Chapter 143 Lure
After loosing a fire arrow into the air as a warning signal, Sera had wounded the orcs before they could reach her side of the river, forcing them back with enough noise that the watchers on the wall had heard it even from a distance.
The beasts didn't attempt to push any further, though perhaps that had never been their intention in the first place. Two orcs was too small of a force to do any significant harm even if they had succeeded.
Lucien suspected that the variant had ordered the crossing simply to test the river's depth.
By the time they were sure there wouldn't be any more attacks, Sera had returned just a few hours ago, instantly going to her room to take a short nap before waking up at Alicia's gentle reminder to join them for breakfast.
The meal itself had been a somber affair, though Talia had found ways to lighten the mood. In her words, there was no point in being overly tense before the main event.
Lucien found himself relaxing somewhat after a cup of coffee.
Soon after, as if by an unspoken signal, the small group made their way to the entrance of the manor.
The two girls who would remain stood across from them.
Alicia passed Sera a cloth-wrapped lunch bundle, worry clear in her eyes. "Please be careful...you as well, My Lord."
Taking the bundle, Sera gave the maid a small nod.
"It's fine, Alicia! These two won't be at the riskiest position this time," Talia piped up cheerily, though he could tell by the way she was tapping her feet that his junior was just as worried.
Lucien shook his head. "She's right. Dorian and the others will be the ones closest to danger if everything moves as planned."
He glanced at the hunter, who had moved beside him. "...It will be like our usual practice, except with live targets this time."
Alicia's shoulders lifted slightly. "I heard my father won't be taking part as well...is that alright, My Lord? Wouldn't it be better to have as many men available as possible?"
Despite her words, there was a slight sense of relief in her voice, tinged with guilt.
Lucien turned toward her. "I took Bran off the militia, Alicia. As someone who's in charge of Ashridge's food, your father would be better served after this threat has been dealt with."
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Besides, Bran is a rather...poor shot with the crossbow."
At his words, Alicia covered her mouth while Talia let out a chuckle.
The hint of a smile grew beneath Alicia's lips. "He isn't good with a bow as well, My Lord. It's why he worked with Joren during his free time instead of hunting."
When Sera's brow scrunched, the three of them exchanged amused looks. Perhaps Bran would soon be visited by the resident hunter to be...forcibly taught how to use a bow.
The manor door swung open, cutting through the amusement they shared as they were brought back to the present.
Tomas appeared at the door, his steps stopping at the sight before him.
After a moment's hesitation, he saluted. "Apologies for the interruption, My Lord. But Marcus and his men are waiting at the gates."
Adjusting his cloak idly, Lucien turned to the younger man. "We are just leaving. Come, Sera."
Alicia clasped her hands tightly in front of her, while Talia finally stopped fidgeting.
Lucien gave one last nod to them before walking out of the manor, with Tomas and Sera following behind.
As they made their way through the village, Lucien noted how quiet the village was despite the impending attack.
He had decided not to keep word of it secret, or rather, there wasn't any point in doing so. There were too many people involved, with the full force of the militia and the Ashridge guards being deployed.
The villagers only knew parts of the plan, however, which led to some confusion, especially among the newer militia comprised of refugees.
Lucien couldn't blame them. If he had received the same orders, he would be just as confused as well.
"Tomas. You will be taking charge of the militia with the crossbows later with Henric, yes?" Lucien asked, turning slightly toward the younger man.
Tomas, who had been in the midst of checking his armor while they walked, looked up at his words. "Yes, My Lord. We've been practicing at the eastern fields after...you had chosen the riders for the lever crossbow."
At the brief pause from the younger guard, Lucien exhaled faintly. "Is Henric still upset about not being chosen?"
Tomas looked more confused at his question than anything else. The younger man seemed to hesitate, only speaking after Lucien gestured for him to continue.
"I think he is upset that I didn't get chosen, My Lord."
Lucien's brow lifted as he regarded the younger man. "Was Dorian mistaken then? He told me Henric had been secretly training at night with the lever crossbow."
Tomas's eyes widened briefly before comprehension dawned on him. "My Lord...Henric was accompanying me at night for practice. The lever crossbows could only be borrowed with one of your household guards present."
As though realizing he had spoken too much, the younger man shook his head quickly. "Ah, it was my request, My Lord. I was the one who brought it up to him, and he accepted. We also checked with Harlon to make sure the one I used wasn't too worn out."
Immediately, Sera turned to stare at Tomas, which only made the younger man more nervous.
"Ser-, Lady Sera...? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lucien shot the hunter a dry look. "Don't mind her. She's worried that I would favor the crossbow more if too many people around me begin using them."
His eyes moved back to Tomas. "But I see...so you were the one practicing at night. I suppose you had questions about why I didn't pick you to join Marcus's riders then."
To his mild surprise, the younger man shook his head. "No, My Lord...w-well, I was wondering about it at first, but then...I think I know why you didn't."
At Lucien's questioning look, Tomas patted the armor he wore. "Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I am being observed to see if I would be a potential household guard...right?"
The younger man continued when Lucien inclined his head. "Then it would make sense for me not to be placed under Marcus's group of riders. You likely have plans for them after we've dealt with the orcs, My Lord."
Lucien stopped in his tracks at those words, turning fully to face the guard. "...How did you know? I had only spoken to Dorian about it."
Tomas rubbed the back of his head. "It's just...My Lord, you always think about what comes after. So...I was just trying to think about what you'd do, and that's what came out of it."
When Lucien stared at him, Tomas hurriedly raised both palms. "It's just something silly that I thought up, My Lord! Henric had been disappointed that I didn't get chosen, so I said something along those lines to reassure him."
The guard shrank further under their combined attention, though Lucien suspected only one of them was still thinking about the crossbow.
Taking pity on the younger man, Lucien nudged the hunter beside him. "Stop staring at my future household guard, Sera. Let's go, we are running late as it is."
He turned to continue onward, Sera and Tomas falling back into step.
Lucien thought back on the younger man's words, the corner of his mouth lifting. It seemed his household guard would gain an additional member by the year's end.
The gate had already been raised by the time they arrived, with Tomas giving a bow before leaving for his position at Lucien's gesture.
There was barely anyone around this time. Their families had already been informed of the arrangements and had gathered in the gathering hall with the rest of the villagers who were not part of the plan.
Militia lined the walls, most of them facing outward, though Lucien suspected most of their attention was on the riders below them.
For the last few days, Marcus and his men had been conducting the same attacks every morning. Today would be the last, and the riders looked half eager, half nervous about that fact.
It was the same sight as the last few days, though there was one small difference.
On each of the horses, a separate satchel had been strapped within easy reach.
Dorian stood cross-armed before them, giving a faint nod when Lucien approached, while Sera made her way up to the tower first to keep watch over the northern treeline.
Coming to a stop beside the captain, Lucien turned toward the riders.
"Today's task might seem important to all of you...but I want you to treat it like any other."
Immediately, the riders exchanged murmurs at his unexpected words, only stifling them at Dorian's stern look.
Lucien folded his arms behind him. "Your job is the same as always. Follow Marcus's instructions and ensure that you return alive. We will handle the rest."
He looked toward Dorian, who nodded before barking, "Mount."
As one, the riders mounted, their motions honed by the experience of multiple successful operations over the last few days.
Marcus met Lucien's eyes and, after giving a bow, grinned slightly before getting on his horse. His expression smoothed over by the time he was done, eyes passing over the men.
After exchanging a final nod with Lucien, the guard rode out, his riders following behind him.
As soon as the last horse had passed through the gate, Dorian raised a hand. "Close it."
The gate swung shut, and the guards lowered the bar back into place. The only traces of the riders left behind were the fading sound of hooves and the low murmurs from the militia.
Lucien and Dorian walked up the palisade, joining the militia along the wall walk. For a time, neither man spoke as they watched the riders' backs fade into the distance.
Dorian's attention soon shifted to the men along the walls, settling on Gerald's large figure.
"The transportation is underway, My Lord. They began moving it this morning."
He looked toward the water gate. "The sawmill has been vacated as well. Harlon and his men have ensured everything is as it should be."
"Good. As soon as Marcus gives the signal, tell them to begin."
Lord Lucien was a scary man.
When Ol' Merek had said those words, Marcus wondered if the old codger had taken one too many blows to the head during sparring practice.
To say that the young lord they served was anywhere near scary was ridiculous in his eyes. Lusty and brave? That he could see, but scary...no matter how one looked at it, Lord Lucien didn't seem all that frightening at all.
Maybe his eyes were a little too unfriendly, but that clearly hadn't stopped the lucky bastard from getting so many beautiful girls in his household.
It was only in the privacy of his thoughts that Marcus could afford to do away with all that formality Henric was always going on about.
That guy should take cues from the lord they served and enjoy the finer pleasures of life instead of being so strung up all the time.
A chuckle escaped Marcus, causing the rider beside him to look over.
"It's nothing. Just thinking about how we're finally gonna be the ones chasing these damned orcs for once."
Marcus's eyes swept across the riders behind him as he hollered. "Right, guys! You've all been eager about putting these bastards in their place the last few days. Ready to prove it with your bolts!?"
The men let out a cry of their own.
Good.
It was times like this that they had to keep the mood up. And since they needed to get the orcs' attention anyway...might as well go for a two-for-one.
"Remember! The black-feathered bolts are for later! We poke some holes into them at the start first. Get them riled up, then the real fun can begin!"
Another roar sounded at his words, the wind rushing past them barely affecting the volume of their cheers.
When Marcus heard a different, deeper sound from the woods, he lifted his hand, the riders falling silent abruptly at his signal.
"Follow my lead. We get closer first."
It didn't take long for them to come upon a foraging group. Orcs weren't exactly the most prudent of creatures.
They weren't stupid though, as much as their appearance suggested otherwise. And their horses didn't exactly let them sneak up on the damn beasts easily either.
When the riders burst forth into a clearing, the orcs were already waiting for them.
Five of them this time. Not the worst outcome, though not ideal either.
Marcus raised a hand toward the beasts. "Loose!"
Their bolts flew in a volley as the riders fired their lever crossbows before immediately turning around to put distance between themselves and their targets like usual.
He kept his bow at his side, his attention split between the beasts before him and the surrounding trees for any traps the orcs might've set.
Out of the thirteen bolts, only five hit. Most struck limbs, but one lucky shot caught an orc in the chest.
For a moment, it looked like the orcs would give chase until one of the larger beasts gave a loud grunt that caused the rest to still. It immediately turned, running almost deceptively slow, the rest matching its pace as they followed behind their leader.
"Hmph. What an obvious bait...except we're biting it this time!"
After checking to see that all his men had reloaded their bolts, Marcus led them in a trot, chasing the orcs while keeping a distance from them.
'Hmm...gotta make sure we sell this right.'
He ordered his men to focus on the orc with the chest wound, pelting it with bolts until it collapsed to the ground.
"Let's wipe the floor with them!" he roared, the men letting loose a cheer of their own.
As they increased the intensity of their pursuit, Marcus kept his own focus on the surrounding forest.
'Looks like we got their attention...'
He resisted the urge to smirk as the surrounding trees began to show signs of movement. His hand went to the side of his saddlebag, gripping the horn that Captain Dorian had passed him this morning.
As he raised the horn to his lips, a single errant thought flitted through his mind.
'How long had these orcs been playing into Lord Lucien's hand...since the beginning?'
He couldn't help but shudder slightly even as he blew the horn.
Maybe Ol' Merek had been right after all.