THE BATTLE 2

Towards the other side of the pass from where the trail came to the top, there was a pinnacle of rock poking out from the cliff face.

At the top of the pinnacle there was a small flat spot from where you could see the entire field of battle. The captain wanted me to sit there through the battle and coordinate.

I could see everything and let the men know what was going on. I argued that I could see everything from anywhere, but the captain was concerned that with so many men around I'd become overwhelmed, so he wanted me somewhere where I could see what was going on with my eyes as well.

I couldn't argue with that, and I could see faster with my eyes than my inner sight, so I accepted that I would do it, though, remembering the view from the top of the pass, I shuddered any time I imagined that spot.

I didn't really know how to prepare. So I just did what I could to help the men, and tried to sleep well.

So suddenly it was time, we were standing on the rim of the saddle at sunset watching the army camp a few hours down the valley.

The valley was much easier going on that side, it didn't drop down to the plains so much, and they could march many abreast.

They were sticking together; Ferret, Digger and Junior had been very successful and had joined us only a couple of hours before.

They reported that the enemy soldiers were very disciplined, and very good with weapons, but not at home in the wilds of the mountains. Just like all the others.

The captain had asked Scar to take me to my perch. I left my healer's bag in a safe spot near were we had gathered, and we made our way along the top of the pass.

All I was carrying was a couple of blankets; it would be a cold night. At places the ground was broken and we had to jump over crevices and climb over big boulders.

Then we came to the pinnacle, and we climbed up to my perch. It was a short climb, but steep. I was proud that Scar only had to help me in a couple of places. Finally we climbed over the top of pinnacle and found my small perch.

The view was stunning, even though the sun was nearly fully gone by this stage. This side of the pinnacle had a vertical drop straight down to the valley far below.

Sitting at the front of my perch, I would be able to see almost everything in the valley and around the top of the pass. I could see the dark scar of the trail running down from the pass.

Turning my eye's further down the pass, I could see the fires burning where the army was camped down the pass. It was a stunning view, and I found it terrifying.

I shuddered, I would be here, alone, for a night, and then at least most of a day, whatever happened the next day. If I didn't fall off.

I sat down, in my meditation pose, and shut my eyes. I had to master this fear, I had to push it behind me. I remembered what the captain had said about facing my fears and overcoming them.

This would be my ultimate test. I didn't know whether I was ready, how I could do this. But I knew that I had no choice, there was no one else and I had to do my part.

I opened my eyes. Scar was standing over me, he looked hesitant. I wasn't sure what he was waiting for, he needed to leave and find his own spot before it was too dark.

I said so, and then his face fell. I guess he had been working himself up to say something, but now all we had was a stony silence. He stood watching me for a few moments, and then climbed back over the pinnacle.

What was that about? I felt sad. Since the time that the assassin had nearly killed me, my feelings for Scar had grown stronger, but it been harder and harder to figure out where I stood with him.

I felt as though I should've done better, but I couldn't see how I could truly give myself to him when I was giving myself to all of them. Nor could I see that Scar would want me under those circumstances.

For a while it had seemed different, but his reaction when that captain had come and I had looked after him had really shaken that. I hoped that if we both survived, maybe I could have another chance. For now I just felt alone.

Since Scar had left, there hadn't been a faintest sound. It was cold, very cold, and I wondered how I would survive the night. We had to be in place through the night in case the enemy tried to open the pass with a night sortie.

The captain had said that he would, if he was the enemy, but they evidently believed the mountains were free.

The captain thought that they had spies that had reported that the group had got through before — it was pretty obvious, after all.

So I was to watch through the night and alert them if anyone came. I didn't expect to sleep that night. If I did fall asleep, and I rolled over, there was a real risk that I would fall off the side. I wrapped myself in my blankets and tried to relax.

I waited through the night. It was cold. A stiff breeze came up, and froze me to my bones. Even with two blankets, my own coat and Clonk's coat over that, I was still freezing cold.

I wondered how the other men were surviving. I scanned the rim of the pass, and they all seemed to be asleep — they were better protected that I was, and I could wake them if I needed. At least the cold kept me from sleeping.

So I sat and thought, wondering what would happen. From this high pinnacle there was no way to do anything but watch, and if we were lost there was a reasonable chance that I'd be left here alone, alive. I wondered if this was an additional part of the captains plan?

As the sun approached, the wind died down, and everything again became perfectly still, there was not a sound. The men awoke and began to wait.

They were calm now, and an almost serene feeling crept across me. Whatever the day would bring, it would bring, and I could only do my best. When there was enough light, I was once again greeted by the incredible sight of a sea of cloud below us.

It came to near the top of the trail, and we could see nothing. I sent an image of this to them all, except Scar, since many of them were hiding out of view of the valley.

At last I felt movement from the valley. The main army was making it's way towards the top of the valley, and I could feel them spreading out. Eventually we could all hear the sound of their marching as they approached.

When they got to the base of the trail over the pass, a small group of them started making their way up the trail, while the rest waited below. By the time they were half way up the trail, I had counted them, there was twenty one men.

I could feel their fear — the trail was narrow and the cloud was thick around them. As they made it to the top, I let the captain know. The whole squad was gathered at the top of the trail waiting for them.

I held my breath as they crested the pass, waiting for the killing to begin. But nothing happened, they gathered at the top, catching their breath and talking to each other.

In the eerie silence I could hear their voices for real. I wondered what the captain was thinking, what had become of his vow, but all I could feel from the men was that same serene patience.

The scouts began to separate, some going forwards, and a couple going back down the pass. All of a sudden everything burst into life. I saw the squad rising out of the ground around them, all armed with bows.

They got off several arrows each, and by the time the enemy soldiers had started to respond, they were all dead. The trap had been sprung, and we had won the first round.

In addition, the main army down at the foot of the cliff would have no idea what had happened. I could feel that some of the scouts were still alive, that same dying feel that still filled my mouth with ashes.

I steeled myself, I would be feeling that a lot today, better them than my boys. The squad killed those still alive with swords, and tossed the bodies off the other side of the pass. I guess they wanted to spring the same trap again.