by Candy Rae
The Larg kohorts arrived on the shore one after another. Rafts and boats appeared with men and equipment and they began to disembark.
Jim stood the Lindars down apart from the sentries. The Lind were surprised when the Larg made no immediate move to attack. With their excellent night vision it would not have been the first time they had fought at night but Jim understood why. The convicts would want to wait until dawn and the Larg perforce would have to wait with them so that the two armies could attack simultaneously.
In the woods, the Lind ate a light meal. There was just enough livestock in the ravine to go round. The final Lindars joining the army arrived. They had come a long way and Jim was again amazed at the diversity of colours and build amongst the different packs, especially those from the far west. Instead of the two-colour markings that he was used to, these Lind had far more variegated colour patterns, some very colourful, some a dull sandy brown, more similar to the Larg.
A small group of Elda came with them. These important Lind were completely white. They were a delegation from the Gtratha, the Council that was made up of a white Lind from every Lind pack that existed, and led by the Gtrathlin. They would not fight in the lines, being far too important personages to be risked. They settled themselves to one side of where the communications unit had taken up their position, their very presence good for Lind morale.
It was a difficult night.
In the morning, Afanasei sent the ‘stand-to’ command to the Lindars and they took their assigned places, the foremost ryz right at the very edge of the tree line. The infantry were very careful to remain under cover and silent as they took up their own designated position. They all had very specific orders to stay exactly where they were until Jim gave the order. He was in no mind to sacrifice any of the advantage of height and surprise and he wanted to force the Larg to attack uphill.
Tara woke when the sun began to peek over the horizon, she felt a bit groggy; she hadn’t slept well. She was scared and more than scared. She took a deep breath and struggled out of her sleep-bag. As she washed she stole a glance at Emily who was busy dressing. The elder girl was nervous; her hands fumbled with the buttons of her tunic.
“Let me,” said Tara in a too quiet voice. “I’ll do you up then you can do me.”
“Do we put our armour on now?”
“Might be best,” replied Tara. “Where’s Ilyei?”
“Gone for a drink. Kolyei went too.” She looked up. “They’re coming back now.”
“Ok,” said Tara struggling with her leg greaves. “That’s funny, they fitted well enough yesterday.”
“That’s because these ones are mine,” said Emily with a giggle. “Yours are over there, idiot, where you left them last night.”
Tara passed Emily’s over and began to fasten her own.
“We’d better hurry up,” she ordered. “Mariya and the others will be here soon and Kolyei said we should be ready.”
“Armour is so fiddly,” complained Emily as she stood for Tara’s inspection and gasped when her friend began to pull and tug at it.
“Ouch. You don’t need to be so rough.”
“Just checking it is on right. Now you check me.”
Emily did so and noticed Ilyei and Kolyei sauntering towards them as if they hadn’t a care in the world. However, this nonchalance was all bravado. Attuned to Kolyei’s mind, Tara knew he was almost as agitated and nervous as she and presumed Ilyei was in a similar state.
“Where’s the map board?”
“Over there. You mount up and pass it to me.”
* * * * *
