Force of Nature

Chapter 9

It hadn't escaped Maisri's notice that Thomas had not answered her question last night. What was the West like? From all that he had insinuated about the place up till now, it seemed radically different to her homeland. But for some reason, Maisri could not imagine it. She couldn't picture any life that differed from hers. A life of war versus a life of peace.

Unconsciously, thoughts of the West resurfaced Maisri's feelings of uneasiness and distrust towards the transfer. Why had he transferred? If life was so idyllic and peaceful there, how had he ended up here? The more she thought about it, the more questions whizzed through her mind, the less she could find answers. It didn't make sense. Maisri didn't like things that did not make sense.

That morning as they packed up camp, Maisri was sure to keep a watchful eye on him for any clues or answers to her questions. But if Thomas was hiding something, he never gave anything away. He was helpful, supportive and, to a point, caring as he made sure Winmir had some breakfast. Maisri was positive that Thomas had taken last night's story to heart as he seemed to stick close to the tormented older raider whose eyes were wide awake and trained on their surroundings. They had to find Morse today, Maisri thought, otherwise the man would never sleep again.

The sun was beginning to rise properly in the sky, although its rays barely made a difference to the frost-covered forest, when they re-started their journey along the southern border.

As they ran however, a low heavy mist began to settle in around them. It seemed to cling onto the trees like a thick silver cloak. The worst thing about it wasn't the eerie, soundless environment it created but how it reduced the unit's visibility. At some points the group could barely see a metre in front of them. At several points Maisri had to grab Thomas's arm and pull him out of the way of an oncoming tree. That was an injury they could do without. They would need everyone when the time came.

And despite them being prepared for it, the time came unexpectantly.

Maisri had just once again pulled Thomas out the way of a low oncoming pine branch, when a flash of red made her skid to a halt. She quickly held up a hand and felt the others coming to hard stops beside her. Without speaking, she signalled for them all to crouch behind the roots of an upturned fir tree. Thomas, who still wasn't aware of the signals and such like quickly followed like a lamb to the herd.

"They are less than fifty metres ahead of us," Maisri quickly whispered, pulling the flask from her hip, taking a sip and then handing it around. She quickly felt its effects and smiled as her heart beat began to slow and she could begin again to think clearly. The others were doing the same and soon the sound of their hard breathing was gone.

"The mist must have disguised our approach but we are certainly within their camp boundary which means guards will be passing through here soon on patrol." As if to emphasis her point, they all simultaneously noticed the entrenched footpath that the guards would patrol just beside them. "We must do this quickly but effectively. Winmir, Torrin and Hamish circle around to the right and await my signal. Gus, Daniel and Callum, go around to the left and wait for my signal. Noah, the transfer and myself will attack from here. From our brief with Laidir we were told that..." she gulped, "Dominic Morse and a large body of men were travelling along our border. This could well be them. Southerners don't usually travel with more than fifty men at a time, so assume until proven differently that this is the case. Silent ambush will be our best chance since we are heavily outnumbered. This means knives before guns. The mist will hide us. There are to be no survivors." She looked at each of them in turn. "Understood?"

They all responded with "yes sir," before all moving to their positions. Maisri shifted to a more comfortable position, pulling her ceangal from her thigh and twiddling it between her fingers.