The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [76]
Cutting eastward through an open field, James continues for a little over a mile before turning the horse more to the south. Pretty sure that they have moved beyond the ferry and have put distance between themselves and the men hunting them, he slows their pace. So as not to tire their horse, they dismount and James once again takes the reins, leading the horse at a walk.
They continue south while steadily angling their way west, hopping to eventually intersect with the road. When the road finally comes into view again, they are relieved to find it deserted and head toward it.
“How long do you think they will continue the chase?” he asks Miko.
“I doubt if they’ll continue very far,” Miko responds. “They’re just local ruffians. Like me, they’ve seldom been out of the city.”
“Let’s hope so,” James says. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a couple apples, tossing one over to Miko. Once they reach the road, they continue south all the while eating apples and casting glances over their shoulders for sign of pursuit. Just what he would have done should pursuit have materialized, James didn’t know and was glad he didn’t have to find out.
As nightfall approaches, they discover a likely place to make camp for the night sheltered within a small copse of trees near the river. Within lies a small, cleared area within which half a dozen men could camp comfortably. “I guess this spot must be used quite frequently,” he says to Miko, indicating a ring of stones encircling the charred remnants of an old campfire.
“Must be,” Miko agrees.
Tying the horse to a low branch, James turns to Miko. “Get a fire going and I’ll see if I can’t scare up some fish for dinner.”
“How?” Miko asks.
“How are you going to make the fire or how will I scare up some fish?” quips James.
“How are you going to scare up some fish?” Miko clarifies.
James reaches down and grabs a fallen branch from off the ground and says, “I’ll just go out to the river and get one.” He takes out his knife and begins sharpening one end.
“Oh,” Miko says. “Uh, good luck.”
“Thanks,” James replies. On the way to the river he tries to remember the spell he used to catch fish the last time.
Miko gets the fire started and soon has a fair blaze going. Looking out to the river he finds James standing motionless in waist deep water, with the point of the stick held a few inches above the water. Seconds passed. Then, with a quick downward thrust, James plunges the stick into the water and holds it there for several seconds. When he brings the stick back out of the water, a large fish wriggles impaled upon the end.
Seeing Miko watching him, he raises the fish and flashes him a grin. Then he makes his way back to camp where the fish is soon prepped and roasting over the fire. By the time it’s cooked and they’ve consumed a goodly portion, night has fallen.
Satiated and content, James lays near the fire and gazing up at the stars in the sky. He never noticed it before, but the constellations that he knew back home are no longer up there. He lets out a big sigh as the realization sinks in that he is truly a long way from home.
“What are you thinking about James,” Miko asks from where he too lies next to the fire.
“Just that I’m a long way from home,” he responds wistfully. “And I may not be back for a long time, if ever.”
“How far away are you?” Miko inquires.
“I don’t know, farther than you can imagine,” he answers, a little sad.
Turning toward James, Miko asks, “What made you leave?”
“I didn’t realize I was until it was too late,” he replies.
“What do you mean?” asks Miko.
Before he can answer, the quiet of their camp is disturbed by the sound of a rider approaching from the road.
“Hello the fire,” a man’s voice cries out. “Can a weary traveler share your fire this evening?”
Coming to his feet,