hadn’t considered things from Ben’s perspective. He thought on it for a few minutes, trying his best to imagine how his world would look to strangers from afar. Then he turned his attention back to their current plight.
“I think that we shall stay here tonight, Ben. The wounded will remain in this camp to be cared for when we leave in the morning. The rest of us will travel to Soreen at first light. Vantrax has won the battle, he will be confident, and he believes we are once again in full retreat. But, he does not know our plans. He will not risk entering T’Nesc. So, he has a dilemma. Does he return to Heron Getracht? Or does he pursue us? No, too dangerous for him that. What then? Does he hope to surround us perhaps?” asked Artrex, as he deliberated and tried to predict his brother’s likely reaction to the day’s events.
“I’m sorry, I really haven’t got a clue. But what of Jake and the others?” asked Ben. “If Vantrax learns of their deeds, he’ll go after them, won’t he? And if he does, he has way too many soldiers for Jake to handle. What can we do to help them?”
Artrex looked into Ben’s pleading eyes, he could see that Ben desperately wanted to help his friend, despite his own weariness. But the King had no answers for him.
“Krarr... Ben, I wish with all my heart that Knesh were here.” he said, in a sad, almost apologetic manner, ignoring his own advice not to think of his friend.
“Yes, King Artrex. So do I. But he isn’t, is he? I’m sorry if I’ve put doubts into your mind, but you must know by now that we’ll all follow you whatever you decide? What are your orders?” asked Ben, suddenly sounding far older than his fifteen years.
Artrex considered it briefly and then replied firmly.
“Thank you. As I stated, Ben, we camp here tonight, at daybreak we make for Soreen. Jake, Zephany and the rest are on their own. There is nothing we can do for them now. I wish it were not so, but we can only look after ourselves. I hope and pray that they have met with success!”
* * *
Nytig had arrived at the T’Nesc camp with the first contingent of rebel soldiers who were fleeing the forest. Though he was strewn upside down across the neck of the soldier’s horse, he was nevertheless able to strain his neck and head upwards from time to time allowing him to see much of the route taken through the Moorlands. The servant was painfully aware that his ability to remember their path may prove essential in any subsequent escape attempt and he concentrated hard on memorising it, the differing plants and vegetation, sands and rock formations all serving as distinguishable landmarks as he plotted the safe route back to Erriard forest.
When they’d arrived at the camp, the rebel soldiers had thrown Nytig from his horse and sat him down near a large rock, which he now leaned up against as he observed them hungrily demolishing the food and drink supplied by the camp inhabitants. It was perhaps due to the rebel soldier’s weariness, or maybe their overconfidence in the natural safety afforded to them by the surding swamp, that the soldiers guarding Nytig now paid him little attention as they satisfied their cravings. He silently worked his hands up and down behind his back, dragging the binds that tied them backwards and forwards across the jagged face of the rock. After a few minutes his binds were cut, his hands were free, and no one had noticed.
Nytig bided his time. He watched whilst the soldiers around him ate and drank. Then, one by one, they disappeared to other parts of the camp, or settled down nearby to gain some much needed sleep. He now found himself alone, guarded by only one rebel soldier, an old Rhuaddan veteran who dosed as his tired body succumbed to the events of the day. Before long, the soldier was fast asleep and snoring along with the rest of his friends.
Nytig seized his chance for escape. He was afraid and nervous, but he remembered Vantrax’ words and he looked over to where the King’s camp was situated. Artrex and Ben were sitting down talking to one another. He decided that he could easily approach them unseen if he crept quietly along the vegetation that surrounded the camp perimeter. Minutes later, he found himself in the