The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [129]
Reilin and Shorty, as well as Aleya are at the end of the alley. When they see the others coming fast, Reilin says, “It’s clear.”
“Run!” James hollers to them. His tone of voice tells them this is not a time for dithering. Racing from the alley, Reilin leads them down the street away from the Eye’s Court. They don’t get far when…
Ka-Boom!!
…the building explodes outwards.
The concussion wave rolls over them and knocks them to the ground. A cloud of fire erupts out of the building as the sphere explodes with power leeched from dozens of men. Debris sails through the air, some of the larger pieces slam into other buildings.
Getting up, they are pelted with stones, some hitting them with bone crushing force. Aleya is hit and falls to the ground. James is there and aids her in regaining her feet. Her left arm hangs limply at her side.
“We’ve got to get out of here!” Shorty hollers.
“No!” James yells. “Find a place to hole up. We’re in no condition to escape.”
Nodding, he moves ahead and goes in search of a suitable location. A minute later he hollers, “Over here!”
They follow the sound of his voice and see him standing beside an open door waving for them to hurry.
Moving as fast as the injured can go, they hurry over and pass through the door. Just as the door shuts…
Wham!
…a large chunk of the Eye’s Court slams into the upper stories of the building they just entered. The building shakes and shimmies but remains erect. Looking around, they see that Reilin has led them into an abandoned building. It could possibly have been a dye merchant’s shop at one time, but in the dark it’s hard to be sure.
They move from the room just inside the front door to a room further in the back. Potbelly moans as Scar and Jiron set him on the floor against the wall. All of a sudden, light floods the room as Miko removes the Star from his pouch and begins healing the injuries of the others. He starts with his own arm then goes to Potbelly. Brother Willim moves his broken arm into proper position then the glow from the Star surrounds it as it begins knitting the bones back together.
Jiron comes to James and says, “You cut that a bit close didn’t you?”
“Sorry,” he replies. “The drug that infused that place muddled my mind. When I set it to go off, I set it for too short a time. When I realized my mistake, it was too late.”
“Well, fortunately Miko can take care of the injuries,” he says. That’s when he takes notice of the way Aleya’s arm is hanging limp at her side. Leaving James’ side, he rushes over to her.
“What happened to you?” he asks.
“Got hit by something,” she replies.
“Miko!” he yells as he turns toward where he’s still working on his arm.
“Leave him be,” she says. “He’ll get to me when he can.”
“I’m sorry,” he tells her and gives her a hug, all the while being careful of her injured arm.
“Don’t be,” she tells him. “There’s too much going on for us to be fighting over a little thing like a bow.” Then with her good arm, she takes hold of his chin and pulls his face closer for a kiss.
“What a mess,” Shorty says from the window.
“Bad?” Reilin asks.
“That building’s gone,” he explains. “The streets are full of people and a couple fires have broken out in different areas.”
“Anyone coming in this direction?” James asks.
Shaking his head, Shorty says, “No. Looks like they are all congregating over by what’s left of that building.”
“Might be a good idea to wait until things quiet down before we leave,” suggests Scar.
“As long as no one disturbs us,” adds Reilin.
Miko and Brother Willim begin healing the rest once Miko’s arm is again whole. Shorty continues to watch the goings on outside from the window. They decide to get what rest they can before making the attempt to leave Morac.
Once Miko finishes with him, James sits against one of the walls and closes his eyes. After that blast, everyone in the Empire is going to know exactly where he is. They can’t afford to stay here very long,