Bundling up tight, he and Dave leave the inn after having a quick meal and set about finding a spot from which they can keep an eye on what’s going on. A nearby building with an upper story will work out perfectly. One wall has caved in and most of the upper area has as well. From up there they have an unrestricted view of almost the entire settlement.
“Can’t we have a fire?” asks Dave after ten minutes of freezing in the cold breeze.
“We dare not risk it,” replies James. “Besides ruining our night vision, anyone in the area will know we’re up here.”
Teeth chattering, Dave says, “I don’t care, I’m freezing!”
“Relax, it’s only another hour before we go get Jorry and Uther for their watch.” The darkness is beginning to settle in and it isn’t long before they can’t see much more than shadows.
Their watch passes uneventfully and Dave is quite happy when they return to the warmth of the inn and wake Jorry and Uther for their turn at watch. James explains to them where the lookout they found is and they’re soon out the door.
Dave settles in by the fire, dropping off to sleep quickly. James on the other hand sits up for awhile as he tries to figure out another way other than getting into the water.
Chapter Thirty
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The following morning, the only alternative James could come up with is constructing a raft and floating out upon the surface. If that fails to produce any results then he’ll brave the icy water.
It takes them some time to construct a raft large enough to support him safely. Miko suggested for him to use his magic in the effort but he was simply too concerned with there being another mage in the area who might pick up on it. If a mage was with the Empire’s force, who knows what he would do should he detect magic being used.
So it took longer than it could have but they finally put one together before lunch. James is more than happy to put off going out there while they take a break and have something to eat.
“What are you looking for out there?” Jorry asks during their meal.
“I don’t really know,” he replies. “On the face of it, it seems kind of dumb.”
“Prophecies are often that way,” agrees Uther. “They make no sense until it’s time for them to be understood.”
“I guess we’ll just have to see,” he says.
“…a thin, white blanket. You then walk with a lantern underneath and it makes the glowing apparition appear.” From across the room James hears the miner, who has yet to tell anyone his name, explain to Qyrll how he produced some of the spectral effects. “You have to make sure you are far enough away so no one will see through the disguise.”
Nodding, Qyrll says, “Makes sense.
James just shakes his head at them. Qyrll has been after the miner for his secrets on haunting Ironhold and he’s been more than glad to share them. Seems he’s been out of contact with people for a long time and Qyrll’s keen interest makes him feel good.
When at last the meal is over and James can put it off no longer, they all go down to the lake where the makeshift raft sits. Uther was there securing the last few logs together while the rest finished their lunch. The whole thing looks rather dubious. Having put it together without the aid of an axe has left many branches sticking out at odd angles. To James it looks like a giant porcupine, at least there will be plenty of handholds to keep him atop it.
Jiron plans on coming along and has a long stripped pole which he’ll use to move the raft away from shore. Lying in the center of the raft are two wide strips of bark which they’ll be able to use as paddles when the pole is no longer effective. Moving to the raft, Jiron boards it first while Jorry and Uther hold it steady.
“Hurry up man,” Jorry says from where he stands in the water. “I think my feet are going numb.” He makes his way on and then holds onto a protruding branch while James comes forward.
Stepping carefully, he makes his way onto the raft and takes his place in the center. Once he’s seated firmly on the logs, he nods to Jorry and Uther who release the raft and hurry out of the water.
Taking his pole, Jiron begins pushing them away from shore. “How far should we go?” he asks after they’ve moved out a dozen yards or so.
“Middle, if we can,” he replies.
“Don’t think my pole is going to be able to reach the bottom much longer,” he tells him. The depth of the water has steadily increased, especially once they’ve moved fifty feet from shore. Suddenly, the pole sinks almost to the surface of the water before Jiron brings it to a stop. Pulling it up, he lays it across the raft.
Picking up one of the pieces of bark they’ll use for paddles, he hands it to James and says, “Looks like we use these from here.”
James takes the ‘paddle’ and moves to the side opposite Jiron and begins paddling. At first they start to spin as either he or Jiron paddles harder than the other, but then they get a good rhythm down and start moving in a more straight line toward the middle of the lake.
As he paddles, he glances back occasionally to those still on the shore and the mountain behind them. They remain there, staring at their progress across the lake. The sun riding high in the sky keeps the chill at bay. At times water splashes onto him from when he dips his paddle in the water and he realizes just how cold this water is, freezing may be an understatement. They paddle until the raft reaches roughly the center of the lake and then they stop.
“Now what?” asks Jiron.
“I haven’t a clue,” he says. “For all we know that line may simply be there to throw people off. Nothing ever said that every line of a prophecy has to mean something.”
“Can you give it to me one more time?” asks Jiron.
“Sure,” he replies.
When the Fire shines Bright,
And the Star walks the Land.
Time for the Lost,
Will soon be at Hand.
At the foot of the King,
Bathe in his Cup.
Pull his Beard,
To make him sit Up.
Seven to Nine,
Six to Four.
Spit in the Wind,
And open the Door.
“Hmmm,” muses Jiron as he contemplates the words. “The second verse refers to the king in every line. Seems important.” He then turns his attention to the mountain which dominates the entire area. Kiliticus rises immensely behind their comrades on the shore.
“Does a mountain have a beard?” he asks after a few minutes of silence.
“I don’t think so,” replies James. “Is there an outcropping of rock perhaps that appears like a beard?”
They both stare at the mountain and scrutinize its surface. There are many outcroppings and overhangs, but nothing which even remotely resembles a beard. “I think we may be going about this the wrong way,” Jiron says.
“What do you mean?” asks James.
“This isn’t accomplishing anything,” he says. “Think we should return to shore and see if we can come at this another way?”
The only other way which James can think of is to take the line literally and get into the water. He’s simply not willing to do that unless there’s no other alternative. “We haven’t been out here very long,” he says. “Give it a couple more hours and if we’re still without a clue, we’ll go back.”
“Very well,” he says. Making himself as comfortable as possible, Jiron waits. At first the view from the center of the lake is enough to keep him distracted, but after awhile he begins nodding off. Not too concerned, he’s sure James will wake him should anything happen.
If he didn’t have the possible future of going into the water, James would find this a lot more relaxing. Out here in the middle of the lake is very peaceful. The mountains surrounding them give the area a charm he hasn’t found for a long time. Snowcapped mountains covered in trees with the blue sky above them, absolutely beautiful.
Over on the shore the others have given up watching him and begun to explore the ruin
s. He doesn’t blame them, he’s sure at first they thought something important was going to happen. When it failed to materialize they grew bored and began finding something else to do.
The quiet seems to rejuvenate his spirit, bringing him a peace he hasn’t had for some time. What with all the fighting and bickering between the various members of his group and all the attempts made on his life, this is really the first time he’s been able to completely relax in weeks. Putting his cares aside for a moment, he tries to enjoy the tranquility.
His mind drifts back to the time he and Meliana spent together on her father’s ship just after they came to his rescue. You can bet he was surprised when he saw who it was that rescued him. A smile comes to him at the thought of what his grandparents would say if they knew he was in love. Yes, he is in love. All doubt had been shattered when he looked at her at the railing as he was climbing up from the rescue boat.
Once things settle down he’ll return to Corillian and find her, though how long that will be is uncertain. Most likely she’ll find another man by then, the thought dampens his mood somewhat. But then the fact that she made the long voyage all the way from Corillian on the off chance he may be in Cardri comes to mind. She wouldn’t have done that unless her heart was driving her, and it’s unlikely she’ll find another unless all hope of their union is gone.
Hours drift by and he realizes nothing is going to happen, but the peace of where he is keeps him there. The gently rolling of the raft as it floats upon the water and the sun beating down on him lulls him into a deep relaxation which brings him to the brink of sleep.
Splash!
“Aaaaaahhhh!” he cries as frigid water drenches him from head to toe.
“What happened?” asks Jiron as he’s wrenched from slumber by James’ cry.
“Some damn fish just breached and splashed me with water,” he says.
Jiron looks over to him and sees where water is running down the side of his face. Laughing, he says, “It must have been some big fish.”
“It’s not funny, I’m freezing,” he complains. His hair is now slightly matted to his face and his clothes are sticking to him.
“Time to return?” asks Jiron.
Nodding, with teeth slightly chattering he replies, “Yes.” Picking up one of the crude paddles he begins paddling back to shore. The day is already coming to a close, he had no idea they had been out there that long. Over to west the sun is nearing the peaks and the shadows are beginning to grow long.
One person remains on the shore, looks to be Miko. When he sees them paddling for shore, he gets to his feet and races back to the ruins. Shortly the others gather by the water’s edge to greet them on their return.
When they’re about halfway to shore, James’ eye catches something from the mountain and he glances to its slopes. Not sure at first what caught his eye it takes him a moment to realize just what he’s seeing.
Concentrating on his paddling, Jiron doesn’t realize James has stopped until the raft begins to turn in a circle instead of forward. Looking to his friend, he sees him staring with mouth slightly open at the mountain. He stops paddling as he turns to look. He’s about to ask him what’s going on when he sees it too, a shadowy face on the slope of the mountain. And the face has a beard. “How is that possible?” he asks.
Grabbing his paddle, James replies, “I don’t know but try to remember where the end of the beard is.” Paddling with renewed determination, he and Jiron push for shore.
They continuously glance at the shadowy visage upon the mountain, trying to fix in their minds exactly where the end of the beard lies. It looks to end at a large outcropping of stone jutting out from the side of the mountain.
As they near the beach, James yells, “We found it!”
“Where?” asks Fifer.
Beaching the raft, James and Jiron jump to the sand and break into a run. “Up the mountain!” he cries as he and Jiron race for the spot before the light completely fades. It’s a little ways up the mountain from where the ruins sit and as they climb, the sun drops behind the mountains and the shadows disappear.
“What did you see?” asks Miko.
“A face in shadows,” replies James.
“A face?” questions Qyrll.
“Yes,” he answers.
“But how is that possible?” Uther asks as he follows along behind.
From the front of the group, James’ voice comes back to him, “I don’t know.”
They continue working their way up the slope. Darkness begins to creep into the world as the light slowly fades away. Before it fails altogether, the outcropping of rock which coincided with the shadow’s beard comes into view.
The rock around them begins to show signs of having been worked. Right angles, which could never be formed with such precision by nature start to appear. What use they held can no longer be determined.
Forging through the underbrush James suddenly comes into a clearing and before him lies the outcropping. The signs of human workmanship can be seen all over now. Holding out his hand, his orb suddenly springs to life for him to see better as the light has all but faded away.
In the glow of the orb, he approaches the outcropping. “Examine the whole area,” he says. “Look for any sign of the Star.” Suddenly, several other orbs spring into being and the entire area is flooded with light.
“Won’t this attract anyone in the area?” Jiron asks him.
“Damn, forgot about that in my excitement,” he says as he looks around at the blazing orbs. Then he glances back to Jiron and shrugs, “Too late now.”
“At least we have the high ground,” Qyrll says.
“What?” asks Jorry.
“The high ground,” he explains. “The fighter upon the high ground has a better tactical advantage.”
“Oh,” he says.
“You should know that,” Uther pipes up. “Remember that time when…” He and Jorry go off together as he begins another of his stories.
Pull his beard to make him sit up. Should that be taken literally? If so, then how do you pull a shadow? Questions run through James’ mind as he ponders the best course of action. The others are hunting as well, looking over, under and around for any place bearing the Star of Morcyth. He is sure that is what must be found. Down to the center of his being he knows that to be true.
Dave is standing off to the side, not being very helpful. Oh sure, whenever James glances his way he makes it seem that he is actively looking. When he turns back, he goes back to watching the others, a look on his face saying this is dumb.
It was during just such a time when Jiron comes up behind him and asks, “Why aren’t you helping?”
Dave turns around to see him there with fists on his hips and a scowl on his face. “What business is it of yours?”
Eyes narrowing, Jiron replies slightly louder than necessary, “You are supposed to be James’ friend. Yet when everyone else is trying their best to aid him, you stand around as if you don’t care or are just too lazy.” After a moment of silence as they stare at each other, he adds in contempt, “You make me sick.”
The others pause in their searching while they move closer to where the growing drama is unfolding. From the far side of the clearing, James takes notice of what’s transpiring and hurries over.
“Why don’t you leave me alone?” Dave says, voice rising in irritation. Glancing around at the others he continues. “You all have done nothing but treat me like dirt ever since we first met. You can all just go to hell!”
“Dave!” exclaims James as he comes to stand near them.
“Sorry to have to say that James,” he says, “but it’s true. You care more about these butchers than you do about me. And I’ve been your friend longer.”
“Butchers?” Uther retorts his anger getting the best of him. “We ain’t the ones going around killing girls!”
At that Dave looks in shock at him and takes a step backward.
Uther turns his attention to James and says, “That’s
right. He’s the one who’s been killing all the girls wherever we go.”
James looks in horror at Uther then glances to Dave. “Is this true?” he asks, voice barely able to speak the words.
Before he has a chance to reply, Jorry adds, “We saw him with that innkeeper’s daughter the evening before she turned up dead.”
Looking pleadingly at his friend, Dave says, “I had nothing to do with her death. You’ve got to believe me.”
“You were with her then?” he asks.
Nodding, he says, “For a short time. She was nice and we talked, but that was all. I left her alive!” Glancing at the others standing around him, he sees they don’t believe him. “You all are just trying to turn him against me!”
“Is that what you were planning on doing to Tersa?” asks Jiron enraged.
“Everyone settle down!” yells James. “Jiron, back off.”
Jiron flashes him a look but holds his ground.
“Now, did anyone see him kill anybody?” he asks. Looking around at them, he sees them all shake their heads negatively. To Uther he asks, “What makes you believe this?”
“Girls have ended up dead wherever we go,” he explains. “I think it more than coincidence that he was seen in the company of one before she turns up dead.”
“James,” Dave whispers, “you’ve got to believe me.”
“He’s also been acting odd ever since he’s joined us,” adds Fifer. “Moody, easily angered.”
“What he’s been through could explain that easily enough,” James replies. He looks to his friend and sees a look of abject pleading. Could it be? The thought goes against what he knows of his friend and he refuses to even give it credence by considering it more.
He gazes from one to the other, in everyone’s eyes he can see they believe him to be guilty. At last his eyes settle on his friend, his life long friend. So many times Dave’s been there for him. He knows what kind of person he is and it isn’t a killer. Years of shared experiences, fun, is he to throw all of it away?
The Star of Morcyth: The Morcyth Saga Book Five Page 39