The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [146]
“Nectarine?” Miko asks.
“It’s a popular fruit from where I come from,” he explains. “My grandfather always had some in the house whenever they were in season.”
“They are good,” agrees Miko, as he bites into his second.
They continue on toward Lornigan, munching on the fruit as they gradually approach the outskirts of town. The buildings here have been kept up well overall, though a few do show signs of their age and neglect. The usual hawkers are there to greet them as they pass the first several buildings. They crowd around trying to get James and Miko to buy their goods, but when they show little interest, relax a bit. Despite the lack of interest from James and Miko, some do continue to exclaim the virtues of their wares to the annoyance of both.
Passing several more buildings, they come to a three story structure with a sign out front upon which was painted a grinning ghostly apparition. “This must be the place,” James says.
“Yeah,” agrees Miko, “not what I expected though.”
Turning to Miko, he asks, “And just what were you expecting, a creepy, scary place?”
“Sort of,” Miko admits.
James chuckles at him, “Never let the name of a place give you the wrong impression.”
They hitch their horses out front and then go inside. The interior of the place is neat and clean, with a good aroma of cooking food coming from the kitchen. Most of the tables are filled with midday eaters, several servers scurry from table to table, delivering their orders and otherwise being helpful.
James spies an empty table to the side and they make their way through the crowd. Sitting down with his back to the wall, James signals to a server and he comes over.
“Good day gentlemen,” greets the server as he approaches the table. “How may I help you today?”
“What’s the special?” asks James.
“Today we have a roast goose with lemon sauce that is extra good,” he replies. “Or you can have the chicken stew. The goose is five coppers and the stew three, each comes with a half loaf of bread.”
“I’ll have the goose,” James replies, “and some ale.”
The server turns to Miko, “And you?”
“I’ll have the goose as well,” Miko tells him.
James takes the coins out of his pouch and hands them to the server who pockets them before heading off to the kitchen to place their order.
While they are waiting for their meals to arrive, James watches as eight men dressed in uniforms enter and head their way, taking the long table next to theirs.
A serving girl comes over and takes their orders. When they are done with placing their order, the leader says to her, “And make it quick please, we need to leave quickly.”
“Yes, sir,” the girl replies and hurries back to the kitchen. She returns quickly with a tray carrying eight large bowls of stew and four loaves of bread. Another girl accompanies her with eight mugs and a pitcher of ale. The soldiers set to with gusto, not taking the time to talk to one another, just intent on their meals.
“In a hurry?” James leans over and asks the leader of the group.
“You could say that,” the leader replies between bites of stew. “We need to be to the Merchant’s Pass as soon as possible.”
Curious, James asks, “Why?”
The leader breaks a chunk of bread off the loaf and dips it into his stew before shoving it in his mouth. “The siege of Saragon is going badly we hear. We’re on our way to the Pass to inspect the defenses in case the Empire’s army decides to wander in that direction.”
“Are you worried that we may be attacked?” James asks.
“Not really,” he says. “Madoc is putting up stiff resistance and it’s unlikely that the Empire will have the additional manpower to attack us directly. I hear they don’t have the inner stability that would enable them to release more troops for battle.”
“You mean they must keep the bulk of their troops inside the Empire to keep it together?” James wonders.
“Not the bulk to be sure,” he replies. “But I hear they need troops to keep some of their more recalcitrant provinces in line. If they were to pull too many troops north to fight Madoc or us, then the