Sarkon gathered all the men at his disposal, all 9 plus himself. He stared momentarily at the injured men fighting back the pain and steeling themselves for a fight.
Strange how these men think more of others than themselves. How can they muster such strength? Sarkon thought. His arm twinged, breaking his thought midway. He knew the bandits had the upper hand. More numbers and more familiar with the land. They just may not be expecting a mark to fight back after being hit so hard.
Darvin spoke up first, “Listen up, men. We have a plan. It’s going to be risky and, to be frank, you may not make it. I urge you all to think of the ones you have waiting for you at the end of this journey and decide if you want to be with them or sent to the divines. I won’t fault you or hold it against you if you choose to leave. This isn’t for the stuff we lost or bruise to our ego. This isn’t for the merchants we were charged with or the coin we were promised. This is for our fellow men who did their jobs with nothing but their best and died by cowards. Cowards that came and took by force that which they did not earn from an honest day in the field or a hard scratch in a mine. Now, I urge you to go home but if you will stay, fight for a chance to show that their are still honest men that can fight with honor. With dignity and dogged grit. Now who’s with me?”
The men and Sarkon all stared at Darvin. His speech was moving. They all began to shake off their pain and tiredness and weary mind. They perked up, one and all, ready to see some action.
“Thank you, Darvin.” Sarkon said, leading the discussion from their. “ First we……….” And the plan was laid out. It’s simplicity being a strength the group could lean into. And once they were all satisfied, they gathered their gear and began back towards the campsite ambush.
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The group stopped short of the main camp area. Motioning to move in closer, Sarkon gathered the group close. He silently motioned to split up in pairs and wait for the signal to move in. Nodding, the men spread out as quietly as they could. When in position, Sarkon took point and began to move to the edge of the woods. He surveyed the area carefully, his acute senses looking for any trace of a foe. A minute or two crept by with only the background noise of birds and insects finding his ears. In a half- crouch, Sarkon headed into the camp area itself. He found some cover from a small stand of half-standing tents and open chests. He peeked around… Nothing. Not a soul in sight.
A slight relief, he whistled for the men to come out. One by one they strode out of the woods, some relieved and others on edge.
“So this was fortunate. They seemed to have looted and left,”Darvin said on his approach.
“Seems so but why?” Sarkon replied. “They had time to pick it all clean since we had to flee in a hurry.”
“I see your point. So does this mean they all are back at their camp? Perhaps they are now fat on the spoils of their pillaging and not expecting us,” Darvin said with a hint of optimism.
“We can only hope.” Sarkon mused. “Alright, so now we know they are all probably camped together, more or less. This means we have to be more careful on approach. Some luck and skill will mean we all go home. Gather up any remaining supplies: arrows, daggers, anything you can use.”
“Yes sir.” Replied the group, as the men refocused and got to work. After a time, Sarkon, sitting up a large log, looked to the sky. It was already growing late and they had no idea exactly where the bandit camp was. He began to look at into the woods, when a deer passed by. An idea struck Sarkon.
“Darvin, come here a minute. Do you or your men know of any old settlements or cabins in the area? I had an idea that they may have set up a camp off of the back of an abandoned settlement. These ruffians may be vicious but they wouldn’t be honest tradesmen now would they?” Sarkon posed.
“Ok, I see your point… Actually, now you mention it, woodsmen made a living years ago out of this region. I think Harns is from around here.” And off Darvin went, the idea coming together as he understood the importance of this possible lead.
Darvin came rushing back, yanking at a map tucked in his pouch. “You could be right. How did you know about the old hide and game traders?” Darvin asked.
“A hunch. And also the fact I’ve never seen as many deer and other game like I have around here. Why we were all out making noise and such and a deer passed right along the edge of the camp. They’d normally be scared off and avoid us if this area wasn’t lousy with them.” Sarkon said back.
Darvin pulled his map out and drew out about where the cabins were. It was time for them to get serious and get this over with, one way or another.
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