The smell of the roasting meat wakens Miko, just as James thought it might. He comes over and joins them. He holds up his right arm and showing them the long scratches from his wrist to his elbow as he gives Jiron an accusing glare.

"I said I was sorry," Jiron apologizes. "That snake startled me and when I killed it, it fell."

By this time, Fifer had awakened as well and had joined them by the fire. "Hope Lord Pytherian made it through the lines by now," he says.

"If he pushed on through the night, he'd be pretty close," agrees James. "At least from what Miller said."

"What's our plan?" Jiron asks James.

"Keep on as we have been," he replies. "Once we're down off the mountain, try to nab us some horses and then ride like h.e.l.l to the north."

"Won't they know we're not in the mountain when we steal the horses?" Fifer asks.

Nodding, James says, "Most likely, but at least we'll be on open plains and should be able to keep ahead of them. If we're lucky, we'll be able to make it through the lines before those at the lines know we're there." Turning to Fifer, he adds, "That's where you come in."

"Me?" asks Fifer.

"Yes, you," James tells him. "We don't know the area, you do. Also, if we run into Madoc patrols, it'll be your job to convince them not to attack."

"What if they don't know me?" he asks.

"Then we have a problem," answers James. "But let's just hope that isn't going to happen." He checks the roasting meat and finds it ready. Cutting off hunks, he distributes them to the others. Wrapping his in a leaf to prevent his hands from being burned, he walks over to the edge of the cliff and gazes down at the village below.

The army seems to be pulling out. He can see columns of men marching back along the road as they make their way out from the mountains. A sizeable force still remains within the village, probably on the off chance they somehow manage to make it out of the mine.

After they're done eating, James has them dig up dirt to smother the fire, so it won't produce a lot of smoke and alert everyone to their position. With Jiron again in the lead, they begin heading north as they make their way across the mountains.

They stay in the higher elevations as best they can, going down one side only to come up the next. Crossing streams and forging through ravines, they spend the day pushing on to the north. By the end of the day, they've managed to come a fair distance, the mountain they started from earlier in the day is far behind them.

Before the sun completely goes down, James takes down a large deer like animal, giving them plenty of meat that should last a couple of days. They cut strips off the carca.s.s and cook them so it'll be ready to take with them when they leave in the morning.

All through the night, the one on watch continues to feed the fire and cook the meat. By morning, they have most of the meat cooked, some of it cooked too much, but enough to last them several days.

Each puts as much as they can in the various pouches and packs they're carrying, except for the pouch with the Fire that Miko is carrying. They leave that one alone.

Jiron again takes the lead as they push for the next ridge in the distance ahead of them. It takes them the better part of the morning to reach it, and when they reach the top, they come to a halt.

The view is breathtaking on the other side of the ridge. The mountain gradually makes its way down to the rolling hills at its base, where they extend several miles further before turning into gra.s.s covered plains. Far off to the north they see a green forest that stretches to the horizon. A couple riders are moving along the plains between the hills and the forest. From this distance, they look little more than specks.

"The trees will give us some cover as we move down to the hills below," announces James.

"But past the hills, there's nothing to hide us from the enemy," says Fifer. "Not until we make it to those trees way over there."

"Then we better make it down to the hills before dark," suggests Jiron. "And then we could try to cross over to the trees before dawn."

"Alright then, let's move," James says.

They begin to move down the side of the mountain toward the hills below. Keeping within the cover of the trees, they're able to avoid detection during their descent. It takes them until late afternoon to make it all the way down to the low lying hills.

The trees begin to thin among the hills the further toward the edge of the gra.s.slands they go. Near the end of the hills, they have to move quickly from one grove to another in order to avoid being seen by the riders moving out on the plains. The sun is almost down to the horizon as they make it to the last grove of trees before they end completely.

James turns to the others as they settle in amongst the trees and says, "A short rest break will do us good before we try to cross the gra.s.slands to the forest."

Miko rests against the bole of a tree and says, "I'm for that."

Jiron moves to the edge of the trees and looks out upon the plains, now currently devoid of any riders. James comes up beside him and asks, "What are you thinking?"

"Just that we have come a long way," he says with a sigh. "I can't believe all the things we've gone through since leaving the City of Light."

"I know," replies James. "If we make it back to Cardri, I'm going to find someplace and just rest for a month."

Jiron looks sidelong at him and chuckles, "I doubt it. You don't seem the type to just sit back and let the world go by."

Shrugging, James says, "Perhaps not, but I do like to just have nothing to do once in a while."

"What about Miko?" he whispers softly, nodding his head in Miko's direction.

"He'll probably stay with me, I like having him around," admits James.

"He is a good kid," Jiron adds.

"Yeah, he is," agrees James.

"How long should we wait before we make for the trees over there?" asks Jiron as he points to the forest several miles away.

James glances to the setting sun and replies, "Probably a couple more hours, at least. Make sure we have the cover of night before we make the attempt."

Turning back to the others, he says, "Then we should try to get some rest."

They go back to where Fifer sits, sharpening his sword. Nearby, Miko has already fallen asleep, his snores sounding loud amidst the quiet.

"James, you go ahead and sleep," offers Jiron. "I'll keep watch until it's time to go."

"Thanks," he says as he lies down. With the sun over head, it's awhile before he's able to fall asleep.

Jiron awakens everyone once night has fallen. Even though he hasn't had much sleep, he's still alert. He knows that when he finally gets a chance to sleep, he'll be out hard. "Let's get moving," he says as everyone stirs groggily, trying to come awake.

"How long has it been dark?" asks James.

"A little over an hour," he tells him. "Unless we run into someone, it's unlikely we'll be spotted."

"Anyone out there?" asks Miko as he stares out over the plains.

"A lone rider occasionally, but that's it," Jiron replies.

"That's good," says Miko.

Once everyone is ready to move, Jiron leads the way as they leave the cover of the trees. James is glad the moon hasn't risen yet to reveal them to any enemies who may be in the area. If they hurry, they can be to the trees in a couple of hours.

A half hour into their trek to the trees, they hear a horse approaching from the east. From the sound of it, it's only a single rider but he's moving in their general direction.

"I think he'll pa.s.s fairly close," Jiron whispers to James. "We should try to get the horse."

"Why?" asks James, leery of giving away their position.

"We need horses if we're going to break through the lines," he replies. "This is a start."

"Alright," agrees James. "Just be careful."

Jiron glances east toward the sound of the approaching rider. Taking Fifer with him, he positions them where he believes the rider will pa.s.s. Suddenly, the rider appears before them in the starlight and James watches as Jiron and Fifer jump him, pulling him down from the horse.

A cry breaks the silence of the night and is quickly silenced. Jiron and Fifer return with the horse.

Jiron again takes the lead, Fifer leading the horse as they continue across to the forest. Two hours later, they enter the outer fringe of the forest. Everyone relaxes now that they're within the covering shelter of the trees. The density of the trees increases the further into the forest they move.

"How far do these woods go?" James asks Fifer.

"Not really sure," he says. "The soldiers that had taken Lord Pytherian had gone around them. I do know there's a range of mountains on the other side, though. We'll have to move eastward around them to continue north."

"What's past there?" ask Jiron.

"To the north of the mountains are more plains and that's where the Empire's forces were when we left," he says. "If they've pushed north, they may be closing in on Lythylla, the capitol of Madoc. That's where the Patriarchal Council lies."

"The capitol would indeed be a prize," adds James.

"Yes it would," agrees Fifer. "If it falls, then all of Madoc is lost."

"That's why they captured Lord Pytherian when they did," reasons James. "In antic.i.p.ation of the attack on Lythylla."

"If that's the case, then let us pray Lord Pytherian succeeds in making it through the lines. For he is the only one that can keep the alliance together."

They continue on through the forest for a couple more hours before they begin to see lights from a couple campfires in the distance. Jiron motions for them to stop as he continues on, moving silently toward the fires.

James and the others sit and wait until they hear his return. When he gets closer, he whispers, "Empire soldiers, ten of them sitting around a couple fires. They have sentries posted, but not this way, looks as if they don't expect anything coming from this direction."

"Can we get around them without being seen?" asks James.

"Probably," he says then glances at all of them before adding, "question is, should we."

"What do you mean?" Fifer asks.

"If we're nearing their main force, we'll need horses to move quickly enough to get through," he explains. Pointing back to the soldiers, he says, "They have the horses we need, and they're in a small enough group that we have a good chance of surviving the fight."

He can hear James sighing in the dark. Jiron knows he doesn't like to kill unless necessary, but he hopes he'll recognize the necessity of it now.

"You're right," James says, much to Jiron's relief. "We need the horses. But, I'm going to restrict myself to slugs only so if they're any mages in the area, they won't come to investigate."

"No problem," replies Jiron. "Fifer and I can take out most of them anyway." He turns to Miko and says, "It might be a good idea if you stay back and guard James, just in case they get by us."

Nodding, Miko says, "I can do that."

"Good," states Jiron, giving a sidelong glance at James.

"Should we give them some time to fall asleep before we fall upon them?" asks Fifer.

Shaking his head, Jiron replies, "No, we better do this quick and fast before others show up."

"I agree," adds James. "If we're to do it, let's do it!" He bends over and picks up several stones, when Jiron asks him what he's doing, he replies, "Just saving my slugs."

Fifer ties the reins of the horse to a nearby tree limb before they begin making their way further toward the encamped soldiers. Moving silently, they manage to work themselves within a dozen yards of the camp.

The soldiers are relaxing around the fire, talking and joking as they have their evening meal, obviously believing there's no reason to be vigilant. Two sentries stand away from the others, but glance backward from time to time to talk to the others.

James looks to Jiron who nods his head. He places one of the stones in his hand, takes a breath, and then throws the stone toward one of the sentries. Releasing the magic, the stone rockets forward and strikes the sentry in the back and explodes out his front.

Before the man even begins to fall to the ground, another stone flies and takes out the other sentry.

A cry comes up from the camp as they see the men fall. They're looking to the north, thinking the attack originated in that direction. They begin to fan out away from the camp, swords drawn and at the ready.

Jiron and Fifer begin moving toward the camp as another stones flies and takes out the soldier closest to them. When he cries out and falls, the others turn to glance at their dead comrade and somehow fail to notice Jiron and Fifer moving toward them in the darkness.

Moving as silently as possible, they creep up behind two soldiers who have lagged behind their comrades. Moving quickly, they take the two soldiers out as another stone flies from the darkness behind them, killing another soldier.

The remaining four turn around and see Jiron and Fifer standing there, bathed in the light from the campfire, their dead comrades on the ground behind them. One soldier lets loose with a battle cry and then they all rush forward.

Jiron and Fifer move together, side to side to support each other as the soldiers attack. Fifer's shield blocks a blow from one sword as his sword deflects the sword from the other.

After deflecting a thrust from one of his opponents, Jiron kicks out and connects with the man's knee. An audible crack is heard as the man cries out and falls to the ground, his knee cap shattered.

Another slug flies out of the woods and takes one of Fifer's opponents through the head, blasting off everything above the jawbone. The grisly sight stumbles backward and falls into one of the fires as its clothes and hair begin to burn, filling the area with a nauseating odor.

With only one opponent left, Jiron easily deflects the man's sword as he thrusts with his other knife catching him across his exposed throat. The soldier stumbles backward as blood fountains from his severed jugular.

Fifer blocks and holds his opponent's sword with his as he strikes out with his shield, knocking the man backward. Stumbling, he falls over his partner who's cooking over the fire, and hits the ground.

Following after him, Fifer strikes down while the man is unable to defend himself and plunges his sword through his chest, piercing his heart.

Looking around, Jiron only sees the dead and the dying. Mercifully, he goes around and puts those who haven't died yet out of their misery.

James and Miko come out of the forest leading their horse. "Everyone grab a horse and let's get out of here," James says as he pulls the man off the fire and begins kicking dirt on him to put it out.

Miko goes over to where the soldiers had their supplies and takes several pouches with food. He ties them on the horse he's leading and then mounts up while he waits for the others.

James feels bad about the attack, but realizes there was little choice in the matter. He goes over to where the soldiers have their horses picketed and saddles one quickly. Jiron and Fifer do the same.