“Alright then, let’s move,” James says.
They begin to move down the side of the mountain toward the hills below. Keeping within the cover of the trees, they’re able to avoid detection during their descent. It takes them until late afternoon to make it all the way down to the low lying hills.
The trees begin to thin among the hills the further toward the edge of the grasslands they go. Near the end of the hills, they have to move quickly from one grove to another in order to avoid being seen by the riders moving out on the plains. The sun is almost down to the horizon as they make it to the last grove of trees before they end completely.
James turns to the others as they settle in amongst the trees and says, “A short rest break will do us good before we try to cross the grasslands to the forest.”
Miko rests against the bole of a tree and says, “I’m for that.”
Jiron moves to the edge of the trees and looks out upon the plains, now currently devoid of any riders. James comes up beside him and asks, “What are you thinking?”
“Just that we have come a long way,” he says with a sigh. “I can’t believe all the things we’ve gone through since leaving the City of Light.”
“I know,” replies James. “If we make it back to Cardri, I’m going to find someplace and just rest for a month.”
Jiron looks sidelong at him and chuckles, “I doubt it. You don’t seem the type to just sit back and let the world go by.”
Shrugging, James says, “Perhaps not, but I do like to just have nothing to do once in a while.”
“What about Miko?” he whispers softly, nodding his head in Miko’s direction.
“He’ll probably stay with me, I like having him around,” admits James.
“He is a good kid,” Jiron adds.
“Yeah, he is,” agrees James.
“How long should we wait before we make for the trees over there?” asks Jiron as he points to the forest several miles away.
James glances to the setting sun and replies, “Probably a couple more hours, at least. Make sure we have the cover of night before we make the attempt.”
Turning back to the others, he says, “Then we should try to get some rest.”
They go back to where Fifer sits, sharpening his sword. Nearby, Miko has already fallen asleep, his snores sounding loud amidst the quiet.
“James, you go ahead and sleep,” offers Jiron. “I’ll keep watch until it’s time to go.”
“Thanks,” he says as he lies down. With the sun over head, it’s awhile before he’s able to fall asleep.
Jiron awakens everyone once night has fallen. Even though he hasn’t had much sleep, he’s still alert. He knows that when he finally gets a chance to sleep, he’ll be out hard. “Let’s get moving,” he says as everyone stirs groggily, trying to come awake.
“How long has it been dark?” asks James.
“A little over an hour,” he tells him. “Unless we run into someone, it’s unlikely we’ll be spotted.”
“Anyone out there?” asks Miko as he stares out over the plains.
“A lone rider occasionally, but that’s it,” Jiron replies.
“That’s good,” says Miko.
Once everyone is ready to move, Jiron leads the way as they leave the cover of the trees. James is glad the moon hasn’t risen yet to reveal them to any enemies who may be in the area. If they hurry, they can be to the trees in a couple of hours.
A half hour into their trek to the trees, they hear a horse approaching from the east. From the sound of it, it’s only a single rider but he’s moving in their general direction.
“I think he’ll pass fairly close,” Jiron whispers to James. “We should try to get the horse.”
“Why?” asks James, leery of giving away their position.
“We need horses if we’re going to break through the lines,” he replies. “This is a start.”
“Alright,” agrees James. “Just be careful.”
Jiron glances east toward the sound of the approaching rider. Taking Fifer with him, he positions them where he believes the rider will pass. Suddenly, the rider appears before them in the starlight and James watches as Jiron and Fifer jump him, pulling him down from the horse.
A cry breaks the silence of the night and is quickly silenced. Jiron and Fifer return with the horse.
Jiron again takes the lead, Fifer leading the horse as they continue across to the forest. Two hours later, they enter the outer fringe of the forest. Everyone relaxes now that they’re within the covering shelter of the trees. The density of the trees increases the further into the forest they move.
“How far do these woods go?” James asks Fifer.
“Not really sure,” he says. “The soldiers that had taken Lord Pytherian had gone around them. I do know there’s a range of mountains on the other side, though. We’ll have to move eastward around them to continue north.”
“What’s past there?” ask Jiron.
“To the north of the mountains are more plains and that’s where the Empire’s forces were when we left,” he says. “If they’ve pushed north, they may be closing in on Lythylla, the capitol of Madoc. That’s where the Patriarchal Council lies.”
”The capitol would indeed be a prize,” adds James.
“Yes it would,” agrees Fifer. “If it falls, then all of Madoc is lost.”
“That’s why they captured Lord Pytherian when they did,” reasons James. “In anticipation of the attack on Lythylla.”
“If that’s the case, then let us pray Lord Pytherian succeeds in making it through the lines. For he is the only one that can keep the alliance together.”
They continue on through the forest for a couple more hours before they begin to see lights from a couple campfires in the distance. Jiron motions for them to stop as he continues on, moving silently toward the fires.
James and the others sit and wait until they hear his return. When he gets closer, he whispers, “Empire soldiers, ten of them sitting around a couple fires. They have sentries posted, but not this way, looks as if they don’t expect anything coming from this direction.”
“Can we get around them without being seen?” asks James.
“Probably,” he says then glances at all of them before adding, “question is, should we.”
“What do you mean?” Fifer asks.
“If we’re nearing their main force, we’ll need horses to move quickly enough to get through,” he explains. Pointing back to the soldiers, he says, “They have the horses we need, and they’re in a small enough group that we have a good chance of surviving the fight.”
He can hear James sighing in the dark. Jiron knows he doesn’t like to kill unless necessary, but he hopes he’ll recognize the necessity of it now.
“You’re right,” James says, much to Jiron’s relief. “We need the horses. But, I’m going to restrict myself to slugs only so if they’re any mages in the area, they won’t come to investigate.”
“No problem,” replies Jiron. “Fifer and I can take out most of them anyway.” He turns to Miko and says, “It might be a good idea if you stay back and guard James, just in case they get by us.”
Nodding, Miko says, “I can do that.”
“Good,” states Jiron, giving a sidelong glance at James.
“Should we give them some time to fall asleep before we fall upon them?” asks Fifer.
Shaking his head, Jiron replies, “No, we better do this quick and fast before others show up.”
“I agree,” adds James. “If we’re to do it, let’s do it!” He bends over and picks up several stones, when Jiron asks him what he’s doing, he replies, “Just saving my slugs.”
Fifer ties the reins of the horse to a nearby tree limb before they begin making their way further toward the encamped soldiers. Moving silently, they manage to work themselves within a dozen yards of the camp.
The soldiers are relaxing around the fire, talking and joking as they have their evening meal, obviously believing there’s no reason to be vigilant. Two sentries stand away from the others, but glance backward from time to time to talk to the others.
James looks to Jiron who nods his head. He places one of the stones in his hand, takes a breath, and then throws the stone toward one of the sentries. Releasing the magic, the stone rockets forward and strikes the sentry in the back and explodes out his front.