Part 19 (1/2)
The other ”women” prepared food and seemed intent on their chores, but their eyes were constantly searching for any sign they were being watched Ja As he chewed he said, ”If they're up there, I can't see thear said, ”They're up there At least one, anyway, until they're convinced we're e seeht ere involved, we'd be dead”
”What do you think happened to the Pathfinders?” asked Williaar's shoulder to fill his cup fro they couldn't avoid,” said Treggar ”Either they're dead or lying low Maybe they're circling back toward Prince Arutha, avoiding us altogether because we're being watched” He drank his water, then stood ”I don't know But I do know that we et ready, I want each of you to go down into that gully and relieve yourselves” He looked around, as if giving instructions, pointing at the goats ”Lieutenant, go over and look at the goats as if you're ensuring they're sound While you're doing that, look as if you htly confused at the order, but complied
James said, ”What's the plan?”
”I think our friends up on the ridge went hoht, but they left one man to watch us I think as soon as we're safely on the way, he's going to co around here to see if we are e seem to be I want hi through goat shi+t, looking for a n that the Prince's scouts can follow”
Ja the tie-downs over the wagon's cargo
Treggar went to the wagon, removed the waterskin, and poured it over the fire As the steam hissed and white sing e the stones around the fire pit
Ja about thear said, ”Yes Old ar on which quarter of the circle is broken North means 'wait here' West would o back' South ht, we're leaving the cart and ani back up into those rocks to the southwest to see e can find”
Jalanced at the fire circle and saw the south side was broken
Treggar said, ”Squire, by all reports you're an adventurous lad who is no stranger to risk”
Jaerous and stupid when I'ave out a sharp laugh, then said, ”Let's get ed band of Keshi+an travelers continuing their journey toward the west
It took the watched Treggar called a halt half an hour before sundown and said, ”Let's double back to that e passed a half-on and the animals”
James said, ”At least we've discovered the location of their hideout”
Treggar said, ”How do you reckon that, squire?”
James knelt and drew in the dust ”Here-” he e they picked us up, about an hour before we made camp” He drew a line a few inches to the left and ht” He drew another point and said, ”Here is where our unseen friend stopped following us”
”And?” prompted the captain
Jaar said, ”Yes”
”At ives a co view of this entire area for miles in every direction
'That wadi you want to leave the animals in runs up into the hills to the south A half-s to the southeast as it rises up to?”
”The plateau!” Williaar ”Yes, it's a natural sally-port! Only one way in or out”
”It's the only possible location around here”
”So what next?” asked Williaar said, ”Squire, care to state the obvious so it seeerous and stupid than it would if I did?”
James winced, then said, ”We scout the wadi If Prince Arutha coone that way, he could be riding into a trap We have to make sure that doesn't happen”
”Sir?” asked one of the soldiers
”Yes?” answered Treggar
”If that wadi is the way in, what do we do with the wagon and the aniar looked at Jaht be found”
William said, ”We three will stay then?”
James nodded ”One man will have to drive the cart, and we can tie the caoats along”
Treggar gave that order to the two soldiers ”Keepuntil an hour past sundown,” he finished, ”and stay in camp for three days If someone doesn't make contact, return to Krondor the best way you can Try for the outpost on the southern shore of Shandon Bay, or get to Land's End Report e've found here But get back to Krondor”
The soldiers saluted, and their gried that outcoar looked like a co a tunic and leather jerkin, a sword at his side, and no helm or shi+eld
James was likewise dressed except that his baldric held a rapier William's choice of weapon was a heavy hand-and-a-half sword, carried on his back
Treggar looked around and said, ”We stay close to the south side of the trail, hugging the rocks just in case we're not alone”
The shadoere getting longer by the ht if we don't stir up too ar didn't object, and as Jaaze over his shoulder at the disappearing cart and his two soldiers
William didn't know the : Would those two ain? As he turned his attention to the rocks above, Williaain of theain
Bats flew overhead, seeking out the insects that somehow thrived in this arid land Jaloom what his mind told hi If anyone are of the threethat fact
Jaar and Willia up to their front door”
Treggar said, ”What do you propose?”
”Have you ever seen any fortification without a back door?”