Send a spelling or grammar correction to: Tracy Johnson
This is a first draft of a story set in the world of Greyhawk.
It is based on a home campaign so some of the people, places and things
may be different. Any helpful comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks
Jason Zavoda
"Gnotke!" Waddard reached out his hand and helped the guard down
into the entrenchment. "Report."
"Sergeant!" Gnotke snapped to attention, but his shoulders relaxed
immediately. The grizzled veteran was a native of the March. He'd been a
sergeant himself in a company of regulars and the discipline that had been
beaten into him was slow to disappear. The auxiliaries were lax to his
eye, but they'd taken him in, as they took all rogues, wanderers and
scoundrels. This war had saved him from the headsman's axe. "Light horse
coming in."
"Rovers." said Waddard. "I can see them."
"Yes sergeant." Gnotke smiled. "Rovers, riding scout and guard for
the wagons."
"Wagons?" asked Kyle.
"Sergeant." Gnotke shifted his glance for a moment to Kyle, but
turned back to Waddard to continue his report. "Wagons, miles of them.
One of the rangers said."
"Here is your runner." Waddard pointed to the trooper making his
way swiftly toward them. "He has good senses."
"Elven blood." said Kyle.
"Don't see much of that in the regulars." murmured Gnotke.
"Their loss." Audofleda. The monitor had stayed with Kyle, curious
to hear what news Kynwal would return with.
"Back to your post Gnotke." Waddard dismissed the trooper. "Your
relief is almost due. "The first sergeant waved the man off before he
could complain. "Monitor, shouldn't you be with your command."
"Audofleda, you still here." said Kyle. "You know the new
troops will be on their backsides with you away."
"Yes sergeant. Sergeants." she replied and left them, making her
way through the half completed trench. But she left slowly and with
many looks back at Kynwal and the sergeants.
"Too many ears for my liking." said Waddard, unasked.
"Thinking like a sergeant," Kyle grimaced, "have to get
used to it."
Trooper Kynwal hopped down beside them, dropping the five or so
feet into the trench with ease and grace.
"That knight wants to see you." he burst out excitedly. "Did you
see those riders?"
"Trooper." Waddard's voice was like a splash of cold water.
"Sergeant." Kynwal swallowed noticeably. "Sorry sergeant. The
knight and the ranger, they want to speak with the captain. I told
them, said you were in charge. They want to speak with you."
"Kyle, this one is quick. I'll take him with me." said Waddard.
"Keep him from talking to anyone." laughed Kyle.
"You're starting to think like a sergeant." Waddard told him.
"I'll send him back to you when I find out anything."
"Mention the bridge." Kyle added as Waddard pulled himself from
the trench.
Kynwal just reached up, and leapt out, and was bending down
to help the sergeant out before Waddard had even lifted his arms.
"I will." said Waddard. He let the trooper help him from the
trench. His leather vest and coarse cloth pants slimed with mud as
he struggled while Kynwal looked as clean as if he were on parade.
"I expect the rangers know already. We'll see if you saw something they
missed."
* * *
(To Be Continued...)