Taking the receiver crystal down, he sets the spell of the transmitting crystal to seek out this particular one and send almost all of its stored energy to it. This in turn will cause it to light, warning James that something is not right with the Fire.

When all the spells for all the crystals are just the way he wants them, he replaces the receiver crystal back on his shelf. The transmitting and receiver crystals go into his pouch and he picks up the iron box, carrying it back to the house. He takes it into his room where he sets it on the floor by the end of his bed.

A noise causes him to turn around and he sees Miko standing there. "Everything ready?" he asks James.

"Yes," he replies as he searches for any sign that the Fire is effecting him. When he doesn't discern any oddities about his behavior or facial expression, he says, "Sit down for a moment." Miko moves into the room and sits on the bed next to him. "I need you to stay here while I go do this."

"Why?" he asks, hurt already beginning to show on his face. James sometimes forgets that inside this 'man' is actually a young boy. Who, though he has the outward characteristics of a man, still hasn't matured within yet.

"I feel you shouldn't be anywhere near this," he says, indicating the iron box, "than you have to."

His eyes flick toward the box where they pause a moment before returning to James. He can see warring emotions going on within him until finally he says, "I understand."

Just then, they hear Ezra call them for breakfast. James claps him on the shoulder and gives him a grin. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

"I hope so," he replies.

They leave his bedroom and head out to the kitchen where Ezra has everyone that's leaving with James crammed in at the table. Thankful that his seat is at the head of the table where there isn't any room for another, he sits down and the meal commences.

"Miko will be staying here while we're gone," he tells Roland. "You might need more than just the new recruits if something should happen again."

"We'll be okay," Roland tells him. "With them out patrolling, it would take quite a bit to take us unawares."

"True," says James.

Illan glances to Miko and says, "I set up a schedule for drills and duties. If you could take charge of our ragtag bunch, I'd appreciate it." When Miko looks somewhat sheepish, he asks, "What?"

"I can't read," he admits as his face turns slightly red in embarra.s.sment.

"No problem there," Roland says, jumping into the conversation. "I can help you read it, after that it should be no problem."

"Thanks," Miko says gratefully.

"Perhaps I could even begin teaching you to read," offers Roland.

"Excellent idea," James says. "In fact, I'd appreciate it if you could start a cla.s.s with some of the brighter new recruits, as well as Miko."

Nodding uncertainly at the idea, he says, "I could do that, say with another three or four." Turning his attention to Illan, he asks, "Know anyone who might be a good candidate?"

Illan glances from Roland and James as he considers it. "The brightest one is Errin," he finally says. "She would most likely take to it the best. Other than her, maybe Nerrin and Caleb."

"Okay then," James says, smiling at Roland.

Roland doesn't look too happy adding this to his regular workload, but he'll not gainsay it.

"Make sure you keep my workshop locked and off limits to everyone," he warns him. "I have a few things in there that shouldn't be messed with."

Roland actually laughs before he says, "I doubt if we'll have anyone going in there. Everyone's sort of scared of what might be secreted inside the 'Mage's' workshop." When James looks questioningly at him he continues. "Ever since you had that explosion in there, they keep their distance. Even on patrols they give it a wide berth."

"Good," he states.

When he sees Jorry and Uther have finished their second helping of everything, he says to them, "We'll be leaving shortly, if you two gentlemen wouldn't mind getting the horses saddled for us?"

"Sure," Jorry says as he and Uther get up to head out to the barn.

Once they've left, he says to Roland, "I'm really not sure how long we'll be gone, hoping not more than a couple of weeks. Just keep things together here until we get back." Looking to Illan he asks, "Ready?"

Nodding, he gets up and follows James to his room. He picks up the iron box containing the Fire and asks, "You sure this is going to work?"

"I hope so," he replies. "We can't keep it here, it's too vulnerable. Not to mention the repeated attacks that will come because of it." Going to his chest, he takes all but a few golds' worth of coins which he leaves for Roland's use. Putting the coins in his belt pouch, he says, "Let's go."

Illan precedes him out of his room with the chest under one arm. Out front, the horses are already waiting for them. When the others see them exit the house, they begin mounting.

James has a small blanket in his hand and wraps the chest in it before they secure it behind his saddle, effectively hiding it. Once it's secured, he swings into the saddle and glances at the others, making sure they're all ready to travel. The recruits who aren't out on patrol are gathered to see them off.

"While I'm gone, Miko will be in charge of your training," Illan says to them. A groan can be heard coming from more than one as they realize they're not going to have it easy while he's off with James. "Anyone not giving him his all, or causing any troubles will have to answer to me when I get back." He gives each one an intent gaze before asking, "Understand?"

As one they say, "Yes, sir."

"Alright then." Turning to James, he gives him a nod.

Roland, Ezra and Tersa are standing just outside the door. Tersa comes to her brother and gives him a hug saying, "You be careful."

A little embarra.s.sed over the display of emotion in front of everyone, he replies, "I will. Don't you be worrying about me." He then gives her shoulder a soft, rea.s.suring pat.

"We'll be back as soon as we can, just have a little business up north to take care of," James says to Roland who only nods in reply. "Let's go," he says to those going with him as he turns his horse and begins going down the lane. The construction on the new estate is coming along nicely. Supposedly it'll be done sometime in the next couple of months. He never thought they could do it that fast, but seems they've been able to enlist the help of craftsmen who aren't otherwise occupied.

At the end of the lane, they find Devin at the guard shack. "Back in a few weeks," he says to him as he pa.s.ses by.

"Where you going?" he asks.

"North," he replies as he turns onto the road going northwest.

When Devin has long since disappeared behind them, Illan asks, "Do you think it wise to tell them where you're going?"

"Yes, actually I do," replies James. His plan is to take the Fire north for some miles before activating the concealing spells infused within the crystals in the hopes of misleading whoever might be keeping a magical eye upon it. He knows they're hunting for it, and it just stands to reason that someone would be continuously watching it magically in the event he tries to move it. If he had activated the crystals before leaving The Ranch, they might still believe the Fire remains there and that would continue to bring danger to those who remained. But now, his hope is they'll believe he is moving it north, away from the Empire to better keep it from them. Which would seem logical.

So for most of the day, they will continue north, all the while allowing whoever may be watching the opportunity to discover the move. By telling those remaining at The Ranch he plans to go north, he hopes they may inadvertently relate that to an Empirical agent, thus corroborating the fact it's going north.

All that morning they press on as the road winds its way around the edge of the Kelewan Forest. Shortly after noon, they come to a crossroads where the road forks, one branch continuing to follow the edge of the forest north while the other one goes almost due east.

James takes the one which continues following the forest northward. By the time night falls, they've reached the small town of Wurt which lies on the southwest sh.o.r.e of Crystal Lake. The town is slightly larger than the average village, docks can be seen upon the water with many small and medium sized craft moored to them.

"Fishing is the main business here in Wurt," Illan tells him as they approach the outskirts of the town. "Not much else to it really, but the lake has fish in abundance so they do fairly well."

They pa.s.s through into the heart of Wurt where they find a large, three story building with a sign depicting a fish sleeping in a bed. "The Sleeping Perch," Jiron announces. When he sees the questioning look in James' eye, he adds, "Delia mentioned it. She said it's a good place to stay."

"Then let's stay here tonight," he says. Pulling up to the front, he and Illan dismount and go inside where they find the proprietor and arrange for rooms and stalls. James takes the box to his room and remains there with it throughout the night. In shifts, the others take turns standing watch outside his door in the hallway until morning.

The proprietor notices the guard at his door and when he asks about it, is told that James has been robbed at inns before so always has a guard posted outside his door. This explanation seems to placate him and he doesn't bother them anymore.

Several hours after the sun has gone down, explosions begin to sound off in the distance. Bright flashes of light draw him to his window as he watches. His door opens and Illan and the others rush into his room, swords at the ready.

"We're under attack!" Jorry exclaims.

James glances back at them with an amused smile as he shakes his head. "No, we're not." Gesturing out his window just as another flash lights up the night, he adds, "It's just the wedding of the woman we almost attacked back by Trendle."

"What?" asks Uther as he sheathes his sword.

"Remember those tubes she had in that chest?" he asks. "The ones that exploded when they went into their fire?" When he sees them nod their heads, he continues. "They're called fireworks, at least where I come from they are, and are used for celebration. She must've just been married."

"Oh, right," Jorry says as he comes closer to the window to watch the spectacle. Another flash, this one green in color, challenges the night for supremacy. But then it slowly dies as the night once more a.s.serts its control.

The fireworks last another ten minutes before finally stopping completely. Everyone files out and leaves James once more alone. He makes sure the chest is sitting right next to his bed on the floor before turning in. Tomorrow, he'll activate the spells.

The morning dawns brightly and they're soon up and back on the road. Before he left his room, he'd activated the concealing spells and monitored everything for several minutes before he was sure that each crystal was functioning properly.

When they leave Wurt, much to the amazement of the others, he takes the road south. The others ask him about it and he gives them vague replies at best. Finally, Illan tells them to shut up and stop their bothersome questions.

Several miles further down the road, Uther suddenly exclaims, "James!"

Glancing over his shoulder, he asks, "What?"

"Behind you!" he replies pointing to the old blanket covering the box. A red glow can be seen coming from within. Afraid of what this might mean, he stops and gets off his horse. Removing the chest from his horse, he sets it on the ground before taking it out of the blanket. The crystals are all glowing.

Glancing up and down the road he sees no one around. "Into the forest, now!" he cries as he picks up the box and runs through the edge of the trees. Can't let anyone who may pa.s.s by see what's going on. Can't let anyone who may pa.s.s by see what's going on. Not even looking back to see if they're obeying him, he hurries deeper within the forest. Once he's well hidden from the road, he sets the box down and sits on the ground facing it. Not even looking back to see if they're obeying him, he hurries deeper within the forest. Once he's well hidden from the road, he sets the box down and sits on the ground facing it.

As Illan and the others approach, he says to Illan, "They're hunting for it." The crystal supplying the power to the concealing ones is being drained rapidly.

"What are you going to do?" Illan asks.

"What's going on?" asks Uther.

"Quiet!" commands Illan.

James ignores them as he calls forth his magic. He immediately can feel a malignant power trying to find the Fire, the sheer amount of magic being used is staggering. Channeling his own magic into the power crystal, he attempts to keep the concealing spells active.

The one searching for the Fire suddenly dramatically increases the amount of magic being used, causing James to gasp as more of his own power is being sucked out of him to maintain the spell.

Illan and the others watch on as the glow of the crystals begins to intensify. They see James begin to pant and beads of sweat form as they drip off his forehead as he tries to thwart the attempts of the seeker.

Suddenly, the trees around them begin withering, one actually cracking down the middle. "What's happening?" exclaims Jorry.

"It's James," explains Jiron.

"What's he doing?" cries out Uther.

"I don't know," he says, shaking his head. "But he'll not be good for much when this is over."

"Form a perimeter around him," Illan barks out. "Jorry, you go out to the road and keep watch. Jiron, stay next to him and do what you can for him. Uther, keep the horses under control. We can't afford to have them running off."

As they hop to it, he glances at the box in wonder as the glow from the crystals continues to grow.

No longer able to use his own nearly depleted inner stores of power, James has had to tap other resources. Drawing the power from the trees and the other vegetation around him allows him to be able to maintain the spells.

The amount of power used is staggering! Never could he have imagined such an unrelenting torrent of power. Malignant evil can be felt emanating from the source of the power, itself almost as hard to counter and deal with as the seeking magic.

Just as he did back when he fought that evil presence when he first came to this world, so too now does he again create conduits from the vegetation to deliver power to the crystals.

Concentrating as hard as he is on maintaining the flow of power to the crystals, he fails to notice just what effect it's having around him. Trees and plants are dying rapidly, some even give a 'pop' as they crack open and crumble to the ground.

Suddenly, whoever was seeking the Fire, stops. James cancels the conduits quickly and almost feels fried as a backlash of power burns through him. Crying out, he falls backward into Jiron's arms and slumps into unconsciousness.

Chapter Thirteen.

"Now what?" asks Jorry as they gather around Jiron who's cradling James' head in his lap. A large circle of devastation radiates outward from James and the box, almost reaching the road.

"I don't think we should stay here," Jiron says. "Until he wakes up, we'll not know if they found out where we are."

"I agree," Illan says. Indicating James, he says to Jiron, "Better get him on his horse, tie him if you must. The rest of you, get mounted."

Uther lends a hand with helping to secure James on the horse. Illan takes the old blanket and again wraps the box before securing it behind James' saddle. When everyone is mounted and ready to go, he turns to Jiron and asks, "Do you know exactly where he planned to go?"

"Trademeet," he says. "Though we shouldn't go through Trendle on the way back, we don't want anyone knowing we've turned around."

"Good point," he says. "Let's move." They come back to the road where Illan turns them to the south as they follow it back around the forest.

Several hours past noon they return to the fork in the road with the branch leading due east. He turns them that way. "How's he doing?" he asks Jiron.

"About the same," he replies. "He's not going to look like he's improving until he actually regains consciousness."

"Let me know," he says.

"I will."