“All right, whatever you say.”
James looked at Thomas. “Prep the men, and get the camp in order. Remember—no campfires!”
“Right!”
“When you have the camp settled, go to Green Meadow and urge people to leave. Don’t force them to go, but let them know that evacuation has been ordered.”
“I’ll do my best, sir,” Thomas said and turned to leave.
“And Thomas,” James called.
Thomas turned. “Yes?”
“Stay away from Devia’s fortress.”
“Why?”
“I gave you an order. Do you understand?”
“I understand the order, but I don’t understand why.”
“Maybe I can explain it someday. Maybe by then I’ll understand it myself. Now, go! I want all campfires out before dark.”
Loaded carts jostled over the rutted Greenway by morning’s light. Many families were fleeing. Among them were Irene Stanley and her friends.
From a farmhouse near the road, a man watched the stream of humanity pass by, until he spied a familiar face. “Hey, Sam!” the man called. “What are you doing?”
“Leaving!”
“Why?”
“Commander Stafford ordered an evacuation last night. Jabin has an army camped just west of town.”
“What right has Stafford to order us around? He’s not the master of Green Meadow. He can order his troops around, but not me! Besides, there’s a fortress if war does come.”
“You mean Devia’s dungeon?”
“Why do you call it that?”
“Did you see the men he hanged there yesterday?”
“What about it?”
“I’m thinking they disagreed with Devia on some small matter, so he hanged them. I don’t want to be locked in the same cage with that madman.”
“You don’t say? Well, I reckon they had it coming.”
“Suit yourself. I’m getting my wife and children out! If James thinks there is going to be a war, I don’t want any part of it.”
“There is no protection at Headwater except a flask of beer.”
“I’m going farther. Thomas says there will be help at Zaraphath.”
“Zaraphath! That’s a long way. I’ll take my chances right here with Devia and his fortress. He has the right idea. You know, it’s uncanny, almost like he could see into the future. He started that structure this winter, and it looks like he’s finished just in time.”
“Looks planned to me.”
“You don’t like him, do you?”
“I don’t trust him, and I’m leaving.”
“You just watch! Devia will come out of this one better than anyone else, and I wouldn’t be surprised if those who side with him won’t benefit too.”
CHAPTER 15
Breaking Point
James could hear Samoth coming long before he stormed into the command center. “What is the meaning of this, James? My town is in chaos!”
“Didn’t anyone teach you that it’s nice to be announced?” James snapped, coming to his feet.
“You ordered an evacuation. Do you think you own this place?”
“For your information, war is imminent. I have jurisdiction over the civilian population in time of war. I also must protect them. That, Samoth, is why I issued evacuation orders. I can’t and won’t try to enforce the order, but it’s out there, and if people are wise, they will leave.”
“Well, we’ll just see about that!” Samoth shouted, turning to leave.
James grabbed Samoth’s arm and spun him around. Poking a finger in Samoth’s face, he shouted, “Now, you listen! You’ll not interfere with anyone who wishes to leave! I’ll provide a military escort, if that’s what it takes.”
Jerking his arm free, Samoth stomped out of the tent without another word.
It was only a matter of minutes before James sent a messenger asking Thomas to come to the command center. When Thomas arrived, James lost no time in spelling out what he wanted. “Thomas, I want you to make sure the road stays open from here to Headwater.”
“Why, James? It shouldn’t be blocked east, should it?”
“I’m not sure. Samoth was furious about the evacuation. He may try to prevent the civilians from escaping.”
“Why would he care? He never seemed to care about the people before.”
“I’m beginning to see that, Thomas. I’m afraid you’ve been right all along. I’ve played the fool! Do you forgive me for not taking you more seriously?”
“Of course. I might not be right, either.”
“Well, we need to work together—now more than ever. Before you go, Thomas …”
“Yes?”
“What do you know about that boy from town who hangs around you all the time?”
“Not much, really. What do you want to know?”
“Do you trust him?”
“I guess so.”
“Would you trust him with your life?”
“Yes, I think I would. Why?”
“I want to send him to Father. We can’t wait a week for help. It takes too long to go through the council.”
Thomas eyed James for a long moment. “How bad is it?”
“Look at the map.” James beckoned him over. The Western Slope was a mass of black Xs. “Reports indicate that nearly ten thousand men have moved into the forest on the Western Slope!”
The color drained from Thomas’s face. “We’re outnumbered, ten to one.”
“It may well be twenty to one before we’re through,” James said grimly.
Thomas was silent.
James continued. “Thomas, do you think the lad could reach Father and impress upon him our need for reinforcements?”
“I’m sure he could,” Thomas responded.
“Good! Bring him in. I’ll get a horse for him.”
Thomas turned and strode out into the morning sunshine.
Thomas and five other men formed an escort for a large number of men and women fleeing from Green Meadow. These refugees had been mocked and ridiculed for leaving town, but with James’s warning, they had packed their belongings and fled. Now, as they neared Headwater, they could see lots of other refugees camped along the road.
It didn’t take long to see why these people had stopped where they had. Near Headwater, fences lined the Greenway, separating the road from the showy homes and fields of the local farmers. At this location some rogues had overturned several wagons and blocked the road.
Thomas and his companions rode forward to confront the thugs blocking the road. “Clear the road!” Thomas ordered. His men advanced toward the overturned carts. There were twenty men visible, and more were hidden behind the carts. Some were armed with clubs, and a few even had swords.
“Are you going to make us?” shouted a surly man who acted as a spokesman for the rabble.
“I have orders to see that these people are free to pass,” Thomas said evenly.
“We have orders to see they stay!”
“Who issued your orders?” Thomas asked.
“It makes no difference. Now, don’t come any closer,” the surly man warned.
Thomas rode forward with confidence. The men beside him were relaxed but ready. At a single flick of his wrist, the horses bolted. Few could describe what had happened. One moment there were two groups of men—the next, only one.
The fight was over almost before it started. Six men lay dead upon the ground, the surly spokesman among them. The rest of the rabble readily dropped their weapons in submission.
The wagons were moved, the road was cleared, and the people were allowed to pass. The ruffians who survived were given shovels and ordered to bury the dead.
When Thomas and his guard finally parted company with the refugees, it was a subdued group that passed. Those
who had fled their homes had witnessed the fearful efficiency of military training, yet tears filled many eyes. With the growing threat of war, people knew that they might never see these six gallant horsemen again.
When Thomas and his men returned to camp, James asked to see him. “We’ve been summoned to a parley,” James said as Thomas entered the command center.
“Who called for a parley?” Thomas asked.
“I’m not sure if it was Devia or Jabin.”
“You’re not going, are you?”
“Why not?”
“It’s a trap, James! If they can lure you into their web, they will have you. It would cost a thousand men their lives if you were captured on the battlefield, and they know it.”
“You rate me pretty high, little brother, but I see your point. I thought it sounded like a good idea.”
“You couldn’t possibly reason with those men.”
“No, and I could never make any deals with them. I’m not authorized by the council to do so. But talking also takes time, and I want to buy all the time I can. Maybe reinforcements will come soon.”
“Well, don’t buy any time with your life,” Thomas demanded unhappily.
“All right, all right!”
James watched as Thomas settled onto the crate opposite his desk. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“I think so,” Thomas responded. “It bothers me that we killed six men today.”
“I’m sorry too, but I gave you an order, and you carried it out. If there’s any complaint, I’ll deal with it.”
“So, tell me about this parley,” Thomas queried. “When and where is it supposed to take place?”
“Tomorrow morning at Devia’s fortress,” James answered.
“Who set the location?”
“I did.”
“You? Why at the fortress?”
“It’s the most visible location, and I wanted all parties to be there. Look, I know you are unhappy about this, but talking does take time, and maybe help will come.”
“What kind of help can Father send on such short notice?”
“I hope he sends Seagood and the mounted guard.”
Thomas was silent for a moment and then asked, “Did you ask for Seagood?”
“No.”
“What if Father doesn’t send him?”
“Then I’ve misjudged Father, and we are going to be alone.”
Sentries were constantly monitoring the western meadow. Thomas rode with three other men. Though he was off duty for a few hours to get some rest, Thomas was too keyed up to sleep. Instead he’d spelled a man who had been on duty for thirty-six hours and needed some sleep. This group of four sentries would ride a circuit that took them by Devia’s fortress and then west into the meadow. The foursome would split, two headed north and two south. They would monitor enemy forces and then circle back and meet again at camp.
They were near Devia’s fortress when Thomas remembered James’s warning to avoid it. Turning to his partner, he asked, “Scrubby, what is at the fortress?”
“What do you mean, captain?”
“I had orders from Commander Stafford not to go near the fortress. Is there something dreadful there that he is trying to spare me from seeing?”
“Yes, sir,” Scrubby responded. “Two chaps were hanged from the gateposts several days ago, and they ain’t been cut down. They are starting to rot, and maggots are falling out of them onto the ground.”
A chill ran down Thomas’s spine. He could feel his pulse hammer in his veins. “Did you know them?”
“No, sir.”
“Was there anything special about either of them?”
Scrubby pondered a moment and then said, “Well, one chap was real dark. I hadn’t seen any like him around here.”
Thomas shook his head in disbelief. The man he had helped in the caravan had been of dark complexion.
Scrubby stared at Thomas and asked, “Is something wrong, sir?”
Thomas didn’t answer directly. “Are they still there?” he asked.
“I reckon. They were the last time I rode circuit. I think they’re going to leave them there. You can see for yourself in a moment. We’re almost there.”
They turned the corner and headed down the north side of the fortress. The night was dark, but Thomas didn’t have to see the bodies to know they were there. The odor was unbearable. The others hurried by, but Thomas lingered. “So, that’s the way you want to play, is it?” he muttered to himself.
“It’s pretty bad, captain. I’d come away from there if I was you.” Scrubby tried not to gag as he spoke.
Thomas was grim when he joined the others, and all he would say was, “I’ve got an appointment with Samoth first thing in the morning.”
After his return to camp, Thomas could not shake the memory of the men hanging from Devia’s fortress. As he still had an hour free before briefing, he turned his horse back toward Green Meadow. He rode slowly through the morning’s growing light. What can I do? he wondered.
Rounding the corner of Devia’s fortress, Thomas could see more clearly the scene that had been hidden in the dark. The men’s sunbaked bodies were bloated and barely recognizable, and the smell was worse. I should have stayed and tried to rescue the man who warned me, Thomas thought. Instead I ran, and these men died.
As Thomas stared at the bodies, he felt certain that he was being watched from the towers above. “All right!” he said aloud, startled by the sound of his own voice. “I can at least bury my friends.”
The bodies were high off the ground. Circling beneath them, Thomas steadied his mount and crawled slowly to his knees. Then, ever so slowly, he came to his feet in the saddle.
“Steady boy,” he said softly to his horse. With his sword, he could just nick the rope above the dark man’s head. “Steady,” he said soothingly to his horse. With a sudden flick of his wrist, the rope snapped, and the dark body plunged to the ground.
Startled by the sudden motion, the horse bolted, and Thomas fell, head over heels. Dusting himself off, Thomas caught his frightened mount and began calming it with soft words until it regained its composure.
“Maybe I should bury one at a time,” he said, ruefully eyeing the second body swaying in the air.
Thomas found a rock large enough to tie his horse’s reins to so it would not bolt again. Then with one deep breath, he stooped and lifted what remained of his friend to the saddle. Turning his back to the fortress, he walked away, knowing he made a perfect target for anyone on the wall. “Kill me if you want,” he muttered, “but I have to do this for my friend.”
The ground was rocky, but Thomas managed to chip out a shallow grave and ease the dead man into the hollow. He felt so responsible for this man’s death. Remorse filled Thomas’s mind as he began to toss dirt over the body, and perspiration trickled down his brow.
“You did a nice job, Thomas.”
Startled, Thomas looked up into the leering face of Samoth. Even as he reached for his sword, Thomas heard a boot scrape on the rocks behind him, and all went dark.
CHAPTER 16
Realization
All officers were required to meet at the command center each morning for the daily briefing. When Thomas failed to appear, James asked, “Has anyone seen Thomas?”
An aide quickly answered, “No, sir.”
“He’s always here for briefing.”
“I can check his quarters, sir.”
“He’s not there!” James growled. “I already checked. I really need him!”
“Maybe he’s still on circuit, sir.”
“He’s not scheduled for circuit,” James said.
“I know that, sir, but he rode circuit during the night.”
“He what?” James roared.
“VanWickle had been on for thirty-six, sir, and Captain said he could t
ake a breather. So, Captain rode in his place.”
“Did he ride past the fortress?” James asked.
“That’s their route, sir.”
“Never mind about Thomas, then. I know where he is.”
“Where will I find him, sir?”
“I doubt we will,” James responded grimly.
“Sir?”
James appeared to shrivel and age before the startled attendant’s eyes. “Are you all right, sir?” the young man asked.
“No!” James snapped. “I am not all right. Nothing is all right!” He turned on his heel and strode away.
Ten riders galloped toward the gates of Devia’s fortress. They did not know what they would find, but all were armed and prepared for trouble. Rounding the last bend, James checked his gait. It was time for the parley, but no one else was there.
James noticed that there was only one body hanging near the gate. “It’s gone!” he said aloud.
“What’s gone, sir?”
“The dark body that was hanging here,” James said.
“I wish the other was gone too. Whew, what a smell!”
“But why would it be gone?” James asked.
“I guess someone wanted to give it a proper burial.”
“A proper burial,” James murmured. “That sounds like Thomas.”
Leaping from his saddle, James strode to the gate and pounded as loudly as he could. “Samoth!” he shouted. “Come out here! If this is a parley, where is everyone?”
Silence met their ears.
“Samoth!” James roared. “What happened to the other body?”
James’s men grew uneasy. Dozens of archers might be waiting with fingers upon taught strings, yet they stayed by their commander. They had no idea why the missing body troubled him so.
James grew frantic. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he pummeled the heavy doors of the fortress with his fists. Several of his men leaped from their mounts and pulled him away. “Don’t break your bones on these heavy doors, sir. It won’t make Samoth come out if he’s not willing.”
Leaping forward, James tore from their clutches and raced back to the heavy gates. Drawing his dagger, he screamed, “Traitor!” And with a madman’s strength, he plunged his knife into the silent wood, burying the blade clear to the hilt.
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