Read Online Rage of a Demon King by Raymond E. Feist - Free Book Online

arrest Erik. The second time had been during his first week of training under Erik and Jadow Shati; and the third, when he had gotten too sure of himself and thought he could finally best the young sergeant. Then they had voyaged to the far continent, Novindus, and from there they had returned, two of the five men who survived that expedition. Now Erik trusted the man with his life and knew Alfred felt the same way about him.
    Erik considered that odd forged bond of soldiers, men who otherwise might have no use for one another but who after serving together, facing death together, felt like brothers. Then, thinking of brothers, he wondered if James would be able to convince Erik’s half brother’s mother to cease her attempts to kill him. Erik considered that if anyone could do so, it would be Lord James.
    The men marched and Erik considered the coming war. He was not privy to all the plans of Lord James, Knight-Marshal William, and Prince Patrick, but he was beginning to suspect what they would be. And he didn’t like what he was beginning to suspect.
    He knew more than most men what was coming, but he had reservations about what would be the price of victory, and as he rode down the small path, he heard one of the men pass the word, “Scouts coming!”
    A man sent ahead with three others jogged at a good pace past the column of men marching ahead of Erik and stopped before the Sergeant Major. His name was Matthew, and he struggled for breath as he said, “Smoke, Sergeant!” He turned and pointed. “Far ridge. About a dozen fires I think.”
    As Erik searched the distant ridge, he started to notice the low-hanging smoke, easily mistaken for ground fog at this distance. “Where are the other scouts?”
    The soldier, catching his breath, said, “Mark has moved out, while Wil and Jenks are staying where we first saw the smoke.” He blew out his cheeks a moment, then said, “And Jenks will follow about now, I guess.”
    Erik nodded. It was the standard procedure for any encounter with potentially hostile soldiers. The scouts always left camp an hour before the main column, moving along the road in pairs, two on each side, scouting for potential ambush. If any potential enemy was spied, orders were for one man to return, the other to scout ahead. If the advance scout didn’t quickly return, a second would follow, to determine if the first was dead, captured, or observing the enemy. If the latter, the advance scout would return as soon as he was relieved, carrying the most up-to-the-moment intelligence while leaving another pair of eyes to watch.
    Erik nodded and wished they were training these men as mounted cavalry. That would start next month, but right now he wished for the speed.
    Erik signaled and said, “Hand signals only!”
    The men at the rear turned to look, then started tapping the men in front on their shoulders, relaying the silent order. Alfred motioned and Erik nodded. He signed that he would ride with the advance scout to the van, while Alfred was to bring up the column. He indicated he wanted two squads on the wings, one to the right and one to the left, and ready for anything.
    Erik motioned for the scout to take the lead and rode after. The man jogged at a good pace, and Erik trotted along after him.
    After moving up the road for nearly a half hour, they found the first of Erik’s scouts, watching ahead. He held up his hand and Erik dismounted. Keeping his voice low, he said, “No sign of Jenks or Mark, Sergeant.”
    Erik nodded, handing his reins to Matthew. He motioned for Wil to come with him and moved along the trail. Glancing across a small valley, he could clearly see smoke from fires along a distant ridge.
    He moved another quarter mile along the trail, then paused. Something ahead wasn’t right. He listened, then realized that while sound was echoing from all around this narrow pass, it was silent ahead. He motioned for Wil to move to the other side of the trail, then he continued down