Otian prowled slowly, checking his tracks as the pace of the Own ahead of him sounded through the thick brush. He grinned. This was going to be fun.
Oh, he had followed the Tehea's instructions all right—he wasn't stupid enough to disobey. He had, though, made a little adjustment and taken a number of kids from their groups. He walked quietly back to them, a smirk on his face.
"Good to go, lads," he whispered to the youngsters looking so expectantly at him. "Vince, Edward, Colloroy? Take left. Gregory, Walroy, Menfis? Take right. Will, George and john, you've got the back, and David, Abraham and walker, you get front. I'll fix things. Starling hoot means it's me. Any other bird and run—the Own are smarter than they look, and they look really, really smart. Off with you."
The boys departed, and the copper-curled page remained, rubbing his hands together. "Let's give the Own a surprise they'll remember."
Letter sent by hawk messenger eight hours later. The Cubs have no idea.
Dear Jon,
Say goodbye to that damned ball. We're definitely not going to make it.
The North Road that passes through Kevel's Woods? Completely busted. No passing, none at all.
It's been abysmal. We've been tracking the damned caravans as you asked for twenty miles or so, but now we are regally stuck. About five miles southeast of Geneville, with the Devenue on the right side, we found tracks of lots of feet, all going in different directions. We were just going to split up and follow when all of a sudden this great noise came from the east and in less then ten seconds, we were all covered saddle-high in muddy water.
The logs of the dam dislodged. They're blocking us north, east, west and—believe it Jon, I'm not making it up—south. Every direction we try to clear and we get more water. We won't get out of this for five weeks at least, the Devenue's too strong a current.
So we're stranded. And what's worse, there's no hope we'll be able to catch your caravans. I need four Rider groups and Domitan's here as soon as they can get here.
My best to Thayet and Alanna.
Moodily yours,
Raoul