themselves well. Worthington himself is solid. The haven is small and ill-prepared for anything significant. Other than their leader, Sir Borden, I wouldn’t count on any of their swords in a fray. The training and meetings begin after the morning meal and finish just before sundown. Near as I can tell, they’re expecting forty to fifty attendees. I should be able to stay close to Worthington all day.”
“Good,” Baylor replied. “Coordinate with Kessler on communication signals and possible extraction routes. Kessler, what did you find?”
“There’s a seven-foot stone wall here”—he drew it on the ground map—“that will offer some protection on the northern and eastern sides of the location, although there are trees and some fencing that could also provide cover for an attacker.” He added more detail to the map as he talked. “A wooden fence borders the southeast. There are numerous shops inside the city to the west with the main thoroughfare two streets away. If warriors make it into the city undetected, they’ve got multiple access points to the stables—tough to cover with just two men.”
“If my information is correct, they shouldn’t be in the city yet,” Baylor replied. “Unless they’re seafarers, but Taras assured me they had that covered. Anything else?”
Kessler shook his head. “If an event happens in the city, things could get messy.”
Baylor nodded. “In that case, Drake, you’re with Kessler guarding the city side of the haven. There’s moderate cover in the surrounding country, so I should be able to spot warriors readily if they approach from the east. The key to success for this mission will be communication. Quinlan, that’s where you come in. I want you positioned out of sight of the attendees, north of the stone wall.” He pointed to the spot on the map. “That will allow you to see my signals as to warrior force size and direction. Do you have the flag and hand signals down?”
Quinlan nodded.
“Good. You need to patrol the outside of that stone wall and also be able to see Kessler or Drake in case the attack comes from the city. You will relay information either direction, depending on what happens. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Commander.” Quinlan tried to sound confident.
“Very well.” Baylor wiped the ground map clean and stood up. “At night we’ll collapse to a close perimeter around Worthington’s tents. Purcell, Quinlan, you have the first watch—then Drake and Kessler. I’ll take the third watch.”
Baylor gathered his men in a circle, then drew his sword. “Remember who you serve, Knights of the Prince.”
The other men drew their swords and brought them together in the center of their circle.
“Swords of Valor for Him,” the men said in unison.
The Swords of Valor were in position before breakfast the next day. Quinlan settled into his place just on the north side of the stone wall, near a spot where the stones had partially fallen. He could see Baylor on a knoll east of the haven and would easily be able to relay any flag signals the commander gave. He could also see Kessler across the outer yard and one street into the city. Kessler was dressed as a commoner, browsing shops. Drake was nearby but not visible to Quinlan.
The hours wore on. Quinlan struggled to keep his attention keen, reminding himself that Shadow Warriors could arrive at any moment. The clang of swords wielded by knights and trainees just inside the wall helped with the boredom. In the afternoon, Quinlan heard the distant sure voice of a young man teaching others, though the words were too faint for Quinlan to discern any content. He assumed the voice belonged to Worthington.
Later, Quinlan heard a different voice much closer—just on the other side of the wall, in fact. It was a female voice with an unusual accent that enticed him to listen closely to every word. “The sword is the embodiment of the Code, our primary weapon to defend the weak and protect the
“Good,” Baylor replied. “Coordinate with Kessler on communication signals and possible extraction routes. Kessler, what did you find?”
“There’s a seven-foot stone wall here”—he drew it on the ground map—“that will offer some protection on the northern and eastern sides of the location, although there are trees and some fencing that could also provide cover for an attacker.” He added more detail to the map as he talked. “A wooden fence borders the southeast. There are numerous shops inside the city to the west with the main thoroughfare two streets away. If warriors make it into the city undetected, they’ve got multiple access points to the stables—tough to cover with just two men.”
“If my information is correct, they shouldn’t be in the city yet,” Baylor replied. “Unless they’re seafarers, but Taras assured me they had that covered. Anything else?”
Kessler shook his head. “If an event happens in the city, things could get messy.”
Baylor nodded. “In that case, Drake, you’re with Kessler guarding the city side of the haven. There’s moderate cover in the surrounding country, so I should be able to spot warriors readily if they approach from the east. The key to success for this mission will be communication. Quinlan, that’s where you come in. I want you positioned out of sight of the attendees, north of the stone wall.” He pointed to the spot on the map. “That will allow you to see my signals as to warrior force size and direction. Do you have the flag and hand signals down?”
Quinlan nodded.
“Good. You need to patrol the outside of that stone wall and also be able to see Kessler or Drake in case the attack comes from the city. You will relay information either direction, depending on what happens. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Commander.” Quinlan tried to sound confident.
“Very well.” Baylor wiped the ground map clean and stood up. “At night we’ll collapse to a close perimeter around Worthington’s tents. Purcell, Quinlan, you have the first watch—then Drake and Kessler. I’ll take the third watch.”
Baylor gathered his men in a circle, then drew his sword. “Remember who you serve, Knights of the Prince.”
The other men drew their swords and brought them together in the center of their circle.
“Swords of Valor for Him,” the men said in unison.
The Swords of Valor were in position before breakfast the next day. Quinlan settled into his place just on the north side of the stone wall, near a spot where the stones had partially fallen. He could see Baylor on a knoll east of the haven and would easily be able to relay any flag signals the commander gave. He could also see Kessler across the outer yard and one street into the city. Kessler was dressed as a commoner, browsing shops. Drake was nearby but not visible to Quinlan.
The hours wore on. Quinlan struggled to keep his attention keen, reminding himself that Shadow Warriors could arrive at any moment. The clang of swords wielded by knights and trainees just inside the wall helped with the boredom. In the afternoon, Quinlan heard the distant sure voice of a young man teaching others, though the words were too faint for Quinlan to discern any content. He assumed the voice belonged to Worthington.
Later, Quinlan heard a different voice much closer—just on the other side of the wall, in fact. It was a female voice with an unusual accent that enticed him to listen closely to every word. “The sword is the embodiment of the Code, our primary weapon to defend the weak and protect the
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