of moss hanging from the underside of one of the trees that is relatively dry and is using that as the base for the kindling.
Taking out his flint, he strikes a couple sparks and then gently blows as he tries to coax a fire to life. At first a small amount of smoke appears, then a fire catches and begins to consume the moss. Putting several smaller relatively dry pieces on, he gradually gets a fair sized fire going.
When Miko and the others return with a small game animal, the fire is going well and enough firewood has been gathered to last through the evening. By the time the animal is roasting over the fire, the sky has grown dark and the occasional baying of wolves can be heard from the nearby mountains.
Dave appears to be doing better, his jovial mood having returned which soothes the worries James has had over his friend. If there was a way to get him home, he would send him there in a heartbeat. As for himself, ever since Dave raised the question as to whether he wanted to return home or not, he’s begun to wonder.
Despite the ruggedness of this world and the small fact that several groups out there are bent upon his destruction, he rather likes the life he’s living. And Dave’s right, here he is someone. Back home he’s just another teen looking for a job with little prospects for a future, job market being what it is and all.
Do I really want to go home? No, I don’t think I really do. It surprises him that he thinks that way, there are many things from back home he misses. His family for one, sure they were a bother, but whose family isn’t? They loved and cared for him and he hates what they may be going through on account of his disappearance. He wouldn’t mind returning briefly if for no other reason than to put their minds at ease.
Computers. Man does he miss his computer and all the games. Aside from reading, that was the one thing he really liked to do. Empire building was his favorite type of game and it occurs to him he may have inadvertently been doing the same thing here.
Starting out with nothing, he now has a place to live, a small army and enough money to do what he wants. However, the stakes of the game have changed. Where before on his computer he was out for either world domination by conquest or for accumulation of wealth, here he wishes to simply be left alone. Of course that doesn’t look as if it’s going to happen for quite some time.
When it’s time to bed down for the night, he finds a spot under a tree which will afford some protection from the rain should it begin again in the night. Dave takes a spot close to him and is soon out. The others take turns at watch throughout the night, they don’t bother James with it and they don’t trust Dave to do it.
Uther has the first watch and his moving around the camp is the last thing James sees before succumbing to sleep.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning they rise to another dismal day of rain. The tree under which James had spent the night kept most of the rain from him though he is still slightly damp from what did reach him. A quick breakfast and they’re on their way.
Several hours after they leave the last of the sisters behind, they come to a small community situated at a crossroads. Not much more than an inn and a chandler’s shop, they continue on through, taking the road heading to the northeast. Just before they pass the last of the buildings, Uther pauses and asks one of the locals how far it is to the pass.
“You should reach the town of Feld in a couple hours,” the man tells him. “It lies just before where the road begins its climb up into the mountains.”
“Thank you,” Uther says and then they continue along the road out of town.
“We should make Feld in time for the noon meal,” Jorry announces.
“Might be a good time to find out what to expect before we start through the pass,” James says. “Whether we should expect trouble or not.”
“We should always expect trouble,” states Jiron. “As soon as we become complacent and think we’re safe, that’s likely when the Empire or others will strike.”
Sighing, James nods his head and says, “You’re right.”
They make good time, but the road is fast becoming a muddy mess and they all have a coating of mud from where the horses have kicked it up on them. Jiron isn’t as bad as the others since he rides point for the most part.
The road continues to follow the base of the mountains and as the miles pass, the trees become increasingly denser. When noon has come and gone, and Uther has begun to complain about the lack of sustenance in his stomach, the town of Feld finally appears through the trees ahead of them.
They find an inn and after securing their horses, make their way inside. The inn is fairly clean and orderly, they find an empty table to the side of the room large enough to accommodate them all. A serving girl comes over once they’ve taken their seats and soon has them all set with a platter of their special, roast squirrel. Bread and a few vegetables, as well as ale, rounds out the rest of the meal.
Two men who have the look of locals are seated at the table next to them. James turns in their direction and says, “Good day gentlemen.”
They glance at him but make no other comment.
“We are planning on heading through the pass,” he tells them. “Would either of you know how the conditions up there are?”
One of the men, the older of the two nods his head and says, “This time of year it shouldn’t be too bad, the snows have yet to fall. That usually doesn’t happen for another month or so.” His friend grunts in agreement.
“How long will it take to make it through?” Miko asks.
“Two days, roughly,” the younger of the two states. “But we’ve heard tales of travelers being accosted going through lately.”
“Accosted?” James asks. “As in robbers?”
“That’s right,” the older gentleman replies. “Not everyone who goes through is troubled however.” He eyes their group a moment and then adds, “I doubt if anyone would bother a group such as yours.”
“True,” agrees the younger. “It looks like you know how to take care of yourselves.”
“We appreciate the information,” James tells him.
“No problem,” the older man says. “Good luck.” He then turns back to his meal.
“He’s right you know,” Jorry says. “No one in their right mind would tackle a group such as ours.”
“Especially not one with as scary mug as you’ve got,” Uther says with a grin.
Jorry gives him an annoyed look before breaking into a grin himself.
All through the meal, James takes notice of a couple sitting near them, a young man and woman. Neither of them could be more than sixteen or seventeen. From the way they sit close to one another, it makes him think they may be newlyweds. She keeps laying her head on his shoulder and snuggling close.
Once lunch is over and they begin heading to their horses, the couple gets to their feet as well and follows them out. When they’re outside the inn, the young man approaches and says, “Excuse me.”
They all stop and turn toward him. “Yes?” asks James.
The girl is attached to his arm as he says nervously, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with those other gentlemen.” His eyes flick first to James then to the others, finally coming to rest back on James. “Am I to understand you are planning on taking the road through the pass?”
“That’s right,” he replies. “Why?”
Jiron draws close as do the others which only makes the man more nervous. The girl says, “Maybe we shouldn’t bother them, dear.” She pulls on his arm as if she wants to move away.
Turning to her he pats her arm and says, “It’s alright.” Then to James he asks, “We were wondering if you would allow us to accompany you over the pass. It’s just the two of us and I’m afraid of what might happen if we go it alone, what with all the talk of troubles.”
James glances to Jiron and Miko who both shrug, Dave gives an emphatic negative shake of his head. “Are you ready to leave right now?” he asks once he’s returned his attention back to the couple.
Bobbing his head, the young man asks, “Yes sir. Our wagon is around back.” The girl doesn’t look very happy about this but will not gainsay her man.
