The Dark God (The Dark God Rises Trilogy Book 3) by Robert Ryan

Author:Robert Ryan [Ryan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trotting Fox Press
Published: 2019-10-02T22:00:00+00:00

18. The Enemy

Far away the approaching dawn colored the horizon gray. But daylight was still a long way off. Even so. Hruidgar hastened as much as he dared. He had to get close to the army, and then back into the trees before first light. Otherwise, he would have a whole regiment sent to kill him. Or worse, take him prisoner for questioning.

Travel was easier once he reached the flatter land below the slope. But there were few trees here and not much that offered cover. He relied on the soft walk of the mare to make little noise, and his senses to detect the presence of anybody in the dark with him.

The glittering stars were not quite so bright. The horizon had become grayer. Even, he thought that he could see further through the dark than he could before. He wanted to urge the horse into a canter, for time was running out on him. But that would be foolish. He gritted his teeth and pressed on as he was.

Suddenly, he paused. Drawing the mare to a standstill, he waited in silence. Had he heard something? Had some sense warned him of hidden danger?

He felt vulnerable atop his mount. Being higher, there was greater chance of standing out against the lighter sky and being seen. He wanted to dismount. Yet if he did that, and he was attacked, he could not flee.

And flee he would have to try to do if detected. There would be no fighting here, if he could avoid it. To fight here was to risk alerting others, and in a matter of moments he could be fighting a hundred men.

So he waited where he was, and listened, while his gaze swept the mysterious night.

Then a noise came from off to his left. It was a man clearing his throat. It was not loud, and perhaps the man was not even conscious that he made the noise, but he did, and it had saved Hruidgar’s life. On such chances turned his fate.

Hruidgar continued to wait. It was several minutes more before the man once again cleared his throat. The noise came from the same place as it had before, and there was no sign of anyone else. How far away were the sentries placed? Would there be one line of them or two?

He had no answers to any of his questions. The only thing to do was move forward again. But now, he dismounted. He could not risk being seen. Being heard was already likely enough.

But the horse moved quietly, and the grass here was short and soft. Somehow, he moved ten paces, then twenty and finally fifty without any sign of being detected.

He realized that a cold sweat had broken out over his face, and his hands were clammy. His face did not matter, but clammy hands were dangerous. The bow could slip in his grip when he needed speed and strength.

Wiping his hands dry, one at a time on his trousers, he mounted again. Moving forward, he saw the army begin to take shape before him.

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