Shades Of The Past Part 22

Their horses once again pick up speed as the ground quiets. Potbelly slows and glances back to his friend Scar who's already off the ground and has his horse's reins in hand. "You okay?" Potbelly hollers back to him.

Swinging into the saddle, Scar yells, "Of course!" Kicking the sides of his horse, he's soon caught up to Potbelly and together they ride to catch the others.

"Uther, Jorry," James yells to the pair. "You two stay with me." Then to Jiron he says, "Take out those mages, we'll slow down the riders."

"You got it," Jiron replies.

Turning to face the onrus.h.i.+ng riders, James reaches into his pouch. Pulling forth one of the two remaining crystals, he makes a conduit from the darkly glowing crystal to himself. Feeling the power rush into him, he immediately sends it forth to a point directly before the oncoming riders.

Ka-Boom!!!

An explosion of ma.s.sive proportion detonates under the leading edge of the force. Riders, horses and debris are thrown into the air, their screams and cries only silencing when they slam back into the ground.

James glances back to Jiron's force and find them already at the mages. Unable to defend themselves with magic, they fall quickly. Many of the soldiers, covered in hundreds of welts from the bites of the fire ants, have managed to disengage themselves from the thorns and are beginning to engage them.

A quick glance back to the settling dust of the ma.s.sive explosion, he doesn't see anything moving. "Let's go and help our friends," he says.

With a cry, Jorry and Uther turn their horses and the three race back to the growing battle. More and more of the soldiers are extricating themselves and are moving to engage Jiron and the others.

All three of the mages lie still upon the ground, their heads severed from their bodies. There can be no doubt now as to whether they will pose a future threat. When James comes within shouting distance, he cries out, "Disengage! Retreat!"

As he slows down and pulls a slug from his belt, Jorry and Uther race past him. Scar and Potbelly are faced off against six opponents and they race to their aid. Seated upon their horses, they are able to keep the enemy soldiers at bay but are unable to disengage without grave risk to life and limb.

Just as Jorry and Uther reach them, a slug flies past and takes out one of the enemy soldiers. Charging through the enemy, they allow Scar and Potbelly the opportunity to disengage. Scar strikes out at his remaining opponent with his sword and severs the man's left arm.

"Let's go!" Jiron yells.

James launches three more slugs and then the rest of his men are able to break away safely. A quick count shows no one was lost, many have wounds seeping blood but nothing that looks life threatening.

"Think that will slow them down?" Yern asks with a laugh.

Behind them, the scene remains one of confusion and chaos as horses and men continue in their attempt to rid themselves of burning, biting ants.

"I would think so," laughs Shorty.

Back at where they left the Hand, they find them already in the saddle and waiting for them. The green glow that was present when they left is now gone.

"Where did all those ants come from?" Stig asks Brother Willim.

Indicating the ground he says, "In the ground beneath our feet are countless insects and animals. They are Asran's creatures and will do his bidding."

"Fascinating," remarks Jorry. Uther nods in agreement.

"Let's save this for later," Jiron announces. "We better catch up with the others before too much longer." With that, he kicks the side of his horse and breaks into a gallop. The others are quick to follow.

Behind them, the enemy riders decide not to give chase and begin giving aid to their comrades.

Chapter Fifteen.

"You're really something you know," Illan says when they finally rejoin the main force and tell him what happened.

"Actually most of the credit should go to Brother Willim and the Hand," replies James. "It was the ants that caused the mages to be unable to focus well enough to control the magic."

He barks out with laughter. "I know that to be true," he says, still chuckling. "When I was a young lad I fell asleep in an area swarming with them. I must have moved in my sleep for they started biting me. By the time I made it to the nearest pond and dove in, I had welts from head to toe. Miserable b.u.g.g.e.rs."

From behind they can hear Scar and Potbelly recounting the events to the rest of the men. Of course from their version you would think they had killed the mages all by themselves, not to mention the hundred or more soldiers they had slain. James just grins and shakes his head, by this time no one really takes what they say as fact. He still wants to call them on one of their wild claims but so far hasn't been able to.

Pulling out his mirror, he checks the force behind them and discovers they are still by the road where the attack occurred. From the looks of them, it doesn't seem as if they are in any hurry to proceed. He then scans in a full circle for any enemy forces but only comes up with more desert. There are civilians traveling here and there, none likely to cross their path.

He scrolls the image as far west as he can before the drain of magic becomes too great in an attempt to find Korazan but isn't able to reach that far. "Looks like there's nothing close," he tells Illan as he replaces his mirror back in his pack.

"That's good news," he replies. "If we move fast enough, we may be able to stay ahead of the word of our approach."

Nodding, James rides in silence for awhile. Behind him, he can hear Jiron as he talks with Aleya.

"I took out one of the mages myself," he boasts. Riding along beside her, he glances out of the corner of his eye for any spark of reaction to what he just said. Nothing. She simply continues riding along, pointedly ignoring him.

He never was one to boast of his deeds before. In fact, he can't remember ever doing it before just now, at least not for the sole purpose of impressing someone. Why does this woman affect him so? He's drawn to her but it seems as if nothing he does has any effect. Back when he and James had first encountered her in the hills near Mountainside she was friendly to him. He even felt they were growing closer. Yet here they were, separated by something completely unfathomable to him. After riding along beside her for several more minutes, he sighs and then slows to drop back.

"You okay?" Delia's voice comes to him as she moves to ride alongside him.

"Yeah," he says in a voice not quite convincing.

Delia takes in the way he keeps glancing at Aleya and tries to hide the grin that is threatening to come forth. She's been watching his attempt at becoming closer to her and is pretty sure she knows what's keeping him from achieving it. But she's not quite sure how to tell him.

"I thought you and Aleya liked each other?" she asks.

"We do!" he blurts out with more force than he wanted. Face turning red, he turns his gaze to her and adds, "At least I do."

"Then what's the problem?" she asks.

"I don't know," he replies. "I try talking to her and all I get is silence. At first she and I hit it off, but then things began to cool until now it's absolutely frigid."

"What do you talk about?" she asks.

"Oh, the war. The adventures James and I have had, my time in the Pits," he tells her.

The grin she's been holding back is all but breaking through the barriers she's erected in an effort not to make him feel bad. "Do you ever talk about her?"

"What?" he asks.

"Have you ever asked her a question about her life? Her thoughts?" She pauses a moment to let that sink in. "There are many different types of women in this world," she explains. "Most of the ones you've been acquainted with probably have cooed and gone all mushy when you tell them of your exploits."

"Isn't that what women want?" he asks in all seriousness.

A soft laughter breaks through her barrier. Shaking her head she says, "Not one such as Aleya. If you want her, you need to think of her as more of an equal. She needs to feel you are interested in her as a person."

He turns to look at her, a thoughtful expression playing across his face.

"Ask her about her life, her past, what she hopes for the future," she goes on. "And for goodness sake, just listen when she talks. Don't interrupt or she will think you aren't interested in what she's saying. Your deeds gained her interest, but alone they won't gain her heart."

Nodding, he begins to see where he's gone wrong. "Thanks," he says to her.

"Just be patient. That's the most important thing a man can do where a woman is involved."

"I will," he a.s.sures her then nudges his horse to move up the line to ride next to Aleya.

"Think he'll listen?" Errin asks as she pulls up next to her.

"We'll see," states Delia.

Up ahead they watch as Jiron pulls next to her and says something. Delia holds her breath in expectation until Aleya slightly turns her head in Jiron's direction and replies. Both Delia and Errin let go their pent up breath at the same time.

"She really does like him," Errin states.

"I know," replies Delia. "We were talking about just that thing a few days ago. He only needed to be shown the way."

"Just hope he doesn't make a mess of it," says Errin.

"Of course he will, he's a man," Delia says and then turns to Errin with a grin. "They can't help themselves."

At that they break out into soft laughter at the expense of all males everywhere.

Throughout the rest of the day they continue to push on toward Korazan. James periodically checks the surrounding area for any hostiles which may be on an intercept course. But other than the odd traveler, there doesn't appear to be anyone around. Just after their midday break to give the horses a breather, he discovers that the force they ambushed back at the road is once again on the move after them, though half a day behind. Now augmented by the foot soldiers that have caught up with them from Al-Zynn, they outnumber them by more than two to one. On the plus size, in order to keep their two forces together, they have to travel at the speed of the foot soldiers which is greatly less than a horse and thus will continue to fall further behind.

"If they get too close we'll have to slow them down again," James states.

Nodding, Illan replies, "At the rate they'll be moving, it isn't likely going to be a problem."

Occasionally their scouts report forces on the move which James readily finds once he knows where to look. They're never more than a score or two and none are heading in their direction.

By the end of the day, he's able to at last see Korazan in his mirror. Still hours away, if they travel a couple more hours by nightfall, they will be within striking distance for the following morning.

At this point, Illan begins sending out groups of eight riders whose purpose is to find and detain anyone who might raise the alarm. If they can strike with surprise in the morning they'll not lose as many men.

"There's a force of men camped on the north side of town," James tells Illan.

"How many?" he asks.

He studies the image a moment then says, "A couple hundred." He glances over to him and adds, "Most are foot soldiers."

"Good," he states. Turning to where Ceadric rides just behind them, he waves him closer. "Time to send them in."

Ceadric nods and moves further back into the column. Shortly after that two riders, wearing the regular garb of those living in the Empire, detach themselves and race for Korazan. Dressed as one of them, these two men will attempt to find out strengths and deployments before the morning's attack. James felt very fortunate to discover that several of the Raiders had a working knowledge of the Empire's tongue.

When the scouts report that Korazan lies about two hours away, Illan calls a halt. Cold rations and no fires is the order this night. No chances will be taken that might alert anyone as to their whereabouts.

While waiting for Devin to bring him his dinner, James takes out his mirror and does one final check. The force pursuing them still remains far behind and isn't looking as if they are going to catch up to them any time soon. Elsewhere it still looks like nothing else is heading their way.

"You okay?" Jiron asks as he approaches.

Looking up, James sees him carrying two plates of food, he hands one to him. Taking the offered food, he says, "Just worried."

Jiron sits on the ground opposite him. "Aren't we all?" he questions as he takes a bite. "We aren't exactly in a safe environment."

"It isn't that," he explains. "Remember when we were on the way to rescue Miko, the whole area seemed to be practically teeming with soldiers." When he sees Jiron nod he adds, "Now there doesn't appear to be anyone around. It feels like they are up to something."

"Perhaps," he says through a mouthful of food. "It could also be that most of their forces are either in Madoc or over to the east taking on the Kirkens. Keep in mind too that since I met you, you've managed to reduce the numbers of their army by quite a lot."

"Still, it just doesn't feel right," he insists. They eat in silence a moment while they each mull it over.

"What are you doing here?" Delia asks as she joins them.

"What?" asks James.

"Not you," she replies and then points to Jiron, "him."

James arcs an eyebrow at him and grins. He knows what she's talking about.

"That poor girl is sitting there all alone and here you are," she says accusingly. Turning her head, she draws Jiron's gaze over to where Aleya sits by herself. Her head turns briefly in their direction when she takes notice looking her way, then returns to her plate of food.

"If you don't get over there right this very minute I'm going to send Scar and Potbelly over there to keep her company," she tells him.

"Don't do that," he says as he gets to his feet. "She already has enough problems without adding them to it." With a nod to James, he leaves them and makes his way over to her.

Delia sighs after he leaves them and sits in the spot he just vacated. "I don't know what I'm going to do with that boy!" Glancing over her shoulder, she sees Jiron has taken a seat next to her and is engaging her in conversation.

James can see the smile playing across her lips as she turns back to him. "Some of us take more effort than others," he says.

"You got that right," she replies. "But I think Jiron is heading in the right direction. At least he wants to do right."

"That he does," he agrees.

Just then he sees Devin approaching. "I laid out your things over there," he says, pointing to an area near the center of the encampment.

"Thanks," James replies.

Nodding his head, he excuses himself and then makes his way over to join the rest of the recruits at their meal.

He and Delia sit there and talk about inconsequential things as the light continues to fade. Before it becomes too dark, they each say goodnight and make their way to their respective bedrolls.