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“Good to see you again,” she says.

“You too,” he replies just before exiting through the door.

Out front, the others turn toward him as he leaves the inn. “We’ll take the horses around back and get them settled in,” he announces. “In the morning, I’ll go up to the castle to find out what’s going on.” Taking the reins of his horse, he leads them around to the stables.

Back by the stables, Gunther the stableboy shows them which stalls will be theirs. Once the horses are secured within their stalls, he gets pails of grain ready for each and then starts currying them.

James and the others make their way to the inn and enter through the back door. Taking the stairs, they head up to their rooms where they get settled in before going downstairs for dinner.

Miko is somewhat put out about having to share a room with Jiron. He would rather be sharing one with James, but his friend Dave has that honor. “I don’t see why he has to always get to be with James,” he complains to Jiron.

Turning to him, Jiron explains, “They’ve known each other a long time, far longer than any of us have known him. Besides, he still doesn’t speak the language very well though he is doing better.”

“I can’t believe you’re actually defending him,” states Miko.

Getting a slightly angry look on his face, Jiron says, “I’m not defending him, merely answering your question. I don’t like him.”

“Neither do I,” admits Miko. “I try to get along with him for James’ sake.”

“I know,” he says.

Knock! Knock!

“Come in,” hollers Jiron. James opens the door, his friend Dave is standing in the hall behind him.

“We’re heading down for something to eat,” he tells them. “You guys want to join us?”

“Sure,” says Miko as he heads for the door.

“Be down in a minute,” replies Jiron.

“Alright,” says James as he steps aside to allow Miko to pass into the hall. “See you in a bit.”

Illan and Fifer have just come out of their room and they all go downstairs where they find a table large enough for all of them. Several minutes later, Jiron joins them.

They order their food and are soon enjoying a meal of spiced ham, bread and assorted vegetables. A group of four musicians take the stage and before long the room is filled with rollicking music.

James sits back and enjoys himself, listening to the musicians and watching them play their instruments. From all around him, the buzz of conversation is subdued as they all wish to hear and enjoy the music of the musicians. From out of the buzz, one comment is overheard from a man sitting just behind him.

“…hear the Empire’s ambassador is seen going to the castle regularly the last few days.”

“I heard that too,” the other man at the table says.

Turning around, James asks them, “Did you just say there’s an ambassador from the Empire here?”

Somewhat taken aback at his interrupting their conversation, one man says, “It isn’t polite listening in on other people’s conversation.”

“How rude,” the other man says with an annoyed expression.

“Sorry,” apologizes James and turns back to his own table.

He feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to find one of the men looking at him. “But yes, there is an ambassador from the Empire here, has been for a little over a week.”

“That’s right,” says his friend, nodding in agreement. “Why he’s here isn’t known though, but the popular rumor is that they want us to join their fight with Madoc.”

His friend laughs at that, “Like that would ever happen.”

“Thank you,” replies James.

The man nods his head and then resumes his conversation with his friend, this time keeping their voices slightly softer to avoid being overheard again.

Leaning close to Illan, he asks, “Did you hear that?”

“Yes I did,” he says. “If you figure the time it took the herald to reach The Ranch and how long it took us to get here, then we could assume he was dispatched shortly after the Ambassador’s arrival.”

“What could that mean?” asks James.

“Not sure,” he replies, “but you’ll find out soon enough tomorrow.”

“I suppose,” states James. Out of the corner of his