Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [39]
Illan walks beside them as they approach the gates. When they reach them, he says, “We’ll stand by to open them quickly should the need arise.” Henri, Lord Pytherian’s aide is there to facilitate the opening of the gate should it become necessary.
Behind them, the remainder of Ceadric’s men ride. James didn’t feel they were necessary, but Illan insisted saying it was best to be prepared for all contingencies.
At the gates James nods to Henri who shouts to a man stationed along the wall above the gates, “Is it clear?”
“Yes, sir!” the man replies.
“Open the gates!” he hollers to those in the gatehouse.
With a clack and a creak, the gates begin opening. They part just enough to allow the two men to walk through. “Good luck,” Illan says before they begin moving out to face the enemy.
“Thanks,” replies Jiron. James is frankly too nervous to make much of a reply.
“Let’s go,” he says and steps through the gate. Jiron follows a half step behind with the flag raised high.
As they make their way the short distance to the edge of the bridge, the gate swings closed behind them, shutting with a deep thud. Before them, they see activity arising from the enemy encampment.
The gate of the palisade is open and troops are beginning to spill forth. Soldiers, crossbowmen and a company of Parvati’s take their position on either side of the gate, leaving an avenue through which James and Jiron can pass.
Crossing the bridge takes a large amount of will to force his legs to make the journey across to the other side. “What idiot came up with this idea?” he exclaims under his breath. “He should be shot.”
Jiron chuckles as he says, “You did.”
Once past the bridge, they have to cross several hundred feet before reaching the enemy’s lines. When they reach the halfway point, a single individual exits the palisade’s gate and moves to intercept them.
“Doesn’t look like anyone of much importance,” observes Jiron.
“Maybe not,” he says. “Probably wants to see what we want before deciding if it’s worth being taken before the commander of their army.”
The man is undeniably a soldier, and by the looks of his armor and the insignia upon it, one of high rank. When the two parties are five feet apart, both sides come to a halt. As the bearer of the white flag, it’s customary for James to make the first declaration.
“We wish to parley with the leader of the host,” he states.
“Are you giving your surrender?” the soldier asks.
“No,” James replies. When the man looks questioningly at him, he adds, “Rather to discuss the removal of the Empire’s forces from within Madoc’s borders and the cessation of hostilities between the two nations.”
The man looks in absolute disbelief at him. “Take your foolish notions away before we kill you!” he exclaims, his disbelief turning into annoyance at being bothered by such stupidity.
“You would violate the sanctity of the Flag of Truce?” he asks.
“The Flag does not grant you immunity indefinitely,” the man explains. “Only so long as the talk is in progress and a short time afterward to allow you to return to your side.”
“I am not leaving until I speak with the leader of the Empire’s forces,” James insists.
“Go back,” the man says. “This talk is at an end.” Turning his back on James and Jiron, he begins walking back to his line.
“What should we do now?” Jiron asks quietly once the man has passed beyond where he could overhear the question.
James glances to him and says, “We wait.”
“But they’ll attack shortly,” he tells him. “He as much as promised that.”
“I know,” he replies. “We need them to.”
He and Jiron stay standing there before the assembled soldiers of the Empire. The man who had talked