Return of a Forgotten Hero by Harlan Finchley

Author:Harlan Finchley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2025-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“So you men are pilgrims now, are you?” Gideon said.

“If you can be one, so can we,” the lead man said with a snorted laugh.

“You seem to reckon you know something about me.”

The man stood up and came around the table to stand in front of Gideon. He gave a quick salute.

“I sure do, Commander Gideon Copeland.”

“Even if you were right about that, you shouldn’t be pleased with yourself as I have no idea who you are.”

The man shrugged and then offered his name as Owen Moore. He then went on to identify the other four men, who all gave quick salutes when they were pointed at.

“That’s us, five loyal soldiers ready to serve.”

Gideon gave a reluctant sigh and then identified Ferguson and Kevan.

“Then I suggest you do that instead of embarking on a pilgrimage.”

“We are yours to command, so if that is what you wish, that is what we’ll do.”

Gideon groaned. “I meant that you should return to your unit and carry out your real commander’s orders.”

Owen leaned toward Gideon and winked. “Maybe that is what we’re doing.”

Gideon took a long pace to stand close to Owen, causing him to straighten up.

“You’re behaving without discipline or due respect for a man you seem to believe has the rank of a commanding officer. If you were right and you were mine to command, I’d discharge you.”

Owen sneered. “Those are fine words coming from the man who was charged with holding Tormond Castle and yet failed to. . . .”

Owen trailed off before he completed a taunt that would probably be enough to escalate the confrontation, the reason becoming clear when Lorcan and another man came through the door carrying trays laden down with bowls. They stopped for a moment, presumably after having detected the tension in the room, before moving on and depositing the bowls on the table.

“I hope everything is fine in here,” Lorcan said while not meeting anyone’s eye.

“Our views on how the war is progressing differ,” Gideon said. “That’s not a problem though as we all agree on the result we want.”

Owen gave an affirmative grunt and this made Lorcan smile before he backed away.

“In that case I’ll leave you to exchange your opinions while you enjoy your meal.”

Neither group moved while the two men left the room. Then, with a deliberately slow movement, Gideon headed over to the table. He picked up one of the trays, placed three bowls on it and took it to the table by the window.

Ferguson and Kevan sat with him and began eating. Owen and his colleagues didn’t react and instead they sat down and wolfed down their broth, their enthusiasm suggesting they hadn’t eaten for a while.

The men also murmured to each other with low voices and gave the occasional laugh. Ferguson couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he picked up enough to reckon they were mocking the idea that they had been accepted as people who were thinking about becoming pilgrims.

“Have you worked out yet how they

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