The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [179]
The innkeeper looks up in startlement as they leave the kitchen, and the man whose back is to them turns to look. It’s the man who had fetched the items Perrilin needed to remove Kir. Both men stand up as they pass through the hallway.
A voice hollers to the innkeeper from the kitchen area and he replies in a reassuring tone of voice. Jiron glances back and sees the man he pushed out of the way standing in the doorway staring at him with a grimace. The innkeeper hollers to the man again and he nods then closes the door.
“Come in gentlemen,” the innkeeper says in their language. Then adds, “and lady,” when he sees Aleya there with them.
“We need to talk to you…” begins Jiron.
“Yes, I know,” the innkeeper interrupts him. Gesturing to the vacant chairs at the table with him and the other man he says, “Please, won’t you have a seat?”
The innkeeper says something to the other man. Nodding, the man gets up and leaves the room by the other door to the right of the hallway they entered through. When he sees Jiron about to ask about the man, he says, “He’ll make sure we are not interrupted.”
“And why would he need to do that?” Miko asks.
Waving away the question, the innkeeper says, “There is little time. I had thought they took all of you. Thank the gods they did not.”
“Who?” asks Jiron. “Who took them?”
“An agent of a very powerful person here in the Empire,” he replies. “One whom it is unwise to openly stand against. He knew of Kir being here and wanted him. He made us drug the ale going to his table, and when they were all unconscious, several of his men came and took them.”
“They were after Kir?” asks Jiron. “I thought for sure they were…” He trails off, not finishing the thought. Turning to Miko he sees him nod, he too thought they had come for James. James simply happened to be in the wrong place.
“Where did they take them?” Brother Willim asks.
“One of our men followed them when they left and will report back when he knows,” the innkeeper states. He glances from one to the other then says, “So far, the Empire remains unaware of this inn’s involvement in certain activities. It would be beneficial for all concerned if they continue to remain ignorant of that fact.”
“Don’t worry,” Jiron assures him. “Your secret is safe with us.”
Suddenly, the door to the right of the hallway opens and the man who had been here when they arrived enters the room. He glances to Jiron and the others and then looks questioningly to the innkeeper.
“It’s alright,” he says in the northern tongue. “They’re Kir’s friends.”
Nodding, the man says, “They’ve been taken to the Keep.”
“Can you take us there?” Jiron asks as he comes to his feet.
“Yes,” the man says, “but it is heavily guarded.”
“You would stand little chance of getting in there,” the innkeeper states. “It’s very well fortified.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” asks the innkeeper.
Jiron glances to Aleya then nods, “Yes, there is one thing.” He tells him of his need and the innkeeper tells them that he will be able to accommodate the request. They wait there for a few minutes while the other man is sent to get it.
When he returns, he hands Aleya a beautifully worked bow and a quiver of arrows. She takes it and looks in awe at the workmanship that had gone into it. Intricate designs run its length and when she strings it, the pull is strong. “This is a good bow,” she says.
“It was one of several made by a friend of mine who is a master woodworker,” the innkeeper says. “I trust you find it acceptable?”
“Oh yes,” she says with a nod. “It’s far superior to anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Then it’s yours,” he tells her.
“Thank you,” she says with a grin.
“Now,” Jiron says. “Take us to the Keep.”
“It’s not as simple as that,” the innkeeper says. “We are fairly certain there are still agents watching the inn.”