Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [6]
Though there is fear and worry, the people still must continue about their daily routines, those who aren’t fleeing that is. Many are still upon the street, some returning from shopping, others trying to learn the latest word from the south. Off to one side, James spies a group of kids playing some game as they race around. Grinning to himself, he’s glad they are able to find joy while they can. If what he plans works out the way he hopes, these people will have little to fear.
He works his way through to the seedier part of town, over to an area he has been in once before. A burnt out husk of a building is all that remains of what use to be Orlander’s tavern. He’s surprised it hasn’t been torn down yet, you’d think Orlander would have built another in its place.
Glancing around, he tries to locate Orlander or those who may know of his whereabouts. He intends to talk with him to reconcile the situation, heaven knows he has enough who wish him ill.
Ahead near what looks to be an abandoned home are five street thugs just hanging around. He makes his way toward them and they quickly take note of his approach. One disengages from the others and comes forward to meet him.
“Excuse me,” James says as he comes to a stop several feet away. “Could you tell me where I might find Orlander?”
“Orlander?” the thug asks. “Why would you want to see him?”
“Got business with him,” replies James. “Now, where could I find him?”
“Maybe you should tell us your business first and we’ll see if it’s worth our while to help you?” At that, the remaining four thugs move to flank James on either side. The one before him pulls out a knife and the others do likewise.
“I really don’t want any trouble,” James tells them as he starts to back away.
“Then give us your money and you won’t have any,” the lead thug says as he threatens with his knife.
Sighing, James shakes his head and says, “Have it your way.” Suddenly, five shimmering fields spring into being around the five thugs.
“What’s this?” questions the lead thug. He puts his hand out toward it and is surprised to encounter resistance. “Hey!” he cries as he begins banging on the field surrounding him. The others react in fear and apprehension as well. “Let us out!” “Help!” their cries echo down the darkened, shadowed street.
James glances first one way and then another to see if anyone is coming to their aid. Amazingly, the few people who had been on the streets have vanished. Turning back to the lead thug, he asks, “Now, where can I find Orlander?”
Panicked eyes stare at him from within the shimmering field. “He’s that way,” the thug says as he points further down the street.
“Where exactly?” He glances down the street in the direction indicated and only sees more old abandoned buildings in desperate need of repair.
“The old tannery,” another of the thugs says. James turns his attention to him as he continues. “It’s down two streets on the left. You can’t miss it.”
“Alright,” James says as he begins heading down the street.
“What about us?” another of the thugs cries out. “You can’t leave us like this!”
He pauses in the street and turns his attention back to the thugs. “If what you say is true, I’ll let you go,” he tells them. Then turning his back on them once again, he resumes his way down the street. What he did to them is one of many things he worked on during the winter in anticipation of the spring campaign. He got to thinking that if the protective barrier can keep things away from him, it should be able to be reversed and hold someone in.
Leaving the imprisoned men behind, he makes his way further down the street. The sun’s light has all but faded with the coming of night. Shadows are long and lights begin to appear in a few of the buildings which still have occupants.
After passing the first street and coming up to the second, he finds the building the thug