Trail of the Gods_ The Morcyth Saga Book Four - Brian S. Pratt [67]
At the end of the lane, they find Devin at the guard shack. “Back in a few weeks,” he says to him as he passes by.
“Where you going?” he asks.
“North,” he replies as he turns onto the road going northwest.
When Devin has long since disappeared behind them, Illan asks, “Do you think it wise to tell them where you’re going?”
“Yes, actually I do,” replies James. His plan is to take the Fire north for some miles before activating the concealing spells infused within the crystals in the hopes of misleading whoever might be keeping a magical eye upon it. He knows they’re hunting for it, and it just stands to reason that someone would be continuously watching it magically in the event he tries to move it. If he had activated the crystals before leaving The Ranch, they might still believe the Fire remains there and that would continue to bring danger to those who remained. But now, his hope is they’ll believe he is moving it north, away from the Empire to better keep it from them. Which would seem logical.
So for most of the day, they will continue north, all the while allowing whoever may be watching the opportunity to discover the move. By telling those remaining at The Ranch he plans to go north, he hopes they may inadvertently relate that to an Empirical agent, thus corroborating the fact it’s going north.
All that morning they press on as the road winds its way around the edge of the Kelewan Forest. Shortly after noon, they come to a crossroads where the road forks, one branch continuing to follow the edge of the forest north while the other one goes almost due east.
James takes the one which continues following the forest northward. By the time night falls, they’ve reached the small town of Wurt which lies on the southwest shore of Crystal Lake. The town is slightly larger than the average village, docks can be seen upon the water with many small and medium sized craft moored to them.
“Fishing is the main business here in Wurt,” Illan tells him as they approach the outskirts of the town. “Not much else to it really, but the lake has fish in abundance so they do fairly well.”
They pass through into the heart of Wurt where they find a large, three story building with a sign depicting a fish sleeping in a bed. “The Sleeping Perch,” Jiron announces. When he sees the questioning look in James’ eye, he adds, “Delia mentioned it. She said it’s a good place to stay.”
“Then let’s stay here tonight,” he says. Pulling up to the front, he and Illan dismount and go inside where they find the proprietor and arrange for rooms and stalls. James takes the box to his room and remains there with it throughout the night. In shifts, the others take turns standing watch outside his door in the hallway until morning.
The proprietor notices the guard at his door and when he asks about it, is told that James has been robbed at inns before so always has a guard posted outside his door. This explanation seems to placate him and he doesn’t bother them anymore.
Several hours after the sun has gone down, explosions begin to sound off in the distance. Bright flashes of light draw him to his window as he watches. His door opens and Illan and the others rush into his room, swords at the ready.
“We’re under attack!” Jorry exclaims.
James glances back at them with an amused smile as he shakes his head. “No, we’re not.” Gesturing out his window just as another flash lights up the night, he adds, “It’s just the wedding of the woman we almost attacked back by Trendle.”
“What?” asks Uther as he sheathes his sword.
“Remember those tubes she had in that chest?” he asks. “The ones that exploded when they went into their fire?” When he sees them nod their heads, he continues. “They’re called fireworks, at least where I come from they are, and are used for celebration. She must’ve just been married.”
“Oh, right,” Jorry says as he comes closer to the window to watch