Chapter 29
Sara awoke feeling great. A hot meal and a warm bed had made her feel better than she had since they left Shelbyville. She would never complain about sleeping on the hard ground and eating cold rations. She believed that if she expected her men to do it, then she should expect it of herself, but that did not mean she had to like it. She had thought she had an understanding of what her soldiers went through but now she had a new appreciation for it.
She reluctantly but quickly dressed and grabbed a quick bite to eat with the rest of the squad. When she did not see Captain Walch at breakfast, she worried that he would not be ready but was relieved when he was standing by the horses, a fresh mount packed and ready for him. He was also wearing the uniform of the Midnight Squad. She was glad that the uniform they brought seemed to fit him, although the jacket looked a little big.
She saw that the Woodsman was there, however his hands were bound and he was under guard. Realizing her mistake the night before, she looked at Topher and once she had his attention, she looked at the prisoner. Topher knew what she was telling him and walked over to the guard and told him to cut lose the binds on the Woodsman. When the guard looked like he was about to protest Topher explained that this man was not a prisoner but a hired guide. Reluctantly the guard cut the rope that was holding the man's hands together.
In the meantime, Sara walked over to where the Woodsman's belongings were, picked them up, and took them to him. She handed them to him, but before she let go she said, "Now, we have an agreement. Do we have your word of honor on that agreement?"
The Woodsman looked her in the eye for a moment. He realized that General Lateaf and this woman must have talked. He finally said, "You have my word of honor."
After looking him in the eye, sizing up the man, Sara let go of his pack, bow, and dagger. Then she said, "I fear we did not have a formal introductions last night. I am Commander Crisson, I am second in command. This is General Lateaf. You are to report to either one of us. We can do other introductions later. Now, what is your name?"
With dark blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her skull, probing for answers to questions unspoken, he said, "I am called many things, but Woodsman is the most common."
Although his eyes told her she could take this man at his word, something about his accent gave her concern. She could not quite place it, but something in the back of her head told her to beware. She then turned and walked to her horse. As she walked past General Allison, she heard him mutter, "What good is the word of a crazed woodsman?"
She was wondering that same thing. What Topher told her about his encounter with the Woodsman and willingness to be beaten in the name of honor and his word said this man could be trusted. But there was more to his eyes than just honor and piercing. Somewhere deep was a secret, and a lot of pain. She had seen it before. There was much more to this Woodsman. She just hoped that whatever it was, it did not interfere with the mission.
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