Marcus pulled on the reins of his mount and came to a halt. The days travel had been long and the sun was taking its toll on both he and the auxilary.
"We'll rest here for a moment, Decimus." Marcus addressed the legionaire.
"Should I pull the water bag, sir?" Decimus getting off his mount to give the blood in his legs a chance to circulate and to give his backside a rest also.
"That's fine. But not too much.
Decimus took the bag from his mount and offered it to Marcus who told the auxiliary to drink first. When finished he then handed it to the Centurion whose throat was soothed by the liguid.
"Decimus, I will be ever so glad to get back to known civilization. I've certainly had enough of undiscovered land to last a lifetime."
Decimus replied without hesitation," It certainly has been a very interesting trip, Commander."
Taking one more drink each mounted their horses and once again headed back in the direction of their main encampment.
Marcus looked about the terrain they were traversing. It was not as sandy as the west or southwest areas and he was glad to have been given the northwest for just that reason.But this land was also not so forgiving. It was a combination of desert and arid plain. It did support vegetation and trees but the soil was not rich in minerals. It had a more sandy content which allowed water to sink through it like a sieve and an occasional creek bed would sprout, sometimes with water other times without.
"Commander, look ahead to the right." shouted Decimus breaking Marcus' concentration.
Marcus straining to look ahead through spotted trees and shrubs saw the lone hut and fences. Straining even more he could swear he saw.........yes he was sure.....goats.
Both riders cautiously moved their horses closer. All the while searching the nearby area for any sign of hostile activity. One hand on the reins for a quick getaway and the other hand on their gladii. They arrived at the main hut and were still searching the area when a figure appeared in the doorway and just to its right another but smaller one stood.
The taller of the two rose from the shadows and stepped into the sunlight. His features were similiar to the Ch'in but the attire he wore was more of the Muhngul style they had been witnessed to at a distance.
With his arms stretched out and his hands moving as if to brush some invisible dust away the man frantically shouted,"What are you doing here foreignors? Go away quickly while you still can. They may return any time!"
"We wish you no harm. Maybe only a chance to rest in the shade of your hut and possibly some information." Marcus being civil and as cordial as he felt he needed to calm the man down. But the elder Muhngul was not very receptive.
"You cannot stay here I say. You will bring the rath of my brethren to my humble house." The elder face was turning red from his attempts to move the strangers on.
Once again trying to calm the man down and assure him they meant no harm,"I only ask for a short shaded rest, perhaps a drink and some information."
This time the elder put his arms down and looking around finally agreed to allow them to enter his home and rest.
Marcus nodded his gratitude to the older man as he stepped through the door way into the hut. The smaller figure turned out to be the man's grandson.
The man offer each rider a cup of freshly drawn well water. The liguid was smooth and cool as it ran down their throats and settled in empty stomachs. Their supplies had finished that morning and hunger was approaching. It was with no hesitation that they ate also the bread substance that was offered them on the small table.
Marcus asked the older man why it was that he had been able to survive his own peoples destructive way and his land, goats and grandson were all still here.
"Several are in my debt, you see." The old man plainly and with a slight smile said.
"Why is that?" replied Marcus.
"A while back several of the raiding Muhnguls encountered a large Ch'in force and their wounds were plentiful. They stopped here in their retreat and with use of special herbs I was able to get them on their feet and moving again. There was one in particular who was different from the others. Seldom do you see a white male and with blonde hair ride with this group. But he was especially thankful for my help and made the others promise to leave us alone."
"You and your grandson were very lucky indeed," Decimus said.
"Yes, you are quite right," replied the old man. "But this stranger also said he wished his brother had been able to be saved as he was during such a battle."
"I asked the stranger what his brother's name was just for conversation sake. Let's see what did he say it was.....hmmmm.....Oh! Yes, now I remember...Maganhard."
Marcus began to choke on the water he was drinking while Decimus' mouth dropped open. Both turned and looked at each other in wide eyed surprise.
"Your sure that's the name?" Marcus quickly said.
"Yes I'm positve. Why?"
Marcus asked one more question," Does this stranger still ride with the horde?"
"Yes, but with a smaller group more to the south of here. But he regularly visits here and I am expecting them any day now. That's why you must go now."
The riders took the old man's advice and with thanks mounted their horses and once again headed for the camp. They both were unable to stop the conversation that followed them to near sighting of the camp. Their scouting trip was not without a discovery after all..............
[This message has been edited by Micah Aragorn (edited 08-24-2001 @ 12:03 PM).]