They work their way along the mountainside toward the south. Somewhere ahead in the dark lies the road running along the southern edge of the mountains which will take them toward Madoc. The last time they came this way, there was a sizeable presence of the enemy along the road.
It doesn’t take them long to reach the road leading down from the summit, appearing in the moonlight ahead of them. Carefully looking in both directions, they determine the road is empty. With Jiron in the lead they move onto the road.
Traveling upon the road affords them much better speed than forging their way through the forest. “We need to find a couple of horses,” James whispers.
“I know,” comes the all but silent reply.
The road takes them quickly down the mountainside. It isn’t long before the lights from the encampment of the Empire’s soldiers at the base of the mountain come into view. The number of campfires indicates there isn’t nearly the number of men there were the last time they passed this way. “Maybe they don’t feel a large presence is warranted here,” suggests Jiron.
“Could be,” agrees James. “Or they could have sent most of their force to deal with Illan and the others.”
“That would make sense,” he says with a nod.
They continue following the road until it begins to approach the perimeter of the enemy camp before moving into the shelter of the trees. Working their way through the hills at the base of the mountain, they make their way closer to the enemy lines. Pausing a moment upon the top of a hill overlooking the enemy camp, they have a commanding view of its layout. Off to their right they see where they have their horses kept.
A series of stables have been built to keep their steeds out of the elements. Six structures with corrals adjacent to each stand in an area to the rear of their lines. In the corrals, horses are visible in the moonlight.
They wait several minutes before descending the hill. Jiron points out four sentries as they make their way through toward the stable area. Two remain in and around the stables while the other two continue on toward the main camp. He waits for the two continuing on toward the camp to leave the area before making his move. When only one of the two remaining sentries is close, Jiron motions for James to stay on the hill. Receiving James’ nod, he makes his way down the hill and toward where the sentry is patrolling.
James watches as the shadow that is Jiron moves toward the closest sentry, covering the distance quickly. He gets in behind the sentry and is within a dozen yards of him when the man suddenly turns in his patrol and begins heading back in Jiron’s direction. Ducking behind a tree, Jiron waits for his approach. A glint of moonlight flashes from the knife in Jiron’s hand.
The sentry continues to approach, oblivious to the danger poising to strike behind the tree. His path doesn’t take him directly past the tree, rather five feet to one side. When the sentry draws even with the tree, Jiron slips around to the other side until he’s behind him once again. Moving fast, he closes the distance silently. Grabbing the sentry from behind, he strikes with his knife and then lowers the dying man to the ground, the whole incident happening without a sound.
Jiron wipes his knife off on the man’s clothes and then moves toward the second sentry. The nearest stable is twenty feet away with an open area easily twenty feet wide. Running quickly and silently, Jiron makes the side of the stable and then presses his back against it. Listening for the other sentry’s position, he hears the man’s footsteps approaching from the right side of the stable. Moving quietly, he works his way to the right.
The remaining sentry calls to the other as he nears the edge of the stable. Despite the fact the man is speaking in the Empire’s language, Jiron can tell by the inflection in his voice that he’s asking a question. As Jiron reaches the edge of the stable, the sentry again asks the question with a slight edge in his voice.
Quickening his steps, the sentry reaches the edge of the stable. Just after he passes, Jiron jumps him from behind. Clamping his hand over the man’s mouth to prevent him from alerting the rest of the camp, he runs the edge of his knife across the man’s throat. Tossing the dying man to the ground, he turns toward the hill where James waits and waves. A minute later James joins him.
“Let’s hurry,” urges James. Jiron gives him a nod.
Jiron moves around the edge of the stable to the entrance and peers through the doorway. When he finds it empty, he signals James to follow as he enters. A light springs to life as James’ orb appears on his hand. Not nearly as bright as it usually is, it’s just bright enough for them to find the tack and saddle for two horses.
Along the back wall they find all the items they need stacked on shelves. While Jiron gathers the tack, James removes two fine looking stallions from their stalls. One snickers and snorts as he brings them forth. “Easy boy,” he says reassuringly as he pats the nervous one’s neck.
Working quickly, they soon have the horses saddled. James swings into the saddle while Jiron moves to the gate. He opens it a crack and looks out to be sure no other sentry is approaching. When he finds all is quiet, he swings the stable’s gate open and returns to the horses. Taking his horse’s reins, he leads him through the gate. Once James has left the stable, Jiron closes the gate and throws the bar to keep it closed. He then swings into the saddle. Unless someone stumbles upon the dead sentries, it’s unlikely anyone will realize something has happened before dawn. James cancels his orb before heading out.
Moving quickly away from the buildings, they head southeast. Angling through the hills, they keep their distance from the enemy camp while they make for the road that will take them toward Madoc.
When at last the road appears before them, Jiron dismounts and leaves his horse with James while he moves to the edge of the road. Last time there had been hidden sentries along this road, but then again, the last time the Empire had known they were on the way. He comes to a stop within the edge of the forest and gazes up and down the road. Scanning both directions for several minutes for any movement he is at last satisfied the road is deserted. He then returns back to his horse and mounts. “The road looks deserted,” he says in a whisper.
“Then let’s get going,” replies James just as quietly.
Jiron gets his horse moving and they’re soon out of the forest. They turn eastwards once they are on the road and quickly get their horses up to a canter. James casts glances back to the enemy camp in the distance as they ride but no shout arises or any other indication that they have been discovered. After awhile, the lights of the enemy’s encampment disappear in the dark.
They ride for an hour or two before the sky begins to lighten with dawn’s approach. So far they haven’t encountered anyone else traveling upon the road and with any luck they won’t for some time.
When the sun begins to peek over the horizon, Jiron examines the road closely. “I think horses passed this way recently,” he observes. When James glances to him he indicates the surface of the road.
Even James’ untrained eye can see that hundreds of horses passed this way recently. The piles of dung the horses dropped when they passed don’t look more than two or three days old. His time of being around horses has given him plenty of experience to figure that out.
“Then they have sent men to engage Illan,” James states.
“Looks like it,” agrees Jiron. He points out several different tracks of wagon wheels as well as the footprints of foot soldiers. “Could be a sizeable force.”
“If this is the only one, Illan should have little trouble,” observes James. “Two days…” Picturing the map of the area in his mind he tries to estimate the position of Illan and the rest of their friends. If this army passed through here only two days ago, they may not have had the time to reach them yet.
Glancing to Jiron he sees he’s come to the same conclusion. They kick the sides of their horses and break into a gallop. Illan needs to be warned of this new threat.
Riding hard through the morning, they come to where the road ends at Bindles just after noon. Another road passes through the town going north and south. During their earlier sojourn on their way to find Miko, they had passed through here in the guise of merchants. Delia had even managed to secure additional cargo bound for Korazan to give them more legitimacy.
When the town appears before them, they slow down to look for any forces in the area. Not finding any, they continue to follow the road into town. Out of water and short on supplies they stop at the trader they visited on their last trip, the one Delia had acquired the cargo from. A sign hangs above the door depicting three barrels.
Dismounting, they head for the front door. Just as before, the people on the streets barely give them more than a cursory look. Jiron reaches the door first and opens it. Upon entering they find the same merchant they dealt with the time before.
The merchant looks up from where he was going over a ledger and sees them enter. “Good day to you sirs,” he says with a grin. Closing the ledger he comes over to them and asks, “How may I help you?”
James was worried that he would recognize them but looking into his eyes can tell he doesn’t. “Additional water bottles and several days’ worth of travel rations,” he tells him.
“And a mirror if you have one,” adds Jiron. Glancing at James he gets a nod of approval. He hadn’t thought to purchase a replacement for the one lost on the road.
“Very good,” the merchant replies. He then goes over to a table with water bottles. “How many would you require?”
“Two bottles each,” he says.
The merchant picks up four bottles and takes them over to the counter. He then moves to another table containing packages of dried beef and cheese. Picking up an armful, he brings them over to the counter. “Will this be sufficient?” he asks as he places the packages next to the water bottles. “I’m sorry I don’t have much of a selection to offer, the soldiers bought almost everything and the caravan carrying my goods is overdue.
Nodding, James says, “Yes, thank you.” He gives Jiron a knowing glance. The caravan in question may very well be one of the ones he secreted the explosive seeds in. The merchant may be waiting a long time before he sees his goods.
The merchant moves behind his counter and produces three mirrors of varying sizes. James selects one that is only six inches by three and has a plain bronze frame. The merchant replaces the other mirrors and then adds the one selected to the rest of their items.
“I heard that an army passed through here a day or two ago,” Jiron suddenly says.
“That’s right,” the merchant replies. “There’s a rumor going around that Black Hawk has returned. But that is hardly possible.” Finishing bundling the items together he quotes a price to James who then hands over the required coins.
“Oh?” asks James. “Why is that?”
“He and his men were slaughtered years ago,” he states.
Jiron casts a quick look to James who asks, “Are you sure?”
“Well, I wasn’t there of course but that was the story going around at the time,” he explains. “Supposedly his men were destroyed by the Empire’s armies after some battle or other.”
“Oh,” Jiron says with a barely concealed grin. “So what about the soldiers who passed through here?”
“Well like I said, a rumor had been going around town for some time that Black Hawk had returned. I never gave it much credence, rumors seldom being reliable and all. But when the men who had been stationed at Kern passed through, they said the same thing. Apparently they are on their way to take out whoever this is. Probably someone stirring up trouble and using Black Hawk as a rallying cry or some other such nonsense.”
“Yeah,” agrees James. Taking his newly bought goods from the counter, he turns for the door. “You wouldn’t happen to know which road they took out of town would you?”
“Why?” the merchant asks.
“We’re heading east and if there’s a battle about to be fought, we don’t want to be anywhere nearby when it does.”
Nodding, the merchant says, “They took the south road.”
“Thanks,” James says as he starts moving for the door. Jiron reaches the door first and opens it for him.
“May your travels be safe ones,” offers the merchant.
“Thank you,” Jiron replies. Stepping aside, he lets James leave the chandlery and then follows him out.
They secure the rations behind their saddles and James puts the new mirror into one of his belt pouches. Then taking the water bottles over to the rain barrel sitting against the building, they fill them up.
James says, “So they are indeed going after Illan.”
“Hope he’s faring all right,” replies Jiron. Worries for his sister and friends have been a constant companion since he and James left them.
“With Miko and the Hand of Asran to take care of any magical foes,” James says, “it would take a large force indeed to cause him any real problems.”
Topping off his last bottle, Jiron secures the stopper in the bottle’s neck. James finishes with his and they return to their horses to pack the extra bottles away. Mounting once more, they turn south to follow the road through town.
Once past the last building, they break into a fast gallop as they race down the road. Seeing as how the force of soldiers ahead has wagons traveling with them, they may be able to catch them before they attack Illan. Alternating between a fast gallop and at times dismounting to give the horses a break, they put many miles behind them. As they ride they keep an eye on the tracks of those they are pursuing to make sure the soldiers don’t turn off the road unexpectedly.
By time they reach the town of Arakan, the sun has begun its descent to the horizon. Having bought sufficient supplies back in Bindles, they decide against stopping. Instead they hurry their way through town.
As they enter the outskirts, James eyes the building that the officer who had stopped and checked their papers exited from during their last visit. Since neither one can speak the language, any confrontation can only lead to disaster. Coming abreast of the building, he quickens the pace of his horse slightly and moves past. He breathes a sigh of relief when no one makes an appearance.
“Take it easy,” Jiron says to him softly. James gives him a nod and brings his horse back to a normal gait. The last thing they want to do is attract attention. Continuously scanning the people on the streets for any potential problems, they make their way through town.
One thing James notices is the lack of guards or soldiers. Since entering Arakan, he’s only seen one guard. Glancing to Jiron he sees that he’s noticed that fact too. Last time they had more of a presence. Perhaps when the soldiers passed through here they took most of the guards with them.
If that is the case, James is both elated and worried. Elated in that if they are forced to strip town garrisons and city guards to bolster their army, then they must be hurting for men. On the other hand, he’s worried because that would mean more to face should there be a battle.
They reach the far side of town and leave the last building behind them without incident. Not far past the town they come across an area that looks like it could have been the bivouac area the army they’re following used the night before. Piles of horse dung dot the area and there’s evidence of over a dozen fire pits spaced evenly throughout.
“We’re gaining on them,” Jiron says after examining a pile of horse dung.
“I hope so,” replies James.
They push on for a couple more hours until the sun drops below the horizon and twilight has almost turned into full night. Pulling several hundred feet off the road, they make camp without a fire. Rolling out their bedrolls, they have a quick meal then James takes first watch while Jiron turns in. A little after midnight, James wakes Jiron for his turn at watch and then sleeps peacefully until dawn.
Up before first light, they’re back on the road and put a mile behind them before the sun breaks over the horizon. Using the same alternating pace as the day before, they eat up the miles quickly.
Two hours before noon, date bearing trees appear ahead of them. It’s the oasis where they rescued Jiron from the Commander of Ten when he was captured in that ill-fated mission to retrieve James’ backpack from Mountainside. A caravan is currently watering their horses at the oasis’ pool, ten wagons along with an accompanying guard of twenty.
“Better not get too close,” cautions Jiron.
“I agree,” replies James.
The road passes alongside the oasis and it would be very suspicious if they were to leave the road and pass in the desert. Rather than raise their suspicions, they stay as far away from those at the oasis as the road will allow them without appearing to do so on purpose. They pick up their pace as they hurry past.
One of the guards offers them what sounds like a greeting in the Empire’s tongue. Ignoring him, they continue on. When the guard realizes they aren’t going to answer he shouts at them, obviously offended. James glances back and sees the guards staring at them with an expression of indignation. They lock eyes for a moment before the guard turns back to the others.
“I hate not understanding their language,” comments James after the oasis has disappeared behind them.
“I know what you mean,” agrees Jiron. “Would make life easier. Is there anything you can do with magic that might help?”
“Possibly,” he replies, “though I’m not sure how to go about it. Foreign languages were never my forte.”
Picking up speed, they once again race to catch the force ahead of them. It isn’t long before the road begins turning to a more southerly direction. All of a sudden, Jiron stops in the middle of the road.
“What’s the matter?” asks James coming to a stop as well.
Jiron is studying the ground intently. “I think they left the road already,” he explains. The telltale signs of their passing which have been evident since Bindles are no longer present.
“I think you’re right,” concurs James. Turning back to the north, they watch the road closely as they travel for the spot where the force turned off. A mile back, just after the road turned to the south, they find where the force moved eastward into the desert. Turning to follow, they break into a gallop.
An hour into the desert, they see the dust rising from the marching feet of thousands of soldiers. They slow when they come within visual range of the soldiers. At least seven thousand strong, they look to mainly consist of foot soldiers. Only a fraction are cavalry, maybe less than five hundred.
“Do you sense a mage?” Jiron asks.
Shaking his head, he says, “No. I haven’t felt any other doing magic since before Kern.” Pulling out his mirror, he brings his horse to a halt.
“Do you think that’s wise?” asks Jiron. “If there is a mage with them it could get dicey.”
“I realize that,” he states. Glancing at his friend he adds, “But we need to know the situation. Where are Illan and the others? Are there any other forces converging with this one?”
“Alright, I understand,” concedes Jiron.
Summoning the magic, James has the mirror show an overhead view of the army ahead of them. He scrutinizes the leading edge of the force and finds no sign of a mage among them. Holding the image, he waits for a moment to see if the tingling of magic comes to him. When it fails to materialize, he scrolls the image further east.
Ten miles further ahead of the army lies a river running north and south. Just to the east of the river lies a major road running alongside of it. The road is packed with people. Whole families riding in wagons, pulling wagons, or even carrying their belongings on their backs are in an exodus to the north.
“Illan’s to the south,” he concludes. When Jiron comes closer he shows him the image of the fleeing people.
“That means this force is moving to work ahead of him and cut him off from Madoc,” Jiron reasons.
“Looks that way,” agrees James. He scrolls along the road to the south and it isn’t far before they find what’s left of a bridge. The center span is gone. James smiles when he sees more evidence that the seeds he planted within caravans have worked. He scrolls as far as he can and still the road is packed with people. Before he reaches the point where the draw of magic is too great, he discovers another bridge destroyed.
Scrolling back north, he continues to scan the road and finds a bridge that is still standing. “That’s where this force is going,” he says as he shows Jiron the image in the mirror. “All the other bridges south are destroyed and this is the only way for them to get across.”
“So if that bridge wasn’t there they would have to move even further north in order to cross,” reasons Jiron. Glancing to James with a grin he says, “That would delay their encounter with Illan.”
Nodding, James says, “We need to work our way around this force quickly. Their advance units may already be closing on it.” Turning back to the mirror, he scans the area between here and the bridge and discovers a score of riders making for the bridge. He then scrolls across the bridge and to the east.
“Oh, man” he says as a force of over two thousand foot soldiers appears coming from the north. “Another force is on the way from the north. Looks as if they plan to meet the ones ahead of us at the bridge.”
“Then launch an attack at Illan and the others,” concludes Jiron.
Putting the mirror away, James says, “We can’t let that happen.”
Kicking their horses in the sides, they break into an all out gallop as they angle to the north. Staying just out of visual range, they work their way around the northern flank of the enemy.
Ta-too! Ta-too!
Off to their right an enemy scout spots them and alerts the rest of the army. No longer worrying about avoiding detection, they aim their horses directly toward where they believe the bridge to be.
Another horn sounds ahead and the force of twenty riders James had spied in his mirror earlier appear. The riders are coming straight for them with the undeniable intention of attacking.
Crumph! Crumph! Crumph!
The ground erupts under the leading edge of the riders. Horses and men are thrown into the air as the charge falters. When the dust clears, only six riders are continuing the attack.
James slows his horse while removing a slug from his belt. Glancing southward to the other force, he sees their horsemen coming fast. Turning back to the six ahead of him, he looses the magic as he throws the slug. Moving at the speed of a bullet, it strikes the lead rider and knocks him from his horse. Removing another slug, he again drops a rider to the ground.
Crumph!
Letting loose the magic once more, three of the remaining horsemen are thrown into the air. The last man still astride his horse manages to keep his steed from faltering. With sword in hand the rider rides directly at them.
Jiron moves to intercept before the rider has a chance to engage James. With knives out, he closes with the rider. The enemy horseman strikes out at Jiron as he passes him on the left. Jiron blocks the blow with the knife in his right hand as he strikes out at the rear of the rider’s horse with the left. Opening a deep gash along its hind quarters, the horse rears up in pain.
The rider manages to remain in the saddle as he works to steady his mount. Jiron quickly moves in and closes with the rider. Lashing out with a knife, he almost connects with the man’s side before his sword blocks the attack.
Again, Jiron lashes out at the horse and scores another deep wound, this time in its flank. The blow severs several muscles and the horse cries out again in pain as it collapses. Vaulting from his horse, Jiron hits the ground and moves to finish the rider who has one leg caught under his horse.
Working to extricate himself from the fallen horse, the soldier tries to defend himself when Jiron closes for the attack. His sword easily blocks one knife but the other finds an opening and sinks into his side, puncturing a lung. Moving away from the trapped, dying man, Jiron catches a flash out of the corner of his eye. Turning to look, he realizes the flash was another of James’ slugs on its way to take out a horseless rider that had survived the earlier explosions.
“Come on!” shouts James. He indicates the riders closing rapidly behind them.
Moving to his horse, Jiron leaps into the saddle and they again race for the bridge. Still several miles away, their horses are quickly becoming fatigued. The hard pace of the last two days has definitely taken its toll.
Staying low in the saddle, they keep the pace quick. The riders behind them gradually close the gap, their fresher horses able to maintain a quicker speed. When the riders have closed the distance to within fifty yards, they begin to see people moving across the horizon. It’s the road to the bridge!
“Not much further now,” Jiron shouts. In minutes they’ve reached the road and race alongside, the refugees fleeing the approach of Black Hawk line the road so thickly, James and Jiron are unable to use it. When the people who are on the edge of the road see them coming fast, they quickly get out of the way.
Behind them, the riders continue to close the gap, now only thirty yards away. Fortunately they are as hampered by the ebb and flow of the refugees as James and Jiron are so are unable to gain any faster.
Then all of a sudden the river appears ahead of them. James looks with horror at the jam packed bridge crossing over the river full of women, children and the elderly.
Jiron sees it too and yells, “You have no choice!” When he sees James hesitating, he shouts, “Do it!”
No! Focusing on the ground to either side of the bridge, he lets the magic flow…
Crumph! Crumph!
…the earth erupts in two massive explosions. The refugees scream in fear as they flee. Tweaking the dust from the eruptions, he forms it into a humanoid figure twice the size of a man and has it begin to stalk toward the bridge. That’s enough for even the bravest of those still upon the bridge. At the sight of the twelve foot tall creature walking toward them, they turn tail and race for the other side.
By the time James and Jiron reach the bridge, the area is in total chaos. The creature has reached the edge of the bridge and is beginning to walk across. James aims for the bridge and races right through the dust formed creature. As he exits through the creature and begins to cross the bridge, he cancels the spell. Hooves thundering, they race across to the other side. A gathering of people has formed a little ways from the beginning of the bridge and he has to slow in order not to run them down. With Jiron right behind, he clears the bridge and turns to the right.
Behind them, the enemy riders have already gained the bridge and are crossing fast.
Crumph! Crumph! Crumph!
Three explosions rip through the center span of the bridge. The people cry out in fear as horses, riders and stone erupt into the air. James slows as he gazes back. With a crack, the center span of the bridge collapses into the river below. On the far side of the river, the enemy riders who had yet to begin crossing over come to a quick halt. None made it to the other side.
“James!” Jiron cries out when he sees several of the riders on the other side of the river remove crossbows from behind their saddles. Turning their fatigued horses from the river, they break into a gallop and head for the open desert. The people on the road part quickly to avoid being run over. Soon, they are out of crossbow range and the river is disappearing quickly behind them.