of his horse and quickly swings himself up. Without a word, they both kick their steeds into quick motion as they race for the way out of the courtyard.
As they near, Orlander and his bunch show up. “Don’t stop!” Jiron cries and they both hug their horses’ neck as they ride through the group.
Orlander and the others have to dive out of the way in order to avoid being trampled by the charging horses. When he gets to his feet, Orlander yells “I’ll kill you both if it’s the last thing I do!”
Leaving them behind, the two riders race through town following the western road leading to the mountains. “Let’s rejoin the others,” James tells him.
“I’m for that,” he replies. Behind them the glow which was once Orlander’s tavern lights the night.
Once they are again within the beginnings of the pass, they slow their speed. They don’t ride very far before Jiron asks, “Do you think the Empire’s men are still around?”
“Never know,” James replies. “Best if we kept an eye out.”
“Next time around should my horse become skittish I’ll be more careful,” he says, remembering the creatures they fought not too long ago.
Nodding, James says, “You got that right.”
As they ride the sky begins to lighten with the coming of the dawn.
Two hours after leaving the town behind, the thunder of approaching riders begins to be heard coming from the pass. Deciding discretion may be the wisest course at this time, they edge off the road and hide within a copse of trees.
Just as they gain the cover of the trees, the horsemen reach them and thunder past.
“Fifer!” James exclaims at the departing riders as he quickly returns to the road.
The rider in the rear turns around to glance back and cries out, “It’s James!” Miko stops his horse and turns back, the others following suit.
“What the hell happened?” Uther asks as they come close.
“A lot,” Jiron replies. “Sure am glad to see you guys.”
“Where did you get the horses?” James asks Fifer as he pulls up next to him.
Nodding back the way they came he says, “Back a ways. We were hurrying to follow you when a couple soldiers from the Empire suddenly appeared in the road ahead of us. Seems they were coming from a hard to see trail and must not have seen us. When they finally saw us, a cry went up and one of them fired a crossbow but fortunately failed to hit.”
“Yeah,” interjects Uther, “after that we charged and took them out. From the looks of them they had already seen some action, bandaged as they were.”
Nodding, Fifer looks to James and says, “Some were even sporting severe burns.”
“We saw the explosion,” Dave says, not wishing to be left out of the conversation. “What happened?”
“Let’s find a spot off the road where we’ll not be observed and I’ll tell you,” he says to them.
Turning off the road, they move through the trees until they find a suitable clearing where they can rest without those passing on the road finding them. Once settled in, James and Jiron take turns in describing all the events which transpired since they left the others.
At the description of the creatures, Dave asks, “Hell hounds?”
“Possibly,” answers James. “Water and ice affected them where cold iron didn’t.”
“That’s not good,” he says, worried.
“I know. If they have those, what else can they have to throw at us?” James gives his friend a knowing look. Dave nods silently.
“We should stay here and rest,” Qyrll states. Everyone looks to him as he continues, “We haven’t had rest for two days and you two look dead on your feet. If the Empire should show up again, we’ll need to be at our best to survive.”
“Orlander’s bunch too,” adds Jiron.
“Exactly,” he agrees.
“It would probably be best to pass through Illion at night anyway,” says James. “Orlander may have people watching for us.”
Several heads, several tired heads nod in agreement. Breaking out what little rations the Empire’s men had on their horses, they have a quick, cold meal. Eating in silence, each ponders the events of the last several days and wonders just what may lie ahead for them.
After they’ve finished eating and Qyrll is set to take first watch, Miko suddenly asks, “Did you find out about Ironhold?”
“What?” asks James. Then understanding hits and he says, “Damn! I was there and forgot to ask.” He glances to Jiron who just shrugs with a slight grin.
“You going back?” Fifer asks.
“We have to know where it is,” he replies. “If anyone around here would know, it’ll be the Renlon’s. I mean they’re in the iron business and all.”
“True,” agrees Jorry.
“Do you think that’s wise?” asks Dave. At that, grumbling can be heard and ‘coward’ is mentioned by more than one. Giving them an annoyed glance, he looks to his friend.
“No,” James says, flashing the others a looks saying to knock it off. “But I have to get to Ironhold. Since we don’t know where it is, I have to go back and find out.”
“I see,” Dave replies with a worried expression. To him things seem to be spiraling out of control and he doesn’t wish to lose his only friend in this world.
“Let’s get some rest while we can,” Fifer says and they all settle down for sleep. Qyrll takes first watch and moves closer to the road where he can better keep an eye on those using it.
An hour into his watch, Qyrll hears horses coming up the road from the direction of Illion. Hunkering down lower behind a large bush, he watches as seven horsemen gallop past on their way up to the pass. From his vantage point, they don’t look like soldiers from the Empire. He figures they may be part of that bunch with Orlander James had told them about. They’re soon out of sight and the sound of their hooves becomes fainter until finally disappearing.
Chapter Twenty Five
Securing their horses near the outskirts of Illion they slowly make their way into town, all the while keeping alert for any who may be looking for them.
James, Miko and Fifer walk at a steady pace in an attempt to avoid attracting attention. The others are waiting further from town along the road to the pass for their return. It had been decided for James to take Miko and Fifer with him instead of Jiron this time. Jiron had complained but Fifer told him that Orlander will be looking for two men, not three. Also, Jiron may be recognized which could only confound the situation.
James pulls the hood of the cloak tighter around his head to keep his face from being seen clearly. Though it’s dark he doesn’t want to take the chance. Before they left the others, Qyrll had given him his cloak saying it would help him to avoid being spotted.
As they pass through the streets, they take notice of a crowd gathered around a man standing next to a building ahead of them, bathed in the light of a nearby lantern.
“War is coming!” the man cries.
“We know that,” one man replies.
James slows as they come near the crowd. The man looks like some crazy guy, like one of those who would stand on the street corner in those old movies and hold signs saying ‘Repent!’
The crowd seems more amused by the man than actually taking him seriously. “The Empire isn’t moving any further until spring,” another says to him. “We have awhile before we need worry about them.”
“The Empire is but the finger of the true enemy!” he cries to the crowd. “He shall rain fire down and all will be consumed.” Gesticulating wildly, he begins rocking from one foot to the other.
“James,” Miko says.
