Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [31]
“You could say that,” Jiron replies.
“Poor man,” Delia says, saddened by Illan’s loss. Then an angry look comes to her as she says, “Those children were on Coryntia’s doorstep. Any longer and none would have survived.”
James nods in agreement. “Illan took care of Lord Faetherton.”
“He’s dead,” adds Jiron.
“Good,” she says. “I don’t usually wish ill of another, but this was reprehensible.”
“I agree,” states James. “Our small band is now practically an army.”
Delia looks questioningly at him and Jiron explains. “It’s Illan. As Black Hawk, he commanded a sizeable force of men, men it would seem who are still loyal to him. Tomorrow at Brook’s Hollow, wherever that is, we’ll see just how much our group has grown.”
“Do you think he’ll revert to his old ways?” she asks.
“I don’t know,” replies James. “He said he still follows me. If I don’t ask him to, he will likely continue on as he has been. Only this time with an army at his back.”
“With what we have coming ahead, that can only be a good thing,” interjects Miko.
Silence fills the air as James glances from one to the other. “I was hoping to have a small band which may remain unnoticed and easily escape. If I take an army into battle, what chance do we have of that?”
“Good point,” says Jiron.
“So what do you plan to do?” Miko asks.
“Play it by ear,” he tells them. “As a wise man once said, ‘No battle plan ever lasts past the first fall of the sword.’ Already the plans I’ve made are undergoing change.” He glances over to the dozen or so men beginning to set up camp on Illan’s front lawn. “More men can’t be a bad thing, can it?”
Jiron laughs, “Hardly. Have you actually looked at these guys? They’re battle hardened veterans who are no strangers to war. A better bunch of men you couldn’t ask for. True, they’re getting on in age, but not so much that it will hinder them.”
Nodding, James says, “Perhaps you’re right.” Already, plans and strategies for how he’ll use these men in the upcoming battles are beginning to take shape. “Yes, perhaps you are right.” Smiling, he takes them back to the manor house.
Chapter Six
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The following morning, Illan takes his leave of Alric and his family. He and his son were up talking through the night about his wife, their future and more inconsequential matters. He offered to leave some men behind for protection, but Alric assured him that with Lord Faetherton out of the picture, he had little to fear.
Alric had been surprised when he learned of Illan’s past, that his father was the feared and renowned Black Hawk of legend. In a way hurt that his father never entrusted that knowledge with him, but understanding the motivations behind it. All Illan had to say was that it was his mother’s wish he was never to learn, told him all he needed to know.
James and the others, including Ceadric and his men, wait on horseback out front while he finishes his goodbyes. Moyil stands holding the reins to his horse until he appears. At last, he comes through the door, his two grandkids holding onto him, begging him not to go. In the short time he’s known them, they grew awfully fond of him. Alric’s wife finally has to take charge and disengage them from him.
“You be careful now,” his son cautions.
Taking the reins from Moyil, Illan mounts and then turns toward his son. “I will. You take care of my grandkids and I’ll be back when I can.”
“I will father,” he says. His wife stands there with a sad smile as she holds onto the kids to prevent them from charging forward.
He gives her a wave and salutes his grandkids, which gets them even more excited. Then he turns and begins making his way down the lane to the gate. “Goodbye grampa,” the boy hollers. He turns in his saddle and waves one more time before turning back.
As they leave the gate and the manor house behind, Illan rides in silence. Memories come to him unbidden of his life here and the family he has left. He glances