Peredis A Prince at war by C.J.Neylon

Author:C.J.Neylon [C.J.Neylon, ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781913230531
Publisher: Tiny Tree Children’s Books
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Training continued to advance for the group and Peredis, with his new found kinship with Jante, had made leaps and bounds in his progress. He saw changes in his physique which continued to give him confidence in his ability to carry out the task before him, finding his father's axe. Through his hard work and dedication he had also gained the respect and admiration of all his fellow recruits, and his progress greatly impressed his instructors.

After carrying out another difficult orienteering exercise with the approval of both Sigmund and Stephane his confidence was soaring. That was until a few days later he was called into the office unexpectedly. These summons always made him feel nervous.

"We have a situation, Peredis," Sigmund began. "The Federal army has been very active in recent weeks on the Outside," by which he meant beyond the boundaries of Eremore "and we have lost Aitor, an important resistance leader. We've been asked to provide a replacement. Both Stephane and myself believe you may be ready to join the movement where help is badly needed. It's a dangerous mission in the front line but we'll be sending Itxaso with you. She, as you know, is very capable, and she knows the terrain and the villages all along the mountain range."

Peredis had had little conversation so far with Itxaso who stayed mostly with Edurne and Rowena in their time off. She was a striking girl with snow-white complexion and jet black hair. Like her companions she was incredibly fit and outshone most of the others in competitive races and manual combat. Anton was especially taken by her, which gave rise to some teasing from Conor and Bar.

"When do we leave?" he asked.

"Tomorrow at first light," said Sigmund. "A guide will take you on horseback through one of the mountain passes, and then Itxaso will show you how to reach the eastern resistance camp where you'll be based. I will join you a little later for a mission I need to prepare in the upper valley."

"How long will we be deployed on the Outside?"

"Until our support tasks are completed. We'll receive instructions in due course. Any more questions? No. Get ready to leave tomorrow then."

***

The following morning as the sun tipped above the horizon, Itxaso and Peredis met outside the staff office. They nodded to each other but didn't speak. Itxaso led the way down a track in the woods where a guide was waiting with two saddled horses.

Most of that day was spent travelling into the mountains, going deeper and deeper by narrow stony paths where they had to dismount. A few times Itxaso let out a cry as she recognised a feature or a distant shepherd's croft. But the guide didn't alter his pace. Finally they began a descent which led them out of the shadow of the mountain and into a broad meadow where a shallow river ran. Here the guide stopped and turned.

"You know your way now," he said to Itxaso who grasped his hand in thanks.

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