Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [37]
“Afraid of going hungry?” Delia asks with a smile.
“No,” he replies defensively, “just tired of being in the mountains.”
“I find it relaxing,” James interjects. Everyone turns and looks at him as he continues, “They’ve always brought me peace.”
“There is something tranquil about them,” Cassie adds. She then rests her head on Tinok’s shoulder who places his arm around her, keeping her warm. Jiron and Delia glance at each other and smile.
They sit there by the fire, the pop and crackle of the wood lending a peacefulness to the night. It isn’t long before James has fallen asleep. The rest soon follow.
The next morning, the overcast sky of the day before has made way for a beautiful sunny morning, once the remaining cloud cover has burned off. Everyone’s mood is much improved and are soon on the road. As he rides along in the wagon, James realizes that the sun is rising on their left. Heading south, he figures.
About midday, the road begins to descend gradually and everyone is glad that they will soon be out of the mountains. Everyone that is, but Tinok who says, “I don’t know why you’re all so happy.”
“What do you mean?” Delia asks. “I thought you wanted to be out of the mountains.”
“I do, but once we’re out of the mountains, we’re going to be in Empire territory again. Doesn’t that make you the least bit nervous?” he asks.
“A little,” she replies, “but I like to hope for the best.”
“Besides,” adds James, “we now have a reason for being there. I think we’ve even got a letter that will allow us to pass through.”
“I hope so,” Tinok replies. He quiets down, keeping his brooding thoughts to himself.
The trees begin to thin and they can see off in the distance where they will be coming out of the mountains. A road appears further down, running along the base of the mountains going east to west.
An hour later, they finally reach where the road they’ve been following will be leaving the protection of the trees as it makes its way out to the main road. They pause only momentarily as they check for any travelers who might observe them leaving the mountains. Not seeing anyone upon the road, they quickly make their way out upon it.
“Which way?” Jiron asks James.
“Let’s try east and see if a road hooks up with this one that’s heading south,” he suggests. “If we find that this road turns to the north further along, we’ll double back and see what’s to the west of us.”
Jiron turns his horse eastward and leads them down the road.
Chapter Seven
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They travel half a day after leaving the mountains when they see a town coming up ahead. It appears rather small, just several buildings at a juncture of converging roads. As they near, they realize this town shows no sign of the Empire’s occupation. The citizens go about their daily business and children can be seen running around, playing in the streets.
“Wonder why this town remains untouched by the Empire?”
Delia glances to James and shrugs. “Maybe it’s in the Empire?”
“Could be,” he agrees. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
Jiron leads them toward the town and as they draw near, the people become aware of their approach. Most only pausing a moment to glance in their direction before continuing about their business.
One of the buildings has a sign of three barrels hanging above the door. Figuring it to be a shop where they can purchase supplies, they pull up and stop in front. James and Jiron go inside while the others wait with the wagons.
Within the shop, they find a man in the process of straightening up his inventory. When he sees them coming through the door, he turns toward them and smiles. “Welcome, welcome,” he says as he goes over to greet them. “How may I help you today?”
“We just need some supplies before heading on,” James tells him.
“We have a wide selection of goods for the traveler,” the shopkeeper says. “What might you be interested in?”
“Just some travel rations and water bottles,” he replies.
“You don’t seem very busy,” Jiron comments when he