A flock of birds bring a possible warning.
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♫♪Suggested Music: from East of the Nile on AudioNetwork
The trade road came into view late the next morning. Edvard had offered to let Mina ride in front of him, but she declined, and was glad she had when the slope trail grew steep. The fescue grassland at the bottom of the incline was surrounded by tall oak and maple trees, and the road lined with clumps of sturdy hickory. While the shade was welcomed along the roadway, Edvard did not like the layout that allowed too many places of ambush.
They followed a long stand of maple trees that bordered the bronze-tipped fescue, having to halt at intervals to let the horses and mule eat. Edvard was in no hurry to reach the trade road, not when he couldn't see beyond half a mile down it either way.
Mina judged they were still a football field away from the road when Edvard had them dismount and let the horses graze for half an hour. They remained in the shelter of the tall maples, hidden from the road, as he watched each end of it. There was no traffic, and no sound other than the birds in the trees. No wind, except for the stray breeze. Mina and Yuila changed into the lighter clothes as Edvard watched the distant roadway, and they parted out the smoked salmon and some of the mouflon roasted around short sticks from the preceding night.
When they reached the road, Edvard stopped and examined the wide dirt trail for a long moment. It had been heavily used within the past week, but not recently. There had been a large group of horses heading west, where Ditimar lay, without wagons or dogs. This led him to the conclusion it was either soldiers or Derans, and he was more prone to believe the latter, as most troops would have come from the west.
Among the horse tracks, there were other sets of prints, of oxen and wagon wheels, and they headed in the opposite direction. They had been made previous to the heavier traffic heading west. He wondered if the first party had avoided the Derans.
After careful consideration, they joined the road to head east. Yuila was anxious to let the mare run, but Edvard forbid her, assuring her there would be time to later. The sun was warm upon the road, and warmer yet at noon with the double suns.
After two hours of travel the road opened up of trees and they were able to see for almost a mile. Yuila looked to Edvard expectantly, and when they were in the midst of the long stretch, he let her run the pinto mare for the length.
Edvard's hand covered Mina's at his waist. "You want to let Neito run?"
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