Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #15 June 2015 | Page 102

tion post and not expected to return until sunset. The
message calling for additional stores and spares would
now go with tomorrow’s courier meaning it would be
at least eight days before a cart could arrive.

that would block all fire from the south and further
protected by a line of gabions. Wicker baskets no
doubt filled with sand or dirt, an excellent defence
against weapon fire.

Three days for the courier on a fast horse and five days
for the cart to make the return journey. Then there
would be the delays in the city as the request was processed, forms filled in, quartermasters authority sought
and received.

Still with the camp and its many weapons blocking
the road and so few routes that the rebels could use for
resupply they were nicely under siege already. This
would take longer than expected but given the presence of at least one modern weapon a forward attack
would cause unwarranted casualties.

Greyhound and her crew would be lucky if the requested spares arrived in less than ten days.

The next morning’s courier would carry the days
reports along with requests for not just the land frigate
spares but also enough addition food and water to keep
the entire force supplied for another two weeks.

An hour before sunset the lancers returned to camp.
The evening officers’ meeting started just before sunset. Captain Greyling filled in the map of the region
marking the possible routes into the town and also the
strange sight of the deaths in the hills. Lieutenant Engler had drawings and maps of the most likely layout
of the town and fort, a general idea of the streets.
Best of all Lieutenant Houseman had spent the day
looking through his telescope and had found the
cannon that had fired on them the day before. As far
as he could see it was th R