Chapter 6
[<<Back]The assembled company troop through the shattered great hall into the courtyard. As they pass through Jorg sees the scene of destruction for the first time, and in the courtyard they see the fallen bodies of some of his former comrades-in-arms.
Verthes takes his arm. "I was a great shock to me also". He tries to avert his eyes from Jorg's blade, still encrusted with blood.
Jorg becomes even more grim than before. His eyes seem to glow with resolve.
"Well, I don't think our beast is going to be in the courtyard", announces Kylar the legionnaire, "How do we propose searching for the thing? As I see it, we just go blundering about in the undergrowth until someone happens upon it. Anyone got a better plan?".
"Mn-hmn," responds Jal, "we move through the undergrowth in an organized and mutually supported manner until we find it. Then we nail the bastard."
Ryzar draws his wide-bladed short sword.
"We form a line," the young Borderer says, pointing at the nearby castle wall with his sword, "The first of us is a pace or two out from the wall. The next is two or three paces out from him, three paces for the next of us, and so on. We then walk slowly, and carefully around the castle, keeping this interval."
Ryzar looks at the assembled little group, "Who will be our anchor, and walk near the wall?" he asks.
Always the bravest of souls, Reylorna offers "I am willing to be the anchor." She hopes that in this effort she won't be the one discovering the fallen creature.
"Then I shall take the place next to you, Witch Reylorna." Ryzar says, then looks at the others, "Who is next out from the wall?"
"I will stand at the end of the line," says Jorg.
Jaldaric steps into place on Reylorna's other side, and draws his sword with a slight flourish. He looks sideways up at the sky, and comments "Well, at least it's not raining," as a slight relief from the tension.
To Be Continued....
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