The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [55]
“We’ll be careful,” the older boy assures him.
Nodding, Miko leaves the eatery and makes his way back to the inn. It suddenly occurs to him that he doesn’t know any of their names. Inwardly smiling, he recalls how it was to be on the streets. Not too trusting and you never volunteer anything to anyone.
Back at the inn, he finds everyone still in the room. The remnants of the noon meal still sit upon several platters lying on the table. He tells Illan that his kids are going to keep an eye on the doings of the Empire’s men and report back to him here.
The fog clouding his mind has slowly been dissipating over the last several hours. Still unable to fully concentrate enough to summon the magic, he’s at least regained his equilibrium and the room isn’t spinning nearly as bad. Sitting on the floor next to him is a tray of food which was brought in some time ago. Unwilling to trust it, it lies untouched. Still not sure how they managed to drug him, he’s not willing to take the chance on a recurrence by eating doctored food.
When all the torches had begun to burn low, a different servant entered and put a single torch in the sconce near his pen. Now, only the light from that one torch is all he has to keep the darkness at bay.
Sitting alone in the cell, he feels the hard round object his magic had formed resting in his pants pocket. It was just a theory, never really had a chance to test it. If his situation worsens, he may try it, but until then he’ll let it lie dormant. He’s not even sure if it’s going to work or not.
Footsteps coming down the stairs herald another visitor on the way. When the man exits the stairwell and begins walking across the floor, he can tell the man comes from the Empire. He’s spent enough time down there to readily recognize one of them, even if the man is wearing local clothes.
“Awake I see,” the man says as he draws close.
James stays seated on his bench and does nothing more than look at him.
“You should eat,” the man tells him. “You have a long trip ahead of you and we must ensure you have the strength to survive it.”
“Where?” he asks, breaking his silence.
“To someone who greatly desires to talk with you,” the man says.
“Torture and interrogate you mean,” replies James. “I hardly think it’s going to be a social call.”
Breaking into a grin, the man says, “I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
“Do I know you?” James asks.
“I don’t think so,” the man says. “Our paths haven’t crossed until now.”
“Who are you?” he asks.
“Just a loyal servant of the Empire,” he replies.
“I see,” says James as he leans his head back against the wall behind him.
Gesturing to the food, the man asks, “Are you worried about what may be in your food? Is that why you don’t eat?” He waits for a response and when none is forthcoming, he adds, “You needn’t be worried, there is nothing contained within other than food. No drugs or anything like that.”
James simply stares at him, not believing him in the least.
“We should be leaving in a couple hours,” the man says. “The negotiations have been concluded most favorably for all parties. Trade between the Empire and Cardri shall continue.”
“Good for you,” says James. After a few moments of silence while the man simply stares at him, he asks, “So why are you down here?”
“Just wanted to see you for myself,” he explains. “From all that I’ve heard, I thought you would be more impressive.”
James starts laughing.
Turning to leave, the man says, “I shall return when we are ready to leave.”
“I can hardly wait,” James says, sobering up quickly. He watches as the man walks to the stairs and then ascends to the upper level. Absentmindedly, he rubs the object in his pocket and waits.
Shortly after he arrived at the Dancing Squirrel, Miko set himself in the common room drinking ale. He wanted to be quickly available should the need arise. He worries about James, imagining the worst possible things happening