‘Around here, that’s old enough for motherhood,’ answered Roo. ‘Anyway, it won’t do the lass much good getting either of you in her bed, ‘cause the Captain’s not likely to let any of us wander off.’
‘True,’ agreed Erik.
‘And besides, we’re leaving in two days.’
‘What?’
‘Riders from the south came in about ten minutes ago with messages. Some more soldiers are joining us in two days’ time, and we all ride north.’
‘Well, I’d better get to work,’ said Erik. ‘I’ve got to sort out this horse business with Zila’s men. I think we’ll have to leave about a dozen horses here.’
‘The villagers will love that,’ said Roo with a grin. ‘The ones they can’t use for plowing they’ll eat.’
Erik nodded, knowing he wasn’t really joking. ‘Come on, give me a hand.’
Roo grumbled, but he followed Erik back into the corral to cut out the lame horses.
Erik looked toward the southern gate expectantly. Zila and his renegades had left the night before, as agreed, and now the new company from the south that was to join them was coming in ahead of schedule. De Loungville had already passed word: if the southern riders showed up before noon, they were off as soon as the company was mustered, all save a dozen men who would hold this fortress against the need of a southern retreat. Now the work made sense to Erik. A dozen well-armed soldiers could hold this village against up to three times that number of bandits, and if the villagers joined in the fight, it would require a small army to take it.
Already, without the order being given, men were hurrying to get ready to move out. Then Erik caught sight of a familiar figure among those riding in the gate. ‘Greylock!’ Erik exclaimed.
Owen Greylock turned. Gripping Erik’s arm in a gesture of greeting, he then pulled him to his chest with a slap on the back. Releasing the young man, he said, ‘You look well.’
‘We thought we spied that grey banner of yours on the deck of the Ranger one day in passage, but we didn’t see you come ashore.’
Pulling loose a scarf that had been around his face to cut the road dust, the former Swordmaster of Darkmoor said, ‘That’s because I didn’t. I sailed on with a couple of others to the City of the Serpent River to make some arrangements, then on to Maharta to take care of some other matters. After the Ranger left for Krondor, it was ride like hell for a week getting up to Lanada, then another back-breaker getting here.’
Soldiers in various dress were riding in the south gate. ‘Who are they?’ asked Erik dubiously.
‘Don’t let the ragged cut of their outfits fool you. Those are some of the best soldiers from around these parts, hand-picked by our friend Praji over the last few years.’ Lowering his voice, he said, ‘We need to blend in.’
‘What are you doing here?’ asked Erik. ‘Last I saw of you was before I was arrested.’
‘Long story. Let me report to Calis, and after we’ve watered our mounts, share a cup of wine with me and I’ll tell you all.’
‘It’s going to have to be at camp tonight,’ answered Erik. ‘We leave in an hour. You’ve only got time to pick some fresh mounts and grab a bite before we’re on our way.’
Greylock groaned. ‘That bastard isn’t giving a man’s spine a hope of recovery, is he?’
‘I fear not. Come on, I’ve got some fine horses and I’ll pick out one for you with a soft back.’
Greylock laughed and said, ‘Lead on.’
• Chapter Sixteen • Rendezvous (#ulink_e68c1e2a-f45b-52fa-9add-e998a692bb3a)
Calis signaled a halt.
Erik and his companions, first company in line behind Calis and de Loungville, reined in and passed word back for the halt. Owen Greylock was riding with Calis, and Erik hadn’t found the opportunity to talk to him.
Two scouts who had ridden ahead at first light were galloping down the road. One of them, a clansman whose name was unknown to Erik said, ‘A merchant caravan’s been taken an hour ahead. They tried to stand and fight, but there were no more than six guards for six wagons.’
De Loungville said, ‘The merchant was traveling light.’
The other scout, a man named Durany, said, ‘They didn’t even have time to stop the wagons. Looks like the raiders swooped down out of the trees and shot them full of arrows before they knew what was happening. The murderers stripped everyone down to the skin, and took their armor and weapons and everything else they could carry.’
Calis asked. ‘How many?’
The clansman said, ‘Twenty or twenty-five, maybe more.’
Erik said, ‘Where are the bandits?’
Ignoring the source of the question. Calis nodded, and Durany said, ‘They headed back into the trees. We followed their tracks about a hour’s ride into the woods, where they turned south. They’ve been shadowing the road since.’ He looked around. ‘We never overtook them. They may be looping behind us already.’
‘What about the village?’ asked de Loungville.
Calis said, ‘Our twelve can hold the village if they get advance warning. But these raiders are acting more like a mercenary company on a rampage than bandits. If they come up on the village undetected …’ Turning to de Loungville, he said, ‘Bobby, take six men and head back to the village to warn them. That’s the most we can do. Then catch up as soon as you can.’
De Loungville nodded. ‘You come along with me,’ he said to Erik and as they rode past, he motioned for Erik’s five companions to fall in. They pulled out of line, and soon the seven of them were riding back to the village of Weanat.
Smoke told them they were too late even before they could see the fort. As they crested a rise in the road, they saw the charred ruins of the outer wall and the still-unfinished tower now blazing like a banner.
Without waiting for orders, Erik spurred his horse forward to a canter and got as close to the fire as he could. He called out a few names of villagers he had come to know, and after a moment a man emerged from the woods.
‘Tarmil!’ shouted Erik. ‘What happened?’
The villager was covered in soot and looked tired but otherwise unhurt. ‘Those men who were supposed to leave yesterday morning came back last night with another band of men, asking to buy provisions. Your soldiers said no, and they got into an argument over giving their word and leaving and things I didn’t follow.’ He waved up the road. ‘While they were shouting at each other at the south gate, this other group climbed over the north wall and opened the north gate.
‘Your men tried to fight, but they were cut down from two sides. Most of us who could slipped out the south gate, or climbed the walls; then someone set a fire. The bandits didn’t trouble most of us after that; they were too busy trying to steal whatever they could before everything burned up.’
‘Did everyone get out?’
Tarmil shook his head. ‘No. I don’t think so. Some of the men, I don’t know from which band, took out to the hills there, with two of our women. Drak’s wife, Finia, and Embrisa, maybe some others.’
De Loungville came up and said, ‘Don’t you ever go riding off like that without leave.’
‘They’ve taken some of the women up into the hills.’
De Loungville swore. ‘I told Calis –’ He cut himself off before he said anything more. He looked at Tarmil. ‘How long ago and how many men?’
‘Less than an hour and about five or six.’
‘Spread out,’ ordered de Loungville. ‘See if you can spot any tracks.’
Natombi found tracks indicating that a large band of riders went south, while Sho Pi found signs of another, smaller, group heading into the hills. De Loungville motioned for the former monk and Keshian Legionary to take the point and begin to follow.
They had only a short way to go before the screams of women revealed the bandits’ whereabouts. De Loungville motioned for the six riders to dismount and spread out, and moved quietly toward the sounds.
Erik had his shield on his arm and his sword out a moment after tying his horse, and glanced over to see Roo on his right and Luis on his left. They crept forward through the trees, and came upon a sight that set Erik’s teeth on edge.
