Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

They continue south while steadily angling their way west, hopping to eventually intersect with the road. When the road finally comes into view again, they are relieved to find it deserted and head toward it.

“How long do you think they will continue the chase?” he asks Miko.

“I doubt if they’ll continue very far,” Miko responds. “They’re just local ruffians. Like me, they’ve seldom been out of the city.”

“Let’s hope so,” James says. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a couple apples, tossing one over to Miko. Once they reach the road, they continue south all the while eating apples and casting glances over their shoulders for sign of pursuit. Just what he would have done should pursuit have materialized, James didn’t know and was glad he didn’t have to find out.

As nightfall approaches, they discover a likely place to make camp for the night sheltered within a small copse of trees near the river. Within lies a small, cleared area within which half a dozen men could camp comfortably. “I guess this spot must be used quite frequently,” he says to Miko, indicating a ring of stones encircling the charred remnants of an old campfire.

“Must be,” Miko agrees.

Tying the horse to a low branch, James turns to Miko. “Get a fire going and I’ll see if I can’t scare up some fish for dinner.”

“How?” Miko asks.

“How are you going to make the fire or how will I scare up some fish?” quips James.

“How are you going to scare up some fish?” Miko clarifies.

James reaches down and grabs a fallen branch from off the ground and says, “I’ll just go out to the river and get one.” He takes out his knife and begins sharpening one end.

“Oh,” Miko says. “Uh, good luck.”

“Thanks,” James replies. On the way to the river he tries to remember the spell he used to catch fish the last time.

Miko gets the fire started and soon has a fair blaze going. Looking out to the river he finds James standing motionless in waist deep water, with the point of the stick held a few inches above the water. Seconds passed. Then, with a quick downward thrust, James plunges the stick into the water and holds it there for several seconds. When he brings the stick back out of the water, a large fish wriggles impaled upon the end.

Seeing Miko watching him, he raises the fish and flashes him a grin. Then he makes his way back to camp where the fish is soon prepped and roasting over the fire. By the time it’s cooked and they’ve consumed a goodly portion, night has fallen.

Satiated and content, James lays near the fire and gazing up at the stars in the sky. He never noticed it before, but the constellations that he knew back home are no longer up there. He lets out a big sigh as the realization sinks in that he is truly a long way from home.

“What are you thinking about James,” Miko asks from where he too lies next to the fire.

“Just that I’m a long way from home,” he responds wistfully. “And I may not be back for a long time, if ever.”

“How far away are you?” Miko inquires.

“I don’t know, farther than you can imagine,” he answers, a little sad.

Turning toward James, Miko asks, “What made you leave?”

“I didn’t realize I was until it was too late,” he replies.

“What do you mean?” asks Miko.

Before he can answer, the quiet of their camp is disturbed by the sound of a rider approaching from the road.

“Hello the fire,” a man’s voice cries out. “Can a weary traveler share your fire this evening?”

Coming to his feet, James tries to pierce the dark veil of night to better see who it is that approaches. “If you mean no trouble,” he shouts back, “then you are welcome, stranger.”

As the horse and rider enter the light from the campfire, James discovers the man to be the bard they so enjoyed from the Flying Swan.

“A bard is always welcome,” James says.

“I’ve found that to be true, yes,” the bard agrees as he dismounts. James comes over and offers to help him with removing the saddle and tack but the man refuses, saying that he shall do it himself. Once he’s done, he secures his horse near theirs and joins them by the fire. He sits down next to the fire and James offers him some of the fish left over from their dinner.

Taking the fish, the bard says, “Thank you sir, my name is Perrilin.”

“I’m James,” he replies, “and this is Miko. I enjoyed your music at the Flying Swan last night and the night before. You’re an excellent musician and singer.”

“Thank you, it’s always good to make the acquaintance of someone who appreciates music,” Perrilin says. He takes a bite of the fish and finding it to be acceptable, takes several more. The bard then reaches into his tunic and pulls out a flask. After taking a long drink, he offers it to James who declines. Miko doesn’t turn down the flask when it is offered to him and takes a small sip before giving it back.

“Where are you heading?”

“I have an engagement at an inn in Cardri,” replies Perrilin as he continues eating the fish.

“We’re heading to Cardri as well, would you like to accompany us?” offers James.

“I’d like to,” he says, “but my engagement starts the day after tomorrow and I don’t think you will be able to keep up with me since you only have the one horse between you.”

“Perhaps not,” agrees James.

“Which inn will you be performing at?” Miko asks.

“The Inn of the Silver Bells,” Perrilin responds, “I’ll be there for a week at least. After that, who knows?” He continues eating the fish and soon has gleaned ever bit of flesh from the bones. Sitting back he grabs his mandolin and asks if anyone would mind if he practices. James shakes his head no, that he wouldn’t mind. Miko of course was eager to hear him play. As Perrilin begins by tuning his instrument, James places a couple more pieces of wood on the fire to keep it bright and cheery.

The first song he plays is a fun and lively song with a quick tempo. James is soon tapping his knee and by the end of the song is singing along with the chorus. The next song is slower and a bit sad, “This one is usually for the ladies,” he explains. As the song progresses, James can see why. There’s a lot of stuff about love and sorrow, things ladies like to cry about.

When that song is over Perrilin says, “Now, how about one of you singing a song and I will accompany you?”

Miko shakes his head no and seems to shrink within himself.

James considers the request and then says, “I doubt if you would know any of the songs I do.”

Perrilin reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver, “I know one thousand, four hundred and thirty five songs. If you can sing me a complete song that I do not know, I shall give you this.”

Smiling, James says, “You’re on.” Settling back, he takes a couple deep breathes then begins to sing:

“ Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.”

After the first verse and chorus, Perrilin begins to accompany James on his instrument and by the third, he’s singing along with the chorus. When James finishes the song, Perrilin tosses him the sliver, saying, “Here you go, I have never heard that song before. Would you mind if I give it a try?”

Flattered, James says, “Sure, go ahead.”

Perrilin begins to sing and from the first note uttered puts the rendition James had done to shame. He sings it straight through, never once faltering and uses the same inflections and melody that James had used with only slight modifications. When the last note fades into the night he asks, “How did it sound?”