“Should I see him, I will most assuredly let him know,” he states.
“Excellent,” says Jiron. Indicating for the other two to stand, he gestures for Ohan to escort them out.
“I must say,” he begins as they leave the room, “you gentlemen certainly have laid waste to the monotony which is the life of a Caretaker. Thank you very much for coming.”
“Any time,” Stig says.
Out in the main room, Kozal is still at the table reading. His eyes flick up and remain on them until they enter the hallway with the suits of armor. Stig definitely does not like the man’s attitude.
Once they’ve reached the door leading outside, Ohan opens it for them and bids them good day. Jiron and the others leave the Order of the Scarlet Sword and pass back into the plaza. He stops abruptly when he notices something he hadn’t before.
“What?” asks Stig.
Indicating the statue atop the fountain, he says, “Look at the way it’s facing.” When the others look, they see what he means. The statue is facing directly toward the door leading into the Order of the Scarlet Sword.
“So?” asks Reilin. “It has to face somewhere.”
“I don’t know,” he replies. “It just struck me as odd that a statue of a soldier is facing the entryway to a guild of soldiers.”
“Think there could be some connection?” asks Stig.
“Maybe. But right now I’m not really concerned about it.” Turning toward the other two he says, “All I care about right now is talking to Azku.”
“He may not even be in the city,” says Reilin.
“Perhaps,” states Jiron. “Although after the message I left, if he is we will know soon.” Stepping out, he leads them back to the Soaring Eagle to wait for Azku’s appearance.
Chapter Eighteen
_________________________
Back at the inn they tell James and the others about what transpired at the Order of the Scarlet Sword. At the description of the red banner that hung by the door, Scar interrupts by saying, “I think there was one in the City of Light.” All conversation ceases as every eye turns toward him. “If you described the banner hanging out front correctly, then there was one just like it on Copper Street.”
“Wasn’t that within the merchant’s district?” asks Stig.
“That’s right,” replies Scar. “I met a patron in that area for some reason, I forget exactly why, but I do remember seeing a banner just like the one you mentioned hanging on a building there.” He can see the doubt in some of their eyes. “I’m telling the truth.”
“I believe you,” says Shorty. “I saw it too.”
“What can it mean then?” asks Reilin.
James soon finds everyone’s eyes upon him for some sort of explanation. “Don’t look at me,” he says. “I don’t know.”
“But you can guess,” says Jiron. “You always have some idea about everything.”
“Do I?” he asks surprised. When everyone nods their head, he shrugs. “Guess it’s due to my over active imagination. Always made me a good Dungeon Master.” When he sees them looking confused by the term, he waves away the question that was on their tongues. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Well?” asks Jiron.
“Maybe it’s a guild that transcends nationality,” he replies. “From what you said, it’s comprised of fighters and those who have dealings with them such as weaponsmiths and those scholars who deal with the theory of fighting.” Looking to Jiron he asks, “The man said that a Commander of Ten was a member?”
Jiron nods. “Yes, that’s what he said.”
James remembers going up against one of those on his trip to recover Miko from the Empire. The one he faced was exceptionally skilled with the sword not to mention the added ability to use magic. “It seems odd that such a one would be a party to something that consists of elements outside of the Empire.”
“When this Azku gets here,” Jiron says, “we’ll ask him.”
The others agree and for the next several hours they toss around different ideas of what the Order might mean, what it does, that sort of thing.
Darkness settles in with a vengeance and they finally decide Azku is not going to make an appearance this evening. James sends them all to their rooms and then climbs into bed. He no sooner blows out the candle than there’s a knock on the door.
Jiron is out of bed in a flash and runs to the door. Flinging it open, he sees one of the inn’s boys standing outside. The boy hands him a letter and says something in the Empire’s tongue then turns around to head back downstairs.
“Reilin!” Jiron calls out.
A nearby door opens up and Reilin sticks his head out. “What?” he asks.
Indicating the departing boy, Jiron holds up the recently delivered letter and says, “Ask him where this came from.”
Moving from the doorway, Reilin hurries toward the boy and hollers for him to stop. The boy pauses at the top of the stairs and turns back to see what Reilin wants. Reilin and the boy exchange a few words before the boy turns back to the stairs and heads down.
Returning to where Jiron waits in the doorway, he says, “One of the street kids delivered this and said it was for you.”
“Me?” asks Jiron, looking at the letter.
“Yes,” he replies. “The kid didn’t give any further explanation other than that a man had asked him to deliver it right away.”
“Must be from Azku,” says James.
Jiron hands the letter to James and says, “Can you read it?”
Taking the letter, James opens it and finds it is written in the northern tongue. “Yes I can,” he replies.
“What does it say?” Jiron asks.
“It says…
Red Lantern Bridge. One hour. Come alone.
“Red Lantern Bridge?” asks Stig. The others have gathered in the hallway to see what’s going on.
To Reilin, Jiron says, “Go downstairs and see if you can find out where we can find Red Lantern Bridge.”
Nodding, Reilin says, “Right.” He then turns and hurries to the head of the stairs. In a second he’s disappeared down the stairwell.
James indicates for everyone to come into his room while they wait for his return.
“Looks like you got his attention,” says Brother Willim.
“If it is him,” says Miko. “We have been misdirected before.”
“I agree,” James says. “There’s no way to know if this is from him or not.”
“I realize that,” states Jiron. “I’m not stupid.” He puts his arm around Aleya and they wait for Reilin’s return.
A few minutes later, the door opens and Reilin walks in. “I found out where it is,” he announces.
“Where?” Jiron asks.
“It’s in the heart of the city,” he explains. “A tributary from the river winds its way through underground tunnels until it emerges in a large park area the locals have constructed. The waterway runs for two hundred feet before returning to the underground tunnels on its way back to the river. Several foot bridges span it and one of them has two red lanterns that are lit at either end during the night. That’s where its name came from.”
“Where is it?” he asks.
Reilin explains. “If you follow the street running in front of the inn down to the right for six blocks then take a left, that street will take you all the way to the park. From there, just look for the red lanterns.”
“Very good,” Jiron says as he stands up. “I’ll be back,” he tells the others.
Aleya grabs him by the shirt and says, “It might be a trap.”
“I know,” he says. “I’ll be careful.”
“We’re going with you,” says James.
“The note said to come alone,” he objects. “If I bring all of you, he may not show himself.”
“Don’t worry,” assures James. “We will be at a discreet distance and I’ll use my mirror to keep an eye on what’s going on. If trouble arises, we will rush to your aid.”
He co
nsiders the plan for a second then nods. “Just don’t be too close,” he says.
“We won’t I assure you,” James tells him.
“Alright then, let’s go,” he says.
Aleya jumps up and rushes to her room where she returns with her bow and quiver of arrows slung across her back. “A bit conspicuous don’t you think?” asks Brother Willim when he sees her.
She puts on her cloak to hide her weapon but now simply looks like a severely hunchbacked woman. “Any better?” she asks.
“No,” he replies shaking his head. “Best to just leave it off.”
Taking off her cloak, she then removes her bow and quiver. Wrapping them within the cloak, she tucks the bundle under her arm and then looks to Brother Willim. “Better?” she asks.
Nodding with a grin, he says, “Much.” In his hand he carries his staff, the only weapon the Priests of Asran are allowed to utilize.
Now that everyone is ready, Jiron makes for the stairs and then down to the common room. He angles for a side door that leads into the alley between the Soaring Eagle and the chandlery shop that is next door.
Once in the alley, he turns to James and says, “Stay a good deal behind me. He could be observing us right now.”
“Understood,” he says as he places his hand on Jiron’s shoulder. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Turning toward the street which passes before the inn, he moves quickly. Reaching the street, he turns to the right and is gone.”
“How long do you think we should wait?” asks Stig.
“A couple minutes or so,” replies James. Taking out his mirror, he soon has Jiron in sight as he walks down the street. Giving him some time to put distance between them, he waits until he reaches the street that he’s supposed to turn down. Once he sees Jiron turn onto the other street, he glances up and says, “Okay, let’s go.”
Moving to the end of the alley, Scar and Potbelly take the lead while James stays in the middle of the group. Miko takes his arm to help guide him as he’s trying to keep Jiron in view with his mirror.
“Not too fast,” he says. “We don’t want to catch him before he gets there. Remember, the meeting is for an hour from now, we still have some time.” Scar and Potbelly slow down to a more moderate pace.
Keeping a constant eye on the mirror, he sees Jiron reaching what must be the park. The street he’s walking upon opens out onto a large area with trees, grass and many walkways. Benches are spaced periodically along the walkways. Some even now have people taking their ease upon them, primarily couples.
When James’ group turns onto the street leading to the park, he glances up and looks around. To Scar and Potbelly he says, “Try to find an out of the way place where we can hold up until he needs us.”
Another street down they come to a closed open air eatery. The place looks like it hasn’t been open for some time. Adjacent to it is an area deep in shadow with tables and chairs where patrons could dine on the food they purchase. Scar leads them to the table furthest from the street where the shadows are the deepest.
“Best we’re going to find,” he says.
“This will do nicely,” says James. Then to the pair he says, “Keep watch.”
Nodding, they move back to separate locations near the street where shadows help to conceal them from those passing by.
James takes a seat and lays the mirror upon the table. Everyone else gathers around to see how Jiron makes out.
After leaving the others behind in the alley by the inn, he got to thinking about what if Azku doesn’t speak his language. He almost turned around to take Reilin with him but then remembered that the note the boy had delivered was written in northern. Plus, it did say come alone. He hopes Ohan back at the Order of the Scarlet Sword mentioned that few of them spoke the Empire’s tongue.
He counts off the streets he passes and when he comes to the sixth intersection, takes the street branching off to the left. It takes him some time to traverse the length of the street to the park, but the street finally ends and the park unfolds before him.
If it wasn’t for the distraction of his worry about Tinok, he might’ve been able to enjoy it more. Several cobblestone paths wind through the trees and grass, benches are spaced in such a way that those who decide to rest for awhile, may do so in private. Quite an unusual sight to find here in the desert.
Just past where the street ends is a large open area from which the paths through the park begin. A lone musician is setting up to play there in the open area. He puts a bowl down on the cobblestones, takes the guitar-like instrument in hand and soon has a lively melody coursing through the park.
Jiron ignores him and scans the park for any sign of red lanterns. Not seeing anything immediately, he decides to take the center path through the park. At some point it has to intersect or come close to the branching of the river that is supposed to flow through here. Then it will be easy enough to follow the water until he comes across the bridge.
Stepping quickly, he enters the park. Lights begin to flare into being as two men move from lamp pole to lamp pole, lighting the lanterns hanging there. The sight of them lighting the lanterns gives him the thought that perhaps the lanterns on the bridge haven’t been lit yet. Whether they have or not, he still feels confident that he can find them.
The path he’s on doesn’t go in a straight line, rather it winds first this way then that in a leisurely progression through the trees. When at last the smell of water comes to him, he stops and tries to ascertain which direction it’s coming from. Before he can determine which way, the sound of water running over rocks can be heard coming from his right.
Moving off the path, he cuts through a small copse of trees. When he exits the other side, the small branch of the river appears before him. He looks first one way then the other and spies a bridge spanning the water off to his left. No red lights come from the area, but then none of the other lanterns in the area have been lit yet.
He can see one of the lantern lighters making his way along the cobblestone path leading to the bridge. Light after light flares to life as the man works his way closer, lighting each lantern in turn. When the man at last lights the lantern hanging from the pole just before the bridge, Jiron holds his breath. If those lanterns there on the bridge don’t burn red, he’s going to have some words with Reilin.
The man approaches the bridge and brings his long stick with a burning candle on the top toward the lantern. Jiron watches from the trees as the candle enters the lantern. Then a burst of red light appears and he sighs in relief. This is the place.
He’s not exactly sure, but he thinks he may have a half hour left before the time of the meeting. Scanning the park, he finds one of the benches that’s close to the bridge. Fortunately it’s currently not occupied. Facing the bridge as it is, it will afford him a good view of whoever crosses it. Sitting down, he settles in to wait.
“What’s he doing?” Stig asks.
“Waiting, of course,” explains Miko. “There’s still some time before the hour is up.”
“Suppose no one shows?” asks Aleya. Already she has taken her bow and quiver of arrows from out of her cloak. The quiver is slung over her shoulder while her bow is in hand, strung and ready just in case.
“Go back to the Cracked Ladle I guess,” James replies with a shrug. “We’ll worry about the ‘what ifs’ should it prove necessary.” He always hated it when someone did the ‘what ifs’. It never ended and eventually he got on them about it and made them stop.
As it looks like nothing is going to happen right away, they relax. All that is but James who must maintain the image in the mirror. He’s not about to take the chance that something may happen should he but looks away for an instant.
A few couples have made their way across the bridge during the time Jiron spent observing it, as well as half a dozen kids. At one point while he was waiting, a man came and sat down on the bench next to him then started talking to him. The man was dressed well and seemed a friendly sort. Of cours
e the fact that he was speaking the Empire’s tongue posed a difficult problem.
Feigning a sore throat and that he couldn’t talk, Jiron coughed a few times and the man eventually got the idea. Getting up, he says something that was probably close to ‘Hope you get better’ and then walked off.
As the man walked away, Jiron wondered if that could have been the man he was supposed to meet. He doubts it, the man didn’t seem to be other than what he appeared, someone out for an evening stroll before bedtime.
The time comes when Jiron figures it must be close to the appointed hour. Coming to his feet, he leaves the bench behind and makes his way over to the bridge. Still looking around, he doesn’t see anyone nearby. Stepping out onto the bridge, he walks until he’s reached about mid-span then stops. Turning to face one side, he leans his forearms on the rail and waits.
“He’s on the bridge,” James tells them. He scrolls the image around the area to see if he can discover anyone approaching.
Aleya comes over and looks at the image in the mirror. “He’s awfully exposed there,” she says worriedly. “One arrow and it’s all over.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” says Brother Willim.
“Yes,” mumbles James, “let’s.” Scrolling the image further, he suddenly sees half a dozen men moving down a path that runs along the edge of the water toward the bridge. “Might have something here,” he announces. The others move in close to watch.
The path the six men are on comes to a forking. Either they can continue on the path which continues straight, or take the other path that crosses another of the bridges over the water to the other side. The men come to a stop for a moment. Then three of the men move to take the path over the bridge. Once on the other side they quickly leave the path and split up. They then begin making their way through the park toward the bridge upon which Jiron is waiting. Two of the three remaining men also leave the path on their side of the water and work their way toward where Jiron waits.
The Mists of Sorrow: The Morcyth Saga Book Seven Page 24