The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [114]
James and the others come running and Reilin says, “Quick, get the bodies in the alley.” Glancing around, it doesn’t look as if anyone has taken notice of the fight. The street remains quiet.
Working quickly, they get the dead guards off the street and into the alley without anyone taking notice. “When morning comes, it won’t take very long before the bodies are found,” Stig says.
“We won’t be here by then,” Jiron tells him.
“You okay?” James asks Shorty.
“Yeah,” he replies. “They jumped me when I returned. I took one of them out before they could take me.”
Jiron comes to him and asks, “Did you find where Orrin is staying?”
Shorty nods. “Yes, he’s staying at an inn not too far from here. Now, could someone tell me what’s going on?”
“We’ll explain on the way,” Jiron says. “Show us where he’s staying.”
As Shorty heads out, the others fill him in on the events so far.
Moving quickly toward the inn where Orrin is staying, they are forced to alter course twice to avoid patrols moving along the streets. The increased patrols have to be in response to them being in town.
“There it is,” Shorty says when the inn comes into view.
“Which room is his?” asks James.
“Third floor,” he replies. “Second room on the right.”
“Jiron, come with me,” James says. “The rest of you stay here.” With Jiron beside him, they hurry across the street and enter the inn. The common room still has a few night owls at the tables. The bard, if there had been one, has long since gone.
They move toward the stairs located at the rear of the room at a normal pace. When they reach the foot of the stairs, they quicken their pace, taking them two at a time until they reach the third floor. James then walks down to the second door on the right and knocks.
When the door opens up, Orrin looks out with the question he was about to ask still upon his lips. His eyes widen when he sees who it is standing at his door.
“Remember me?” James asks.
“Oh yes,” he replies. Then a smile comes across his face, “You’ve given the Empire no end of trouble since last we met.”
“Can we come in?” James asks.
Opening the door wider, Orrin gestures for them to enter.
“Thank you,” James says as he and Jiron enter the room. After they’re in, Orrin closes the door and walks over to the only table in the room.
“Please,” he says indicating the chairs around the table, “have a seat.” As they sit he adds, “Sorry I can’t offer you any refreshments.”
“That’s alright,” James assures him. “We’ll survive.”
“Did you follow me here?” he asks.
“Why would you say that?” Jiron asks.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Orrin asks.
“This is my friend Jiron,” James says.
“Oh yes, the knife fighting Shynti,” nods Orrin.
“You seem to know an awful lot about us,” Jiron says, a frown coming to his face. He doesn’t like the fact that an absolute stranger would know such things.
“Yes I do,” he replies without expanding further. “As to your earlier question, I attended a brief meeting by an associate at his residence. At the meeting, I learned of your presence in the city and how you used a ruse to get him to meet with you. He wasn’t too happy about that.”
“I realize that,” James tells him. “We followed him to his house.”
“Obviously,” Orrin says. “You’re here aren’t you?” He glances from Jiron then to James before asking, “So why are you here?”
James gives him a rundown of what’s going on with Aleya, that she’s being held captive, and where. He also relates how Shorty had been taken at the inn where they were staying. “What we came here for is to see if you could help us in any way to get inside that building,” James concludes. Sitting back in his chair he gazes hopefully at Orrin.
Outside, Miko is waiting in growing impatience and dread. “Come on James,” he mumbles to himself, “there isn’t much time.” Then from down the street fifty men, a mix of guards and soldiers come marching down the