Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [38]
“Where are they kept?” James asks.
“The latest reports put them sitting at the rear of their lines,” he says. “A thousand or so troops are stationed in the area.”
“Is there any word whether they have a mage with them?” Miko asks.
“None have been spotted, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” he replies. To James he asks, “Have you felt anything?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Nothing. If there is one, he’s not doing anything that I would be able to detect.”
“Could you find out?” asks Delia.
“Not without alerting him to my presence,” he says. “And that may prompt an immediate attack.” After a moment of thought he asks, “If we took out their siege equipment, would that delay their assault?”
“It would have to,” interjects Ceadric. They all turn to gaze at him as he continues. “The catapults they could probably do without, but those bridges they’ll absolutely have to have in order to cross the river and would be integral to their battle plan.”
James nods his head and remains quiet as he considers different tactics.
“Lord Pytherian said he would keep us apprised of any change in the enemy camp,” Illan says after a few moments.
“Just blast them,” suggests Miko. “Do that thing you did outside the City of Light. From what Jiron and the others told me, it took out most of their army.”
“That would only work if they have a mage,” he replies. “It may come to that. But keep in mind, I haven’t worked on the finer points of that spell and the consequences may prove disastrous for all.”
“What do you mean?” Delia asks.
How can he explain it to them? What in their experience would compare with the detonation of an atomic bomb? From the description Jiron supplied him with of the explosion, it resembled an a-bomb more than anything else. There didn’t seem to be any radiation fallout from that blast, but he would just assume not tempt fate a second time.
“I can’t really explain it,” he tells them. “Just take it on faith that it isn’t something that I’m willing to do unless there are no other alternatives.”
“Very well,” Miko says, obviously disappointed.
After a moment’s consideration, he says, “Here’s what we do…”
Once James lays down what he plans to do. The others offer their expert advice and together they work out a strategy which should work. Ceadric selects fifty of his most battle hardened and skilled fighters for the mission. Together with Delia and the slingers, Errin and Aleya, and all the other fighters from The Ranch but Jiron, they make their way through the darkened city on horseback and exit through the north gate.
Each slinger has upon their back a pack that has been carried by pack horse all the way from The Ranch. None have yet been told what is contained within. Aleya and Errin have a dozen specially modified arrows in their quiver along with another containing regular arrows behind their saddles. Delia, after she and James spent a few minutes near one of the pack horses, returned with two small pouches secured to her belt.
Once they pass through the gates, they edge away from the river so as not to reveal their presence to the enemy sentries posted on the other side. An hour later finds them coming to the section of the river which Lord Pytherian’s people said would have the least likelihood of having patrols. Here the river runs deep and swift making any attempt to cross extremely dangerous.
“What do we do now?” Yern asks her quietly.
“We wait,” Delia replies. She turns her gaze to the glow of the enemy’s camp in the distance and hopes this works.
“Ready?” Jiron asks him.
“No,” he replies. “I never will be for this sort of thing.” Hanging from his belt are several small pouches. When Jiron glances at them in question he says, “Just in case.” Jiron nods his head and they get going.
He and James are making their way through the