Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [98]
Slowing their speed, Ceadric leads his men through the opening, staying as far to the side as possible to avoid the crater’s center. As they pass through the wall, the slaver compound materializes before them on the other side. Off to one side several slavers are lined up with crossbows and let loose a volley.
Three of Ceadric’s men are hit and go down. “Charge!” he yells as he and the others race for their attackers. With swords drawn and war cries on their lips, they are a fearful sight.
Losing their courage, the slavers throw down their crossbows and flee across the compound to the gate leading into the city. Cheers can be heard from the slave pens as the slaves held within revel in their captors’ plight.
“Secure the compound,” he shouts to one of his lieutenants. When Hedry and his archers move within the walls, he has them post themselves on the inner wall surrounding the compound. While normally used to keep an eye on the slaves, the walkway will afford them a view of the surrounding city.
The whoosh of a passing crossbow bolt flies within inches of Ceadric’s face. Scanning the area, he finds the window from which the bolt was fired and directs a squad of his men to secure it. Dismounting, the score of men break in through the door to the building and the sound of fighting can be heard coming from within.
“Walls are secure,” Hedry calls from his position upon the wall of the slaver compound.
“And the city?” Ceadric hollers back.
Hedry glances over the wall then turns back. “People are fleeing for their lives but no sign of any soldiers.”
“Keep me posted,” he shouts back.
“What about the city?” one his men asks him.
“We were told to secure the compound,” he replies. “And that’s all.”
“Shame,” comments the man.
Just then James and Illan make their way through the hole in the wall. Jiron and the others remain on the other side to patrol the area for incoming hostile forces. Ceadric rides over to them and salutes Illan. “Area is secure.”
“Good,” replies Illan. “Release the slaves and gather them in the compound.”
“Yes, sir,” he replies.
James glances around at the wreckage the destruction of the wall wrought. One of the pens had been built up against it and now a good portion of it is missing. He feels saddened by the fate of the slaves who had been held within it. All around the compound the bodies of slavers and soldiers lie strewn about. Some were killed when the wall blew, but many show signs of being cut down by Ceadric’s men.
Voices ring out from the walls as the men who are fluent in the Empire’s tongue begin shouting for all slaves who wish for their freedom to make their way to the slaver’s compound. Whether any will heed the call is the question.
“We can’t stay here too long,” Illan says to James. “Another couple hours and the army from Al-Zynn will be here.”
“Don’t worry,” James assures him, “we won’t be tarrying here very long.”
From the surrounding buildings, slaves begin filing into the compound’s courtyard. A rider comes to a stop before Illan and says, “We found their weapons cache.”
“And?” Illan questions.
“Must be a couple hundred crossbows there and several thousand bolts,” he replies. “Not to mention swords and other useful items.”
“Very good,” Illan says nodding. “Begin taking the equipment out and set up an area where it can be distributed to the slaves. Start with the crossbows and bolts.”
“Yes, sir,” the rider says. With a quick salute, he turns his horse and races back across the courtyard.
The city around the compound is in a state of panic. Cries and screams of people reach them as they race away from the scene of the attack. By the time the slaves have been gathered together in the courtyard of the compound, the city has grown silent as it waits to see what they will do.
Atop the walkway running the length of the wall,