Hidden Kingdom: Chapter 9

 

Chapter 9

Sara was glad to see that Topher and the Woodsman returned in only a few hours. She was not ready to fully trust the Woodsman yet. When the two had left, she had posted men to be on guard. She did not know what to expect, but she did not see a reason yet to let her guard down when it came to their guide.

She wanted to ask Topher about the details of their encounter, but they both came back insisting that they needed to get moving as they had a lot of ground to cover before they could bed down for the night. Then there was also General Allison, who had not left her side since the two left. She knew he was her shadow because he was afraid of not being part of making decisions for the squad. Since Topher was not forthcoming on what had happened, she decided to wait until she could get the general alone.

As the squad was getting ready, Topher went over to Private Corval and told her that until they had cleared the Wren Clan's territory, she was to do as little talking as possible. She found this a little odd as she had never heard of the Wren Clan or that they hated the Wood-folk. Even though she was visually upset by the command, she was a good soldier and obeyed the command. Sara just wished that the Wren Clan's issues were with people from Delland, that way it would be General Allison that would have to keep his mouth shut. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that if they depended on General Allison keeping his mouth shut, then they would be in deep trouble.

It took everyone less than an hour to get ready and once again they were riding fast and hard as they could. At times, they were forced to go slow when the trail they were on narrowed, and the horses with the wounded had to slow down or be in danger of spilling their injured passengers. Even though the rest of the squad was not under an order to be silent, they all rode without speaking. There was a feeling of doom over them as they rode through this land. Even Sara could feel it but tried to push it off. There was nothing spooky or scary about the land they were riding through but still the feeling remained. What was worse was that the feeling seemed to grow with each hour that passed.  Everyone kept looking into the woods for something, but if anyone saw something, they did not speak of it.

The sun had already set when they finally came down into a small valley. It was here that the Woodsman said that they were to make camp for the night. Sentries were setup, and everyone quickly setup camp. No one wanted to stay here any longer than they had too. Most would have gladly offered to keep riding, but it was getting too dark, and it looked like rain or snow might be coming.

Everyone went about making camp without saying a word. That feeling of doom just would not go away. Sara was glad that General Allison finally left her alone. She could tell that he was sharing in that feeling of doom. She walked over to where the Woodsman was. She wanted to find out more about Bougainville.

"What can you tell me about Bougainville?" she said. "Are they like the Wren Clan? Who does the village belong to?"

"It is a small village made up of a mix of Wood-folk and people Doorshire. It is high up in these mountains and a long way from anything resembling civilization. It is an independent community and holds loyalty to no one. I think that is what attracts the people that live there. The village only came about a couple of years ago, so not many people know about it. I have found the people to be mostly outcasts but good folks. You should not have a problem finding someone that will take your wounded back to Fort Applatch."

"Hmm," she thought out loud. She liked the idea of being able to send the wounded back. "And when will we reach Bougainville?"

"If we get an early start and at the speed we are managing I would say sometime tomorrow evening."

"And how far out of the way is it?"

"It is a littleout of the way, but if we can manage to take care of your wounded and proceed without them, then we will more than make up the time."

Sara thought for a minute. She wanted to talk with Captain Walch and Private Corval about Bougainville, but the plan sounded good. "Very well, thank you."

The Woodsman nodded to her. He then turned and headed back to his bivouac. The look in his eyes struck her. Even in the dim light of a small fire, she could see real concern and something else. She could not quite place it, but she did realize just how handsome he was. There was something both rugged and regal in him.

After he had walked away, she looked around for General Allison. She did not want him tagging along for her next conversation. She was glad to see that he was already in bed. Apparently the feeling of doom was a bit much for him. She smiled as she quietly made her way over to Captain Walch, Private Corval and finally Topher. The four gathered on the outskirts of the camp, far enough from any ease-droppers. Private Corval was instructed to talk in as low of a tone as possible.

Sara explained what the Woodsman had told her and then asked Captain Walch and Private Corval what they knew of Bougainville.

There was a moment of silence. Sara wished that the lighting was better so she could read their faces.

Finally, Captain Walch spoke, "I knew that it is located somewhere back in these mountains but not exactly where. I know that there are people from Doorshire there as well as people from Delland. I assume there are people from Carriland there too. Every once in a while, we would get someone into Fort Applatch that claimed they were from Bougainville. I know the people from Doorshire are made up of people that don't want to pay taxes or are running from the law. Not the people of the best character."

Private Corval seemed a little reluctant to speak. "Yes, only criminals and outcasts live 'dere. Not honorable people."

Sara thought a bit and then said, "But do you think that if we paid someone from there that they would take our wounded back to Fort Applatch?"

There was a moment of silence as each thought about it. Finally, Captain Walch said, "I don't know that they would take them into Fort Applatch, but they would get them close enough that they would encounter someone who could take the wounded to the fort. I am sure there are some thieves there, but most of the people are escaping taxes or something they see wrong. I am sure you could find someone."

"Yes, I agree. Although 'dey be expelled from Wood-folk clans, 'dey not without some honor."

Sara thought a bit. She wanted to know about the Wood-folks but now was not the time. Finally, she said, "Very well, you two are dismissed."

Both snapped to attention and then turned and headed back to their bivouacs. Sara then turned to her general. "So it looks like we will reach Bougainville tomorrow evening."

Topher just nodded in agreement, even though there was not enough light for Sara to see it. Then Sara said, "So tell me about the Wren Clan."

Topher told her of his experience with the Wren Clan and the elders of Showhorn. Sara found it very interesting about the initial meeting and how these people believed showing your weapons was a sign of friendship. She was also interested in the Woodsman's relationship with these people. By the time she went to bed, her mind was racing with just how much she did not know about these woods. She had just assumed that it was mostly empty, populated with animals. When this war was over, she was going to have to send scouts into the woods to learn more.