Part II

The night came and went without incident. The old knight began to worry again as the sun past it's second hour. The two-man patrol they were to replace should have arrived during the night as a test to the squires on guard. Something was wrong. He needed to investigate, but he knew he couldn't travel the woods unseen and unheard with three inexperienced woodsmen in tow, and leaving them alone knowing not what was up was just as bad.

It took him but a moment to decide what to do, there was really only one option, he'd have to leave them here. It was time for them to grow up.

After explaining to his young squires what he had to do and listening to their arguments as to their abilities to aid him, he convinced them it was better if he traveled alone. He left John in-charge, it was time for him to take on responsibility, maybe that would break some of that youthful exuberance which caused him to lose his concentration and temper.

He left instructions for them to return to the Keep if after one day he had not returned. Eyeing them closely, he made them swear to it. John had a hard time with this, as the old knight himself would have in his position, but in the end complied.

The old knight prepared himself and entered the forest on foot, his mount would have been too noisy and cumbersome in the dense forest. He took only a small pack with rope, a small quantity of food and water, a small sword, and his short bow and quiver. Anymore and he'd not be mobile enough for the task at hand. He explained the why of each item to his squires as he readied himself, always the teacher.

Before entering the forest, he looked each squire in the face. Clasping hands, he informed them how proud he was of them, and that they were ready for this challenge.

He said on last thing before disappearing into the forest, "First light".

It wasn't long before the old knight found the signs he was looking for, or rather what he'd hoped not to find, Bandar. Foul creatures, armored like a knight and one of the fiercest creatures there were to face in a small group, let alone by ones self. He hoped the patrol was merely following them and had not been able to make the rendezvous.

He followed the tracks for hours, this was at least a good sign for his squires, they would most likely not encounter a Bandar as they waited. Soon he found what the creatures were after, the patrol! By now the tracks were but an hour or so old. It was obvious the patrol knew they were being stalked and had deliberately turned away from the meeting site. They would not endanger the squires, instead, choosing to try and lose the creatures in the forest. They knew as he that this had little chance of success. Once a Bandar takes scent, it was relentless.

He picked up his pace, knowing the patrol's time was running out with the Bandar so close behind. Soon sounds of battle rang out in the distance. Instinctively he knew where he would find the battle, a large stone outcropping easily defended by but a few, though against a large band of these creatures, not for long.

He flew through the forest now, not caring about stealth, only speed was important at this point. When he just outside the clearing surrounding the outcropping he stopped. Inching his way forward he spied through the foliage to assess the situation.

His heart at once leaped when he saw that both patrolman indeed did live, but this was short lived before it sank, there were more Bandar than he'd expected, there were seven still attacking. He'd thought only to find four or five, but with the bodies surrounding the rocks, five at the least, he knew this to be a large hunting party, not a good sign!

The patrolman two of the best around, had managed somehow to survive this long, but it was evident they would not last long without help. Readying four arrows in the ground in front of him, and nocking a fifth, he prepared to fire. His plan was to attack and run, hopefully giving the patrol time to do the same and hopefully get the Bandar in a crossfire.

Steeling himself, he fired as fast as he could at the areas most vulnerable to attack, if there was such a thing, at the necks of the creatures. The attack had had the effect he'd wanted, they broke off their attack to seek the new threat. It was time to run, and run he did.

Running in mostly a circular path, he made his way behind the outcropping hoping it would leave room for the patrols escape. When he neared the outcropping he saw the patrol still atop the rocks! He yelled for them to run, but it was of no use, they were too tired and wounded to run, and the Bandar were gaining. His only choice was to join them atop the outcropping and hope they could keep them at bay.

In but a few moments, the three found themselves surrounded and outnumbered. The battle would last until one group or the other was no more. The old knight sent a mental farewell to his squires, hoping they followed his last instructions.