Bad Omen

Larene's company had been on alert since word had been received from Kayla's village. All were as excited as she, for her company had spent many a week in the village over the years. They were out the gates in but minutes of receiving the word to ride, and ride they did.

The company made excellent time, they had each taken two extra mounts. Rest was taken only when the mounts which would have run until their deaths were in danger, and even then it was at a walk. The company never halted all through the first day and night.

She surveyed her company as they walked during a rest period. None complained, she saw on each face only determination. She knew each man and woman's thought as if it were her own. She knew no greater joy than at times like this. Each person would gladly die for another, and she for them. It was this that had made her endlessly drill them, that they might not have to prove their willingness.

When they stopped on the second night to rest, all knew instinctively what must be done. Her lieutenants had the watch and camp set up whilst she looked over her map. None disturbed the captain as she made plans, they knew she would tell them all soon.

She had gone over the map more times than necessary, but she would take no chances, too much was at stake. Finally the aroma of a warm meal wafted its way to her and she decided it was time. Picking up the map she made her way to the fire.

She laid the map upon the ground in its appointed place. This spot was always left free for the battle map, a place where all might look upon it as they ate and listened to the captain.

"Alright, here's what we have." She said pointing to the map and the markings she had put upon it. "This is where the reports stated sightings took place." She waited for all to look over the map. She trusted these people and waited for their input.

It was Lieutenant Miller who spoke first as was his place as second in command. "We will not be able to stop them if it is an army in there, but.." he said pausing to look closer at the map, "the village may be far enough off the path I would chose if I were they to get them out without a fight. That is, if they have not already.." he left off there, for all knew what he meant. He meant that he would have taken no chances if he were the opposing general and would have silenced the village.

Next came Lieutenant Barker, third in command. She was young, but an excellent tactician. "They will come in from the south of the village, there are valleys there that might hide an army until they were deep inside the Realm. By then it would be tough to unseat them. This one, " she meant the general on the other side, "has thought this through carefully. He would certainly take out the village."

The Lieutenant was not one to hold back on her thoughts, she said what all thought but were wont to say. "But," she said noticing the effect of her words, "We should come in from the north, and stay clear of the forest which guards the range." she said pointing. "There is an old river bed here, not on the map. We might follow it to within bowshot of the village without being seen."

Larene thanked each for their words and stated they would follow the route Barker had suggested. They finished their meal in silence from that point on. They would arrive under cover of night to scout the area around the village.

The company rode hard the next day, but still left enough in reserve for a fight if need be. When within half a league of the village, Larene directed that fresh mounts be readied while the remainder were to be picketed here. When all were ready, they gathered as always around their captain.

She began once all were assembled. Each man and woman clasped the hand of those next to them as they prepared to hear the captains prayer.

"Once again we go into battle together my brothers and sisters. May Tyr watch over us and guide us. That we might bring those in danger to safety. May Tyr take any fallen into his arms and know them for the brave souls they be. In your name." she finished the prayer to a chorus of "In your name."

Smiling she looked upon each face as she shook each hand in the circle, and said, "May Tyr protect thee." . Each returned the smile and uttered, "May Tyr protect thee." as they clasped their captains hand.

She knew that each now felt the warm glow of Tyr descend upon them. From here on only hand signals would be used. She raised her right fist and circled the air with her extended forefinger, the signal to mount up.

Silently the company mounted. She looked one last time towards the five who were to remain with the mounts. They were to remain here until relieved, and if need be, act as messengers back to the council if needs be. This task was chosen by lots, as none wanted this task, but once chosen, the task was one each knew to be important and gladly accepted. She put her right fist over her chest in silent salute to them even as they returned the salute.

She removed her hand from her chest and pointed forward down the riverbed and their task at hand.

The trip took less than an hour, they arrived where they wanted at exactly the mid of night. She was proud of all. She had listened for any sound along the way. They had traveled down the old river bed as quiet as ghosts. A shiver went up her spine at the thought, but she quickly pushed that aside.

She gave the signal to dismount when Barker signaled her they were at the spot she knew to be an overlook of the village.

The company dismounted silently as the captain and her lieutenants climbed the side of the hill to get a look at the village. Once up they crawled to the edge and looked to see what they hoped was a sleeping village, undisturbed by outside forces.

The three surveyed the area below. All seemed to be in order, the houses were still intact, and there were no fires nor any mass movements about. Larene felt a tap on the shoulder. Miller pointed his fingers at his eyes, a signal to look. He drew and house in the dirt between them for her to see. Larene gave a quizzical look then waited. Miller them wiped out the chimney smoke on the drawing.

"Tyr!" her mind shouted as she looked down upon the quiet village again. He was right, there were no fires in any of the houses. The nights were cool her so close to the mountains, surely there would be fires if....

She motioned for the other two to return to the company below. Once down, she cleared a spot on the ground to draw the plan out for all to see. The plan was for three groups to quietly close upon the village. None were to fight unless absolutely necessary, this was just a scouting mission.

Once she was sure all understood the mission, the company split into the usual set of three scouting squads. Two lead by lieutenants, the third by the captain. Stealth above all was the last signal given before the groups set out.

Each group knew instinctively how long to wait before entering the town. There would be three directions covered as they entered clinging to the shadows. There were sets of eyes in each group which watched only towards the forest to the east of the village. The meeting place was to be the stables on the eastern side of the village. In less than an hour, the company was now inside the stable and giving reports to the captain.

All reports were the same. Not a sound nor any movement at all. There should have been some movement, even at this hour. The company knew this had turned into a real life and death situation.