the same time.
“She really does like him,” Errin states.
“I know,” replies Delia. “We were talking about just that thing a few days ago. He only needed to be shown the way.”
“Just hope he doesn’t make a mess of it,” says Errin.
“Of course he will, he’s a man,” Delia says and then turns to Errin with a grin. “They can’t help themselves.”
At that they break out into soft laughter at the expense of all males everywhere.
Throughout the rest of the day they continue to push on toward Korazan. James periodically checks the surrounding area for any hostiles which may be on an intercept course. But other than the odd traveler, there doesn’t appear to be anyone around. Just after their midday break to give the horses a breather, he discovers that the force they ambushed back at the road is once again on the move after them, though half a day behind. Now augmented by the foot soldiers that have caught up with them from Al-Zynn, they outnumber them by more than two to one. On the plus size, in order to keep their two forces together, they have to travel at the speed of the foot soldiers which is greatly less than a horse and thus will continue to fall further behind.
“If they get too close we’ll have to slow them down again,” James states.
Nodding, Illan replies, “At the rate they’ll be moving, it isn’t likely going to be a problem.”
Occasionally their scouts report forces on the move which James readily finds once he knows where to look. They’re never more than a score or two and none are heading in their direction.
By the end of the day, he’s able to at last see Korazan in his mirror. Still hours away, if they travel a couple more hours by nightfall, they will be within striking distance for the following morning.
At this point, Illan begins sending out groups of eight riders whose purpose is to find and detain anyone who might raise the alarm. If they can strike with surprise in the morning they’ll not lose as many men.
“There’s a force of men camped on the north side of town,” James tells Illan.
“How many?” he asks.
He studies the image a moment then says, “A couple hundred.” He glances over to him and adds, “Most are foot soldiers.”
“Good,” he states. Turning to where Ceadric rides just behind them, he waves him closer. “Time to send them in.”
Ceadric nods and moves further back into the column. Shortly after that two riders, wearing the regular garb of those living in the Empire, detach themselves and race for Korazan. Dressed as one of them, these two men will attempt to find out strengths and deployments before the morning’s attack. James felt very fortunate to discover that several of the Raiders had a working knowledge of the Empire’s tongue.
When the scouts report that Korazan lies about two hours away, Illan calls a halt. Cold rations and no fires is the order this night. No chances will be taken that might alert anyone as to their whereabouts.
While waiting for Devin to bring him his dinner, James takes out his mirror and does one final check. The force pursuing them still remains far behind and isn’t looking as if they are going to catch up to them any time soon. Elsewhere it still looks like nothing else is heading their way.
“You okay?” Jiron asks as he approaches.
Looking up, James sees him carrying two plates of food, he hands one to him. Taking the offered food, he says, “Just worried.”
Jiron sits on the ground opposite him. “Aren’t we all?” he questions as he takes a bite. “We aren’t exactly in a safe environment.”
“It isn’t that,” he explains. “Remember when we were on the way to rescue Miko, the whole area seemed to be practically teeming with soldiers.” When he sees Jiron nod he adds, “Now there doesn’t appear to be anyone around. It feels like they are up to something.”
“Perhaps,” he says through a mouthful of food. “It could also be that most of their forces are either in Madoc or over to the east taking on the Kirkens. Keep in mind too that since I met you, you’ve managed to reduce the numbers of their army by quite a lot.”
“Still, it just doesn’t feel right,” he insists. They eat in silence a moment while they each mull it over.
“What are you doing here?” Delia asks as she joins them.
“What?” asks James.
“Not you,” she replies and then points to Jiron, “him.”
James arcs an eyebrow at him and grins. He knows what she’s talking about.
“That poor girl is sitting there all alone and here you are,” she says accusingly. Turning her head, she draws Jiron’s gaze over to where Aleya sits by herself. Her head turns briefly in their direction when she takes notice looking her way, then returns to her plate of food.
“If you don’t get over there right this very minute I’m going to send Scar and Potbelly over there to keep her company,” she tells him.
“Don’t do that,” he says as he gets to his feet. “She already has enough problems without adding them to it.” With a nod to James, he leaves them and makes his way over to her.
Delia sighs after he leaves them and sits in the spot he just vacated. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with that boy!” Glancing over her shoulder, she sees Jiron has taken a seat next to her and is engaging her in conversation.
James can see the smile playing across her lips as she turns back to him. “Some of us take more effort than others,” he says.
“You got that right,” she replies. “But I think Jiron is heading in the right direction. At least he wants to do right.”
“That he does,” he agrees.
Just then he sees Devin approaching. “I laid out your things over there,” he says, pointing to an area near the center of the encampment.
“Thanks,” James replies.
Nodding his head, he excuses himself and then makes his way over to join the rest of the recruits at their meal.
He and Delia sit there and talk about inconsequential things as the light continues to fade. Before it becomes too dark, they each say goodnight and make their way to their respective bedrolls.
As James lies down upon his he thinks about what’s going to happen tomorrow and prays he thought of everything. Laying his head back, he gazes up at the stars beginning to appear in the sky above and lets his mind wander. He knows part of the reason for tackling Korazan tomorrow is in retribution for the slavers’ role in the death of his best friend Dave. The other part is simply that slavery is an evil blight upon the world and one which should be every good man’s duty to hinder and stop.
It takes awhile, but he’s able to finally subdue the thoughts running through his mind and fall asleep.
Sitting up in the dark, he looks around, unsure of what woke him. The night is peaceful, the stars overhead giving some light with which to see. Making a quick survey of the sleeping forms around him, he realizes that he is the only one awake except for the shadow of a sentry walking the perimeter. All is as it should be but here he sits, wide awake and all traces of sleep gone which is unusual.
A soft breeze blows across the slumbering forms, ruffling his hair with a gentle caress. Taking another look around, he still fails to discover anything out of the ordinary so settles back down to sleep. That’s when he notices a light emerging from an old tear in the front of his tunic. The sight of the light sends a shiver down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Grabbing the chain holding the medallion bearing the Star of Morcyth, he pulls it out of his shirt. Light bathes the immediate area as it clears his collar. This is not good! He gets to his feet and holds aloft the medallion, turning full circle as he gazes around the camp. Light only comes from the medallion in certain circumstances, so far all of which have been bad.
Continuing to cast quick glances around the camp, he quickly moves over to where Miko lays. Kneeling down beside him, he lays a hand upon his breast and shakes him. “Miko!” he whispers urgently.
“Wha…?” Miko asks groggily until he sees the light coming from the medallion. Snapping awake, he turns his eyes on James.
“I don’t know,” he replies. He’s about to say something else when Miko suddenly grabs him and rolls to the
