The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [35]
“True,” he agrees.
James takes out a strip of cloth and casts his seeking spell. The cloth rises in his hand and points straight toward the south. “Tinok’s there somewhere,” he explains, “we just have to find him.” Canceling his spell, he replaces the strip of cloth in his pocket. “Now, everyone get some rest, stay in your rooms, and we’ll leave as soon as the sun goes down tomorrow night.”
As the meeting breaks up and those who are staying in the room across the hall leave, James glances out the window at the crescent moon rising in the sky. Knowing time is slipping away, he makes his way to bed, cancels the orb and tries to go to sleep.
Chapter Seven
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Early the next morning, Ceadric shows up with a dozen servants carrying trays of food and pitchers of ale. “With Lord Black Hawk’s compliments,” he says as the servants set the trays down upon the tables. Once the food is in place, he has them return back downstairs.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” begins James as he starts to load his plate with food. “Where did you get the servants?”
“Some are relatives of the Raiders who are now living here,” he explains. “They started arriving two days after we took over. How they learned of it so fast is anyone’s guess.”
“I suppose,” agrees James.
“The rest are the people we freed from slavery. Some didn’t have anywhere else to go so remained with us.” He glances from James to Jiron then adds, “Couldn’t very well say no.”
Shaking his head, James says, “No, you couldn’t.”
“What happened with the Ambassador last night?” Jiron asks.
“Not much,” he says. “Black Hawk explained what happened, how the priests of Asran caught a wayward spirit that was causing the deaths. He didn’t look too convinced, but what could he do but take him at his word?”
Laughing, Scar adds, “Must have scared them something awful when that shadow was hovering above them surrounded by a green glow.” Several of the others chuckle at that.
“It didn’t do anything for the negotiations I’ll tell you that,” explains Ceadric. “I think Councilman Tethias plans to talk to you sometime today before you leave.”
“What about?” asks James.
Shrugging, Ceadric answers, “Not sure.” He removes a piece of pork from a platter and takes a bite.
“We plan to leave after the sun goes down tonight,” James informs him.
“Thought that might be the plan,” he says. “Lord Black Hawk wanted you to know that there are several Raiders here who are fluent in the Empire’s language if you think you might need one.” He glances at James a moment before adding, “Just be more careful than you were with the last one.”
“Hey,” counters James, “if Jared hadn’t panicked, he would be alive today.”
“Be that as it may, should you desire one let us know.” Finishing the piece of pork, Ceadric takes his leave.
When he’s left the suite and the door is shut, Jiron exclaims, “What nerve!”
“Yeah,” exclaims Miko. “The way he said it, you would think you killed Jared yourself.”
The others chime in with their opinions before Scar says, “Jared was a cousin of his.”
“Oh, that would explain it,” says James with a nod.
“Still no cause to say what he did,” insists Jiron.
After finishing the meal, James says to Stig, “I want you to see about the horses Illan plans to give us. Make sure his people give us good ones.”
Nodding, Stig says, “Will do.”
“And see what you can learn about the Ambassador,” he adds. “His men may not readily recognize you as they would Jiron, Miko, or me.”
“See what I can find out,” he replies. Getting up from the table, he heads for the door and leaves the suite.
Once Stig is gone, Miko asks, “Don’t you trust Illan’s people?”
“Sure I do,” he affirms. “It’s just that I hate sitting here and doing nothing. This way it feels like we are doing something.”
Rest of the morning goes by uneventfully, everyone is glad for this brief time to rest before returning to the road. When Stig returns, he states that the horses are superb.