Gathering Shadows by Simon Barron

Author:Simon Barron [Barron, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-84982-281-7
Publisher: M P Publishing Limited

“Of course I didn’t mean to shoot you, Manic,” Andi insisted. “Why would I shoot you on purpose?” The wound had been washed, cleaned and cauterised to seal it against infection, and now the dwarf was fairly drunk. He grumbled again, and then started laughing quietly to himself as his eyes closed.

They had discovered a stash of whiskey in one of the mercenaries’ saddlebags and had put it to good use, sterilising both Manic’s wound and senses. Now Eidos and Finhead rolled him in a couple of blankets, taking good care with his wound so as not to open it with the movement. The dwarf was asleep.

“Do you think it was a good idea?” Eidos asked from across the small fire they had controlled following the battle in the camp.

Andi eyed him quizzically. “Shooting Manic? Always.”

“No, setting the slaves free.”

Finhead murmured thoughfully and poked the fire without comment.

“Of course!” she told him with conviction. “We had to do it that way; it was our only viable option.”

Once the fires had been extinguished, they had regrouped and scouted the camp to ensure no sappers lurked, playing dead and waiting for an opportunity. Some individuals were seriously wounded, breathing shallowly and suffering greatly. They were dispatched without ceremony or apology. No sentiment was wasted on the slavers.

It took them a few moments to pile the corpses and set them for firing, although they were not to be lit until the team was underway at first light, if at all. Carrion feeders might do as good a job.

Regarding the freed slaves, opinion was divided. Finhead and Manic had been concerned for the safety of the freed slaves, stating emphatically that the four should escort them to the nearest village before continuing on their quest.

“It’s simply not viable!” Andi had pressed at the time, with a small amount of support from Eidos. “I share your concern for these people, but pressing facts remain that are unavoidable: whilst there are obviously slaver trains working the area, this was the only one we encountered. We have enough discarded weaponry here to arm these people, and with a good night’s sleep and some food they’ll be more than a match should they be called to defend themselves. But more concerning is our need to push on. These freed people will find their way home with or without our help, but it’s more important to look at the big picture. Where were they being taken to?”

The others had stared back blankly. “Erm… Ipsica?” Eidos had asked, mentioning the neighbouring nation as though stating the obvious—which indeed he was.

“See what little provisions these slaver people had?” Andi had indicated, trying to control her frustration. “They weren’t travelling far enough to reach any of the strongholds deep behind the border in Ipsica. Any settlement along the border close enough for them to reach in this direction would be the size of outposts.

“The way Ipsican rural society works is that the farming communities are held by the landlords, and cities are few and far between.

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