Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Thirty Five

"Aims getting better," Dagaric remarked as a steel ball hurdled through the air, missing camp by a hundred meters. More people could be heard screaming during the awakened chaos. Luckily, their base remained out of the range of those blasted machines, thanks to their Lord's quick thinking. It meant running farther onto the battlefield to attack but kept precious commodities, like their injured Lord, out of harm's way. Still, it made Dagaric nervous how recent catapults seemed to be inching closer to the outskirts of his camp. Perhaps it was time to move it. Watching closely as the marksmen on the palace balcony turned away from their posts, Dagaric stopped a tired soldier with the back of his hand.

"The Calatinian army is retreating for the night," he observed shrewdly out loud, keeping his eyes on the fleeing army, coalescing in enemy camp, "Alert the army, once they become quiet, we're moving our camp back. Move it back to the very edge of the treeline, until you can't go any further. We want to secure Lord Cerberus's safety from those catapults."

The soldier sighed but nodded her head. It would be a pain for her and everyone else to have to move the camp, again, but from her superior's tone she sensed she didn't have much of a choice.

"Yes, Sir."

General Dagaric didn't say anything as the soldier moved past him, ducking into a nearby tent to deliver the unsavory news. He could sense his army's exhaustion and their reluctance to continue on without Lord Cerberus. It worried him more than anything else. He just hoped they could hold on until their Lord's recovery.

Across the battlefield, Kendra resumed her position on the palace balcony. Watching both armies settle in for the long night ahead, it soothed her knowing Calatan would be under her vigilant gaze while it was quiet. She wouldn't stay out here for long, her ever-concerned husband would have none of that, but she'd remain long enough to ensure the safety of her castle. Kendra would never admit it to anyone else, but the assassination attempt had rattled her. The Lady was just about to call a guard to relieve her when she saw movement stirring in the Guilamount camp. Squinting against the darkness, she vaguely recognized a general at the helm, waving his arm at soldiers who emerged from tents. It didn't take long for the sounds of grunts and supplies clanking together to ring out across the battlefield. Kendra slammed her fist on the balcony railing. Damn them. They were moving camp again! She still hadn't figured out how to adjust the range on the catapults but the Calatinian soldiers had gotten better at aiming. Maybe it was time to write Lord Aileron again. Cursing loudly, the Lady stormed back towards the palace, stopping a nearby guard once she stepped inside.

"Assign someone to watch duty on the north balcony."

He nodded fervently, sensing her bad mood and let her pass him, listening as Kendra's angry footsteps marched down the corridor. She needed to see Terrowin. Bursting into the infirmary, she watched uncomfortably as a medic re-wrapped the Lord's arm. Her husband winced as the bandage got tighter, grinding his teeth together to keep silent. His twisted face gave away how much it hurt. Once the medic was finished, Kendra came over, smiling as she bent down to give him a kiss.

"How are you?"

"Feels like I've been dragged through the underworld but otherwise coping. You?"

"Felt better. The Guilamontians are moving camp again."

Terrowin furrowed his brow. He didn't understand why this was a cause for concern. "Ok?"

Sensing his apathy, Lady Kendra huffed and irritably crossed her arms. "I've been so close to hitting their camp with the catapults. I just need the range to be reset and our soldiers to have better aim."

There it was. The Lord reached out for her with his good hand, rubbing soothing patterns on her forearm. "Maybe it's time to write Aileron again." She mumbled something about not wanting to that made Terrowin chuckle. Stubborn as always.