WOT Adv 145

--- The Wheel Turns ---

"I have a plan!" Maer exclaimed as he studied the Seanchan.

Maeslyn raised an eyebrow. "He has a plan, imagine that."

Fiznak groaned.

Maer ignored them and quickly began to explain. "Keb, you, the Apprentice Wise One, and the Maiden go set up an ambush in those trees. Take my rope and tie it high enough to clear our head, but low enough to unseat one of the riders."

Keb nodded, but her face was uncertain. "And then..." she waited.

"Once you're in position," Maer continued. "Fiznak and I will charge the soldiers waving that stupid sword that the maiden is carrying, and me waving the blunt end of my spear like a clumsy wetlander stick."

"I don't know if you'll fool anyone, you look very much an Aeil warrior," Fiznak shook his head. "I'm not sure I like this."

"Go on," Maeslyn said. "But quickly! They will certainly strike the rear of the riders in a few moments!"

"When they turn on us and attack us with the lizards, Fiznak and I will skid to a halt, he will drop the useless wetlander weapon, and we will turn and run as if afraid. We will run to the trees, and run through the spot where you have set up the rope." Maer pointed to the copse of trees behind them. "The lizards will follow us into the trees, Fiznak and I will climb up a tree, and the riders will be unseated as their mounts run under the rope."

"Light Maer!" Keb gave him a wry grin and shook her head. "Where do you come up with these lamebrained schemes? The last time you tried to unhorse someone in this manner, trying to save the peddler and Thenlir from those 'Taraboner' raiders, we all nearly got killed! But humor us, assuming this actually happens, then what?"

Maer spoke quickly now, realizing he was running out of time. "Then Keb and the young Maiden will encourage the journey of these invaders along the Wheel by sending them on their way with pointed arrows..." he paused. "That means killing them, by the way.

"Meanwhile, once the lizards are safely past their position, and while Fiznak and I engage the remaining beasties and their remaining rider from atop a tree, then Maeslyn, still concealed within the trees, will hurl fire at the invader Captive Wise One and her...handler until they perish. Then she will return and help us kill whomever or whatever is still alive.

"After the fight, we can either skin the lizards, cure their meat for our future journey, and tan their hides to repair our clothes and our shoes, or we can look for more invaders to kill."

Fizank simply stared at him open-mouthed. "Light, he is addled," he said to the others. "Maer, are you sure you didn't knock something lose in that head of yours with your fight with that To'Raken?"

"It's a good plan," Maeslyn shrugged, her face completely blank. "Assuming it actually works. Assuming they take the bait. Assuming Eliesanna and Keb can get in a tree in time. Assuming the rope holds. Assuming they run into the rope. Assuming...," she sighed and smiled. "Well, Maer, it's just that there are a lot of assumptions."

"It should be simple enough, apprentice Wise One," he frowned slightly and looked about. "Although, it would be a bit easier if the Wise One Megda and if Maynard were with us.... Where are they, anyway?"

"There," Maeslyn pointed. Walking through wisps of mist that swirled about their legs some hundred feet beyond them down the slope, were Megda and Maynard. "They aren't exactly privy to your plan, Maer."

Suddenly they saw one of the beast's stop dead in its tracks and its rider tumble out of the saddle. The beast didn't move.

Then Maynard charged and attacked the Da'mane, his sword flashing into the woman. She screamed and the horse reared on its hind legs but the woman managed to maintain her saddle.

The other beast lumbered to a halt, turned and faced this new threat and the Sul'Dam yelled out an order pointing to Megda. The beast yelled out a loud roar and charged toward Maynard and Megda.

"Well, that was unexpected." Keb said.