Not long after the sun breaks through the clouds to bring a much welcomed relief to the sodden pair. James and Miko manage to maintain a quick pace as they try to catch up with the remaining bandits, only stopping for brief periods to rest the horses before continuing the search. They pick up the trail about mid afternoon when they encounter a swath of grass that has recently been trampled. “I think we found their trail,” announces James. “Looks like it,” Miko agrees. “What are we going to do when we find them?” “Play it by ear,” he answers. “We won’t know what our options will be until we do.” “I suppose,” he says. “Are you feeling any better?” “Some,” replies James. “I should be recharged somewhat by the time we find them.” “Recharged?” queries Miko. Chuckling, James clarifies, “It’s a word from where I come from. It means that I will be able to do magic again.” “Oh, that’s good,” says Miko. A large group of tents with a makeshift corral set off to one side appears out of the horizon not long before dusk.
