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.We wanted him to leave us alone.Hisbreakfast food didn't agree with us. Iftang smiled. I think I understand. Anaxantis smiled back. I'llgo see him anyway. Your lordship is a braver man than I am. Thegeneral laughed.The hills lay downwards the wind, yet, when hecame nearer the unmistakable, distinct stench ofpatriph assaulted his nostrils.Hemarchidas sat on atree trunk, before a fire, stirring in a pot. I see they banned you from civilized company,Anaxantis said, his eyes twinkling. Oh, it's you, Hemarchidas said. You wantsome? There's enough for two. About as much as I want my eyes put out with ablunt, rusty knife.I thought you loathed the stuff. Strange thing is, after some days without it, Iseem to crave it. So you brought some emergency stash? Nope.Arranulf must have put it in my luggage. Wasn't that nice of him? Anaxantis beamed.Hemarchidas looked suspiciously at him. You're not starting that again, are you? I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about,Anaxantis said, teasing him. But, while we're on thesubject, how did it go? How did what go? Come on, Hemarchidas, you were seen.In TheCranky Goat. You and your damned spies, Hemarchidasmuttered. You have me followed as well now? Not at all.My, eh, source was there for altogetherdifferent reasons.He saw fit to mention it though. For your information, you little busybody, nothinghappened.Just two people who spent an agreeableafternoon and evening together.Anaxantis sat down beside him. That was all? he asked softly. He's a nice kid and all that.I just don't see myselfinvolved with a duke.and he is.He didn't finish the sentence but concentrated onthe stirring again. And he is not you.He hasn't that panache, thatspirit, that verve.He's exactly the opposite.He iscalm and seems always in control of himself.You area raging fire.He is like slowly burning charcoal. Ah, I see, Anaxantis said.Then looking up at thesky, he added  It seems we're going to have abeautiful day.Nothing but open skies.Hemarchidas took his pot from the fire, softlycursing as he almost burned his fingers. That's it? You're letting it go? How very unusual.How suspicious, he growled. I suppose that you know what you're doing.Anaxantis shrugged. Just don't rule anything out, willyou?Anaxantis and two cartographers were surveyinga terrain where, at the far end, the river Mirax, andwhat they had dubbed, for lack of a better name, theWestwood Forest met each other.They hadseparated from the main group to take a closer lookat this particular corner. It would be ideal, Anaxantis thought,  if theycrossed the river here.The forest acts as a solidwall upon an army.Left and right there are heightswhich we could use for positioning archers andcavalry units.Behind me the undulating terraincould hide a whole army and protect it fromprojectiles.Their only way out would be back overthe Mirax. I want a detailed map of this terrain, he orderedthe cartographers. Make sure you indicate the exactlocation of those woodworks there on both sides.Both men nodded and set to work.Anaxantis rodeto the banks of the Mirax.The river looked ratheridyllic. I suppose it will temporarily be very dangerouswhen the snow starts melting in the mountains, butthe rest of the year it will be easily fordable.Just asit is now.We must measure how deep it is at thispoint.Difficult to say, but it could very well be that abridge isn't even necessary.It's function as adefensive line may be doubtful, but after the war itwill be highly useful as a cheap way to transportgoods and people all the length of the RenuvianPlainsIn his mind's eye he saw several vessels upon theriver, some transporting grain, others buildingmaterials, others still passengers.On both sides, atregular intervals, he would have mooring facilitieserected.Soon inns, warehouses and shops of allkinds would follow of their own accord.It wouldn'ttake long or communities would spring up out ofwhat was now uninhabited wilderness.The Miraxwould become the highway, as well as the life arteryof the new province.In those five days they had seen nobody.Norobber gangs, no outcasts.He supposed the raidersoperated more eastward, where the usual route ofthe trade caravans was.A minor nuisance, but afterthe war he would go after the gangs and make surenone were left to endanger peaceful trade and safevoyaging.Wrapped up in his in visions for the future, andwhile the cartographers were still working, he turnedMyrmos around to make his way back to the maingroup.He was still out of sight when he heardshouting and the unmistakable sound of clangingswords.There was fighting, at least a skirmish,going on. Robbers? he wondered, while he gave his horsethe spurs.He climbed a minor hill, and as soon as he hadreached the top an arrow flew beside his head, onlyinches to the right.He heard the sickeningwhooshing sound as it passed and momentarilyfroze.He took in the scene before him, down in thevalley that lay between several hills like the one uponwhich he stood.Hemarchidas and six cavalry menwere fighting a group of eight young warriors on foot.Most of their clothing seemed to be trimmed with fur,and all wore their hair long.Although the groupswere almost evenly matched, and Hemarchidas'smen had the advantage of being on horseback, theXimerionians had the greatest of difficulties to wardoff their opponents.Anaxantis started to descend as quickly as hecould, but before he could reach the skirmish IftangBusskal came riding around an opposing hill withfifty of his cavalry men.By the time Anaxantis hadreached the foot of the hill, the battle was decided.Against overwhelming odds the group of youngwarriors stood no chance, and in a matter of minutesthey were surrounded. Surrender and you might live, Hemarchidasshouted.The group stood in a circle, back to back, in theirright hands their swords, ready to strike, in their lefthands a dagger.Around them crowded almost sixtymounted soldiers. Make way and we might not kill you, a youngwarrior, with long auburn hair, yelled mockingly back. You are out-manned, more than one to six,Hemarchidas tried again. You can't possibly hopeto get out of this unharmed.Do yourselves a favorand save your lives.Surrender now. Go to Murokthil.Put your sword where your mouthis.Hemarchidas was loosing patience fast [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]