Book 3 Ch 19: Lead by Example

Michael gave a heavily condensed account of his travels so far with the occasional aside by Ollie. As they spoke they noticed more and more of the village militia members walking a bit quicker so that they could hear more of the story. Even Laird, who was primarily focused on the road and making a pointed effort to ignore them, still slowed his horse down a bit more so that he would be able to hear it properly.

“So you claim to have been sent here by the divine? To bring the gods back to Hume?”

“Yes. I do,” replied Michael. “It’s the only way to save it.”

Hu shook his head. “I suppose if I could heal like you can I might let it get to my head too.”

Michael shrugged. He was certain he’d be able to demonstrate his closeness with the gods more thoroughly soon enough. Examples would have more value than words. While Hu, Laird, and their Squires were uninterested, the militia members were curious and Michael fielded a number of questions about the gods until he sensed that they were getting particularly close to a nearby rift.

“I think we’re less than a mile away from it now,” he said to Laird before turning to the others. “If you really want to see what the gods can do, just watch.”

“Are you volunteering to take point?” asked Hu.

“I am.”

He nodded. “First off, Squires go and scout in the direction Michael indicated. Just get an idea of threats and numbers and turn back. Don’t put yourselves at risk. Bran? Take the cart back behind those rocks over there and tie it off. Everyone else be ready to move and move quickly. Jawn, Rell, keep a close watch on our rear.”

There were nods and everyone began to follow Hu’s orders quickly. They weren’t disciplined exactly, but they were experienced and used to working with one another. That was as, if not more important. Ollie approached Michael adjusting his hat as he did so.

“You know, hearing our story told like that makes it feel all the crazier that we’ve made it this far.”

Michael laughed. “I had the same thought while I was telling it. I don’t think most of them believed it.”

Ollie shrugged. “They will when your sword starts glowing and I begin juggling fireballs.”

“True enough.”

It wasn’t much longer before the squires returned. They’d ridden their horses at least part of the way from what Michael could tell.

“We counted nearly thirty of them,” said Squire Bawn. “Twenty horned men and ten of the lizards.”

“The portal?” asked Laird.

“Not steady, flickering, expanding and contracting. We don’t think they have any of the lizards holding it open.”

“What were they doing?” asked Hu.

“They seemed to be… I don’t know, exploring? I saw some of them making marks on thin stones and a few of the horned men seemed to have just arrived back at the portal.”

Laird nodded, absorbing the information. “The horned men again. With their pet mages too.” He looked at Bawn again. “What was the terrain like?” he asked.

“Long and flat,” replied Bawn with a smile.

Laird’s own face nearly cracked into a smile as well, but he managed to hold onto his frown. “Good, that gives us a chance even with these numbers.” He turned to the others.