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“First of all, why would anyone go to the trouble of hiding Tinok from magical searches?” asks James. “I don’t think that would even be a possibility. Second, if he was to be hidden in such a way, I would never even be able to use the cloth to find him either.”

“Oh yeah,” Potbelly says. “I forgot about that.”

“But, just to put everyone’s mind at ease…” he pulls out the cloth and once again, it rises to point the way to where Tinok lies. It still indicates Tinok is somewhere to the southwest.

“So, are we going to take the road?” asks Jiron again.

“Yes,” James replies. “Just keep Reilin out front in case we need to deal with someone.” Indicating the native garb they are all wearing, “And we’ll blend in.”

“It did work with the riders,” chimes in Shorty.

“Exactly,” states James. He sees the way Jiron is looking and him curiously. “What?” he asks.

Shrugging, Jiron says, “This seems a bit bold on your part. Usually you like to stay away and avoid everyone.”

“No one’s out looking for us,” he replies. “We’re not here to cause mischief so I think this time, boldness will be the better way to go. Besides, if we tried to avoid everyone, our search for Tinok could take longer than we have.” So moving like they belong here, they head over to the road and turn to follow it south.

The people traveling upon the road barely even glance at them as they gain the roadway, those going north give them a cursory glance, more to break up the monotony of travel than really caring who they are. The people they pass heading south at times give them a greeting that Reilin returns, but for the most part they keep to themselves.

“Sure looks different than when we came through here earlier this summer,” observes Shorty.

Scar chuckles and says, “Yeah, everyone was running for their lives.”

James isn’t amused at all. Fear. Any kind of fear is a bad thing and to have been one to instigate it is nothing to be proud of. They did what they had to for the Empire to be pushed out of Madoc. He isn’t proud of the effect it had on the common man, but at least it wasn’t as bad as the effect the Empire had on the common man during their push into Madoc.

They keep a good pace throughout the day. Twice more they are stopped momentarily by patrols on the hunt for the missing slaves. From what Reilin gathered from the two meetings, the slaves are vicious, armed and likely to kill you as look at you. Numbering fourteen, they have supposedly killed dozens of unwary travelers on the road.

“Think we should be concerned?” Miko asks.

“They would have to be pretty desperate to take us on,” Jiron states. “There are other more tempting targets they could choose.”

“Just keep our eyes and ears open for trouble,” James announces. “Keep a double watch at night just in case.”

They fall silent as they ride, each thinking about the significance of the escaped slaves. Some think it could possibly be people taken from Madoc during the war trying to get home. Others are of the belief they are criminals out for vengeance.

From where Scar and Potbelly ride, James can hear them talking.

“…probably some old people who got lost…” Scar says.

“…rumors get, as it goes from person to person it continuously gets blown all out of…” adds Scar.

James grins. If there is anyone who blows things out of proportion, it’s those two.

By sundown they reach a town. They recognize it as the last town Illan’s force took before heading out into the desert to avoid the fortress of Al-Ziron. It looks pretty much as they had left it. The few buildings which took damage during the assault are even now being repaired.

“Best if we don’t stay here,” suggests James.

Nodding, Jiron replies, “That would be a good idea. Never know if someone may recognize us.”

“Not to mention they are going to be extra leery of strangers,” pipes up Shorty.

“If memory serves,” Stig says, “we passed by an inn not too far south of here on our way north.”

“That’s right,” agrees Scar. “Three of our freed slaves made off with several casks of ale. That is before Illan found out. After returning the ale, he