The star of Morcyth ms-5

by Brian S. Pratt

  “I don’t think there’s anything here to find,” Jorry complains to Uther. Other than the fun they had with Miko, so far Ironhold has just been a rather boring place.

  “I know,” replies Uther. “Maybe we can get Miko again later.” Chuckling at the thought, he makes his way upstairs with Jorry right behind him. The building they find themselves in used to be an inn.

  He and Jorry met shortly after the fall of the City of Light when they joined with Miller and his band. Both having gone through hardship and sorrow, they felt a bond between them almost from the beginning.

  “It wouldn’t be so bad if there was something to find once in a while like coins or something,” he says. They have found some, but not nearly enough to satisfy his need for diversion.

  Jorry stops at a door while Uther continues on to the next. Opening it, he walks into a room with several beds and over to the side is an upright wardrobe. He gives the room a casual once over and then moves to the wardrobe.

  Just before his hand connects with the handle, the doors swing open and two figures leap out at him with a roar. Clothed in tattered remains with faces black as coal, they give him such a fright that he cries out and staggers backward. His leg hits one of the beds and he falls over, his back hitting the floor.

  Getting to his feet quickly, he bolts for the door just as Uther comes running to see what the problem is. Bam! He runs right into Uther and they both collapse to the floor in a heap.

  “What happened?” cries out Uther as he and Jorry quickly untangle themselves and get to their feet.

  “Ghosts!” cries Jorry in fright.

  Just then laughter can be heard coming from the room he just fled. “Ghosts huh?” Uther says as he draws his sword and approaches the room. Coming to the door, he glances through and there sitting on one of the beds are Jiron and Miko laughing hysterically. Turning back to his friend, he says, “It’s just Miko and Jiron.”

  Jorry comes to stand in the doorway beside Uther and looks on them in anger. Miko sees his expression and doubles over in a more intense spasm of laughter.

  “Payback huh?” Uther says, sheathing his sword.

  Jiron grins at them with tears in his eyes. “You could say that,” he says.

  From below the sound of feet running across the floor and then hitting the stairs comes to them. In a second, James appears at the top of the stairs, out of breath. He sees Jorry and Uther standing in the doorway and as he approaches sees Jiron and Miko sitting on the bed. He takes in the way Miko and Jiron are dressed, old tattered clothes and face blackened with what looks like soot. The fact that they’re just recovering from laughing tells him all he needs to know.

  Putting the stone back into his pocket, he glares at them and says, “If you all are quite through, we have some serious searching to do.”

  “Sorry James,” Jiron says from the room. Uther glances to him and sees he’s not sorry in the least.

  To Jiron and Miko he says, “Get cleaned up. We still have a while before lunch and I would like to cover at least some of the city by then?”

  “Okay,” replies Jiron as he gets off the bed.

  “But they started it,” accuses Miko.

  James glances from one pair to the other. Dave comes up the stairs behind him and stops as he takes in the situation. “I don’t care who started it,” he states. “I want it finished now. Understand?” Four heads nod affirmative. “Good.” Turning his back on them, he sees Dave there and rolls his eyes heavenward. With Dave beside him, he leaves the inn.

  Once James and Dave are on the stairs and out of sight, Uther gives Miko and Jiron a look saying ‘This ain’t over yet’.

  After another hour of searching, they meet back at the inn where they have lunch before setting out once more. The sun continues its path across the sky and begins to drop toward the mountain peaks to the west. When the sun is close to passing behind the peaks, they decide to go out once more before calling it a night.

  “Maybe we should stop now?” suggests Miko. Eyeing the sun’s proximity to the top of the mountains he’s worried about being within Ironhold when the sun disappears.

  “Just a quick search,” James tells everyone. “Check two more buildings and then return here. We’ll start in a different area tomorrow.”

  “I don’t think you’re going to find anything here,” Dave grumbles.

  Turning to his friend, James says, “There has to be something, Ellinwyrd wouldn’t have said to come here if there wasn’t.”

  Fifer pauses on his way into town, turns back and says, “He could be mistaken. Everyone makes mistakes.”

  “I’ve considered that,” he says and then stalks off. Dave has to hurry to keep from being left behind. Doubt has been creeping in ever since nothing was found right away. Maybe it’s just pride or stubbornness, but he feels to the core of his being that this is where he needs to be.

  A half hour later after another fruitless search they reconvene by the horses. The sun by this time has dipped behind the peaks. Though the town is now in shadow, the peaks to the east still have the sun’s rays upon them.

  Mounting, they move out and head to the edge of town. They follow the road for a mile or so before coming to a good spot where they can camp and still keep the town in sight. “Don’t you think we’re a bit close?” asks a nervous Miko.

  Turning his gaze upon him, James puts his hands on his hips and vents the frustrations of the day. “I’m sick and tired of you whining about this and complaining about that! If you don’t want to stay here, then by all means you’re more than welcome to move further away. I am staying here.”

  Miko’s eyes reveal the hurt he feels from the words his friend just spoke. “Didn’t mean that,” he says softly. He then turns away and moves across to the other side of the camp where he rolls out his bedroll and lies down.

  “Kind of hard on him weren’t you?” Jiron asks.

  Sighing, James says, “Probably. But there comes a time when a man has to grow up and stop being scared of everything. It was cute when he was younger, but now he needs to start facing his fears.”

  “How can you say that after all we’ve been through?” accuses Jiron. James starts to turn away and Jiron takes him by the shoulder and pulls him back. Eyes locking, he says, “Miko has been your stalwart companion from the beginning and he deserves better. From what you both have told me, he’s saved your life on numerous occasions when he was scared. He’s cautious, yes. But don’t you ever confuse that with cowardice!”

  Sighing, James nods his head and says, “You’re right.” He glances over Jiron’s shoulder and sees Miko stretched out on the ground turned to face out of camp. “I better go talk with him.”

  “That would be a good idea,” agrees Jiron. “The rest of us will take care of the fire and dinner.”

  “Thanks,” he says as he starts heading toward Miko. He doesn’t take two steps when from behind him he hears Jiron say to Dave, “Come on, we’re on wood duty.” Dave’s complaining accompanies him all the way to where Miko lays.

  “Uh, Miko,” James says as he comes to stop next to him.

  “What?” he says, face remaining turned away.

  “I’m sorry for what I said.” He comes around to the other side. “You’re too good a friend for that.”

  “It’s alright,” he says. “You’re right though, I do complain more than I aught.”

  “No it’s not,” James tells him. Sitting down next to him, he glances at him and then says, “I’m just frustrated by not finding anything today. I took it out on you and I shouldn’t have.”

  Giving James a crooked smile he says, “If you can’t blow up at your friends once in a while, then what good are they? I’m not mad. I know you have a lot on your mind.”

  “Glad you feel that way,” James says sincerely. He gives him a smile and then glances over across the camp where Dave has just returned with an armful of wood. He’s standing there staring at them, emotions running through his face which James is unable to make he
ad or tails of. The only thing he’s sure of is that they’re not good ones.

  Sighing, he says, “I’m going to help the others.” Patting Miko on the shoulder, he gets to his feet and comes over to where Dave is standing.

  “Need any help?” he asks.

  Whatever emotions had been there before are gone now. Giving him a shake of the head, he says good naturedly, “Naw, we got it covered.” He puts his load of wood down near the fire and then returns to the trees for another.

  He watches his friend for a second before going over to where Fifer is working to get the fire going. Sitting down, he glances around and then asks, “Where’s Qyrll?”

  Jerking his head in the direction of Ironhold, he replies, “Over there. Said he wanted to see if there were any ghosts walking the streets.”

  Looking in the direction indicated, he sees him leaning against a tree as he looks out over the town. “Hope he doesn’t find any.”

  “Me too,” agrees Fifer.

  They get the fire going to dispel the cold of the mountains. If they thought it was cold down on the plains, it’s downright frigid here at the base of the mountains. The wind whips the cold air down from the upper elevations and with the setting of the sun, the temperature drops rapidly.

  Breaking out the rations, they have their meal while the light continues to fade. Qyrll takes his meal over to his position looking out over the town. The heat from the fire doesn’t reach that far but he doesn’t seem to mind. His people live in mountains so he most likely can take the cold better than most.

  The others come to join him from time to time but the cold always drives them back to the fire. By the time they determine it’s time for sleep, no ghosts or spirits have yet to make their appearance.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Throughout the night, those on watch kept a constant vigil on the town below. Though their imaginations played games with them and gave several a brief scare, nothing ever happened.

  When the sun is about to crest the peaks to the east, they’re already on their horses and heading down to Ironhold. James takes them to another section of town away from where they searched the day before. Another day, maybe two and they’ll have this whole town searched.

  On the way down, Miko asks, “Why don’t you use your magic in the search?”

  “For some reason, the thought of doing magic here bothers me,” he explains. “Can’t really explain it more than that. If after we’ve thoroughly searched the entire town and come up empty, then maybe I will.”

  “What about the mines?” Jiron asks. When James glances back at him he clarifies, “Maybe what Ellinwyrd meant were the mines and not the town at all.”

  “You may be right,” James concedes. “We’ll begin searching there after we’ve finished with the town.” There is one small road, hardly wide enough for a single wagon which they saw earlier, leading away from town to the west. One of Ironhold’s mines could lay down there.

  By the time they get to the starting point for the day’s search, the traffic from the north and south begins rolling through. At first the quicker riders appear and then shortly after them roll in the caravans, only two it looks like today. One is heading north and the other south. Some of the travelers take note of them dismounting but none stop to offer a greeting, merely shaking their heads as they hurry on their way.

  “Just like yesterday,” he says. “Comb the town in pairs and stick together. We don’t need anyone getting lost or separated.” Glancing to the jokesters of the day before he says, “No fooling around today. Got it?”

  “Sure,” assures Jorry, the others nod their agreement.

  “Alright then,” James says.

  Jorry and Uther give Miko and Jiron a sidelong glance which is returned. James notices and sighs. Why do I even bother?

  “We’ll be okay,” offers Fifer. Giving James a nod, he and Qyrll head off as they begin searching the buildings leading into town. Dave and James take the buildings going to the left and Jiron and Miko to the right. Jorry and Uther head further into town past where Fifer and Qyrll are searching.

  Building after building, they search but to no avail. No sign indicating Morcyth or anything else is discovered. They continue to check back in by the horses every hour. Jiron suggests they could cover more area if they didn’t have to come back all the time but James says he would rather it take longer than have something happen to one of them.

  During the last hour before they have to return before noon, Miko and Jiron are leaving a home where it looked as if a large family had lived. Within were many rooms, some still containing the remnants of fine furniture.

  “I don’t think this town has what James is looking for,” grumbles Miko.

  “Either do I,” agrees Jiron.

  “Then why are we here?” he asks.

  Sighing, he turns to Miko and says, “Because James says to. He’s proved us wrong before when we thought what he was doing didn’t make any sense.”

  “True,” he agrees.

  At one point Miko asks him if he plans on continuing the jokes on Jorry and Uther but Jiron shakes his head. “James is right, we need to finish this and get out of here.” He pauses a moment and says, “Of course if they do something then we should hardly just take it without retaliation.”

  Miko likes the sound of that. So not only is he looking for signs of Morcyth but is keeping on the lookout for the next prank Jorry and Uther may pull.

  Walking back onto the street, Jiron gestures to a rundown building across the street and says, “Should we try this one before heading back?”

  “Alright,” agrees Miko just before his stomach sounds off with a loud rumble, “but let’s not take too long.”

  Jiron gives him a grin and they cross the street. The door is closed but opens readily enough when Jiron turns the handle. It’s a three story residence and Jiron offers to check the upper floors while Miko searches the ground floor.

  The one part of this Miko likes is opening all the old chests and boxes lying around. So far he’s found quite a number of interesting objects, not to mention the odd coin or two. As Jiron hits the stairs to search above, he leaves the front room and enters the kitchen area.

  Opening the various cabinets he finds them all empty. A door is set in the far wall, and he walks over to it. Grasping the handle he pulls it open and finds a walk-in pantry on the other side. Old rotted containers still line the shelves, whatever they had once contained is long gone. He moves inside as he checks for anything which may have been left behind. He’s become quite the scavenger.

  Not finding anything he turns to leave and takes two steps before coming to stop. A cold chill runs through him and his heart skips a beat at what he sees in the other room. Standing there, looking directly at him is a figure of a man, gaunt and pale. The skin is pulled tight to his bones and his hair is scraggly, looking like it has fallen out in patches. Clutched in one hand is a pickaxe such as a miner would use.

  The instant of fright leaves him as he says, “Alright guys, enough is enough. You’re not fooling anyone.”

  When the figure makes no reply and continues to stand there staring at him, his feelings of unease return. Fear begins to take him again as he comes to realize this isn’t Uther or Jorry.

  Standing there frozen in fear, Miko is speechless as they both gaze upon the other. Then the miner’s mouth begins to move but nothing comes out as he turns slightly toward Miko. Taking a step forward, he reaches out his other hand as if to grab him.

  The movement of the miner breaks the spell fear had over him and Miko lets out with a god awful inarticulate scream of fear as he backpedals into the pantry. Reaching out in panic, he takes hold of the pantry door and pulls it closed behind him.

  Moving as far back as he can, he stands there in the dark, eyes locked to the door afraid the miner will open it and come for him. The darkness of the pantry does nothing to alleviate the terror that continues to rifle through him.

  Suddenly, the door swings open and he
sees Jiron standing there, knife in hand. “What happened?” he asks. Then he sees the wide eyed, pale expression on Miko’s face.

  “He was standing there!” Miko says, pointing to the other room.

  “Who?” Jiron asks. “Who was standing here?” Looking around the kitchen, he doesn’t see anything.

  “A miner,” he says. “I think he was dead.”

  Reaching his hand out to him, Jiron asks, “Were they playing another joke on you?”

  Shaking his head vehemently, he says, “No, it wasn’t them.”

  “Come on, let’s go tell James,” he says.

  Nodding, Miko takes the hand and leaves the panty. Reentering the kitchen, his eyes dart around for the gaunt miner but other than him and Jiron, the kitchen is empty. Coming to where the miner had stood he says, “He was standing right here!” He takes hold of Jiron’s shirt and says, “He was reaching for me.”

  “Calm down,” Jiron says as he leads him out of the building. “He’s not here now.”

  On their way to find James, they run across Fifer and Qyrll who join them. Jiron gives them a brief rundown of what happened as they continue moving toward where James and Dave are hunting. Jorry and Uther are nowhere in sight.

  When they reach the area, he calls out “James!”

  From an upper window of a nearby building, they hear a “What?”

  Looking up, they see James peering down at them. “Miko saw something!”

  “It was a miner!” he hollers. “I think he was dead.”

  “I’ll be right down,” he says and then ducks back inside. A moment later, he and Dave leave the building and join them in the street. Coming to Miko he asks, “What happened?”

  He relates to him his encounter with the dead miner, as now he’s sure that’s what it was. “He was reaching for me and I panicked,” he concludes. “I slammed the door closed as I fled into the panty. When it opened again, Jiron was standing there and the miner was gone.”

  “And you’re sure it wasn’t them playing another joke on you?” he asks.

  When Miko shakes his head no, he says, “Take me there.”