Three more flashes and three more bandits fall to the floor dead before the rest can leave the house. Fifer retrieves his crutch from off the floor and quickly moves to the window to see what’s going on outside. Bandits lie dead on the ground and more flashes can be seen off in the woods as multiple red spheres pursue those still alive. Their screams and cries of pain grow fainter the further they move away from the house. The sphere which had materialized within the house suddenly winks out.
“It’s okay,” Roland says to Ezra who has her head buried in the crook of his neck. Sobbing, she still clutches Arkie in her hands. He pats her on the back as he tries to calm her.
“What’s going on out there?” he asks Fifer.
“I don’t think any are getting away,” he replies. “Whatever James set up is taking them all out fast.”
Bringing her to arms length from him, he looks in her eyes and says soothingly, “It’s okay. Take Arkie into our bedroom and shut the door. Fifer and I have work ahead of us this evening.”
She nods her head and takes Arkie from the room, the pups follow them.
Fifer turns from the window and says, “It’s grown dark out there again. I think it’s over.”
“Give me a hand to get the dead out of here and buried,” Roland says.
“You got it,” he replies. Together, they begin hauling the dead out of the house. It takes some doing, but Roland digs a hole out in the woods and Fifer brings the dead over one at a time.
Chapter One
______________________
There’s a crispness to the air as the camp makes ready to get underway. High in the mountains as they are, there are still remnants of the winter snow lining the road. When word reached him the pass was clear and should remain so, James immediately mobilized and got underway. Of course as in all things, it snowed in the mountains for twenty four hours the day they left The Ranch but the bulk of the snow had managed to melt away before they arrived.
As the various sections of the camp are broken down and put away, he gets his own equipment and tent ready. Devin has been given the duty of assisting him in the setting up and breaking down of his tent and belongings. Basically, all he’s responsible for is what’s on his back. Devin takes care of the rest including saddling his horse.
He glances over to where the others are busily packing away those items that were used the night before. The camp has begun to set up in three distinct areas due to the number of people he’s brought with him. One area is the ‘command area’, that would be his tent and Illan’s which is in the center of camp. Next is Delia’s area where she has her slingers and archers. Finally, Jiron’s group sits on the opposite side of the command area where he has the pit fighters, those who had been Delia’s caravan guards, and what’s left of Miller’s band.
“Almost ready sir,” Devin tells him as he finishes cinching the straps securing James’ saddle to his horse.
“Thank you Devin,” he replies.
Illan comes toward him leading his horse, “Shouldn’t take much longer before we’re ready to ride.”
Nodding, James glances to him and says, “Good.”
“We might make Illion this evening,” he tells him.
“I know,” states James.
Illion. That’s where Orlander resides, the dealer in stolen goods who swore to kill him after their last encounter. Surprisingly, he didn’t make any attempt to make good on his threat of vengeance all winter. James had been sure he would have, so vehemently had he threatened him.
Caleb and Jace have pack horse duty today, the recruits rotate through that duty. Their job is to make sure the pack horses, and there’s quite a string of them, are ready to go when everyone else is. Also to ensure they are fed and watered. Some of the items carried in the packs upon them are unknown to most of those traveling with James. He made it clear that it would be unwise and possibly unhealthy for anyone to become overly curious and take a look.
He sees Tersa over with Aleya and Errin where they’ve finished packing away their belongings and are in the process of saddling their horses. She has a slug belt around her waist, the slots are full of iron slugs and a sling hangs from a clip. At first he was concerned about her decision to join the ranks of Delia’s slingers. This was no pleasure excursion they were embarking upon. Though now he’s come to except the fact that this is her decision.
Everyone had been told, just prior to their leaving that they were moving to tackle the Empire. James made it clear to them that some, if not all, may not make it back home alive. It filled him with pride when every last one chose to come. For some it was payback for what the Empire had done to their homeland. The others saw it as a grand adventure sure to become a bard’s saga. Not so James. He knows war to be pain, sorrow, and death. Nothing glorious or wonderful about it, just something which has to be dealt with.
“Would you leave me alone?” Potbelly’s voice reaches him from across the camp. He and Illan glance over to see where Scar is standing next to him. What is said by Scar to Potbelly couldn’t be made out but Potbelly’s face turns into a grimace as Scar turns and walks away.
“I missed their incessant bickering,” he says with a grin to Illan.
“Wasn’t Jorry and Uther enough for you?” he asks back.
“Almost,” he replies.
“Think what we brought with us will do the trick?” Illan asks after a moment’s silence.
“I hope so,” replies James. “We’ll see when we get there.”
Of everyone who’s accompanying him, Illan knows the most of what is ahead for their group. He’s the unofficial general, and except for James, his word is law. After him, James has divided the remainder into two groups. One group is comprised of those utilizing missile weapons under Delia and the other consists of the fighters under Jiron. Miko just sort of hangs out with James.
Miko has begun to mellow out over the summer. Perhaps having the Star in his possession is affecting him, James isn’t sure. It was decided that the Star would not be hidden away, rather it rests within a pouch hanging at Miko’s hip. Since they’re going to war, the healing Miko will be able to do could become invaluable.
When he first came to possess the Star, he healed Fifer of a serious injury which was about to take his life. Since then he’s used it twice. Once was for a woman in Trendle who ran afoul of a pack of wolves near the fringe of the forest. There had been rumors of what Miko had done floating around town and since the local priest was away on temple business, they sought him.
Just as happened with Fifer, he prayed to Morcyth, a nimbus surrounded his head, and a glow materialized and healed her.
The second was on James himself. After an experiment went bad, he was covered in burns and wasn’t breathing. Miko brought the Star and healed him. He was leery about doing it, the warnings James had said about only those of this world could touch it and live. But as it was this or he dies, he tried it and it worked. His burns healed and he survived.
“We’re ready,” Jiron says as he rides forward. Delia and her group are climbing into the saddle as well.
James glances over to Caleb and Jace and receives a nod from them saying the pack horses are ready. “Let’s go,” he says. Leading the way, he returns to the road from where they made camp and begins the descent through Dragon’s Pass down into Madoc.
The sun is low on the horizon when James begins walking through the streets of Illion, the people he passes are in a state of agitation. Worry over what the Empire will do and whether they will move in this direction has them all on edge. Many are already evacuating, over the winter they heard the tales of what the Empire’s forces are like from the few refugees who managed to make it out. None want to experience the horror of what they heard.
Though there is fear and worry, the people still must continue about their daily routines, those who aren’t fleeing that is. Many are still upon the street, some returning from shopping, others trying to learn the latest word from the south. Off to one side, James spies a gr
oup of kids playing some game as they race around. Grinning to himself, he’s glad they are able to find joy while they can. If what he plans works out the way he hopes, these people will have little to fear.
He works his way through to the seedier part of town, over to an area he has been in once before. A burnt out husk of a building is all that remains of what use to be Orlander’s tavern. He’s surprised it hasn’t been torn down yet, you’d think Orlander would have built another in its place.
Glancing around, he tries to locate Orlander or those who may know of his whereabouts. He intends to talk with him to reconcile the situation, heaven knows he has enough who wish him ill.
Ahead near what looks to be an abandoned home are five street thugs just hanging around. He makes his way toward them and they quickly take note of his approach. One disengages from the others and comes forward to meet him.
“Excuse me,” James says as he comes to a stop several feet away. “Could you tell me where I might find Orlander?”
“Orlander?” the thug asks. “Why would you want to see him?”
“Got business with him,” replies James. “Now, where could I find him?”
“Maybe you should tell us your business first and we’ll see if it’s worth our while to help you?” At that, the remaining four thugs move to flank James on either side. The one before him pulls out a knife and the others do likewise.
“I really don’t want any trouble,” James tells them as he starts to back away.
“Then give us your money and you won’t have any,” the lead thug says as he threatens with his knife.
Sighing, James shakes his head and says, “Have it your way.” Suddenly, five shimmering fields spring into being around the five thugs.
“What’s this?” questions the lead thug. He puts his hand out toward it and is surprised to encounter resistance. “Hey!” he cries as he begins banging on the field surrounding him. The others react in fear and apprehension as well. “Let us out!” “Help!” their cries echo down the darkened, shadowed street.
James glances first one way and then another to see if anyone is coming to their aid. Amazingly, the few people who had been on the streets have vanished. Turning back to the lead thug, he asks, “Now, where can I find Orlander?”
Panicked eyes stare at him from within the shimmering field. “He’s that way,” the thug says as he points further down the street.
“Where exactly?” He glances down the street in the direction indicated and only sees more old abandoned buildings in desperate need of repair.
“The old tannery,” another of the thugs says. James turns his attention to him as he continues. “It’s down two streets on the left. You can’t miss it.”
“Alright,” James says as he begins heading down the street.
“What about us?” another of the thugs cries out. “You can’t leave us like this!”
He pauses in the street and turns his attention back to the thugs. “If what you say is true, I’ll let you go,” he tells them. Then turning his back on them once again, he resumes his way down the street. What he did to them is one of many things he worked on during the winter in anticipation of the spring campaign. He got to thinking that if the protective barrier can keep things away from him, it should be able to be reversed and hold someone in.
Leaving the imprisoned men behind, he makes his way further down the street. The sun’s light has all but faded with the coming of night. Shadows are long and lights begin to appear in a few of the buildings which still have occupants.
After passing the first street and coming up to the second, he finds the building the thug told him about. Light spills from one of the windows illuminating several tough looking, well armed men loitering outside. One of the men is carrying a crossbow. Nodding to himself, he heads toward the building.
As he draws near, the men outside become aware of his approach. The man holding the crossbow turns it to bear upon him. “Is Orlander within?” he asks once he’s stopped before them.
“Who wants to know?” one man asks. The hilts of two longswords jut out from behind his shoulders and he looks like one who can definitely take care of himself in a fight.
“One who wishes to put to rest a situation between us,” James explains.
“What’s your name?” two swords asks.
“James,” he replies. “I burnt his tavern down last fall.”
At that two of the men gasp and two swords nods to another who enters through the door behind him. “Didn’t expect you to make yourself so available,” he says.
James remains silent as they wait for Orlander’s appearance. They don’t have long to wait before the door opens and Orlander walks out with a crossbow in hand. Half a dozen others follow him through the door.
“At last!” he says with a gleam in his eye. He raises the crossbow and before James has a chance to say anything, fires. The bolt flies toward him and strikes the all but invisible shield surrounding him. Ricocheting off the shield, it flies toward one of the thugs standing nearby, narrowly missing the man’s face.
“What sort of trickery is going on here?” Orlander demands when the bolt fails to find its mark.
“No trickery,” explains James. “I simply wish to talk to you.”
“Take him boys,” Orlander commands and his men pull their swords and attack.
James simply stands there as they run into the barrier surrounding him. After a few moments of fruitless attack, he asks, “Can we talk now or do you wish to continue?”
Orlander motions for his men to back off as he looks at James with a calculating look. “You a mage?” he asks.
“Among other things, yes,” replies James.
“Why don’t you just kill me?” Orlander asks after assimilating what he just said.
“It’s not my way,” he explains. “I wish to stop further bloodshed on both sides. I came here to see if I can change your mind about seeking my death. During our last encounter things sort of got out of hand and I am here to set things right.”
“Out of hand?” Orlander says incredulously. “You stole from me, killed a score of my friends and burnt down my tavern. I’d hardly call that ‘out of hand’.”
James reaches into his shirt and removes a small sack. Holding it before him, he says, “I have here enough gems to repay you for the stolen items and the destruction of your tavern.” He opens the sack and pulls out an uncut ruby half the size of an egg and shows it to him.
Orlander’s eyes grow large at the sight of the gem. He licks his lips and says, “Just what do you propose?”
“I give you this sack of gems and you swear to never again seek my destruction,” he explains. “Nor will you allow another to seek my destruction should you hear of it.”
“What if I refuse?” he asks.
James places the gem back in the sack and says, “Then you don’t get the gems and we are at war.”
“You seem pretty confident in yourself,” Orlander states. He glances around at the men standing with him.
James simply stares at him.
He stands there a moment contemplating the proposal. His eyes flick from James, to the bag and back again. “Very well,” he agrees. “We have a deal.”
“You swear to never again seek my death?” James asks.
“Yes, I swear it,” Orlander replies.
The shimmer of the shield disappears and he hands over the gems.
Orlander reaches out for the sack and then suddenly grabs James’ arm. “Kill him!” he cries out.
As soon as Orlander grabs his hand, James drops to the ground.
“Fire!” is heard coming from the shadows on the opposite side of the street. A knife flies from the dark and strikes Orlander in the chest just as two arrows follow, each sinking into his midsection.
Crying out from the pain of the attack, Orlander lets go of James’ hand and staggers backward, collapsing in the doorway. His men stand stunned at the sudden change of events. From the shadows across the street, Ill
an and the other fighters emerge, weapons at the ready.
“Take them!” James orders from where he lies on the ground.
Seeing their leader lying dead across the threshold and the armed men charging, they lose heart and break into a retreat. Arrows and knives fly from the shadows, felling thug after thug. Jiron catches up with one and cuts him down from behind.
“Enough!” Illan’s voice rings out, stopping them from pursuing the fleeing men. To Jiron he says, “Secure the area.”
“Right,” Jiron replies. “Jorry, Uther you take that way,” he orders as he points up the street. “Scar, Potbelly down the other. The rest fan out and watch for any who may return.” Shorty appears and begins collecting his knives from the fallen thugs just as Aleya and Errin begin gathering what arrows weren’t damaged during the attack.
“Told you this was going to happen,” Illan says to James as he offers him a hand up.
Taking it, he replies, “I know. I had to try.”
”Oh I understand, just knew it wouldn’t work,” Illan says.
“We got company!” Scar hollers from his position down the street.
A squad of the city guard is coming down the road toward them. The last time he was here, James saw them with Orlander during his pursuit. He’s been fairly sure since then that they were in his pay. How they’ll react to his death is anyone’s guess.
As the guards approach, everyone moves a little closer together. Jiron and Miko stand before James as Shorty, Errin and Aleya position themselves behind him.
The officer in charge takes in the scene as they approach. A dozen people dead as well as Orlander’s corpse lying in the doorway. He motions for his men to stop as he comes forward the last couple feet. “What happened here?” he asks.
“Came to settle a few things with Orlander,” James replies. “Things sort of got out of hand.”
“Looks like murder if you ask me,” the officer says as he eyes James.
Before James can answer, two men approach out of the dark. “It wasn’t murder,” one says.
Shades of the Past: The Morcyth Saga Book Six Page 2
