The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [192]
“Yeah, it has,” he agrees. “Should have killed you when I had the chance.”
“True,” nods James.
“I won’t make the same mistake a second time,” Korgan vows.
“If there is one,” states James. Walking over to the table with their belongings, he removes his pouches and begins securing them once more to the belt around his waist.
“What are you going to do now?” Korgan asks. “There’s no way you’ll be allowed to leave here.”
“We’ll see,” comments James. Once the pouches are properly secured, he glances back to see Brother Willim helping Perrilin from the chair. A bit groggy and weak in the knees, he at least can stand on his own. Satisfied that he’s not going to die on them, he turns his attention back to Korgan.
“I’ve got a couple questions for you,” he tells him.
Korgan laughs. “What makes you think I’ll tell you anything?”
Ignoring his statement, he reaches into one of his pouches and pulls out the medallion bearing the sign of the warrior priest. He holds it up before him and asks, “What makes this so special?”
Other than looking to see what he holds in his hand, Korgan fails to react in any other way.
James stares into Korgan’s eyes as he says, “I know it has something to do with the way Dmon-Li’s temples are interconnected.” When he sees his eyes widen ever so slightly at that, he knows that Korgan understands what he’s talking about.
“I’d like to know how?” he asks.
“How what?” Korgan replies.
Indicating the medallion, he says, “How this figures into it.”
Korgan grins. “Is that what you wish to know?” he asks.
James nods. “Yes it is,” he affirms.
He breaks into a laughter which is cut short by the pain in his shoulder. Finally ending in a coughing fit, he brings it under control. “Sorry,” he tells him. “No matter how much you torture me, there’s nothing I can tell you about that.”
James turns and looks questioningly to Brother Willim who has been watching. When he receives a nod telling him that Korgan is most likely telling the truth, he turns back to Korgan. “Then why were you so interested in it that time you had us in the City of Light?” he asks.
“No harm in telling you that,” he says. “It’s common knowledge that anyone other than a priest of Dmon-Li who is caught in possession of an item bearing their mark, is to be held and handed over to them as soon as possible.”
James nods. That would make sense seeing as to the nature of the medallion and how it activates their transportation daises.
“We need to get going,” Brother Willim says. “They may need our help up there.”
“You’re right,” he says. “Go ahead and start helping Perrilin up. Aleya and I will finish down here.”
Glancing to where Korgan sits on the floor, Brother Willim asks, “You’re not going to kill him are you?”
“No,” replies James. “I promise you when we leave this room, he will still be alive.”
Brother Willim nods. Then with one of Perrilin’s arms across his shoulders for support, they leave the room and begin working their way down the corridor.
The room remains quiet for several seconds after Brother Willim and Perrilin leave. Then Aleya breaks the silence by asking, “You aren’t really going to leave him alive are you?”
Nodding, he says, “I gave my word.” When he sees her about to protest, he repeats, “I gave my word.”
“Then shouldn’t we get out of here?” she asks.
“You know I’ll kill you the instant we meet again,” Korgan warns him. “The fact that you spared my life will do little to persuade me not to.”
James nods. “I know.” Then to Aleya he asks, “Do you still have the keys?”
Nodding, she gestures to where they hang on her belt.
“Good. Let’s go.” Moving out, he exits the room. Aleya follows him into the corridor, never taking her eyes off of Korgan until she’s out of the room.
“I think it’s a bad idea leaving him alive,” she tells him.
James remains silent as he walks down the corridor. At one point he holds out his hand and his orb appears on his palm. Canceling