The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [2]
“Talking with some friends, I think,” he replies. “They sure do make a good looking couple don’t they?”
“Yes they do,” James replies.
As the musicians bring the music to a stop, Rylin and Sheila end the dance facing each other and then give each other a kiss to the cheering of the surrounding crowd. Breaking off the embrace, Rylin turns to the crowd and holds up his hand for quiet.
Once the crowd has quieted, he says, “I thank you all for joining us in this most happiest of times.” The crowd erupts in cheers again briefly before quieting back down. “My lovely wife Sheila and I would like to express our appreciation for our best man James, who’s stood by us through this entire ordeal.” Another round of applause, though not as energetic as the previous one breaks out and a few snickers as well. It’s been the running joke of the celebration about how James reacted when he learned of having to witness the consummation of the marriage. He had the misfortune of having it witnessed by many and has been the butt of many off colored jokes since. “There’s plenty of food and drink. Enjoy!”
Signaling the musicians to begin, he takes Sheila’s hand as they begin another round of dancing. This time, other couples join them.
James moves again to the side of the festivities since crowds make him nervous. He’s never been one who liked being around a lot of people. Taking his position on the fringe, he watches the dancers, including Miko whom Darria has dragged again to the dance floor.
As he enjoys the music and watches the dancers, he takes notice of two scruffy looking individuals moving along the outer edge of the crowd. Moving to intercept them, he makes his way through the crowd.
“Thought you guys would never make it back,” he says.
“You worry too much,” replies Jiron. Fifer just grins at him.
“Did you get them?” he asks.
Jiron pats a bulge in his tunic and gives him a nod. “We got plenty,” he says.
“I couldn’t believe how many there were,” exclaims Fifer. “I mean, you and Jiron told me, but I didn’t really believe. But then when we went into that cave, my god! There must be thousands more waiting to be harvested.”
When the messenger arrived with the news of Rylin and Sheila’s impending wedding, he decided this would be a good time to collect more of the gems from the cave in the Merchant’s Pass. Taking Jiron and Fifer with him, he sent them up the river shortly after arriving to try and find the entrance to the cave where the gems lay. Jiron was sure he could locate it, so he and Fifer went to search for it while he attended the festivities.
Jiron had taken several of the gems when they last passed through and had them appraised by Alexander back in Trendle. He told them that the gems were of good quality and highly sought after, especially by gem cutters. He informed them of one down in Bearn who would pay an honest price for the rough gems. James then secreted them in his stash in his room at The Ranch to await Delia’s caravan. If she were to sell them, it would draw less attention to him and his activities than if he did it himself.
Roland was glad to see the gems, their immediate problem for coins had been solved. If they made routine expeditions to gather more, then they would never again have to worry about money.
“You guys get cleaned up,” he tells them, “you’re pretty ripe.”
“Was planning to,” replies Jiron. “Just wanted to let you know we’re back.”
“Better hurry, the feast is going to start in a couple hours,” he says.
“Will do,” Jiron says as they begin heading away from the celebration and to the room he and Fifer are sharing while they’re in town. Shawna had agreed to put up James and Miko, but told him the other two would need to find an inn in town.
When the music stops, Miko hurries over to him and asks, “Was that Jiron and Fifer?”
Nodding, he answers, “Yeah.”
With a slightly disappointed look, he says, “Then we’ll be returning in the morning?”
“That’s right,” James tells him. “Go dance with her while you can.