A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 38: Day 56
Two nights later, four mounted Knights, two squads of City Guard with their sergeants and lieutenant, and six members of what the Lord Mayor was calling Count Matthias' Company, lay in wait for the men in the woods. They made quick work of the three who climbed the rope, then the City Guardsmen made their way down the rope to enter the cave.
The cave was extensive, with numerous branches, but eventually the Guardsmen found another entrance which led to the sea and could only be used when the tides and winds were proper. A third entrance was discovered much further up the coast, which allowed men to exit at ground level approximately an hour by foot from Langford. In the process, they collected evidence and killed two additional men, then returned to the party waiting on the cliff.
"Dania is planning an invasion!" Milos declared after examining the evidence. "That is the only logical conclusion from everything that was found. Their orders were to establish a base, scout the area, and identify weaknesses in the Fulham defenses. Their orders were to operate only at night following the skirmish."
"Why use wolves to attack the farm?" Tristan asked. "That makes no sense."
"It's possible they wanted the wolves to keep out any nosy farmers, hunters, or children playing," Milos suggested. "That plan only failed because Sierra appealed to Count Matthias for help. The City Guard would have done nothing; no disrespect intended, Lieutenant."
"None taken," the Lieutenant replied. "The City Guard isn't responsible outside Fulham. We are involved in this operation only at the express request of Count Matthias. Otherwise, this would fall to the Army or Navy."
"A report needs to be made to the King," Matthias said. "And we need to seal the sea entrance."
"We need a mason," Sir Percy, one of the Knights, suggested. "I'll have materials brought by skiff, and he can work from inside the cave. I'll bring a rope ladder so he does not have to rappel."
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