'Don't you lot have somewhere else to be?' he asked with dangerous politeness.
The area was suddenly empty of spectators.
He turned back to the two combatants. 'Barns, K.P. Harrow, latrines. Don't,' he held up one thick finger as Andy made to protest, 'even think about speakin', just git.'
When the two youths were out of earshot, Norma gave the sergeant a sideways glance.
'That was kinda lenient for you, wasn't it, Lom?'
He shrugged. 'There's little enough to keep up morale these days, might as well make use of what distractions we've got. Keep him outta my sight for a while, though, I might have a change of heart.'
'We'll put him on night watch,' Ernie answered. 'That should tire him out some.'
'Good idea. Barns can take a turn as well.'
* * *
That night Andy stood on the north wall staring out at the nearly full moon. The afternoon had been a partial success, he'd blown off some steam, satisfied himself that Garet was no better a fighter than he, and stirred up everyone's blood a bit. Since the enemy had bottled up Trance Tower, the entire garrison was walking around like they'd already lost. The air of doom and gloom was getting thick enough to cut with a knife. Eyes narrowed, he glared down at the surrounding campfires. So they were temporarily cut off from the rest of Valdemar, so supplies were tight. Bessie would be back any day with an army at her back and then they'd send this lot packing back over the mountains double quick.
His stomach growled, and he rubbed it in rueful acknowledgment of its point. All right, so they were in a tight spot-the quartermaster already had them down to half rations- but they weren't beat yet, not by a long shot. The enemy wasn't so tough. If they were, they'd have taken Trance Tower already instead of just sitting out there with their thumbs up...a movement below the wall made him stiffen. He stared into the darkness for a long time, but eventually relaxed. It was probably just a night-bird. He returned his attention to the enemy.
Nobody knew who they were. The standards and banners they carried were unfamiliar and the language their single envoy had spoken was gibberish even to the commander; although the body he'd brought with him had spoken his message clearly enough: surrender Trance Tower.
Andy spat over the wall in unconscious imitation of Norma. Not in this lifetime or any other, he swore silently. His parents had died for this garrison and no bunch of pike-wielding sons of whoevers were going to defile their memories. They could sit out there until moss grew over them. Trance Tower would never surrender no matter how hungry they got.
His stomach rumbled mournfully.
'Aw, shut up.'
Leaning against the parapet, he stared out past the dark bulk of the surrounding army. The moon was low in the sky, shining down on the lightly wooded foothills. He'd hunted rabbits in those hills with Phen Royn and Harn Anzie every year since he was ten years old. They should have been out half a dozen times already this spring instead of standing on the walls watching the enemy move about like they owned the place. Andy grimaced. Their hunters had probably already stripped the hills of rabbits. They were probably sitting around their campfires right now eating roast rabbit and rabbit stew and rabbit pie and...
Something white flashed in the distant trees.
He frowned.
Ground lightning?
It flashed again and, risking arrow-shot from below, he leaned forward. Something was moving in the hills beyond the enemy, moving fast.
He saw it again some twenty yards west of where he'd spotted it the first time. Then again a few moments later farther still. It sparkled in the moonlight for just an instant., its half hidden form vaguely familiar, then it disappeared again.
'What'cha you doin', boy?'
He jumped. Spinning about, he shot a glare at Phen, who held out his canteen with a chuckle.
'Lookin' at somethin',' he growled back.
'What? Someone takin' a piss?' Phen risked a glance over the edge.
'No. Somethin' strange. There.' He pointed. 'Where?'
'Past the troops to the west. Somethin's movin' out there like it's circlin' around us.'
Phen peered into the darkness.
'I don't see nothin'.' He turned with a grin. 'You imaginin' mountain cats again?'
Three years ago Andy had been certain there'd been a mountain cat stalking the garrison flocks.
He'd even found tracks, but they'd turned out to belong to a particularly big jackrabbit. Phen had never let him forget it. Of course, now the enemy had the flocks as well.
'This was no mountain cat,' Andy replied hotly. 'It was white.'
'Late snow drift.'
'Snow drifts don't move. There, in the underbrush. Tell me you didn't see that?'
Phen leaned forward again. 'Maybe.' He shook his head. 'It was probably just an owl or somethin'. Anyway you're relieved, go get some sleep.'
'Shouldn't I report it?'
Phen shrugged. 'Go ahead, if you want everyone to say you're seein' giant, sheep killin', jackrabbit mountain cats again.'
'Drop dead.'
'Just givin' you a friendly warning.'
'Yeah, sure.' With some reluctance, Andy turned away but, as he did, the flash of white caught his eyes again, another twenty yards to the west. Something was out there, it was circling them, and it wasn't no owl.
* * *
He spotted it again the next night, this time to the east. Throughout his shift he watched it wink in and out of the trees, moving incredibly quickly, east to west and back again. Then, just before Phen relieved him, it crested the top of a small hill, rose up, and pawed the air with its forelegs, silver hooves gleaming in the moonlight.
* * *
'It's a horse.'
Andy made his announcement to Phen as they lined up for chow the next morning.
'Not a mountain cat, then.'
'I said it's a horse.'
'Probably one of theirs set out on a hobble to eat grass.'
'It wasn't hobbled.'
'Maybe it escaped, then.'
'I don't think so.'
'Then I guess it musta been a ghost horse.'
'Aw, shut up, Phen.'
* * *
Ernie was no more help when he told him that afternoon.
'Mountain pony,' he pronounced.
'Aren't they usually brown?'
'Yep.'
'Have you ever seen a white mountain pony?'
'Nope.'
'Then it can't be a mountain pony.'
'Must be a ghost horse, then. Or me'be a mountain cat, eh?'
Andy gave up.
* * *
He watched the horse pace back and forth from west to east for another full shift, then finally reported it to the sergeant-at-arms.
* * *
The older man frowned thoughtfully.
