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“About what?” he asks.

“About that certain something you all found and which we just recently put away somewhere,” he explains in a roundabout way in case they’re overheard.

“Oh right,” he says and then mouths ‘The Fire’.

“Exactly,” he says. “Our first priority has to be finding Jiron and Fifer. Once we have them back with us, we’ll be in a much better position to attempt a rescue.”

Miko then tells Illan about what he’s having those kids of his do, and about the connection between Lord Kindering and the Ambassador.

Nodding, Illan says, “That puts some things in perspective.”

“What do you mean?” asks Miko.

“Well, first of all it explains why he was summoned here,” Illan explains. “From what we’ve found out, Lord Kindering and Lord Colerain are bound together in some way. Could be simply trading partners, who knows? Lord Kindering might have gotten the idea that if he managed to get James here and to the Empire’s delegates, then they may give Cardri, and thus him, better terms in the negotiations.”

“So you’re saying they’re giving up James just to make more money on trade?” he asks.

“Something like that,” agrees Illan. “Though this is all just conjecture on my part, it does fit with what’s happening. The fact that it also enables Lord Colerain to extract revenge upon James is probably just an added bonus.”

Just then, Dave walks in through the front door. He sees them sitting at the table and simply nods to them as he makes his way to the stairs and up to his room.

“Hope he stays there,” grunts Miko.

“We’ve got more important things to worry about than him,” Illan says.

“You’re right,” agrees Miko.

Jiron comes awake and finds Qyrll sitting against the wall. He turns his head when he sees Jiron sit up. Nodding over to the candle sitting on the crate, he says, “We’re almost out of light.” Fifer remains asleep over against the far wall.

“Is it light out yet?” Jiron asks.

Shrugging, the Parvati says, “It’s hard to tell, but I think the sun’s been up for some time now.”

Worried, Jiron says, “I was sure James would’ve found us by now.”

“Maybe he’s otherwise occupied?” suggests Qyrll.

“Let’s hope not.” Getting up, he stretches and comes to sit next to the Parvati.

Voices can be heard coming from the other side of the door as footsteps approach and then continue on past. “People have been moving along the corridor outside for some time now,” Qyrll states. “Fortunately none have come in here.”

Gesturing to the room, Jiron says, “Do you blame them?”

Qyrll just gives him a grin at that as he shakes his head.

More footsteps approach and they become silent. This time instead of passing by, the footsteps stop at the door.

Glancing at one another, they get to their feet just as the door opens. Swinging wide, several girls in their late teens come in and stop with a gasp when they see them standing there.

Jiron is about ready to say they’re not going to hurt them when one gives out with a scream at the sight of the Parvati and his extensive tattooed skin.

Fifer starts awake and comes quickly to his feet.

The girls turn and flee out the door and down the hallway all the while screaming for help.

“That tears it!” says Jiron as he moves for the door. “Let’s go.”

He reaches the corridor on the other side just as a group of six thugs comes at them wielding clubs and swords. “Back in the room!” he hollers. Once they’ve returned to the room, he shuts the door and puts his shoulder against it.

Qyrll and Fifer lend their strength in holding the door closed as the thugs begin hammering on it from the other side. One of the thugs on the other side shouts for them to open the door but they pay him little attention.

“There’s no other way out!” Fifer exclaims.

To Jiron, Qyrll says, “Let them in. We have to face them some time, they block our only way out. We should do it now before more come, or the city guard is summoned.”

The incessant hammering on the door by the thugs has begun to produce cracks in the old door.