Chapter 41

“So,” Firios asked Balat. “Does Doriel believe we are under observation from the dark kin?”

“She knows,” Balat corrected him. “Her people have them under observation in return as they move further into Thenarron.”

“They must be well hidden.”

“She says they are simply moving ahead of you. So far there is no intent to strike.”

“Ah,” Darras nodded. “Plotting our movements in order to plan out a meeting engagement.”

“She says yes, though I’m not sure what that means,” Balat chuckled.

“A place where the armies will clash,” Darras explained.

“We should have passed the killing zone by sundown,” Annos added. “I expect skirmishes to start then.”

“Seems likely,” Darras agreed. “They do appear to have a taboo about entering this zone.”

“Their underclass types have, yes,” Tinara agreed. “Though not all of them.”

“Orders are, unless hostile, we are not to engage, simply mark their positions,” Firios replied as Darras served up the stew he had warmed up.

“Yes, though some of the Rossarisi I’ve spoken to are spoiling for blood,” Sondrast sighed.

“Yes. It’s not surprising, the Thenarronian invasion was an awful chapter in their history,” Tinara agreed.

“Tempered somewhat by the realisation that they had friends in the form of Torgillon,” Traskis pointed out. “Though sadly, not our Kingdom with whom they had accords.”

“The Humans of Dorlianath (the Elven name for the Forest Kingdom) desired to aid them,” Firios replied. “But were forbidden by Leandomus on the instructions of Sallason who told him Erren had forbidden such.”

“That wretch will have much to answer for when he finally faces judgement,” Tinara almost snarled. “His works have stained our reputation in many Kingdoms.”

“He survives, barely, as a beggar in a Human town now,” Darras informed them.

“A fitting judgement by Wenderos to be sure,” Tinara agreed.

“No doubt at all,” Firios chuckled.

“I will remain here for the Torgillans,” Annos announced, getting back to business. “I’ll then use far-striding to catch up with the rest of you.”

“Fine,” Firios nodded, knowing Annos alone amongst us road travellers had such a skill.

The party rapidly cleaned their dishes using the now clean well water and refilled their water skins. Darras then thoroughly doused the fire before they set off. Firios, Tinara and Traskis melted away into the forest either side of the road as Darras, Balat, Sondrast, Amina and the others set off along the road. Despite the Elven scouts, the group also scanned their surroundings carefully, though more out of habit than from any sense of danger. After several hours they were re-joined by Annos who reported the Torgillans had reached the village and were setting up there for the night as well as preparing it as a supplies base and a command post.

“I was informed the rest of the armies are progressing well, even the Dwarves,” she informed Darras, allowing her prejudices to show slightly.

“I doubt we’ll have any issues, at least until the armies meet,” Darras thought. “The only issues then may come if there are setbacks, as there likely will be.”

“You think we cannot win?” Balat asked.

“I think we’ll win, I just doubt the Thenarronians will make it easy for us.”

“Which is why we’re out here ahead of the armies,” Annos added. “They, at least, hopefully won’t be able to surprise us.”

An hour before sundown the nature of the road changed, almost as if it had been cut by a knife, with it becoming well maintained ahead of the group.

“I wonder who maintains it and why?” Darras chuckled.

“It does seem odd,” Sondrast replied. “From what Annos has told me, the natives do not travel this way as it’s forbidden.”

“Maybe we’ll find out when we reach the village,” Annos replied thoughtfully. “Though not today. We’d best set up camp near here and enter in the morning.”

The party moved off the road and found a clearing where they set up their tents and dug a fire pit. As they were doing this, a woodnymph entered the clearing and dropped off several rabbits, all without saying a word, leaving as silently as she’d entered. Darras and Nemmos prepared the rabbits, cooking and turning them over the fire. Firios, Tinara and Traskis joined them just as the sun touched the horizon. The group ate, discussing watch arrangements as well as what lay ahead.

“The village is still there and occupied, though there are signs of tension in the inhabitants,” Tinara informed them. “We did not approach close enough to be observed.”

“My team will go in first thing,” Amina stated. “Give us an hour then approach.”

“Very well,” Firios agreed. “Though we Elves will scout out the surrounding area.”

“Looks like it will be just you and me, Balat,” Darras chuckled.

“We’ll have stuff to sell and trade. Doubt they’ll be that hostile, but you never know,” Balat commented.

“Yes. Don’t let your guard down, there are a lot of unknowns as yet.”

“Indeed. Nor are Doriel’s people within the village,” Balat warned Amina. “You’ll be going in blind.”

“We’ll be careful, though hopefully, unseen,” Amina nodded.

The party then settled down for the night. Balat took the first watch and Darras followed two hours later.

‘I wonder what they are up to?’ Erren queried.

“I don’t know, possibly a giant trap,” Darras murmured softly so as not to wake anyone.

‘You may be right. I suspect a great deal of planning by my brother’s people has gone on here.’

“I doubt they’re ready for what’s coming their way, plans or not,” Darras chuckled. “The forces from Rachtelin for one.”

‘Yes, though no doubt they’ll try to adapt.’

“Hopefully not quickly enough.”

Morning came and the party broke camp quickly, the Elves, other than Sondrast, melting into the woods on either side of the road. Darras and his group, including the thieves, joined the road and followed it downhill towards the village which Darras had visited almost a year earlier. He, Balat and Sondrast then concealed themselves nearby as the thieves slipped into the village to scout it out for any surprises.

“There are a number of guards billeted in various houses, maybe about ten or so,” Nemmos informed Darras after an hour. “They aren’t popular as they refuse to pay for any food and often cause fights when drunk.”

“That will be their undoing,” Darras replied. “I’ll draw them out. Balat, Sondrast, you cover me.”

“You got it,” Balat replied, drawing his bow as Sondrast merely nodded.

Darras’s approach caused shouts of alarm from the village and several burly men clad in half armour rapidly formed to intercept his approach.

“You there!” one of the men yelled. “State your business!”

“I’ve come to demand you leave or surrender,” Darras replied calmly. “You are no match for the armies approaching, not even for me and my party.”

“An invader!” another yelled and drew back his arm to cast his spear, only to go down with an arrow in his throat.

This caused some consternation amongst the group as they were all suddenly looking very nervous, as well as searching for the archer.

“Seize him!” the original speaker yelled as the men tried to rush Darras. This immediately went wrong for them as six arrows shot out into their group from various directions, including one from behind them. This stalled the charge as suddenly as it had started. The guards turned to flee, only to go down to more arrows from the hidden watchers.

“Damned cocky fools,” Darras sighed as he signalled for Sondrast and Balat to approach.

“That was just silly ... them all being bunched up like that,” Balat said as he approached and aided Darras in retrieving their arrows.

“It was,” Darras agreed. “It just needed one guard, the rest should have remained under cover inside the village ... not that that would have helped them much.”

“I assume it’s lack of experience?” Sondrast asked.

“Yes, along with a touch of arrogance at only seeing one man.”

“What do you want done with them?”

“Up to the villagers,” Darras shrugged. “Technically they are their people.”

“Yes,” Sondrast nodded as they spotted a man nervously approaching.

“I am the village headman,” the man said, the words almost tumbling out of his mouth.

“I know. We met last time I was here to trade,” Darras replied, causing the man to start in shock.

“You! You’re the tinker?”

“I am, as well as being a scout for the Alliance seeking redress from Thenarron for their deeds in the invasion of Rossaris.”

“We ... we have nothing of great value,” the man pleaded. “What are your intentions?”

“Just scouting; though I have items for trade as well,” Darras chuckled.

“Trade?”

“Those coming have no quarrel with the ordinary folk,” Darras explained. “They are under orders not to abuse you unless you take up arms against them.”

“They won’t enslave us?”

“No. Not unless you do something stupid. Now, call your people and I’ll inform them of what is likely to happen.”

It didn’t take too long to assemble the villagers, some of whom recognised Darras from his previous, trading, visit. All were, however, frightened by the fact that they had enemy armies (in their eyes) approaching. They were however fascinated in seeing Sondrast, as none had ever knowingly seen an Elf before, though most, if not all, had heard of them. Darras then explained the rules of what essentially would be an occupation of the village by a small squad.

“They will be under instructions not to interfere with your lives, nor will they behave like the soldiers we despatched,” Darras concluded.

“So they’ll simply be watching us?” the headman asked.

“To ensure you don’t interfere with the army’s advance, yes,” Darras confirmed.