Silverlake (The Chronicles of the Troop Book 2) by Colin Darney

Author:Colin Darney [Darney, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-01T06:00:00+00:00

Moving On

The troop left the homestead the next day, marching almost due west with the wind at their backs. Saress had her archers farther out than normal, saying something about getting beyond their scent, but beyond combining the pairs of archers into groups of three or four, the troop made its way like it normally did.

Tommy had a new adventure, though, and he was currently experiencing it as he walked beside Keris at the head of the line. He was Keris’s shadow today, observing what he did and how he led second rank. Keris had been speaking for what seemed like hours about the minutiae of leading a group of men and, to be blunt, it was the most boring thing Tommy had ever been forced to listen to in his life.

“… so, every hour or so, you need to walk back the line and check on everybody.”

“Yes, Keris.”

“Make sure everyone has water and is drinking.”

“Yes, Keris.”

“And make sure to pick your nose at least once.”

“Yes, Keris.”

“Oh, and take the dragon for a walk.”

“Yes, Keris.”

“Otherwise, he makes a mess on the floor.”

“Yes … huh?”

Mikus burst out laughing, his great belly laugh breaking through the scattered talk in the ranks.

Keris grinned. “Boring you, am I?”

“Yes. I mean, no. I mean …”

“It’s okay, Tommy. It’s not like anything I’m teaching you is important.” Mikus laughed harder. “Where did you stop paying attention?”

“Ahhh …”

“It couldn’t have been that long ago ...”

“Ummm ...” Tommy blushed bright red. There were tears coming from Mikus’s eyes.

“Tommy?”

“Uhhh …” Tommy looked back and forth between him and Mikus. “Keris … I think I’m going to shut up now.”

Mikus was failing miserably to bring his laughter under control while members of the troop craned their necks to see what was going on. “By tha’ maker, lad, ya’ shoulda’ seen yer’ face!”

“You okay up there?” his da’ called.

“Aye, Commander. We’re having a little fun with Tommy.”

“No problem. He bored?”

“You could say that.” Keris grinned.

“Did he fall asleep?”

“Not quite, but the dragon needs to go on a walk later.”

“Keris!” Tommy complained.

“Oh, gods.” His da’ chuckled. “What were you teaching him?”

“Watch cycles and check-ins,” Keris replied, glancing back the way they’d come. Tommy noticed he’d been doing that a lot since leaving Brookside.

“Well, no wonder. That’s as boring as watching plants grow.” Keris nodded.

“I think he went out on ya’ when ya’ were startin’ in on times and such, Keris.” Mikus started chuckling again. “But I still be want ta’ be seein’ him pickin’ his nose up an’ down tha’ line.”

“Sure,” Keris said, thrusting his chin. “Off you go, Tommy. Get picking.”

Tommy screwed his face up and Mikus started laughing again, Keris joined in. There’s no way I’m doing that!

“Maker, lad. If ya’ keep tha’ up, I’m gonna’ piss me pants!”

“Don’t get to upset, Tommy,” his da’ said, still grinning. “We know it’s boring.”

“Why do I have to learn it then?”

“Well, you keep stepping up to take charge,” Donnor answered. “If you’re going to be doing that, you’d better know what you’re about.

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