Winterfinding by Daniel Casey Read Free Book Online

a
beat, “The Eder Chapel sent me to act as an observer in the
legion.” He gestured to Declan, “My squire here and two nursing
alms round out my company.”
    “ Where are these
alms?”
    “ Just beyond,” Goshen
nodded in a vague direction, “We were hoping to get back as many of
our provisions as possible before we entered the legion’s
encampment.” There was quiet as Kees mulled over their
story.
    “ Reeves,” Kees called out
and the soldier appeared, “You can untie these men, they’ll be
riding with us.” Reeves moved to unbind Declan, “No, this one
first. He’s a Cathedral crusader.”
    “ Thank you…” Goshen turned
to allow Reeves to untie him.
    “ Leftenant Teran Kees, my
men and I are charged with acquiring supplies from the surrounding
countryside for as long as the legion is camped in the
region.”
    “ Thank you, leftenant
Kees.” Goshen looked after Reeves as he unbound Declan, “We’ll need
our arms returned.”
    “ Aye, and the horses.”
Declan added.
    Kees began to turn his stead away, “You
shall as soon as you lead us to your camp, which you’ll do once
we’re finished here.”
    Reeves slapped Declan on the upper arm and
bowed slightly to Goshen, then went back to the group near the
oxcart. Rubbing his wrists, Declan moved closer to Goshen then
cuffed him with the back of his hand.
    “ What were you thinking?”
He growled.
    “ Watch it with that,”
Goshen pointed a figure in Declan’s face, “They all think you’re my
squire.”
    Declan gnashed his teeth, “Now we’re gonna
lead them right to Kira and Fery and then all be herded into this
army’s camp. None of this sounds good.”
    “ What else could we do?”
Goshen asked. Declan just shook his head. “Besides, we need to find
out what the hell is going on with this army. And didn’t you say
your contract was with the Spires?”
    “ What does that
matter?”
    “ Maybe things have
changed. Maybe your employers…”
    Declan waved him off, “I don’t need to hear
your speculation.”
    “ Point is, we can find out
more in the midst of the Silvincians. Besides, we can fight our way
out of this one.”
    “ Fight our way out of an
army camp?” Declan stared at Goshen as though he were mad. “And if
they find out who you really are? Or Kira? Or that we’re
responsible for killing a cadre of Silvincian marines?”
    “ What do you want me to
say?” Goshen snapped.
    “ Sorry,” Declan sighed,
“I’m just uneasy being this close to these people. I’ve done a lot
of…”
    Goshen raised his hand to silence Declan as
Reeves approached them with their weapons in one hand and a rope
pulling their horses behind him.
    “ Here you are,” Reeves
handed the horse rope to Declan, but kept the blades. He turned to
Goshen, “My apologies master Ambrose. You both’ll want to mount up,
we’re heading out directly.”
    Declan nodded towards his weapons but Reeves
just shook his head. Kees trotted up, “Lead the way to your camp,
squire, so we can secure the alms.”
    “ Certainly so, sire.”
Declan climbed on one of the drays and for once Goshen didn’t
embarrass himself doing the same.
    “ Lead the way,” Goshen
commanded as he rode up next to Kees. Declan’s face got cloudy with
annoyance but he obeyed as he and Goshen lead Kees, Arcite, and a
new mounted Reeves towards the camp where Kira and Fery awaited
unsuspecting. The rest of the troop loaded themselves into the
oxcart and made their way along the rutted road in the opposite
direction.
    “ Be there less than an
hour.” Goshen said.
    “ Let’s try to be a bit
quicker about it.” Kees said assertively. “Be mindful, Arcite,
apparently there are thieves about.” Goshen and Declan exchanged a
quick anxious glance as Kees tone sounded more than a bit suspect.
They rode off in silence perpendicular to the rutted road and into
the far woods.

    Spires Army

    Matis was slouched over the map table. His
head listed to one side resting on his arm as his free