The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [197]
He and Stig stay in the shadows as they slowly work their way to the far side of the inn. Taking it slowly, they search for anyone who may be hidden. But by the time they meet up with Scar and Potbelly on the other side, neither pair had found anyone. “Guess they all went to help with the fire,” Stig suggests.
“Possibly,” Jiron agrees. Then he heads back down the street toward where James and the others are waiting. As soon as they come into view, he waves for them to join him.
“Anybody?” asks James.
“Not that we saw,” Jiron explains.
“Have them keep an eye out while we take Perrilin inside,” James tells him. “And send someone around back to get the horses ready.” Then he indicates for Brother Willim and Reilin to follow him with Perrilin. As they head for the door, Jiron has the others fan out and take position around the inn. He sends Shorty to the stable.
Before they reach the door, it opens and the innkeeper steps out. “You got him?” he asks incredulously.
James nods. “He’s hurt pretty badly though.”
Glancing up and down the street, the innkeeper waves for them to enter. “Bring him inside,” he says.
As they enter the dimly lit common room, James notices two other men there. One of them is the man who led them to the Keep. “I didn’t think you were going to burn down the town,” he says to the man.
“It worked didn’t it?” he replies with a grin. “Don’t worry, we were very selective in what we torched. Business concerns and homes of those with whom we are at odds with.”
They bring Perrilin over to a chair and a serving woman appears with a mug of ale for him. “Thank you,” he tells her as he takes the mug. Then to the innkeeper, Perrilin says, “They must leave town quickly. Send someone to help get their horses ready and give each an ample supply of food for the road.”
The innkeeper nods and then has the second man go and see about getting it done. “Shouldn’t take too long to get it ready,” the innkeeper tells James.
“What about Korgan?” asks the man who led them to the Keep.
Perrilin turns his gaze to James who says, “I doubt if he survived.”
“Did you see him die?” the innkeeper asks.
Shaking his head, he replies, “No I did not. But with his injuries I highly doubt if you’ll be seeing him again.” Not to mention the fact that he let all the prisoners loose down there. It’s altogether likely one or two will have it in for Korgan.
“Good,” the innkeeper states with satisfaction.
Perrilin lays his hand on James’ arm. “I want to express my thanks for rescuing me yet again,” he says.
“Just stop making it a habit of having to be rescued,” he says. “I may not be around the next time.”
Perrilin nods his head and grins, “I’ll try.”
One of the serving women comes from the kitchen with several bulging travel packs. “Here,” the innkeeper says when she places them on the table before James. “Take this with our gratitude.”
“I will,” he replies. “Thank you.”
A few minutes later the man who went to get the horses ready returns and says, “They’re ready.”
To Reilin James says, “Go tell Jiron to bring the others around back.”
Nodding, Reilin hurries out the front door.
Coming to his feet, James holds his hand out to Perrilin. “Good luck,” he says.
“You too James,” he says, taking the hand and giving it a firm shake.
Reilin returns with Stig who together take the food packs out back to secure onto the horses.
“You better get out of here,” Perrilin urges. “It won’t be long before the search will be on.”
“Right,” he says. “Until next time.” Then with Brother Willim in tow, he crosses the common room and leaves the inn by the back door. Jiron and the others are already in the courtyard waiting with the horses. Two additional horses are present, replacements for the ones lost in the Mists.
Jiron sees him exit and says, “Everything’s set.”
“Good. Let’s get going.” James then moves