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“This wasn’t an attack on us,” Jiron says.

“No,” agrees Illan, “it wasn’t.”

The two lines of dead bodies lie in an almost straight line from the edge of the encampment. It’s quite obvious that they knew who they were after and where he was.

“From this point on,” Illan says, “you have a guard near you while you sleep.”

“My brethren and I will be honored to have that duty,” Brother Willim says.

Illan gives him a nod just as Ceadric returns.

“No one else is out there,” he reports.

“Keep the men out,” he tells him. “I want a revolving pattern around the camp in case more are on the way.”

“What should the men do if they encounter one?” Ceadric asks.

They look to James who says, “Call for help and stay away. They are helpless where these shadows are concerned.”

Nodding, Ceadric turns to begin carrying out his orders.

To the rest of the camp Illan hollers out, “Get back to sleep. It’s over.” When the men begin returning to their bedrolls he glances to the orb shining overhead and says to James, “Don’t need that anymore.”

Canceling the spell, the orb winks out. Light from dozens of lanterns continue to illuminate the area. “Weren’t those things the same as we saw in Willimet?” Jiron asks.

“Exactly the same,” he replies.

“They could have wiped out everyone before they were noticed,” Delia says from where she joins the group.

Nodding, James replies, “Definitely a good portion if that had been their goal. But they were after me.” And that’s what worries him. He feels a hand on his shoulder and turns to find Brother Willim there.

“Don’t worry,” Brother Willim says. “Now that we know what we’re up against, they’ll not so easily get that close to you again.”

“That’s right,” another of the Hand offers.

“Thank you,” he says.

“We still have several hours until dawn,” Illan states. “I suggest we all try to get what sleep we can.” He’s talking to everyone but his gaze is on James.

“Wylick!” Illan hollers.

“Yes, sir,” comes the reply as the tall captain approaches.

“Get a party of men and bury the dead,” he says.

“Yes, sir,” the captain replies as he begins organizing the burial detail.

Nodding, James returns to his blankets, though after such a close call he doubts if he’ll be able to sleep. Captain Wylick and his men get busy carry the dead out of camp and gather them in one area. Then they begin digging a large grave for all of them.

Brother Willim and another of the Hand remain up and as the lights from the lanterns and torches wink out, a soft green glow can be seen emanating from them as they patrol the camp. The glow gives comfort, allowing the mind to rest and sleep to come.

Chapter Sixteen

___________________________

In the early light of dawn, they make ready to get underway for their assault on Korazan. James takes out his mirror and checks on the force trailing them. Still over half a day behind, they shouldn’t pose a threat. Then over to the west he brings Korazan into view. The gates of the city remain shut, a line of civilians stands outside waiting to enter.

Scrolling to the south, the road there leading to Korazan has minimal traffic, none of which is military in nature. To the north he finds two riders, each trailing a mount as they ride hell bent for Korazan.

“Illan!” James exclaims.

Coming to his side, Illan looks at the image in the mirror of the two riders. “They’re going to alert Korazan of our approach. How close are they?” Widening the image, James is able to determine they are less than a half hour away from the city. “No way to catch them before they get there.”

“At least they’ll have little warning,” offers James.

Illan nods. “There is that,” he says. The two men sent into Korazan the day before have yet to report back which worries him. “Ceadric, get the men moving.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies. “Mount up!” he hollers and the men start climbing into the saddle. When everyone is mounted and ready, he turns back to Illan and says, “Ready.”

“Move ‘em out,” Illan says as he nudges the sides of his horse to get going. James does the same and as soon as they have taken their place