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When the scouts report that Korazan lies about two hours away, Illan calls a halt. Cold rations and no fires is the order this night. No chances will be taken that might alert anyone as to their whereabouts.

While waiting for Devin to bring him his dinner, James takes out his mirror and does one final check. The force pursuing them still remains far behind and isn’t looking as if they are going to catch up to them any time soon. Elsewhere it still looks like nothing else is heading their way.

“You okay?” Jiron asks as he approaches.

Looking up, James sees him carrying two plates of food, he hands one to him. Taking the offered food, he says, “Just worried.”

Jiron sits on the ground opposite him. “Aren’t we all?” he questions as he takes a bite. “We aren’t exactly in a safe environment.”

“It isn’t that,” he explains. “Remember when we were on the way to rescue Miko, the whole area seemed to be practically teeming with soldiers.” When he sees Jiron nod he adds, “Now there doesn’t appear to be anyone around. It feels like they are up to something.”

“Perhaps,” he says through a mouthful of food. “It could also be that most of their forces are either in Madoc or over to the east taking on the Kirkens. Keep in mind too that since I met you, you’ve managed to reduce the numbers of their army by quite a lot.”

“Still, it just doesn’t feel right,” he insists. They eat in silence a moment while they each mull it over.

“What are you doing here?” Delia asks as she joins them.

“What?” asks James.

“Not you,” she replies and then points to Jiron, “him.”

James arcs an eyebrow at him and grins. He knows what she’s talking about.

“That poor girl is sitting there all alone and here you are,” she says accusingly. Turning her head, she draws Jiron’s gaze over to where Aleya sits by herself. Her head turns briefly in their direction when she takes notice looking her way, then returns to her plate of food.

“If you don’t get over there right this very minute I’m going to send Scar and Potbelly over there to keep her company,” she tells him.

“Don’t do that,” he says as he gets to his feet. “She already has enough problems without adding them to it.” With a nod to James, he leaves them and makes his way over to her.

Delia sighs after he leaves them and sits in the spot he just vacated. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with that boy!” Glancing over her shoulder, she sees Jiron has taken a seat next to her and is engaging her in conversation.

James can see the smile playing across her lips as she turns back to him. “Some of us take more effort than others,” he says.

“You got that right,” she replies. “But I think Jiron is heading in the right direction. At least he wants to do right.”

“That he does,” he agrees.

Just then he sees Devin approaching. “I laid out your things over there,” he says, pointing to an area near the center of the encampment.

“Thanks,” James replies.

Nodding his head, he excuses himself and then makes his way over to join the rest of the recruits at their meal.

He and Delia sit there and talk about inconsequential things as the light continues to fade. Before it becomes too dark, they each say goodnight and make their way to their respective bedrolls.

As James lies down upon his he thinks about what’s going to happen tomorrow and prays he thought of everything. Laying his head back, he gazes up at the stars beginning to appear in the sky above and lets his mind wander. He knows part of the reason for tackling Korazan tomorrow is in retribution for the slavers’ role in the death of his best friend Dave. The other part is simply that slavery is an evil blight upon the world and one which should be every good man’s duty to hinder and stop.

It takes awhile, but he’s able to finally subdue the thoughts running through his mind and fall asleep.

Sitting up in the dark, he looks around, unsure of what woke him. The night is peaceful, the stars overhead giving some light with which to see. Making a quick survey of the sleeping forms around him, he realizes that he is the only one awake except for the shadow