The Shaman
First Post
The patrol sets off across the field, each man with his weapon at the ready. The wheat is still green and about stands knee-high, sussing softly with each step the paras take toward the cluster of farm buildings. The wheat field offers one-quarter concealment (10% miss chance) and no cover.
The farm looks like many that surround Portemonte, perhaps a bit more prosperous than most. To the north along a low hill stands an orange grove, the trees fat with young fruit – a gray steel water tank overlooks the farm from among the citrus trees.
Clustered around a dirt yard are several structures. Ahead of the paras is a tall barn, painted white like all the buildings, with a red shingle roof. The west end, facing the paras as they cross the field, has both a lower set of double-doors and an upper loft entry, above which hangs a pulley from a cantilever beam. The lower doors are closed, but the door to the loft is open – shadows lie beyond.
A small goat shed and fenced enclosure is just north of the barn – several brown and black goats can be seen lazing in the pen, seemingly unconcerned by the armed men stalking through the field.
Northeast of the barn is the farmhouse, a two story clapboard structure with a tile roof surrounded by a low stone wall, maybe five feet high. Several small trees can be seen behind the wall at the back of the farmhouse – two large oaks dominate the front, one sporting a leafy green canopy, the other dead and bare. White lace curtains can be seen through the windows of the house.
Across the yard to the east is a stable – a pair of horse stand idly in two corrals made of steel pipe. A trough is situated between the farmhouse and the stable. Around the yard are parked a wooden wagon and a horse trailer, nearest the stable, and a utility trailer, south and east of the barn.
Beyond the yard are several haystacks and a low, mud-brick building with whitewashed walls and shuttered windows – not far away is what appears to be a small shed or outbuilding of some kind, the purpose of which is not immediately apparent.
To the south of the yard, immediately across from the farmhouse, is the entrance drive, lined with arrow-straight poplars sporting green leaves that shake and rattle with the slightest breeze. The farm itself is still, bathed in golden light by the setting sun.
As the patrol advances, Vidal asks Nedjar, “How far do you think we are from camp, Nedjar?” “Five or six kilometers, maybe.” the legionnaire replies, glancing about at the countryside. “Not too far.” Vidal scans the farm as he walks, and a slight motion catches his eye – from the loft of the barn, something moving in the shadows.
The farm looks like many that surround Portemonte, perhaps a bit more prosperous than most. To the north along a low hill stands an orange grove, the trees fat with young fruit – a gray steel water tank overlooks the farm from among the citrus trees.
Clustered around a dirt yard are several structures. Ahead of the paras is a tall barn, painted white like all the buildings, with a red shingle roof. The west end, facing the paras as they cross the field, has both a lower set of double-doors and an upper loft entry, above which hangs a pulley from a cantilever beam. The lower doors are closed, but the door to the loft is open – shadows lie beyond.
A small goat shed and fenced enclosure is just north of the barn – several brown and black goats can be seen lazing in the pen, seemingly unconcerned by the armed men stalking through the field.
Northeast of the barn is the farmhouse, a two story clapboard structure with a tile roof surrounded by a low stone wall, maybe five feet high. Several small trees can be seen behind the wall at the back of the farmhouse – two large oaks dominate the front, one sporting a leafy green canopy, the other dead and bare. White lace curtains can be seen through the windows of the house.
Across the yard to the east is a stable – a pair of horse stand idly in two corrals made of steel pipe. A trough is situated between the farmhouse and the stable. Around the yard are parked a wooden wagon and a horse trailer, nearest the stable, and a utility trailer, south and east of the barn.
Beyond the yard are several haystacks and a low, mud-brick building with whitewashed walls and shuttered windows – not far away is what appears to be a small shed or outbuilding of some kind, the purpose of which is not immediately apparent.
To the south of the yard, immediately across from the farmhouse, is the entrance drive, lined with arrow-straight poplars sporting green leaves that shake and rattle with the slightest breeze. The farm itself is still, bathed in golden light by the setting sun.
As the patrol advances, Vidal asks Nedjar, “How far do you think we are from camp, Nedjar?” “Five or six kilometers, maybe.” the legionnaire replies, glancing about at the countryside. “Not too far.” Vidal scans the farm as he walks, and a slight motion catches his eye – from the loft of the barn, something moving in the shadows.
