Trail of the Gods Part 29

"Probably," he agrees. "People like songs about hopeless struggles for a good cause."

"I'll tell him all about it next time I see him," he says. He feels better having decided a course of action with which he can honor their sacrifice.

"Now," says Jiron, "we have to figure out how to get back to Cardri." Glancing to James he adds, "Providing of course we're going back to Cardri?"

"Yes," replies James. "We're going home."

"Good," states Jiron. "By morning we should be at that town up ahead with the bridge we pa.s.sed on the way down. Somehow, we need to cross it."

"Let's push a little harder so we can make it before dawn," suggests James. "Hopefully we can make it across before it gets light."

With that, they both increase their speed to a gallop. Over the course of the next several hours, they alternate speeds between a fast gallop and a trop for optimum speed while at the same time saving their horses' strength. They could well need it when they get there.

An hour into their ride, Jiron asks, "How far away can you sense magic?"

"I don't know," replies James, "half a mile or so, maybe a mile. Why?"

"Oh, I was just thinking of that mage you said you detected at the town north of the one we're heading for," he explains. "I was worried he may have sensed what you did back at Saragon."

"I doubt it," James a.s.sures him. "I didn't do anything very strong."

"That's a relief," he says.

After several more hours of riding, the sky to the east has begun to lighten with the approach of dawn, and still the town has not appeared. Worried about not making it in time, they increase their speed.

It isn't until the sun crests the horizon that the town finally appears before them in the distance. "Now what?" James asks.

The town still has a garrison of soldiers, a hundred or so from the looks of it. Two stand guard on the bridge, das.h.i.+ng their hopes of easily making it across undetected.

"We could still try," suggests Jiron. "If you blew up the bridge after we crossed it, it wouldn't matter whether they discovered us or not. They would be unable to follow."

"True," he says. "But something that big would most likely alert whoever was up in Pleasant Meadows."

"That's over a day away," counters Jiron. "Whether he did or not would doubtless make a difference. We'd be over in Cardri before whoever it is could get here to do anything anyway."

"Very well," he agrees. "But I'm going to need a moment close to the bridge to make it work."

"I'll give you that moment," he tells him.

As they approach the outskirts of town, they slow to a normal pace so as not to draw attention to themselves. Some of the soldiers begin to take notice of them coming up the road but don't seem to be too concerned. After all, they're coming from the south which is totally controlled by the Empire. And what enemy in their right mind would casually ride up to a garrisoned town in broad daylight.

As they near the first building, a soldier hails them with a smile and a friendly wave. "Now!" says Jiron and they kick their horses as they turn off the road. The soldier's smile quickly vanishes in confusion as he watches them begin racing around the town toward the bridge. He yells something to them as they race away and then raises a horn to his lips.

Rounding the last building before the open s.p.a.ce between the town and the bridge, they hear a horn sound behind them. The guards on the bridge look their way and see them riding fast toward them. They form up at the foot of the bridge and one of them calls something to them, most likely a command to stop. When they fail to heed his command, he and the other soldier draw their weapons and stand ready to greet them.

"Do what you have to," yells Jiron. "I'll take out the guards."

Riding hard, Jiron pulls ahead of James and aims his horse straight for the two waiting soldiers at the foot of the bridge. They stand to block his path, one again shouting something unintelligible at him. Just before he reaches the beginning of the bridge, the two guards dive to the side to avoid being caught under his horse's hooves.

Bringing his horse to an abrupt halt, Jiron vaults from the saddle and his two knives are in hand before he lands on the ground.

The guard on the right sees him coming toward him and strikes out with his sword. Jiron deflects it and follows through with his other knife, barely missing his shoulder as the man twists away.

From behind him, he hears the other soldier approaching and sidesteps quickly just as the soldier's sword pierces the s.p.a.ce he had just vacated. Las.h.i.+ng out with his foot, he catches the man behind him in the chest and knocks him backward.

Pressing the man in front of him, he feints a thrust at the man's face. When the soldier raises his sword protectively, he strikes out with his other knife and takes him in the belly. Crying out, the man steps backward where he hits the railing of the bridge and then tumbles over into the river below.

Jiron hears the splash as he turns to face the remaining man. From town, a large group of soldiers are on the way, as well as several mounted hors.e.m.e.n riding hard from the center of town. More horns sound as they begin marshalling their forces.

Twisting to the right, he avoids an overhand hack by the soldier and then lashes out with his right knife, scoring a long cut on the man's forearm.

"Ready!" he hears James yell and a quick glance shows him getting back on his horse.

Striking out with his foot, he knocks the soldier off balance as he races for his own horse waiting nearby. Jumping into the saddle, he kicks it into a quick gallop as he and James race off the other side.

He looks back to the bridge just as the hors.e.m.e.n gain the center and then...

Crumph!

...the entire central span of the bridge explodes outward, throwing stone, horses and men into the air. They pause a moment to wait for the dust to clear and when it does finds that James has created a twelve foot gap in the bridge.

The soldiers on the other side come to a startled stop as debris begins raining down upon them. Jiron watches as a dead, mangled horse falls and crushes two soldiers who hadn't moved quickly enough.

"That should do it," he says to James.

Looking tired, James replies, "I hope so."

Getting their horse back up to speed, they follow the road as they leave the town and the broken bridge behind them.

Two men stand before the large basin of dark water. An image plays across its surface, a ruined bridge and two men on horseback riding away. One man is armored head to toe with a large sword hanging at his hip. Cruel eyes gaze from within the dark helm, rage practically oozing from every pore of his being.

The other man next to him wears a red robe, the hooded cowl hiding his features. He can feel the rage of the man next to him and prays that it will not be directed at him.

Suddenly, the door to the room where they stand before the basin opens and one of the armored man's acolytes enters.

"Prepare the army," the helmed man says.

"Yes milord," the acolyte replies before leaving and closing the door behind him.

"Are you sure that's him?" the voice from within the helm says.

"Yes, milord," replies the cowled man. "His magic is singularly unique. We've never been able to ascertain why."

The mage. The bearer of the Star! The one who defeated Abula-Mazki! One who seems to travel at will within the Empire, yet none can stop him. Hate and anger radiate from the armored man with a palpable force as he gazes at the figure riding away from the ruined bridge.

As he turns to leave the room, he says, "Keep me informed of his progress."

"Yes, milord," replies the cowled man. Turning back to the basin, he continues to watch the two riders.

Leaving the room, the man in armor sees the commander of his army waiting for him. "Send riders to Kirak and Zuri. Tell them the mage has just destroyed the bridge at Cerinet and may be coming their way. They're to stop him from reaching Cardri at all costs."

"Yes milord," the commander says. He turns to go and carry out his Lord's order.

Watching the commander leave, the man in armor looks out over the preparations the host before him makes for getting underway. With a vow to his dark G.o.d, the man moves to take charge of the army and destroy this harbinger of doom. He must not reach Cardri! He must not reach Cardri!

Two hours after leaving the bridge, they still haven't seen any sign of enemy patrols. They left the road an hour ago, angling more toward the mountains in the hopes of finding better cover in which to hide. They'll have to follow the mountains around to the south in the hopes of finding a viable way across.

To the north is Pleasant Meadows which holds an army that may or may not be on the way. To the east is more enemy territory, plus it brings them further away from Cardri and home. The last time they tried to get across the Silver Mountains in this area, they were fleeing from a forest fire which James had inadvertently started while battling forces pursuing them from the town of Mountainside. They had stumbled across a rope suspension bridge which spanned a deep gorge and barely made it across before the inferno behind them consumed it. With the collapsing of the bridge, that way is no longer viable.

Over the Silver Mountains to the west lies a giant cloud, smoke from the fires still raging to the north. When they draw close enough to be able to see the devastation the pa.s.sing of the fire had wrought they realize the shelter they hoped to gain from the forest upon the mountains is no longer possible. The trees are burnt husks, a forest of black spires reaching to the sky.

"Since the fire's moving north, the trees to the south of Mountainside may still be untouched," states Jiron.

"Perhaps," agrees James. "I'm just hoping another garrison hasn't been sent there yet. Could make things more interesting than I would want."

"We'll see," he replies.

They come to the road running alongside the mountains as it winds its way through the gently rolling hills at their base. Turning south, they follow the road for awhile before James says, "We need to find somewhere to rest. My horse is beginning to droop."

"Mine too," he says.

Ten minutes later, they come to where a series of hills rise more steeply. Moving off the road, they find a s.p.a.ce behind one of the hills which will prevent them from being spotted by anyone traveling upon the road.

Leaving the saddles on the horses in case a quick getaway is required, they find some gra.s.s and water for their steeds before settling in themselves. Taking turns at watch, they rest throughout the rest of the day.

At one point, a rider is heard riding fast from the north. Jiron moves to the top of the hill overlooking the road. The rider turns out to be a lone soldier leading a spare mount. He watches him race past their hiding spot and quickly disappear down the road to the south.

Nothing else of note happens before the sun goes down and they're on their way once again. Following the road in the dark isn't too hard, what with the stars overhead and after an hour or so, the moon as well.

They stay to the road as they continue moving through the hills, they need the speed it will afford even though it may mean encountering unfriendly forces. From up ahead, they begin to see lights from a town. "Must be Mountainside," suggests Jiron.

James nods in agreement as they slow down and approach the town with caution. Before coming close to the outlying buildings they leave the road and make their way around the outskirts.

"Something doesn't feel right," whispers Jiron after they've progressed a little ways around the town.

"What do you mean?" asks James as he looks around to discover what he's talking about.

"There's no one on the street," he says. "Not even soldiers, and that seems strange."

"It is the middle of the night," replies James. "Everyone's probably in bed or about to be."

"I don't know," he says. "It's not that late."

Keeping their eyes open, they continue to circle around the town, leaving plenty of room between them and the outlying buildings. James pays a closer attention to the town and he begins to understand what Jiron's talking about. Nothing is moving on the streets of the town. The lights coming from the windows don't even have the occasional silhouettes of those within moving around. It's as if the whole town is deserted.

Suddenly from ahead of them, shutters of a dozen lanterns are removed and they're bathed with light. "Stay right where you are!" a voice from out of the lights commands. "Move, and you'll be fired upon."

"James?" questions Jiron quietly.

"Wait!" he replies.

A man moves out from the dark, an officer of the Empire's army and approaches them. "You are under arrest," he says.

"On what charge?" asks James.

"Being enemies of the Empire," the officer replies.

James begins laughing. The officer looks at him like he's lost his mind. "What's so funny?" he asks somewhat annoyed.

"I don't think so," replies James as a s.h.i.+mmering field suddenly springs up around them. To Jiron he says, "Take him, please. Make sure you don't kill him."

As Jiron swings down from his horse, bolts begin striking the barrier and bouncing harmlessly off. The officer draws his sword as he begins backing away from Jiron until his back encounters the barrier.

Turning around, he touches it in fear, realizing he's trapped inside. Spinning around, he stands ready to defend himself.

"Drop your sword," Jiron tells him, "and you won't be hurt."

Light suddenly erupts all around them as brightly glowing orbs appear in the sky, illuminating the entire area. A cry erupts from the gathered soldiers surrounding them. In the light, they can see there are only about thirty or so soldiers surrounding them.

Trapped within the barrier, as well as the display of magic in the sky around him, drains the officer's will to fight as he looks into the eyes of Jiron. Lowering his sword, the officer remains quiet as Jiron removes it from his hand.

From the back of his horse, James says to the officer, "Tell your men to drop their weapons or I'll kill them all right here, right now!"

"You'll never get back to Cardri!" says the officer defiantly.

"How do you know that's where we intend to go?" asks Jiron, somewhat taken aback at his knowledge.

The officer glances from one to the other before replying. "A rider came through here earlier saying you two may be coming this way," he explains. "He stopped here only briefly before continuing on, alerting our forces to the south of your presence. They'll be ready for you."

"d.a.m.n!" exclaims Jiron. He glances back to James who arcs an eyebrow questioningly.

Jiron shakes his head as James repeats his demand for the officer to order his men to drop their weapons. "I'll not ask again," he threatens. When the officer hesitates...