Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [79]
“What happened here?” the commander in charge of the riders asks. Among those riding behind him, the soldier notices several riders who had been among those guarding the caravan.
“They slew everyone,” he explains. “Somehow, the man who cut me did a poor job.” He lowers the cloth to show the commander his wound.
“How many were there?” the commander asks after taking in the scene.
“Hundreds,” replies the soldier. “But commander!”
The tone in the soldier’s voice causes the commander to turn his attention once more upon him. “Yes?”
“They are planning to take Al-Zynn!”
“Tell me everything,” he commands.
Chapter Thirteen
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Leaving the scene of carnage behind them, they head fairly due south as fast as the horses can carry them. Illan glances over to James where he’s checking his mirror and asks, “What are they doing?”
Glancing up from the mirror, he says, “They just reached the dead soldiers. The one we left alive is talking to the commander.”
“Think they’ll take the bait?” Jiron asks.
“We were pretty convincing,” Ceadric says.
“Thought you had actually cut his throat for a moment,” James tells him.
“So did I,” he admits. “Then I saw him move his hand up to his throat and apply pressure to stop the blood flow while attempting to appear like he was dead.”
James returns his gaze to the mirror then says, “Looks like they did.” He glances to Illan and adds, “Riders are moving at breakneck speed in all directions. The majority are heading south, just to the east of us.”
“Makes sense,” Illan says with a nod. “That’s the general direction of Al-Zynn.”
“We’ll have everyone after us in no time,” comments Ceadric.
“That’s what we wanted,” states James. He hated to kill those soldiers in that fashion but as Illan explained to him, there was no one to spare to escort them back. No sense letting go soldiers who will only try to kill them later on.
“With any luck all their forces will converge on Al-Zynn,” Illan says.
“Would make things easier, that’s for sure,” Jiron says.
While they ride, James periodically checks his mirror for any hostiles ahead which they may have to deal with. The area to the south is clear for the moment. Moving the image back to the force behind them, he finds several enemy scouts keeping an eye on them. Scrolling even further to the north, he sees the force that had been heading toward Al-Zynn now turned to follow them. The scouts must have reported their position and the army moved to follow.
“They’ve turned to follow us,” he says, “and are keeping their distance.”
“I would too if I were in their position,” Illan states. “They don’t have the numbers to take us on. We don’t have much to worry about unless they are joined by another force.”
“Should we attack them?” asks Jiron.
Shaking his head, Illan says, “No. They’re cavalry and would just run away.”
“Then what should we do?” he asks.
“Just as we are,” replies Illan. “Let them follow and think we are oblivious to the fact they are there.” Shrugging, he adds, “Nothing else to do I’m afraid.”
None like the fact of enemy soldiers following them, but as Illan said, what can they do about it? James keeps a watch on the pursuing force the rest of the day, worried they may try something. But his worries are for naught as the enemy force continues to maintain a discreet distance.
The sun droops to the horizon with the coming of night and James announces that other than the force following them, there are no others close enough to pose a threat. Illan calls a halt and they set up camp.
They keep a wary eye on the force behind them and through the mirror see that they too have set up camp. Once the tents are up and the fires built, James calls a meeting of the leaders to fill them in on just what they are planning to do.
Once they’ve gathered