Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [163]
“Yeah,” agrees James. Taking his newly bought goods from the counter, he turns for the door. “You wouldn’t happen to know which road they took out of town would you?”
“Why?” the merchant asks.
“We’re heading east and if there’s a battle about to be fought, we don’t want to be anywhere nearby when it does.”
Nodding, the merchant says, “They took the south road.”
“Thanks,” James says as he starts moving for the door. Jiron reaches the door first and opens it for him.
“May your travels be safe ones,” offers the merchant.
“Thank you,” Jiron replies. Stepping aside, he lets James leave the chandlery and then follows him out.
They secure the rations behind their saddles and James puts the new mirror into one of his belt pouches. Then taking the water bottles over to the rain barrel sitting against the building, they fill them up.
James says, “So they are indeed going after Illan.”
“Hope he’s faring all right,” replies Jiron. Worries for his sister and friends have been a constant companion since he and James left them.
“With Miko and the Hand of Asran to take care of any magical foes,” James says, “it would take a large force indeed to cause him any real problems.”
Topping off his last bottle, Jiron secures the stopper in the bottle’s neck. James finishes with his and they return to their horses to pack the extra bottles away. Mounting once more, they turn south to follow the road through town.
Once past the last building, they break into a fast gallop as they race down the road. Seeing as how the force of soldiers ahead has wagons traveling with them, they may be able to catch them before they attack Illan. Alternating between a fast gallop and at times dismounting to give the horses a break, they put many miles behind them. As they ride they keep an eye on the tracks of those they are pursuing to make sure the soldiers don’t turn off the road unexpectedly.
By time they reach the town of Arakan, the sun has begun its descent to the horizon. Having bought sufficient supplies back in Bindles, they decide against stopping. Instead they hurry their way through town.
As they enter the outskirts, James eyes the building that the officer who had stopped and checked their papers exited from during their last visit. Since neither one can speak the language, any confrontation can only lead to disaster. Coming abreast of the building, he quickens the pace of his horse slightly and moves past. He breathes a sigh of relief when no one makes an appearance.
“Take it easy,” Jiron says to him softly. James gives him a nod and brings his horse back to a normal gait. The last thing they want to do is attract attention. Continuously scanning the people on the streets for any potential problems, they make their way through town.
One thing James notices is the lack of guards or soldiers. Since entering Arakan, he’s only seen one guard. Glancing to Jiron he sees that he’s noticed that fact too. Last time they had more of a presence. Perhaps when the soldiers passed through here they took most of the guards with them.
If that is the case, James is both elated and worried. Elated in that if they are forced to strip town garrisons and city guards to bolster their army, then they must be hurting for men. On the other hand, he’s worried because that would mean more to face should there be a battle.
They reach the far side of town and leave the last building behind them without incident. Not far past the town they come across an area that looks like it could have been the bivouac area the army they’re following used the night before. Piles of horse dung dot the area and there’s evidence of over a dozen fire pits spaced evenly throughout.
“We’re gaining on them,” Jiron says after examining a pile of horse dung.
“I hope so,” replies James.
They