SWY 125

“…….”

“…….”

Samson and Ardelle didn’t reply, their expressions tense with complicated thoughts.

“We don’t really need him. We’ve already learned most of what we needed, and we know where the tax storehouse is.”

“I don’t think we can fully trust him, but with that much thirst for revenge, maybe we can use him.”

Just like when Samson wanted to join, it left a bitter taste to think they couldn’t trust people anymore.

“Do we really need to use him?”

Samson glanced sidelong at Goran, clearly reluctant. But Ardelle, who had been biting her lip and deep in thought, shook her head.

“We decided to create confusion with fire and smoke stones, remember? Why not let him handle it? He can get closer than we can. I can’t wait any longer. We have to save the kids tonight, or at the latest, at dawn. If we want a real shot at it, we need every helping hand.”

Ardelle’s desperate voice made Samson reconsider. He was just as anxious, thinking of his nephew.

“Let’s not send him right away. We stay with him, monitor him, and send him in just before the attack.”

Sharhan looked at Lestel. After a moment of hesitation, Lestel gave a short nod. It meant he was willing to give it a try.

“…Can you light a fire near the storehouse and the captain’s quarters at dawn?”

When Sharhan asked the question, Goran, nervously licking his dry lips, nodded frantically.

“I-I’ll do it!”

“Wouldn’t it be suspicious if Goran returns alone?”

“Gil and I were supposedly out on the captain’s orders looking for Paul’s group… I can say we came across corpses and I barely managed to escape. There are only two guides in the storehouse, so they won’t kill them. And most of them are asleep at night except the sentries, so even if they’re suspicious, they won’t be able to do anything until the captain wakes up.”

“Alright. Let’s move out. Goran, you walk in the middle. If you show even the slightest sign of betrayal, we’ll have no choice but to kill you.”

“Don’t worry. I truly want revenge.”

Goran knew full well that Sharhan’s group didn’t fully trust him, so he obediently moved to the center. Sharhan and Lestel took the lead, Goran walked in the middle, and Ardelle and Samson brought up the rear.

“There it is.”

Even without Goran’s comment, the storehouse was big enough to spot from a distance. But Sharhan looked at Lestel, silently asking if it really was the tax storehouse.

“That’s the one.”

“That’s the same one I saw too.”

Lestel and Ardelle confirmed. The group moved with even more caution, erasing all signs of their presence. They didn’t get too close in case they were discovered.

Sharhan vaulted into a tree and climbed as high as possible to survey the storehouse. He spotted armed men moving around. With that much activity during the day, it was clearly not the right time to strike. He climbed down carefully, making sure not to snap any branches, then asked,

“Is there a place nearby we can hide?”

“There’s a cave animals used to live in over there. I was planning to hide there with my wife when we escaped, so I camouflaged the entrance with branches. It won’t be easily seen.”

Led by Goran, they reached the cave. It was well-concealed with underbrush, branches, and rocks. Once the cover was removed, the narrow entrance forced them to go in one at a time.

Sharhan, who entered first, covered his nose. The cave was bigger than expected, but it reeked. There was even a nest inside, made of yellow fur and dried leaves.

“Ugh, the smell.”

Not just Lestel, but even Ardelle grimaced. Only Samson, who had once been a hunter, looked unbothered.

“We’ve got time until nightfall. Let’s rest for a bit.”

“I’ll go out and scout around.”

“Wait, Ard-”

Restless all day, Ardelle dashed out before anyone could stop her. Not even ten minutes passed before she returned.

But she wasn’t alone.

A bearded man with a strange-looking blade at Ardelle’s throat followed her in.

Sharhan’s group, who had been resting on the damp, cold ground, jumped up and grabbed their weapons. Sharhan noted the man was threatening Ardelle with the back of his blade, not the edge, and assumed he didn’t intend to kill her.

“Who are you people? What’s your purpose here?”

The man’s voice was grim.

“Brother?”

“Captain Randall?”

Samson and Goran shouted in unison.

“Samson?”

“Brother!”

Samson rushed up and hugged the bearded man as he let Ardelle go.

“You made it!”

“You’re alive.”

“Of course! How could I die and leave you and Ian behind? You followed the markers I left?”

“Yes. After leaving the village, we followed them all the way here. I was just getting worried since we hadn’t seen a mark from you since yesterday.”

“Did you leave the village alone?”

“No. Others were with me, but… we ran into corpses. These folks joined us along the way. Ardelle’s looking for the kids too. That’s her, and this is Sharhan and Lestel. And this here is my brother, Randall. And this guy is someone we met today–”

Samson began introducing Goran, but Randall cut him off.

“I know. Goran, right?”

“Yes. But how… Wait, didn’t Goran call you by name earlier?”

“He told us earlier about a former guide who became a squad captain. I guess that was you.”

Samson recalled Goran’s words and looked at Randall in shock.

“Wait, you mean–”

“I followed the children’s trail all the way here, but there are too many guards and too much surveillance. I couldn’t do anything alone. I left markers, but I didn’t know when you’d come. I got anxious and decided to sneak in. I pretended to be a lone survivor and said I used to be a guide. They bought it.”

“Is Ian safe?!”

Samson asked urgently. Randall shook his head with a troubled expression.

“Three days ago, I saw him being escorted to relieve himself under guard. That was the last time. Damn bastards, treating people like animals and only letting them go once a day…”

Randall vented his rage, then continued.

“I haven’t seen him since, and I’m really worried. He didn’t look good that day either. I don’t know if he’s sick or… worse. The storehouse where Ian’s held can only be accessed by Alfredo’s closest men. I buttered them up by bringing food and info on where survivors were hiding, and they made me a squad captain, but that doesn’t mean they trust me. Just wandering near the place gets me nasty glares. I was checking today in case there was another way in, and that’s when I spotted the girl. If it had been anyone else, she would’ve been killed or taken straight to Alfredo.”

Ardelle lowered her head, ashamed by the rebuke.

“I’m sorry. I was too anxious to be careful….”

Samson, understanding her desperation, gave her a comforting look.

“We’re hiding nearby and planning a surprise attack at dawn.”

“Dawn?”

“Yes. With you on the inside, it’ll be much easier. There’s only four of us, and the numbers have always been a concern.”

“There are others like me, being forced to cooperate because their families are held hostage. I’ve secretly won some of them over. They’ll help too.”

Their faces brightened. Having help on the inside raised their odds significantly.

“That’s a relief. We were starting to feel hopeless, but now we have a chance.”

“Let’s find Ian and the children and go home tomorrow.”

Randall clenched his fist, barely suppressing his excitement, then finally sheathed the sword he had been holding the whole time.

“Yes, brother. We’ll make it happen.”

“What should I do on the inside?”

“Goran was going to light fires near the storehouse and Alfredo’s quarters at dawn. So–”

Randall interrupted Samson.

“My comrades and I will handle the fires.”

“T-then what should I…?”

“I hear you’re fast on your feet, Goran.”

“I’m no fighter, but I’m small and skinny, so I’m quick.”

Randall nodded and carefully continued.

“There’s a remote house about a thousand yards from the storehouse. Inside, there are five corpses. It looked like a family, but one must’ve turned and bitten the others. Goran, can you lure them over? If the corpses show up in the chaos of the fire and attack, it’ll throw them into greater disarray.”

It was a dangerous task. If caught, he might be torn apart alive. But Goran swallowed hard and answered resolutely,

“Yes! I’ll do whatever it takes.”