Alaisdair needed to be more clumsy, and having to navigate trussed up as a bird for the pot, it was only possible to walk even a dozen steps without stumbling. This seemed to amuse his captors until their Captain had his steed up his gait to a trot and told them to keep up within sight of his horse.
After that, his captors no longer sprinkled him with abusive tongues. They had trouble keeping up with the rider while he was doing well.
It was hours since he had eaten, and his stomach grew loud enough for all to hear. There were some guffaws, and the Captain, hearing, slowed his steed, yelling back, "What's all the merriment?"
The head soldier jogs up to the Captain, "The young rascal must not have broken his fast. His belly is rumbling."
"We're making good time. Tell the men to fall out. Feed the prisoner some provision and have your men do the same. From the looks of the wood, we are only an hour or two out. I want to set off directly for the Pegasus once we arrive at the fort."
"Yes, Sir. Captain"
Curious, thought Alaisdair. Since they had entered the woods, the speech of the soldiers and their Captain had become apparent. He understood their jesting and poking amusement at his clumsiness, but they seemed free of guile. He did not think they intended any harm.
He needed to relieve himself and hoped the understanding in speech went the other way.
"I need.." he started to speak when the soldier, still holding his rein, told him to be quiet.
He attempted to speak again when the soldier said, "I told you to be quiet. We will eat anon, and we don't need you messing up the preparations."
Alaisdair waited until the soldier with the grub came to hand him a portion of dried meat and fruit and, taking it, said, "Thank you, kind fellow. But, before I eat, I need a moment to relieve myself."
"No need to be formal. My name is James." He said as Alaisdair took the bowl. "Why did you not ask Fallon?" Then, turning to Fallon, he said, "Take this youngster for his micturate while I am getting your rations prepared."