“ Hold that boat!” he yells, trying to increase his speed. Then he watches in frustration as the boat carrying the girl leaves the loading dock and sails upon the water toward the entrance to the ride.
He reaches the loading dock and the carnie asks, “Ticket?”
Holding out his hand, he realizes his ticket is no longer there. Looking around in anxiety, he discovers the ticket lying on the ground back the way he had come. He runs toward it just as a gust of wind picks it up and blows it still further away. Running, he finally reaches the ticket and grasps hold of it.
Turning back to the Tunnel of Love, he sees the boat bearing the golden haired girl has just passed through the entrance. He hurries back to the loading dock and gives the carnie his ticket.
“ Step carefully please,” the carnie says as he takes the ticket and motions for him to step into the first boat.
Moving into the boat quickly, he takes his seat. The carnie pulls the lever releasing the boat and he begins drifting along with the current toward the entrance. He peers inside but is unable to make out the boat bearing the golden haired girl, or anything else for that matter.
Upon reaching the entrance, he’s able to see inside a little and upon the right side of the tunnel is a large, heart shaped picture with two white lights shining forth. As he passes through the entrance, he’s able to see the golden haired girl far ahead of him.
“Excuse me sir.”
Feeling as if he’s being wrenched awake, he yells, “No!” He glances around and sees Devin standing there at the tent flap, a worried expression upon his face. The dream begins to slip away though he tries to retain the memory.
“Are you okay sir?” asks Devin.
Trying to recall what it was that was so important, all he’s left with is a feeling of loss. Looking to Devin, he says, “Yeah.” Sitting up, he puts his head in his hands and feels the last vestige of the dream slip from him.
“Illan’s returned,” he tells him.
“Thank you,” he replies.
Devin then steps back and closes the tent flap, leaving him alone once more.
Sitting there in the darkened tent, he tries to recall the dream and why he had cried out but the memory is gone. Shaking his head, he gets to his feet and leaves his tent.
Chapter Seven
Stepping from his tent he finds Illan surrounded by the others, telling them in part what he’s learned. When he sees James exit, he ceases his conversation and moves toward him. “We should talk in your tent.”
Coming to a stop, James nods his head and then returns inside. He’s followed in by Delia, Jiron, Miko and Ceadric. Illan pauses a moment at the tent’s entrance and says to Devin, “See that we’re not disturbed.”
“Yes, sir,” he replies as Illan enters the tent.
They’re crammed inside the small tent which had never been intended to include so many at one time. “We’re going to have to get you a larger tent,” Jiron says with a grin.
“Feel sorry for poor Devin if we do,” jokes Miko.
“Enough of that,” Illan says. “There’s much to talk about.” When he has everyone’s attention, he continues. “From the reports gathered today, it would seem we face anywhere from fifteen to twenty thousand troops.”
James’ face falls and Delia gasps.
“Can we handle that many?” Jiron asks.
They all look to James and the doubt crossing his face tells them he doesn’t think so. “So many,” he says. “I never thought to have to face so many right away.”
As James sinks into silence, Illan says, “Their siege equipment arrived sometime today. Lord Pytherian suspects an attack either late this evening or first thing tomorrow morning. They have a dozen catapults and mobile bridges they plan to use to ford the river in different places during the assault.”
“Where are they kept?” James asks.
“The latest reports put them sitting at the rear of their lines,” he says. “A thousand or so troops are stationed in the area.”
“Is there any word whether they have a mage with them?” Miko asks.
“None have been spotted, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” he replies. To James he asks, “Have you felt anything?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Nothing. If there is one, he’s not doing anything that I would be able to detect.”
“Could you find out?” asks Delia.
“Not without alerting him to my presence,” he says. “And that may prompt an immediate attack.” After a moment of thought he asks, “If we took out their siege equipment, would that delay their assault?”
“It would have to,” interjects Ceadric. They all turn to gaze at him as he continues. “The catapults they could probably do without, but those bridges they’ll absolutely have to have in order to cross the river and would be integral to their battle plan.”
James nods his head and remains quiet as he considers different tactics.
“Lord Pytherian said he would keep us apprised of any change in the enemy camp,” Illan says after a few moments.
“Just blast them,” suggests Miko. “Do that thing you did outside the City of Light. From what Jiron and the others told me, it took out most of their army.”
“That would only work if they have a mage,” he replies. “It may come to that. But keep in mind, I haven’t worked on the finer points of that spell and the consequences may prove disastrous for all.”
“What do you mean?” Delia asks.
How can he explain it to them? What in their experience would compare with the detonation of an atomic bomb? From the description Jiron supplied him with of the explosion, it resembled an a-bomb more than anything else. There didn’t seem to be any radiation fallout from that blast, but he would just assume not tempt fate a second time.
“I can’t really explain it,” he tells them. “Just take it on faith that it isn’t something that I’m willing to do unless there are no other alternatives.”
“Very well,” Miko says, obviously disappointed.
After a moment’s consideration, he says, “Here’s what we do…”
Once James lays down what he plans to do. The others offer their expert advice and together they work out a strategy which should work. Ceadric selects fifty of his most battle hardened and skilled fighters for the mission. Together with Delia and the slingers, Errin and Aleya, and all the other fighters from The Ranch but Jiron, they make their way through the darkened city on horseback and exit through the north gate.
Each slinger has upon their back a pack that has been carried by pack horse all the way from The Ranch. None have yet been told what is contained within. Aleya and Errin have a dozen specially modified arrows in their quiver along with another containing regular arrows behind their saddles. Delia, after she and James spent a few minutes near one of the pack horses, returned with two small pouches secured to her belt.
Once they pass through the gates, they edge away from the river so as not to reveal their presence to the enemy sentries posted on the other side. An hour later finds them coming to the section of the river which Lord Pytherian’s people said would have the least likelihood of having patrols. Here the river runs deep and swift making any attempt to cross extremely dangerous.
“What do we do now?” Yern asks her quietly.
“We wait,” Delia replies. She turns her gaze to the glow of the enemy’s camp in the distance and hopes this works.
“Ready?” Jiron asks him.
“No,” he replies. “I never will be for this sort of thing.” Hanging from his belt are several small pouches. When Jiron glances at them in question he says, “Just in case.” Jiron nods his head and they get going.
He and James are making their way through the streets of Lythylla toward the gate which faces across the river to the enemy camp. In Jiron’s hand is a ten foot pole with a white flag. Lord Pytherian assured him that this is the accepted custom when one wishes to speak with an enemy without fear of attack. To be honest, James about laughed when they told him that. He couldn’t believe that on two different worlds, the same method would be used to initiate a parley.