It was a cloudy night, and a stinging drizzle fell from the sky. Rovie pulled his cloak closer around his shoulders as he looked to the sky, searching for any sign of the moon.

“Filthy night,” Loric remarked next to him, “I can hardly see my hand in front of my face.”

“What time is it?” Rovie asked worriedly.

“It’s almost time if that’s what you want to know,” Grestel replied. She was dressed like the boys, in trousers, several layers of shirts, and a heavy cloak.

“I still think we should have sent them through the forests,” Loric groused.

“It’s easier to get them from here to Conlow undetected,” Grestel sighed. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this argument, “besides, the elves were explicit that granting us passage through their forests was a one-off.”

Horses whinnied nervously, sensing the tension in the air. They were gathered on the banks of a river that ran close to Nordl, a village close to the border with Boverlind. Getting here had been an adventure in itself. They had travelled here in small groups by night and slept in hiding holes prepared in advance by day. Not all the parties had made it to the village, and they hoped they had merely been held up instead of caught. Rovie bit his lip. They had been counting on the moon, but the weather wasn’t cooperating.

“We can’t wait any longer,” he said, “they’ll be here any minute now.”

“They might have been delayed,” Tonsivar remarked nervously, “perhaps we should wait a few more minutes to see if the weather clears.”

“It won’t,” Rovie breathed, not liking the dilemma they were in any more than Tonsivar, “I’m a farmer, and I saw the clouds this evening.”

“He’s right, you know,” Nahil remarked, “and if a single one of them gets past us and is found by the baron’s men, well, he’d probably burn every village within ten miles to the ground just to be sure, eh?”

Rovie could see Tonsivar bite his lip. They had decided on tonight because the baron had left for Markvist with half of his men to attend a meeting of the League and so security would be laxer than usual. The weather had thrown a spanner into their plans.

“Fine,” Tonsivar sighed at length, “light a lantern. One.”

Nahil nodded and slipped away. He had gone ten paces when he faded into the night completely. Rovie looked to the heavens and mouthed a silent prayer. However, the moon remained obscured by clouds, and the rain continued to fall.

Before long, a flame flickered into life fifty paces away on the edge of the road. Rovie did the arithmetic in his head as they waited nervously. After what felt like an eternity, but was, in reality, less than twenty minutes, a dark shape appeared on the river, illuminated eerily by the lantern.

"They’re here,” Rovie breathed as he rushed towards the pier feeling a mixture of relief and fear. They hadn’t missed the rendezvous, but there was no turning back now. If they were caught here, they would all be executed, and the rebellion would be set back immeasurably.

Men rushed to form lines along the pier while Nahil extinguished the lantern. Soon, the first barge was tied up, and the ramp was lowered. Men on board rolled cannons down the ramp on dollies and handed them off to Tonsivar’s men.

“Be careful with those,” one of the men on the barge warned, “they’re priceless.”

“You’re taking a huge risk coming here yourself,” Rovie remarked, recognizing the voice as Gavik’s at once. With the lantern extinguished, he could only make out the burly man’s outline on the edge of the barge.

“Ah, you’re here as well,” Rovie could hear the smile in the older man’s voice, “of course I came. These are my babies.”

“We’ll put them to good use, don’t you worry,” Tonsivar breathed as he touched one with his three-fingered hand.

“See that you do,” Gavik said, “we’ll see you at Conlow.”

“Together as one,” Rovie whispered, holding up a hand with his finger extended skyward even though no one could see.

“For the people,” came the muted reply from the barge.

Soon, all ten cannon were taken off the barges and loaded onto the waiting wagons and the unloading of the gunpowder and shot began. Ten shots per cannon, a hundred in all. The cannon crews would come later, closer to when it was time to put their plans into action. Cannons were more easily hidden than people.

“Lights coming from the village,” someone hissed.

Everyone froze and held their breaths. Rovie turned and his blood turned cold as he saw at least half a dozen lights swaying as they snaked out of the village wall down the road towards the river.

“Better get going,” Rovie said urgently, “you can’t afford to be seen here.”

“God watch over you,” Gavik replied.

“We won’t be able to finish loading in time,” Tonsivar breathed, stating the obvious as Gavik’s men withdrew the planks and began rowing the barges out to the river to ride the current back to Boverlind.

“We should intercept them,” Nahil suggested.

“We’re only armed with knives,” Tonsivar reminded his second in command. Travelling between the villages with muskets had been far too risky, and their weapons had been left in their various hiding places in Varudi and Conlow, “there’s a garrison only two miles from here. If even one of them escapes, they’ll cast a net over the whole area.”

“They’re mounted,” Rovie reported, catching the glimpse of a horse. His back grew damp with sweat, “there’s nothing for it, we’ll have to prepare an ambush.”

“Don’t be daft,” Grestel cut in, “armed with knives and on a night like this? Some of them are sure to escape.”

“Then what do you suggest, little lady?” Nahil shot back hotly.

Grestel bit her lip and stared at the line. Nahil shook his head. “We don’t have time. If we’re going to ambush them, every second counts. I want twenty men on me.”

“We only brought thirty,” Rovie protested, “and we haven’t finished loading the wagons.”

“You’ll have to hurry it up,” Nahil said, as men stopped what they were doing to form up with him, “we’ll hold them off for as long as we can.”

“Wait,” Grestel said. She paused and her lip trembled, “I’ll stop them. Give me a lantern.”

Nahil raised an incredulous eyebrow. “And how are you going to do that?”

“I’ll tell them I was fetching water from the river,” she said, “they’re probably just investigating the lantern we lit.”

“I’ll go with you,” Loric said, as he planted himself next to Grestel.

“No,” Grestel said, “a lady on her own is less suspicious. Now give me the lantern and a bucket please.”

Nothing Loric said could convince Grestel to change her mind, and with the lights of the patrol fast approaching, she rushed off to intercept them.

“That’s one brave young lady,” Tonsivar remarked as his men got back to work, “let’s not waste her sacrifice.”

Rovie and Loric got back to loading the gunpowder and shot onto the waiting wagons while looking over their shoulder at the light which was already going back towards the village.

“It looks like she convinced them,” Tonsivar remarked, the relief clear in his voice.

“You guys go ahead,” Loric said once the last of the wagons had been loaded, “I’m staying here.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Rovie offered. He knew it was extremely risky, but he couldn’t leave his two friends behind.

Tonsivar hesitated. “Listen, you two are an important link between us and the Boverlind rebellion. I’m not blowing smoke up your arses when I say that you can’t afford to get yourselves caught.”

“We understand that,” Loric said quickly, “but all the same…”

Tonsivar turned to Rovie. “You seem the more level-headed of the two of you. Don’t let him get caught. Remember, this thing is bigger than the girl.”

Rovie swallowed and bobbed his head, though he wasn’t sure anyone could stop Loric once he’d set his mind to something. Well, there was one person, the person they were aiming to rescue.

“God watch over you,” Tonsivar whispered as the wagons began to depart.

“Together as one,” Loric said, snapping to attention with one finger held up.

Tonsivar raised an eyebrow.

“It’s the sign of the rebellion,” Rovie said, as he did the same.

“For the people,” Tonsivar said at length, “we’ll see you in Varendi, eh, all three of you.”

Tonsivar helped pushed the last wagon away and soon, the boys were all alone. The only sound they could hear was the water lapping against the bank.

“Well, what’s your plan?” Rovie whispered as he turned his gaze to the walled-off village.

“Don’t look at me, you’re the brains,” Loric replied, “I’m just the muscle. I wish I brought my sword.”

Rovie sighed. “Well, I suppose the first thing to do is to find her.”

Loric nodded. “Should we wait for sunrise?”

Rovie took a moment to think it over before shaking his head. “Better to sneak in at night. It’s not a big village, and we’ll be outed as outsiders almost straight away. Our papers won’t explain why we’re all the way out here.”

They walked up the road until they came to the village wall. It was made from planks and wasn’t particularly tall. They easily found a spot where they could climb over easily and found themselves behind one of the houses. Rovie guessed they had at least another hour before dawn. They crept in between darkened buildings until they found themselves in the heart of the village where the two roads the buildings were built around met.

Loric tapped Rovie on the shoulder and gestured at a large building. A dozen horses were tied to the hitching post outside and a pair of guards were leaning against the door. The lights were on inside the building, casting long shadows onto the street.

“Let’s take a look around the building,” Rovie suggested softly.

Loric nodded and together, they crept across the street and skirted around the building. They peered into a window and saw the guards chatting amongst themselves around a table. They looked relaxed, which was good, but there was no sign of Grestel. They continued along the side of the building until they came across a row of barred windows that were too high up for them to see inside.

“Boost me,” Loric whispered.

“Shouldn’t that be the other way around?” Rovie protested.

“Just do as I say,” Loric hissed.

“Fine,” Rovie huffed.

Rovie squatted on the ground and grunted as Loric stepped onto his shoulders. A moment later, he climbed back down.

“This one’s empty,” he whispered, “onto the next.”

Rovie positioned himself under the next window and they repeated the process. This time, he heard Loric say something to someone inside.

“Loric? Is that you?” Rovie heard a soft voice say and his heart began to race.

“Yes,” Loric replied, “we’re here to rescue you.”

Their voices were hushed, but it sounded like thunder to Rovie’s ears. He looked up and down the alleyway they were standing in, waiting for guards to round the corner. Then their goose would be well and truly cooked.

“I don’t need rescuing,” Rovie heard Grestel hiss, “I can handle myself. You need to leave, or both of us will be sent to the gallows.”

“Rovie’s here too,” Loirc said, “he’ll come up with a plan, don’t you worry.”

“I don’t need the two of you to do anything!” Grestel said with urgency in her voice, “trust me, I can handle myself. The two of you need to get back to the others before you get caught.”

“We can’t just leave you here,” Loric protested a little too loudly.

“Keep it down or they’ll hear you,” Rovie hissed.

“There’s nothing you can do for me,” Grestel insisted, “please, leave now. It’s almost dawn and you’re certain to be caught if you stay.”

“She’s right, you know,” Rovie offered as Loric hesitated. Rovie hated to leave her behind, but he couldn’t think of a way to rescue her.

“Fine,” Loric said at length, “but we won’t be going far.”

“Return to Varudi,” Grestel ordered, “I will make my way there once I talk my way out of this mess.”

“But…” Loric began.

“No buts, you must go at once,” Grestel insisted.

“What’s all that noise about?” a guard demanded loud enough for Rovie to hear clearly, Loric nearly fell in his hurry to climb down, but Rovie managed to catch his arm to steady him.

“I was just talking to myself,” they heard Grestel whimper. Rovie had to admit, she was a talented actress, and she had probably already cued the waterworks.

There was a sniffle before she continued, “it’s a habit I get into when I’m scared. I’m so sorry, I was thirsty and wanted to get a drink from the river. I knew I would be breaking curfew but as I said, there wasn’t a drop left in my house.”

Rovie tapped Loric on the arm and cocked his head indicating they should leave. Loric looked up at the window as the back and forth between Grestel and the guard continued. He heaved a sigh and to Rovie’s relief, started walking down the alley.

“There has to be somewhere safe nearby where we can wait for her,” Loric muttered.

“We have other responsibilities too,” Rovie pointed out as they climbed over the village wall, “she’s a resourceful girl. Believe in her.”

Loric sighed.

“She told us to go back to Varudi,” Rovie pressed. He was anxious about her fate as well but knew they had a lot to do if their plan was to succeed.

“I’ll go back and organize a rescue mission,” Loric declared.

“That would be counterproductive,” Rovie warned, “besides, she’ll probably be out by the time we get back to Varudi.”

Loric took a deep breath but didn’t reply and they hurried down the road in silence. To their surprise, they caught up with the tail end of the convoy within an hour.

“You guys are slow,” Rovie observed with raised eyebrows. The sky was beginning to lighten and by his reckoning, they were still two miles from their hiding spot for the day.

“These things are heavier than we accounted for,” Tonsivar grimaced as he patted the side of the wagon.

“We told you one cannon was about all one of your wagons could take,” Rovie pointed out. The wheels groaned as the wagon moved slowly under the weight of the two cannons inside.

“You’re lucky you haven’t lost any of the wheels,” Loric remarked.

“It can’t be helped,” Tonsivar said through gritted teeth, “we’re too conspicuous as it is.”

They had eight wagons in all. Five carried the cannon and the remainder carried the gunpowder and shot. All were overladen and dispersed through four carefully planned routes that ended in Conlow. Smuggling them into the city itself would be the easiest part of the entire operation. However, getting them there undetected was already proving challenging.

“We might need to secure more wagons at the next town,” Rovie said grimly.

“He’s right,” one of the men said, “we’re lucky this wagon’s lasted this long without losing a wheel.”

“We could make a detour to Polstet,” one of Tonsivar’s men suggested, “we could find a wagon there.”

“That’s where Logran’s mob are based,” Tonsivar replied with venom in his voice.

Rovie recognized the name. Tonsivar had said he was the one behind the bombing at Conlow. “It would be a good opportunity to meet up with him,” Rovie suggested.

Tonsivar fell silent and Rovie could see the scowl on his face against the lightening sky. “You know we could use every bit of help we can get for what’s to come,” he pressed.

“Never mind that, we need his help to get these cannons to Conlow,” Loric pointed out.

Rovie knew his friend well enough to guess what was on his mind but kept his peace. For now, he felt it was in both their interests to meet this man.

“Fine,” Tonsivar sighed at length, “against my better judgement, we’ll going to go meet him.”

“How far to Polstet?” Rovie ventured.

“Too far to get there before daybreak,” Tonsivar replied, looking at the sky, “we’ll have to find a place to hide the wagon.”

Rovie heard Loric click his tongue in disappointment and hoped his friend’s concern for Grestel wouldn’t jeopardize their mission. They soon found a place to hide the wagon behind a rise just off the road. Tonsivar placed one of his men as a lookout on top of the rise and the others found places to sleep on the grass close to the wagon.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Rovie breathed. They were merely sixty paces from the road, and he felt completely exposed.

Tonsivar grunted. “We’ll just have to chance it. If we go too far off the road, the wagon could get stuck, and we’d never get it out.”

“This is a fairly remote area,” one of his men added, “the baron’s men almost never come round this way. Besides, we can’t be seen from the road.”

Unconvinced, Rove sat down in the grass close to Loric, who was looking back in the direction of the village.

“You’re going to ask this Logran for help to rescue her, aren’t you?” Rovie ventured.

Loric gave Rovie a sideways look. “Are you going to talk me out of it?”

“I know better than to try,” Rovie said with a rueful grin, “what if he doesn’t agree?”

Loric set his jaw. “I’ll go myself if I have to.”

“She won’t thank you for it, you know,” Rovie pointed out, “in fact, I expect she’ll give you an earful.”

“You’re right there,” Loric said, breaking into a smile, “but I need to try all the same.”

He paused before adding, “I’d do the same if you were caught, you know.”

“I know,” Rovie said, smiling in spite of himself, “I wouldn’t if you were the one who got pinched.”

“Yes, because you’re a coward,” Loric laughed.

“If Logran agrees to help, I’ll go along as well,” Rovie said in spite of his better judgement.

Loric raised an eyebrow. “What about the mission?”

“We’ll just have to get back safely then, won’t we,” Rovie smiled.

“You gents had better get some sleep,” Tonsivar warned, as he walked up to where they were sitting, “we have a long journey ahead of us tonight.”

It was just after midnight when the lights of Polstet came into view. It was a small town built on top of a hill. It was surrounded by high stone walls and a watchtower rose from the centre of the town. To everyone’s surprise, the messenger Tonsivar had sent ahead was waiting at the base of the hill.

“Care to run that by me again?” Tonsivar asked, looking confused.

“He says to come in through the front door,” the man repeated sheepishly, “the town guard have been ‘dealt with’, in his words.”

Tonsivar shook his head and glanced at Rovie. “Are you getting an idea of the kind of man we’re about to deal with?”

Rovie swallowed nervously while Loric stepped forward. “He’s gone through the trouble of preparing a welcome, let’s not keep him waiting.”

Rovie looked over at the wagon carrying the cannons and knew they had little choice. A crack had appeared in one of the axles and it wouldn’t last much longer. That it had held up for this long was short of a miracle in itself.

They left some men with the wagon and made their way up the hill. At the town’s gate was a broad-shouldered man standing with his legs apart and his hands on his hips. He was missing two fingers from his right hand and wore an arrogant smirk. Off to the side of the gate were two bloodied bodies that Rovie assumed were the town’s guard.

“What could have happened to the mighty Tonsivar to have him coming to me on his hands and knees, eh?” the man boomed.

“We need to borrow some wagons, Logran,” Tonsivar snapped, unable to contain his anger, “did you massacre the garrison here to impress me?”

“You flatter yourself,” Logran laughed, “you know me, I don’t need much of an excuse to kill the baron’s dogs.”

“You are drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, which makes life difficult for all of us who are fighting for freedom,” Tonsivar seethed.

“Better to go down fighting than slink around in the shadows achieving nothing like you,” Logran shot back.

“Gentlemen,” Rovie said, hoping his nervousness didn’t show. It took all of his courage to step between the two men who looked close to trading blows, “we are here to discuss cooperation against a mutual foe.”

“I thought we were here to borrow some wagons,” Tonsivar said through gritted teeth.

“That too,” Rovie said.

Logran narrowed his eyes on Rovie suspiciously before looking down the hill at the wagon. “I can tell your wagon’s overladen from the way it moved, but it looks almost empty. What are you carrying?”

Rovie hesitated and the man turned his gaze to Tonsivar. “It must be important indeed if you’re here asking for help.”

“Come and see for yourself,” Rovie said, deciding to gamble.

No matter how he looked at it, the numbers weren’t in their favour, and yet Gavik was insisting to press forward with the attack. Something had changed in him. This was a big risk they were taking, even for him.

Logran broke into a toothy smile and led the way down the hill with a dozen men carrying muskets. “Let’s see what secrets you and the outsiders are hiding, then.”

Logran walked with a pronounced limp, and Rovie looked down to see that one of his feet was made of wood.

“Baron’s men cut that off the second time they picked me up for questioning,” he beamed proudly, “you boys are from Boverlind, aren’t you?”

Loric and Rovie nodded.

Logran laughed heartily, “your accents gave it away. You’re Gavik’s boys then?”

“He is our mentor,” Loric allowed.

“Let’s see what gifts your mentor has given the people of Loz,” Logran boomed as they arrived at the wagon. The men Tonsivar left behind had formed a defensive screen around it.

“It’s fine,” Tonsivar said from the rear of the procession, “let him see them.”

“Ooh, I’m excited now,” Logran laughed with a gleam in his eye. He grabbed an upright on the wagon for support and hauled his ample frame in. He kicked the loose straw aside and froze.

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he asked quietly.

Tonsivar couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. “Might give the baron one when we blast into his castle, eh?”

“No, where would the fun be in that?” Logran said, sounding distant. He bunched his meaty hands into tight fists while staring at the cannons.

“How many do you have?” he asked at length.

“Ten in all,” Rovie replied. One thing was for sure, Logran was no lackey of the baron, “all on their way to Conlow.”

Logran nodded thoughtfully before reluctantly tearing his eyes off the cannon to size Loric and Rovie up once again. “Perhaps we should discuss this plan of yours somewhere more private.”

“May we borrow a wagon?” Loric asked.

Logran broke into a broad smile. “You can have as many as you need.”

He paused before giving Tonsivar a sideways look, “you’re going to use them in Conlow, eh? No wonder you were furious at our little escapade there last week.”

“I hope you have no further ‘escapades’ planned,” Tonsivar warned.

“As a matter of fact, we do,” Logran chuckled, “but I’ll call them off.”

He paused and looked at the wagon. “Yes, we’ll lie low for a spell, depending on your plan.”

“How many men and muskets do you have?” Rovie asked as a bleary-eyed barmaid served beer.

They were seated around a large table in the town’s tavern. Armed men were standing guard outside, and more were seated around the room, senses tuned outward for any signs of danger.

“Straight to the point, eh?” Logran beamed as he grabbed a mug with his left hand, “I can’t say I dislike that.”

He took a swig and smiled coyly before saying, “I have eighty guns and hundreds of men willing to fight for their freedom.”

Rovie nodded and glanced at Tonsivar. It seemed that followers were something neither man lacked. Eighty more guns were a welcome addition.

“And gunpowder, I suppose you’re not lacking for that,” Rovie ventured.

Logran’s smile broadened, “you’d think that, but we haven’t much. We’re not ones to save for rainy days. Never know when you’re in for the chop when you’re against the baron and his goons.”

Tonsivar shook his head. “It’s a miracle you’ve made it this far losing only two fingers and a foot.”

“God is watching over me,” Logran said as he rubbed his three-fingered hand. He looked at Tonsivar and grinned, “but I’m glad I found your balls.”

“So, are we working together?” Loric asked.

“So it seems,” Tonsivar allowed.

“Excellent,” Loric said, “might I ask for your help in something?”

“Is it about your woman?” Tonsivar sighed.

Logran raised an eyebrow. “What do you need?”

“Help to rescue a… friend from the baron’s clutches,” Loric said.

“A noble cause,” Logran said agreeably, “where is she being held?”

“Nordl,” Loric replied.

A grin crept across Logran’s face, and he looked to Tonsivar. “That’s close to the arsenal at Corith, isn’t it?”

Tonsivar went white. “You said you would lie low!”

“I think securing two hundred muskets for our cause is worth causing a little ruckus,” Logran turned to Rovie, “don’t you?”

“There are that many muskets there?” Rovie gasped.

“It is the largest cache of weapons outside Conlow,” Logran grinned, “it’s close to the border with Boverlind, and the baron is worried your people will try to cross the river in force.”

“Won’t causing a disturbance close to the arsenal make raiding it more difficult?” Rovie ventured.

“If your lady friend hasn’t been released by now, she’ll be taken over to Corith for sure,” Logran said, “that’s where they do their more intensive questioning.”

Rovie raised an eyebrow and Logran raised his right hand. “It’s where they took my fingers and my eye. Tonsivar’s too.”

The boys looked over to Tonsivar who nodded. “They took my eye because they thought I was spying for the resistance.”

“And they took my foot because I was slow in getting out of the way of the baron’s personal carriage,” Logran laughed.

“Then we must leave at once!” Loric exclaimed.

“Calm down, boy,” Logran said, turning serious, “we will not take any action for at least three days.”

“Why?” Loric demanded, “they could be mutilating her as we speak!”

“We don’t want to raise the alarm before your cannons are hidden, do we?” Logran pointed out, “it will take at least three days for them to get to Conlow.”

“I’d say three days is a little tight,” Tonsivar warned, “we sought out extra wagons, but the other groups might not have.”

“I’ll send my men out to look for them and assist them if need be if you’ll tell me the routes they’re taking,” Logran said, “three days should be enough time to get them safely to the capital.”

Loric bit his lip. Logran leaned forward and looked him in the eye. “I’m willing to help, and I understand your anxiety,” he said, “but the rebellion comes first.”

He waved his three-fingered hand at his men in the room. “These men, Tonsivar, me, we’ve already lost everything to the baron. Deposing him comes first.”

“She’s a strong and resourceful girl,” Rovie piped up, “she’s probably out already.”

The looks on Logran and Tonsivar’s faces told Rovie that they didn’t share his optimism.

“You’ll just have to hold tight,” Logran said, “we will not jeopardize your cannons. I’m sure your Gavik will agree.”

Loric sighed and rubbed his face. “Fine,” he said at length, “it looks like I have no choice.”

“Once they’re safe, we’ll spare no effort to rescue your girl, eh?” Logran said kindly.

“And secure the guns,” Rovie added.

Logran nodded. “And the guns.”

He then turned to Tonsivar. “I imagine you’ll be going with the cannons?”

Tonsivar nodded.

Logran turned back to the boys. “And the two of you will be staying in the area?”

“Yes,” Loric said without hesitation. Rovie took a moment before doing the same.

A mischievous smile crossed Tonsivar’s lips, “not very responsible of you, I have to say. If I were in your shoes, I’d not be parted from those cannon until it was time to use them.”

“We know that,” Loric protested, “but I can’t abandon a friend.”

“Do you think the baron’s men will overlook this town for the next three days?” Tonsivar ventured.

Logran shrugged. “Perhaps. The garrisons have let their hair down a bit while their boss is away.”

He then turned back to Loric. “Once they discover what’s happened here, the raid on Corith is off. The baron’s men will have the place locked down tight.”

Loric cut a frustrated figure and sighed. “I understand.”

“In the meantime, we will have to lay low,” Logran said.

“That won’t be easy for you,” Tonsivar remarked.

Logran smirked and got to his feet. “I know how to choose my battles. That’s how I’ve survived this long and only lost two fingers and a foot.”

Rovie and Loric watched the departure of the two wagons from their room on the top floor of the town hall, which was the tallest building in town.

“I don’t see why they don’t wait for nightfall,” Loric remarked, “it’s almost dawn, and they can’t travel in broad daylight.”

“We need to act in three days, remember,” Rovie pointed out, “perhaps they’re rushing it for your sake.”

Loric looked over at Rovie and took a deep breath. “Logran’s right, you know. One of us should stay with the cannons. That someone should be you.”

Rovie broke into a smile. “I’m the same as you. I can’t leave a friend behind.”

“I appreciate it,” Loric said.

“What do you plan to do after all this is over?” Loric ventured after a brief silence.

“When do you think all this will be over?” Rovie ventured, raising an eyebrow.

“Gavik says we’ll focus on our defences once we take Loz,” Loric replied, “he thinks life will largely go back to normal for us then.”

“Well, without the parasites sucking us dry,” he added with a grin.

“I suppose I haven’t given that much thought,” Rovie admitted. He paused and looked at his friend, “and you? You’re going to settle down, work at a smithy or something?”

Loric shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“You’re serious about her, aren’t you?” Rovie remarked and found he couldn’t help but feel a little lonely.

“I am,” Loric said at once.

“Then we’ll have to get her back,” Rovie said, “that is if she hasn’t escaped already.”

“Something in my gut tells me she hasn’t,” Loric remarked softly.

He turned away from Rovie and turned his gaze south, towards Nordl.