While collecting the items I had been conversing with Selene, "So, the town has seven warriors left plus the Earl."
"And yet you still intend to launch an attack, after being reduced to a mauled corpse."
Cough.
"Ahem, it was all a part of the plan to ensure your safety."
"Mm. Appreciated."
"Anyhow… I'm thinking we wait until night fall in three hours and then attack."
"Do you think you can actually win?"
I hesitated for a moment to think about our prospects, and decided it was completely up to chance. "Not sure, the Earl's Champion is quite strong and I'm not sure I could beat him in a one versus one situation."
Selene didn't seem to share my enthusiasm or my confidence. With a dejected tone she curtly replied, "But you intend to beat him in a one versus seven situation."
"Yup!"
It had to be done, so it would be done. That was my reasoning so far as being outnumbered was concerned. Of course, Selene still was having none of it as she shook her head from side to side in disagreement.
"Sigh why didn't you bring Kate… she could have helped a lot."
"I didn't know the situation, didn't want to risk it."
"Sigh but you want us to launch a surprise attack at sunset in the middle of the town with no way of knowing if the towns people will aide or hinder us… this could get out of hand quickly."
"Ah don't worry about it ey? I've got a plan of attack!"
"And…?"
"The wisest words ever spoken right here, 'Attack!'"
I was laughing at the corny reference but Selene simply shook her head in disagreement.
At least she didn't make a fuss, she was rather grounded and level-headed and I could appreciate that. I was usually the grounded level-headed guy but if someone else wants to take that role, I'm all for getting a bit silly.
The next three hours were a bit mundane but I had nothing better to do, so Selene and I sat and chatted, hunted when animals came near, and continued to dry out the rest of the bear meat… nearly a hundred pounds of bear jerky would last far too long.
At some point near the end of one of our many conversations Selene brought up my actions when we first left, "So, where did you come up with that idea… when the five guys were behind us."
Fully aware of what she was referencing, I continued to play dumb.
"Hm?"
"You know, your whole act."
"Oh. It wasn't really an act. I was just using the situation to steal a kiss really."
I said it so nonchalantly that Selene just sat there motionless for a few minutes as she seemed to be stewing. Rule number something out of my top so and so rules of engagement with a woman: if a girl asks you a serious question and doesn't say anything after you reply and sits or stands there silently, she is angry and will only be getting angrier with you the longer it goes.
So yeah, remedy that as soon as possible or dip out and don't turn back.
I chose option number two.
She could stew by herself, I had hunting to do.
Chapter 20: Killing the Earl
(Monday, March 8th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)
After the sun set the clouds slowly parted to allow a sliver of moonlight directly over the village, as if the moon was directing us towards our destination and illuminating only the necessities. When faced with such pleasantries in life it's best to give thanks but I wasn't sure who I should give thanks to in a situation like this, but I was thankful nonetheless.
I had already packed all of my belongings into a pack and left it by the campsite; it would only serve to hold me back.
I slid the sling over my shoulder and looped the rope around the axe-head, holding it loosely in place. It wasn't anything fancy but it worked. Double checking the quiver that was tied around my waist and hanging along my right thigh I counted out fourteen arrows, not very many but I had given twenty-eight to Selene… I figured she could put it to better use.
With my preliminary check and now my final check complete I was ready to head out.
Selene followed closely behind me as we made our way in the shadow of the moon, dancing along the border of light and darkness the path that was illuminated before us showed the way.
With nary a sound we came upon the entrance of the town and found it without a post; there was no sentry or guard. We continued on and crept through the town, holding our breath with every crack of the fire that was burning bright at the center.
It was too quiet.
I could make out the shadows of village folk in their homes but it was unusual to think that the entire village would lock themselves up after dark.
I crouched down even further as I slipped between the huts, ever so slowly closing the distance between the Earl's lodge and my bow.
As I turned the last corner I came face to face with a warrior stretching his arms in the cold night air.
He had yet to see me as I had quickly stepped back out of sight, but I could clearly see his white breath condensed like a fog as he breathed in and out.
I slid my carving knife down and out of the sheath attached to the front of my chest and synchronized my breathing with his.
I waited until the third exhale then turned the corner and thrust the knife quickly into his throat while covering his mouth.
As he had fully exhaled he could barely muster a sound as he stumbled to the ground choking on his own blood while wrapped up in my arms.
I held a hand over his mouth and as I held him still from behind quickly delivered the fatal blow to his heart, causing him to slump over and fall to the ground as I let go.
If my information was solid there were six men besides the Earl inside that lodge… but information has a tendency to be off and I wasn't confident going forward that there would only be six.
From behind I saw Selene had drawn her bow and was standing watch behind me; she did what was necessary without being told or asked.
I could really appreciate that.
She was starting to grow on me.
Rolling the body out of sight took but a few seconds and we were back to stalking. Creeping around the lodge I was able to find a crack in the wall that gave me a good view of the interior.
The Earl and his wives weren't visible in the main room but the six warriors were. The men had gathered around the fire and were sitting with weapons at hand.
They were expecting trouble.
I was going to give them trouble.
Doubling back to where we had stashed the body, I grabbed the deceased warrior and drug him to a corner and leaned him against the wall facing away.
He would serve as a decoy.
Next, I directed Selene to take position in a corner opposite of the corpse in the shadow of a hut.
This would serve as the shooting gallery.
Quietly pushing the door open to the lodge, I returned to my spot just around the corner without a sound. As I gazed through a crack in the wood, I continued to watch as the scene began to unfold.
The door to the lodge creaked open with the night wind gusting through and licking the fire; the men turned to the darkness and found it staring straight back.
Voices called out but nothing returned.
As time passed the men grew weary, impatient, angry, and suspicious. They grasped their weapons as they waited, but they continued to wait.
Another gust of wind blew through the hall, fanning the flames.
Soon a man stood up and crept towards the door, his heart beat suddenly pounding.
Little by little it increased.
Perspiration dripped down his face as he prepared to take the last step between the door and the outside world; he hesitated.
Standing at the doorway, the others sat motionless staring out past their brother and into the eternal distance of the darkness.
The night had been still for some time before the man finally ushered forth a last step, crossing the threshold between safety of the home and the unknown.