“Oh,” he says.
They move down the road and quickly catch up with the wagons bearing the wounded and the men escorting them. “How far to Colton?” Jiron asks one of the soldiers.
“About an hour,” he replies. “It’s not too far.”
“Thanks,” he replies as they pull away, leaving the wounded behind.
Chapter Twenty Four
By the time the town of Colton appears ahead of them, James has regained consciousness, although the dilly of a headache makes him wish he was still out cold. The scene before them reminds James of an anthill he’d stuck a stick into long ago, people are swarming everywhere.
Carts and wagons, along with a multitude of people are making their way to the north along the road. As they approach the town, a rider comes out to meet them.
“Is Lord Pytherian still here?” James asks when the rider nears.
“Who are you?” the man replies.
“Name’s James,” he says. “These are my companions, we’ve just come from Commander Eathan.”
Shaking his head, the man says, “He left some time ago for Lythylla. Captain Kurk is in charge of the evacuation.”
James laughs in spite of his headache, and says “Where can I find ‘Captain Kirk’?” His friends exchange glances, thinking maybe he’s getting a little too light headed.
“You can find the Captain over at the Seasoned Ham,” the man replies, slightly annoyed at the way James is acting. He points into town, “You’ll find it further in.”
Still grinning, James holds up his right hand, spreads his fingers and says, “Live long and prosper.”
“Uh, you too,” the man replies. As James and the others ride away, the man continues watching them, and just shakes his head.
Once past the first buildings, Jiron says to James, “What was all that about?”
James glances over at him and begins to grin, “I couldn’t even begin to explain it to you.” And then he starts laughing once more. His friends look at him, worried.
Down the street they find several soldiers who are helping a store owner with packing a wagon. James pauses a moment as he asks one of the soldiers, “Where’s the Seasoned Ham?”
The soldier points further down the road and says, “Go down two more streets, then turn right. It’ll be the fourth building on your right.”
“Thanks,” says James as he gets his horse moving in the right direction. They continue down two streets and then turn to the right. Sure enough, four buildings down on the right they find a sign depicting a ham with steam radiating off of it.
They stop in front and he leaves Jiron and Miko with the horses as he and Fifer enter the building. Inside the main room, they find several soldiers there gathered around a map laid out on a table before them. A soldier stationed by the door stops them and says, “No one’s allowed in.”
“We’ve just come from Commander Eathan,” James says to him, “and would like to talk with Captain Kurk.”
“It’s okay,” a voice from inside the inn says. “Let them come in.”
Stepping aside, the soldier allows them to pass. The men that had been pouring over the map are now looking at them as they enter the common room. James steps up to them and says, “I bring word from Commander Eathan. I was supposed to deliver it to Lord Pytherian but since he’s no longer here, I’ll give it to Captain Kurk.”
One of the men says, “I’m Captain Kurk, what’s the message.”
“He said, ‘When you see Lord Pytherian again, tell him Commander Eathan will hold the southern flank as long as possible. I’ll keep the bastards off them as they march to Lythylla.’” James tells him.
“The bridge he was defending is no longer standing, and the enemy that had been trying to cross is now heading south,” he goes on to explain. “Another force had appeared on his side of the river, apparently coming around the forest where Captain Alerin’s forces are defending. They were successfully beaten back and I believe the commander had planned to follow the river south, pacing the enemy army, in order to prevent them from crossing over.”
Nodding, the captain says, “Good, I was wondering what was going on down there. The enemy has patrols on this side of the river and they’ve been intercepting our messengers.”
“There are several wagons of wounded coming to Colton as well,” James tells him. “They’re an hour or so behind us.”
Captain Kurk glances to one of the men near him and says, “Take care of that.”
Nodding, the man turns and leaves the room.
Turning back to James, he says, “You’re not with our forces are you?”
“No, I’m not,” he answers.
“But I am, sir,” Fifer pipes up. “I’m with Miller’s band, or was until we got separated from them.”
“Ah yes, the group from the City of Light,” he says. He glances around the others at the table before continuing, “They went with him when he moved on to Lythylla.”
One of the other men standing near the captain asks, “Are you James?”
Somewhat surprised, James nods, “Yes, I am.”
Pulling up the map, the captain reveals the message he’d written in the table to warn of the approach of the army. When he looks questioningly at James, James nods his head, “Yeah, that was me.”
“Intriguing,” Captain Kurk says. “Lord Pytherian said you might be coming this way and to give you any aid you may require. He also told us to ask you if you’d meet him in Lythylla as soon as possible.”
“Thanks,” replies James. “We were planning on doing that anyway.”
Captain Kurk says, “Lieutenant Rolger will see to your needs.”
A man steps forth and says, “If I may be of any assistance?”
James, feeling like he’d just been dismissed, turns to leave the inn with Lieutenant Rolger following behind. Once outside the inn, he turns to the lieutenant and says, “We could use fresh horses and some supplies, food and the like.”
“Sure thing,” he says. “Follow me and we’ll get you what you need.” He takes them down several buildings before entering one with a crossed knife and fork embossed on a sign hanging in front.
Within, they find a nice restaurant. “This is the main mess for the troops while we’re here,” he explains. Many of the tables have soldiers eating their meals, or just taking it easy and talking with each other.
Lieutenant Rolger waves down one of the servers and says, “Get these gentlemen something to eat. They’re our guests.”
“Yes sir,” the man replies.
“I’ll see about fresh horses and some supplies while you’re eating,” he tells them.
“Thank you,” says James as the server leads them to a vacant table.
The lieutenant just nods his head and then leaves the restaurant.
Once they’re seated, the server says, “There’s not much of a choice, but I’ll bring you some of what we have.”
“We’d appreciate it,” James says as the man moves to return to the kitchen area.
“Man it’s nice to be able to relax again,” Miko says as he leans back in his chair.
“You got that right,” agrees James. “I don’t know how long it’s been since I could completely relax.”
The server returns with steaming bowls of stew and two loaves of bread. He sets them down on the table and then brings over a pitcher of ale and four mugs. “Enjoy,” he says to them.
Miko mumbles something through a large mouthful of food as the server leaves their table.
The meal is surprisingly good, made all the more so by the ability to sit at a table to enjoy it without the worry of being killed at any moment. Before they’re done, the lieutenant returns and says, “I took the liberty to transfer your things from your other steeds to the fresh ones. They’re waiting for you outside when you’re ready to depart.”
“Thank you,” James says appreciatively.
“Is there anything else I can do before you leave?” the lieutenant asks.
“Not that I can think of,” James assures him.