The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [14]
“So I have to go all the way to Cardri?” he asks.
“Yes, you have no choice,” Illan states.
“There’s always a choice,” he says as he returns back to where the herald is waiting.
The herald sees him coming and says, “And what is your reply?”
“You may inform his majesty that I will leave first thing in the morning for Cardri,” he tells him.
“Very well,” he says. “I shall so inform his majesty.” Mounting his horse, he turns it around and rides down the lane back to the road.
James watches as he reaches the end and turns onto the main road. Glancing at Jiron, he says, “Not only do I have the bother of people coming here to gawk at me, but now I have to travel for days for the King to.”
“This may prove beneficial to you,” he replies.
“In what way?” James inquires.
“Ellinwyrd, the Royal Archivist in Cardri you mentioned before, may be able to help you with what you discovered in Saragon,” he explains.
Nodding, he says, “You may be right.” To Illan he says, “I’d like you and Fifer to accompany me to Cardri. I’ll also bring along Miko, Jiron and Dave.”
At the mention of Dave, Jiron gets a dark look. The thought of traveling with him brings back the anger from the night before.
Seeing his reaction, James turns to him and asks quietly so only he may hear, “Would you rather me leave him here?”
Realizing that would be even worse he shakes his head. “No,” he says, “best to bring him along.”
“You know, he really isn’t a bad person,” James assures him. “I’m sure last night was just as he said, he simply went into the wrong room. He probably got confused being in a strange house in the dark.”
“Maybe,” Jiron says, though the tone of his voice tells he doesn’t believe that. His eyes dart to the door and he sees Dave standing there. Turning around, he stalks away from the house.
James can hear Illan mumble under his breath, “This is going to be a fun trip.” Shaking his head, he knows that if they just give Dave a chance, they’ll come to find out he’s not nearly as bad as they think. They’ve just gotten off on the wrong foot.
He returns to the house and takes Dave out through the kitchen where he picks up a couple of towels. Leading them through the back door, he leads him out to his bathing pool.
“What are we doing?” Dave asks as they approach the water.
“Taking a bath, why?” asks James.
“Out here?” he asks.
“Sure,” replies James. “Not much privacy around here.” When he sees Dave hesitating, he adds, “Everyone knows to avoid this area when someone’s here. Don’t worry, no one will disturb us.”
“Okay,” agrees Dave hesitantly. As he gets undressed, James can again see the patchwork of scars and mutilations across his body. No part of him seems to have escaped the wrath of whoever owned him.
As they settle into the water, James is greeted by the coldness. Taking baths here certainly cannot continue much longer. He glances over to the construction site of his new house. The outside is practically complete and the inside is coming along nicely as well. Soon he’ll be able to have a hot bath.
During the time they spend in the pool, they talk about inconsequential things. James learns a little more about Dave’s time in the Empire, but nothing of any real relevance. He in turn, tells of some of his exploits.
By the time lunch is ready, he’s ready to get out. Drying themselves off with the towels, they get dressed again and head back to the house.
The rest of the afternoon is taken up with preparations for their trip to Cardri. James is annoyed at having to make the trip, but at the same time is looking forward to seeing Ellinwyrd again. Maybe as Jiron suggested, he could help in figuring out the enigmatic riddle he came across in Saragon.
The riddle continues playing through his mind,
When the Fire shines Bright
And the Star walks the Land.
Time for the Lost
Will soon be at Hand.
Time for the Lost. What could that mean? Suddenly, a memory comes to him, something