the stars as they watch the night sky slowly darken, until only the light from the fire is all that remains to keep the darkness at bay. The stars form a brilliant pattern in the heavens above. “Look!” Miko cries out as a shooting star leaves a blazing trail across the night sky, slowly dissipating into nothingness.
“That’s an omen,” he says.
“Hardly,” James rebuts. “That is simply a rock falling out of the sky, hitting the atmosphere and the friction caused by its speed through the air burns it up which causes a blazing trail.”
“What?” Miko asks, confused.
Chuckling, James says “It’s just a rock falling out of the sky. There is nothing mystical about it.”
“I don’t know,” Miko insists. “They are supposed to herald that something of import is about to happen or has.”
“For who?” James questions.
“I don’t know, somebody somewhere I suppose,” Miko reasons. “It’s got to mean something.”
Turning on his side, James says, “Not everything has to mean something. Sometimes things occur and that is all there is to it. I am sure that something somewhere is happening to someone that could be called extraordinary. But I am sure that it would be happening even without a sign from above.”
“Don’t you believe in signs and omens?” Miko asks him.
“No, not really,” James explains. “Everything has an explanation, if you just know all the facts about it. It’s when you see only part of whatever is happening that you create mystical and often implausible meanings behind them. I know that rocks are flying through space out there all the time and that they do occasionally fall to earth, creating a blazing trail across the heavens.”
Not looking very convinced, Miko argues, “The gods are always sending omens and portents, we just have to be alert and understand them when they are happening.”
Thinking about magic and the things he’s seen since coming here to this world, he says, “Perhaps you do have a point, and I’ll concede that it may actually be a sign sent from above for a specific purpose. But since we have no way to know what, where, or who, I doubt if it’s going to do us much good.”
“I suppose you’re right about that,” Miko agrees. Changing the subject, he asks, “Are we going to see how Rylin and the women are making out?”
“I think so,” James replies. “At least we will tell them what is happening with their horses. They may get them back if the Captain is successful in battle. At least he knows who they belong to.”
“Do you really think there will be a battle?” Miko asks.
“Perhaps,” James answers. “The Captain can’t just let them get away with attacks on civilians within their borders, so if he thinks he can win the day, then I’m sure he will attack. And if not, then who knows what he will do, maybe send for reinforcements so he can launch a successful attack. We may never know.”
“Think we’ll find what you’re looking for over in Madoc around the Sea of the Gods?” he asks.
“I really don’t know,” James says, “but it is all I have to go on. Hopefully we can find out something more in Trademeet before we head through the pass. Maybe someone there will have some recollection of hearing a story or tale from their grandparents about it. We’ll see.”
Getting up, James goes over to the fire and adds a few more sticks to it then returns to his blanket on the ground. “We better get some sleep, we have a ways to go tomorrow and I’m tired.” He lies down and pulls the blanket over him to keep the coolness of the night away.
“Good night, James,” Miko says.
“You too, Miko,” replies James. They both lie there for a while, just listening to the night and slowly drift off to sleep.
Chapter Nineteen
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.
