Astra Learns a Few New Words
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 44557
|
As Astra got ready to start out, Henri told her: "The soldiers have been
briefed that if a crossbow bolt passes within a couple of feet, then they
are to consider
themselves shot, and are to lie down quietly without doing anything to
alert their companion. They can also be 'killed' by your touching them, if
they haven't seen you first. Of course, the same rules apply to you."
"All right," Astra replied, though privately she considered that these rules would make it easy for her opponents to cheat. She headed towards the dummy encampment as stealthily as she could, making the maximum use of the available cover. It occurred to her that the soldiers would be expecting her to approach from this direction. They would therefore probably spend most of the time looking this way, and would also attempt to hide behind the tents. (The dummy encampment did not run to huts or a stockade.) Therefore she circled round, so that she could approach from the opposite direction. Of course, if the soldiers were well trained, then they should have been keeping a look-out in all directions, but as she got closer she saw them both, about twenty yards apart and both of them with their backs to her. She crept up behind the first man, and put her hand on his shoulder. He was taken completely by surprise, and couldn't help himself letting out a yelp. His companion turned, and saw Astra. He fired his crossbow at her. Whether his aim was poor, or he really wanted to hurt her, she wasn't sure. Either way, the bolt only missed her by a couple of inches. Fuming, she nevertheless decided to play by the rules, and dropped to the ground. But unknown to her, the sergeant had been up in an observation platform that had been built in a tree overlooking the camp, and he had seen everything. "Hold it!" he shouted. Then he descended the rope ladder, and walked the thirty yards or so ever to the three of them. Astra listened as the sergeant bawled out his men, learning a couple of new swear words in the process. Not only did he criticise the man who had cried out, but also his companion for firing so close to Astra, and both men for having not kept a 360 degree look-out. Then he turned to Astra. "Sorry about my language, Miss," he said rather awkwardly. "For a moment I forget that there were ladies present. I must say that you did very well." "Thank you, Sergeant. And please don't worry about the language. I'm not easily shocked."
|
JH
8/18/2004 11:03:22 AM
Extending Enabled
24937647 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.