WOT Adv 77 - Infiltrating Tobin's Hollow

--- The Wheel Turns ---
Back at camp you quickly go over your options with the others. It is after dark now, and fearful to light a fire, you've all been eating a cold meal and talking quietly in your wooded hiding place.

"It's guarded with patrols on the outskirts and patrols in the street. But we think there's a way into the village once we can get past the outer patrols."

"Who's we?" Thenlir asks.

"Keb and I," you say. "You're good at swinging that axe. We're good at moving like shadows. Let us do what we do best."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Thenlir shrugs and goes back to eating his cold trail rations.

You discuss your plan with the others. You and Keb will sneak past the out patrols and then use the ditch to get through the fields and inside the village itself. Then you figure you will try either the inn or the barn and search for and arm the prisoners. Bryna, Megda, Thenlir, and Althair will remain hidden on the bluff while the villagers will guard the officer here.

"It sounds well thought out," Maeslyn sighs. "I hope you can find Megda Sedai among the villagers there."

"As do I," you agree. "But something bothers me. "How does one keep a Wise One prisoner?" You ask Maeslyn. "Shouldn't she be able to free herself, if she isn't dead?"

"I do not know. That's what worries me. Perhaps she's shielded in some way, or worse maybe stilled or even dead... I don't know, Maer."

"Stilled?" you question, not familiar with the term.

"Stilled means blocked permanently from accessing the one power." She visibly shudders and then gropes with the right words to explain it. "It would be like you being in the presence of King Laman Domodred as he cuts down Avendoraldera, your hands tied behind your back with your spear just dangling beyond your nose, tantalizing you, but never able to reach it..." Her voice trails off. "Something like that. It's the worst fate that can happen to a channeler, some say even worse than death."

You digest that for a moment and then turn another question on Maeslyn.
"Will we recognize this Wise One when we see her? What if she's kept with lots of other women?"

"Nadira gave us a description. Red hair tends to stand out," she replies.

You turn to Bryna. "Do you know what the Seanchan Wise Ones look like, Wise One? Do they wear special uniforms? How are they distinguished from the men? Do their women fight along with the men, like Maidens of the Spear?"

"I am not familiar with a Maiden of the Spear," Byrna replies. "But I don't think there were female soldiers. But it's impossible to tell with those insect-like helmets these 'Seanchan' wear. We didn't get a good look at any of the women. Once the explosions started we fled."

"Explosions?"

"Megda and the Seanchan channelers," Bryna explains. "It was an incredible sight."

"This news of channelers using the One Power for violence and war is indeed frightening," Maeslyn frowns. "For deference or protection against a foe is one thing, but using it in a blatant outright invasion is something unheard of in recent years."

Conversation drifts off and you finish your mean, resting as much as possible. Then you get together the weapons and your gear. After giving some final instructions to the villagers to remember to feed the officer and to switch watches every four hours, you and the others depart into the darkness.

For several minutes you travel through the dark woods. The sun has long since gone down and the midnight hour has past. The clouds are thick over head. That should be good, you think. For it will hide any moon or starlight.

Eventually you reach the bluff just as a cold rain starts to fall. Althair trots off, taking the horse and tying them up out of sight and downwind from the village.

"You picked a fine time Maer," Thenlir says gloomily, eyeing the sky and pulling his thick cloak about him.

Althair returns. "Remember," you tell him. "If enemies approach, howl like a wolf. If they leave, hoot like an owl."

"Got it!" Althair says, shaking your hand. "Good luck."

"Come on Maer," Keb says. Her eyes are alert and bright. She is all business, despite the rain. Dressed sensibly, she wears just a light cloak and well fitted men's clothing. She carries her rapier and a bow on her back and a small pouch about her waist. Over one shoulder is slung a bundle wrapped in cloth. Weapons.

"Don't do anything foolish, Maer." Maeslyn says smiling. "I don't know what I would do without my 'protector'."

"I'll be careful." Then you and Keb disappear into the darkness.

You and Keb travel in the darkness, moving slowly, keeping an eye on the shadowy figures making up the patrols. "Now!" you whisper urgently. You only have seconds before the next patrol comes into view. You and Keb dart across and field, moving in a crouch, and nearly leap into the large ditch. It stands about four feet tall with vegetation arching over it on either side. Moving in a crouch you're completely hidden.

"What was that?" one of the Seanchan soldiers says in his strange sounding westland tongue.

"What?" Another asks.

"I thought I saw something move over there."

"Too much ale?" The other laughs. "But we better check it out. If not, Murdoc will have our heads."

You and Keb hold still, trying not to breathe. Keb's eyes are wide as saucers when the sounds of boots come crunching closer and closer. The torch held by the soldiers hisses from the rainfall. Then they stop. Through the undergrowth that covers the ditch you can make out the boots of the men only a few hand spans away.

"Nothing." The second says.

"I suppose it was the ale." Then with a chuckle they move on, their voices finally diminishing along with their torch light into the darkness. Keb sighs and almost starts giggling. You give her a severe look.

"Sorry. I thought we were dead." She whispers with a grin. "Let's go."

You both move down the ditch cautiously testing each step before you put weight on it. Occasionally you stop as a patrol will march by. But the ditch provides ample cover and you get quite close to the town.

You both peer over the edge of the ditch and survey the town. Lights are on inside the inn. The patrols are carrying torches. Other than that, the town seems very dark. Then a light rounds a corner bearing a torch and a commanding voice barks out.

"You there! What goes on here?" You immediately start, reaching for your spear, but Keb grabs your hand and motions with her head to the right. You can see a squad of soldiers, sitting on the ground.

"Uh...? What? Murdoc, sir? Sorry sir."

"Where's your torch! Wake up! Stay alert!" you hear a commanding voice. "This is still enemy territory! You think that last patrol isn't back because they're out on a picnic? Stay alert!"

"Yes sir!" the squad of soldiers say with conviction. Then they round the corner on their patrol.

"I'll have their heads if they fail in their duty," the man named Murdoc whispers to himself and then tromps off east down street just south of the inn.

He's about to round the corner north, to follow the first patrol, when he suddenly wheels around and marches back the way he came, muttering something you can't hear. He passes by the inn and then moves to the stables.

"That was close!" Keb says. "If we would have tried to cross the street when he turned around, we---"

"Shh!" you quiet her, whispering in her ear. "He's talking to someone at the stables."

It's then that you notice four shadowed shapes, standing near the stable door, Murdoc's torch lighting up their figures. You didn't notice them before when you surveyed the town. As soon as Murdoc leaves north between the stables and the inn, it once more plunges into shadow.

"Looks like the direct approach to the back side of the inn isn't going to work, not with those guards there." Keb whispers peering towards the dark stable doors. "Now what?"