• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

“So soon?” he asks.

“Yes,” he replies. “Have to find out what Ironhold is and where. Ceryn’s been around so I’m hoping he may know something about it.”

“We’re probably two or three days from The Ranch,” interjects Illan.

“Can’t wait to get back,” Jiron says. “Tersa must be worried sick about me.”

Just then from the north, they see a dozen or so riders coming their way. When they get close enough, they see that they’re part of the Cardri cavalry. James comes to his feet as they approach and the officer comes forward and says, “Heard there’s some strange happenings going on around here. Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?”

Nodding, James says, “An hour or so to the south is an inn. We found the occupants slaughtered and several mindless people wandering around. Buried the dead and left the mindless to continue wandering.”

“Slaughtered you say?” he asks.

“That’s right,” he replies. “Same thing was happening down in Willimet. Those people down there need some help that’s for sure.”

The officer waves over a subordinate and has a few quiet words with him which James cannot make out. When he’s done, he turns back to James and says, “Thanks for the information.”

“You’re welcome,” he says.

The officer then calls for his men to begin moving and they double time it down the road.

“Looks like those people are going to get help after all,” remarks Fifer.

“Maybe,” says James, “if they don’t just kill them.”

“True,” adds Illan. “At least it’s not our problem anymore.”

James nods his head as he returns to the campfire and finishes eating.

On the road again, they continue their northerly course, anxious to get home. Setting a quick pace they manage to reach the city of Guellin by the night of the second day. The sheep ranches come into view long before they see the skyline of the town. Shepherds are out among them, minding their flocks. Some wave a hello while others pointedly ignore them.

As the road enters town, a large three story building sits on their right with a sign of a sleeping sheep hanging by the front door.

“Looks like a good spot,” says James. The grounds are relatively free of debris and the inn has an overall look of having been well maintained.

“Shall I see if they have any rooms?” Jiron asks.

Getting down from his horse, James stretches his sore muscles and says, “Sure. See if they have four. I’d like one on at least the second floor.”

“You got it,” he says as he goes up and enters the door.

“Just another day to Trendle,” Illan tells him as he comes to stand next to him.

“Good. I’m tired of riding,” he admits.

Miko gets down and has the last of his tarts in his hand. James can’t believe he’s still eating them. Last night they seemed a bit off but Miko wasn’t swayed by the chance of food poisoning. James tried to explain it to him but the concept was simply too far beyond his understanding. He couldn’t see how something which doesn’t smell or taste bad could be. So James just shrugged and hoped for the best.

“James, look,” Says Miko as he points across the street.

A woman walks along the far side of the street with a small girl behind her. His eyes widen and a smile comes to his face when he sees the little girl carrying what has to be one of Tersa’s teddy bears. He nudges Illan and nods in their direction.

“Guess you really had something there,” he says.

“I’m going to go find out where she got it,” James tells him as he steps into the street. Making a beeline for her, the mother soon becomes aware of his approach and stops. She puts herself in front of her daughter as he comes close.

“Excuse me,” he says and then points to the teddy bear, “but could you tell me where you got that?”

Visibly relaxing, she replies, “Argoth’s down the street has them.” She then points to the right.

“Thank you,” he says and gives her a nod as he leaves.

“Be right back,” he hollers over to the others as he makes his way to Argoth’s. He barely takes four steps before Fifer, Qyrll and Miko join him. When he looks questioning at them, Fifer says, “Illan doesn’t want you out alone.