The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [52]
His friend laughs and then says, “We must return. The negotiations will be starting again soon.”
“Very well,” Lord Colerain says. Taking one more satisfying look at James, he turns and follows his friend out of the cell area.
Through blurry eyes, he watches them go. When at last they’ve ascended the stairs out of sight, he slips back into unconsciousness again.
Miko and Illan are still sitting out in the common room when one of his street kids comes walking in the inn. Miss Gilena immediately moves to shoo him out but Miko sees him and says, “He’s here to see me.”
Eyeing the boy questioningly, she leaves him alone and returns to what she had been doing before he entered.
Coming over to Miko, the boy says, “I found them.”
“Where?” asks Illan before Miko has a chance to say anything.
The boy glances to Miko who gives him a nod and then says, “They’re out by the gate. I think they were trying to find a way through without being seen. Told them I’d come get you.”
“Great!” Miko says as he gets to his feet. Turning to Illan he asks, “What should they do?”
Thinking a moment, he says, “Find an inn close to where they are and have them stay put. Then come get me and we’ll figure out what to do.”
“Alright,” he says. To the boy he adds, “Let’s go.”
Leaving the inn, the boy takes him along the streets until they come to the gate near the spot Jiron and the others are waiting. Once through the gate, the boy leads him directly to the alley in which they’re hiding.
Before he gets to the entrance to the alley, Miko sees Jiron’s head poke out and break into a grin as he sees them approaching. He’s surprised when he finds not only Fifer there with Jiron but another man in a hood as well.
“Man, are we glad to see you,” Fifer tells him once he’s in the alleyway with them.
Miko holds up his hand to halt any further questions and then turns to the boy. “Round up everyone and tell them to meet me at our regular spot in an hour,” he says. “There’s something else I need you to do.”
“Alright, Miko,” the boy says and starts to walk out of the alley.
“Here,” Miko says to the boy. When he stops and turns back to him, he flips a silver over to him.
Snatching it out of the air, the boy smiles and says, “Thanks.” Then he turns back and continues out of the alley. He’s soon out of sight as he enters back onto the street and disappears around the corner.
“Now, what’s going on?” Jiron asks.
“I should ask you that question,” Miko replies. “Illan wants me to find an inn to stash you guys away for awhile until he’s able to come and talk with you.” Nodding to Qyrll, he asks, “Who’s your friend?”
“His name is Qyrll,” replies Jiron.
At that, Qyrll glances to Jiron who nods. Removing the hood, he reveals the fact that he’s a Parvati. Miko’s eyes widen and then turns his attention back to Jiron, “A Parvati? This just gets more and more interesting. We’ll talk after we get to the inn,” he tells them. “I know just the one.” As he begins moving toward the end of the alley, he glances back and says, “Follow me.”
Falling in behind, Jiron, Fifer and lastly Qyrll with his hood once more in place, follow him into the street. Several blocks down they come to an inn with a sign outside depicting a dancing squirrel. A yellow cat is lying on a nearby window sill and Miko goes over and scratches him on the back of the head. “Good girl, Furball.” Furball lets out with an answering purr, obviously enjoying the attention.
Around Furball’s neck is a rather plain collar with a small, circular metal disk hanging from it. Upon closer examination, Miko sees an exact duplicate of the dancing squirrel from the inn’s sign engraved on it. So, looks like Inius took James’ advice after all.
The last time they were there, Furball had gotten herself lost. When he and James had come across her and returned her to Inius, James had suggested a collar with something that would tell anyone who found Furball where to take her.