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 considers 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 c
lose 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 course 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.
Stig says, “They’re surrounding him.”
“We can’t just sit here!” exclaims Aleya. “He needs us.”
Shaking his head, James says, “Not yet.”
“What do you mean not yet?” asks Aleya. “They are surrounding him! We can’t just sit and wait for them to kill him.”
“We aren’t even sure they mean him any harm yet,” offers Brother Willim. “If we move prematurely, it may spoil whatever chance Jiron has of finding out what he needs to know.”
“But…” she begins then trails off when she realizes the rest are willing to wait. Moving closer to James, she watches the events unfolding in the mirror. The five men that have moved off the path are making a circuitous route around to the far side of the bridge. Not directly, rather moving back and forth like they are hunting for someone.
“Could they be looking to see if he’s brought someone else?” Reilin asks.
Nodding, James says, “That’s entirely possible.” The man who had remained on the path remains at the spot where the group split up, as if he’s waiting for something. Returning the image to the men among the trees, he sees them coming to meet on the opposite sides of the river further downstream from the bridge. They pause there for but a moment before returning along almost the exact same route they took the first time.
Once they’ve come back to the man on the path, they confer for a moment then the five men move back into the trees. Before they disappear into the shadows, James sees two of them remove crossbows they had hidden beneath their cloaks. The sixth man begins walking quickly toward the bridge where Jiron waits.
Aleya gasps when she sees the crossbows but the others tell her they have to wait.
Jiron has grown impatient. It must be past the time already and still no one has made any attempt to contact him. He starts to think that perhaps there is another Red Lantern Bridge in this city and that he’s at the wrong one. Making up his mind to wait for a count of a hundred heartbeats, then if the man still hasn’t made an appearance, he’ll leave.
At sixty-six heartbeats, the trod of someone upon the cobblestones is heard coming toward the bridge. Jiron turns his eyes to the sound and can see the silhouette of a man passing through the light from one of the lampposts. As the man enters the last lighted area before the bridge, Jiron can make out some of his features.
He’s definitely a man of the Empire, there can be no doubt of that. Other than that, it’s hard to determine anything else about him. Turning onto the bridge, the man comes forward and stops six feet from Jiron.
“Are you the one whom I was to meet here?” Jiron asks.
“I am,” the man replies.
Pulling forth the necklace, Jiron says, “I am interested in knowing where you came by this.” He holds it up so the heart with two diamonds is clearly visible.
“Yes,” replies Jiron. “It’s of the utmost importance that I know where you got it.”
“Then what you told Ohan was…” he says, his words trialing off.
“A ruse,” finishes Jiron. “Yes, I’m sorry about that. But I desperately need to talk to you.”
The man’s face turns red in anger. “We are finished here,” he says and abruptly turns around to walk away.
Jiron moves forward and places his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I need to know where you got this!” he insists.
From out of the trees, a crossbow bolt flies and embeds itself in the bridge’s railing not two inches from where Jiron stands. “Let go or the next one won’t miss,” the man says.
Jiron glances to the direction from which the bolt was fired but the light from the lanterns at either end of the footbridge prevents him from seeing very far into the darkness. He releases the man’s shoulder and takes a step backward. The man then continues his way to the end of the bridge.
“Did you see that?” asks Aleya. “They shot a crossbow bolt at him.” She looks to James who in turn glances to Scar.
“Go get him and bring him back here,” he says and then returns his attention to the mirror. As the others except Miko and Brother Willim rush to Jiron’s aid, he keeps the bridge’s image in the mirror. Jiron stands there with his arms slightly out from his body as he watches the man walk away. James was sure the bolt was more of a warning than anything else. Otherwise the two men with crossbows would have both fired.
Before the man moves out of the light at the end of the bridge, he sees Jiron moving his arms. It takes him but a moment to realize that he’s signaling him to follow the man with his mirror.
“I don’t think this went well,” he says to Miko. Scrolling the image, he follows the man as he moves down the cobblestone path. Once he’s far enough away to be out of visual sight of the bridge, the five other men that had accompanied him to the park appear and leave with him.
Brother Willim and Miko sit on either side of him as together they watch the six men move through the park. James wants to know what happened to Jiron but doesn’t dare take the image off the man for fear of losing him. He half expected Jiron to launch an attack on the man but after several minutes go by, he returns to the deserted open air eatery with the others.
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