~ Chapter Six ~
  Futility

“Rider Approaching!”

Captain Canela looked up from the table where he and his officers had been studying a large map as a breathless soldier dashed up to their small group.

“Sir, the scout has returned!” the soldier wheezed. “He is making his way across the battlefield, to the North.”

Canela motioned to the officers and strode outside the tent, making his way towards the northern ridge. The sounds of cannon fire grew louder as he approached the hill and started to climb the muddy slope.

He and his 400 man army had been positioned in a low valley for over three weeks now, unable to move due to the thick mud created by the ever-present rain. The valley was surrounded by a ridge of hills which gave a good vantage point to watch for the enemy.

But the blessings were few. The war was not going well, and although Canela had requested supplies & reinforcements he doubted he would live to see them arrive. They had been in full retreat when they came across the valley. Canela had opted to stand ground and fight rather than take their chances in the surrounding open fields. The men needed to rest also.

But it had been a miscalculation, probably a fatal one. He feared they were now surrounded and had sent scouts out to find another path of escape. That was six days ago, and not one had returned.

Until now.

Canela wiped the moisture from the end of his spyglass and raised it to his eye. He quickly found a lone rider coming at them at a full gallop, dodging the sudden explosions that appeared in the open field. The rider was about 200 yards away from the ridge when an explosion of mud and fire appeared directly in his path, throwing him from the horse and onto the battled-scarred field.  

Canela lowered the glass and turned to the officer on his right. “Go get him. Quickly!”

The officer nodded acknowledgement and ran down the hill whistling and motioning.

Soon six cavalry were racing out across the field towards the fallen rider. Canela watched as they scooped up their comrade and turned back for the protection of the ridge.

******

“Sir, there is no escape. We are surrounded.” the fallen officer grimaced as the medic removed another piece of shrapnel from his shoulder.

“The others were captured. I escaped. What will we do?”

Canela stared absently into the young mans face. “Get this man some water” he said to the medic. He then winked at the soldier and turned away. Three officers fell in step behind him, one coming alongside as they cleared the medics tent.

“Sir, we must leave now” the Lieutenant insisted, his tone just a bit too stern.  Canela stopped and turned. “There is nowhere to run. We must catch them by surprise and punch a hole in their defenses to make our escape.”  The lieutenant grimaced at the thought.  Canela glanced at the sky.

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