The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [25]
Once he’s finished, he bundles his old clothes together and leaves the room. Outside, Ellinwyrd nods when he sees him, “That will do nicely. You can keep them, they’ve been here for years and I doubt if the original owner will be coming back for them.”
“Thank you,” he replies in appreciation. These are much better than the ones he had to wear back in Corillian. Thank goodness revealing tights are not the current fashion here in Cardri.
Ellinwyrd takes his old bundle of clothes from him and says, “I’ll have these returned to your inn if you like?”
“Yes, that would be fine,” he says. “I’m staying at the Silver Bells.”
“Ah, Miss Gilena’s fine establishment,” he says, nodding. “I’ll have them sent over there right away.”
“Thank you,” he says.
Returning to Ellinwyrd’s sanctum, he pulls on the rope chord to summon a page. When Michael arrives, he tells him to escort James to the Royal Court.
“Follow me sir,” he says as he leads the way out of the Archives.
Once out the main doors and back onto the street, Michael leads James over to the castle. James smiles when he realizes it’s to the castle they’ll be going. Despite his trepidation at appearing before the Royal Court, the thought of being inside a castle makes him smile.
Taking him to the gates Michael doesn’t even hesitate as he passes through. James follows close as he gazes at the way the castle was put together. There are many similarities between this one and the one he had the pleasure to experience in Lythylla during his time with Lord Pytherian.
Once past the gates, they enter the main courtyard of the castle and the page turns slightly to the right as he makes for an entryway on the far side. The hallway on the other side of the entryway leads deep into the castle. James notices several portcullises in the ceiling above which could be dropped to block the entrance in the event of an attack.
A hundred feet down, another corridor intersects with the one they’re in and the page turns down it to the right. Ahead of them, the corridor opens up onto a large room with many seats and couches. Half of the available seats are filled by other’s who are probably waiting their turn to appear before the Royal Court.
Guards are positioned around the room, a dozen in all. Four stand before an impressive set of double doors which must be the entrance to the Court. An officious looking man sees them enter and moves to intercept them.
The man glances to Michael who says, “Ellinwyrd asked me to escort this gentleman here.”
“Indeed?” he asks, now turning his attention to James. “And what business do you have here?”
Reaching into his pouch, he withdraws the summons and hands it to him.
Taking the letter, the man opens it and begins reading. After only a second, his eyes flick to James, really looks at him for the first time and then hands the letter back. “I shall let them know you’ve arrived,” he says. “You may wait here until they’re ready for you.”
“Very well,” replies James.
The man then turns and proceeds over to the double doors and passes through. James catches a brief glimpse of the room on the other side. A short hallway which opens up on a large audience hall, crowded with spectators. Before he can get a better look, the door shuts.
Glancing around the room, he finds a vacant chair over against the wall across from the doors and makes his way over. Sitting down, he leans back comfortably and takes in the people waiting in the room with him.
Several look like local business men while others appear to be of a higher social standing. One gentleman in particular is dressed in clothes of obvious superior quality and has what can only be called an ‘uppity’ attitude. James wonders what such a man is doing here.
“Excuse me?” a voice next to him brings him out of his reverie.
A man of low standing