Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [85]
“Hope that’s the majority of the garrison at Korazan,” Illan says when James informs him what is transpiring there.
“With any luck, they won’t realize what we are up to until it’s too late,” replies James.
“When they do,” comments Jiron, “everything at Al-Zynn will be sent after us. They aren’t likely to allow us much time at Korazan for what we intend.”
Nodding, Illan says, “That’s why we are only hitting the slaver’s compound, killing all the slavers and freeing the slaves. Those who wish to come with us we’ll arm with the weapons found at the compound.”
“Can’t imagine anyone wishing to remain behind,” states James. “They would only be made slaves once more.”
“Never know,” Illan replies.
All day long there are no further opportunities for attack. The caravans and patrols must have been diverted to prevent them from falling to them as they head south. By early evening, it’s determined that Al-Zynn is a little over four hours away. Scouts have reached the city and reported back that breastworks are being dug between where their force now lies and the walls of Al-Zynn.
James turns to Illan and asks, “From their perspective, would it seem reasonable for us to stop here, seeing as how our scouts have returned and reported what they saw at Al-Zynn?”
“Yes it would,” he replies. “Now that we ‘know’ what we are up against, it would be reasonable for us to stop and assess the situation.”
“Very well,” James says. He checks his mirror for hostiles in the area and finds more units stationed in and around the town of Al-Zynn than previous. To the east and west of their position is fairly clear, the only units he discovers are smaller bands on their way to reinforce the town. The force that’s been following them remains at the same distance they’ve been since the chase began.
“Looks like we may be okay until the morning,” he tells Illan as he puts his mirror away.
“By then it will be too late for them to do anything,” Illan replies. Raising his voice, he hollers out to the rest of the riders following along behind, “Bring ‘em to a halt! We stop here tonight.”
As Devin begins to take his tent down from the pack horse to set it up, James tells him not to bother. “No tent tonight,” he tells him. Lowering his voice he adds, “We’re not going to be here all that long.”
“Yes, sir,” he says.
They get fires going and cooks begin working on dinner. Bedrolls are laid out nearby and it isn’t long before everyone has had a quick meal. Other than the sentries and the scouts riding the perimeter, everyone turns in early, well before the setting of the sun.
Before climbing into his bedroll, James checks the status of the various forces before and behind them. The one behind has stopped and made camp as well, the forces by Al-Zynn still look to be on alert and ready. He grins as he puts the mirror away and then lies down to sleep.
It isn’t long before a tired looking Devin awakens him. “Illan said it was time,” he says. When he sees James stirring and then gives him a nod, he gets up and begins to prepare James’ horse for travel.
With eyes longing to close after such a short rest, James sits on his bedroll as he tries to come completely awake. The camp is a flurry of activity as everyone readies themselves for travel. Despite the hustle and bustle there is relatively little noise as they ready for a quick push to the west to take the enemy by surprise. If they can get away without anyone noticing, by the time sunrise comes they’ll be many miles away before the enemy realizes what happened.
Earlier, Ceadric had some of his men comb the countryside surrounding the camp in an attempt to locate any of the enemy who may be keeping an eye on them and take them out. A few men with fast horses will remain to keep the campfires lit and to give the overall appearance that they are still here.
Despite the