Capítulo 33: Visitors at Night
Marek and his group made their way south alongside the river, they had received the shipment upstream yesterday and decided to take the roads instead of using the river to escort and deliver the cargo to Landow.
The main reason they did not use the river was that it was a very predictable trajectory that would allow any aggressor to spot them and if they wished to blockade their way by using other ships.
River transportation was very convenient, though it may not be very fast compared to a galloping horse, it was far superior when it comes to distances that require more than a day of travel, since that was exactly where they shined, considering that they can travel day and night without stop and relatively little effort.
If we were to add to this the fact that a riverboat can carry much heavier cargo, as well as the important matter of not needing to maintain long and costly roads and instead, using the river itself which is free. The vitality of river transportation becomes unquestionable.
This goes to show just how much emphasis had been put on caution by Marek as well as Marquess Blackwell himself by opting for the slow and steady with a potential lower-risk method rather than the conventional one.
After a long day of marching through woods and secondary roads trying to take the most unlikely paths to throw off any potential pursuer or ambusher, Marek ordered his men to set up camp on a small hill about halfway through their journey.
This area was about five miles away from the river itself and was known as an unconventional road to take by travelers since the road infrastructure was quite poor, needing to go through a few steep hills and even pass through a passage between two cliffs covered by a lot of vegetation obscuring much of the surroundings.
These factors made the roads quite dangerous and therefore much less frequented by travelers and virtually never by merchants.
Lord Ulric had "advised" Marek to take this road, the reason given was that very few would think of posting lookouts to keep an eye on traffic, especially not the bandits that they were trying to avoid since they would be out of their minds if they were to divert resources away from the lucrative known trade roads towards this place, just on the off chance that someone with a valuable cargo may one day pass through.
The men quickly went on setting their camp, using the same standard practice of placing the lord's tent in the middle, the others around it in circles and finally a small wooden fence to give a small but valuable added protection from any potential assaulters.
By sunset, the camp was up and running as it should, the men retiring to rest while a few took their positions as watchmen for the duration of their shift, the valuable cargo was placed in the central tent keeping it in the most protected area at all times.
Marek was at his tent with Oliver his right-hand man, planning how they should proceed from here on out.
"My lord, I advise you to take another route, the pass is too dangerous for us to go through, it's the perfect location for an ambush." Oliver advised.
"I know, but that is why it's the last place they would think to look at us in, my father had informed me that someone is leaking information to these bandits from the inside and they may be looking for us right now." Marek explained.
"Still my lord we could always go around the steep hills and bypass the pass entirely. It may take more time, but it's much safer." Oliver advised once more cautioning his young lord.
Marek grumbled as he shouted. "I did not choose this Oliver, as much as I am itching for a fight with these bastards, it was my father that ask for me to take this route, if it were up to me I would take a boat straight down the river and when they show up, free all their heads from their shoulders."
Upon hearing that this whole thing was the Marquess's idea, Oliver simply abstained from any further comments.
As they were talking a guard quickly rushed into the tent as he reported.
"My lord!!! We detected movement ahead, many riders are heading towards us as we speak, we cannot ascertain their exact numbers because it's dark, but from the noise, once they reach us they would certainly be a major threat."
"What!!!! Did they dare to attack?" Marek exclaimed surprised and confused at the sudden change in the situation, he know they might have some leaks from the inside, but for them to be found so quickly was simply astonishing.
" Rally the men, prepare for battle and man the defense perimeter. Now!!!!" Marek shouted at the guards as he quickly picked his sword then looked at Oliver.
"I guess my wish will finally come true. Oliver!!! with me, Let us show these filthy thieves what fate awaits those who cross us in battle.
Marek immediately left his tent, followed by Oliver as they made their way to the outer edge of the camp, looking at the direction from which the sound of a host of cavalry were galloping towards them.
" STEADY YOURSELVES MEN!!! THE ENEMY HAS COME TO GREET US AND WE SHALL SHOW THEM OUR HOSPITALITY." Marek shouted as he looked at his men, who had mostly readied themselves for battle.
They unsheathed their swords and entered into formation near the outer fence waiting for the coming charge.
Though the fence was not sturdy enough to stop a cavalry charge, it was nonetheless enough to slow down much of its momentum and give the defenders a chance to cut their enemies down.
The men held their ground waiting as time passed, every second seeming like an hour. As sweat dripped down their foreheads they felt their nerves being stretched by the wait, the wait for battle, the moment of contact.
Marek watched and waited, he was excited as well as nervous, this was to be his first real command, this was to be his first battle outside of training and he was awaiting it with anticipation.
Yet as the sound drew closer, the hooves slowed their pace and what was once a full-on charge became a gallop, then a trot. It did not take it long to stop completely.
Marek was confused but still alert, the biggest advantage of cavalry especially a heavy one was its ability to charge and break an enemy formation with its sheer weight of impact. Sure they were on a hill and they had a small fence to shield themselves behind, but it was not enough to completely negate the enemy's advantage.
Soon, through the darkness, a rider slowly drew closer to their position up the hill and as the lights from the torches cast their rays upon him his figure and especially his armor became clearer to their eyes.
As soon as Marek had seen the man, he immediately shouted to his men. "HOLD POSITION AND DO NOT ENGAGE!!!"
He said this mostly to the few archers they had at the back, their arrows on the equipped and their bowstrings stretched and ready to be released.
Marek had given this order because he had recognized the soldier's armor, which was the same one his guards were wearing.
After the Order was given two other men on horseback slowly advanced behind the first to have appeared and made their way towards the front of Marek's formation
All Marek could express once he saw these people was.
"Father?"
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