Free Hunter's War (Legend of the Wild Hunter Book 4) by Garry Spoor Page B

whose side Sergeant Wargner’s on.”
    “Don’t say things like that,” Tullner snapped. “Sergeant Wargner is doing his best. If anybody can get us back home safely, it’s him.”
    Kile had the distinct feeling Tullner didn’t really believe what he was saying.
    The column suddenly came to a stop, and the men in the back were stretching their necks to see what was happening in the front, but Kile was sure she already knew. They reached the lowlands and a quick sniff of the air told her the lands were rather damp.
    Within moments, Corporal Duffy came riding down the line. He was a little surprised to see Kile surrounded by other soldiers, especially when the other soldiers were not in formation.
    “Sergeant Wargner wants you up front,” he said.
    “Does he now?” she replied.
    “What’s up, Duffy?” Tullner asked.
    Duffy gave Tullner a look which clearly stated it was none of his business. It was clear to Kile the power struggle between the two of them finally reached a conclusion, and it wasn’t in Tullner’s favor.
    “The Sergeant wants you up front… now,” Duffy demanded.
    “What? No please.” she said, urging Grim forward.
    Tullner followed her as she made her way up the column, past the other riders, to reach Sergeant Wargner who was standing on the edge of a very large lake. He seemed a little put out, but then, he expected to see an open field. The field was always flooded this time of year, what with the melting snow in the mountains. The water, finding its way down through the crags, filled the lower lands, resulting in a lake which usually remained until midsummer. It was a nesting place for many of the water fowls and Kile was happy to see at least one family of geese who didn’t let the presence of the valrik keep them from their home.
    Sergeant Wargner turned to look at her.
    “So?” he asked.
    Kile dismounted and walked to the edge of the lake. She looked both left and right, and then dipped the toe of her boot into the water.
    “It’s a lake all right,” she replied.
    “I know it’s a… a lake.” Wargner said, grinding his teeth. “What I need to know is, how do I get around it?”
    It would have been so easy, at this moment, to point out she warned him about the presence of the lake, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. The man was having a bad day as it was and she didn’t want to add to it.
    “There may be a place west of here,” she said, “where the water isn’t as deep. We may be able to ford it there.”
    “And you know where this place is?” Wargner asked.
    “I’ve used it, once or twice.” She replied.
    “Then lead the way.”
    Mounting up, she turned Grim west, along the lake’s edge.
    “I did warn you,” she whispered when she passed Sergeant Wargner. She could almost hear his teeth grinding.
     
    It didn’t take Kile long to find that section of the lake which was shallow enough to cross, but if she didn’t know it was there, she would never have found it. The water was dark and muddy. The deepest parts of the lake looked no different than the shallow parts. She came this way, once, during a routine delivery to Shrop. Back then, she was unaware of the lake effect, and it was the black-hoofed mountain deer who came to her aide. They showed her the way to cross, and what to look for in the future. It was shortly after that mission when the Guild put a hold on all class E assignments. Her next mission was a class D delivery to a Mr. David Draw. It marked a turning point in her career.
    Motioning Grim forward, he stepped into the lake. The water came up as high as the furry tufts of hair which covered his hoofs. She was grateful to see the land bridge was still intact. Grim cautiously moved out into the middle lake and the rest of the squad followed. The column moved slowly, in a single line, across the surface of the water and, eventually, to dry ground on the opposite side.
    “I guess you’re useful for something after all,” Sergeant