The following morning finds James back in the workshop right after breakfast, fully rested. True to his word, Illan takes the training session to the other side of the house, as far away from his window as possible. For the first time in days, James is able to sleep himself out.
Before him on the workbench are two of the crystals from his bag. He plans to use one for his warning system and the other as a possible defensive measure against anyone other than himself touching the box.
He infuses them with the leeching spell and takes them out to the forest where he’ll leave them until tomorrow in order to have them somewhat charged before he begins infusing them with the desired spells. Spells which he still needs to figure out.
The warning system should be fairly easy. Reaching down to the bag of crystals, he pulls out two more. One will be the transmitter and the other a receiver. The transmitter crystal will be set near the box at its final destination. It will sit dormant until at such a time as someone, or something disturbs the box. Then it will send a burst of power which will come to the receiver crystal.
When the burst of power enters the receiver crystal, he’ll have it set up where a dormant spell within the receiver crystal will activate. The crystal will then glow a brilliant red, alerting him that the Fire has been disturbed. Whether he’ll be able to do anything about it at the time is uncertain, but at least he’ll know something’s going on.
He works on trying to come up with exactly the right spells for this to work. By lunchtime they’re pretty much finalized, he just needs to test it. He’s just imbued the crystals with the spells when someone knocks at the workshop door.
“Come in” he hollers and Ezra enters with a plate of sandwiches and a mug of ale.
“Thought you might be busy and I didn’t want you missing any more meals,” she tells him as she puts the food before him on the workbench.
“Thank you,” he says.
Giving him a brief nod and smile, she leaves the workshop and shuts the door behind her.
Taking a sandwich in one hand, he lets each of the crystals leech some power from him until they begin emitting a very soft red glow. Canceling the leeching spells, he then sets about testing his theory.
The receiver crystal has been set with a certain signature that the transmitter will home in on when it sends out its burst of power. When the actual crystal is placed within the box’s final resting place, he’ll fine tune it a little bit more so the power will flow in pretty much the right direction.
Picking up the receiver crystal, he takes it into the house and places it within the money chest sitting in his room. Shutting the lid, he returns back to the workshop. He activates the transmitter crystal and feels a brief tingle as it sends most of the power it has to the receiver crystal. It still has a faint glow within it, he put limits on how much can be expelled by the crystal. Since he won’t have access to the box once it’s hidden, he doesn’t want to run the risk of any crystal becoming completely depleted and cracking.
Leaving the workshop, he heads back to his room and opens the lid. The receiver crystal is now glowing, just as he hoped it would. He cancels the spell on the crystal and the glow disappears. Smiling with great satisfaction, he takes the crystal and leaves his room.
Back in the kitchen he asks Ezra where Miko is and she tells him he’s likely out back with Roland. “Thanks,” he says to her before heading out the back door in search for him. The unmistakable sound of wood being chopped reaches him as he steps outside. He sees them over in the area Roland has been using for splitting logs.
Roland puts a round section of log in front of Miko who then takes the tool they use in these parts for splitting logs and strikes it with all his might, sinking the wedge half deep within the wood. The tool has a long handle just as a regular axe but the head is fashioned differently. On one side is a six inch piece of slightly curved, wedge shaped metal and on the other is a flat block of metal that can be used as a sledge hammer.
Miko lifts the log splitter with the piece of wood still attached and then slams it back down on the stump as hard as he can. When the wood impacts with the stump, the tool sinks into the wood further, splitting it apart. Roland takes the pieces and tosses them over to a large pile of wood that’s already been split into firewood. He then places another round section of log on the stump as Miko readies to swing the log splitter.
“Excuse me,” he says as he approaches.
Miko swings and embeds the wedge side deep within the wood. Before lifting the wood to finish splitting it, he looks over to James and asks, “Care to lend a hand?”
“No, but I could use your help though.”
He again lifts the wood and slams it down on the stump which almost completely splits the piece of wood apart. Taking the wood in his hands, he pries the two pieces apart and tosses the smaller one over to the wood pile before setting the larger piece back on the stump.
“How?” he asks as he strikes the wood again, this time splitting the piece in two with one blow.
“If you can spare him Roland, I need him to ride into town,” James says.
“Sure,” Roland replies as he comes over to take the log splitter from Miko. “Thanks for the help,” he says to Miko.
“No problem,” he says as he follows James over to the stables.
“This won’t take too long,” he assures him. “What I want you to do is ride into town or maybe even past it.” Holding up the receiver crystal he says, “I’m going to try to have this crystal light up from a distance. As you ride, hold this in your hand. When you see light coming from within it, turn around and come on back.”
Seeing the doubt in his eyes as he glances to the crystal, he adds, “It won’t hurt you. You won’t even feel anything.”
“What do you want to do this for?” he asks as he hesitantly takes the crystal.
James almost laughs at the way he’s holding it. You’d think he had a deadly snake or something in his hand. “Just an experiment is all,” he explains. As much as he likes and trusts Miko, there’re just some things he doesn’t need to know about.
“Alright,” he says. “When do you want me to leave?”
“Right now if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Sure, just let me get washed and I’ll saddle my horse,” he tells him.
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” he says. “I plan on letting you ride for an hour or so before the crystal begins to glow. I want to see how well it does over a distance.” He watches a moment while Miko walks over to the washbasin out by the kitchen to clean up before heading back to the workshop. Now for the defense of the Fire.
He mulls it over back at his workbench for several minutes before he hears Miko’s horse racing down the lane. Glancing out the window, he sees him turning out of the lane and heading into town. Turning back to his work, he continues contemplating the best types of defensive spells he could put in the crystal.
The spells can’t be such that they may pose a risk to the box or the Fire. They need to be more selective, but powerful enough to thwart any attempt to steal it. Of course the spells should be tailored to the environment where the Fire will be as well. Somehow incorporating the strengths of the area where it will lie to aid in its defense.
Throughout the rest of the day, he comes up with ideas and then scraps them. Nothing seems to work the way he plans. He takes a short break for dinner but then is right back to work afterward. When the light outside begins to fade, Ezra comes out and places a couple candles in his workshop to give him light to work by. So engrossed is he in what he’s doing that he barely even realizes she’s placed the candles until long after she’s left.
Finally, exhausted and mentally fatigued, he looks at the defensive crystal sitting before him. All the spells he thinks he needs are infused within. All it’ll take now is to power the crystal and then finally activate the dormant spells within once the Fire is properly hidden.
Getting up from his workbench, he stretches and begins to head to his room where he intends to crash hard. Almost to the door to the kitchen, he abruptly stops as a thought suddenly occurs to him. Miko! I forgot all about him!
It must be well over five hours since he sent him off to check on the receiver crystal. Rushing back to his workshop, he finds the crystal and activates it. He feels a short tingle as it sends its signal to the receiver crystal.
Feelings of guilt fill him as he leaves the workshop and heads to his room. Poor Miko, wonder how far he’d gotten.
The town of Osgrin had long since disappeared behind him when the crystal finally begins emitting the light James had told him about. Finally! Bringing his horse to a stop, he pauses as he looks at the crystal in his hand. A soft reddish glow is coming from deep within it. Wonder how he does that?
Putting the glowing crystal in his pack, he turns his horse around and heads back to Osgrin. An hour, indeed. Been more like five! Miko’s starving and figures James is just going to have to wait a little bit longer. He plans on finding an inn somewhere in Osgrin where he can have a bite to eat before heading back. If he didn’t think James would want to know about his crystal, he would get a room and head out in the morning.
The lights of Osgrin appear ahead of him out of the dark and when he passes the outskirts he comes across a two story building with a sign depicting a pig on a spit roasting over a fire.
A wonderfully delicious aroma is coming from the building, roast pork is what it smells like. Stopping in front, he ties his horse to one of the rails outside and makes his way through the front door.
The place is packed and the only table left to him is all the way in the back, a small table only large enough for one or two people. He signals one of the serving girls on his way over and she arrives shortly after he takes his seat.
“Welcome to the Cooked Hog” she greets him, a warm smile upon her face. “My name’s Celia. Is there anything I can get for you?”
“I’d like some of whatever it is that smells so good,” he tells her. “And a mug of ale, too.”
“What you’re smelling is our specialty, roast pig,” she tells him. “It’s only half a silver and comes with some vegetables as well as a half loaf of bread.”
“Perfect,” he says as he hands over the coins.
Taking the money, she says, “Back in a moment.”
He sits back and looks out over the other patrons as he waits for his meal. Sitting around the table next to him are five men, mercenaries by the looks of them. Scattered throughout the common room are others, perhaps ten in all. Most likely they’re guards from some caravan who’s stopped here in Osgrin for the night.
Celia comes out of the kitchen a minute later bringing over his meal. She sets a large plate with sizzling slices of roast pork before him, their juices running all over the plate. Arrayed around the edges of the plate are several of the favorite local tubers everyone seems to like. On the table next to it, she places half loaf of bread and his mug of ale. “Is there anything else you’d be requiring?” she asks.
Taking out his knife and grabbing the fork which had been supplied, he cuts off a large slice. Shaking his head, he stuffs the pork in his mouth as she turns and walks away. The juice runs down his chin and he wipes it off with his arm. Taking the bread, he discovers it’s still warm as he tears off a chunk and dips it in the juice on the plate before eating it. He never did that before until he saw James do it one time. Ever since, he’s rarely eaten just plain bread.
From the table of mercenaries next to him, he hears something that makes his blood run cold. One of them just spoke in the Empire’s language before the mercenary sitting next to him stops him.
“Not here,” the other man whispers. “Use only their tongue!”
“Right,” the first man says.
Miko glances over to them while trying to appear that he isn’t. Now that he’s paying closer attention to them, he can easily tell they’re from the south. The slight darkening of the skin and their facial characteristics all say they’re from the Empire. They’re not as prominent in these men as in others he had been around when he was in the Empire and would most likely not be noticed with just a cursory look. But after what he had been through, he’s not likely ever to mistake them again.
James. They must be here after James. He continues eating, more slowly this time and tries to listen to their conversations. Most of what they’re saying is barely audible and he can only make out fragments of what they’re saying.
“…just to the north of here…”
“…will kill him. That’s what…”
“…soon. Maybe tomorrow, not sure…”
“…get it done and return home where…”
They’re here to kill James! He wolfs down the rest of his meal quickly and takes the bread with him to eat on the road. Getting up from the table, he tries not to make eye contact with the men as he moves past them toward the door.
A hand grabs his arm and he almost pulls out his sword before he realizes it’s Celia. She looks expectantly at him as she asks, “Wouldn’t you like to stay around a little longer?”
“What?” he asks her, confused.
“I get off in an hour,” she explains, giving him a look that stirs his blood. “We could go somewhere if you like.”
“Sorry,” he says as he removes her hand from his arm. “But I really have to be going.” Turning back to the door, he leaves a very disappointed Celia behind as he exits the Cooked Hog. Untying his horse, he quickly mounts and gallops out of Osgrin. He’s got to return to The Ranch and warn James!
Three and a half hours later, the lane leading to The Ranch appears before him. In the moonlight he’s able to make out the recently erected guard shack next to where the lane begins. As he approaches, a shadow detaches itself from within the guard shack and suddenly, a lantern’s shutter is opened, bathing him in light.
“Miko!” he hears Uther’s voice exclaim as the lantern’s light turns away from him. “Didn’t think you would be returning till morning.”
“We’ve got trouble,” he tells him and then gives him a brief rundown of what he overheard back in Osgrin. “You’d better keep extra alert.”
“I will, and thanks,” he tells him.
Kicking his horse, he races down the lane to the house. Not bothering to tie his horse, he jumps down and rushes inside and slams open James’ bedroom door.
Startled awake, James wakes to find Miko framed in his doorway. Figuring him to be mad about having him ride for hours, he begins to say, “Miko, glad you made it back. “Sorry about…”
Interrupting him, Miko says, “James, there’re men from the Empire in Osgrin!”
Sitting up, all thoughts of having forgotten about Miko earlier vanish. “What?” he exclaims. “When?”
Roland comes to the door behind Miko and asks, “What’s going on?”
“Miko says there’re men from the Empire down in Osgrin,” he explains to him.
“Are you sure?” Roland asks.
“Absolutely,” he replies. “After the time I’ve spent around them, I can recognize their speech.”
About this time, Illan and the others show up with their weapons. “Uther just came and told us we’re about to be attacked,” he says.
“Everyone quiet!” James shouts. All talking ceases as they turn their attention to James. “Now,” he says to Miko, “tell us what happened?”
Miko runs through the whole story, trying not to leave out even the most insignificant detail. When he’s done, he glances from one face to another and then settles on James. “What are we going to do?” he asks.
“Illan?” James asks, looking at the veteran soldier.
“Since we know the are coming, we can be prepared,” he says. “That’s half the battle.” To Jorry he says, “Wake up the new recruits and send them out into the forest, tell them what’s going on and to keep their eyes open. After that, join Uther out by the road. One by the shack, and the other a little ways away so if they come down the road, they won’t see both of you.”
“Right!” he says as he bolts down the hallway to the front door.
Turning to Miko, he asks, “You say there were ten of them?”
“There were five at the table next to me,” he tells him. “I saw another five scattered throughout the inn.”
“So ten,” he says. “With the element of surprise gone, we should be able to take them on with no trouble.” To Jiron he says, “Take a horse into town, if you don’t find them on the road then head on into Osgrin and see if you can locate them. They probably haven’t left Osgrin yet and with any luck, they’ll stay the night there and not head out till morning.”
“They were at the Cooked Hog,” Miko tells him. “They may be staying the night there.”
“Thanks,” he says as he hurries out to the stable to get his horse.
“What should the rest of us do?” asks Roland.
“Nothing much else to do until we know where they are,” he says. “Go back to bed.”
“But how can I sleep knowing we could be attacked at any minute?”
Giving him an exasperated look, Illan turns to James and says, “You stay here, get some sleep if you can. You too Miko, you’re dead on your feet now. You’ll be no use in a fight if you’re too tired.”
“What about you?” James asks.
“I’ll be outside, keeping an eye on everything,” he tells him. “Don’t worry about a thing, we’ll know if something’s about to happen before it does.”
“If you say so,” Miko says as he goes to try to get some sleep.
Illan hurries to get his armor on and then goes outside where James can hear him barking out orders to those patrolling the woods. Returning to his bed, he lies there thinking about the upcoming attack. At least they know what’s going on first this time. Maybe it wasn’t just chance that had him forgetting about Miko? Perhaps another had taken a hand in it? His mind finally calms down enough so he can fall back asleep.
He wakes early the next morning and gets out of bed fast. Leaving his room, he finds out that nothing out of the ordinary has happened during the night. Jiron hasn’t returned yet and that has Illan worried.
“Should we send someone after him?” he asks Illan when he learns Jiron has yet to return.
“Can’t afford to,” he says. “Should they launch an attack here, we’ll need everyone we have.”
“You’re right of course,” admits James.
“I’m going to start rotating them in for some rest and food,” Illan tells him as he heads out to the woods and the new recruits on patrol there.
Worry for Jiron still nags at him so he goes out to his workshop where he gets his mirror. Laying it out in front of him on his workbench, he concentrates on Jiron. As the image begins to coalesce, he sees him riding his horse hard along a road. Enlarging the view, he’s still unable to determine exactly where he is. Probably on his way here.
Putting the mirror away, he leaves the workshop and sees Jace coming in out of the forest. Moving to intercept him, he asks, “Is Illan still out in the forest?”
Jace looks at him, brown eyes widening at being addressed by him. Pushing aside the lock of hair that’s forever curling down in front of his face, he replies, “I think so.”
“Thanks,” he tells him then heads into the forest.
He finds Illan further in where he’s talking with Errin. When he sees James coming, he says one last thing to Errin before she heads off into the forest. He then turns and walks toward James.
“Jiron’s on the road, riding hard,” James informs him. “Couldn’t determine exactly where though.” As Illan comes abreast of him, James turns and walks with him out of the forest. “I’m thinking he’s coming back here to give us word about the mercenaries.”
“Most likely,” Illan agrees. “We’ll know soon enough. When he returns, we’ll have a better idea what’s going on and then we’ll know what we’re going to need to do.”
As they exit the forest, they see Ezra standing out by the kitchen door. When she sees them, she signals for them that breakfast is ready. James gives her a nod and heads over there.
“I’ll be along in a few minutes,” Illan tells him. “I just need to find Moyil and then I’ll join you.”
“Alright,” James says. Illan angles away from him to proceed around the house as they draw near. The sound of hammering can be heard from the construction sight as the builders resume working on the house. He wonders if it’s a good idea to have them here with what may be coming their way. Perhaps it’s better to give the appearance of normalcy so the attackers won’t think they’re ready for them.
Entering the kitchen, he finds Jace, Orry and Devin seated at the table, first time any of the recruits have sat there. They’re all waiting for him, Ezra must’ve already instructed them in the proper etiquette when eating at the master’s table. Once he’s seated and has begun to spoon eggs on his plate, they begin grabbing serving bowls and platters.
“Seen anything?” he asks them after swallowing his first bite.
“Nothing,” replies Devin.
“What’s going on exactly?” Orry asks.
Glancing at him, James replies, “I’ve made some enemies and we’ve gotten word some may be on their way to try to kill me.”
“That’s dumb,” Jace exclaims.
“Why is that dumb?” James asks him.
“Trying to kill a mage, I mean,” he says. “One spell from you and they’re toast.” The other recruits nod their heads at what he said.
“It’s not as easy as that,” he explains to them. Just then, the door opens up and Illan walks in. “Did you find him?” he asks him.
Illan takes his seat and while he begins filling his plate, he replies, “Yes I did, everyone’s accounted for.” He glances around the table and when he doesn’t see Miko, asks, “Is he still sleeping?
James nods his head. “He was up pretty late last night.”
Just then, they hear the sound of a horse racing down the lane toward the house. “Jiron!” he exclaims as he comes to his feet and practically runs through the front room to the door. He hurries outside as Jiron brings his horse to a stop.
Dismounting, Jiron comes over to him and says, “I found them.”
“Where?” Illan asks from the doorway before James can get the words out.
“They spent the night in Osgrin and headed out this morning,” he tells them. “It didn’t seem that they were in all that much of a hurry, though. When I saw they were taking the road to Trendle, I came back as fast as I could.”
“How many were there?”
James motions him to come inside as he answers. “Twenty one. The party that left Osgrin had eighteen men at arms as well as two wagons. Couldn’t tell what was in the wagons, but one was being driven by a single man, the other had a man and a woman.”
“A woman?” Illan asks as they return to the kitchen where they all take their seats at the table.
“Yeah,” Jiron replies as he begins helping himself to the food. “She didn’t have the look of a fighter.”
“Maybe a mage?” James asks.
Shrugging, Jiron says, “Maybe.”
“I want you and young Devin here to go back and find them,” Illan tells Jiron. “If anything develops that we need to know about, send Devin back.”
Devin gets an excited look in his eye when he hears that he’ll be going with Jiron on a ‘mission’.
Turning to James, Illan continues, “I think we should stand everyone down seeing as how an attack is not imminent.”
“You know best,” he says.
The rest of the meal goes fairly quickly, Jiron hurries and eats so he can return to find them. As soon as Devin is done, Illan has him go out to the stable and get two horses saddled and ready for when Jiron is finished eating.
After Devin’s left, James says to Jiron, “You be careful.”
“I will,” he assures him. “They’ve probably not come too far along by now, the wagons are going to slow them down. They’re most likely going to reach Trendle sometime before nightfall.” Scooping up the last of the food from his plate, he stands up and makes to leave.
“Good luck,” Illan says to him.
“Thanks,” he replies and then goes outside to where Devin sits on his horse waiting for him. Once mounted, they quickly ride down the lane to the road where they break into a gallop as they head toward the advancing party.