Chapter 24: Hot Pursuit

There were two blacksmiths in Tazwiir, but only one of them hadn’t been on holiday these past few days. I watched it from a distance, being careful not to stand out; even in civilian clothes a General was easily recognizable in these parts.

I’d rather be on the battlefield somewhere; surveillance work was some kind of boring. The fact that not one man or woman had patronized the blacksmith shop all morning made it even more monotonous.

Better do some legwork.

I should have been more prepared for the temperature change when I stepped into the shop. Tazwiir was hot, but the dry, burning heat inside the shop was nothing in comparison. It didn’t seem to bother the burly figure behind a big anvil hammering away.

“Ahlan bik,” I greeted. “Sorry to interrupt your work. Can I chat with you for a minute?”

The blacksmith, known as Smudge around town, wiped his hands on his apron and turned to me. "Sure thing, General. What's on your mind?"

So much for being undercover. What must I do? Wear a mask?? "Has a woman stopped by your shop with a horse missing a shoe?"

Smudge scratched his grizzled beard, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Hmm, yes. I think so. Yeah, I remember her. Fine-looking horse, that one.”

“Can you tell me about the woman who brought it in?”

“Oh, I couldn’t tell you that. The wife doesn’t appreciate me staring too hard at other women folk,” he chuckled, heartily, then grabbed his tool. “I can tell you about the horse though.” I followed his gaze as his attention shifted over my shoulder.

“Come on in, cousin,” Smudge said to an older man waiting at the door. “I’ll have your blade done in a few.”

“Take your time,” his cousin replied, patiently.

Smudge banged on a piece of hot metal. “Where were we? Oh the mare!”

“I’m really not too concerned about the ---” I began.

“That mare had a sleek coat, was a bit more muscular than most, and her big, intelligent eyes; they stood out the most.”

“That’s good to know but I’m not here about the horse.”

“I’ll tell you what, the way that mare strutted in here, with her long legs and tightly braided, red and black hair ( and matching leather saddle ), was a sight to behold.” He looked at me and winked. “If I didn’t have a mare at home already...”

The way he went on about that animal....Hold on a minute. Was he talking about a horse or a woman?

“Anyway, it was a simple shoe replacement, and the woman said something about heading east, towards the foothills in a day or two.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Yesterday evening. I was about to close when she brought her horse in; said she was in a hurry.”

"Appreciate your help, Smudge. If you see that mare again, let me know, okay?” He threw me a two-finger salute then tended the needs of his customer.

***

I had a description, but finding my target wasn’t going to be easy. There were a lot of places for her to blend in here; if she was still in town. I needed eyes in the skies and I knew just where to find them. There was a depot nearby for Griffin Riders. Getting one of them to help me was my best bet.

“You want me to just fly around town?” Noel, the young Griffin Rider pondered, lowering his goggles. I must have caught him on break, because his shaggy griffin was curled up like a cat taking a snooze.

“Would you, please? See if you can spot the person I described.”

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“Tall lady, red and black braids, and similar colored leather attire” he repeated, rubbing his nose. “Is she dangerous? What do I do if I see her?”

“Follow her, but just long enough to see where she’s headed. Then come back and tell me.”

“And where will you be?”

“I’ll be waiting right here for you.”

For some reason he looked me up and down and then asked, “Is she your lady friend?”

“No.”

“Why’re you spying on your lady friend?”

“She’s not my lady friend.”

“You know my dad used me to spy on my mom a few times; thought she was cheating on him or something. She wasn’t, but I told her about it, then she threw both of us out. Moral of the story: don’t be spying on your lady friend.”

Is this rider hard of hearing or what?? “Noel, I’m a General investigating the recent attacks here. The person I’m asking you to locate may have been involved.”

“Oh! Well, I don’t know,” he said, with a bit of disinterest in his voice now. “I have a bunch of stops to make....”

“Here,” I said, stuffing a bunch of coins in his hand. “That should make it worth your while.”

“It sure helps!” he said, eagerly. “Give me about forty-five minutes or so. Melvin, my griffin, he’s all tuckered out.”

“That’s fine.”

“We flew a long way out yesterday. We just got back. Bet you can’t guess where we went.”

“I bet I couldn’t,” I replied, ready to end our conversation.

“I think I was the first Griffin Rider summoned there, in like, forever. The place is really isolated, but it’s modern, which surprised me. You should really try to guess.”

“I don't have the time. Don’t tell anyone about our arrangement, okay?”

Noel slid his fingers across his mouth in response. Let's see how long that lasted. “Hold on," he said, abruptly. "Did you say you were a General? From Ras Almal?”

“General Idris. Keep that to yourself, too”

“What do you know?” He dug around in his bag and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. “This is for you. Thanks for saving me a trip to the barracks!”

A letter for me? It lacked a seal, so it wasn’t anything official. No, I don’t suppose the Grand Vizier would send their decision out by way of a griffin.

I thanked Noel and found a private spot in the depot.

It’s from Greta.

“Dear Idris, I hope you are doing well. I’m writing to let you know that mother passed away last evening.

She left us quietly in her sleep. Her burial will be two afternoons from when you receive this letter. I know you said you weren’t going to make it, but I wish you would reconsider.

I’m certain our mother would want you there as much as I do.

Your loving sister, Greta.

***

I read over the letter again, trying to remember the last time I spoke to my mother. When was the last time I told her I loved her?

I couldn’t remember. It’s been too long and now it’s too late.

“General!”

My duties as a General, to the Emperor and his ambitions took up so much of my time. It seemed like I was always needed on the battlefield somewhere. Fighting the empire over disputed territories, meaningless squabbles, Rebirths...

“Hey, General!”

Then we found Catalyst and dropped it on my mother’s birth land. Nothing I said at her burial was going to make that right.

Just by being there was sure to make things worse.

“General Idris!” Noel shouted. He dropped from the sky hard and fast, stirring up a lot of dust and feathers in my face.

“Noel, what---?”

“General, where’s your mind?! Didn’t you hear me calling you?? That lady is riding out of town!”

“Which way is she headed?”

“North. I think she noticed me following her. She’s pushing her horse pretty hard.”

She would be headed north. By the time I get to the gate she’ll be long gone. I have to try, though. She’s the only lead we have right now!

“Hop on!” Noel insisted. “You can catch up with her on Ordoro!”

He must have read my mind, but... “Is there enough room for two on that beast?”

“I wouldn’t have offered you a seat if there wasn’t. Come on!”

I could do a lot of incredible maneuvers with my Rebirth, but charging through the air like a hawk was not one of them. I don’t know how Noel could tolerate the abrupt dipping and sharp banking along with the speed, but my stomach was not impressed.

Fortunately it wasn’t long before we spotted her north of the city, and she was in a hurry.

“Want me to cut her off?!” Noel asked.

“No, you’ve done enough! I’ll take it from here!”

I’d rather keep Noel out of it as much as possible, for his own safety. Neither of us knew how dangerous these attackers were, after all. And Noel, like other riders, didn’t carry weapons.

Ordoro was moving fast enough for me to make a daring leap off its back. And with the wind at my back, it only took a few seconds for me to catch up with the horse and disable its rider.

I held onto her as we tumbled along the ground for a spell. When we came to a stop she was unconscious, a little banged up, but she was breathing.

Hope she sleeps well, because she’s going to have a lot of explaining to do whenever she comes around.