After the captain has passed within the tent, the man holds the flap open as the others file inside behind him. Within the tent are several tables with maps covering them, as well as several braziers burning throughout to give light.
The captain moves over to one table with a large map lying open upon it and gestures for them to join him. He indicates a section of the map and says, “This is the forest we’re in right now. Where was the last place you saw him?”
James comes over and begins inspecting the map. He sees near the bottom of the map the area where the mines lie. “Here,” he says as he points to a spot a little west of the mines. Then he brings his finger over to the town just west of the spot, “This is where they took him.”
“And you rescued him from there?” he asks incredulously. “Just the four of you?”
“Actually,” Fifer says, “I wasn’t with them at the time of the rescue. I was waiting outside the east gate with Miller and the rest.”
He glances at James, Jiron and Miko a moment then shakes his head. “That hardly seems likely.”
“Likely or not,” Fifer replies, “they did enter the city and they brought him out.”
“Do you have a mirror?” asks James suddenly. “Or perhaps a bowl of water?”
“Why?” he asks.
“I’ll be able to ascertain his whereabouts if you do?” replies James.
Fifer sees his confused look and explains, “He’s a mage.”
Eyes widening, Captain Alerin says, “Truly?” When Fifer nods affirmative, he says, “Never met one before.”
“Do you have a mirror?” James asks again.
Captain Alerin reaches over to another table and lifts up some paper revealing a four inch square mirror. Picking it up, he hands it over to James, “Will this do?”
“It’ll do just fine,” he replies as he takes it.
Setting it on the table in front of him, he motions for the captain to stand next to him. Concentrating on Lord Pytherian, he lets the magic flow and the image begins to form. Suddenly coming into focus, they see Lord Pytherian in a room with others, talking.
“Ah,” he says as he sees the image, a smile coming across his face.
“What?” asks James.
“He’s made it to Olton,” he says. When he sees their lack of understanding, he explains, “It’s a town to the north of us and as far as I know it’s still in Madoc territory. The ones with him are leaders of the town, as well as a few others I don’t recognize.”
“Could they be members of the alliance?” asks Fifer.
“Maybe,” he says. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out of these woods.”
“Is Colton well fortified?” asks Jiron suddenly. “Could it withstand an attack?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Hardly, it’s not that big of a town. If anyone were to attack, it wouldn’t be able to last very long. Why?”
“We saw a large force of foot soldiers moving around this forest,” explains James, indicating the position on the map. “If they were to surround and hit Colton, would they be able to hold them off?”
Looking worried, Captain Alerin says, “Not a chance. It would fall in a day.” Moving to the tent entrance he hollers for one of his men. When the man comes close, he says, “Send someone to Colton, warn of immediate attack by a large band of men moving from the east around the forest.”
“Wait,” he hears James say. When he glances back to him, James says, “There may be a quicker way.”
“Have someone stand by,” he tells the man who runs off to carry out his orders. He turns and comes back over to James, “How?”
“I’m not sure if it’ll work, but I might be able to give him a message,” James explains.
Looking skeptical, Captain Alerin says, “Alright, let’s see if it works.”
“First, let me see where exactly that army is now,” he says as the image shifts. Suddenly, they see the forest and the image quickly scrolls to the east. When it reaches the edge of the forest, James moves it first southward and when he fails to find the army, he moves it north.
“There!” Captain Alerin exclaims when the army of foot appears in the mirror.
“Do you know where that is?” asks James.
“It’s near the northern edge of the forest,” he tells him. “It’s several hours away from Colton.”
“Alright,” James says as he concentrates. Again, the mirror refocuses on Lord Pytherian and they hear him mumble, “Now to get his attention.”
“We have got to get word to the others in the Alliance that I’m back,” Lord Pytherian says. “We must remain united if we’re to stop the Empire. How long do you suppose the rest of Madoc will last if we fail here?”
Suddenly, one of the men he’s talking to gasps. There on the table before Lord Pytherian sits a round glowing orb.
Astonished cries begin erupting in the room. Lord Pytherian raises his arms and shouts, “Quiet!” The room becomes quiet as he stares at the orb, something strangely familiar about it. “James!” he whispers in sudden understanding. He glances around the room expecting to see him there.
The orb suddenly winks out, eliciting another round of murmuring. Where the orb had sat there begins to appear a black mark. Lord Pytherian again calls for silence as he leans closer to see what is happening.
The black mark begins moving until it forms the letter ‘T’. Awed, he continues watching as the black mark continues writing. When it’s finished, he reads aloud what it says, “There’s an army three hours to the south, heading for you. Advise you leave!”
He begins nodding and says, “Gentlemen, it’s time to evacuate Olton…”
Head pounding, gasping from the effort, James almost swoons into unconsciousness. The effort to write that message had been harder than he’d thought. Must’ve been the distance. He holds the image until he sees Lord Pytherian nod and begin barking out orders.
When the image finally disappears, Captain Alerin says, “Do you think he understood the message?”
“He nodded, so I think he did,” James replies.
“Good,” he exclaims. He abruptly turns and leaves the tent. Outside, he hollers to one of his aides, “Get the men ready to march!” The man salutes and begins making the preparation.
“What do you plan to do?” asks James from the tent entrance.
“Harass that army, slow it down if I can,” he replies. “Give Lord Pytherian and the people in Colton a chance to flee before it arrives.” He looks to them and continues, “Could use your help, a mage would come in handy.”
Shaking his head, James replies, “We need to hurry north, stay ahead of the army as best we can.”
“I understand,” he says. He calls over one of his men, “Dorrin here will lead you through the forest to the north.” He glances to Dorrin who nods in understanding. “Now, we must hurry to catch this force before it draws close to Colton.”
James looks out at hundreds of men standing ready, each armed with a longbow. “Good luck,” he says to Captain Alerin.
“You too, James,” he replies. Then to his men he says, “Move out!”
He and his men begin melting into the forest and in no time at all, they’re gone.
“Grab your horses,” Dorrin says as he walks over and mounts the only horse left in the camp. “It’s not far to the northern edge of the forest, but we better hurry.”
They mount up and follow Dorrin as he leads them north through the forest. The trail he takes them on isn’t very noticeable and unlikely that they would’ve been able to follow it on their own. Without Dorrin’s help, it would’ve taken them twice as long to cover the same distance.
A half hour later, the trees begin to thin as they reach the northern edge of the forest. Dorrin stops them abruptly and signals for quiet. He points off to the east where the leading edge of the army heading for Colton can just be seen. They wait there a moment then horns begin to sound and they watch as the army suddenly turns and moves quickly back the way they’d come.