forced to dig. Fortunately for him, the soldier was way advanced in his duty and had quickly entered a drunken state. Not really paying attention to what his prisoner was doing, the man intelligently chose not to work so hard. The prisoner bore his time. Within an hour the soldier had fallen face front into the ground. A few minutes after that, the prisoner made his dash for the key. Under the cover of the drunken soldier's snoring, the prisoner began his flight into the darkness of the night. Instantly the four knights made for their horses and entered into pursuit of the escapee. The soldier was left with one horse and therefore could wake up the next day and ride back to camp mission accomplished. For now, it was up to Leon and his companions to see that the man made it to the destination they hoped would be Tartery.
In the day that followed Leon attempted to create conversation. His attempts were always met with the barest responses and a silencing grunt from Kronon. On the second day they at last saw Tartery. From a distance they watched as the former prisoner rode in "victoriously" through the gates of the fortress. The structure was circular and offered a 360-degree view to the men at its turrets. Its walls were heavily fortified just like a castle. Its fortification was as foreboding as its size. The rock filled terrain that Leon and the others found cover in was a mile away from the fortress. They were careful in their selection of cover. Their close proximity offered them very little leeway in keeping a watchful eye over the place. For that reason, they kept their heads down for most of the day. They waited until dark to prop up and admire the massiveness of Tartery.
Although very few words were exchanged between them, they managed to agree that their former prisoner would probably have told his superiors of the army at Sarn. They would wait until tomorrow to begin riding. Kronon remained silent and just watched Tartery. Leon felt as though he could see in his face a plan formulating. The way he observed the stronghold was not like someone keeping watch but someone searching for a way in. The other soldiers were the first to call for sleep. There was no discussion as to who would keep watch first. They told Leon that Kronon would choose who would follow him when the time came. For now, he was to sleep. Another bland gesture from Kronon was all he needed to just turn in and rest. However Kronon's longing gaze toward Tartery did not allow Leon to sleep soundly. Truth be told, it was not only the fact that Kronon was suspicious, but that it was Kronon who kept watch.
Sleep came slowly for Leon. His mind wandered into a dream filled state, but his ears were tuned into reality. When he heard the slight movement of a heavy figure, both of his eyes sprang open. For just this kind of eventuality, Leon chose to sleep with his back to the group. In this way, he could remain awake without the knowledge of others. His ears strained to filter out the discord of the night and narrow itself to the unknown movement. In his heart of hearts, Leon knew it was Kronon. He did not however confirm it until he turned and saw that he was gone. Kronon had taken his horse and ridden off in a direction away from Tartery. Without sparing a thought, Leon grabbed Strider and began to ride off after him.
By keeping his distance, Leon was able to conceal his pursuit from Kronon. He followed him for a half-hour's ride in a direction southwest of Tartery. The journey brought him to a mountainous area. This particular strip of mountain, Leon remembered from Mathias' map. It ran for miles and began several miles from Sarn.
Leon watched as Kronon tied his horse to a nearby tree and then climbed towards a crevice in the mountain. Leon followed suit, but of course found a more discreet spot to tie his horse. Upon entering the crevice, he saw that it became a path that cut through the mountain and opened out to a valley on the other side. The sound of Kronon's footsteps grating against the rock floor acted as his guide. When finally the footsteps stopped, Leon knew he was not far. A few feet more and Leon emerged from the path. Instantly he dashed behind a nearby rock for suddenly he was in plain sight. Propping up his head from behind the rock, Leon beheld what for him was an unbelievable sight. Encamped in the valley before him was a crusader army. Hanging side by side with the flag of the red cross was none other than Casmir's coat of arms.
His mind began to race through the implications of his discovery. Had the plan changed? If not, then what purpose would it serve Casmir to encamp his army a half an hour's ride from Tartery? Was this the reason that Mathias insisted that he join the group? Leon sensed treachery at work here. Whatever Casmir's purpose, it was surely at Mathias' expense. Now the question was what to do about it?
Leon waited and watched the camp. Soldiers went about their business as usual. It seemed to him that they were preparing for battle. His deductions were however cut off by the sight of Kronon exiting Casmir's tent. He dashed for the tunnel entrance and began an arduous run for the other end of the tunnel. At all costs Kronon must not know that he was followed. When he had left the confines of the tunnel, he hoped that his fast pace had not given him away. Leon quickly found his hidden horse and stood by it, waiting. Within a few moments Kronon appeared from within the tunnel. For a moment he just stood there and scanned his surroundings. Leon's heart skipped a beat as he thought that he had been discovered. Kronon however gave no other indication. He mounted his horse and began to ride off in the direction he had come. Leon waited a few moments before following. When he had, it bothered Leon that Kronon seemed nowhere in sight. Leon thought to see him in the distance but he did not. He looked backwards while stopped to see if he might have over taken him. Finally he chanced being seen and began to ride ahead at full gallop. Leon arrived at his camp without ever seeing Kronon. His two "compatriots" were still asleep. Neither one seemed to have been disturbed by not having been awakened to relieve the watchman.
Perhaps he had overtaken Kronon? Leon began to think on the possibility but quickly discarded it. Kronon must have taken a different route. Worst yet, the man might have known he was followed and used the head start he had been given to find a secluded spot from which to follow Leon.
Leon stared at the two sleeping knights and pondered on waking them. A scant noise broke him out of his thoughts. His hand immediately went for his sword. Before he could draw it from its sheath, two figures garbed in black robes emerged from the darkness and grabbed him by the arms. Two other black garbed figures jumped the sleeping soldiers as they slept. Leon meanwhile struggled with all his strength to break free from the grip of the two men that held him. After a few moments the hand of one of the mysterious men came down on the back of Leon's head. The struggle finished as Leon's muscles relaxed and he drifted into unconsciousness.
"Franj…" one of the men said.
"We will take them to Ekir. He will want to question them." One of the others responded.
From a distance, Kronon sat silently on his horse. A minuscule grin crossed his face as he watched the figures drag the bodies of the three crusaders. He stayed where he was and watched them until they disappeared into the heavily ensconced walls of Tartery. Finally he turned his horse and bound for camp to report. Casmir would be very pleased. Everything was going according to plan.