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The Bow of Haladan Part X
Kassar was short but broad and strong despite his lamed right leg
and his silver-grey hair. Age had not bitten down too hard yet on the
old nomad. The hand that held the knife to Dinet's throat was calm and
steady, it was the young thief who shook as he retied the horses lead back
to the line.
"Ol Merden, they foun'im on the road with his 'ead all smash to
bits." Kassar said.
"Terrible that was, terrible." Dinet's voice quavered.
Kassar slapped him across the ear with his free hand. "Don't giv'
me that muck, keep them tears inside your 'ead. You've been nabbed an' I
aint letten you go, unless you got somethin to offer better then the
coin they'll pay for you."
"A reward?" Dinet asked, surprised that the merchants family would
be anything but relieved to see the old devil slain.
"There'll be somethin," the old nomad thought for a moment. "An if
there aint then maybe I turn you in jus' for fun."
* * *
The column made good time down the road, though the scouts were
run a bit ragged trying to keep up. The captain ordered another pair out
on each flank and brought the others in to rejoin the march. The fields,
old and irregular, overgrown with wild grains and weeds, were hard terrain
to cross and keep the pace.
As they neared the town of Hochoch they passed the broken remains
of houses and small farms that had once sat within sight of the road. The
monsters had left none standing, even foundation stones and the bricks of
chimneys and walls had been hauled off to strengthen the defenses of the
ransacked town.
One of the lead scouts came running back and Fintan went out to
meet him.
"Sir, sir," the trooper said breathlessly, he'd run back to the
column at a sprint.
"What's your report soldier." the captain prompted.
"There is a fight ahead, they are waiting for us to make another
assault."
"Sergeant Waddard!" the captain called. They had not stopped their
march, the captain jogged along with the hard breathing scout at his side.
The top sergeant came running up.
"Yes Sir!" he called out before he reached the captains side.
"Waddard, send out another scout, and set the column to double
time." The captain said. "Soldier rejoin your squad."
Waddard turned and bellowed out for another trooper to take the
lead. He sent the scout back to his place among the line, then jogged back
up to the captains side. "Sir!" he said.
"Waddard, we have a fight ahead." captain Fintan told him.
"What should we expect Sir." asked Waddard.
"There is a stream ahead, and an old stone bridge." The captain
explained. "The giants have built a wall across the bridge and they hold
the fords as well."
"More giants Sir." Waddard said with some alarm.
"Yes, and unlike Sterich, these giants don't want to run. We
have a wizard up ahead, he will help to mask our assault." said Fintan.
"Should I tell the troops?" asked Waddard.
"They will see soon enough. It's good that they were blooded on
some giants first, though we will need every sword and sling this night."
Both men slowed their pace till the company caught up with them, Waddard
drifted back down the line, the captain kept his back to the men in his
command and lead the column from the front.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)