Activity

@crazywriter,

Alrighty, time to finish this up!

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As night fell, and the sun slipped beneath the horizon, the fort bustled with activity. Various measures were being taken to maximize it’s security, and breastworks were being constructed about twenty yards from the walls. No plan had been decided on, but Abner, Major Maguire, and Commander Wise were all busy providing options.

Abner paced the wooden floor of the Commander’s Quarters. (this is a great change of pace – a short sentence instead of a long one. :)) His steps made a rhythmic thump with every footfall as Tthe waning sunlight slipped in the window., and his steps made a rhythmic thump with every footfall.

“Charging them head on at night is too dangerous. We can’t see well in the daytime, (why not?) let alone night, and we don’t know the terrain.”

Wise shook his head. “That may be, Ssire, but the fact of the matter is, if we don’t do anything, they will trap us here forever, and if we try to retreat in the night, with the amount of baggage and men, we won’t make more than thirty miles a day. (kind of a long sentence there) Perhaps your cavalry may escape, but my men are infantry, and will be slaughtered as soon as the enemy finds out where we went. If we are to die, let us die with honor, not with our backs to the foe.” (I like this guy. XD)

“Glory in battle is good and well, Commander,” said Maguire, “but how is King Abner to explain to the Council if an entire garrison was destroyed by an unnecessarily risky move? And that is assuming he survives the charge in the first place.”

The truth of this statement left the room in silence, until a Abner suddenly stopped pacing, turned sharply round, and hunkered over the table. He gazed at the map, and a sly smile crept over his face. (Why am I imagining this look so clearly. XD)

“We won’t need to be slaughtered in retreat if we can make a stand,”—his finger hovered over the map, then planted on a spot just south of the Barrow’s west bridge,—“here.”

“But how will we make it there, King? I see no difference in the problem if we make a stand there, or have a full retreat.” (Who is talking?)

Abner’s slight smile turned into a full-faced grin, (oohhhhh dear XD) as what had seemed a hard situation moments before was now easily solved. “Commander, what if Lieutenant North and I take a handful of our best cavalrymen, and occupy the enemy long enough so that you and the infantry can make it to the fords of the Barrow. Meanwhile, I will send a messenger to Dallinor, to inform them of the situation, and ask for aid at the south fords of the Barrow River, in two days time.  That gives you ample time to travel there, and you will make defensive breastworks around these heights.” He pointed to a group of small hills. “North and I will do all we can to buy you time. Meanwhile, we also shall get an idea of the size of our enemy, and their skill, training, and purpose.”

The smile covering Abner’s face soon became mutual with the other two men. However, Wise did scrunch his brow and raise a doubt.

“A marvelous plan indeed, Ssire, but how do you intend to have a messenger arrive at the Capital so swiftly? It would surely take more than a regular steed to cover over 60 miles, in under a day.”

Abner smiled. “Well, I know a certain stableboy, and his horse is anything but a regular steed.” (YAY FOR STOWAWAYS!)

Wise smiled, nodding approvingly, then stood. “Well then, let us make haste. And Ssire,” Wise said, his smile turning turned into a solemn expression, “be careful.”

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WELL DONE PETER!! *applause* Things are really heating up, and this chapter was AMAZING. Keep it up!