The Sword of Stone - Sworn Honours

Chapter 11: Bold

The sun began to lower as Rolan meandered towards the tower. He arrived at the red tarp, hearing voices within, muttering with frustration. One of the guards stationed outside pulled the tarp over, allowing Rolan to enter. He saw the table moved out into the centre of the room, with Edward, Darrick, two other soldiers, and the priest from the hamlet standing over it, examining the map sprawled across the table. 

Rolan was surprised to see the priest, even though he thought nothing could surprise him by then. 'My lord, a strike at the castle directly would be far too risky of a move. If what Alexander says is true, your brother will be anticipating that exact move,' Darrick argued. 

'My brother's not a patient man, nor is he one for risks. He knows little of warfare, only that of the stories of old. He'll think that striking first will be his key to victory, he's too fearful to follow any other option,' Edward rebuttled. 

'Not to mention his arrogance,' the priest added. 'Whatever you decide, you must make haste. Simon won't wait long; my man on the inside has already told me that the men at arms are being raised alongside the local levies. He'll have a standing force of a thousand men before tomorrow.' 

'Foolish, fearful and arrogant he may be, he won't march through the woods,' Rolan joined everyone at the table and looked at the priest, who noticed him, smiling. 'When we were boys our fathers would take us along on his hunting trips within these woods. Taking the paths only our family and few nobles know. But on my ventures, I have found paths that even my brother doesn't know.' He pointed to the map, drawing his fingers along two separate, unmarked paths. 'My brother will take the most common and well-used northern passage. We, however, will use the southern path and march opposed to my brother without him knowing.'

Then Rolan noticed Haisley as she got up from a seat at the end of the room, looking at Edward almost frightfully. 'And then what? Attack him from behind?'

Edward looked at her reassuringly and shook his head. 'No,' he pulled his finger along the south pass, towards the end of the amber river, motioning upwards. 'We'll stick to my plan, taking the route towards a ford that will pass our men over the river. There, we'll circle and go straight for the castle. I have no doubts it'll be a token force left to guard it.'

'Bold,' Rolan said plainly, glancing at the faces around the table. 'For your sake, I pray it's as simple as you state.'

'How could it not be?' Edward placed a hand on Rolan's shoulder, smiling. 'We have a paladin with us, after all. Blessed by the Father and the crown. What could go wrong?'

Rolan gave him a long, thoughtful stare, wondering what game Edward was playing. His thoughts turned to Lucan, and he wondered about his role. Will he be stationed at the castle and wait for Simons's return? Most likely not, as Rolan knew his squire well enough that he wouldn't just sit and wait. He'll most likely attempt to join Simon, perhaps believing that Rolan's either dead or captured by some bandits. Whatever the case, Rolan worried and hoped he somehow could prevent any tragedy from befalling the lad.

Just then, another voice rose. 'Are we going to battle?' Rolan turned, looking over at Matthew, who was worried. 'What about those who can't fight?'

Edward looked over at Matthew calmly before returning his gaze to Haisley, who was in agreement with the boy even if she didn't say it. He looked over at Darrick. 'Have Mark and a few of his men take the women and less abled to Cath, have them settled there. Once the battle's done, we'll return for them.'

Darrick nodded. 'Of course, my lord,' he left swiftly. 

'Alexander, you'll be joining them,' Rolan looked to who Edward was talking to—the priest.