Erik understood. Calis’s vision was far more acute than any human’s. But if they could see the gorge, they were but a day’s ride from the bridge and from there to the entrance to the mines, another day’s ride. If they decided to abandon the horses, it would be an extra two-day march from the bridge to the caves.
Erik dismounted, feeling mixed emotions; if they rode, things would be easier on the men, but to abandon the horses near the mines was a death sentence for the mounts. They were unlikely to cross the bridge by themselves and on the other side there was no fodder. Some might even fall to their deaths. Erik considered for a moment the irony of worrying more about the horses’ survival than his own.
He shrugged off the thought as orders were passed to make camp. The men fell to with the discipline beaten into, taught to, and expected from them. Alfred had been recently promoted to corporal and was reminding Erik more each day of Charlie Foster, the corporal who first made Erik’s every day a living hell at Bobby de Loungville’s whim. Now, years later, Erik understood that making these men obey without hesitation or thought ensured the best chance for each man’s survival and, more important, the achievement of the mission’s goals.
When camp was readied, a rotation of guards was established and each man went to eat—trail rations and a cold camp, so as not to risk anyone seeing a fire. Winter was rapidly approacing, so it would be an uncomfortable night for everyone.
While everyone else was eating, Erik inspected the horses and made sure every mount was sound. He also saw that every man was where he was expected to be, then moved to where de Loungville, Calis, and Miranda sat.
Calis indicated Erik should sit. “Horses are fine,” Erik said. Calis said, “Good. We’re going to have to find a place around here to leave them.”
Miranda said, “Why bother?”
Calis shrugged. “I don’t discount the chance we may get out of this and need a quick route out of the mountains. If there’s a canyon around here with enough grazing for a week or two, I’d like to put the horses there. The heavy snows are not yet upon us, and the horses may prove useful.”
Erik said, “When we passed around the peak at midday, I saw a small valley below us.” He indicated the general direction. “I can’t be sure, but I think there is a route down from the trail. A goat path, at least.”
Calis said, “We’re going to rest here for a couple of days, so investigate it tomorrow. If there’s a way in, put the horses down there.”
Erik was still not comfortable with the Captain, though he had spent enough time with Bobby to speak his mind when he felt the need. Still, if anything, the Captain appreciated direct talk when it concerned the mission. “Captain, why are we waiting? We run the risk of discovery each day we delay.”
Calis said, “We’re waiting for someone.”
Miranda said, “I have an agent, and he’s trying to find some local men we need to talk to.”
Erik waited and no more was said, so he resigned himself to having to wait to find out who this mysterious agent of Miranda’s might be, and who those local men were. He excused himself and rose to go see how the men were doing.
Erik was not surprised to find each man was doing exactly what he was supposed to do and that he needed to instruct none of them. This was the finest group of soldiers in the history of the Kingdom, according to Lord William and de Loungville, and Erik felt a fierce pride at being included in that number. He downplayed his own role in the creation of this unity, but took credit for his own evolution as a soldier.
He had spent hours reading every book on warfare and tactics and had taken the opportunity to speak with everyone in the palace he could on various military topics. He had even had occasion to discuss such issues with visiting nobles who came to call at the palace. Sometimes they’d chat over supper in the soldiers’ commons, sometimes at a state dinner at the Prince’s palace, and occasionally in the marshalling yard as some Border Baron or Eastern Duke had observed the training of Calis’s Crimson Eagles.
Erik didn’t think of himself as being particularly gifted in strategy, supply, or deployment, but he felt he had a knack for leading men, or at least getting them to do what needed to be done without having to resort to bullying and threats the way some officers did. He really enjoyed the feeling that if he led, other men would follow, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on why he felt good about that; he just did.
Finishing his inspection, he sat and pulled a ration pack out of his saddlebags. He unwrapped the wax-dipped cloth, ensuring that the flaking pieces of wax fell onto another cloth; he knew that if he didn’t inspect the site when they broke camp and make sure than not one flake of wax lingered to betray their passing, de Loungville would. As much as his relationship had changed with Bobby since the fateful day when Bobby had ordered Erik hung, he still was not exempted from a public dressing-down if the Sergeant Major felt Erik wasn’t discharging his duty.