The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [137]
As they approach, he sees Miko giving him a big smile as he holds up one of the sacks the farmers gave him. “We got food!” he exclaims once they’re close enough.
“Should be enough for a day or two,” Fifer says.
“Good,” says Dave coming forward.
Miko begins handing out some bread, cheese and dried beef to the others before they resume their northward trek. Once everyone has their share, James is gratified to see that the sacks still contain quite a bit of food.
They continue on for the rest of the day, the sun doing little to warm them. A cold breeze feels like it’s blowing down off the mountain. “Might be an early snow,” Uther announces at one point.
“Let’s hope it holds off until we get back over the mountains,” Jorry says.
“Amen to that,” James adds.
The proximity of the mountains probably has a lot to do with the drop in temperature. Of course a cold northern could be on its way down to make life a misery for the travelers. Either way, they pull their jackets closer together and do their best to keep warm.
Throughout the rest of the day, the riders fight off the cold as they steadily progress northwards. By the time night again falls there have been no sign of inns or anything else which would provide them some comfort through the cold of night.
Finding a place near a few lone trees on the plains, they make their camp. At least they’re fortunate enough to find enough wood for their campfire to last through the night. They again rotate the watch, the threat of the Empire still very real. With any luck, Orlander has remained back in Illion.
Another cold morning, even colder than the last has them shivering before the fire roars to life. They take just enough time to warm up and eat some of the rations acquired yesterday before they set off again.
The sky is a crystal blue without a hint of clouds. They ride for several hours before the sun has managed to warm the air enough so their breath no longer fogs. James is thankful for what warmth the sun gives them.
Trees begin to appear with more frequency and ahead it looks like the road enters a forest. Close to noon a town appears straddling the road ahead of them. As it turns out, it sits at a crossroads just within the forest.
“Let’s get something to eat and find out which way Ironhold lies,” James announces when the town first appears.
“I’m for that,” agrees Miko enthusiastically.
The town looks to be not very large, mainly servicing the traffic moving along the two roads which converge there. Off to one side sits a large sawmill with piles of stripped logs awaiting their turn.
“Be interesting to see how they do it here,” Dave says to his friend.
“Sure would,” agrees James.
They approach the town and find an inn sitting on the outskirts. Looking it over, James nods and says, “Let’s try this one. Looks clean.” Pulling up, they dismount and secure their horses to the rail out front and make their way inside.
Over to one side is a table large enough to accommodate them so they make their way over and take their seats. Shortly a serving girl comes over and takes their order. Instead of regular ale, James and the rest opt for mulled ale with a hint of spice to better warm themselves from the cold of the road.
“Wonder how far Ironhold is from here?” Miko asks.
“I don’t know,” replies James. Turning to the table next to them where a man and a woman are sitting, he says, “Excuse me.”
They both turn to look his way and the man asks, “Yes?”
“Do you know which road to take to reach Ironhold?” he asks.
“Ironhold?” the man asks surprised. He glances to the lady and then turns a serious look back to James. “Why would you want to go there? It’s said the place is haunted by spirits.”
“What?” asks Miko.
“That’s a bunch of hogwash,” Uther says. Jorry just snorts.
“What do you mean?” prompts James, trying to ignore the reaction of his comrades.
“I heard that some miners went up there in