The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [6]
Upon entering the hall, Illan who’s dressed in regular clothes waves them over. Off to one side are the three musicians, though they look the part of scruffy old soldiers more, who fill the hall with music.
When they take their seats, he leans forward to better be heard over the musicians. “Word came that another force is on its way up from the south,” he tells them. “Should be here in a day or two.”
“How many?” asks Jiron.
“Not enough to cause us any problems,” Illan assures him. “It may be a delegation to discuss the cessation of hostilities.”
“That would be welcome news indeed,” nods James. “Are they going to want their fort back?”
Illan laughs, “Probably. But they’re not going to get it. Reports say that they stripped their southern territories of soldiers in anticipation of the summer’s campaign in Madoc. Most of those have been slaughtered since our first attack at Lythylla.”
Just then Delia comes in from one of the side entrances, with her hand resting on Shorty’s arm. When they join them, Shorty has a big smile on his face and Jiron arcs an eyebrow at Delia.
“Oh stop what you’re thinking right now,” she says, a slight blush coming to her face. “It’s nothing like that.”
James glances questioningly to Shorty who grins and says, “I asked her if she would like an escort and she said yes.”
“Escort,” snorts Jiron.
Shorty pulls out her chair for her and holds it while she sits down.
“Thank you,” she says to him.
“You are welcomed milady,” he replies with a bow. Then he moves down the table and takes his seat.
“…I tell you it is true!” Potbelly’s voice comes to them before he enters through the main doors. Scar, who’s walking beside him nods in agreement.
“Oh lord now what?” James says.
Jorry and Uther walk with them and you can see they aren’t buying whatever it is the other two are saying.
“I swear it! She had three breasts,” continues Scar.
“In your dreams maybe,” counters Jorry.
Uther crosses to their table and asks Jiron, “Have you ever heard of a three breasted woman?”
“Can’t say as I have,” he replies.
“Ha!” Jorry exclaims. “I thought not.”
“He wouldn’t have known her,” insists Potbelly, “she only came to our fights. Once in awhile she would invite us back to her place for a little entertainment.”
Under his breath Uther says, “I bet it was little.”
“Ah, what do you know from anything?” blusters Scar.
“I know a lie when I hear one,” retorts Jorry.
“Enough!” shouts Illan.
The entire hall falls quiet and the musicians abruptly stop as all eyes turn to them. Realizing they are now the center of attention, they glare at each other and take their seats at the table. When no further commotion happens, the musicians resume their play and the normal murmur of the guests returns.
Devin and the rest of the recruits arrive as a group and take their places at a nearby table. The last to enter is Aleya. When Jiron sees her he freezes in place. From somewhere in this fortress she’s found a dazzling blue dress that fits her perfectly.
Delia reaches over and pushes up his chin to close his mouth. “Go over there and escort her to her chair,” she urges.
Getting up, he hurries over and just as Shorty did with Delia, he offers her his arm. Placing her hand upon his forearm, she strolls with him back to their seats. James gets up and offers her his chair so she can sit next to Jiron.
“Thank you,” she says as she takes the offered seat.
Jiron practically thrusts James out of the way so he can be the one to push her chair closer to the table once she’s seated.
Rather than be angry at the rude way he was pushed, James grins at Jiron.
Once James and Jiron have taken their seats, Illan stands and takes his goblet in hand. Banging it three times on the table, he stands and waits until the hall has quieted. Nodding to the two guards at the other end of the hall, he signals for