Henri Hears the Bugle

Sure enough, the sound gradually got louder until he recognised it as the notes of a bugle. It appeared to be sounding the reveille, used at daybreak to wake up the fort's soldiers. It could mean one of two things; either the bugler had gone mad, or something was up. He favoured the latter, as he knew the bugler had arrived with the previous lot of replacements.

That conjured up worries on its own. The guerillas from the camp that had been holding Astra captive must have located the fort. He doubted that they were attempting a direct assault. A siege was much more likely.

At this, his mind seemed intent on bringing up even worse thoughts as he recalled that the supply train had been due to arrive. He dwelled on the likelihood of the guerillas having known the location of the fort for some time, and had been simply biding their time. It all made horrifying sense now.

As he quietly made his way closer to the fort, he heard, rather than saw, the guerillas in the treeline. He didn't have to worry about being spotted at this moment as they hadn't posted any sentries. As far as they knew, all the men were in the fort. Needing to know the full extent of the situation increased the chances of detection, though.

He was eventually able to get a good look at the main supply route to the camp, and he noticed that his suspicions had been right. The supply train had been ambushed. He made his way back Astra and the men. One of them challenged him, but soon recognised him and let him past. Astra had at that time been sitting at the base of a tree, but soon got up when she saw him.

"Bad news," he said. "The guerillas have the fort under siege and have captured the supply train.

"There is only one course of action left to us," he continued. "We must try and get help. To that end, I'm going to need one of the supply train's horses." He turned to the NCO in charge of the men. "Sergeant, I require you and your men to attempt a diversion in order for me to achieve this."

"Yes, sir. Now, sir?"

"No, I'll tell you when." To Astra he said, "I don't like this, but it means you're going to be safer with me."

Astra simply nodded and said, "Where are you hoping to get help from?"

1. "I'm going to try and reach the capital."
2. "Helsingdon. I might be lucky in recruiting one of their dragons."

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree