Hidden Kingdom: Chapter 5

 

Chapter 5

It was dusk when the scouts returned to camp. They reported straight to Topher. Sara quickly stepped over to them. General James Allison was sitting farther away, and when he got to the debriefing, they had already started. It was just another slight and he was keeping count.

"Report," Topher said.

Colonel Holms responded. "Captain Walch was right about Survey Point, it was a perfect lookout over the lake, and the enemy had not discovered it. We had watched for over an hour before we saw any movement. You were right, there is an army at the lake. We watched for a few hours more and given what I saw I would say there must be at least 1000 men camped there."

A look of thoughtfulness came over Topher's face. James, wanting to force himself into the conversation and exert his place in the command structure said, "Well how do you know they were Emos soldiers?"

Colonel Holms looked the Delland General in the face and said, "Captain Walch assures me that Doorshire has no troops stationed at the lake, and I am pretty sure Carriland does not either so unless they are Delland Soldiers, they must be the Emos Army." It was clear to James that this Colonel did not respect him as a general either. He might have to die too.

After a moment, Topher said, "Very well, you are dismissed. Get something to eat."

"But sir, what about the mission? That is the only way into Emos," said Captain Walch with concern in his voice.

"We have been talking with our guide, and he says there is another pass. Now get something to eat. We will talk to everyone after the evening meal."

"Very well sir." Captain Walch said. The three turned to head for their bivouacs. Topher had wanted to talk to the private but did not want General Allison to hear, so he waited until both he and the queen walked away.

As inconspicuous as he could, Topher walked to where the private was. He was glad that the other soldiers that had bedded near her were all by the fire, having a meal of rations.

"Private, do you have a minute?" he said as he walked up to her. He hoped that by asking in that way, she would realize that it was less formal. However, it was lost on the private as she turned and snapped a sharp salute.

"Yes, sir," she said.

Topher quickly returned the salute and said, "At ease and carry on with what you were doing."

Private Jenny Corval looked a little unsure what to do but then relaxed and looked at the general. "What can I do for you, sir?"

"Your people live in the woods and mountains south of here, right?"

Jenny was not sure what the general was getting at but said, "Mostly but 'dere is a clan 'dat lives in 'dese woods. I have never met one of 'dem, 'dey are a bit of an unsocial group."

Topher smiled. He was glad to see the private was so open and honest. "Well, I wanted to ask you if you knew of a passage to the land of Emos southwest of here."

"From southwest of here?" Jenny had a look of confusion on her face. "No sir."

"But your people would know, right? I mean, I assume they have explored most if not all of the mountains?"

"Well, not exactly sir." She paused as if she had let down the general. "You see we don't go north. My people have traveled south to Carriland, east to 'de Rohan valley and even Delland. We even have a clan 'dat live in 'de mountains 'dat touch 'de sea to 'de west, but we don't go north into 'de Borah Mountains."

"Why doyour people not go north into the Borah Mountains?" Topher had never heard of the Borah Mountains.

"'Day say 'dat only death awaits 'dose 'datenter 'de Borah Mountains. 'Dere are many stories of my people going north and never coming back. Sometimes we find 'deir stuff but never 'deir remains. 'Dat land is cursed, and we do not go 'dere."

"Hmm, thank you private," Topher said as he turned to walk away.

"Sir, why do you ask?" She stopped him.

"Well, our guide says that there is a way into Emos through those mountains."

She produced a look of concern on her face. Finally, she said, "Well if 'de Woodsman says 'dere is a way, 'dere must be. If we have to go 'dat way, 'den I am glad he is our guide. If anyone can get us 'drough 'does mountains it is him."

Topher marveled at the faith she had in the legend that was the Woodsman. He said, "Very well, go join the other men around the fire."

"Yes, sir." She then turned back to her pack and retrieved her ration.

Topher walked away deep in thought. He did not like the idea of having to go through a land that the Wood-folk considered cursed. It was not that he believed in curses, but he had found that most myths and superstitions had some fact to them. And the fact that people who traveled that way never came back did not sit well with him.