Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

“Think we’ll find what you’re looking for over in Madoc around the Sea of the Gods?” he asks.

“I really don’t know,” James says, “but it is all I have to go on. Hopefully we can find out something more in Trademeet before we head through the pass. Maybe someone there will have some recollection of hearing a story or tale from their grandparents about it. We’ll see.”

Getting up, James goes over to the fire and adds a few more sticks to it then returns to his blanket on the ground. “We better get some sleep, we have a ways to go tomorrow and I’m tired.” He lies down and pulls the blanket over him to keep the coolness of the night away.

“Good night, James,” Miko says.

“You too, Miko,” replies James. They both lie there for a while, just listening to the night and slowly drift off to sleep.

Early the next morning finds them on their way back to the road where they originally found the raided caravan. After several hours of riding, the road appears ahead of them in the distance but there is no sign of the caravan.

“Maybe we came to the road in a different spot,” suggests Miko.

Nodding agreement, James looks down the road in both directions and says, “But which way?”

“Can’t you just do that compass thing and find out?” Miko asks.

“Probably,” James replies, “but it might be better not to use magic for a while, I’m getting kind of worn out from doing so much of it.” Thinking for a bit, he makes his decision, “We’ll head in the direction of Trademeet and if we don’t find them, then at least we will be heading in the right direction for where we want to go.”

“I suppose we could leave a message for them there, letting them know what’s going on,” says Miko.

“Good idea, we’ll do that,” he agrees. Turning their horses east, they set off at a canter, slowly eating away the distance.

Around noon they reach the spot where the caravan had been raided. Yesterday’s rain hadn’t been able to remove all traces of the blood soaked into the ground from the bandit’s attack as yet. And a hundred feet or so off the road rose a mound of fresh turned earth.

Indicating the mound James says, “Must be where they buried the bodies of the guards and drivers.”

“Looks like it,” Miko agrees. “Guess they managed to hook the bandits’ horses up to the wagons and are already on their way to Trademeet.”

“Hope so,” says James. “It shouldn’t take us too much longer to catch up with them, I would think.”

Riding fast, they leave the area of the battle and hurry down the road. They didn’t get far before a lone rider appears on the road ahead approaching them from the east. When he draws near, James slows and greets him, “Good day to you sir.”

The man slows as well and stares suspiciously at James all the while resting his hand upon the pommel of his sword. “Good day to you as well,” the man replies, not relaxing his grip on his sword.

“We were wondering if you could tell us if you had passed a caravan further down the road, heading east?” he asks. “There would have been a man and two women in charge of it.”

“Aye,” the man replies. “I passed a caravan some time earlier this morning. It had an escort of the kings’ soldiers with it, if that be the one you’re referring to.”

“Yes, that would be the one,” James says.

“They are perhaps two hours away, maybe more,” explained the man.

“Thank you sir, you’ve been a great help.” James nods his head in acknowledgement.

The man returns his nod, and begins to relax a little.

“Have a safe journey,” James says to the man as he starts down the road again. Glancing back, he can see that the man remains still as he watches them depart before turning and continues on his way.

“Not a very friendly sort, was he?” Miko asks.

“Alone in the middle of nowhere is not a place to be too trusting,” James explains. “Especially not when you are outnumbered two to one.”

“At lest he let us know they’re not too far ahead.”

“Yes, hopefully we will catch them by nightfall,” James figures.

“That would be nice,” Miko says. “Sheila is kind of cute.”

Looking over at him, James warns, “You better not let Rylin hear you say that.”

“Why? She is cute,” Miko replies defensively.

“I agree that she is cute. However, I believe Rylin is in love with her and you wouldn’t want him to mark you as a rival for her affections,” James cautions.

“I’ll admire her from afar,” Miko states. Seeing the look on James’ face he adds, “Silently.”

“See that you do,” he says, with a little extra emphasis on the word do.

They continue to make good time and shortly before sunset a large camp with many wagons and tents appears alongside the road ahead. When they draw closer, Rylin emerges from the bustle of the camp and comes forward to greet them.

“James! Miko! How glad I am to see you,” he exclaims as he comes up to James and shakes his hand with enthusiasm.

Dismounting, James says, “Sorry we were unable to retrieve your horses, but the bandits joined with a larger force and we couldn’t risk it.”

Joining the conversation, Miko says, “Captain Varos took off after them though. He may return the horses to you.”

“So you ran into the Captain, did you?” Rylin asks. “He was kind enough to offer us an escort into Trademeet and then set off after the bandits. We told him you may be around.”

Walking their horses into camp, James sees Sheila and her mother, Shawna, getting the wagons positioned and the horses taken care of. Some of the soldiers are lending their aid in getting everything situated properly. They tie their horses near the wagons and then walk over to where the ladies are busy removing the last of the tack from the horses.

“Sheila!” Rylin hollers over to her as they approach. She turns and sees him approaching with James and Miko. Placing the tack on the wagon, she turns to her mother and says, “Mother, Look! James and Miko are back.”

Pulling the saddle off the horse, Shawna looks over and gives them a smile in greeting before placing the saddle on the wagon. Giving the horse into the care of one of the soldiers, she comes over to them, saying, “We weren’t sure whether or not we would see you again. I’m glad you made it back safely.”

“We ran into some unforeseen problems,” James said.

With concern on her face she asks, “Like what?”

“The bandits had met with another group and together, were a force too strong for us to be able to do anything,” he explains. “We decided it was too risky to try to retrieve your horses.”

From the area the soldiers had claimed for themselves this evening, a man in uniform with a commanding presence, walks toward them. When he approaches the group, Shawna says, “James, Miko, this is Sergeant Mindol.” Turning to the sergeant, she says, “These are the two who were going after the bandits and attempt to recover our horses.”

“I was wondering who the newcomers were.” Extending his hand toward James, the sergeant says, “Good evening to you sir.”

Taking his hand in a firm grip, James says, “Good evening to you as well.”

“Did you catch up with the bandits?” asks Sergeant Mindol.

“As I was telling them, we did but they had joined with a larger force,” he explains. “We were on our way back when we ran into Captain Varos and told him what was going on. He led his men south and I believe was going to attempt to overtake the bandits.”

“He’s an outstanding captain,” Sergeant Mindol states. “I am sure he will be able to handle any situation he may run into.”