Blood Stone: Part IX

Love,
Gone looking for Hawke. Back soon. Don't worry.
Yours Always, Ian

Marcus glanced over Ian's shoulder. "Oh, very good. I'm sure that will put any worries she might have to rest."

"Just take this to Skye in the morning."

"Couldn't I just…leave it by her breakfast plate?" Marcus grimaced. "She's not going to be very happy about this, you know."

"I know. But it's the only lead I have. Once before when Lord Hawke was ill, he spent time in a monastery west of here. I'm going to go and return as quickly as possible. I can use the Road. Now, the armor…"

"I was wondering about that." Marcus sank into the chair across from Ian in the barracks office and watched as the half-elf shoved the food he'd gotten from Lumiere into a saddlebag. "What do we need some old armor of Lord Hawke's for anyway?"

Ian checked his wrist sheath daggers and then the four in each boot. "I want two men to use it. Have them stay well back from any fighting, but make sure there is a guard of a dozen men around each. One goes to the western end of the line along the river. The other goes to the center of the bulwarks right at the opening we left for the mercenaries to try. Hopefully, they'll rush him and we can cut them off. Make sure the man on the west appears first, then have the one at the center appear three hours later. That will give the impression Hawke is on the move. But whatever you do, make sure those men fall back when they are attacked; having one of them fall will defeat the purpose." He shoved a larger dagger in the sheath that was concealed behind his back,

"Anything else, m'lord?"

Ian stopped, saddlebags slung over his shoulder. "Double the patrols. And pray that either Lady Xan or I find the real Hawke."

"Good luck, Ian"

The tall man nodded. "Keep them all safe for me, Marcus." He walked out and a few moments later Marcus heard the party ride out. He sat in silence a minute, then walked out to Sgt Timmon's room and entered. He roughly shook the snoring man.

"Wake up, Timmons. I have a set of armor I want you to try on."