The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [72]
“Yes,” she replies. “My husband and I spent many years in Cardri before our daughter was born.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he says. Pulling out a chair from the table he sits down.
“So am I,” she says with a catch in her voice as her emotions get the better of her.
James waits patiently until the tears stop flowing. “There’s something I would like to ask you if you don’t mind,” he tells her.
Using a kerchief to wipe away her tears, she takes a deep breath to calm herself then nods. “What would you like to know?” she asks.
He pulls forth Cassie’s necklace from his pouch. “This was found in the possession of the men who took your daughter,” he explains. “Did this come from you or your husband?”
She takes the necklace and looks intently at the heart with the two diamonds. After a moment she shakes her head. “I don’t think so,” she says as she hands the necklace back to him. “It’s lovely though.”
Just then Potbelly comes to the table and sets the sack containing the loot liberated from the captors. “Here you go ma’am,” he says.
“What’s this?” she asks as the sack is placed before her.
“Gold and jewels we found with your daughter’s captors,” James explains. “It’s for you and your daughter.”
“I can’t take all of this,” she says. “You keep some for yourselves. It’s the least you deserve for what you did for my daughter.”
Shaking his head, he says, “No. We don’t need it and it will help you along now that your husband is gone.” He nods to her daughter. “It will also provide a nice dowry for your daughter when the time comes.”
Another round of tears comes as she says, “Thank you.”
“There is no need for thanks ma’am,” James says. Then to Miko and Brother Willim he says, “We need to get going.” Standing up, he turns his attention again to the mother and says, “I would wish you happiness, but that may take some time to come again. Instead, I shall wish you long life and good health. That when happiness once more comes, you will be able to enjoy it for a very long time.”
“May your travels be safe ones,” she tells him. The little girl gets off her mother’s lap and at first looks to be moving to give James a hug. Instead, she moves around him to where Potbelly has come to stand behind him. Wrapping her arms around his legs, she gives him a hug.
Standing there a little embarrassed, he reaches down and pats her on the head. Looking at a loss at what further he should do, he simply stands there until her hug comes to an end. Then she quickly returns to her mother.
James gives him a smile and nods toward the door indicating they should be going. With the others following, he crosses the room and leaves the inn. Outside, he finds that Reilin and Stig already have their horses ready with their belongings secured behind the saddles. Moving to his horse, James quickly mounts.
Several of the people standing nearby come to Miko and give him coins. Surprised, he at first makes to refuse them, but a quick shake of the head by Brother Willim convinces him to take them.
“Let’s go,” says James and then turns to head back to where Jiron is waiting at the farmhouse with the prisoners.
“It’s an offering,” he hears Brother Willim say to Miko.
“An offering?” he asks.
“Some people hold to the belief that if you give coins to a priest after he saves the life of someone,” he explains, “that you will be blessed for your generosity.”
Holding the coins in his hand, he asks, “What should I do with this?”
“Keep it and use it how you will,” he replies. “If you had an actual temple, I would say to put it in the temple’s coffers. But right now, you are the temple. So use it as you see fit.”
Nodding, he puts the coins in his pocket.
James grins as he thinks of how the coins will most likely be used should they run across a bakery selling tarts any time soon.
They ride in silence on their return to the farmhouse. The light coming from its window soon appears in the distance ahead of them. As they draw close, a shadow disengages itself from the night and comes forward. “Everything go okay,” Shorty asks them.
“Yes,” James replies.