His command spurred men into activity, but fear certainly
added to the speed with which the men jumped to their tasks. Minds and souls had been singed by the
Valkea’s attack and no one wanted to linger here and chance a repeat of the
experience. Soon all those who had
collapsed were loaded on to the wagons alongside the wounded. The bodies of dead horses were pulled out of
the way of the wagons and left on the side of the road. There were several horses that had been
wounded too severely to continue on – they would have to be left behind for
others to care for once the battle was over.
Their riders joined the soldiers on the wagons.
As the men worked, Carra looked up the line to see if she
could spot Darrine. Since tall men
surrounded her, it took her some effort to see around them to spot the
watcher. It was with a sense of relief
that she finally saw Darrine mounted on Moonbeam. Both appeared to have survived the attack unharmed.
Carra then glanced upward to the light on the ledge
above. The glow was steadily growing in
intensity and was now painfully bright to gaze at. Even so, she couldn’t keep her eyes from
glancing at the light for just looking at it seemed to touch her soul in some
mysterious fashion. The dark and
writhing horrors that had manifested in her thoughts were fading as if they
were mere spots on the fabric of her soul and were being bleached by the
intensity of the summer sun. It was
incredibly comforting to know that her beloved King and Queen were doing battle
and apparently succeeding.
“My Lady, are you well?” Haxton asked again for he noted her
expression was unfocused and distant.
“I am, Lieutenant,” she replied as she turned her eyes to
him and gave him a small smile.
“We’ll be riding again shortly. Are you ready?"
“I am,” she remarked and took a deep breath as she pulled
her mind back into clear focus for she knew the danger of their position. “It is well that we will be leaving as soon
as possible for the Valkea’s fighters may be distracted at the moment, but
that’s not going to last. When the
Valkea is destroyed they’re going to go insane with a thirst for revenge. It would not do at all to be here when that
happens.”
Haxton smiled and bowed his head to her. “Well stated, my Lady. You’ve summarized our position very clearly.”
She gave him a quick smile.
“Keep your wits about you, gentlemen for there are more
fighters out there,” the captain shouted.
Although Carra and Haxton couldn’t really hear what Rodal
was saying, it interrupted their low conversation. They turned their attention to the front of
the column.
“Move out – hand gallop,” the captain ordered. The command was repeated several times as it
was passed through the ranks so all heard it.
Carra was relieved they were leaving this horrid place at a
gallop, even though part of her was curious to know what was going to
happen. Her common sense overrode her
curiosity, however. The ruse had worked
and they’d successfully drawn out the Valkea so the King and Queen could
destroy her. She was proud that her
suggestion had worked. However, the
Valkea’s soul searing assault had left her feeling shaken and a bit vulnerable
and she wouldn’t feel safe until they were on the far side of Karlaz.
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