Springing the Trap (1/2)

Writers: Estelle, Paula
Date Posted: 21st January 2019
Series: The Great Bandit Trial

Characters: Zandan, Vargol, Tyelan, Lirena, Terren
Description: Zandan and his men make their move against the holdless bandits.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 6, day 26 of Turn 9

Tyelan had thought he'd got used to long, silent watches in the dark
from hunting trips he'd made as a boy, but he'd never had such a long
wait before. The young guard cautiously shifted the weight between his
feet, taking care not to make a sound. If he scared off their quarry
before it was time, the Captain would have his hide.

They had been camped near the isolated cothold for several days now, but
far enough away that the holders were unaware of their presence. One of
the guards had planted a letter, written by the captured thief, in the
hiding place by the side of the road he'd told them about. Some time
later, Tyelan had heard, a holder had come out and retrieved the
message, and later that night, there had been flashes of light from the
cothold. Someone had been signalling.

Tonight was the appointed night for the band to meet. Tyelan scanned the
darkness, ears pricked for any hint of approaching footsteps. His
insides knotted with mingled excitement and nerves. He had only recently
joined the guards. Maybe tonight he'd prove himself! But what if the
thief had double-crossed them, and the bandits had been warned? What if
the trap was about to be sprung on them?

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows. Someone had
just emerged from the cothold - someone who had no business being out at
this time of night. His heart pounding, Tyelan cautiously raised a hand
and made a signal to the Captain, then pointed to where he'd seen the man.

Zandan nodded, although he wasn't sure if the young guard could see the
gesture.

He was waiting with Vargol, who was master archer. He was also only
part-time guard. When his bow skills or tracking skills weren't
needed, he hunted for living. Vargol hadn't moved a muscle in what
seemed like candlemarks, and Zandan envied his skill to stay immobile
and hidden. The big captain had trouble staying still and he was sure
his leg's gone sleep. He was trying to not fidget restlessly.

As the guards watched, a faint light appeared near the cot as the man
opened a glowbasket. Then he started down the path towards the disused
barn that the thief had identified as a likely meeting place with the
bandits. As he got closer, the dim glowlight showed a dark-haired man
with an expression of mingled tension and anticipation on his face. He
looked to be in his early forties, although he didn't have the weathered
appearance of most hard-working farmholders.

Unaware that he was being observed, Terren reached the barn and glanced
back over his shoulder at the cothold. At least it wasn't raining his
evening. Meeting the bandits always made him nervous, especially when
the whole band was there, but this time their messages had brought good
news. The emerald necklace had been sold, and he would get his share of
the proceeds, along with his fee for storing the rest of the goods. That
ought to be enough to keep Galveden off his back about the tithe for a
while, and to purchase a few little luxuries for himself to make the
dull life of a cotholder bearable.

Turning towards the woods, he covered the glowbasket and uncovered it
again, giving the signal that all was clear. For a moment all was quiet
and still...and then, one by one, dark figures began to emerge and move
furtively down the road towards the barn.

Zandan was pretty much holding his breath now. His fingers curled
around the hilt of his blade.

Tyelan counted silently. Five, six...seven, eight. He narrowed his eyes
and searched for any more movement in the darkness, but couldn't see
anything. If there were eight, the bandits would be easily outnumbered -
all of the guards who could be spared from defending the Hold had been
called out for this one - but even a small number might put up a fight
if they were desperate. He hoped there weren't more hiding in the woods.

The holder had also seen the approaching men and held up his glowbasket
to light their way as the first of them arrived. They spoke in low
voices, but the night was so still that the guards could just hear what
they were saying.

"Where's Tedek?"

"What?" The holder sounded confused. "I thought he would be with you.
His message said to meet here."

"We haven't seen him. He'd best not be late," the first bandit said grimly.

"And he'd better have my marks," Terren muttered. "I've had your goods
here longer than I wanted. It's not safe." What worried him was that
R'fal and Marlath might turn up any day now. The boy had written to say
he'd come, and though they had no reason to go into the old barn, even
the presence of a dragonrider was enough to make him nervous.

Zandan signalled his men to move and surround the barn. There was more
of them he had expected and he could only hope he brought enough men.
Although they had the advantage of surprise, training and discipline.
"I want as many of them alive as possible," Zandan whispered to
Vargol, who nodded and moved to a spot where he could shoot down
anybody who tried to run. Further away along the road, there was two
guards with canines trained to track men in case someone managed to
slip into the woods. They were far enough not to be spotted or the
eager whine of the hounds to be heard.

Tyelan crept forward with the others, his heart racing. He took care not
to step on any dry twigs, so he wouldn't alert the bandits before the
signal was given to attack. They were a cluster of dark shapes around
the holder, the glowlight casting shadows across lean, desperate-looking
faces.

"I don't like this." The first man, who appeared to be the leader, spoke
again after a short time. He narrowed his eyes warily at the shadows
that surrounded the barn. There were too many places to hide. "He should
have been here before us. We'll take some supplies from the barn, and
you can send us another message if he comes."

"Now hold on a minute." The holder's voice rose, aggrieved. "What about
my marks? I came out here, in the middle of the night..."

"You'll get them when Tedek gets here. Or when we find that scrawny
little wherry and shake the marks out of him." The bandit turned on his
heel. "Come on, lads. Gather up some food, then let's get out of here."

It was time to spring the trap. As far as Zandan could see, his men
were in position. He gave the signal, glow baskets were opened and he
yelled: "Halt! In a name of Lord Corowal, you're under arrest!"
The men surged forward, to capture them. One of the bandits, after
moment of freezing, bolted, right at Zandan. The big captain had no
time for finesse, he just knocked the bandit down. Another punch made
sure he was out cold while he went after the rest.

"It's the guards! Run!" The bandits scattered, trying to evade the men
who surrounded them. The only one to obey Zandan's order was the holder,
who stood petrified amidst the chaos.

Last updated on the January 21st 2019

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Springing the Trap (1/2)