The White Angel of Death

Chapter 5 : The Chase

Like the wind in a blazing storm, the group of six warriors sprinted through the majestic forest. The fast pacing of their feet made the cold snow jump up, the leaves flew in the air and the sound of footsteps and blades clinking, echoed around them. Their hearts beat loud and heavy, their blood pumped rapidly and their sweat poured increasingly from their skin, then wiped away by the wind.
Toshiro's thoughts went mayhem. Thinking about confronting the enemy, leading to a situation of life and death. The chance of being confronted with a sword and fighting another human. Guilty or innocent, just or unfair, cruel or merciful, every single scenario hurled through his mind.
Desperately, the boy looked to his comrades, hoping he could see the same desperation or nervousness. However he could not be more wrong. You could see it in the warriors' eyes. Determined, focused and driven by only one goal. Like an experienced soldier - they were way beyond any self-doubt. Therefore Toshiro began attempting to calm his inner thoughts. He kept manifesting a peaceful environment and reminisced about the words Takeshi told him the night before.
But then moments later Toshiro heard something with his ears in the far distance. Like instinct he 'slammed the breaks' with his arms held up in a ninety degree angle (like a cross). The others who were only mere feet away had to stop immediately.
Tomori grabbed the boy by his shoulder confused and angry. "What are you doing, Toshiro?!"
"Everyone stop." Replied Toshiro calmed in a quiet tone. "I believe, I can hear them."
"Believe?!" Repeated Pete also irritated.
Toshiro bent his neck a little to the side, sharping his hearing as he did so. "I can hear them speak. But I don't hear footsteps. They must be resting." Explained the boy in the same tone.
While the men and women next to the boy panted for air, Pete surprisingly smiled.
The tall man walked past Toshiro slowly and listened carefully.
"I do hear them speak. But I can't say if they are moving." Said the man relaxingly.
"Yet their volume only increases or decreases with the wind." Answered Toshiro cleverly.
"You are right. If they were moving - especially at this distance - they would be quieter or completely gone." Added Peter.
"So why are we stopping?" Asked Natsumi impatiently.
Takeshi crossed his arms amused. He too gave off a smile, as he looked at Toshiro proudly.
"Isn't it obvious?" The man walked to the boy and gazed directly into his eyes. "He already thinks like a strategist. If they are not moving, we have no more obligation to hurry. Their resting gives us the opportunity to strategise a plan." Spoke the leader very confidently.
"We use the element of surprise." Added Kat smiling.
"They won't see us coming." Said Tomori from the side.
Natsumi brightened up and gave Toshiro a playful and gentle fist to the other shoulder.
"Looks like you already fit in perfectly."
"Let's not get over ourselves." Noted Takeshi. "Pete, any spontaneous ideas?"
The tall man crouched down and started drawing on a small area of snow. The others followed and watched closely.
"Let's assume for now they made camp here." The man pointed to a small circle he drew. "If they are somewhat clever, they'll have set up a circular position. Meaning, there are only two possible scenarios in which we can use the element of surprise. The first being, we attack from above, the other, attacking them simultaneously from the ground from all sides."
"What if we charge in from one half together?" Suggested Natsumi intrigued.
"That would reduce the risk of one of us getting harmed, but we would leave them an opening to escape." Replied Kat while staring at the somewhat decent looking drawing on the cold, white ground, as if she were to look directly into the endless void.
Tomori scratched his head, pondering.
"What if we come from the other side, meaning they either face us or run towards the village, away from the river." Mentioned Toshiro with a hopeful tone.
"But the villagers ..." Answered Natsumi worryingly from the side in a high pitched, quiet voice.
"Natsu is right, if they take hostages, it'll just make things worse." Finished Takeshi her sentence.
"I say, we attack from the ground, from all sides." Stated Tomori with confidence.
Kat and Natsu nodded agreeably. However Pete still looked sceptical about the plan he came up with.
"Not to sound mean, but can we trust Toshiro to fulfil his role as one of the corners?" Muttered the tall man in a conflicted manner.
Takeshi mumbled to himself something silent, no one could hear. A few moments later the man turned to Toshiro.
"You climb?"
"Of course."
"Well, then I suggest we make Toshiro our scout. He'll climb a tree close by and keep a look out. He'll also see us work as a team and learn from us." Spoke Takeshi comfortably.
"Fine with me." Replied Peter reluctant.
The others agreed with a nod. Toshiro did too.