Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [168]
“It’s not a pretty sight,” the guard says.
“I realize that,” James says as he looks to the guard imploringly.
“Alright,” he says. “But be careful, it’s still very hot in there.”
“We will,” he says to the guard. To the others, he says, “Come on.”
The heat from the smoldering embers is quite hot, almost too hot. He begins moving into the charred structure when Jiron grabs his arm and says, “They were over this way.”
James nods and lets him lead the way.
Jiron steps through what’s left of a wall and then says, “This was the room.”
“I can tell,” replies James as he looks around at all the burned, dead bodies scattered about. The remains of the collapsed ceiling covers most of the bodies but he’s still able to make them out.
“Look here,” says Jiron.
James moves over and sees the remnants of a headless body that looks to have once been tied to a chair. Ropes bind it’s extremities to broken bits of burned wood. “This must’ve been Shyn,” Jiron explains.
“Good!” he hears Fifer say.
Using their knives to maneuver smoldering wood away from the bodies, they discover arms, legs and heads that are no longer attached to anything. Testament to the brutal battle that had occurred here shortly before the fire.
“You see Miller or Miko?” James asks the others.
“Hard to tell,” Jiron replies. “I haven’t found anyone yet that would’ve been the same size as Miko.”
“If Miller’s here,” Fifer states, “I doubt if we would know for sure. They’re all burned too severe.”
“Fifer!” a cry can be heard coming from the crowd.
He looks up and sees Jorry and Uther returning with the others. “Over here,” he hollers, waving.
“Let’s get out of here,” James says.
When they finally make their way out of the burned building, the others join them. Uther asks, “Man, what happened?”
“Where’re Miller and that kid?” Jorry asks right after.
Indicating the burned out building, Fifer says, “They might be in there, hard to tell. Everything’s burned beyond recognition.”
“James, the mirror,” Jiron suddenly reminds him.
“That’s right!” he cries as he quickly moves to leave the area.
A guard stops them before they get too far and says, “Where’re you guys going?”
“Trying to find our friends,” James explains.
“I don’t think so,” he says. “We need to find out what happened here and you all seem the only ones who know anything about it.”
“I’d like to help, really,” James replies. “But this is an emergency.”
“Sorry,” he says. “I need you to stay right here until the watch captain shows up.”
“When will that be?” Jiron asks.
“Shouldn’t be too long,” the guard says. “He may need you all to come back to the jail to answer questions.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to decline the offer,” James tells him.
Three guards come over and stand next to the one talking to them. The guard says, “It isn’t a request.”
Miller’s band comes and stands behind James as he says, “Unless you want a fight, we’re leaving.”
Seeing the odds, the guard just glowers at James as he and the others begin backing away.
Once they’ve moved a sufficient distance from the guards, they turn and make their way quickly away from the fire scene. They find a quiet alley that’s away from people and move into it.
“What do you think happened back there?” Uther asks.
They all glance at each other for a moment then James says, “I think Councilman Rillian sent men there to get Shyn and things got out of hand.”
“Why?” asks Yern, a red haired member of Miller’s band.
“So we couldn’t use him as a witness against him I would expect,” James explains.
“But how did they know he was there?” Uther asks.
“I’m afraid I mentioned it when we were being arrested,” admits James. He reaches into his pack and pulls out the mirror. “If you guys will be quiet for a while, I’ll try to find out if Miller and Miko are still alive.”
He pulls out the mirror and everyone huddles around to watch as he tries to find Miller. The image flickers a moment and then they see the burned out remains of the inn. A charred