They continued to ride for a while, but they did not cover much land. Talbot knew that were a couple of people that were probably still getting ready in their rooms. [i]They should really hurry up.[/i] thought the injured mage, glancing over his shoulder. People were following him. Yet… he wasn’t one to be much of a leader. He’d rather be a follower. That way, he didn’t have as many lives in his hands. Leaders went through extreme stress… and he didn’t want that. It was only going to be for a while, though. He was sure that someone would step up and take the torch. His brown eyes flicked back to the way he was going. The group was slowly working their way to a rather large dune that was near the town. They would have to go around it…

His horse huffed loudly as he moved around the hill. Talbot allowed his eyes to rest on it as he passed it. If they could go around such obstacles, they would save their energy. There was no need to climb a hill if there was another path. He sighed, blinking up at the sky. [i]The sun is merciless…[/i] he thought with exasperation. [i]Thankfully, I have enough water to last a few days. I hope everyone does as well…[/i]

After a few more minutes of riding, Talbot paused a moment. His eyes were firmly set on what was in front of him. A group of people were riding towards them, their horses’ hooves kicking up sand and seemingly conjuring a menacing dust storm around their intimidating group. [i]Who are they..?[/i] he quickly moved his hand toward his tomes, pulling out his Thoron and quickly opening it. It was obvious that they were hostile, but there was no crest, no sign of who they were allied with. He ground his teeth. [b]”Prepare for battle!”[/b] he yelled over his shoulder. [b]”A squad of raiders or bandits are headed our way!”[/b]

As soon as he had turned back to the men, they were already upon them. Talbot hissed a curse as a man on horseback rode up next to him and swung his sword at his neck. He ducked, saving himself from the fatal blow only by a hair’s breadth. Frost leapt back, screaming in terror and rearing up onto her back legs and lashing out at the rider and mount with her hooves. Talbot, however, struggled to remain on her back. He wasn’t used to riding around with a horse… [i]I have to be careful.[/i] he thought, his panicked mind refocusing back on his enemy as his horse fell back to her four feet. He raised a hand, electricity manifesting itself around his fingers and palm. [b]”Eat this!”[/b]

The beam of lightning roared from his hands, shooting towards the man as if it was a piercing arrow. Though, everyone knew that if an attack didn’t hit… there was nothing to be impressed about. Not even if the attack was as fierce as a lion. The man dodged the attack, making Talbot flinch. [i]Damn.[/i]