Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [56]
Before he’s done, he hears several riders coming down the road from the north. Getting up, he hurries back to the wagons and reaches them just as the riders turn off the road into the oasis. Soldiers!
Seven enemy soldiers and a civilian enter the oasis and dismount by the pool of water, letting their horses drink. They glance occasionally over at James’ group, but otherwise pay them no heed.
Roland notices how everyone has tensed up with the appearance of the soldiers. He comes over to James and whispers, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” James replies, not wanting to get Roland involved.
“Right,” he replies in a tone saying he doesn’t believe that.
James just looks back at him, not giving him anymore of an explanation.
The soldiers have all dismounted and are filling their water bottles from the pool. The civilian, oddly enough is remaining on his horse. James glances over to him and realizes that he’s staring right at him.
A shock of recognition runs through him. Jiron! His eyes widen in recognition and then he nods his head, letting Jiron know that he recognizes him. Not wishing to alert the soldiers to the fact they know each other, James leisurely makes his way over to where Tinok is in the back of the wagon with Cassie.
As he approaches, Tinok hops out of the wagon and comes up to him. Excited, he starts to say, “James! Do you…”
Putting his finger in front of his lips for silence, James nods and whispers, “I know.”
“What are we going to do?” he asks quietly, casting glances over to where Jiron sits.
“Let’s take the wagons down the road a ways and wait for them to come,” he replies. “We could ambush them.”
“We should do it now!” insists Tinok, a little too loud. A soldier looks over in their direction at the outburst, but otherwise continues about his business.
“What about the girls?” counters James.
“If they leave here,” Tinok argues, “we may lose the chance to get him back!”
Roland comes over and joins them, “What’s going on?”
“They have our companion over there,” James tells him, nodding toward where Jiron sits, secured to the horse.
Roland looks over and sees him there, “Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” Looking into their eyes is answer enough. “Are you crazy? Do you know who that is over there?” He indicates the officer in charge.
James shakes his head and says, “No.”
“His insignia shows him to be a Commander of Ten,” continues Roland.
“So?” Tinok replies, obviously not impressed.
“A Commander of Ten only becomes one by being the best with the sword and usually totally ruthless,” he explains. “Any ordinary man taking him on, dies!”
“Still, we must rescue our friend,” insists James.
Nodding, Tinok agrees.
“You’re both crazy!” Roland exclaims.
Tinok grins and says, “Probably.”
James tells him, “Go back and have the girls start moving the wagons out of here.”
Roland gives him a look of utter disbelief at what they intend to do, but he turns and starts walking back toward the wagons.
Tinok looks at him in surprise and James says, “You’re right, we need to do this here, now, before they have a chance to get back on their horses.”
They watch as Roland reaches the wagons and begins speaking to Delia and Cassie. Delia looks at them and slowly nods her head, Cassie starts to cry out to Tinok, but Delia puts her hand over her mouth and quietly whispers in her ear. With a pained look to Tinok, Cassie gets on the second wagon and is soon following Delia, who’s leading the first wagon back to the road.
Looking to Tinok, James says, “Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” he replies, “Let’s do it!”
James gathers several stones and Tinok readies his knives. About this time, the Commander of Ten has noticed that the wagons are rolling away, yet two have stayed behind. He says something to one of his men and the soldier starts walking over toward them.
As the soldier approaches, he says something to them in his language. Getting no response, he puts his hand on his sword as he continues to advance. By this time, all of the Commander’s men are aware of what’s transpiring. They start to flank out, and