Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 128 In Spitzer Fort’s third barracks, Lieutenant Hamon’s platoon had finished up their dinner and were lounging around before turning in. When Choke entered the chamber, Sergeant Euan leapt to his feet and shouted: “Officer in quarters! Attention!” The men responded with decent alacrity. Sergeant Euan stomped up … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 129 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 127 Peep was able to scout the ridge and hill in time to spend a full hour skulking around in the bushes menacing the men before the fort bugler called lunchtime. There had been no incidents that morning, and the men had put in an acceptable, if not … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 128 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 126 With the men settled in the barracks for the night with a proper meal, Choke gave Knuckle and Pinch a few simple standing orders and went downstairs for his dinner in the keep’s main hall. It turned out to be just him there. The fort’s cook, Corporal … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 127 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 125 Lieutenant Bartholomew Pekot marched his men into the Spitzer fort and ordered them to put the digging tools away in the large shed next to the stables. Once this was done, the men stood around in the fort’s courtyard like a herd of goats. Choke turned Knuckle: … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 126 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 123 Back at the stables, Choke took Peep, Pinch, and Knuckle out into the courtyard away from their men, Dom and Lenny, who were sitting on a bench at the side of the stables. There, he explained their assignment. “Seriously?” Pinch griped. “Hamon and Cooper’s recruits are out … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 124 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 122 Captain Edison led Father Morrenthall, his sergeant, Peep, and Choke down to the fort’s courtyard. From there, they went around to the loading bays of the fort’s storerooms and granaries. Sergeant-Major Orel was making a good show of being busy with his ledgers in his office nook … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 123 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 121 The squad of men-at-arms sent by the Bitanian Abbot of the Knights of the Holy Sword arrived at the Spitzer church just before lunch. There were five of them. All big, powerful men, they were mounted on warhorses and armed with shield and lances along with their … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 122 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 120 After sending their recruit Bev on his way, Peep went to the main church to get Mariola’s belongings. Of her followers, the single women and their children were sleeping together in the church pews. They roused themselves excitedly when Peep approached them with her candleholder. “Hush up … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 121 →

Table of Contents - (spoilers) read part 119 In Peep’s cell, Mariola was sitting in the dark on the one stool with her buck knife still clenched in her hands. There was just enough moonlight through the slit window to make her out. “Is this over?” Mariola asked. “Is what over?” Peep asked as she … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 120 →