Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [72]
“Wrap him in blankets,” Illan says. “We’ll take him with us in the morning and bury him away from town.”
Relieved that Orry will get a decent burial, he says, “Thank you.” Turning away, he returns to the others and let’s them know what they plan to do.
“Fortunes of war,” Illan says after they ride over to where the horses are picketed and dismount. “There’s no way the soldiers here will have time to bury each soldier who died in an individual grave.”
“I understand,” James tells him. “It’s best to get them in the ground as fast as possible.”
Ceadric appears out of one of the tents and makes his way over to them. “So what’s the plan?” he asks.
“Nothing’s changed,” replies James.
“We leave in the morning and play merry hell with the Empire,” adds Illan.
Grinning, he says, “I like that plan.”
“See that everyone has a good night’s sleep,” Illan tells him. “We leave at first light.”
“Yes, sir,” he replies.
Turning to James, Illan says, “You better get some rest too. You look tired.”
“I am tired,” he replies. “But I need to see about the others first.”
“As you will,” says Illan as he gives out with a yawn. “I’m for bed however.”
“Good night,” James says as he makes his way over to where Jiron and Delia are sharing a fire.
When he approaches, Jiron hands him a plate of food. “Thought you might be hungry.”
Taking the offered food, he says, “Thank you, I am.” Sitting next to them, he begins eating the beef stew and Delia hands him a quarter loaf of bread to go with it. Nodding to the slingers preparing Orry’s body for tomorrow, he asks, “How are they doing?”
“As well as can be expected,” Delia replies. “I think before yesterday they thought this would be a grand adventure right out of a bard’s tale. Then when the reality of it hit them, especially the death of Orry…” She trails off as her eyes move to settle on the tent where they are preparing Orry’s body for travel.
“They realized this is no game and war is an ugly, horrible experience,” Jiron finishes for her.
“I’m sure they’ll be okay,” adds Delia, “it’s just rough on them right now.”
James sits there in silence for awhile as he finishes his stew. “We’re still leaving in the morning,” he tells them.
“Then you better get some sleep,” Jiron states.
“I will when I’m done with this,” he replies, indicating the last couple bites of food left on his plate. As he chews the last bite, he glances around the camp and finds everyone winding down, many already asleep in their bedrolls. Devin and the others exit a tent carrying a shrouded body and lay it in the bed of a wagon. When Devin glances his way, James nods.
Standing up, he says, “I better get to sleep too.” To Jiron he adds, “Make sure everyone is up before dawn.”
“Sure,” he replies with a catch in his voice.
James turns to find him grinning at him. Remembering the last time he awakened him, he adds, “No water this time.”
“If you say so,” he says, his grin growing slightly wider.
Shaking his head, James makes his way over to his tent and enters. Things inside aren’t in their usual place, testament to the worry and sadness on Devin’s mind. He didn’t come and tidy up as he usually did. Checking his bedroll on the cot, he finds it still damp so he throws it to the side as he thinks unkind things of Jiron.
Lying on just the cot, he uses a pack for a pillow and lets exhaustion claim him.
Early the next morning, the camp is quickly disassembled and packed on the pack horses. The items James brought from The Ranch were reduced by half during the raid on the catapults and the subsequent battles that followed. Still should have enough for all he plans, he hopes.
Brother Willim shows up with the rest of the Hand shortly before they are ready to leave. The brother who was injured during the battle now looks much improved, a night of sleep,