***
Two spear carriers guarded the village's eastern gates, but they were more concerned with watching for intruders rather than deserters. Neb crouched double and hurried along the roadside's drainage ditch. He looked back a couple of times, but it seemed no-one had raised the alarm. The third time he looked back, he saw nothing but darkness and he stepped out of the ditch's cover. Immediately, the wind threatened to tear Blain's cloak from his shoulders. Wrapping it tighter around him, Neb increased his stride, keeping his eyes downcast on the road's cobbles. They reflected just enough star and moonlight to allow a good marching pace; although he left himself open to an ambush. But Neb calculated that anyone lying in wait on the off chance a traveller would come along this lonely road would have to be desperate, or mad, or both.
So when a shadowy figure rose and emerged from the ditch, Neb's skin tightened and his lower stomach clenched in fear.
********