Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [80]
“But if we don’t set a fast pace aren’t we likely to face even more forces at Al-Zynn?” asks Brother Willim.
James turns to him with a grin and says, “We’re not going to Al-Zynn. We simply want them to believe that we are so they will move all their forces to its defense.”
He returns James’ gaze with a confused one of his own. “Then where are we going?” he asks.
“Korazan,” James replies. “From the intelligence gathered by Lord Pytherian’s agents, there’s a large stockpile of supplies and weapons there.”
“Not to mention hundreds if not thousands of possible recruits in the fight with the Empire,” states Miko from where he sits by the tent flap. When Brother Willim appears to not understand he says, “The slaves.”
His head nods as understanding dawns on him.
“We have never intended to face the brunt of their forces,” explains James. “We are simply here to create unrest, do some damage so they will pull their forces from Madoc in an attempt to get rid of us.”
“But there will be very few slaves who know how to fight,” Brother Willim says.
Miko nods his head and says, “True. But you don’t need much skill to wield a crossbow, the preferred weapon of slavers. You have a couple hundred bolts flying toward a mass of soldiers and no matter how inept the crossbowmen are, it’s bound to be devastating.”
“Korazan is a big city,” Illan says, drawing every eye to him. “We aren’t necessarily planning on taking it, just the slaver compound on the outskirts. If the opportunity presents itself, we may do more but that will be determined when we get there.”
Delia glances from Jiron and James. “You both have been planning this since we were last there haven’t you?” she asks.
“Slavery is abhorrent,” James replies. “And yes, when I first thought to enter the Empire to draw their forces back to the Empire, I wanted to make a stop there to free what slaves I could.”
“They deserve no mercy!” blurts out Miko who lived as a slave for a time. The horrors he witnessed during his slavery still haunt him at times.
“How can one who bears the Star say that?” questions Brother Willim. “We priests are here to serve men, not kill them.”
Miko turns his attention to him and says, “Be that as it may, no slaver should ever be allowed to live and propagate their trade.” He glares at Brother Willim a moment then continues. “Besides, I’m not a priest in the strictest sense of the word and I have no compunction whatsoever about the death of a slaver.” Ever since he first came to possess the Star, his vocabulary has changed slightly. Words he never before used have begun to creep in.
Brother Willim gazes into his eyes a moment and then shakes his head sadly.
“I concur,” adds Jiron. His sister Tersa had been a slave for a time and to him that deserves some payback.
“Where do we go after Korazan?” Delia asks.
James glances to Illan and then says, “Illan will take the slaves and his Raiders back to Madoc. The rest of us will proceed a little further into the Empire. With any luck we’ll draw all the magical types after us, leaving only the ordinary soldiery for Illan to contend with.”
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“I’ll tell you that once we split with Illan,” he says. “Too many things may happen between here and there and I wouldn’t want one of us to be captured and interrogated.” When he sees the worry in her eyes, he adds, “Don’t worry, that isn’t likely to happen.”
“I hope not,” she says, worried.
“The force behind us seems content merely to follow along behind us,” Illan states. Then to Ceadric he says, “Be sure to post extra sentries through the night. We