The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [130]
When the vent comes free, the opening accelerates the venting of the smoke which in turn causes the fire to burn hotter.
He glances outside and finds they’re in an area currently free of people. “I think we made it,” he says as he glances back to James.
Coughing from the effects of the choking smoke, James replies, “Just hurry.”
Turning around, Jiron exits through the vent feet first until he’s all the way through and hanging by his hands. Then he lets go and lands on the ground outside. Pulling a knife, he rubs his eyes with his other hand in an attempt to clear the tears the smoke had produced.
Glancing up, he sees James’ feet coming out and then shortly afterward he drops to the ground beside him.
“There they are!” a cry goes up and they turn to see men coming around the corner of the tavern. One has a crossbow and lets a bolt fly.
In reflex James brings up his barrier and the bolt is deflected. As they race away, light from the fire burning within the tavern silhouettes them as the others give chase.
“I’ll kill you both!” Orlander screams as he rounds the corner. Hate and rage radiate from the man as he and his cohorts race after the fleeing pair.
Crumph!
The street behind them erupts and slows their pursuers. Dodging down an alley, Jiron says, “Get to the inn and saddle the horses.”
“What are you going to do?” James asks.
“Give you time to do that,” he says. “Now get going!” With that he thrusts James further down the alleyway where he breaks into a run.
Jumping up onto a stack of old crates against one wall, he reaches up to the window ledge above. Pulling himself up, he gains the room on the other side of the window just as the mob enters the alley behind them.
They pause there just a moment when one catches sight of James running down the far end. “There they go!” one yells.
Jiron looks down and sees Orlander enter the alley. “Orlander you fat pig!” he shouts from the window. The mob down below pauses as they look up to see him illuminated by the lights from their lanterns. “Your mother was a whore and your father a mule!” he adds as he spits in Orlander’s direction. The spittle flies through the air and lands right between Orlander’s eyes.
“Get him!” he screams in rage as he points to Jiron in the window.
“What about that other guy?” another of the men below asks.
“I want him!” Orlander says with rage as he points to the smirking Jiron.
The men begin to immediately pound the door below and Jiron hears it crashing in. He turns from the window and comes to an immediate stop when he sees a man standing there in his nightclothes holding a sword at the ready.
“Stay right there,” the man says, his voice somewhat shaky.
Drawing his knives, Jiron advances upon him. A woman screams from the nearby bed as the man’s sword strikes out at him. Jiron easily deflects the blade and follows through with a punch to the side of the man’s face.
As the man stumbles out of the way, he races past and out of the bedroom. From downstairs the sound of many feet can be heard running up the stairs. Running along the hallway away from the stairs, he comes to the last door and smashes into it. The door bursts open and he rushes into the room, quickly closing it behind him.
He looks around for something to bar the way and realizes he’s stumbled into a nursery, over to one side of the room is a small child standing in a crib. Couldn’t be more than a year old, the child holds onto the side of his crib as he stares at Jiron. The pounding of feet toward him down the hallway tells him he doesn’t have much time.
Pulling a dresser over to in front of the door, he braces it with a couple chairs and then heads to the window next to the child. The child just stares at him curiously as he looks out. The street below appears to be empty.
Bam!
The