Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [66]
The camp behind them is total chaos, warriors swarm the area and several horns can be heard. Other areas of the Gathering are in an uproar as well as after the two large explosions in the Grey Wolf Clan’s area.
“They’re not going to let us just walk out of here,” Jiron says. “We have violated the Pact and I’m sure the protection of the Windriders will be withdrawn shortly if it hasn’t already.”
“Then let’s hurry and reach the northern passage out of here before they begin a serious search for us,” James suggests.
Angling as directly to the northern pass as they can, they break into a run toward the northern ridge. Suddenly, out of the trees ahead of them, appears a group of horses.
Jiron’s knives jump to his hands and James readies a spell before they realize that it’s Therin with several other Windriders. Therin has a big smile on his face as he approaches them. “I can see now why they want you so bad,” he says.
He signals a rider who brings out three horses. “Take these horses and fly swift,” he says.
As James mounts, he says, “Aren’t you running the risk of violating the Pact?”
“Probably,” he says, “but that’s my concern. And don’t worry about the horses leading the trail back to us. We stole these from the Grey Wolf Clan.” At that, a couple of the other riders break out laughing.
When they’re mounted, James says, “Thanks again.”
“You are welcome,” he replies. “Though you may not want to come this way ever again.”
“I understand,” James says as he turns his horse toward the north.
“Good luck,” Therin says. “And ride fast!”
They kick their horses and ride for the northern passage through the mountains. Jiron again takes the lead as they quickly leave Therin and the other riders behind.
“Think he’ll get into trouble?” Miko asks him.
“I hope not,” James replies. “But like he said, I don’t think we should ever come this way again.”
As they progress toward the pass, they see a large group of riders now following behind them. James can feel the prickling of magic, telling him Abula-Mazki is among them. “It didn’t take them long to determine where we were going,” James observes.
“He probably did the same trick to find you that you used to find Miko,” Jiron explains.
“You’re probably right,” agrees James.
“We’ll never lose them as long as he’s behind us,” Jiron says.
“I know,” replies James. “I’m working on that.”
The terrain suddenly rises steeply as they near the upper reaches of the pass. Suddenly, they find themselves between two tall ridges as they enter the pass. The pass is wide enough to accommodate several horses side by side and they continue racing through to the other side. The full moon above gives them ample light to see by.
Halfway through, James brings his horse to a sudden halt and quickly dismounts. Jiron soon realizes he’s not with him and glances back. When he sees him there in the pass, he stops and turns his horse around. Moving back, he asks, “What’s wrong?”
James glances up to him and replies, “Just trying to slow the pursuit.”
Jiron watches the pass behind them as James does his thing. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees glowing circular spots flash briefly upon the sides of the pass. They extended at least thirty feet up and after the last one flashes, he sees James slump to the ground again.
He quickly dismounts and helps James get up on his horse, tying him in place. “Haven’t much time,” he hears James say once he has him secured to the saddle.
Nodding, he gets mounted himself and they begin racing toward the far end of the pass. Jiron looks back, and can see riders in the moonlight as they begin entering the pass. Abula-Mazki is in the lead and riding hard to catch them.
Crumph!
When the riders are less than twenty yards from where James had worked the magic, the sides of the pass explode outwards, causing the ridges on both sides