The Heritage

Chapter 18

The heavily armoured horses crashed down the wooded slope, flattening small shrubs and bushes as they went. The riders strained at the reins to keep the beasts from stumbling on the treacherous terrain. At the bottom of the grade they came together in a dusty clump, stamping and milling about until the riders regained their control.

"We rest here," Came the command from the leader. He swung down from his saddle and tossed the reins to one of his men and swaggered to the base of a large oak, settling himself comfortably.

"Can the men build a fire for some food, Captain?"

"The men can build what they like, I have no fear of being seen by Terrault's soldiers or anyone else." Mingus unbuckled his sword and shoved it aside. "Fetch some of whatever they're cooking when it's ready."

The ride from Dramin was hard and swift over some of the worst terrain for horses. Mingus drove his men hard and eschewing his king's cautionary admonition for discretion. He wanted action. It had been too many years since his sword had rung with the clang of battle. Diplomacy was for the old fools back at the court; his aim was to find the boy king and while doing it, wreak as much havoc as possible.

There was no doubt in his mind that his band of twelve soldiers was more than enough to meet any challenge. Mingus glanced up as one of his men hurried forward with a plate of food and a wineskin.

"Are the sentries posted?"

"Uh- you said you had no fear-" The kick caught the man on the side of the knee and he went down with a howl.

"I said I didn't care if we were seen; I don't want to be surprised."

The soldier limped to his feet and hobbled away shouting angry orders to those nearest.

*****

"Is that the famous Dar Mingus then, Scott?" The young commander whispered to his companion as they watched the group of Dramin soldiers from concealment in the rocks above the encampment.

"It is. And you just witnessed a sample of his character."

"I hold no fear of that, he looks like an old man," the commander said with derision.

"I repeat Captain Gainer's warning, Sergeant Miner, do not engage in way, simply observe and report."

"Are we soldiers or women?" The commander crawled away without waiting for a response and scurried back over the hill to the rest of his men.

"We are but five," the soldier warned, catching up as they joined the others.

"Perhaps, but we hold the high ground and the element of surprise." The young sergeant paced back and forth, the excitement of potential combat heating his blood.

"Sir, I must protest again, Captain Gainer-"

"The Captain is not here and I was left in charge. I will make the strategic decisions." The other soldiers looked at one another and to the soldier who had delivered the message from Terrault. Was this young snip of a sergeant planning on attacking a Dramin force of twelve seasoned soldiers led by a notorious killer like Mingus?

"We can sneak back to that point above their camp, spread out and trap them in that little glade." His eyes shone with anticipation.

"Sir, no. We don't even have a sentry out to prevent them from finding us!" Scott protested.

"Bah! They don't even know we are here. That's the plan. We will make our way back to that point above their camp and capture or kill the lot."

*****