Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [177]
When Uther opens it, he says, “I’ve been summoned to the castle.”
Coming instantly alert, Uther asks, “Trouble?”
“I don’t know,” he replies. “The page said it was urgent. Lord Pytherian wants to see me.”
“Do you think we should come with you?” he asks.
Shaking his head, he says, “No, I don’t think that will be necessary. Besides, you weren’t requested, just stay here and wait for Jiron. When Miko wakes up, let him know where I’ve gone.”
Uther glances at the page standing behind him and then says, “Okay, good luck.”
“Thanks.” Turning back to the page, he says, “Alright, let’s go.”
With the boy in the lead, they leave the inn and work their way through the streets to the castle area. “What’s the enemy doing?”
“Rumor is they are waiting for reinforcements,” the page explains. “They’ve also begun constructing defensive fortifications and from what I’ve been told, it looks like they intend to stay out there for a while.”
“Since they can’t take the city, they’ll just maintain a presence there?” he asks.
“That’s what they’re saying,” he replies.
They pass through the gate leading into the castle area and when they get to the courtyard, he notices how they’ve turned it into an area for the wounded. Tents have sprung up and everywhere are men with bandages or lying on cots.
When they pass one tent, he’s startled when a man suddenly screams inside. The pile of amputated arms and legs lying just outside the entrance gives testament as to what is transpiring inside. James just shudders as he thinks of what these people are going through.
He feels a great sense of relief when they come to the castle’s entrance and they’re able to leave the scene of misery behind them. The page takes him down a long corridor and then up a flight of stairs to the next level. Then down another hallway where he stops before a single door.
“He said to wait in here,” the page says as he opens the door.
Where have I heard that before! Stepping through the door, he enters a room. A large table with several chairs sit in the middle of the room. The door the page is holding open is the only way in or out. Before closing the door, the page says, “He shouldn’t be too long, make yourself comfortable.”
“Thanks,” James says as the page closes the door. He walks around the room but other than the table and chairs, nothing else is in here. Taking a seat, he takes out a slug and places it in his hand, just in case. He isn’t going to be too trusting again.
Ten minutes later, the door opens and he looks over to see Lord Pytherian framed in the doorway. “See that we’re not disturbed,” he says to the guards who’ve accompanied him.
“Yes, milord,” one of them replies as he moves to enter the room. The guard shuts the door once he’s inside.
James knows he should stand, but he’s just too tired.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” he says as he takes a seat across the table from him.
“The boy said it was urgent,” he replies as he replaces the slug in his belt.
Lord Pytherian notices him returning it and raises an eyebrow.
“After the last time, I don’t plan on taking any chances,” he explains.
“Understandable,” he says.
James asks, “So what’s the urgency?”
“One of our agents who has been watching Councilman Rillian suspects there may be an attempt made to either kill or capture you,” he replies. “We’re not sure when, but we do know it’s being worked out as we speak.”
“Why don’t you just arrest the councilman and be done with it?” he asks.
“Only by order of the Council can that happen, and he has powerful friends,” he explains. “There are some on the Council who believe, but they’re unwilling to act without proof.”
“So now what?” James asks. “You’re going to leave a known traitor on the ruling body of Madoc?”
“As I said, it’s not in my power,” he replies. “But since we know, and he knows we know, his actions will be much curtailed. He won’t do anything, or be a party to anything that might change the will of the Council.