Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [92]
“Isn’t that what women want?” he asks in all seriousness.
A soft laughter breaks through her barrier. Shaking her head she says, “Not one such as Aleya. If you want her, you need to think of her as more of an equal. She needs to feel you are interested in her as a person.”
He turns to look at her, a thoughtful expression playing across his face.
“Ask her about her life, her past, what she hopes for the future,” she goes on. “And for goodness sake, just listen when she talks. Don’t interrupt or she will think you aren’t interested in what she’s saying. Your deeds gained her interest, but alone they won’t gain her heart.”
Nodding, he begins to see where he’s gone wrong. “Thanks,” he says to her.
“Just be patient. That’s the most important thing a man can do where a woman is involved.”
“I will,” he assures her then nudges his horse to move up the line to ride next to Aleya.
“Think he’ll listen?” Errin asks as she pulls up next to her.
“We’ll see,” states Delia.
Up ahead they watch as Jiron pulls next to her and says something. Delia holds her breath in expectation until Aleya slightly turns her head in Jiron’s direction and replies. Both Delia and Errin let go their pent up breath at the same time.
“She really does like him,” Errin states.
“I know,” replies Delia. “We were talking about just that thing a few days ago. He only needed to be shown the way.”
“Just hope he doesn’t make a mess of it,” says Errin.
“Of course he will, he’s a man,” Delia says and then turns to Errin with a grin. “They can’t help themselves.”
At that they break out into soft laughter at the expense of all males everywhere.
Throughout the rest of the day they continue to push on toward Korazan. James periodically checks the surrounding area for any hostiles which may be on an intercept course. But other than the odd traveler, there doesn’t appear to be anyone around. Just after their midday break to give the horses a breather, he discovers that the force they ambushed back at the road is once again on the move after them, though half a day behind. Now augmented by the foot soldiers that have caught up with them from Al-Zynn, they outnumber them by more than two to one. On the plus size, in order to keep their two forces together, they have to travel at the speed of the foot soldiers which is greatly less than a horse and thus will continue to fall further behind.
“If they get too close we’ll have to slow them down again,” James states.
Nodding, Illan replies, “At the rate they’ll be moving, it isn’t likely going to be a problem.”
Occasionally their scouts report forces on the move which James readily finds once he knows where to look. They’re never more than a score or two and none are heading in their direction.
By the end of the day, he’s able to at last see Korazan in his mirror. Still hours away, if they travel a couple more hours by nightfall, they will be within striking distance for the following morning.
At this point, Illan begins sending out groups of eight riders whose purpose is to find and detain anyone who might raise the alarm. If they can strike with surprise in the morning they’ll not lose as many men.
“There’s a force of men camped on the north side of town,” James tells Illan.
“How many?” he asks.
He studies the image a moment then says, “A couple hundred.” He glances over to him and adds, “Most are foot soldiers.”
“Good,” he states. Turning to where Ceadric rides just behind them, he waves him closer. “Time to send them in.”
Ceadric nods and moves further back into the column. Shortly after that two riders, wearing the regular garb of those living in the Empire, detach themselves and race for Korazan. Dressed as one of them, these two men will attempt to find out strengths and deployments before the morning’s attack. James felt very fortunate to discover that several of the Raiders had a working knowledge of the Empire’s tongue.