The Strings of Fate - Part 16

He had a feeling that the enemy would not be kind enough to let him get there so quickly though. They had their weak to protect, after all. The second Jok destroyed what was important to them – their women, and their children – their reason to fight would die.

His men shifted uncomfortably as they advanced forward, their steps slow and deliberate. The darkness was oily. He was sure the light of a fire used to reach further than this – it was as though he had to physically beat back the darkness with each step for each time they advanced forward.

He heard a man's stolen chainmail clink as he turned rapidly at his neck to look into the shadows. The twitchiness of his men reminded him of dogs brought for the hunt whenever there was a dangerous enemy nearby.

He began to scan the shadows with them. One of his men held out a torch to alight the thatching of the next house. Jok caught the glint of steel. A pair of golden eyes stared at him. He froze in place, unable to give the order.