The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [81]
“What can it mean?” he asks.
“Something is blocking my search,” James explains.
“Or someone,” adds Brother Willim from his position next to him.
“Or someone,” agrees James.
“But who or what would do that?” asks Aleya.
“I don’t know,” James admits. Casting his eyes around the group, he looks questioningly for any ideas but they all shake their heads. Then he remembers the image in the mirror before he lost sight of Tinok. They had entered some building. Whoever is inside has to be blocking him. Glancing to Jiron, he decides to not add more worry to his mind and keeps the thought to himself.
“What about that prostitute in Inziala?” asks Stig. “Maybe she could shed some light on this.”
“Yes!” exclaims Jiron. “Maybe she can.”
“I doubt if she would be the one to have done this to Tinok,” Shorty says.
“No,” agrees Jiron. “But maybe she would have a good idea who did.”
“If nothing else, we could find out where she got the necklace,” offers Scar.
Nodding, Jiron asks, “Anyone know how far Inziala is from here?”
“I think it’s south of here,” Reilin finally answers, “but I don’t know where.”
Just then from the south they see a single wagon approaching with two men sitting on the driving seat. “Reilin,” James says. “Go ask them if they know where Inziala is.”
“Alright,” he acknowledges and moves to intercept them.
Jiron waits with the others while Reilin rides ahead to meet with the men on the wagon.
The men on the wagon are wary of his approach. One actually pulls out a crossbow when he realizes Reilin intends to approach them. Reilin stops ten feet away, holds up his hand in greeting and talks. He and the two men exchange words for several minutes then Reilin turns his horse around and rejoins them. The two men on the wagon keep an eye on them as their wagon rolls closer.
“They said that Inziala is only about a day away,” he explains. As the wagon passes them on its way north, James gives the two men a nod of thanks. The men only stare at them as they pass, their weapons at the ready.
“Friendly pair weren’t they,” comments Scar after they’ve resumed their trek south.
“You could say that,” agrees Potbelly. Glancing back to the wagon, he sees the man with the crossbow turned in his seat and is keeping an eye on them. “Wonder if travelers run into trouble out here?”
“Who knows?” replies Jiron. “I want to make Inziala before the sun goes down if we can.” Nudging his horse into motion, he gets up to a quick gallop.
The rest of the day they maintain a furious pace. They all understand that time is running out and now without James’ ability to point the way, it could take them longer to pick up Tinok’s trail. With only short breaks to answer the call of nature and to water the horses, they practically fly down the road.
When the sun begins to draw close to the horizon, still Jiron continues the fast pace. Three hours later when the horses are on the verge of exhaustion, the lights of a city appear out of the dark before them. Coming across a party of four men and two ladies, they ask them if the town is Inziala. James breathes a sigh of relief when they say it is. His butt was beginning to get sore from the hard pace Jiron had set.
With thanks and wishes for good fortune, they leave the party behind and continue on toward the city.
Chapter Fifteen
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As they approach the city of Inziala, they see dozens of fires off to the east of town. It’s a large caravansary with scores of wagons comprising many different caravans. Jiron leads them to the gates of the city where the two guards on duty give them a cursory once over as they pass through.
From behind him, James says, “Let’s get a room first. Then you can go to The Split Navel and find this prostitute.” He sees Jiron nod his head.
They don’t go very far past the gate before they come to a two story building that looks fairly well kept. A sign depicting a man walking a road through the hills hangs outside