The Violet Flamberge

Inferno Flamberge: Chapter 12

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Chapter 12

Searon and his companions narrowly missed being intercepted by the Ikchani as they raced north out of their camp. As their horses fled from the camp, the Ikchani were close behind, loosing arrows and bolts. Thankfully, none of them intercepted any of them. Searon held onto the prisoner tightly in front of his as he balanced them on the gelding. She was tied and gagged as securely as he could manage with the limited time he had.

Sh'on rode close beside him. He periodically glanced behind them to make sure everything looked well. They galloped for several hours before walking the horses the rest of the way north. Searon could only hope they hadn't worn the horses too much. He knew if he still had Stripes, he would have been fine. He'd never seen another striped stallion as well behind as Stripes. They were rare in the wild, and they were wild horses, nobody besides him had been able to tame one.

"Dusk approaches. We'll need to make camp," Sh'on said.

Searon nodded. "Another half a league to the northeast is a small clearing. I've made camp there before. It should suit our needs."

"Searon," Sh'on started. He took a deep breath. "If these Ikchani really do have an army ... and they're marching on the northern villages ... how do you expect us to defeat them? You've sent your army home, they've returned to the north and south regions. I doubt the kheshlars will offer us any assistance. They allied with us because of necessity, but I don't think they'll leave their land to help us. It is more likely now that Elsargast isn't king anymore, but I still don't believe we can get enough support—"

"I know," Searon interrupted. "I've been wondering about it myself. But I can't leave the north to die. Andron has done a lot for us, and it sounds like the Ikchani are heading straight for him. He is a great leader, but even he won't be able to prevent the onslaught coming toward him."

"I know," Sh'on said. "We need to reach out to people."

"But will they come?" Searon asked.

"I do not know ..." Sh'on sighed. "But we have to try."

Searon nodded. "I saved a few messenger pigeons. I will try to send them out. I can't be too specific in my messages, in case they are intercepted, but it's at least a start."

They slowed as they reached the clearing. Searon hopped off his horse, lifted the prisoner to the ground, and tied the horse loosely to a small tree. He removed his pots and pans from the saddle bag and prepared a fire.

When Sh'on secured his horse, he started the smokeless fire. Aliqua came over next with Xython. The young warrior, Benedict, walked over and sat across from Searon. Benedict stayed silent during their journey, and Searon regretted not getting to know the young man. Searon had fought with him before, and knew his skill with a blade was impressive for one so young, but he used him more for relaying messages in battle.

They all sat in silence, weary from their journey.

"We'll need to get started early," Searon said.

Everyone nodded in response.

Searon stood and grabbed the cage with pigeons. Only three remained. Two had died on the journey. He wrote simple notes about the threat and tied one to each pigeon. He sent one northwest toward Sudegam, one south toward Legain, and the third he prepared to send north to Guerettos. As the third bird took flight, an arrow soared through the air, striking the bird through the center of its body. The pigeon crumbled to the ground.