Hunter's Moon by D A Godwin

Author:D A Godwin [Godwin, D A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Conclave Publishing LLC
Published: 2019-10-29T04:00:00+00:00

Conflicting Intent

Edward stood on the hill from which he had commanded the army for… what? Seven days now? They all ran together. The morning sun was rising behind him, casting light on the Ceringion camp just a mile away.

His eyes drifted over the stain on the earth where the demon had died, killed with divine magic by Kataria of all people. How she had come by such power was beyond him. And her companion. The small Ranger who fought with the strength and skill of someone far more experienced. It was easy to see why she had chosen him. Had he not seen them vanquish the creature with his own eyes he would never have believed it.

The heavy tread of footsteps approaching pulled him out of his musings.

“A fine morning for watching the sun rise,” Argus said as he joined Edward at the top of the hill. “Are they still waiting?”

“It appears so, though I have no idea why.”

Argus turned his gaze to where the defensive ditch was being expanded. “I’ll not complain. Every day they wait give us more time to prepare.”

Edward rubbed his temples, “Should we have abandoned this place and moved north instead of staying here?”

“The last message we got said to hold this position.”

“True, but you didn’t answer the question.”

Argus sighed. “Probably. The forest’s thick enough to hold our flanks, but if they decide to rush us again it may not matter.”

“Stand down half our forces but rotate them slowly,” Edward said. “Call the commanders to my tent.”

Argus left to gather the commanders, and in short order they were assembled in Edward’s tent. Once there, they wasted little time in making their opinions known.

“Much longer and they’ll grind us into nothing,” Kelsto said, plopping heavily into a chair. His comment was no surprise, as he had lost fully two-thirds of those under his command.

“A withdrawal begins to seem a more prudent choice,” Gerondel added.

“We were told to hold them here as long as possible,” Edward countered. “If we leave, their rear will be uncontested, and they’ll be free to descend upon Halisford.”

“Still no word from Merallin?” That from Ferrell, who seemed to ask the same question every day.

Edward shook his head. “None. Nor from Halisford, Tiridon, or anywhere else. The last bird Lord Brouchard received was from Halisford over two weeks ago, stating that they saw no sign of the enemy and instructing us to hold this position as long as possible. What of our scouts?”

Aric looked grim. “We have only three Rangers left, my lord. We’ve sent twice that number out but have yet to hear back from any. I could do more with more men.”

Edward caught the implied reference to Tormjere but sidestepped the issue. “It’s clear they’re taking special care to keep us here and keep us blind.”

“Only a fool does what the enemy wants him to do,” Gerondel said.

“While I do not consider myself a fool, what we need to do and what they want us to do are in alignment, for now.

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