Chapter 13: Learning of an ambush..

Vladimir lay listening to the men talk. The one speaking was called Evgeni. Currently he was tasked with sharpening lengths of wood which would be used in an ambush of horse-riders the following day. The second man at the fire was preparing tea for those on sentry duty. They talked of their leader Ilya and the orders he had given to prepare a trap for horsemen, Riders who were expected to descend from Belokurikha the next evening.

Vladimir had lain quietly listening for over two hours. Now he turned and quietly crawled away from the campsite. Then he began his journey back to Recoil and his own campsite.

The Mountain dog poked its head out of the forest cover as Vladimir approached.

Vladimir ruffled his big furry head and then knelt by Recoils sleeping form.

"Recoil! Recoil!", he called. Shaking her gently, he anticipated her reaction to touch as was ready to dodge a fist.

"What, Vladimir, is everything ok? Recoil woke and asked.

"Recoil, I have found some trouble ahead of us. Trouble that blocks our way to Belokurikha, you and the mountain dog must wait here. I will quickly resolve the problem and return for you as fast as I can."

"No! No, can't we come." She pleaded. "Not wanting to be abandoned."

"Have faith in me Recoil., it isn't safe, and I need to be fast and pass some men, they appear to be bandits."

"Once I pass their camp, I have to run to Belokurikha to warn them of an ambush. One person can do this safely. But with a large dog who we can't yet control and you we would be spotted. He repeated - I have to crawl for some distance as I pass their camp. Please Recoil I need to leave now before it gets light...

Then he turned to the dog and said - "Stay with Recoil!"

And he took off running.