|
|
|
|
|
|
launch arrows, I would say that they probably do not mind who else dies with him." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Then we must find a stream of some size to follow," Sybelle said calmly. "I do not know this land as I know that near Clyro, but I know that there are hills here no horse can climb. Only along the bed of running water will the slopes be easier. I know also the streams run north and south, or almost. Then to find one we must go east or west, but I have no idea which way would be better." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Nor do I," Walter admitted. "And I do not have any idea how far east we have been driven, but I do not believe it to be far. Also, I think they will expect that we will try to work our way back to Clyro. Let us go west." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The choice turned out to be a lucky one. Although at one point they were forced back almost to the byroad by a projecting cliff that even a mountain goat would have found too much for it, in a way that was lucky, too. Angry voices came to them through the trees. At the distance they were, they could make out no words and only knew the voices were angry from the fact that they heard them at all; however, it was warning enough. They went carefully, without speaking, making as little noise as possible, and any doubts Walter had had about not going back to the road were put to rest. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very soon after that, they found their stream. Walter sent most of the men through it still farther west to make a false trail, bidding them come back exactly as they went. Tostig returned with the excellent news that they had actually come out onto the byroad so that if the trail were followed, it would seem as if their party had escaped that way owing to the inattention of the guards. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Then perhaps we could do that," Walter said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tostig shook his head. "We did not come out onto the road, and I heard voices not far from where we were, only two or three men, my lord, but I think they are part of a regular patrol." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"We can kill two men. We are not so crippled we cannot do that," one of the men-at-arms who had been wounded growled. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This time it was Walter who shook his head. "They would not stay to fight, and we have only two bowmen now, so our chances of shooting them as they run are small. We cannot take the chance." |
|
|
|
|
|