ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Twenty Four - Demons & Wizards

Demons & Wizards

The First Guard plodded along in single file through the heavy, ancient forests of the Dreamurian Steppes, with the rain pelting down. After three days of unseasonable heavy rains and travel by thousands of men and horses, the forest floor had since been churned to a muddy slush. Even the ancient trees, some with trunks as wide as wagons, did little to lessen the chilling rain and howling winds that tore through their leaves. With the collar of his coat curled up around his neck against the rain, Captain Josh Williamson turned towards Lieutenant Karr, keeping his voice low as he spoke.

"We are wasting precious days in this forest! How are we supposed to fight if the enemy attack us, again? We're scattered throughout this damn forest, leaving us ready to be picked off one by one! It's that bloody murky in here, we can hardly tell whether it's morning or afternoon."

Karr tried to ease Josh's sour mood. "We have little choice, Captain with the wind so strong out on the open plains that we couldn't even stay upon our horses. I have the scouts going out to the edges of the forest regularly to assess the situation. You know that so far there has been no change."

"I know Karr, but I don't have to like it."

"I'll grant not one of the soldiers like being in this forsaken forest. But after three days of savage storms, we have to continue through here no matter how slowly. There is no other option if we are to meet up with the reinforcements."

"Well I prefer not to be always looking over my shoulder at the shadows." Josh stated. "And it is doing nothing but eating away at the men's morale."

"And your's also I see. We've been lucky so far, the clans haven't attacked us in over a week. Without the wizard's aid, we would have more to worry about than the constant rain if their sorcerers truly knew of our position."

"You are right on that score, Karr. We seem to know when things are starting to go bad because the wizard, Arc shows up. He seems to be the calm before the storm, always bringing bloody trouble." Josh stated with a slight smile.

With a chuckle, Karr replied. "But he always put an end to the trouble as well. We could always hope we are not lucky enough to see him again for a very long time!"

"The only problem is, without him or that shield he has placed over our location, we wouldn't have made it this far with so many men. I'll grudgingly admit I do have to be thankful for his timely presence."

Josh glanced over his shoulder at the men behind. The grim expression on their rain streaked faces was evidence of the low moral beginning to seep through the ranks. Knowing everyone was cold tired and fed up with the rain, which had just started to ease, Josh raised his hand signaling the column to a halt.

"It's time the men got some food. Pass the word to dismount for what we can only assume will be the noon meal."

Karr nodded and mumbled. "Pity it wasn't a hot one."

"There's little we can do about that, Karr." Josh replied with a hint of a smile. "But I'll agree that a side of hot roast beef would be heaven, right now."

"Now that would be some wishful thinking." Karr stated before turning his horse around and making his way along the line of men to pass the orders.

It didn't take long for the men to dismount and gather beneath the trees in small groups to eat the rationed meal of dried meat and oat cakes. When Karr returned to the front of the line, he found Josh talking to a small group of men. Dismounting, he tethered his horse to a nearby tree then wiping the rain from his face he quietly joined the group, listening to the speech the Captain was giving.