Part 19 (2/2)

Glancing up from the mirror, he says, ”They just reached the dead soldiers. The one we left alive is talking to the commander.”

”Think they'll take the bait?” Jiron asks.

”We were pretty convincing,” Ceadric says.

”Thought you had actually cut his throat for a moment,” James tells him.

”So did I,” he admits. ”Then I saw him move his hand up to his throat and apply pressure to stop the blood flow while attempting to appear like he was dead.”

James returns his gaze to the mirror then says, ”Looks like they did.” He glances to Illan and adds, ”Riders are moving at breakneck speed in all directions. The majority are heading south, just to the east of us.”

”Makes sense,” Illan says with a nod. ”That's the general direction of Al-Zynn.”

”We'll have everyone after us in no time,” comments Ceadric.

”That's what we wanted,” states James. He hated to kill those soldiers in that fas.h.i.+on but as Illan explained to him, there was no one to spare to escort them back. No sense letting go soldiers who will only try to kill them later on.

”With any luck all their forces will converge on Al-Zynn,” Illan says.

”Would make things easier, that's for sure,” Jiron says.

While they ride, James periodically checks his mirror for any hostiles ahead which they may have to deal with. The area to the south is clear for the moment. Moving the image back to the force behind them, he finds several enemy scouts keeping an eye on them. Scrolling even further to the north, he sees the force that had been heading toward Al-Zynn now turned to follow them. The scouts must have reported their position and the army moved to follow.

”They've turned to follow us,” he says, ”and are keeping their distance.”

”I would too if I were in their position,” Illan states. ”They don't have the numbers to take us on. We don't have much to worry about unless they are joined by another force.”

”Should we attack them?” asks Jiron.

Shaking his head, Illan says, ”No. They're cavalry and would just run away.”

”Then what should we do?” he asks.

”Just as we are,” replies Illan. ”Let them follow and think we are oblivious to the fact they are there.” Shrugging, he adds, ”Nothing else to do I'm afraid.”

None like the fact of enemy soldiers following them, but as Illan said, what can they do about it? James keeps a watch on the pursuing force the rest of the day, worried they may try something. But his worries are for naught as the enemy force continues to maintain a discreet distance.

The sun droops to the horizon with the coming of night and James announces that other than the force following them, there are no others close enough to pose a threat. Illan calls a halt and they set up camp.

They keep a wary eye on the force behind them and through the mirror see that they too have set up camp. Once the tents are up and the fires built, James calls a meeting of the leaders to fill them in on just what they are planning to do.

Once they've gathered together, he says, ”We've done well so far.” Glancing around the group, he can see their grins and nods of agreement. ”Tomorrow we set a moderate pace somewhat directly toward Al-Zynn, continuing to act in the manner we have thus far, destroying caravans, attacking small forces should the opportunity present itself. Though since riders were dispatched by the force behind us and are now to the south of us, possible encounters we can win are going to disappear as word of our approach spreads.”

”But if we don't set a fast pace aren't we likely to face even more forces at Al-Zynn?” asks Brother Willim.

James turns to him with a grin and says, ”We're not going to Al-Zynn. We simply want them to believe that we are so they will move all their forces to its defense.”

He returns James' gaze with a confused one of his own. ”Then where are we going?” he asks.

”Korazan,” James replies. ”From the intelligence gathered by Lord Pytherian's agents, there's a large stockpile of supplies and weapons there.”

”Not to mention hundreds if not thousands of possible recruits in the fight with the Empire,” states Miko from 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 ma.s.s 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.

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