Free Highest Stakes by Emery Lee Page A

months on campaign had been tedious, filled with nothing but vacillations of the various generals, endless marching, and repositioning of forces, followed by more dithering while the French moved decisively and conquered. He was damnably tired of it and frustrated by inaction. He relished this opportunity to hone his skills, if only on these pitiful recruits.
      By the look of it, none deserved to wear the uniform, but the sorting of the wheat from the chaff would start today. Those few who made his cut would be worthy of the Horse Guard; the rest were fre e to join the expendable ranks of the infantry. It was time to test their mettle, and humbling this cocksure pair was the perfect start.
      "It would appear, gentlemen," the captain said to the column of troopers, "that with this expert horseman and this master swordsman among our ranks, we should all benefit from an exhibition of their skills. The day's training is about to begin." B'God, he hadn't enjoyed himself this much in a long time!
      Calling to his subaltern, the captain ordered his horse.
      "Soundness… sense… swiftness… stamina… and strength," he repeated when the corporal returned leading a glossy ebony stallion. Leading the impressive charger to a position opposite the skewbald, the captain remarked, "What of Hawke here? By comparison, he would be near antithesis of your ideal."
      Devington remembered this remarkable horse from his racing days. Although past his prime for the track, Hastings's Hawke was still a magnificent horse.
      "A matchless beast to be sure, Captain, but I stand by my appraisal of Ol' Jack."
      "Indeed, you say!" The captain laughed. "We shall soon test his mettle, as well as your own."
      Stepping out of earshot, Captain Drake spoke again to his subaltern, who departed briskly to carry out the captain's orders.
      "Well, gentlemen," the captain said to Devington and Prescott, "'twould appear the two of you just might make a whole. Furthermore, Devington, given the unparalleled claims you have made of the strength and speed of your noble steed , it shouldn't be out of the question to put him to the test against Hawke… while carrying you both." He paused while the company digested the outlandish challenge.
      "You can't really expect this, Captain?" Devington was incredulous.
      "Indeed, I do. This and more. 'Tis not an impossible feat to demand of a war horse, should one of your comrades be cut down or lose his own mount in the course of battle." The captain indicated the training field. "Do you see the effigies hanging in various positions around the field?"
      The troopers strained to see the long column of straw-stuffed effigies of the French cavalry.
      "Upon my signal to charge, you shall proceed against me and Hawke down the field. Your challenge is to be first to cut down each of the effigies. Thence you shall continue the circumference of the field at full gallop. Should you both remain horsed during this exercise, upon your return to this very spot, Trooper Prescott will engage my sword. You shall ride as one man and fight as one man. Do you comprehend?"
      "All while mounted on this nag?" Prescott snorted with ripe contempt.
      "Such dismay, Prescott? Trooper Devington has full faith in the beast," the captain replied with a smirk.
      Prescott's eyes flashed with fury as he clumsily pulled himself up behind Devington while the captain agilely mounted his snorting black.
      "This sorry nag had better sprout wings, Devington! You'll engage my sword if my career ends today because of you," Prescott hissed.
      "Just concentrate on your swordplay, Prescott, and leave the horse to me."
      "Are you ready, gentlemen?" The captain quirked a mocking brow. Both troopers nodded. In truth, the captain's plan was a simple exercise in humility, as the entire company would witness their unhorsing and humiliation upon the cannon fire he covertly ordered.
      However, as the earth shook in