The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [13]
“So do I,” he says. “I better go see how Dave is doing.” Turning around, he makes his way back to his room.
Inside, he finds Dave sitting on the bed facing the door. “You have to believe me James, it was an accident.”
“I do,” he replies shutting the door behind him. “But no one else here does. You’ll need to step carefully for awhile and rebuild their trust.”
“Why don’t we just leave here, the two of us?” Dave asks.
“I can’t,” he says. “I’ve been through too many things with these people to suddenly turn my back on them. They’re all good, solid friends, you’ve just gotten off to a bad start. But once they get to know you better, they’ll come to see what kind of man you are.”
“Thanks for saving me back there,” he says with a slight smile.
“You’re welcome,” James replies. “Just don’t make that mistake again.”
“Rest assured, I won’t,” states Dave.
“Now let’s go back to sleep.”
Lying back on the bed, he listens to Dave as he slowly succumbs to sleep. He’s worried about his friend. This was not a very auspicious beginning and the others are not going to be too trusting of him for awhile. The worries churning in his mind at last quiet down and he’s able to fall asleep.
The following morning at breakfast, those still there when he and Dave come to the kitchen give Dave cold stares and hardly talk at all. Most excuse themselves as soon as he and Dave sit down.
Ezra fills their plates and Dave’s is decidedly lacking in the better portions of the food. He may have missed that little nuance, but James certainly picked up on it. After last night, it’s only what he expected. He’s actually surprised that Ezra didn’t demand he go out and eat with the recruits. Probably would’ve if he hadn’t been friend to the master of the house.
The morning goes pretty much the same. Wherever Dave goes, the others either pointedly ignore him or slight him in some small way. James feels bad for his friend, but knows only time will heal this rift between his friend and the others.
A little before noon, two notes are blown by the sentry down at the road and every one rushes out to see what’s going on. James and Illan are standing outside the front door as a rider comes toward the house.
“He’s wearing the King’s colors,” Illan says. “Which means he’s on official business.”
“What in the world would bring him here?” asks Jiron.
“I don’t know,” Illan replies.
The man is wearing the coat of arms of the King of Cardri. James recognizes it from his time in Cardri earlier when he met with the Archive Custodian, Ellinwyrd. The appearance of the herald can only be bad news.
As the herald reins up before them, he dismounts, turns to them and says, “I bear a message from King Colbern, King of Cardri for the mage known as James. Would one of you be he?”
Stepping forward, James says, “I am.”
Removing a rolled scroll bearing the wax seal of Cardri, he extends it to him. “I am to await your response.”
Taking the scroll, he cracks the seal and reads it:
To the Mage known as James:
You are forthwith summoned to appear before the Royal Court with all due speed.
His Royal Majesty,
King Colbern Cardri
He shows the letter to Illan and then asks the herald, “Why am I to appear before the Royal Court?”
“That was not told to me sir,” the herald replies. “I am simply to await your reply and then return to the King.”
“Give us a moment,” he says. The herald nods his head.
Indicating they should go back into the house, James moves inside and the others follow. “What do you make of it?” he asks.
Handing the letter back to him, Illan replies, “I don’t know. Maybe your reputation has at last reached the King and he wants to see you for himself.”
“Maybe. But what should I tell him?” he asks, gesturing to the herald waiting outside.
“You have to go,” he tells him. “You cannot ignore the summons of the King, no matter what. Not if you wish to reside in his kingdom.”
“He’s right,” adds Roland. “A local noble