where he sits by the tent flap. When Brother Willim appears to not understand he says, “The slaves.”
His head nods as understanding dawns on him.
“We have never intended to face the brunt of their forces,” explains James. “We are simply here to create unrest, do some damage so they will pull their forces from Madoc in an attempt to get rid of us.”
“But there will be very few slaves who know how to fight,” Brother Willim says.
Miko nods his head and says, “True. But you don’t need much skill to wield a crossbow, the preferred weapon of slavers. You have a couple hundred bolts flying toward a mass of soldiers and no matter how inept the crossbowmen are, it’s bound to be devastating.”
“Korazan is a big city,” Illan says, drawing every eye to him. “We aren’t necessarily planning on taking it, just the slaver compound on the outskirts. If the opportunity presents itself, we may do more but that will be determined when we get there.”
Delia glances from Jiron and James. “You both have been planning this since we were last there haven’t you?” she asks.
“Slavery is abhorrent,” James replies. “And yes, when I first thought to enter the Empire to draw their forces back to the Empire, I wanted to make a stop there to free what slaves I could.”
“They deserve no mercy!” blurts out Miko who lived as a slave for a time. The horrors he witnessed during his slavery still haunt him at times.
“How can one who bears the Star say that?” questions Brother Willim. “We priests are here to serve men, not kill them.”
Miko turns his attention to him and says, “Be that as it may, no slaver should ever be allowed to live and propagate their trade.” He glares at Brother Willim a moment then continues. “Besides, I’m not a priest in the strictest sense of the word and I have no compunction whatsoever about the death of a slaver.” Ever since he first came to possess the Star, his vocabulary has changed slightly. Words he never before used have begun to creep in.
Brother Willim gazes into his eyes a moment and then shakes his head sadly.
“I concur,” adds Jiron. His sister Tersa had been a slave for a time and to him that deserves some payback.
“Where do we go after Korazan?” Delia asks.
James glances to Illan and then says, “Illan will take the slaves and his Raiders back to Madoc. The rest of us will proceed a little further into the Empire. With any luck we’ll draw all the magical types after us, leaving only the ordinary soldiery for Illan to contend with.”
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“I’ll tell you that once we split with Illan,” he says. “Too many things may happen between here and there and I wouldn’t want one of us to be captured and interrogated.” When he sees the worry in her eyes, he adds, “Don’t worry, that isn’t likely to happen.”
“I hope not,” she says, worried.
“The force behind us seems content merely to follow along behind us,” Illan states. Then to Ceadric he says, “Be sure to post extra sentries through the night. We don’t want to be taken by surprise.”
“Already done,” he replies.
“Good,” says Illan.
The meeting breaks up and they each file out of James’ tent to see about the respective men under their command. Delia hangs back, remaining inside after everyone else has left.
“Shouldn’t you go and see about your people?” James asks her.
“In a moment I will,” she replies. Standing there by the tent flap she can’t help but notice how much James has changed from the man whom she and the others first met after the fall of the City of Light. He’s so much more sure and confident of himself and his abilities.
“Are you sure going to Korazan is the smartest thing to do?” she asks.
“What?” he asks in reply.
“I mean, could this be simply a way to get back at the slavers for the part they played in the death of your friend Dave?”
Sitting down on the edge of his cot, he sighs and looks up at her. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t. Yes, I want retribution. Yes, I blame them at least in part for what happened to Dave.”
Dave, his friend from back home who managed to follow him through to this world. Ravaged and tormented, soul twisted until he became the willing accomplice in the Empire’s attempt to steal the Star of Morcyth when James discovered it, only to be consumed when he laid hands upon it. Anger still smolders within him at those responsible.
“But there’s more to it than just that,” he continues after a brief pause. “The economy of the Empire is based on the slave trade. Striking a blow at a major slave marketplace such as Korazan can only weaken it. There may be no immediate results, but the long term effect could hurt them in some way.”
“I see,” she tells him, still not entirely believing his rationale. “Well, see you in the morning.”
“You too Delia,” he says as she lifts the tent flap and leaves.
Devin pokes his head in once she’s left and asks, “Anything else sir?”
“No, Devin,” he replies. “I’ll be fine. See you in the morning.”
Nodding, Devin backs out and closes the flap.
Getting ready to sleep, James thinks about what Delia had said. Their whole society is based on the slave trade and if it were to be in jeopardy, they would have to do something or face economic ruin. With any luck, they’ll recognize that.
Lying down, he goes over in his mind the plan for the days ahead and fervently hopes it will be enough to not only draw their forces out of Madoc but also to enable them to return to Madoc once it’s done. Eventually though, sleep wins out and he passes into unconsciousness.
“ Which one, which one?” he mumbles to himself as he glances around the midway. A single ticket is clutched in his hand and he wants to make sure he doesn’t waste it. Seeing a roller coaster off to one side, he makes his mind up and heads toward it.
As he makes his way through the various stalls and rides where the carnies are shouting out their various pitches to entice him to visit whatever they are in charge of, he has the feeling that he’s been here before.
“ Probably resembles one I’ve been to back home,” he reasons.
The coaster is currently moving upon the rails, traveling with incredible speed as it twists and turns first up one way then down the other. The thrill of it surges through him as he hurries to be the first in line.
Upon reaching the front of the line, he realizes he’s the only one who will be riding on the next turn. Thinking this odd, he turns and glances back over the midway and realizes that except for himself, the only others there at the carnival are the carnies. Not thinking anymore about it, he stands there and waits for the coaster to finish its run.
It makes a final loop and then begins to head in to the loading dock. Before it has a chance to come to a stop, he catches a glimpse of golden hair out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head he finds a golden haired girl making her way past the roller coaster.
“ Ready sir?” the carnie asks once the coaster comes to a stop.
“ What?” he asks, tearing his gaze from the girl as he turns back to the carnie.
“ Are you ready to ride?” the carnie asks. He stands there at the edge of the coaster and holds the restraining bar up so James can enter the car.
He makes to hand his ticket to the carnie when the sight of the golden haired girl once again draws his attention. Just as the carnie is about to take the ticket, he snatches his hand back and says, “Maybe later.” Turning around, he runs back through the waiting area for the ride and moves to follow her.
She’s made her way to a ride on the edge of the carnival and is getting into a boat. Before he can reach her, the boat she’s in begins to move down the narrow waterway and toward the opening of the Tunnel of Love.
Again the feeling of being here before comes over him. Not knowing why he feels the need to catch the girl, only that he must, he races after her and comes to the carnie in charge of the ride. Handing the man his ticket, he takes a seat in the waiting boat and is soon on his way toward the opening.
The golden haired girl has already entered the tunnel and he can barely make her out in the darkness within. A large heart with two white lights is upon the wall just within the entrance. The light coming from the two lights
