Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [77]
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says. “But don’t tell anyone and I mean anyone that I am here, understand?”
With a slight nod, the young man agrees. Jiron turns and walks back toward where the others are and has Roland ask when these are scheduled to be auctioned off.
The slaver replies and Roland says, “Three days.”
James is getting frantic at not finding Miko here and Jiron worries he may do something rash. Roland asks if there are any more fresh arrivals and the slaver replies, no.
Roland thanks the slaver and tells him they’re ready to go. Grabbing James’ arm, he gets him moving as they follow their guide out of the slaver’s compound.
Once outside the compound and back on the streets of Korazan, they head back toward their caravan. James is quiet the entire way as he deals internally with not finding Miko. Roland says to him, “You don’t know he was one of the ones killed last night.”
“That’s right,” agrees Jiron. “There are many other reasons that could explain why he wasn’t in the pens with the others.”
“Like what?” James asks.
At a loss, Jiron just says, “I don’t know, but you can’t assume the worst until you know for sure.”
“I should raze the whole place to the ground,” he threatens. “Do the world a favor.”
“But you won’t,” Jiron says, “you just aren’t that way.”
“I can think it though,” growls James.
When they arrive back at the caravan, Jiron explains what’s happening to the others. Delia says, “Can’t you do some magic thing to see if he’s still alive?”
As if the thought hadn’t even occurred to him, James sits up as an idea forms in his mind. Excitedly, he says, “There may just be.” He hurries over to the wagon and pulls out his shaving kit, removing the mirror.
Sitting down, he looks into the mirror and concentrates on seeing Miko’s face, his face as it is right now. Everyone gathers around him and he can hear them gasp as the image in the mirror begins to blur and then refocus on a boy riding in the back of a wagon. “That’s him!” James exclaims excitedly. “He’s alive!” In his excitement he loses concentration and the reflection returns to normal.
Behind him he hears Delia say, “Now all we have to do is find out who has him and where they are going.”
“Maybe tomorrow we could ask around and find out?” suggests Tinok.
“Alright,” James agrees, “just be careful and don’t draw attention to yourself.”
“That’s right,” says Jiron, “we still have Tersa to save.” He pauses for a moment and then adds, “We may be in luck as well.”
“How do you mean?” asks James.
“Well, it seems there are several guys back there,” he points back toward the slaver compound, “who were participants in the fight clubs back in the City. If we were to buy them, we would have ready made, loyal guards.”
“Who?” Tinok asks excitedly.
“I talked briefly with Yorn,” he explains. “And I saw Scar and Potbelly over in a different pen. Yorn said there were another three in there somewhere, but I didn’t see them.”
“Can they be trusted?” James asks.
“After what they’ve been through,” Tinok exclaims, “you can be sure of it!”
“I agree,” adds Jiron.
“So,” James begins, “we have Tersa’s auction in two days and I believe they said that the guys were to be auctioned off in, three?” He looks to Roland for confirmation who nods in agreement.
“Since it’s beginning to get late, we may as well stay here through the night and then see about discovering where Miko is heading first thing in the morning.” James looks around and everyone seems to be in agreement.
“It will also give me time to drop off the packages that I have for Korazan,” Delia announces. When James looks to protest, she says, “It will give us more coins for the auctions and supplies.”
“Alright, but don’t go alone,” James advises.
“I won’t, I promise,” she assures him.
The next morning, Delia takes Tinok and Roland with her as well as a wagon to deliver her packages. After they leave, James takes his mirror out and finds Miko still riding in the wagon. “He’s heading