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Michael gives him a brief bow, then a nod to James before leaving the room and shutting the door.

Making his way across the room to where Ellinwyrd sits, he takes extra precaution not to step on and damage any of the books or scrolls lying across the floor.

“James!” Ellinwyrd says as he gets up from his chair. “What an unexpected pleasure!”

Coming to the table, James extends his hand which Ellinwyrd takes and gives a firm shake. “Good to see you again too,” he tells him.

Ellinwyrd indicates a seat across from him which James moves over to and sits down. Taking his seat as well, Ellinwyrd says, “I’m so glad you decided to stop by and see me.”

“It’s not only for the pleasure of your company that I stopped by,” he tells him.

“I know,” he replies.

“You do?” asks James, surprised.

“Yes. You were summoned by the king to appear before the Royal Court,” states Ellinwyrd.

“That’s right,” agrees James. “Do you know why?”

“Didn’t the summons explain that?” he asks, perplexed.

Shaking his head, James says, “No, it didn’t.” Removing the letter the herald had given him from his pouch, he hands it across the table to Ellinwyrd.

Taking the letter, he reads the brief missive before returning it to him. “Highly unorthodox,” he says. “Custom states you are to be given the reason for the summons.”

“Does it have anything to do with the Ambassador from the Empire being here in Cardri?” asks James.

Eyes widening, Ellinwyrd asks in return, “What makes you say that?”

“Well, a lot’s happened since last we met,” he explains. “By the way, why did you have me deliver that book to Ollinearn?”

Smiling, he says, “I was hoping that by being a courier for me, it might’ve helped smooth things out with local garrisons, things like that.”

“It did and I thank you,” he says. “But what about that Ambassador?”

“He showed up about two weeks ago,” he explains. “I wasn’t privy to all that was said, but word has a way of getting around.”

“And?” prompts James when Ellinwyrd had grown quiet.

“And from what I gathered, it seems he’s here to ask the king for aid in capturing someone,” he says, eyeing James questioningly. “It seems this individual has killed scores of people in the Empire and they want him badly.”

James slumps in his chair, his demeanor all Ellinwyrd needs to tell him that James believes the individual in question to be himself. “Why don’t you tell me what happened,” he suggests.

“It started with the fall of the City of Light,” he begins. “My companion Miko had been captured and…” He goes on to relate in brief detail some of the events which the Empire could want him for, leaving out the more sensitive parts like the Fire and other things.

When he draws to a close, Ellinwyrd says, “I can see why they want you.”

“Yes,” he admits. “But I never initiated any of it!”

“Don’t see how that will matter one way or another,” he tells him. “One sovereign nation has made a request of another for justice. Unless you’re able to refute their charges, I don’t see what else the Royal Court can do but accede to their request.”

“How can you say that!” accuses James.

“I don’t believe you’re guilty of anything more than defending yourself against hostile forces bent on your destruction,” he says. “But my opinions will have little weight in these matters.” He looks at James as he sits there, mulling over what he just told him.

“What can I do?” he asks him.

“Appear before the court,” he says. “If you don’t, any decision made will go against you by default. The only way out is to go forward.”

“Great,” says James in irritation.

After a moment’s silence, Ellinwyrd asks, “Did Ollinearn help you?”

“What?” asks James, coming out of his reverie.

“Ollinearn over in the City of Light, did he aid you in your quest?” he repeats.

Nodding, he explains about the last high priest, the disappearance and how the last high priest was born in Saragon.

“Did you go to Saragon?” asks Ellinwyrd.

“Yes,” replies James, nodding. “As a matter of fact I did.”

“What did you find out?” he asks.

“I think a long time ago, someone planted a prophecy