It was a short while before the riders came into view for they were not travelling fast but at walking pace, employing caution. With the snow muffling the sound of their horses’ hooves and the fog distorting their shapes, they looked more like ghostly apparitions than flesh-and-blood mortals and it took another second or two before Hawkwood was able to pick out details.

Both riders were wrapped against the cold in long coats, scarves and caps. The peaked, drum-shaped headgear left little doubt that the riders were military. The way they were advancing made Hawkwood suspect that in the semi-darkness and the fog, his and Lawrence’s presence had yet to register.

Slipping the musket strap on to his left shoulder Hawkwood dropped his right hand down by his side so that it was concealed by his coat. Lawrence held his gun cradled across his chest.

The riders advanced another few yards before it dawned on them that they did not have the road to themselves. They pulled up quickly.

“Gentlemen.” Lawrence stepped out and smiled up at their startled expressions. “You’ll oblige me by dismounting.”

Hawkwood watched the indecision creep over their faces. It took a moment for the lead rider to find his voice.

“By whose authority?”

“That would be mine,” Lawrence said. “On account of I’m the one with the gun.”

Neither horseman responded. After exchanging glances with his companion, the lead rider dropped his right hand down by his side.

Damn it! Hawkwood thought, half a second before the rider drew the pistol from his saddle holster.

Lawrence brought his musket up.

“No!” Hawkwood said sharply.

The tomahawk that Hawkwood had been holding concealed behind his coat flew from his hand in a blur. As the rider fell back with the blade buried in his right shoulder, Hawkwood lunged towards the horse’s halter, grabbing it as the second rider, stunned by the attack, hauled on his reins and wheeled his horse about, Lawrence snapped his musket to his shoulder once more.

“No, Douglas!” Hawkwood warned again, as horse and rider careered off in the direction from which they’d come.

“Shit!” Lawrence cursed. He threw Hawkwood a look of exasperation.

“Wait,” Hawkwood said.

Lawrence turned just in time to see several shadows detach themselves from the forest and converge upon the fleeing horse and rider. It was the fact that they did so in utter silence that made Lawrence’s pulse skip a beat.