-----Sol and Thunder continue on after the rider with Sol so intent on his target that he realizes little of what is happening behind him. His steed carries him through the oncoming breeze. In frustration, he realizes that Thunder is not really gaining on the rider who still seems to be many tens of yards ahead.
-----Both riders soon pass where Sol and the others a few days ago had explored some deserted villages to the west. At this great pace, Sol begins to wonder how long Thunder can keep up this pace.
-----Instead of forcing Thunder to try and overtake the fleeing rider ahead, Sol merely gets his stallion to keep pace. He had little doubt that when it came to matching endurance, Thunder would prove the stronger. A quick glance over his shoulder is spared, in case the other four were regaining.
-----Sol could see over his shoulder two of the riders that he had ridden through giving chase to him. They are still tens of yards way behind him. At this point, it almost seems like a stalemate of sorts with Thunder keeping pace on the leader’s horse while there is pursuit behind the young warrior.
-----Sol continues to give chase, believing that Raven would not give up prey easily. The Gorian knew he would not either, already furious that a traitor is trying to escape.
-----At different times, Sol notices his quarry turn to see what follows and it is obvious that the man knows Sol is behind him. Suddenly the man veers his horse off the trail and heads west toward the farm fields that lay just this side of the deserted village in the valley between two hills.
-----Looking behind Sol can tell that one rider behind him keeps to the trail road while the other also veers off the trail road.
-----Sol also diverts westwards, making use of the angle to catch up a bit on his target. Oddly, the leader that the Gorian is after appears to take an arcing path across the field. Very quickly it would seem that Sol would be able to come within striking distance of him. Just then Sol is aware of one of the second riders charging close at an angle behind Thunder as they move.
-----The hiss of the Lathanian blade clearing its scabbard is lost in the sounds of hooves drumming the hard earth. The Gorian prepares to ward off attacks from the two pursuing him, but he would not give up his quarry. He also keeps an eye out on the terrain, making sure no nasty surprises rear.
-----Suddenly the rider sweeps around Sol and also starts an arcing path after the leader forcing Thunder to stray toward the right. The stallion snorts in anger at the disrespect and Sol can see the leader curving around toward the north. Why would the man be heading toward Ku again? No, the leader continues his turning.
-----Just then Thunder is cut off by the third rider who suddenly dashes in from the stallion’s left. The rider dashes right across Thunder’s path causing the stallion to rear! Sol hangs on easily with one hand on the reins, but he realizes that the three riders are circling him in a wide circle.
-----Waiting for the right moment, Sol readies when one of the riders is near, when the Gorian plans to launch forward and attack.
-----For a few moments, the riders continue circling yelling in an attempt to distract the great stallion. Thunder merely sets his front hooves down and snorts. Sol can feel Thunder tense beneath him ready to charge forth; the mount’s anger steadied.
-----Just then Raven rushes in; the hunter’s horse charging toward one of the riders. In Raven’s hand one of his short swords flashes like a predator’s claw poised to strike. In the next moment, the short sword slashes across the man dismounting him in one strike. His body hits the ground with a solid thud.
-----Just as quickly Thunder rears up again with his patience rewarded. The stallion moves forward and punches out with both forelegs. He strikes the next rider and his horse so hard that both slow and appear dazed as the horse stumbles in a straight path.
-----With Thunder still rearing, Sol hangs on as the leader’s momentum carries him toward the Gorian.
-----As Thunder lowers back to the ground, the Gorian grits his teeth and prepares to meet the leader's charge. The Lathanian sword rises as Sol meets the clash eagerly.
-----Thunder lowers to the ground and turns allowing Sol’s sword arm to greet the leader. The man’s expression fills with astonishment as the Gorian smites him so hard he falls from his saddle. He hits the ground while his horse continues off and the man appears to be unconscious.
-----Jeilin rides up as Raven dismounts to inspect the leader.
-----Just then a far distant melodious note trumpets across the countryside. It is soon joined by a second horn call. The sound appears to be coming from Kulendra.
-----As Sol directs Thunder in the direction of the dazed rider, the Gorian calls to Raven, "Secure that bastard, we'll take him back t'Ku." The warrior then casually runs the dazed rider through with his longsword.
-----"We cannot catch that one, can we?" Jeilin points towards the one rider left still fleeing away to the south.
-----Raven immediately leaps up disregarding for now the attention he was giving to binding the “leader” of the fleeing riders. “Another one!” the Hunter exclaims, scanning the southern plains with his eyes. He focuses in on something and straightens; cursing a moment later.
-----“Two miles away,” Raven murmurs before adding, “still heading southeast, but he’s left the trail road.”
-----Looking at Sol and Jeilin, he says, “I could track him but I bet I know where he’s heading.”
-----"Where?" Sol replies blankly.
-----“The town the locals have been calling Black Bog,” Raven replies. Looking down at the still unconscious man, he says, “Maybe in the confusion of the battle the other night, there were some who chose to stay behind and spy.”
-----"No, I know about Black Bog, I just thought it was further on. Raven, do ye think ye could track him and drag him down before he got there. I should head back t'Ku and round th' others up." Sol muses as he seeks to secure the leader himself on Thunder's back.
-----“I’ll give it my best,” Raven says running toward his horse. He pauses and points toward the three riderless horses. “Be sure to take those horses back. Someone in Ku will have need of them,” he adds.
-----He then mounts up and kicks his horse off toward the southeast.
-----Thunder stamps, but otherwise remains patient, as Sol works with the unconscious “leader”. The stallion jerks his head around as if to look at the other horses as they meander calmly in the pastureland.
-----Just then another trumpet blast is heard toward the direction of Kulendra.
-----"Oh, I suppose somebody's arrived at Ku now," Jeilin says as she attempts to gather the riderless horses, musing. "Has it occurred to you that the village is rather like the phlogistic vortex, from which nothing can ever escape and time stretches to infinity?"