“No!” counters Inius. “Don’t hurt her.”
James turns and sees the innkeeper’s concern for Furball. “Don’t worry,” James assures him, “I’m certain that we can get her down without hurting her.”
Turning his attention once again back to the cat, he silently begins the casting of a spell. A spell of soothing, of trust, and when he is ready, he releases the power and slowly reaches up to Furball. This time she doesn’t start the growling, simply looks at him as he reaches up and gently takes hold of her around the middle. Lifting ever so gently, he removes her from the crossbeam.
He maintains the spell as he strokes Furball’s back and listens to the contented purr coming from her. As he hands Furball down to Inius, the crowd breaks into a cheer and more money changes hands.
“Here you go,” he tells Inius as he takes Furball from him.
“Thank you so much,” he says to James. Then to Furball he says in a firm tone, “You’ve been a bad kitty,” as he strokes her back.
“Maybe you should put a tag on her so people will know she’s yours should she run away again,” James suggests.
“A tag?” Inius asks.
“Yes,” he replies. “It’s a little metal disk attached to a leather collar around her neck with the sign of the Dancing Squirrel on it. So if she runs off again, people will know where to bring her back, or at the very least notify you as to where she was last seen.”
“A good idea,” he says, considering it. “I may just do that.”
“Goodbye Inius,” James says. Then scratches Furball between the ears saying, “You too Furball.”
“We are both very thankful to you. Next time you are in town, you may stay with us free for a few nights,” offers Inius.
“Thank you, I may take you up on that,” he says, then takes the reins from Miko as they once more head down the street to Lufer’s.
The remainder of their trek through Cardri is uneventful and pass through the outer gate without any further delays. Taking a side street through the outlying buildings in the general direction of the river, they find three buildings set together with a corral containing several horses and mules in the back.
“This must be the place,” Miko says.
“What was your first clue?” James jokes as they approach the hitching post by the front door.
“Clue?” Miko asks not understanding.
Amused, James replies, “Never mind.” Securing their horse to the post, the two of them enter through the door to the front office which is currently unoccupied. Voices coming from out back lead them to two men standing near the corral, an older gentleman and a younger one.
“Going to need to procure another dozen by fall,” the elder one says.
“I agree father,” replies the younger and then notices James and Miko emerging from the office. “What can we do for you?” he asks. The older man turns to face the visitors.
“Would one of you be Lufer?” James asks.
The father steps forward slightly to say, “I’m Lufer, how can I help you sirs today?”
“Miss Gilena said that we could get a good horse for my companion,” James explains, gesturing toward Miko.
“What are you going to need the horse for?” Lufer asks. “Travel or farm work.”
“We are heading over to Madoc,” James answers.
“We have many fine horses available and for friends of Miss Gilena we will make sure you get the best we have. Follow me,” he says as he goes over to the corral gate and opens it, allowing James and Miko to enter first.
Closing the gate, he says, “We have a mare here,” he says as he comes to a chestnut colored horse, “she’s three years old and in good physical shape. Very gentle,” he stresses, “not one easily spooked.”
James looks at Miko who doesn’t seem to be too impressed by the mare. He’s got his eyes on a black stallion with eyes that seem to dare anyone to come within striking distance so he could bash in their skull.
“I think the mare will be fine,” James says to Miko’s disappointment. “Look,” James says to him, “that stallion would most likely kill you as not.”
As if the stallion understood what was being said, it stomps its foot and snorts.
Miko still looks longingly at the stallion, but realizes he has no choice in the decision. After all, a horse is a horse.
“Would you be interested in a pack mule as well?” Lufer asks. “If you plan on a long trip, your horses will do better without a lot of extra weight. A pack mule can carry much and they are very tough.”
“How much for both?” he asks, realizing that might not be such a bad idea.
“Sixty five golds for the mare and another twenty five for the mule,” Lufer says.
Miko’s eyes bug out at the cost. “Why so much?” he blurts out.
“With the war going on over in Madoc,” he explains, “there has been an increase in the demand for horses, especially from the Horsemaster up at the Castle. He’s been procuring many in anticipation of war with the Empire.”
“Oh,” says Miko, “that sort of makes sense.”
“Yeah, supply and demand,” James reasons. Then he launches into the haggling for the actual price of the horse and mule. He doesn’t enjoy the process but does seem to be getting the hang of it. He works the price down to eighty golds for both and they go into the office where he counts out the money. Luckily the price also includes a saddle and all the required tack for the horse and mule.
He also buys several days worth of grain and two ponchos for inclement weather. Lufer suggests hoods for the horses so in emergencies they can keep them calm. James agrees and adds three of those to the bill. Once their bags have been repacked onto the mule, they mount up and head out, saying goodbye to Lufer and his son. James has the lead rope for the mule tied to the rear of his saddle where a loop has been attached for just that sort of thing.
Miko is in high spirits, sitting tall in the saddle on his very own horse even if it is a mare. James goes over the various commands with him that he’ll need to use in order to guide the horse. It doesn’t take too long before he has the basics down and is able to control the horse adequately.
Following directions Perrilin had provided, they take the road east out of Cardri, hoping to make Trademeet and the Merchant’s Pass in a little under a week. The day is young and the heat of the summer sun is just beginning to warm the air.
Still being within sight of the city, there are many other travelers on the road, including some caravans that they soon overtake and pass. They make good time and it’s not long before they have left most of the other travelers behind. Once Cardri completely disappears behind them, foot traffic has dwindled to almost nothing.
According to Perrilin, the first main city won’t be for two days, at a crossroads where another main trading route intersects theirs on its way north. The city is called Willimet and they will need to replenish their provisions, especially grain for the animals, before continuing on.
About the time the sun is high overhead, the road makes its way past a small grove of trees several hundred feet off the road. Within the grove they spot a pool of water. They decide to allow the animals time to graze while they partake of the noon meal. Also, the leafy boughs of the trees afford them some shade from the sun and the water is still cool and appears clean.
James dismounts first and lets his horse free to graze by the pond. He watches as Miko slowly dismounts, amused by the stiffness that is already showing in his movements.
Seeing James grinning he asks, “What’s so funny?” as he stiffly walks over to where James is removing the bag containing their lunch from the pack mule.
“Are you sore?” he asks with mock concern. He hands Miko his share of the sack before taking his own.
“You know I am,” he says accusingly as he takes his food. “And it’s not funny.” He sits down and begins to eat.
“I know,” James agrees sympathetically. “I went through the same thing when I first started to rid
e. In fact, I still get sore, just not as bad.”
“Glad to know it gets better,” Miko says.
“Oh it’ll get worse before it gets better,” James informs him. “It’s just something that will take time for your muscles to grow accustomed to.”
While they eat, they watch as a caravan travels west on its way toward Cardri. James counts twenty seven wagons and an accompaniment of twenty horsemen. They seem to be far enough away from Cardri that the only traffic on the road are the caravans and the occasional rider. All the foot traffic has long since disappeared.
Relaxing against the trunk of a tree, James revels in the peace and tranquility of the area. A gentle breeze, just strong enough to cool yet doesn’t stir up the dust, gently flows through the trees. A full hour they spend in the cool shade until he can no longer put off returning to the road. Repacking the food, he returns it to the pack mule.
He then remounts and watches with some sympathy as Miko slowly and stiffly climbs back into the saddle, remembering his own sore posterior when he had first learned to ride. They make their way back over to the road and turn their horses east toward Willimet.
An hour later the road has become all but devoid of fellow travelers. During one such lonely stretch, Miko notices a solitary rider pacing them several hundred yards off the road to the north. “James,” he says as he brings his horse alongside James’, “there’s someone to the north, pacing us.”
“I know,” he replies. “He’s been there for the last ten minutes.”
“What are we going to do?” asks Miko nervously as he once again glances toward the rider.
“Not much we can do. Fortunately we are in open territory so if any more show up we will have warning. Besides, we don’t even know if he has any interest in us at all. It could be just a coincidence that he is pacing us.”
“You don’t really believe that do you?” asks Miko.
“No,” replies James, “but it is a possibility. Until we know for sure, we will continue toward Willimet and deal with it should something happen.”
Another ten minutes go by when Miko notices another rider has joined with the one to the north. “James, there’s another one now.”
Looking north, he nods. “Yeah, looks like it.”
“You seem pretty calm,” Miko observes.
Turning to look at Miko, James says, “Will the situation improve if I get nervous and all freaked out?”
“No,” replies Miko.
“Okay then,” James says. “I may appear calm but I am quite concerned about what may be developing.”
“Like what?” asks Miko.
“Like an ambush,” he says. “This could be another attempt by Lord Colerain to capture or kill us. But who knows, it may simply be bandits or highwaymen seeing two lone riders and thinking to score some quick booty.”
Nervous, Miko begins scanning the horizon in all direction. “James! Behind us!” Miko exclaims excitedly when he glances to the road behind them.
James turns and sees three more riders approaching at a gallop. Looking toward the ones to the north, he sees them begin turning their way as they too break into a gallop. “Let’s go,” he says. Kicking the sides of his horse he’s quickly racing across the road at a fast gallop, Miko doing the same a split second after.
They race down the road trying to outdistance their pursuers when from out of the distance ahead, three more riders appear racing toward them from the east. South being the only direction currently free of riders trying to intercept them, he turns his horse in that direction and they leave the road, racing through the tall grass. James hopes fervently that neither horse puts a hoof in a gopher hole or something, which would prove disastrous.
As if on cue, two more riders appear in the distance to the south before they have gone more than twenty feet from the road. Realizing they are surrounded and unlikely to escape the trap, he scans the area for somewhere to make their stand. Seeing a small hill to the southwest an idea comes to mind and he turns his horse, racing for it. Upon reaching the hill he dismounts quickly, giving Miko his horse’s reins. “Get those hoods we got at Lufer’s and cover their heads, fast,” he tells him. “Whatever you do, don’t let go of their reins.”
“What are you going to do?” Miko asks as he begins pulling the hoods out of the packs.
“You’ll see. No time to explain, just stay close to me.” James looks around at the approaching horsemen. Their approach has slowed now that James and Miko have stopped atop the little hill. Those closer to the pair slow in order to allow those further away to be able to join with the closer ones in completely encircling the hill. Three of them have crossbows and are in the process of winding back the crossarm.
Scared, Miko watches as the men continue to tighten the noose. Holding tight to the reins, he keeps the now hooded horses and mule close to the top of the hill. He looks toward James and sees that his eyes are closed in concentration. The breeze that had been blowing gently begins to slowly increase in strength. Clouds move unnaturally fast as they rush toward them from every direction.
The approaching men continue tightening the circle. One of the crossbowmen looses a bolt but the wind blows it wide. They advance without seeming to care, or perhaps fail to notice what is going on in the sky above them. The gathering clouds begin smoothing out until the cloud cover looks like one big, dark blanket extending in all directions. Then all at once the wind suddenly stops and the world becomes ominously quiet.
The sudden cessation of wind causes the men to slow their advance as they begin to understand that something strange is happening. Suddenly, the clouds above them begin to swirl and Miko looks in frightened awe as a section of the swirling clouds descends toward them, the center of which is open and clear. It rapidly slams all the way to the ground, enveloping the men approaching the hill.
The wind whips around the hill in a frightening mass of flying debris and deafening sound. Standing amidst the relative calm upon the hilltop, Miko holds tight to the horses, trying to keep them from becoming frightened amidst the noise going on around them.
From within the tempest surrounding them he could hear the cries of men and horses being ravaged by the savage wind. Suddenly, one of the riders is flung from the storm and slams into the ground a few feet from him. Miko looks closely at the man and sees that his body is broken and lifeless. Truly awed by what James has done, he stands there holding tightly to the reins and watches as the storm continues to swirl around the hill. Looking straight up, he sees what appears to be a tunnel going all the way through the storm to the blue sky at the other end.
Not long after that, the storm begins to slowly dissipate as the swirling mass surrounding the hill thins and then fades away. The clouds above start breaking apart until they resume their normal course through the sky. Amazed, Miko looks at the grassland surrounding the hill and can see just how wide the storm had been. It started at the base of the hill, and he can see how the grass had been ripped and torn by the force of the winds in a swath several hundred feet wide all the way around. Scattered throughout the area were horses and men, all lifeless and broken.
When the winds finally recede completely, James’ knees buckle and he collapses to the ground. Miko rushes over, relieved to find that he is only unconscious, not dead. Unable to rouse him, he gently lays James out comfortably and gets a blanket to use as a pillow for his head. Once he has taken care of James, he goes over and removes the hoods from the horses and pack mule, letting them loose to graze.
Sitting down next to James, he waits for him to regain consciousness, all the while keeping an eye on the horizon for any sign of other unwelcome visitors.
It isn’t until just before sunset that James begins to stir. Cracking an eye open, he discovers Miko has already started a fire and made camp with the horses picketed nearby. A groan escapes him drawing the attention of Miko who comes to his side bearing a water bottle. With Miko’s help, James sits up slightly to take the bottle and drinks deeply before handing the bottl
e back to him.
“Thanks,” he says shakily, lying back down.
“You’re welcome,” Miko replies. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Maybe,” he replies. “I feel totally exhausted and have a splitting headache.”
“Your storm seems to have taken out all the riders who were chasing us.”
“Good,” he replies. Groaning, he raises his hand to his head as he tries to soothe the pounding behind his forehead.
“Just what did you do?” Miko asks. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“It’s called a tornado,” he explains. “They are quite common where I come from.”
“How did you do it?” Miko wonders.
“It’s rather hard to explain,” James tells him. “Luckily I remembered a show I saw about tornadoes.”
“Show?” he asks. “What’s that?”
Wondering how to explain television, he just says, “It’s something from where I come from where you can learn things.”
“Oh, okay,” Miko says, not really understanding.
“Have you searched them yet?” asked James.
“Who?” asks Miko. “The dead riders?” He looks out at the scene surrounding the hill with undisguised revulsion at the thought of going near the dead men.
“Maybe there will be a letter or something on them that may tell us who sent them and why,” explains James, the final words all but unintelligible.
“No, I haven’t,” Miko answers before realizing that he’s already fallen asleep. Knowing how important this is to James, he gets up and goes through the grisly task of searching all the dead bodies, both men and horses for anything that may tell them what they need to know. He returns a half hour later with an armload of saddlebags, pouches and one of the crossbows along with a brace of bolts. He sets the saddlebags and pouches on the ground near James which causes him to awaken once more.
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