Early the next morning finds them on their way back to the road where they originally found the raided caravan. After several hours of riding, the road appears ahead of them in the distance but there is no sign of the caravan.
“Maybe we came to the road in a different spot,” suggests Miko.
Nodding agreement, James looks down the road in both directions and says, “But which way?”
“Can’t you just do that compass thing and find out?” Miko asks.
“Probably,” James replies, “but it might be better not to use magic for a while, I’m getting kind of worn out from doing so much of it.” Thinking for a bit, he makes his decision, “We’ll head in the direction of Trademeet and if we don’t find them, then at least we will be heading in the right direction for where we want to go.”
“I suppose we could leave a message for them there, letting them know what’s going on,” says Miko.
“Good idea, we’ll do that,” he agrees. Turning their horses east, they set off at a canter, slowly eating away the distance.
Around noon they reach the spot where the caravan had been raided. Yesterday’s rain hadn’t been able to remove all traces of the blood soaked into the ground from the bandit’s attack as yet. And a hundred feet or so off the road rose a mound of fresh turned earth.
Indicating the mound James says, “Must be where they buried the bodies of the guards and drivers.”
“Looks like it,” Miko agrees. “Guess they managed to hook the bandits’ horses up to the wagons and are already on their way to Trademeet.”
“Hope so,” says James. “It shouldn’t take us too much longer to catch up with them, I would think.”
Riding fast, they leave the area of the battle and hurry down the road. They didn’t get far before a lone rider appears on the road ahead approaching them from the east. When he draws near, James slows and greets him, “Good day to you sir.”
The man slows as well and stares suspiciously at James all the while resting his hand upon the pommel of his sword. “Good day to you as well,” the man replies, not relaxing his grip on his sword.
“We were wondering if you could tell us if you had passed a caravan further down the road, heading east?” he asks. “There would have been a man and two women in charge of it.”
“Aye,” the man replies. “I passed a caravan some time earlier this morning. It had an escort of the kings’ soldiers with it, if that be the one you’re referring to.”
“Yes, that would be the one,” James says.
“They are perhaps two hours away, maybe more,” explained the man.
“Thank you sir, you’ve been a great help.” James nods his head in acknowledgement.
The man returns his nod, and begins to relax a little.
“Have a safe journey,” James says to the man as he starts down the road again. Glancing back, he can see that the man remains still as he watches them depart before turning and continues on his way.
“Not a very friendly sort, was he?” Miko asks.
“Alone in the middle of nowhere is not a place to be too trusting,” James explains. “Especially not when you are outnumbered two to one.”
“At lest he let us know they’re not too far ahead.”
“Yes, hopefully we will catch them by nightfall,” James figures.
“That would be nice,” Miko says. “Sheila is kind of cute.”
Looking over at him, James warns, “You better not let Rylin hear you say that.”
“Why? She is cute,” Miko replies defensively.
“I agree that she is cute. However, I believe Rylin is in love with her and you wouldn’t want him to mark you as a rival for her affections,” James cautions.
“I’ll admire her from afar,” Miko states. Seeing the look on James’ face he adds, “Silently.”
“See that you do,” he says, with a little extra emphasis on the word do.
They continue to make good time and shortly before sunset a large camp with many wagons and tents appears alongside the road ahead. When they draw closer, Rylin emerges from the bustle of the camp and comes forward to greet them.
“James! Miko! How glad I am to see you,” he exclaims as he comes up to James and shakes his hand with enthusiasm.
Dismounting, James says, “Sorry we were unable to retrieve your horses, but the bandits joined with a larger force and we couldn’t risk it.”
Joining the conversation, Miko says, “Captain Varos took off after them though. He may return the horses to you.”
“So you ran into the Captain, did you?” Rylin asks. “He was kind enough to offer us an escort into Trademeet and then set off after the bandits. We told him you may be around.”
Walking their horses into camp, James sees Sheila and her mother, Shawna, getting the wagons positioned and the horses taken care of. Some of the soldiers are lending their aid in getting everything situated properly. They tie their horses near the wagons and then walk over to where the ladies are busy removing the last of the tack from the horses.
“Sheila!” Rylin hollers over to her as they approach. She turns and sees him approaching with James and Miko. Placing the tack on the wagon, she turns to her mother and says, “Mother, Look! James and Miko are back.”
Pulling the saddle off the horse, Shawna looks over and gives them a smile in greeting before placing the saddle on the wagon. Giving the horse into the care of one of the soldiers, she comes over to them, saying, “We weren’t sure whether or not we would see you again. I’m glad you made it back safely.”
“We ran into some unforeseen problems,” James said.
With concern on her face she asks, “Like what?”
“The bandits had met with another group and together, were a force too strong for us to be able to do anything,” he explains. “We decided it was too risky to try to retrieve your horses.”
From the area the soldiers had claimed for themselves this evening, a man in uniform with a commanding presence, walks toward them. When he approaches the group, Shawna says, “James, Miko, this is Sergeant Mindol.” Turning to the sergeant, she says, “These are the two who were going after the bandits and attempt to recover our horses.”
“I was wondering who the newcomers were.” Extending his hand toward James, the sergeant says, “Good evening to you sir.”
Taking his hand in a firm grip, James says, “Good evening to you as well.”
“Did you catch up with the bandits?” asks Sergeant Mindol.
“As I was telling them, we did but they had joined with a larger force,” he explains. “We were on our way back when we ran into Captain Varos and told him what was going on. He led his men south and I believe was going to attempt to overtake the bandits.”
“He’s an outstanding captain,” Sergeant Mindol states. “I am sure he will be able to handle any situation he may run into.”
“He did seem rather capable,” Miko joins in. “Didn’t seem the sort to waste any time.”
“That sounds like him,” Sergeant Mindol agrees. Nodding to the ladies, he says, “I just wanted to know who the newcomers were, I must go and see to my men, if you will excuse me?”
“Of course, Sergeant,” Shawna replies.
Sergeant Mindol turns and walks back over to his men, making sure everything is as it’s suppose to be.
Watching him go, Shawna says, “I am glad that Captain Varos could spare him and his men. It makes me feel so much safer, especially since all of our guards were killed.”
“I am sure we will see you safely to Trademeet,” Rylin assures. He looks to James for his agreement but he is unable to give it.
“I’m afraid that Miko and I must continue our journey in the morning,” James explains. “You shouldn’t have any troubles now that you have a professional armed guard escorting you.”
“Yes,” Sheila interjects as she takes Rylin’s arm, “I am sure we have all the protection my mother and I could want.” She lays her head on his shoulder.
Rylin looks a little uncomfortable at the attention, but not altogether unhappy with it either.
Shawna’s face turns dark as she looks at the way her daughter is acting. She says crisply, “Sheila, go and start dinner for us please.”
Lifting her head off Rylin’s shoulder, she replies, “Yes mother.” She gives Rylin’s arm one last squeeze before going over to the wagon and starts gathering together the items she will need in order to prepare dinner.
Looking a little embarrassed, Rylin says, “I should go and check on the horses, make sure they will be alright during the night.” With a slight nod to Shawna, he turns and heads over to where the horses are picketed.
Stepping closer to Shawna, James says, “I take it you don’t approve of what is developing between Rylin and your daughter?”
Giving James a sharp glance which seems to say ‘It’s none of your business’, she says, “I don’t think a hired guard is a suitable match for my daughter, no.”
“What would be?” James asks. Seeing her expression darken, James hurriedly continues, “I mean, Rylin has already proven he would lay his life down for your daughter. Any other man you couldn’t be sure if his words of love are for her or her money.”
Her expression softens slightly as she begins to consider his words. “Rylin would always be there for her and she for him. You’ve seen them together, he loves her and she him. There can be no better foundation for a relationship than that.”
“Maybe,” she says, “but what kind of life is it to be married to a man like that? She should be married to a noble, so she can have servants to make her days easier for her than mine have been for me.”
“Would you have wanted an easier life if it meant not having been with your husband?” he asks her.
Smiling a sad smile, she answers, “No, I wouldn’t.” Chuckling a little she adds, “In fact, my mother was dead set against me marrying him, but I was in love.” Sighing a little, she continues, “We snuck out one night and got married in the next town.”
“Oh, you should have heard my father erupt when he found out what I had done,” she says with a wistful laugh. “We stood our ground and after awhile, they came to understand that we were meant for each other.”
He motions over to the campfire that Sheila has built, “It looks like she’s her mother’s daughter.”
Shawna turns and discovers that Rylin has found his way over to where Sheila is preparing the meal. He sits not far from her sharpening his sword while she slices vegetables for the stew pot. Sheila has a smile, a glow about her that only being near the one you love can bring. Miko found his way over there as well, trying to engage them in conversation, but is being completely ignored.
As she turns toward James, he can see that she now has a look of understanding, “It won’t be easy for them, especially her.”
“Since you will always need guards for you caravans,” James explains, “make him the lead guard and you’ll always have him near. She wouldn’t have to worry about what he is doing, or if he’s getting hurt.”
“Perhaps you are right,” she concedes and then makes her way over to the campfire.
Miko comes over to James and says, “No one is paying me any attention over there.”
James continues to look at Sheila and Rylin as he says to Miko, “They only have eyes for each other.”
“Why don’t we travel with them all the way into Trademeet?” Miko asks him.
“It’ll take too long. Besides, I want to find that temple quickly,” he explains. “There’s a war over there and if it should move north, I would like to be done with what I need to do before it gets there.”
Nodding, Miko says, “I hope we can find it fast.”
“So do I,” agrees James, “so do I.” He then goes over and joins the others by the fire.
After supper, they settle down around the campfire, Rylin and Sheila sit together, sharing a blanket. Shawna’s gaze is no longer one of disapproval, but a wistful one, remembering when she was young and in love with her man.
A strumming of a musical instrument from the soldiers’ area reaches them through the night. They decide that an evening of music would be exactly what they all needed, so they make their way over and join them. They find that one of the soldiers has a mandolin like instrument, upon which he is playing a quick, lively tune. He accompanies it with a deep bass voice, not nearly the caliber of Perrilin’s, but still pleasant to hear. The soldiers make room for them and they spend the rest of the evening listening to the music and socializing with each other.
In the morning after breakfast, James and Miko say their goodbyes and head down the road.