“…not sure I can do this,” he hears Miko say.
“Who else is there?” responds Brother Willim’s voice. “Do you think you are to be the only priest Morcyth will require?”
“But, I don’t know the first thing about training other priests,” he states.
“Isn’t it outlined in the book?” Brother Willim asks.
“Well, sort of…”
Jiron removes his ear and gives Aleya a smile. “Brother Willim is explaining things to Miko that he hadn’t thought of before,” he explains.
“Like what?” she asks as they resume moving toward the common room.
Jiron gives her a chuckle and says, “I don’t think he understood the scope of the responsibilities a man in his position is going to have.”
Upon entering the common room, they pause and look around to see where the others are sitting. After scanning the room once, Jiron’s grin that he had at Miko’s expense disappears. Searching the room one more time, he doesn’t see James or any of the others sitting at any of the tables.
Aleya notices it too. “Maybe they returned to their rooms,” she suggests.
“Let’s hope so,” he says. Turning around, they hurry back and enter the room where Miko and Brother Willim are discussing things.
“Is James in here?” he asks as he opens the door.
“Haven’t seen him since he left to join the others in the common room,” replies Miko. Then he sees the worry upon Jiron’s face. “Why?” he asks with growing apprehension.
Not bothering to take the time to reply, Jiron leaves the room and begins checking the rooms of the others. One by one, he finds each of them empty.
“They’re gone!” he exclaims after checking the last room. Racing back down the hall to the common room, he looks around anxiously for any clue as to what may have happened. But everything looks to be as it should be. The bard is singing, the patrons are happy and enjoying themselves. Yet where are they?
He starts to enter the common room when Aleya takes him by the arm. “Don’t,” she says. “Let’s go back to the room and discuss it in private.”
Behind her he sees Brother Willim and Miko nodding agreement. Allowing her to take him back to his room, they enter and close the door.
“They wouldn’t have simply left and not told anyone,” he states. Then pointing in the direction of the common room he says, “Someone out there has to know what happened.”
“I am sure that is true,” Brother Willim states. “But if you go out there and begin questioning people you are going to raise suspicion.” When Jiron turns his gaze upon him he adds, “You don’t speak the language.”
“None of us do,” Miko says.
“Then what are we to do?” Aleya asks.
Jiron begins pacing as he thinks about the various courses of action available to them.
“Perrilin did say that he came here often,” offers Miko. “Remember when we first arrived, he entered and immediately left with someone?”
Halting his pacing, Jiron turns and asks Miko, “So?”
“So, it would stand to reason that the people who run this place also know him,” he replies.
“And may prove to be helpful in finding out what happened,” concludes Brother Willim.
”Very well,” he says. “The rest of you stay here and I’ll go find out.” As he turns to leave, Brother Willim puts his hand on his shoulder and stops him.
“I don’t think it would be wise for us to split up,” he says.
“I agree,” adds Aleya.
Nodding, he says, “Okay then, follow me.” Leading the way, Jiron leaves the room and returns back down the hall to the common room. Barely slowing down, he crosses through the tables and heads straight for the kitchen area. On the way he hunts for the proprietor that he saw earlier but the man’s no where to be seen.
At the door leading into the kitchen he pushes it open and barges right in. On the other side lies a large cooking area with a long table against the side wall where meals and other items are being prepared for their patrons. Not seeing the one he’s looking for, he ignores the stares of the workers and walks through the kitchen to the door leading deeper into the inn.
One man moves to put himself between Jiron and the door. He holds up his hand and says something in the Empire’s tongue which can only be ‘You shouldn’t be here’ or something to that effect. Jiron pushes the man out of the way and opens the door. On the other side of the door there’s a short hallway with closed doors on the right and left. The end of the hallway opens onto a room that looks like it’s designed for receiving guests. Sitting at a table in that room, Jiron can see the innkeeper talking with another man whose back is to the hallway.
The innkeeper looks up in startlement as they leave the kitchen, and the man whose back is to them turns to look. It’s the man who had fetched the items Perrilin needed to remove Kir. Both men stand up as they pass through the hallway.
A voice hollers to the innkeeper from the kitchen area and he replies in a reassuring tone of voice. Jiron glances back and sees the man he pushed out of the way standing in the doorway staring at him with a grimace. The innkeeper hollers to the man again and he nods then closes the door.
“Come in gentlemen,” the innkeeper says in their language. Then adds, “and lady,” when he sees Aleya there with them.
“We need to talk to you…” begins Jiron.
“Yes, I know,” the innkeeper interrupts him. Gesturing to the vacant chairs at the table with him and the other man he says, “Please, won’t you have a seat?”
The innkeeper says something to the other man. Nodding, the man gets up and leaves the room by the other door to the right of the hallway they entered through. When he sees Jiron about to ask about the man, he says, “He’ll make sure we are not interrupted.”
“And why would he need to do that?” Miko asks.
Waving away the question, the innkeeper says, “There is little time. I had thought they took all of you. Thank the gods they did not.”
“Who?” asks Jiron. “Who took them?”
“An agent of a very powerful person here in the Empire,” he replies. “One whom it is unwise to openly stand against. He knew of Kir being here and wanted him. He made us drug the ale going to his table, and when they were all unconscious, several of his men came and took them.”
“They were after Kir?” asks Jiron. “I thought for sure they were…” He trails off, not finishing the thought. Turning to Miko he sees him nod, he too thought they had come for James. James simply happened to be in the wrong place.
“Where did they take them?” Brother Willim asks.
“One of our men followed them when they left and will report back when he knows,” the innkeeper states. He glances from one to the other then says, “So far, the Empire remains unaware of this inn’s involvement in certain activities. It would be beneficial for all concerned if they continue to remain ignorant of that fact.”
“Don’t worry,” Jiron assures him. “Your secret is safe with us.”
Suddenly, the door to the right of the hallway opens and the man who had been here when they arrived enters the room. He glances to Jiron and the others and then looks questioningly to the innkeeper.
“It’s alright,” he says in the northern tongue. “They’re Kir’s friends.”
Nodding, the man says, “They’ve been taken to the Keep.”
“Can you take us there?” Jiron asks as he comes to his feet.
“Yes,” the man says, “but it is heavily guarded.”
“You would stand little chance of getting in there,” the innkeeper states. “It’s very well fortified.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” asks the innkeeper.
Jiron glances to Aleya then nods, “Yes, there is one thing.” He tells him of his need and the innkeeper tells them that he will be able to accommodate the request. They wait there for a few minutes while the other man is s
ent to get it.
When he returns, he hands Aleya a beautifully worked bow and a quiver of arrows. She takes it and looks in awe at the workmanship that had gone into it. Intricate designs run its length and when she strings it, the pull is strong. “This is a good bow,” she says.
“It was one of several made by a friend of mine who is a master woodworker,” the innkeeper says. “I trust you find it acceptable?”
“Oh yes,” she says with a nod. “It’s far superior to anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Then it’s yours,” he tells her.
“Thank you,” she says with a grin.
“Now,” Jiron says. “Take us to the Keep.”
“It’s not as simple as that,” the innkeeper says. “We are fairly certain there are still agents watching the inn.”
“So?” Miko asks.
“Depending on how long they’ve been watching your group,” he tells them, “they may recognize you when you leave.”
“That could prove problematical,” Brother Willim states.
“What do you suggest?” asks Aleya.
Chapter Thirty One
_________________________
Malki had been placed to watch the front of the inn since he and others had come to take those people away. Though he wasn’t told why they were taken, he knew they had to have been wanted by people in high places. Especially if you consider who it was that put the whole operation together. Whenever you see his face, you know that whatever is going on concerns the highest levels of the Empire.
He and the others who are staking out the inn are looking for a couple other people, and should they appear, they’re to take them too.
The front door of the inn opens and he turns his attention to those coming through. Two people emerge, a couple by the looks of it. The man is leaning heavily upon the woman who is working to keep her man upright. Malki grins at the way the drunken man tries to negotiate his way down the few steps to the street.
Cursing at her man, the woman loses her hold on him as he stumbles down the remaining two steps and crashes to the street. Giving him a swift kick to the side in anger, she drags him back to his feet and together they work their way down the street.
Behind the couple comes another pair, two men this time. One has a stiff leg that looks as if it’s unable to bend it at the knee. He limps and shuffles alongside the other. Upon making it down to the street, both men turn and go the opposite way that the woman and her man had gone.
Not the people he’s interested in, Malki remains in the shadows and keeps a watch upon the door.
Once Miko is sure the inn is out of sight behind them, he takes Brother Willim down a side street. Moving into the shadows, he helps Brother Willim remove his staff that had been hidden beneath his tunic. It had been secreted within his trouser leg, which gave him the appearance of having a stiff leg. Having walked so far pretending that his right leg was stiff has made his left one ache.
“Is anyone following?” Brother Willim asks as he finally gets the staff free of his clothing.
Miko stares back down the street for a second then shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I really didn’t think it was going to work,” he admits.
“Let’s go to the rendezvous and pray that Jiron and Aleya made it there safely.” Miko then takes the lead. With the pack wherein lies the Book of Morcyth slung securely across his back, they hurry to the appointed place.
It isn’t far and when they arrive they find Jiron and Aleya already there. Another minute and the man who is going to lead them to the Keep appears.
“Let’s go,” Jiron says to the man. He’s a little put out that the man has yet to offer him his name. But like James always says, ‘What you don’t know can’t be tortured out of you’.
Taking numerous side streets they work their way across town to the Keep, only taking the main thoroughfares when they have no other choice. When the Keep finally comes into view, he takes them to a spot down a block from the main entrance. Standing in the lee of the building where the shadows are the thickest, they have a commanding view of the gate.
The gate stands in a curtain wall which surrounds the inner keep. Outside the gate stand six soldiers, three of which have crossbows. Atop the curtain wall, additional soldiers are seen walking to and fro as they keep watch. Beyond the curtain wall, the Keep itself rises high.
“Beneath the Keep is an extensive dungeon where prisoners are taken and interrogated,” the man tells them. “That’s where you’ll find them.”
“How do we get in?” Miko asks.
“That’s up to you,” the man says. “I managed to arrange for a diversion. It’s not much but should draw the attention of the guards on the walls for several minutes.”
“When will it begin?” Jiron asks.
“Once you figure out what you are going to do to get in,” he says, “I’ll go and get it started.” He points off to an area of town back the way they came. “When it happens, it will come from that direction.”
Jiron nods. Indicating the curtain wall on the opposite side from where the distraction will take place, he says, “So our best bet would be to try something in that direction.”
The man nods in agreement.
Turning his attention to Aleya, Miko and Brother Willim he says, “You three stay here.” Then to the man he adds, “You come with me. We’re going to take a look around.”
“Be careful,” warns Aleya.
“I will be,” he says. “Be right back.” With the man in tow, he stays next to the buildings across the street from the curtain wall and makes his way to the far side. Once he reaches where the curtain wall curves and begins moving directly away from the street, he comes to a stop.
Scanning the street he makes sure it’s clear, then turns his attention to the closest guard atop the wall. The guard is moving toward the corner of the wall where sits a guard tower. From the guard tower, the wall turns ninety degrees and moves directly away from the street. Another wide thoroughfare runs alongside the wall as it moves further away.
Jiron remains motionless as he watches the guard approaching the guard tower. When the guard comes to within three feet of the tower, he turns about and begins heading back the other way.
“Come on,” Jiron urges then races across the street with the man right behind.
Aleya watches Jiron make his way down the street then pause a moment before darting across. Her eyes move to the guard on the wall, and is relieved when he fails to react to Jiron’s crossing.
“Relax,” says Miko. “Jiron’s done this sort of thing many times from what James tells me.”
Aleya doesn’t comment, simply nods her head as she continues to stare at the place where Jiron disappeared. She waits an agonizing fifteen minutes before he reappears. Darting across the street with the man right behind, he then works his way back to where she and the others wait.
When he rejoins them, he announces, “I think there may be a way to get in.”
“How?” she asks.
He looks her in the eye and says, “It’s going to depend on how good you are with the bow.”
“What do you want me to do?” She then listens as he lays out the gist of his plan to them. Nodding her head, she can see where her bow will play a pivotal role in what’s to come. When he’s finished laying it out, he asks, “Anyone see something I may have missed?”
Brother Willim shakes his head, “Not I. You seem to have it all worked out fairly well.”
Jiron turns to the man and says, “Go tell them we’re ready.”
The man nods his head and melts into the night on his way to begin getting the distraction underway.
After he leaves, Jiron turns to Brother Willim and hesitates a moment. Then he asks, “You know there’s a chance we’ll not get out of there without a fight?”
Brother Willim only nods in reply.
“I need to know I’ll be able to rely on you should the situation arise,” he says.
Gazing
at him with sadness in his eyes, he says, “You know the priests of Asran are not allowed to hurt fellow human beings. That to do so will mean dire repercussions in this life and the next.”
“Brother, I understand that,” replies Jiron. “But you also know that if we don’t get James out of there and into Dmon-Li’s High Temple before the moon turns dark, it could well mean the end of everything. Your dreams, more than any of the others, tell us that.”
“I know,” he states.
“You once said that to keep a garden healthy, there comes a time when a gardener must prune to save the whole,” Jiron tells him. “This is the case as it stands now. You may need to prune to save the whole.” He can see the pain in the Brother’s eyes.
Miko comes and lays his hand on Brother Willim’s shoulder. “Asran will understand,” he assures him. “It’s for the greater good.”
Griping his staff in a grip so tight that almost causes him pain, Brother Willim nods. “I will do what I have to,” he says in a voice taut with pain. But the pain he is feeling is not that of the body, but of the soul. He has vowed to never take the life of an ordinary man. As the leader of the Hand of Asran, he had been trained to defeat those of power such as the warrior priests. Never had he believed that his skill would be used against those whom he vowed to protect. The fact that they may worship another besides Asran does not matter. Giving a silent prayer to Asran to forgive him for what he may be called to do, he gives Jiron a nod. “Let’s go.”
Jiron gives him a comforting pat on the back and then says, “Follow me.” Taking them along the front of the buildings across the street from the curtain wall, he brings them to a halt once they’ve reached the place where he crossed the street before. A street as wide as the one they are on runs along the wall as it turns and moves away from them.
He has them wait there until the guard atop the wall reaches the guard tower then turns back to go the other way. “Now!” he whispers as he bolts across with the others right behind.
The Mists of Sorrow: The Morcyth Saga Book Seven Page 42