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Another bird call. This time, a nightingale. That meant Lufian had spotted the guards approaching from his position near the woodpile. Brecc’s heart rate increased. The Vikings were making quick work of this circuit. He and Rheged needed to move faster.

“They’re on their way back,” he panted, lifting a sack of vegetables under his free arm while the other steadied the sack of flour on his shoulder.

“I heard.” Rheged reached for two lumpy sacks and tucked one under each arm. “Time to go.”

They ran for the woods. Bertwin already had the first flour sacks strapped to one horse. Brecc set the lumpy sack on top of them and lowered the other flour sack onto the second horse’s back. “Get them secured as fast as you can, Bertwin,” he said. “Rheged has two more.”

“Devil take it!” Rheged dropped his load. “One of the horses Bertwin and Lufian released has wandered back into camp.”

Brecc swiveled. Sure enough, a white horse was idly grazing within the light of the fire. If one of the guards spotted it, he would take it back to join the others. And discover that they were all gone. There was no telling what he would do at that point, but it most assuredly would not work in Brecc and his men’s favor.

“Take these horses to the road, Bertwin,” Brecc urged. “I’m going after the wanderer. Rheged, go with Bertwin. As soon as you reach the road, signal Lufian to start the blaze.”

Brecc did not wait for a response from either man. Keeping to the shadows of the tree line, he worked his way around the edge of the camp until he was directly behind the horse. A quick glance across the campfire showed no sign of other movement. If the guards were returning, they were doing it more quietly than usual. Weaving between a handful of woolen tents, Brecc approached the wayward horse. It looked up and sniffed the air.

“Steady, boy,” Brecc whispered.

The horse turned its head, and the straps that had been used to tie it to a tree rattled across the ground. It nickered nervously.

“Steady,” Brecc repeated, stepping closer.

The horse danced away, and Brecc released a tense breath. Men’s voices sounded. The horse snorted, and Brecc lunged for the straps. With a neigh, the animal reared back. Brecc pulled on the reins, drawing the creature out of the campfire’s circle of light. But he wasn’t fast enough.

“Oy!” It was one of the guards.

Footsteps pounded toward him. Brecc released the straps and swiveled. Both guards had him in their sights, and both were armed. Brecc eyed the glinting ax blades and darted into the shadows.

“I have the one on the right.” Rheged’s low voice came out of the darkness behind him. “You take the one on the left.”

Not questioning his friend’s directive, Brecc stepped left. The ax-wielding Viking raised his arm, and with a grunt of exertion, he tossed his weapon. Brecc dropped to the ground, the whoosh of air catching his cheek as the blade whistled past and landed with a thud in the trunk of the tree immediately behind him. Leaping to his feet, he pulled his dagger from his belt and charged at the Viking. His opponent crouched low and withdrew the knife strapped to his leg.

Vaguely aware of grunts and the clash of blades at his right, Brecc circled the Viking before him. Cruelty was etched in the man’s face. His lips turned up in a sneer, and he pounced. Brecc anticipated the move and dodged left. The Viking lost his footing. Brecc lowered his shoulder and shoved it against his opponent’s chest. With a cry of frustration, the Viking reeled and backed into the campfire. Sparks flew, and with a shriek, the Viking dove for the ground and rolled across his burning sleeve.

More shouts filled the air, and all around them, men began pouring out of tents. An owl hooted yet again. It was Bertwin’s signal. Within moments, Lufian would have the Vikings’ stack of fuel and several of their tents alight.

A man cried out in agony. Brecc whirled. Rheged was standing over his fallen foe, breathing heavily. But before either of them could do anything more, a sudden movement at Brecc’s left had him spinning around once more. His assailant’s blade slashed downward, slicing through Brecc’s hose. He felt the sting and knew it had pierced his leg. Lunging forward on his uninjured leg, he thrust his blade into the Viking’s side. With a scream, his enemy doubled over.

“Leaving now would be good,” Rheged panted.

“Agreed.” Gritting his teeth against the shooting pain in his leg, Brecc ran for the trees with Rheged right beside him.

“This way!” Rheged said, grabbing his sleeve and tugging him to the right. “I had Bertwin take our mounts with the pack horses. They’ll be waiting for us at the road.”

Brecc grunted. It was all he could do to keep moving. The smoke was thickening, impeding his vision and tightening his chest. “You lead,” he gasped.

Tree limbs snagged his cloak, roots tripped him, and his leg pulsed with pain, but Rheged kept moving, and Brecc followed.

“Up ahead.” Rheged slowed long enough to point to a gap in the trees. “I see movement.”

Brecc stopped and leaned against a tree. “Make sure it is Bertwin and Lufian,” he said. “I don’t want any unpleasant surprises.”

Rheged whistled and then continued forward. He disappeared into the darkness. Brecc waited, breathing through his pain.

Moments later, Rheged reappeared. “Come quickly. It is them, and the Vikings have started after us.”

With a grimace, Brecc pushed away from the tree trunk. Rheged had stolen up on him unawares, and Brecc had not even thought to listen for the sounds of pursuit. He was in worse shape than he’d feared.

They broke through the trees and onto the road. Bertwin and Lufian were already mounted, and each held the reins of two other horses—Brecc’s and Rheged’s and the pack horses. Brecc eyed his charger grimly. Mounting would be a challenge.