“Come Gwaynn of Massi…we three will fight together,” she said and put her arm affectionately around Vio’s waist. They left the tent as a trio, Gwaynn with a wry smile, thinking of his other Solitary friend, Tar Nev and wondering if the man was projecting and watching at this very moment. Gwaynn hoped he was…and felt better for the thought.
The rain was falling straight down out of the heavens as if in a hurry to get to the ground, which had long ago turned into a wet, muddy mess around the camp.
“The footing will be nightmarish,” Lee Brandt said speaking loudly as he walked behind Gwaynn and Bock. They were all soaked, with water dripping from their hair. There was activity all around them as soldiers prepared for battle, but Gwaynn was happy and gratified that no one appeared to be panicked by the approaching army.
He picked up his pace until he was walking side by side with Tabernas and Prince Phillip.
“I’d like the Toranado to be on the far left,” he said.
“The left?” Phillip repeated surprised, but Tabernas just smiled and nodded.
“You would have us attempt to circle and push the Palmerrio toward the creek,” he stated and Gwaynn nodded.
“We still have no word from Gaston. I’ll need the Toranado to press the Palmerrio…trap them against Rose Creek if possible.”
Rose Creek, though normally a nearly empty gully, was now swollen with rain water, which was moving fast toward the Scar. The creek would run along the western side of the battlefield guarding both armies against any flanking maneuvers from that direction…though of course the Palmerrio would still have to be wary of the any movements initiated by the Travelers.
Phillip nodded then, understanding and was suddenly awed by the young Massi King’s strategic mind. Everything he did on the battlefield seemed simple enough, though at times unconventional…actually often times it seemed obvious, but only once the strategy was explained. Gwaynn had a way of breaking down the terrain and using it and his army in the most effective way. Phillip was suddenly glad he did not have to face the Massi in battle.
The Tars Myson and Halstad would be positioned to support Captain Lee Brandt and the Massi heavy infantry in the center. Their presence would do much to strengthen their lines. Gwaynn, Vio and re N’dori would be on the Massi left holding the gap in the lines that would develop as the Toranado pushed out and attempted to encircle the enemy. Tar Kostek, Endid and the rest of the students would be on the far right, near the creek.
In the rain, the effectiveness of the archers on both sides would be diminished so Gwaynn had instructed Captain Hahn to push out even farther to the left and support the Toranado with halberds rather than arrows. Kommidi and his horsemen would be positioned in the rear to guard against encirclement if the Palmerrio cavalry suddenly appeared. They would also be in a good position to offer support in case any part of the lines began to unravel.
The Travelers would not be used in the coming battle unless everything went horribly wrong, and would be tucked safely in the rear, much to Bock’s pleasure and peace of mind. It was bad enough sending Jess out with the scouts, he wasn’t sure he would be able to keep his wits about him if she was in the heart of the battle. He felt a new appreciation for Gwaynn and Samantha; somehow both were able to function quite well on the battlefield despite the anxiety for the other’s well being.
The army moved nearly a quarter of a mile from camp and took up position; the soldiers did not have long to wait before the sounds of the approaching Palmerrio could be heard, though in the rain it was several minutes before the shape of the enemy could be distinguished.
na Gall and three scouts suddenly appeared just in front of Bock and Gwaynn. Lonogan’s heart soared and he did not even try to refrain from smiling.
“Anything from Gaston?” Bock asked moving forward to stand very close to the Traveler na Gall.
She shook her head, the pupils of her eyes dilated with excitement and fear. “No…I will try to get word to you if Sarbeth contacts us.
“Get to the rear,” Gwaynn said abruptly. “Look for Bethany. She’ll look after all the Travelers. Trust her…she’s young but very good,” he added and na Gall nodded. Bock however, kept her from obeying the command. He pulled the Traveler into his arms and kissed her fiercely. When they separated he caught the raised eyebrows of Captain Brandt, but did not wait for his comment; instead he nodded to na Gall and allowed her to move off through the rain and away from the frontlines.
?
The rain was falling lightly when they finally pulled away from Manse, a great train of horses, wagons and walking wounded.
Doctor Linkler, who was riding toward the rear, initially insisted Samantha ride in a wagon, but after catching the fierce look she shot him, he’d backed down almost immediately. Samantha got the distinct impression that he was a bit afraid of her. It was a novel thought…a man afraid of her, but then ever since her injury men were treating her differently. No longer did they simply pander to her thoughts and ideas of war…now they listened, now they showed respect for everything she said. It was an empowering sensation, one she enjoyed, but one that she would have gladly given up for the return of her left hand.
She rode near the front of the column still slightly surprised that she’d agreed to abandon Manse and the fight. But the fall from the wall had frightened her, frightened her badly. In all her life she had never experienced such fear, not when her family was killed, not when her own head was on the block, for this was a deep aching fear, not for herself but for another. It was fear for the baby that was rapidly growing inside her. And Samantha found that she could not fight this fear, she could only obey her instincts, instincts that would hopefully keep the fear at bay. The baby had to survive! This thought was the driving force behind her existence now. Every waking thought, every dream and whisper bouncing about her brain was now about the baby and the baby’s safety. How the obsession started she did not know, all she knew was that the baby, her baby, Gwaynn’s baby, must survive and if she had stayed behind in Manse…somehow she knew…if she stayed, the baby would die. And if the baby died…she would die. Somehow the two facts were now hopelessly entwined.
“Your scar will fade over time,” Samantha heard Emm tell Cyndar. The two were riding directly ahead, while the ever-faithful Cobb rode by Samantha’s side. He left the army behind with Gwaynn’s blessing, for though the man was somewhat simple in the mind, his devotion to Samantha could not be questioned, and Gwaynn knew that he would do anything to protect her…anything at all.
“I like my scar,” Cyndar replied, thinking how she would relish showing it to Tar Nacht before she killed him.
Emm was about to reply when quite suddenly the skies opened up and the rain fell heavily on them. And it kept falling at a hard steady pace for the entire five hours it took the medical train to reach Colchester. Everyone was tired, soaked and in ill humor, but the people of Colchester were as accommodating as ever. Despite the weather, nearly the entire town rolled out to meet the Massi wounded, and almost everyone pitched in as they quickly worked to set up the hospital camp just north of town.
“Of course you will stay with us,” stated Anda Botnick, Colchester’s magistrate. “My wife, Raisa will be very excited to see you once more,” he added his eyes drifting from Samantha’s growing belly to her mutilated arm.
Samantha was too tired and wet to care. “I would love to…”
“Come…come,” the magistrate said to the girl and silently wondered if the baby growing in her belly was conceived in his home. It was a thought he would be sure to mention to Raisa…imagine it…a future King… created in their very home. It was all dreadfully exciting.
“I will come,” the hulking Cobb said and for a moment Anda thought perhaps the Prince and this woman were no longer bound together.
“Cobb…” Samantha started and Anda was immediately reassured by her tone. This was definitely a servant…or guard…he was no lover.
“He can sleep downstairs in the parlor…” Anda offered quickly, then looked Cobb over more
