Wherever I Am

Chapter 8 - Part 1

I was beginning to understand Ellie's anxiety. Solicitous doesn't even begin to describe it. Nor does annoying.

I took the head of the table at lunch, and Ellie sat to my left. Nobody said anything, but it apparently was a faux pas. Lord Boian sat to my right, and other men joined us. At least Mara had already led Oana away, or she would've been at the men's table. Oana did bring a pitcher to the table, though it was more to show off her new leather slippers. Ramona told us that something more for the outdoors was still being made, but were these acceptable for the moment...it was such a last-minute rush, and they could do better.

From the calluses on her feet, Oana had probably spent her life barefoot, but since she was thrilled, Ellie and I assured Ramona that these were wonderful. Can't have the companion to the Maid of the Realm go barefoot. Boian smiled indulgently as we watched the two return to the other room.

He took me to what I guessed was his office for a more private conversation with a couple of his cavaliers while Ellie excused herself to return to her room. More of their beer as well, with the local definition of beer being flat and warm, with some interesting flavors that one of the local breweries back at home might want to try. Cool and carbonated, it'd probably be pretty good. As it was, it wasn't horrible, and it seemed that the drinking age was somewhere less than twenty-one here, at least for Lords of the Realm. Adrian wasn't at the table.

"We're going to wait an extra day before we head out," Boian said. "I've sent word for my manor to send a contingent here to escort us back."

"This attack wasn't a one-and-done then," I said.

"No. This was the third village that was attacked, all while I was gone. This appears to be an offensive against us by the Sobecks. Yesterday's attack was at the village closest to us. There were very few survivors at the other villages." His tone seemed a combination of anger and dejection.

"Milords," one of the cavaliers said. "What of the villages to the west? How can we protect them?"

I cleared my throat as I had a disturbing thought. "What would keep them from attacking here?" I addressed the question to the cavalier who'd spoken.

"They wouldn't...we're better armed, better able to defend ourselves."

"How many attackers were there at the village? We counted at least three dozen who went past us up a main trail before the storm hit."

The cavalier paled at my statement, so I continued.

"I'm told they travel in packs like wolves, so those were two packs." I was making this up as I went, but it sounded right. "Were these the only two, or were there others that left by other trails? We fought five of them. Did that count as another pack or part of one of the others?"

"Lord Kevin, where are you going with this?" Boian gazed at me intently, and it looked like he was following my train of thought. I hoped they would give me reasons why this couldn't happen.

"I'm not a military man, so I may be way wrong on this, but here's my thought. I think they will attack here next, either directly or after a feint at the nearest village to get us moving there to defend or rescue it. How far away is this village?"

"About half a mile," Boian replied. "What's your scenario?"

I hesitated. Was Boian humoring me, or was I on to something? I shrugged. "Attack the village with a dozen or so. When you send help, the others attack them, then they all come together and attack here."

I looked at the pale cavalier. "Tell me why this wouldn't work."

The man worked his mouth a moment, then shook his head. "They wouldn't dare."