WOT Adv 60

--- The Wheel Turns ---
You quickly drag the bodies of the fallen into the pen and while you and Therlin wait outside for the others to change. You and Therlin, along with some of the captured male prisoners decide to pose as guards to escort the others out of camp. Keb and Maeslyn remove their uniforms and change into their normal clothes, agreeing to play the role of 'prisoner'.

Once everyone has changed, you and Therlin and some of the other 'guards' sureptitiously "tie up" the 'prisoners' and then with taught nerves you exit the pen and make your way to the horses on the other side of the hill.

This is the last hurdle. Once you get the townsfolk on their horses you should be home free and able to be rid of these Taraboner raiders. The trick is moving quietly enough past the main part of the camp without being heard by those who are asleep so you can get to the horses guarded by the Taraboner soldiers.

You figure you will need six horses at the least. You have the four you were riding and the five extra that the townsfolk gave you. That's a total of nine. With eleven villagers to rescue.

"Wise One," you whisper as you and Therlin escort the main part of the camp. "Can you create the sound barrier once more?"

She shakes her head. "No. I'm afraid not with a group this size, and especially not while we're moving. The barrier must remain static. But when we get close to the sentries guarding the horses, I can place one about them in case an alarm is raised."

You nod in satisfaction. Things may actually work out. That's if you can get through the camp without waking the guards. You then decide to approach the picket line from the north side of the hill, rather than going directly through the camp. It will attract less attention from the main portion of the camp but will probably raise some suspicion with the guards at the pen.

You smile when Thenlir says he'll try to talk to the guards. You've noticed he's been hiding a talent of his, a silver-tipped tongue that seems to be able to lie and cheat its way out of anything.

"If something goes amiss," Therlin says gruffly as you swing around the north side of the hill. "Well club 'em over the head like we did before." and he pats the large axe, resting in its leather case.

You have to smile at this wetlander. Though he has some strange moods and motives you're not sure you understand, in a fight he at least seems quite competent and reliable.

You manage to move around the north end of the hill without attracting any undue attention and as you approach a sentry hears you your nine horses and the string of prisoners tethered afoot. "Ho there, what's this?" the sentry calls out loudly enough to wake half the camp before Maeslyn is close enough to raise the sound barrier.

Therlin curses under his breath as he approaches the four sentries, and Maeslyn clenches her teeth and whispers to you. "I was hoping they wouldn't notice us until we were closer. In any case, the sound barrier is now up. I fear that the camp may have been awakened however."

"I said, what's this?" the sentry asks suspiciously. He notices the guards. "And what's all this?" You notice his hand is on his sword.

"Captain said to transfer the prisoners to the northern camp," Thenlir lies easily. "We came for more horses."

The man looks at Therlin and

and then shrugs. "Fine by me. How many do you need?"

"Six." Thenlir says.

"Very well." He turns to the other soldiers. "Get these men some horses. Six of them."

Two Taraboner soldiers move to the picket line and begin untethering the horses.

"I don't get it," a fourth soldier says, scratching his nose, talking to the others. "I thought the captain said we would be moving out in the morning and where are they transferring them?"

"To the northern camp. For safe keeping." Thenlir says.

"Well," the first sentry says, "the captain did double the sentries to make sure the enemy didn't get at them. Maybe he wants them away from this camp altogether."

"Maybe?" the other sentry says, getting somewhat agitated. "Don't you think we should find out for sure? This doesn't make any sense with the rest of the plan."

"What do you mean?" the first asks.

"Prisoners to the other camp? I distinctly heard that Wuan and Earwin were conducting the raid at first light. They wouldn't want this riff raff slowing them down."

"Ah, I see. Perhaps your right," the first says. "Please let me see your orders, sir. I'm sorry, but this one has to be official, due to the tightened security."

"I don't have any 'written' orders, soldier." Therlin says tensly. "The captain wanted to move this transfer along quickly. If you want to wake him at this early hour, be my guest."

"I will ask him," the third sentry sighs, and begins moving toward the tent.

"If you'll just wait right here, we'll get this cleared up in no time," the first sentry says. "It's better to be safe than sorry."