ride out to protect the garrisons outside the main security zone surrounding it. It was simply an accepted fact that the cost of independence for those who lived outside that safest zone was the necessity to protect themselves when they were threatened by outside forces.
“So do we tell them to back off or what?”
“They won’t make an immediate attack. They’re going to make a camp right out there on the other side of the bridge. So you can see them. It’s part of what they do. Build up your dread and terror.”
“We have sharp shooters. Let’s kill them all and be done. Why are we so afraid of a bunch of animals?” One of the garrison soldiers shrugged a shoulder.
“You’ll find that they’re close enough for you to see, but just out of range for that. They’re feral, yes, but they understand strategy. Don’t underestimate them. They live this way. For generations this is how they have survived. Understand that.”
“So what do we do then?”
“You need a show of force. Put men up on the sentry points in full view. With weapons. They’ll respond to that. You make yourselves a poor target. Show them you can fight back. That you have excellent defenses and will repel an attack. They’ll watch you, see how you react. Hold steady and if you’re lucky, they’ll leave. If they make a move we will react fiercely and immediately. You have to kill them. All of them. Your reaction is what will gauge whether or not they come back. And how soon.”
10
H e took reports from his scouts. It appeared a smaller party of brigands were down on the highway. Which meant they were waiting to see what happened up at Silver Cliffs before they moved.
It was his hope that they could get out of this without a breach of the bridge. Underlining just how strong Silver Cliffs was. Then the brigands would find another, weaker target.
He convinced Jackson to have some of the businesses open during the day for the residents of Silver Cliffs. He wanted to keep a sense of normalcy, though also on heightened alert. Keeping the residents emotionally well adjusted was key. A long siege could make people more prone to rash decisions, which put everyone at risk. So he wanted them out in their fields and doing their daily tasks to stave that off.
He put everyone on three shifts so that the wall would constantly have soldiers on it and after a long day, he walked back up the hill to Verity’s place. He’d eat and rest a while before heading back. Brigands tended to move at night. He didn’t think it would be that day, but likely the following if they moved at all. But there was no harm in being prepared.
Earlier that day he’d gone through Silver Cliffs to patrol. He’d wanted to be seen by people, to reassure them they were safe.
Verity had her mercantile open, Tobin at her side as she filled orders and chatted with her customers.
He wanted her
.
Wanted to stride up to her, pull her in for a kiss so everyone in the place knew she was his. She’d looked up and smiled, waving. He’d tipped his hat and kept walking.
He’d realized at that moment that it wasn’t so much that he planned to hide his involvement with her. Many people in Silver Cliffs had already figured it out. But he had a job and she had hers. He respected her, and considering the bits and pieces he knew about her husband, he realized that sort of possessiveness might not be welcome.
But now the streets were quiet. A sense of expectation hung in the air, but not as fervently fearful as it had been even the day before. He’d often found that once people knew what to expect they were less prone to panic. The show of force and the confident way the garrison defenses had been conducting themselves had given people a sense of direction and safety.
He headed up her back stairs, locking up again in his wake. He smelled something savory, but didn’t hear her. Had she taken a nap? He smiled, imagining how he’d wake her up.
Then he heard the water and her voice
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