“You all should get something to eat,” Gwaynn told his companions from Noble. “I’ll have someone show you to your quarters.” He was anxious to get back to Samantha. They had little time left together until he would be off once more to join the army. The thought of leaving her sent a pang of guilt through his chest.
Kostek nodded, but Vio appeared not to be listening. She stood watching as the Tarina Grace and Captain Huntley walked away along the defensive walls. The elder of the two walked with a slight hitch over the rough causeway, but the younger, taller woman moved with an easy grace. Vio continued to study Huntley as she sauntered into the sunset…her movements seemed familiar, but after a long moment Vio shook her head and turned to Gwaynn.
“Yes, I’m hungry,” she said with a smile and Gwaynn was struck once again by her strange, elfin beauty.
“It’s good to have you here,” he blurted impulsively, though he meant it. For the first time since the fall of Solarii he felt good about the possibility of victory.
Vio reached out her hand and touched his, but quickly pulled it back away, thinking of the girl who would one day be his queen. “It’s good to see you too,” she said softly and they looked at each other until Kostek coughed and then without embarrassment they all made their way toward the stairs which led down into the growing town.
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Captain Hothgaard watched pensively as the work crews assembled the last of the giant wooden causeways that would help breech the walls of Manse. The final causeway was very thick and sturdy. It would be lowered over the protective ditch directly before the main gates that led through the enemy levee.
Hothgaard was growing nervous, expecting the Massi cavalry to attack at any moment. The siege weapons would be the prime targets, and the enemy would undoubtedly attempt to destroy them before they could be put to use. Patrols were out constantly but they all continued to come back with reports of ‘all clear.’ It was nerve- wracking knowing the enemy was out there; knowing the enemy would attack, but unable to detect any sign of them. The Massi would be fools to meekly hide behind their walls like rabbits in a shallow hole, and from what Hothgaard had garnered thus far, the Massi were no fools. Walls never kept any army out for very long. Fortifications were made to fall, made to crumble, made to be taken and that was why the Temple Knights were such a powerful force in the lands of the Inland Sea; it was the ability to be mobile, to move anywhere on the battlefield that determined victory. It was for this very reason that Hothgaard was nervous. He needed Manse to fall and fall quickly before Prince Gwaynn could bring his army to reinforce the city and bring the talents of the Travelers to bear on the battlefield. It was very unwise of the High King to attack the Isle of Light, and more foolish still for not having a realistic plan to finish the job. Travelers were the ultimate wild card in battle; enemy troops could appear and disappear at will. It was an opposing commander’s nightmare and it was a nightmare he would soon face if he could not quickly and decisively crush the Massi people.
Sergeant Lewis rode up and interrupted the Captain’s thoughts.
“The afternoon patrols are in…no sign of the Massi cavalry,” the Sergeant stated, and he too was growing nervous by the enemy’s sudden disappearance. Of course, he was of the mind that the Massi had lost heart after the last engagement. The Temple Knights were accustomed to their enemies retreating before them, and though the Massi fought well, they were not the equal of the Knights and they must know it…everyone knew it.
Hothgaard did not answer.
Sergeant Lewis cleared his throat, but still his commander did not respond. During the last week something was eating at the Captain’s confidence, making him cautious and jumpy, at first it unnerved the Sergeant, but now it simply annoyed him. And again he wondered if he should send a report to the High King. Nothing was worse than a commander who’d lost his nerve.
“We should attack this evening, as soon as the causeways are complete. Weldon reports that the Massi army is far to the east and if they attempt to disengage and move to reinforce they will leave their flanks exposed.”
At first Sergeant Lewis thought that the Captain still would not respond, but then he turned from his study of the enemy’s defenses and gazed at Lewis for a long uncomfortable moment.
“No.” Was all he said and then turned back to gaze at the levee protecting the city of Manse.
“The Massi cavalry should hit us tonight…and we should be prepared,” Hothgaard added. “They are out there…waiting…unless…” the thought came to him in a flash.
“The High King will not like the delay,” the Sergeant commented and Hothgaard spun, his right hand going to the hilt of his kali. Sergeant Lewis took a quick step back, eyes wide.
“The High King is not here,” Hothgaard spat and took a menacing step forward, the knuckles white on the grip of his weapon.
“Your pardon,” Sergeant Lewis said, frightened but satisfied that he had finally succeeded in getting a reaction from his superior. Lewis had traveled up the ranks with Captain Low Hothgaard and knew him to be a decisive and bold leader of men. Somewhere along the way he’d lost his passion for fighting and it was time he reclaimed it.
“The Massi will use Travelers…tonight to attain surprise and attempt to destroy the causeways…we will be ready,” Hothgaard explained, his anger quickly subsiding. Sergeant Lewis was a good man, an excellent fighter and a competent leader of men, but he lacked imagination…attack, attack, always attack. Of course such a strategy normally worked for the Knights so one could hardly blame him.
“Travelers!” Lewis repeated, the idea strange in his mind, but of course it was a possibility. Monde and na Gall were known to be with the Massi.
“The High King should have killed them all,” Lewis said absently.
“No,” Hothgaard replied harshly some of his anger returning…thoughts of the High King seemed to do that these days. “He should have bloody well left them be…I’m amazed he hasn’t made the Tars of Noble our enemies as well.”
Lewis said nothing, too stunned by the idea of fighting the legendary swordsman of Noble to speak.
“Should we send out more patrols?” The sergeant asked.
“What for? They’ll not find anything,” Hothgaard snapped. “Pull everyone in close and I want triple the guards tonight. If the Massi are foolish enough to delay their attack we will strike Manse come first light. When we move, we’ll need to move quickly and batter down the gates so our horses can join in the fight…speed and strength as always, wins the day.”
“Yes Sir!” Lewis shouted, snapping to attention, a wave of relief surging over him with the knowledge that his friend and leader was back to his old self.
“See to it,” Hothgaard said and then turned back to study the breastwork protecting Manse and wondered just what Prince Gwaynn and his commanders were up to at this very moment.
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At that moment Gwaynn was walking into the hospital tent, hoping that Samantha was awake. She was sitting up in her cot talking to Emm who was perched on the edge of her bed. Emm was not crying but from the looks of her she’d stopped only a short time prior. Cobb, ever present, stood over them both, fidgeting uncomfortably in the sea of emotions permeating the tent.
Samantha looked up as Gwaynn entered and actually gave him a soft smile. It was the most beautiful thing he’d seen in a very long time.
“Emm,” he said softly and touched the girl on the shoulder. She looked up and gave him one of her own sad smiles in contrast.
Emm turned back to Samantha. “I’ll…I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said and shakily stood up. “Come Cobb…you can keep me company,” she ordered and the large man lumbered to her side.
“You needn’t leave,” Gwaynn said, feeling very bad for the girl.
Emm was silent for a moment and then leaned into Gwaynn, who put his arm around her sympathetically. “Thank you…but I’m finally getting hungry…and I’m tired. I’m really tired,” she added and with Cobb in tow they
