Beinn 5.6
Massoud walked silently down the path if not swiftly. It was impossible not to communicate by his movements that he had been injured. It put him at a disadvantage but even so he was confident that the situation was manageable. Elspeth was right at his side and the truth was it was starting to irk him more than a little for her to be here at this encounter. Roy would have been most valuable, but this woman? Suddenly he stopped and turned looking at her a smile coming to his face. He voiced the thought that just had come into his head.
“Elspeth,” he said with measured kindness he did not feel, “Your role in this will be to go with the men down by the hillside. Tell Andrew an the rest of them I gave you authority to lead the ambush. Make sure the wave of arrows and spears have landed then go in quickly and clean up. Remember, you must be quick and you must at all costs make sure no one escapes.”
Elspeth studied his face as he talked and could detect no sign of deceit. This was not what she was expecting and not what Roy had told her to expect. She had to make a decision to trust Massoud and she smiled as she realized she really had no choice. She sensed a loss of control in leaving Massoud’s side and determined to make sure she used the opportunity to gain his trust. That was one of her objectives here at any rate right? It was not her primary objective, but yes it was an important one. She smiled and nodded and spoke, “By your command,” and turned to run down the path by the hillside.
Massoud smiled as he led the spearmen and archers to the vantage point. Now things were back in his control. He could watch her and see how she performed. If he still had any doubts, any hesitation, he could have one of the archers make sure his aim was off a bit, and well it wasn’t uncommon for troops to get taken out in friendly fire was it?
He slowed down a bit and glanced pointedly at the lead archer. “You there, come here please.” The man approached. “Time is short so I want to tell you what I have in mind for this ambush. First though, I need to know how good you are with that long bow. Tell me honestly, lives depend on it.”
“I sir, am a master,” and glancing down to where the ambush would take place he continued. “At that range you can tell me who to hit and where on their body you would like the arrow to penetrate and I will oblige.”
“Excellent, excellent,” Massoud said. “So here is what I want you to do.” At this point their voices lowered and they quickly discussed the upcoming engagement. The only thing anyone would have noticed out of the ordinary was a small purse change hands. No one did though because the party was well in sight now and positions were being taken up.
Massoud glanced down to where Elspeth and the others were secreted. She gave him a discrete signal to let him know they were ready. He turned to the archers and spearmen. “Wait for my signal and then let fly, not one moment sooner, or later.” Then he turned and waited smiling easily now. Yes now things were well in hand.
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