Wolfe Pack by Gerard Bond Page A

pointed,
    “It's getting easier to spot their trail, I think they are starting to relax and not paying attention no more.”
    “Mm, alright, I don't want you accidentally running into them, you go on ahead a few of hundred yards, once you spot them high tail it back to us.”
    “Got it.”
    Kane spurred his horse on faster and moved away quickly into the distance, Wollfen allowed his horse to be caught up by the others.
    “Solynne, will you keep an eye out and track Kane for us? We shall keep to the same pace as we are doing now.”
    “Yes alright.”
    Solynne then took up position in the lead of the posse and they continued on as before.
    It was about thirty minutes later when Kane showed and pulled up beside Wollfen,
    “I have seen them, they number thirteen exactly, that means one is the Lord and the others all bandits. Also they are entering a valley heading south by south east, if we take the ridge line to the right of them we can shadow them from above.”
    “Good thinking, take the lead and we will follow.”
    Kane moved off ahead and signaled Solynne to follow him as he rode off slightly to the right through the woods, within a minute or so they started up an incline and were making steady progress. It was a few more minutes before they got to the top and the ground leveled out somewhat. Wollfen moved up ahead beside Kane keeping a watchful eye out down below.
    “Do you see them?” Kane nodded,
    “Yes, they are down ahead about three hundred yards, watch through the trees there for movement.”
    Wollfen followed his pointing finger and after a moment saw the rearmost rider.
    “Got it I see.”
    “There's something else too, they only have one pack horse with them and it is traveling light, you know what that means don't you?” Wollfen nodded,
    “Yeah means that their base camp is near.” Wollfen digested the information for a few moments before going on, “You know there may be more bandits at the camp too, we can't afford to let this group get there.”
    Kane nodded in return, he had already come to the same conclusion and had thought up a plan,
    “I think you should take the two soldiers with you,  get ahead of them and block their path, they will see the soldiers and assume there is a larger military contingent. I would think they would charge you to try and break through.”
    “I agree, and what would you and the rest be doing?”
    “I will hit them from behind just after they spot you, the timing will have to be right. In the confusion they will lose focus on whatever they are doing, if we are lucky they will take off with every man for himself.”
    “You don't think they will stand and fight?”
    “Do we really want them to? We are only six here and two we have no idea if they are any good at combat. No we need to make as much noise as possible and keep them guessing.”
    Wollfen was impressed by this young man's tactical thought processes, he was proving himself to be a good thinker. He added a bit more to the plan,
    “Once I hear a clash of arms from the rear of the column I will drive to the center from the front, the soldiers with me may hesitate but I will put on a good show, that should put the wind up at least a few of them. Just remember Kane, the goal is to set Lord Hale free, whoever is closest must get to him and take him away, don't worry about the rest, we can fight our way out if necessary, okay?”
    Kane nodded once more,
    “Very well, I will let the others know.”
    “Good man, I'll grab the soldiers and race ahead of the column, give me about five minutes then close up to the rear, I am sure you will hear when they spot us. Good Luck and may the gods smile upon you.”
    Wollfen turned in his saddle and signaled the two soldiers to form up on him, he gave them a few quick words and they looked at each other but nodded in agreement. Then they set off at a fast past taking off along the right edge of the ridge line as to not give their presence away to the bandits. Kane