The Wolf (Under the Northern Sky #1)

by Leo Carew

There lay the Suthern army. Or, at least, some of it. Tens of thousands filled the valley in which a semi-permanent camp had been established. Tents studded the floor with cooking fires generously interspersed among the men, most of whom were sitting and tending to equipment. “They don’t even know that we’ve left the Hindrunn yet,” said Roper, watching over the scene. “Can anyone see any sentries?” “There,” said Gray, scouring the valley with an experienced eye, and pointing at a miniscule pair of figures standing on the other side of the valley. “And there … And there.” The five of them sank lower to the ground. This valley had once sheltered a forest, but the trees had been stripped, cut and piled at the sides in a firewood stack that doubled as a crude barricade. It was as though the Sutherners thought you could not camp in a forest: there was either space for soldiers or for trees, but not for both. “They get nervous when they can’t see, don’t they?” said Helmec. “They have struggled with our country, lord,” said one of the Skiritai. “We have found Suthern skeletons everywhere we’ve scouted, usually killed by bears or wolves. That is why they clear the forests. Those we capture are usually grateful that we’ve found them. Until they’re executed.” The other Skiritai laughed. “Gestur; Margeir,” said Roper. He had discovered the names of the two Skiritai rangers from Tekoa before they had departed and they crawled a touch closer. “I trust you have the measure of these inte...