The Worlds of the Sheaf

The Confrontation - Part 2

     Over the next couple of days they moved ever slower and more cautiously, because they were beginning to approach the border between Malgania and the territory of the southern folk. The map showed a double line of border forts, Malganian fortresses paired off with southern fastnesses, staring at each other across a narrow strip of no man's land, and the Tharians didn't doubt that the entire length of the border was guarded and patrolled by soldiers of both countries.

     "The Shonnlans thought we were southern spies," said Matthew as they pondered the matter one evening, camped in the base of a skyscraper taller than any other they'd seen so far, tapering towards its summit and showing no sign of the slow decay afflicting its neighbours. "They'll be expecting us to come this way, back to our southern masters. They'll be on guard, waiting for us."

     The others nodded gloomily. "So how do we get across?" asked Jop Sonno.

     "You made yourself invisible when you stole our weapons back," said Drenn to Thomas. "Can you make us all invisible?"

     "Sorry, no," said the wizard, shrugging apologetically. "Just me. I could create a diversion, though, perhaps. Create chaos and confusion somewhere else to give you the chance to slip across."

     "We'd be giving away the fact that we were in the area," pointed out Matthew. "They'd comb the area looking for us."

     "But we'd be on the other side of the border by then," replied Thomas. "Only the Malganians are looking for us. Not the southern people. They'd have no reason to look for us."

     "Unless they think we're Malganian spies, scouting out southern territory," said the Flight Leader. "We might have both countries looking for us, each thinking we're spies for the other."

     "Is there no way we can teleport across?" asked Drenn hopefully, but the wizard could only shake his head. "Yeah, I know," said the priest. "Teleporting blind."

     "I wonder if Saturn's group's having these problems," muttered Roj Villa, staring down at the stone floor dejectedly.

     "I hope so," replied Jop Sonno. "It would mean they're still alive."

     Thomas hadn't thought of his one time mentor for some time now, and as he thought of the older wizard he realised that a part of him had almost given up hope of finding him alive. That was the reason they were going to the spaceport, of course, but he knew now that he at least was doing so with very little real hope of actually finding the others there, and he doubted that any of the others still held out much hope either. They were only going there because it was somewhere to go. If it meant crossing the border, though, was it simply too dangerous to be worth the risk?

     Maybe there were places on this side of the border they could head for. Places Saturn might also be aiming for. He'd searched the maps over and over, though, without finding anything more promising than the spaceport, and as he thought about it now he realised that if they turned aside from the border, if they turned back, they would effectively be giving up their search for the others, and giving up all hope of going home as well. Turning back would mean finding somewhere within the Kingdom of Malgania to live out the rest of their lives. Posing as citizens of that country and having to live with the ever present threat of discovery. It would mean never seeing Lirenna or Derrin again.

     No, I won't give up on them! he thought angrily. I won't give up on my wife and child! He felt himself filling with resolve and determination. "We will find a way," he said. "We've still got a couple of days to think of something before we get there, and we will think of something! I, for one, intend to go home, no matter what it takes."