Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

Their boat continues drifting toward the middle of the river as they put more distance between them and the men on the shore. A glance over the boat’s side reveals several of the men running along the shore attempting to keep pace with the boat. Suddenly, one of their number breaks away from the group and races up a side street heading back into town. The boat continues to slowly outdistance the men as it’s carried along in the fast current.

When the threat from the crossbowman disappears behind them, James has Miko move out of the way and takes his place between the oars. “I think we made it,” he says with relief as he commences to row.

“Maybe,” doubts Miko, “but we’re not out of the city yet.” He reaches over and pulls the crossbow bolt out of the side of the boat.

“That was close,” he says as he shows it to James.

Nodding agreement, James puts his back into it and rows with great diligence.

Between James’ efforts with the oars and the current, they steadily pull away from the men on the shore. When the men realize they are not going to be able to catch the boat, they give up the chase and disappear up a side street, quickly disappearing back into the city.

“Think they’ve given up?” James asks.

“Doubt it,” answers Miko, “they are probably heading for their horses to continue the chase.”

“You’re probably right,” he agrees.

Suddenly the boat turns and begins to pull over toward the opposite side of the river, heading for the shore. “What are you doing?” asks Miko.

“I’m letting you out,” explains James. “There is no point in you continuing on. They are after me, not you. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt on my account.”

“No way,” objects Miko, “I’m coming with you. Besides, it won’t take them long to figure out that someone had to warn you about them coming for you. Who else in this city could have done it but me? I’m dead once they make the connection. I’ve gotta come!”

“You could end up in far more danger being with me,” warns James.

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“It’s kind of hard to explain,” James says.

“Look,” pleads Miko, “I’ve got nothing here. I beg for a living, take menial jobs for little pay, life with you can’t be any worse than what I have already lived through so far.”

James can hear the desperation in the boy’s voice. Using the oars, he turns the boat to head once more out toward the middle of the river, signaling that he’s made the decision to take Miko with him. “Thank you,” Miko says.

James can hear the relief in his voice. “Well, we’ll see if you are still thanking me later on,” he replies as he continues rowing downstream.

When the river takes them to a large span of wall arching over the water, Miko informs him that they are almost out of the city. The wall extends several yards into the river on either side before arching overhead. When the boat gets close to the wall, they both become very quiet and still, not wanting to draw attention to themselves should anyone be around. Remaining motionless, they slowly drift under the wall.

From the wall above them comes the sound of someone walking, their footfalls echoing in the tunnel through which the river flows. As they pass through to the other side, James glances up to find it to be one of the city guards. He has a heart stopping moment when the guard pauses and glances their way. But he must not have seen them for he soon turns to continue his beat along the wall.

Sighing quietly with relief, James watches the guard atop the wall until the current draws them away and the guard disappears in the night. He waits until they’ve floated far enough for the lights of the city to begin to fade behind them before taking his place back on the bench. With an oar again in each hand, he maintains a rhythm that has them speeding along.

He and Miko alternate rowing in hour intervals throughout the rest of the night until daybreak, each trying to catch some sleep while the other rows. When the sky begins to brighten with the rising of the sun, James awakens to find Miko no longer rowing. Instead, the boy’s slouched upon the bench fast asleep with the oars still gripped in his hands. Despite the lack of human direction, their boat has managed to maintain its position near the middle of the river. He glances to Miko just as a loud snore escapes the boy and smiles. He doesn’t bother waking him, instead he scans the surroundings for any sign of their pursuers.

On the east bank of the river lays a road paralleling the shoreline. To the west he finds the land to be primarily farmland, with the occasional orchard of fruit bearing trees. A grove of trees approaches up ahead which looks to be apples or some similar kind of red fruit. Hungry, James slips one of the oars from out of Miko’s hand and uses it as a rudder to bring them to the shore.

The motion of the boat changing direction awakens Miko and James points out the approaching fruit trees. “Thought we could do with a little breakfast,” he tells him.

Squinting to see through the morning sun’s glare, Miko grunts agreement. James does a good job in directing the boat, beaching it after only passing a few of the trees. He hops out of the boat and secures it to a fallen log with a rope that was coiled in the bottom. Miko joins him and they make a quick search of the immediate area. When no other person turns up, they help themselves to some fruit.

Hanging from the first tree he comes to, James locates an apple-like fruit that appears to be ripe and removes it from the branch. Biting into it, he finds the fruit has a taste similar to that of apples, though the skin is slightly thicker. He begins filling his backpack with more of the fruit as he eats the first one and soon has it filled to capacity.

Miko picks an armful of the fruit and takes them down to the boat to dump them in the bottom. As he nears the boat, motion from across the river draws his attention. “James!”

Turning, he finds Miko running back toward where he stands at the edge of the orchard.

When Miko sees him looking, he comes to a halt and points across the river. James looks to find a single horseman watching them from atop his horse. In the man’s hands is a deadly looking crossbow. Not far further south down the west bank, seven other riders were riding with all speed downriver.

Looking at the departing riders, James says, “They must be heading for a bridge to cross further south. Any idea how far it would be?”

Shaking his head no, Miko replies “Got no idea. I don’t know much of what lies outside of Bearn.”

“Doesn’t matter I guess,” he says. “They’ll be over here soon enough.”

James watches the departing riders until they pass out of sight. He then looks to the road and makes sure there are no travelers approaching from either direction. Grabbing an apple, he walks over to the edge of the river.

“You don’t think you’re going to hit him, do you?” Miko asks incredulously.

Smiling, James says, “Just watch.” He cocks his arm back and throws the apple while casting a variation of his stone spell.

Miko is amazed to see the apple arc through the air and actually pick up speed. Even though the man tries to move out of the way, the apple alters its course and nails him in the side of the head. With bits of apple flying in all directions, Miko is stunned to watch the man tumble from his horse. A thud is heard as the rider hits the ground.

James waits for several seconds to see if the man is going to get up or not. When he remains unmoving on the ground, he turns to head for the boat. “Let’s hurry,” he says, motioning for Miko to get back into the boat.

“Hurry where?” asks Miko as he comes over and climbs in. Careful not to step upon the apples lying across the bottom, he takes his seat.