58-59-Spring-514
Markus felt the weariness of his body. Mind was still sharp and attentive on the road ahead. The warhorse between his legs moved forward. It had already taken longer than he had hoped for this patrol. With the back of his hand he covered the rays of Syna so he might see the Cabin he knew was somewhere ahead of him. He was tired. It had been a very long day. Spent most of it throwing glances over his shoulders and around at the treetops. Looking for wings in the light of Syna. With the cabin in sight, Markus made a sigh of relief as he raised a hand. Simple sign in any culture. This doubled as one of the few dozen Ekeldi signs he had learnt this far. The knights under his command stopped. He raised a pair of fingers. Made a gesture to himself. Anders and Braklin were soon by his side. Three fingers came up. Followed by the command for them to hold. The use of Ekeldi rather than simply speaking made little sense considering that up until now they had been chatting with one another. Though the mirth of the conversation had been missing entirely. Everyone were running on fumes. Most of them carried an injury or two. But this was as much for Markus to learn the language. Luckily they all understood this and let their discipline take over and not speak a word.
Markus rode forward. Dismounted near the cabin. The other two knights did likewise. Markus drew his blade and pulled the shield from his back. Feeling the comfortable weight of both as he slowly opened the door to the cabin. Peeked in over his shield and the few rays of Syna still shone brightly enough for him to see the cabin was clear. He stepped in and did a double check.
”Tell them it is clear.” Markus said to Anders as he looked at the cabin. A wood stove and four cots. Enough for four of them to sleep while the other two kept guard.
Knight Anders stepped out and whistled and motioned for the other knights to come closer. Markus felt his nerves calm a little. Expecting the worst. But the promise of a defensible position and it manned by Syliras' finest ought to end the attacks. Markus stepped out feeling none too confident that his assessment was correct. Best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
”Hales, bring Braklin with you inside, get a fire started and see if you can't turn our rations into something edible. ” He paused slightly, considering the tactical advantages of where they were placed. They had solid walls and a good roof over their head. Negating the flight advantage of their pursuers. Might unnerve them a little to hear them climb about up there, but that was about it. Unless they landed in force and began to cave in the roof, then the knights would be forced to evacuate. That problem they could take at that time. For now he looked to Anders and Brock. Both had sustained the brunt of the attack before. Anders had a gash across her right thigh. Covered by her armour right now, but he could see every step hurt a little. Brock had taken a gash across the shoulder blades. He looked okay from afar, trying to play it tough, but Markus could see the occasional wince when he moved a bit too swiftly or swung too fast. But it was luck, Markus realized, not skill or tactical brilliance. Not expert leadership on his behalf. No. Simple. Stupid luck. That was a fact that frightened the sergeant. That life and death so often came down to luck.
”Anders, Brock, get in there and remove the armour, we need to check those wounds. Get you ready for the evening.” He commanded confidently, although the weariness of being awake for close to 18 bells was appearing. Slower reaction speed. Thoughts became jumbled a little easier.
Something that would happen a lot in combat. Markus' own left ribcage had been injured. A pair of claws had managed to grace across the skin and cause a pair of long narrow lines that had begun to spill blood immediately. Almost avoided the attack so the wound was a little more than skin deep. Hurt like a man had punched him in the chest. Been bandaged up and they had all decided to move in the middle of the night. Get out of the forest and return to Syliras post haste. There had been too many of the attackers for the wing to fight in the darkness. Not with rocks descending from above and attackers swinging in from all about.
Hales had saved their lives that night. His age and experience had awoken them all in the middle of the night. As he had been the only one armoured he had effectively taken the brunt of the attacks. Many scrapes and cuts upon his armour had done little in the brief but intense fight to stop him from fighting back. Unarmed creatures against plate was a losing fight. Everyone else, in their deep slumber had not had the time to don their armour. Markus had not even gotten his blade or shield, only pulled the cold iron dagger and defended himself the best he could. Which had been a left cross into the face of a Zith devil. Broken the nose as it had cut open the left side of his chest. Bandages that would need to be changed.
”Hushod, take care of the horses.” He ordered with a yawn. The older woman more accustomed to harsh times like these, still sent him a dirty look at the unkind order, but carried out the order as Markus stepped inside again. Preparing himself mentally to act the leader he was supposed to be. Despite his own weariness and that of his knights. They would need to sleep. Luckily Syna was still up and rumours said that these creatures didn't attack during day was a blessing if true.
