Hi there,
It has been awhile. I had planned to submit this story three weeks ago, however due to the holidays and upcoming exams it, unfortunately, got delayed a bit.
The editing has been done by Sofie. (Thank you very much X)
Please enjoy the story.
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"Our bowstrings are going to be useless after this," Francis stared gloaming in to the rain. "How much longer do we have to wait? I'm drenched."
"We are all wet, and so is the road," Marvin answered. "And you heard the good man, twenty more minutes. I don't even know why I'm telling you this, you were next to me when he reported, so unless you've got something else besides complaints and useless questions, please shut up."
For a while they suffered the rain in silence, then Francis spoke again.
"Marvin, didn't you say they would be heavily guarded?"
"Yes, that is what I said."
"So you were wrong. The scout said he counted twelve."
"And you render it impossible that they have hidden guards? Let's say inside the cards? There is a reason our lord has chosen me to lead this ambush."
"What are you impl..."
"Be quite," Marvin shot Francis a hard glance, is blue eyes fierce and cold. Then he moved his eyes back to the road, Francis mouth was still open left in mid-sentence, it looked like he wanted to say something, but then decided it to be wiser to shut his mouth.
They waited, and Marvin relaxed, his breathing steadied. Francis had been right, the strings of their bows would be useless after this day, but Marvin didn't care, he always made sure to have enough in reserve. Unlike many archers in the kingdom he favored a small supple bow. Although its scope wasn't more than ninety yards and an accurate shot above sixty was almost impossible, arrows could be shot in an immense rate, combining that with its more manageable size made it superior in close quarters, like woodland or cities. And should he need one far range shot, he always could rely on the much bulkier yet more precise crossbow.
They had laid the ambush on the food of a little slope, the everlasting rain had made it a hard task to decent from it and the guards would have their hands full just getting the cards down safely thus hopefully be to occupied to spot the impending raid.
More than the estimated twenty minutes had gone by but they came at last, first three riders. They looked, wet, miserable, and tired their shoulders hung deep under the fatigue of the day, the poor state of the roads had more than halved the travel speed of the cards and it would be long after dark when they could see a warm bed, only to be chased out of after too short hours of sleep. All in all they perfectly good reasons to be in a bad mood and a steep muddy slope wasn't something which would brighten their day. Little did they know how much worse it would get.
After them came the first card and this spurted them to move again. Marvin's calmness flickered, it didn't surprise him that he was nervous. He never liked to work with others, and now he had to rely on young half trained farmer boys and too old veterans. The plan shouldn't be too complicated but you never know. Still there was nothing he could do at this point but wait and hope. He knew it was out of his hands, he had made a plan and he had instructed them, now only Luck could influence the outcome.
Slowly the wagons crept down the slope, very carefully as to prevent the horses from slipping. The scout had been right, twelve men. First three on the horses next three wagons with each one teamster and one passenger then in the vanguard three more riders. All of them wearing that tired and empty gaze which you couldn't help after sitting in the cold rain for hours. Pondering how in Luck's name you've gotten this assignment, while the wetness freezes you to the bone.
As the first three men passed Marvin got a hold of himself, he was back to a steady breathing and his deadly calmness. Unlike Francis who clearly was nervous and skittish. Although Marvin had rather seen him not having a bow, half convinced he would let go too soon and mess up the ambush, but it had been impossible to forbid the squire to carry one.
Slowly the first of three cards rolled by, the horses laboring to keep the wheels moving in the ankle deep mud. Then a loud cracking sound followed by dull bang shook up men and animal. A tree had fallen, conveniently blocking the road, on this cue a flight of arrows and bolts emerged from the tree line killing ten guards in a clean sweep. A horseman, missed by the deadly projectiles, spurted his mount forward to jump the road block, as it wasn't a high obstacle, the horse jumped it graciously, however its rider was lifted out of the saddle and with an already broken neck he fell on the ground.
An arrow from Marvin's bow finished of the last survivor. After the brief seconds of shouting and screaming it seemed quiet, only the nervous sorting of the horses and the moaning of one or two men who weren't that death yet disturbed the tranquility. Cautiously Marvin emerged from dense undergrowth, on all sides men followed his lead.
"You there. Can you ride?" the young men Marvin spoke to looked pale and confused, but then he nodded. "Ok then grab one of the horses and catch the one that got away, but beware of the string, or we will have two lonesome horses on the road."
"Spearmen on your marks!" six men carrying long pikes moved behind the canvas clad wagons, then they looked expecting to their commander, who nodded. On this the men started to stab ferociously in to the wagons beds, surprised and pained screams came from behind the covers. Suddenly a bolt struck one men in the neck; he fell blood gurgling to the ground.
"Surrender, surrender. We surrender." Marvin told his men to stop and shouted. "Come out of the wagons and hold your hands up!"
Seven men came forward, hands held in the position they were ordered in.
