The Unsuspecting Mage (45 page)

“Are you worried that we may be attacked?” James asks.

“Not really,” he says. “Madoc is putting up stiff resistance and it’s unlikely that the Empire will have the additional manpower to attack us directly. I hear they don’t have the inner stability that would enable them to release more troops for battle.”

“You mean they must keep the bulk of their troops inside the Empire to keep it together?” James wonders.

“Not the bulk to be sure,” he replies. “But I hear they need troops to keep some of their more recalcitrant provinces in line. If they were to pull too many troops north to fight Madoc or us, then the southern and eastern sections might become rebellious and cause them no end of trouble. Of course, I am just repeating barrack’s gossip, I don’t
know
any of this to be true.”

“If they are so unstable,” James asks, “then why the push into Madoc?”

Shrugging, the leader says, “Who knows? Maybe things have changed that has freed up a large section of their armies, no way to really know. I am sure we have spies within the Empire that may know, but I doubt if that knowledge would become available to the general population.”

“True,” James agrees.

“One thing is for sure,” the leader continues, “it has strained relationships between Cardri and the Empire. We are not at war with them, but I hear that we are helping Madoc in these dire times with supplies and possibly some troops, though that is only rumors.”

“Do you think we would go to war with the Empire?” James asks.

“Not unless directly attacked, I wouldn’t think so,” he replies. “Cardri has a fair sized army but nothing compared with the might that the Empire could put into the field. Now keep in mind, the troops they are keeping in their southern territories to keep rebellion in check, would be released to fight if we were to enter the conflict. The only hope Madoc has is if they overextend themselves and one or more of their southern territories were to think this would be a good time to rebel. Not likely to happen, but you never know.”

“Thanks for the information,” James says. “Maybe we’ll see you again, we’re planning on taking the Merchant’s Pass over into Madoc.”

“Then you better hurry,” he replies. “From what I understand, if Saragon falls then the Pass is to be closed and all traffic diverted north through Dragon’s Pass.”

“Why would they close it, if we’re not at war with them?” James asks.

“For safety,” the leader replies. “With both sides having armies in the field, it wouldn’t do to have our citizens traveling through the middle of it.”

“I suppose you are right,” admits James.

Finishing the last of his meal, the leader says to his men, “Let’s get going, we’ve got a long way to travel before this day is through.”

His men hurry with finishing the last of their stew. A couple of the soldiers take the remaining loaves with them, putting the bread in travel pouches hanging on their belts. As the leader gets up to leave, he pauses a moment and says to James, “If you are going over Merchant’s Pass, be careful. If the Empire finds you over there, they will treat you as spies most likely. Good luck to you both.”

“Thank you and safe travel to you and your men,” James replies.

The leader nods in reply then heads for the door, his men having already exited the inn. “I guess we should hurry ourselves,” he says to Miko.

“I agree,” the boy replies, “but do you still think it’s a good idea to travel over to Madoc? After all, you really don’t know where what you’re looking for is.”

“The risks have increased, but I still feel that I need to get over there and try to find the answers.” Looking at the worried expression on Miko’s face, he continues, “Don’t worry, we’ll be extra careful. If we stick together, we should be okay.”

“I hope so,” Miko says, not sounding very convinced.

“We should be going though, Trademeet is still a couple of days away,” James says as he gets up, placing the rest of the bread in his backpack for later. Miko comes to his feet as well and follows him out to the horses. They mount up and head through the streets of Lornigan. When they come to the junction Perrilin mentioned, where the trade road running north and south crosses the one to Trademeet, they take the north leg and in no time make it to the outskirts of town.

Not far past the last building, they come across a large open market consisting of dozens of tables and booths stocked with items offered for sale. Having never seen a market situated outside of a town, he hails a passerby. “Excuse me sir.”

“Because that’s the way it is, the way it’s always been for as long as anyone can remember. When the weather gets warm, they set up out here until it gets cool again.” This time the man quickly walks away, wanting to get away from bothersome questions.

They continue down the road, making their way through the crowds going to and from the summer market. By the time the market fades from sight behind them, the level of travelers has dropped down to a very few, allowing them to make better time. The further they progress from Lornigan, the more wild and uncultivated the surrounding countryside becomes until they are once again out in the unpopulated grasslands. They proceed on, making as fast a time as their horses will allow, stopping only occasionally to rest their horses and have a bite to eat.

By the time they stop for the night they are both fatigued and Miko can hardly walk for the stiffness and pain in his legs. “I thought this was supposed to be getting better,” he complains, “but it seems to be getting worse.”

Feeling sorry for his friend, James consoles him by saying, “It takes a while to toughen up the muscles and get them used to hugging a horse’s flank. Give it time, we rode hard today so you had little time to get off and stretch.”

A brilliant sunset off to the west paints the clouds red and orange. To the east rises a range of tall mountains. “Seems a long way to those mountains,” observes Miko.

Looking eastward, James says, “Yes it does. From what Perrilin said, those are the Silver Mountains and Trademeet will be at their feet, near the entrance to Merchant’s Pass.”

James is awakened during the night by cries coming from Miko. He looks over to his friend and finds him tossing and turning in his sleep. Seeing that he’s in no danger, he turns back over and again falls asleep. Several more times throughout the night, James is again awakened by the tossing and turning of Miko.

In the morning as soon as they are both up and getting ready to go, James asks Miko how he had slept.

A tired Miko looks at James with bloodshot eyes and says, “I couldn’t find a comfortable spot. My legs and butt kept hurting and every time I did fall asleep, I had a dream about being on a horse for so long that my legs fell off.”

Miko puts the food away and begins to get his horse ready. He’s not quite as stiff as he had been the night before but there is still a hitch in his get along. It’s not long before they are both on their horses and heading once more down the road to Trademeet.

All day long, the cloud covered mountains continue to grow in the distance. James can make out snow covering their peaks during the few breaks in the cloud cover.
Must be pretty high to still have snow on them,
he thinks.

When he finally calms himself enough to talk, he explains, “I was just remembering how you used to view baths that first time. I practically had to force you into one,” and then he starts laughing all over again.

Smiling too, Miko said, “I’m just hoping it will help my poor legs and butt.” Then he starts laughing as well, though not as hard as James.

“I am sure we can get a room and have a bath,” James assures him. “I would like one too.”

They hurry toward the city and the wall gradually grows before them as they draw closer. At the gate they are waved through by a couple of bored looking guards and enter the city.

Several blocks into the city they come across an inn that James considers acceptable. The sign outside depicts an ocean shoreline with a sun dropping below the horizon. James leaves Miko outside with the horses and mule and sees about getting a room.

“Welcome to the Setting Sun,” a man says as James enters. “What can we do for you this evening?”

“A room for the night and a place to stable two horses and a mule,” replies James.

The man, thin and gangly with a cheerful presence replies, “Not a problem sir, we have several available and plenty of room in our stable out back to accommodate your steeds. It’s only a silver a night, but that also includes dinner.”

“We’ll take it. I have a traveling companion,” James replies. “Can I get a room with two beds maybe?”

“Certainly sir, many of our rooms come with two beds anyway so that will be no problem,” assures the man. Extending his hand the man says, “My name is Porlen, I own and operate the Setting Sun. Go ahead and get your steeds settled in out back and then come back in and I’ll get you set up with your room.”

James shakes his hand and says, “Thank you, I’ll do that.” He then returns back out front, telling Miko that they have a room for the night and that they should take the steeds out back. They lead the horses around the side of the inn to the courtyard where several people are hanging around. One a boy of about ten or eleven, disengages from the group and comes over to help them find a couple of stalls and get their horses and mule settled in. Once all are taken care of for the night, they take their travel bags and go inside the inn through the back door. They find Porlen behind the counter, straightening up.

He looks up as they enter the inn and come toward him. “Got em settled in, then?” he asks.

“Yep,” James replies.

“Good, good.” Handing him a key he signals to a boy who comes over and takes their bags from them. “Ritchie here will show you to your room. Dinner will be served in about an hour. You might want to come down early, we sometimes get pretty crowded and it may be hard to find a table once we start serving dinner.”

“Thank you,” James says, “but is it possible to have dinner in our rooms?”

“Not a problem,” Porlen assures them. “I’ll send Ritchie to your room when it’s time and he can get you what you need.” Turning to Ritchie, he says, “They are staying in number seven.”

Ritchie says, “Follow me,” then proceeds to lead them to their room which is on the ground floor, down the hall off the main dining area.

Once at their room, Ritchie holds the door open, allowing them to enter first. He places their bags on one of the beds and then stands there waiting. James fishes a copper out of his pouch and gives it to the boy.

James takes out his travel case and puts it on the table. He then opens it and removes several sheets of paper, a quill and a bottle of ink.