The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [23]
Noticing his problem, Ceryn offers him the bed he awoke in earlier, an offer James is no way able to refuse. After thanking his host, he uses his spear again as a crutch and makes his way to the back room. Climbing into bed, he thinks to himself, Lucky to have found Ceryn. Not many would have taken a stranger into their home and fed them. I owe him a lot. A few lingering thoughts about what the next day may hold are all that he is allowed before sleep takes him.
Thud!!!
The sound of the bedroom door crashing open startles James out of a deep sleep. Sitting bolt upright, he turns bleary eyes toward the doorway. Three sword-wielding men wearing worn, mismatched pieces of armor enter and do a quick look around. Upon seeing James, one of them turns to holler out the door, “There’s another one in here, a lad hiding in the bed. Ceryn lied!”
From outside comes the reply. “Bring him out. We’ll take care of both of ‘em.”
One of the men heads toward the bed.
James is still unsure what is going on as the man takes him roughly by the arm and hauls him to his feet. Pain from his wound shoots up his leg as his foot hits the floor. Crying out in pain, he is propelled through the door with a shove. James stumbles into the front room, his injured leg protesting with every pain-filled step. Another rough shove from behind and he’s pushed toward the door leading outside. Despite the throbbing in his leg, he somehow makes it through the doorway without falling.
Not far from the front of the cabin are two more men with drawn swords standing next to a bound body on the ground. As James is pushed forward, he discovers it to be Ceryn. He’s relieved to see the Forest Warden turn his head and glance silently at him. At least Ceryn is still conscious and alert. One of the men who took him from the cabin pulls his arms behind his back where they are bound painfully tight. Once his hands are secured, he’s pushed roughly to the ground next to Ceryn.
“Don’t move and keep your mouth shut!” one of the four sword wielding men commands.
James glances at the man and nods.
Seeing that James plans to cooperate, the guard grunts then turns to his partner.
With their captor’s attention, for the moment, focused elsewhere, he scoots closer to Ceryn until they are less than a foot apart. “Who are these guys?”
“Outlaws. They’re mad because I brought one of them in and was executed. He killed two women who were traveling through here a while back.”
“What are they going to do with us?”
“They’ll probably torture and kill me. You…” Ceryn pauses as one of the guards glances in their direction. When the guard again focuses his attention elsewhere, he continues. “You they may kill or they may take you south and sell you to the slavers. Sorry, lad.”
An outlaw a little larger than the rest and bearing a tattoo of a snake on his left forearm storms over to Ceryn and kicks him in the side. “I told you to be quiet! Another word and I’ll cut out your tongue.” To emphasize his point he kicks Ceryn hard in the side twice more before walking off.
Two outlaws continue standing guard over them with their swords drawn and ready. James leans closer to Ceryn and in a barely audible whisper asks, “Are you ok?”
A sleight nod of Ceryn’s head is his only answer.
“I’m going to try and loosen your bonds.”
Ceryn meets his gaze and shakes his head. “Too risky.”
“Just be ready.”
Their gazes meet and there must have been something in James’ eyes for Ceryn nods.
Concentrating on envisioning their bonds coming apart, James whispers:
Ropes that bind me and you
Come apart in pieces two.
James feels a slackening in the rope binding his arms together as the fibers part. Ceryn gives him a look full of surprise as his wrists are once again free.
Whispering so only Ceryn can hear, he says, “Now for the outlaws, be ready.”
Another nod from Ceryn, he understands.
Looking around he searches for something that can be used to hurt,