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His mind wanders while he rides, wondering where James is and if he’s even still alive. Did this crazy plan work? Are Madoc’s forces even now pushing the Empire out? But what’s most on his mind is the threat of attack. They’ve been extremely lucky so far. How long is that going to last though? The closer they come to the border, the more likely that they will be hit and hit hard!

“Sir!” a scout cries as he rides up from the south.

“Report,” Illan says as the man draws near.

“A score of riders comes from the south,” reports the scout. “They don’t look like soldiers, rather civilians.”

From where Miko rides next to Illan he asks, “What were they wearing?”

“Most had on robes of one kind or another,” he replies.

Illan glances to Miko, he understands the significance of that. “How far away are they?”

“A day, maybe more. They are moving only slightly faster than we are,” he explains.

“Very well,” replies Illan. “Return and keep an eye on them. If they should begin moving faster, return to let us know immediately.”

Giving a smart salute, the scout says, “Yes, sir.” Then he turns his horse and gallops back to the south.

“Mages you think?” Miko asks though he already knows the answer.

“Would think so,” Illan states. “Moving slow though, that bothers me.”

“Why?” questions Miko.

Illan glances to him and says, “It most likely means they’re pacing us until other forces arrive then all will attack together.” After a moment he adds, “Tell Ceadric and Delia I want to talk to them. Oh, and have Brother Willim come too.”

Miko gives him a nod and then goes to find them.

Ceadric is the first to make his appearance. “What’s up?” he asks.

“Tell you when the others join us,” replies Illan.

They wait for several more minutes before first Delia joins them then Miko returns with Brother Willim in tow.

Continuing to ride, Illan has them move ahead of the column so he won’t be overheard. “Scouts have reported a score of mages approaching from the rear,” he tells them.

“A score?” asks Ceadric in surprise. “They’ve never committed that many at one time.”

“You must be causing them difficulties for them to commit so many,” suggests Brother Willim.

“Indeed,” replies Illan.

“Are they close?” Delia asks.

“Right now they’re about a day behind and are pacing us,” he replies.

“We think they may be waiting for reinforcements before attacking,” pipes up Miko.

Illan nods. “That’s right.” To Ceadric he says, “Send scouts further out. We need to know what’s on the way. The scouts currently behind us are keeping an eye on them and will let us know if they make a move to quicken their pace.”

“That would mean whatever they are planning is about to happen,” comments Ceadric.

Illan nods to Ceadric who moves to get the scouts underway then turns to Miko and Brother Willim. “Can you handle them in the event of an attack?”

“Twenty?” considers Brother Willim. “I don’t think so. It would depend on how strong they are.”

“I’m not sure what I can do against magic,” admits Miko. “The Star works well against otherworldly creatures, but flesh and blood?” He pauses a second before continuing, “I just don’t know.”

“Whether or not we can readily defeat them is immaterial,” states Brother Willim. “If we wait for other reinforcements to arrive the situation will only get worse. I say we turn back and deal with them now while our chances are the highest.”

“I agree,” says Delia. “The longer we wait the worse it will become.”

Glancing to the sky, Illan says, “It’s still an hour before noon. Let’s wait a couple hours to see if Ceadric’s scouts find anything. If not, we’ll turn around and attack.”

“And if they do?” asks Miko.

“Then we’ll adjust our plans accordingly,” he replies. “Return to your people and be ready.”

They break up and return to the column. Illan resumes his place at the head while the others rejoin their groups to inform them of what’s going on.

With a possible attack imminent, Illan has the column tighten up and posts Raiders on either end. They stop at noon for a brief rest and lunch break, can’t afford to have everyone