The Choice of Magic - Michael G. Manning Page 0,135

outside of his tent to the side hidden from the light.

He stopped again there, until his ears confirmed which direction the patroller had gone, then he followed the man. In the distance he could see light from the other companies’ positions, and he used his memory of the layout to keep track of how far he had gone. Once he had moved a quarter of the way around the Company B camp, he set off at a right angle that should take him directly toward the medic tent.

After he had gone fifty yards, he knelt and waited again. He was in a nearly pitch-black pool of shadows that existed in the gaps between the various lantern poles. Though his night vision was good, the light from the lanterns regularly spoiled it and consequently he was nearly blind to what might be within the darkened area around him.

The various patrollers stayed primarily within the shadowed regions for an important reason. In the dark areas they preserved their night vision and could easily see anyone crossing through the lighted portions of the camp. Will did the same, but he would have to rely on his ears to warn him if one of the patrollers got close to his position.

Will’s only advantages were his keener eyesight, better hearing, and the fact that he wasn’t following a strict pattern with his movement. It also helped that he knew the patrollers were there, while they didn’t know about him.

There were also the ever-present flows of turyn, and while they didn’t provide much illumination, they helped slightly. At one point he was saved from walking straight into a guard holding a fixed position simply because he spotted the strange movement of turyn where the guard was standing.

He was almost to the medic tent when he heard approaching footsteps in the darkness to his rear. Glancing back, he saw two dark shapes faintly highlighted by a distant lantern behind them. Will froze, then got down on all fours. There was nothing close enough for him to use to hide, but if he stayed still and made no noise…

After several tense minutes they passed by after having come almost within ten feet of where he crouched. Will took a moment to let his heart calm down before continuing. He also took note of how cold his hands were. Though spring was almost upon them, it was still quite cold, and he hadn’t worn his gambeson for fear it would make noise. At least I’m not sweating, he thought wryly.

Will was relieved to see that no guard stood outside the medic tent. Creeping close, he glanced within and saw a man and woman sleeping on two field cots. Seeing the cots made him jealous, for they seemed like an immense luxury after sleeping on a bedroll that was directly on the ground for months.

A sudden noise made him freeze in his tracks. It was the sound of metal and leather rubbing together. There was a guard nearby. It was a while before he heard it again, and his ears helped him gauge the direction. The noise came from somewhere behind the medic tent. Will debated whether he should leave his note and leave immediately or whether he should confirm the guard’s position first.

It wasn’t a patroller, or there would have been more noise. The sound had to be from someone standing guard in a fixed position. I should see where he’s at so I don’t run into him by accident when I leave, Will decided.

Moving slowly and carefully, he eased around the medic tent, stopping to wait and listen after every few feet. He could see something lighter than the darkness around him in the direction he was facing. Another tent, hidden by the shadow of the medic tent.

Will waited another ten minutes, until his eyes had adjusted enough that he could make out the dark form of the guard standing in front of the other tent. Why would that tent have its own guard? Will wondered. A guard meant something important. Or someone important.

Surely it wasn’t possible. A noble lady should be housed in a room in the nearby town, or at the very least have her own tent near the camp commander and other officers. Why would she stay here next to the medic tent? It made no sense to him, since it wasn’t necessary for her disguise, unless Lady Isabel really cared that much about treating the wounded.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Will began working his