Page 108 of The Great Pursuit
Tiern Seabolt rode swiftly southward to the town of Dovedell. It gave him a thrill to round the hill and look down over thousands of waiting troops. When they saw him, an alertness rang through the air. Soldiers and townsmen began to rush about.
He rode to the inn, which had been made into headquarters for the army commanders. He jumped from his horse and was led straight in to find Zorfinan high officers and Zandora. They all stood expectantly. He gulped two large breaths before giving his news.
“We estimate that one third of the Kalorian troops have exited the northern gates of royal lands and headed north.”
“They have taken the bait,” said the Zorfinan leader. The others nodded with satisfaction. “But two-thirds remaining inside the walls is more than I had hoped.”
Tiern continued. “Aye. We will be evenly matched with their numbers on land.”
“When the battle begins, Lochlan and Ascomannian ships will come down from the bay into the royal port,” a Zorfinan officer said. “That will provide a distraction to get Kalor away from the wall, and into cannon fire.”
“We will outnumber them,” Zandora said with confidence. “When will we leave?”
“I propose that we give the ships an hour or so to move into place in order to attack simultaneously,” said Tiern. “Perhaps we will catch many of them comfortably asleep at that time. How many Lashed will join us?”
An officer answered, “With those who came from southern lands we now have forty-four prepared to enter battle with us.”
Zandora’s eyes gleamed. “I will ready my women.”
“And I my men,” said the Zorfinan leader.
Tiern remembered Vixie’s face when he’d left her. He wanted to be worthy of that look. This was his chance.
Chapter
49
News of battle made it to Craw Coorie from another mounted messenger. Lochlan and Ascomannian forces had patiently waited while Kalorian troops squeezed onto the strip of land, and then attacked from the river side, stream side, and north. Meanwhile ships sailed down from the bay to royal lands for the battle that would take place there.
So far everything had gone according to plan, much to the joy and relief of all the leaders in Craw Coorie.
“At this rate you could be back in the castle as soon as tomorrow, my queen,” said Harrison.
“Seas willing,” she whispered, too afraid to hope.
Once she’d been informed, the officers left the thatched house where Aerity was to remain during the battle,surrounded by guards. She looked around at the others. They appeared as tired as she felt, especially Paxton, who had finally sat and was rubbing his face.
He brought his palms down to rest on his thighs and looked at Aerity. They stared at each other, neither appearing happy, and both steady in mutual agreement: it was too good to be real. Knowing what a cunning man Prince Vito was, it seemed unlikely he’d fall so easily for their trick. They were dealing with an evil mastermind. Others might forget it, but Aerity and Paxton could not.
After well over an hour, the confined room began to feel stifling. Aerity could not bring herself to sit still or eat the food they’d been brought. For once she had more energy than Vixie, who looked on the verge of passing out from exhaustion at any moment. Aerity so desperately wanted to fly above the lands like a hawk and see what was happening.
“Aerity, you’re going to wear a path in this poor family’s rug,” Wyneth said gently. “And if you don’t eat something your body will eventually crash.” Her cousin held out a plate with a buttered roll, roasted pumpkin, and a poached egg.
She took it and sat heavily at the table, wanting to appease Wyneth. She took a nibble of the roll and pushed the pumpkin around until Wyn cleared her throat and nodded at the plate. Aerity shoved a bite of roasted pumpkin in her mouth and had to grab a cup of water to wash it down when it got stuck. She forced down several more bites before pushing it away, stomach aching.
“Give it here.” Vixie sounded grumpy as she sat acrossfrom Aerity and took the plate, absently putting bites into her mouth. Furball walked over to her, put a hand on the bench next to her, and began to lift himself up to the table.
Wyneth made a sharp click with her mouth that caused Furball to jump back, away from the table.
“Good boy,” she said. She grabbed a sausage from her plate and tossed it to him, shrugging when Harrison crossed his arms and gave her a rueful look. “What? It’s not as if you lot were going to eat it.”
He opened his mouth to speak but didn’t have a chance. A hurried knock at the door pulled him away. Paxton stood and went to Harrison’s side as he opened it. One of the officers stood there with fervent worry in his eyes that made Aerity’s stomach plummet.
“Bad news, Lieutenant. When the Kalorians realized they were under attack, half their forces stayed to fight while the other half fled across the stream. But instead of continuing south, they turned and headed northward. We hadn’t expected that since the stream is chest deep and nearly frozen. We’re not certain if they’re trying to circle and hit our forces from behind, or if they’re taking the long route here to Craw Coorie, but it’s time for the town to brace and the queen to be moved.”
“Aye,” said Harrison. “Though the Kalorians will be in poor shape after going through the stream. And what of the small village on the other side of the stream? Have their people evacuated?”
“Those that remained have been told to flee.”
