“No,” agrees Jiron, “it won’t.” Leading the group, he follows the trail of broken trees through the forest. They come across area after area that shows signs of rampant destruction. “I wonder what he thought he was fighting last night?” he says.
“Yeah,” Tinok replies. “What could warrant such power?”
“In his state of mind,” Cassie explains, “he could have been imagining almost anything.”
They come to a section of the forest where the trees look odd. Delia taps one out of curiosity and gasps, “It’s stone!”
The others come over and feel it, mystified at how James could have done something like that. “Incredible,” exclaims Tinok.
Continuing on, they finally reach a point where the destruction ends, but James is no where to be seen. “James!” Jiron calls out, looking through the trees as far as he can.
When there’s no answer, Delia says, “We better split up.”
Jiron nods, saying, “That might be wise, but let’s not get too separated.” He looks at each in turn and says, “If in five minutes you haven’t found him, turn around and come back here.”
They all agree and then head out into the forest, each calling for James.
Weak as a new born lamb and his shoulder aflame with pain, James regains consciousness. His head is fuzzy and it’s hard to formulate thoughts. He realizes that he’s covered in leaves and tree limbs, and that everything is damp. Unable to even lift his arms to remove the foliage from him, he lies there, wondering just how he came to be here.
“James!”
Suddenly alert, he hears his name being called from far away. They’ll never find me here! Afraid they might pass him by, he starts to panic. He tries calling out but only a weak rasp comes out, “Help!” Why am I so weak?
He tries again, “Help!” this time managing a little volume.
“I think I heard something!” he hears someone shout.
“Where?” another voice asks.
“Not sure,” the first voice replies. “James! Where are you?”
He can hear several people moving through the forest, near and around him. Giving it one last try, he shouts, “Over here!” Again, it only comes out barely audible.
“There!” he hears someone shout. “It came from that way.”
Suddenly, Delia comes into view as she walks right by where he’s laying. He moves his hand slightly, but it catches her eye.
“Here he is!” she cries out excitedly. “Are you alright?” she asks him as she places her hand on his forehead.
Shaking his head no, he just lies there.
When everyone approaches, she says, “His fever’s gone, but he says he isn’t good.”
“Let’s get him out,” Jiron says when he sees him lying there, all but his head and one arm is hidden beneath the broken branches.
They all help to get the limbs and leaves off of him and then help him to stand. But in his weakened condition his legs are unable to support his weight and they just give out under him. So Jiron and Tinok move to help him, Jiron on the left and Tinok on the right.
When Tinok tries placing James’ right arm over his shoulder for support, he cries out in pain from the stress that’s being put on the wound from the crossbow bolt. Realizing they’re not going to be able to do it that way, Jiron tries lifting him in his arms, but James is too heavy for him to attempt to carry all the way back to the campsite.
“I got an idea,” Cassie says. Grabbing Tinok she says to the others, “Just make him comfortable and we’ll be right back.”
They run back the way they came, back toward the wagons.
Jiron sets James down on a fallen log and stays beside him, keeping him upright. “What’s she going to do?” he asks Delia.
“Not sure,” she replies.
“What happened to you last night?” Jiron asks James.
“Hmmm? What do you mean?” he asks in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Don’t you remember anything from last night?” Jiron asks him.
“Last thing I remember is lying on the ground back at camp,” he explains. “Then nothing until I woke up here, hearing you calling my name. Why?”
“You woke up in the middle of the night and all hell broke loose,” he tells him. “You were fighting something, Cassie thinks you were just being delusional because of the fever. You were throwing magic around, creating havoc as if you were under attack.”
James just stares in disbelief as Jiron recounts what happened and the destruction they saw as they came to search for him.
“At first we thought we were under attack,” he continues, “but then realized it was the fever doing it to you. Then you suddenly ran off into the forest and for a while we heard you blowing things up. It lasted well over an hour before you finally stopped. Couldn’t come for you until morning, didn’t want to risk getting lost and separated.”
“Sorry,” James says apologetically.
“No one got hurt,” Delia says, “and it seems that it was good for you, the fever’s gone.”
They sit there and wait for the return of Cassie and Tinok. Just when Jiron is about ready to leave to find them, they show up carrying a stretcher they made with two long tree limbs and a couple of blankets.
They set it down near James and then Tinok and Jiron help him onto it. With Jiron in the front and Tinok taking the rear, they begin to carry him through the forest and back to camp. As they enter the areas of destruction, James is reminded of a similar instance back near Trendle. He just shakes his head in regret at all the uselessly destroyed trees.
When they pass by the petrified tree, Tinok asks, “How did you do that?”
“What?” he asks, lifting his head a little to see what he’s talking about.
“That tree there,” he replies, indicating it with a nod of his head.
“What’s wrong with it?” he asks again, confused.
“It’s as hard as stone,” he explains.
“Let me see,” he says and they carry him close enough so he’s able to touch it. When he feels the tree, he tells them, “Petrified, I would guess.”
“Petrified?” Cassie asks.
“Petrification is when minerals in the ground are absorbed by a living organism and over time turns as hard as rock,” he explains.
“How did you do that?” Tinok asks.
“I don’t know,” he admits. “But I plan on thinking about it, now that I know it can be done.”
They resume carrying him until they get back to the camp, where they lay him down and start a fire to warm him. Cassie replaces his bandage with a fresh one containing more of her poultice.
Once they have the fire going and James has eaten his fill, he says, “We better get going, we’ve still got to get to Korazan before the slavers do.”
“Are you well enough?” Jiron asks.
“No, but we have little choice,” he replies. “I can rest well enough in the wagon.”
“Alright,” Jiron says, “let’s get ready to go.” He and Tinok begin the process of securing the traces on the draft horses. When they’re set, they help James up onto the wagon, again next to Delia. Tinok and Cassie take up the second wagon and Jiron rides point. The five remaining horses are tied in line in the rear.
“Let’s go,” Jiron says, as he begins to ride down the road with the wagons following behind.
This time, Delia and Tinok are much more able to properly control the wagons, and are able to make better time. They follow the road for the rest of the day, at times having to stop while everyone except James, gets down and helps push one when it gets stuck in the mud.
Just a brief stop for lunch and then they resume their journey. James drifts in and out of sleep throughout the day and by the time they make camp that night, he’s regained enough of his strength to be able to come down from the wagon by himself.
They get the horses unhitched and picketed before making camp. Tinok gets a roaring fire going to help keep them warm through the night and then they eat
the last of the rations that were in the wagons. “Hope we get somewhere soon,” comments Tinok.
“Afraid of going hungry?” Delia asks with a smile.
“No,” he replies defensively, “just tired of being in the mountains.”
“I find it relaxing,” James interjects. Everyone turns and looks at him as he continues, “They’ve always brought me peace.”
“There is something tranquil about them,” Cassie adds. She then rests her head on Tinok’s shoulder who places his arm around her, keeping her warm. Jiron and Delia glance at each other and smile.
They sit there by the fire, the pop and crackle of the wood lending a peacefulness to the night. It isn’t long before James has fallen asleep. The rest soon follow.
The next morning, the overcast sky of the day before has made way for a beautiful sunny morning, once the remaining cloud cover has burned off. Everyone’s mood is much improved and are soon on the road. As he rides along in the wagon, James realizes that the sun is rising on their left. Heading south, he figures.
About midday, the road begins to descend gradually and everyone is glad that they will soon be out of the mountains. Everyone that is, but Tinok who says, “I don’t know why you’re all so happy.”
“What do you mean?” Delia asks. “I thought you wanted to be out of the mountains.”
“I do, but once we’re out of the mountains, we’re going to be in Empire territory again. Doesn’t that make you the least bit nervous?” he asks.
“A little,” she replies, “but I like to hope for the best.”
“Besides,” adds James, “we now have a reason for being there. I think we’ve even got a letter that will allow us to pass through.”
“I hope so,” Tinok replies. He quiets down, keeping his brooding thoughts to himself.
The trees begin to thin and they can see off in the distance where they will be coming out of the mountains. A road appears further down, running along the base of the mountains going east to west.
An hour later, they finally reach where the road they’ve been following will be leaving the protection of the trees as it makes its way out to the main road. They pause only momentarily as they check for any travelers who might observe them leaving the mountains. Not seeing anyone upon the road, they quickly make their way out upon it.
“Which way?” Jiron asks James.
“Let’s try east and see if a road hooks up with this one that’s heading south,” he suggests. “If we find that this road turns to the north further along, we’ll double back and see what’s to the west of us.”
Jiron turns his horse eastward and leads them down the road.
Chapter Seven
They travel half a day after leaving the mountains when they see a town coming up ahead. It appears rather small, just several buildings at a juncture of converging roads. As they near, they realize this town shows no sign of the Empire’s occupation. The citizens go about their daily business and children can be seen running around, playing in the streets.
“Wonder why this town remains untouched by the Empire?”
Delia glances to James and shrugs. “Maybe it’s in the Empire?”
“Could be,” he agrees. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
Jiron leads them toward the town and as they draw near, the people become aware of their approach. Most only pausing a moment to glance in their direction before continuing about their business.
One of the buildings has a sign of three barrels hanging above the door. Figuring it to be a shop where they can purchase supplies, they pull up and stop in front. James and Jiron go inside while the others wait with the wagons.
Within the shop, they find a man in the process of straightening up his inventory. When he sees them coming through the door, he turns toward them and smiles. “Welcome, welcome,” he says as he goes over to greet them. “How may I help you today?”
“We just need some supplies before heading on,” James tells him.
“We have a wide selection of goods for the traveler,” the shopkeeper says. “What might you be interested in?”
“Just some travel rations and water bottles,” he replies.
“You don’t seem very busy,” Jiron comments when he notices they’re the only ones in there.
“Business has been a little slow of late,” he says. “With the war going on and all.” He places several packages of rations on the counter, and then asks James, “How many water bottles do you require?”
“Five.”
The man reaches up to a shelf and removes five water bottles, placing them on the counter next to the rations.
“The Empire didn’t come this way?” Jiron asks.
“We’re sort of on the border,” he explains. “We’re not really apart of anyone, yet they all think we are apart of them. Sometimes it’s confusing, but everyone tends to leave us alone her in Bindles.”
“How far is it to Korazan?” Jiron asks.
“About three to four days,” the man says. “Are you going there?”
“We have some goods to deliver there, yes,” James replies.
“If you would deliver a couple packages for me,” he offers, “I could let you have this for free.” He indicates their goods on the counter. “Plus, when you delivered them, you would receive a bonus as well.”
James thinks for a second and then says, “Sure, we could do that for you.”
“Excellent,” the merchant exclaims. “I’ve been waiting for some time for a trader to pass through who would be willing to take it. Just wait here a moment and I’ll bring it out.”
While he’s in the back, Jiron comes closer to James and whispers, “Why are we doing this?”
“Gives us more credibility if questioned,” James replies.
Jiron suddenly understands and gives James a nod with a slight smile.
The man returns from the back with three packages and a bill of lading. “Take these three packages to Zi-Aldan in Korazan. Not sure exactly where he is located, but if you inquire at the local merchant’s guild, they should be able to direct you to him.”
“Very well,” James says as Jiron collects their goods. The merchant hands him the bill of lading and then picks up his packages to carry them out to their wagons. James holds the door open for him as they leave his shop. Tinok gives them an odd expression as the merchant walks over and deposits the packages in the back of his wagon.
Extending his hand, the merchant says, “I appreciate you doing this for me.”
James shakes his hand and replies, “Glad we could be of assistance.” He climbs up onto the wagon and sits next to Delia. Then he gives the merchant a slight bow as he says, “May you have prosperous dealings.”
The wagons begin rolling away as the merchant says, “You too sir, you too.”
They continue through town and when they come to where the roads converge, Jiron automatically turns to follow the road going south. As the town begins to fall away and finally disappears behind them, the terrain gradually becomes more arid. Trees and bushes make way for scrub brush, as well as the occasional tumbleweed. Kind of looks like the area around Bakersfield.
The air becomes drier the further south they progress and the temperature starts to rise. They had warm, even hot days before, but nothing like this. James is literally baking under the sun, sure that he’s going to end up with a dilly of a sunburn.
The road meanders along this desert-like territory for many miles before they begin to approach another small town. The citizens here all wear long flowing robes, kind of like the middle easterners wore back on Earth.
There’s a company of the Empire’s soldiers garrisoned here and when they enter the outskirts of town, an officious looking man steps out of a building just ahead of them. James’ pulse begins to beat faster when he realizes the man means to intercept them. As he approaches he raises his hand, signaling for them to stop.
“Greetings,” he says to them as they roll to a stop.
“Good day to
you as well,” James replies, giving him a small bow.
“What brings you through Arakan, good merchant?” the official inquires.
“Traveling through to deliver some goods in Korazan,” James replies nonchalantly.
“Do you have a letter of travel?” the official questions. “Anyone not of the Empire requires one to be allowed to pass through our territory.”
James reaches into his shirt and brings out the official looking letter and hands it over to him. His heart racing, he glances to Jiron and sees his right hand on a knife as he stares intently at the man as he reads the letter. He knows if it’s not what James had been hoping it was, they’ll have a fight on their hands.
The man reads the letter and then hands it back to James, saying, “Very good, all seems to be in order. Hope you enjoy your stay here in Arakan.”
Everyone visibly relaxes as James takes the letter back. “Do you have a carpenter here in town?” he asks.
“We do have a blacksmith who doubles as our carpenter in emergencies,” the official says. “You’ll find him further down the road and a little off to the right. You can’t miss him.”
Signaling Delia to get the wagon moving again, he says, “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re most welcome,” he replies as he turns to walk back to the building he came out of.
“A carpenter? What for?” Jiron asks.
“I want some shade to keep the sun off me,” he explains. Already the back of his neck, not to mention his nose, cheeks and arms are all beginning to turn red. He can feel the heat burning into them.
They go down the road and soon hear the sound of metal being hammered. Turning off the road toward the sound, they come to the blacksmith’s shop. They find him working under an awning, hammering some hot metal as he turns it into a horseshoe.
When he sees them approaching, he hammers the metal a few more times, inspects his work and then lays the horseshoe atop the anvil. He places the pincers he was using to hold the horseshoe on a nearby table and then comes over to greet them.
“What can I do for you today?” he asks.
“Was wondering if you might have some long boards and nails I could purchase?” James asks. “And maybe the use of a hammer for a few minutes?”
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