[M'Tago]

It seemed that Mist's prediction was correct. The townsfolk of Riverbend proclaimed the small party heroes and outfitted them with supplies and mounts to more than make up for what they had lost in their initial confrontation with the goblins.

One part of that final battle continued to pull at the edges of the artificer's mind. He was sure he had seen an azure streak playing about the far right flank of the field. When he questioned the townsfolk they spouted wild stories about a flying sword. Nonsense, of course. He had checked the group for magic weapons - a flying sword was not among them. Still, something about an animated sword tickled at his brain. No matter. It would come to him soon enough.

[Shane]

He moved back through the fallen goblins and collected as many of their ears as he thought was fair. After he placed them in a bag and slung it over his shoulder and went to collect his reward. His hand was aching where he had slashed it. He rubbed his hand and the pain the act caused reminded him of the wound he had inflicted. As he walked he saw that most of the flames in the city were being put out, and he didn't notice any dead townspeople, though there were several wounded being tended to.

He walked back into town noticing the Rusty Nail was no longer standing as he went to the town hall to collect his reward. That done he set out in search of his new employer. When he found him he discovered the group was being readied to leave immediately. He left the group to get his horse and met up with the group as they were heading out of town.

[M'Tago]

M'Tago was glad when they were finally on their way. He had had enough delay. His pursuers were sure to come upon them at any moment. It was time for speed.

He pressed the group on at a breakneck pace. They stopped at night only long enough to catch a few hours sleep, then were up and moving again before the sun could rise. They pushed their horses to near collapse.

It didn't matter. M'Tago would get to the Starstones first if he had to kill every horse they had in getting there.

[Drageon, Mist]

The rhythmic drumming of the pony's hooves was constant as ocean waves and as quick as a woodpecker's beat. Even so, Mirro was steadily falling farther and farther behind the rest of the rapidly traveling party. Not given to affection for animals, like Teren to his, Mirro was nevertheless growing fond of his newly purchased pony. Even though her shaggy legs where only half the length of a horses' her heart was twice as large. The tenacious little pony never slowed down, never stopped, despite her obvious exhaustion. Mirro took uncharacteristic pity on the steadfast beast and slowed her to a steady trot. "Let the others race ahead, we'll catch up as they sleep."

No sooner said, the gnome noticed Teren on the side of the trail, mopping the frothing sweat off his jet stallion while Ice scented another tree. The young man quickly mounted Thunder, setting the dog across his lap, and matched the pony's choppy trot. "M'Tago is a driven man," said Teren.

"Driven mad, you mean!" Mirro spat. "The pace he sets could snare us in another trap or kill the horses."

"That would be his last mistake," Teren growled with an odd malicious glint in his eyes, just for a moment, and then it was gone. "But, I don't think it will come to that. I believe we are nearing our destination. M'Tago wants you to catch up."

"M'Tago can rot in a stinking hole! I'll get there, when I get there, and not moment before."

"Good enough." Teren did not bother hiding his grin. Occasionally, Mirro had to be placated, at other times he had to be told he was an ass. This was one of those times, even though his reasons were justified. "I'll ride halfway between, if I can. I must keep them in sight, so if I loose you, follow our trail." Taking a steadying hold on Ice's main, Teren spurred Thunder forward until he was almost out of sight.

[Narration - Riverbend]

M'Tago's concerns about pursuit were justified. At that exact moment, a slight, elven woman in a blue taffeta cloak emerged from the Soaring Gull Inn and Tavern. Sharp eyes caught the hunched figure standing in the shadows off to the left of the inn. She moved to join him.

[Artuto Ringhand / Sephyr]

"So?" the dwarf asked with a hint of impatience.

"They were here," the willowy elf answered. "In fact, M'Tago's little band is the talk of the village. It seems the group was instrumental in protecting the town from a veritable army of goblins two days ago. They were sent off as heroes."

"Any more information as to the composition of the group?"

"A little. Steel is definitely still with them. People are tossing tales around of a dancing blue sword and its untouchable master swordsman."

Arturo actually smiled at that.

"The gnome appears to be a very competent illusionist - his companion a very deadly, very handsome archer. Several of the barmaids are still pining over him. There was no sign of the strange mage we heard about in Montfort, but one of the locals - a berserker by several accounts - left with M'Tago, so the party's number is still at five. They left here the day after the battle. They didn't tell anyone where they were going."

"North," Arturo said matter-of-factly, "They went north and at a breakneck pace, if I know Montego. He knows his little trick at the campsite would only throw us off the trail for a short time and they lost that time here in Riverbend.

"What I don't get," he continued, "Is why Steel doesn't just end this thing. He has had ample time."

Sephyr considered this. "The only thing I can think of is that he wants to make sure the Starstones are permanently disposed of. In order for that to happen, M'Tago has to lead him there."

Arturo grunted. "Perhaps. But after the sword stunt here, Montego is certain to know who he is. Why would my erstwhile apprentice accept the Weaponsmaster in his group? He certainly isn't stupid enough to believe that the premier mercenary in the Western Realms would travel halfway round the world to hire on as a caravan guard."

"Maybe Steel has him convinced he's turned on us."

"Aye," Arturo retuned, albeit slowly, "That must be it."

"Arturo. Steel's loyalty is unquestionable."

"Oh, aye lass. I know. Why don't you fetch the horses and we'll be off."

As Sephyr went to get their mounts, he added under his breath: "What's certain is that you're a bit biased, my dear. Still, I trust you're right. You have to be, or we're in a world of trouble."

[Steel / M'Tago]

The Weaponsmaster was beginning to get aggravated. He had no particular attachment to his horse, but the pace that his employer was setting was surely killing it and Steel had no desire to be stranded in the middle of nowhere without a mount. And they were in the middle of nowhere. After the second day of travel they had emerged from the forest into a grassy, hills region. The hills had become larger, the terrain harsher and more rocky as they approached the mountains on the horizon. Now, four days out of Riverbend, they had reached the point of the "X" on M'Tago's map. A small cleft in a cliff wall gave entrance to a small box canyon.

M'Tago called a halt before the cleft. "Stiele, you come with me. The rest of you, set up camp here. Make sure the horses are well-cared for. We've pushed hard these last few days and they're weary. We still have a few days' journey ahead of us and we need them as healthy as we can get them."

M'Tago glanced at the sky. The sun had recently passed its zenith.

"We probably won't be back much before sunset. Guard well our passage." So saying, M'Tago hefted his saddlebags and headed up through the cleft.

Steel snorted, but dismounted and prepared to follow the artificer. The longsword was at his back, the Soulblade at his hip. He snatched a heavy crossbow from his saddle before handing the reins of his horse to Shane.

"Sorry about this," he muttered sarcastically, "But Master calls. Would you rub her down for me? And please, check the left rear hoof. She's favoring it and I'm afraid there's a rock in the shoe."

Then the Weaponsmaster hurried after his employer.

[Shane]

He grimaced at being asked to take care of the horses, but it was a paying job after all. He took the reins and walked the horses to a shady spot where he unsaddled them, and rubbed them down. They were in same tall grass and they munched heartily on it. After the rub down he check Steel's horses for a rock in it's shoe. The horse would be ok after a little rest.

He grabbed his bag and walked back to where camp was being made. "I'm going to look for water, we need to water the horses after that wild ride we had," he said to no-one in particular.

Their leader and Steel had disappeared into the cleft and could not be seen.

(to be continued...)