Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [165]
“I know,” he replies. “You better pull it out.”
“But we have nothing to close it with,” counters James.
“What choice do we have,” says Jiron. “It’s got to come out.”
“Alright,” agrees James as he gets in position to pull it out. Just before he takes hold of the bolt, the stairwell begins to lighten up again and the sound of approaching footsteps can be heard. He takes his hand away as they all turn to see who is coming.
Lord Pytherian, along with another man bearing a bag and a torch, move into the room. They come and stand before their cell.
James glares at him from where he’s sitting next to Jiron.
“I believe you,” Lord Pytherian tells him. “Go ahead,” he says to the man with him who produces a key and opens the cell door.
“He’s a healer,” he tells them. “He’s here to remove the bolt from your shoulder, Jiron.”
James gets up to make room for the healer. He then goes over to Lord Pytherian and asks, “If you believe us, why are we here?”
“You must understand,” he explains, “I have no authority in civil matters. Councilman Rillian is a very powerful member of the council with many friends. I could not side against him, it would’ve created severe problems we can ill afford with that army sitting on our doorstep.”
A muffled cry escapes Jiron as the healer pulls out the bolt. They glance over to him as he begins sewing the wound closed. Fifer is there giving the healer a hand.
“But we have proof,” insists James. “One of his agents is being held by Miller at an inn.”
“One man’s word still wouldn’t be enough,” he says. “If the enemy should launch an assault now, it’s all we could do to simply withstand it. I cannot afford to have a rift in the council, as that would surely happen if this is brought to light.”
“But he could be your biggest danger!” James exclaims.
“I know,” he says. “But as long as the illusion is held, his men will fight in the city’s defense should it become necessary. I don’t think he’d turn on us outright unless he thought it would be to his benefit or if he had no choice. As surely would happen if we pressed this matter.” Pausing for a moment, he then adds, “If he turns too soon, then everyone on the council will turn against him. He can’t afford that right now so I believe he will attempt to sustain the illusion of his patriotism as long as possible.”
“I see,” replies James. “What do you plan to do?”
“Keep an eye on him,” he explains. “Because of your outburst back there, he now knows I know. That will make it harder to discover his plans, but not impossible.”
“Don’t you have the alliance for support?” asks Jiron, joining the conversation. He’s a little pale but the wound is stitched closed.
“Some remain,” he replies. “I’ve sent riders after the others that have left, but how soon they’ll return is anyone’s guess.”
“There’s an agent from the Empire here in the city,” James tells him. “A one eyed man named Korgan. He was instrumental in opening the gates of the City of Light the night it fell.”
Nodding, he says, “My agents have reported seeing the man in the company of Councilman Rillian on several occasions. But they didn’t know who he was. If we can find him, then we could possible lay charges before the council.”
“How are you going to do that?” Jiron asks.
“Not me, you,” he replies.
“Us?” asks James incredulously. “How are we to do that from in here?”
“You’re not,” he states. “You’re leaving here right now.”
“But you told Councilman Rillian that you were going to lock us up,” Jiron says. “You’re not going to go back on your word are you?”
“I said I’d lock you up,” he replies with a smile. “And I’ve done that. I never agreed to how long I would keep you here.”
The healer comes to Lord Pytherian and says, “The wound is clean but will take a while to heal.”
“Thank you,” he says, taking the torch away from him. “On your way out, can you ask Henri to come in?”
“Yes, milord,” the healer replies. Giving Lord Pytherian a slight bow, he begins walking toward the stairs. Shortly after the healer leaves the room, a guard