Knight Parade Fourteenth Chapter Sojourn

Chapter Fourteen

Sojourn

The group has full gear and weapons on, five days worth of rations. It's always good to have extra, water, some Homage money and a small amount of gold Mike got from Tony, just in case the Homage money is no good. St. Peter is just over a day out so they hope to get as far as possible today, camp tonight, and then ride into St. Peter early the next day. The morning is absolutely beautiful, another great day on the plains. They stop for lunch as the sun gets high and it seems to Mike they are making very good time. But as the day moves into mid-afternoon they notice smoke on the horizon.

Mike is the first to notice it and bring it to everyone's attention shouting as they ride, "Heads up boys, what the heck is that?"

Justin looks to the horizon and answers, "Not sure man, but we sure as heck are going to find out. Let's ride."

They approach the smoke to discover that it is a farm house, or was a farm house, it is still burning but is about half gone. There are hoof prints all over the yard from multiple riders.

Mike dismounts, and the rest follow suit, Mike takes charge commanding, "Alright everyone, split up and look around the house and grounds but don't go to far, yell if you find something."

There is no way to know how the fire started but most of the windows are smashed in. As Nick makes his way around the west side of the house he notices the remains of bodies burning in the sitting room.

Nick shouts his discouraging discovery to the others, "Darn boys! There were people inside, someone meant for them to die, frigin idiots."

That's when Mike feels it. "Someone is watching us. Seven o'clock from me, but he can't be sure," Mike thinks to himself. " But I sure as frig am going to get the drop on this asshole ."

He makes his way over to Claire, who is the closest to him, and whispers to her. "Do not react to this but we are being watched OK. Now I am just going to make my way over to my horse slowly. Keep doing what you're doing. When I get to my horse I am going to go full throttle and see if I can get the drop on his whoever it is. When I take off get the boys together and follow me. OK babe?"