Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [191]
Once they’ve made their way back to the group, Uther says, “There’s one door in the back and another on the side. But that’s it except for the main entrance.”
Nodding his head while he thinks, James turns to Keril and Hinney, the youngest of Miller’s band. “You two go and watch the back and side doors,” he tells them. “Don’t let anyone in or out.”
“No problem,” Hinney says.
“You can count on us,” assures Keril.
They wait until it’s been about an hour since Illan left with the horses. Looking around the gathered faces, James asks, “Ready?” When they all nod in reply, he turns toward the jail and heads to the front door.
Hinney and Keril break off from the group, Keril heading to the side while Hinney continues around back.
James is a little nervous as he walks in through the front door. The same three men are there, this time they’re all over at the side table playing cards.
They look up when James and the rest walk in through the front door. “Here to see the captain again?” asks the watch captain.
James nods his head and replies, “You could say that.”
The watch captain points at one of the others who gets up and begins moving to the holding cells.
James moves to follow and has Uther come with him. He gives Yern a meaningful glance and receives an answering nod.
The guard unlocks the door and precedes them through into the back. “You got company again,” he hollers back to the captain. When he turns around to leave, he comes to a quick stop. Uther’s sword is out of its scabbard and inches away from his chest.
James reaches out and takes the keys from him. “Thank you,” he says.
“You guys are crazy!” the ship’s captain hollers as he comes over with the keys.
“Probably,” replies James, “but we’re getting you out.” When he’s unlocked the cell door, the captain quickly leaves the confines of the cell. Turning his attention back to the guard, James indicates the now vacant cell and says, “Get in.”
As the guard turns and walks to the cell with Uther’s sword in his back, the watch captain and the other guard enter from the other room. Jorry and Yern have their swords out as they lead them down to join their comrade.
“Take us with you!” the other two prisoners plead.
“Sorry,” James says to them. “Only the captain here.”
“If you don’t, we’ll scream and let everyone know what’s going on,” warns one of them.
Fifer comes in from the other room with some rope and cloth. “I’ll take care of this,” he says as he takes the keys from James and goes to their cell. Opening the door, he says to them, “If you yell, I’ll cut out your tongue. Cause me problems, and I’ll just kill you, understand?”
The two prisoners allow themselves to be tied up and gagged with little problems. He leaves the cell and then moves down to the guards where he does the same to them. Once everyone is secured and silenced, they begin moving back to the main room.
“Go get the other two and meet us out front,” he tells Jorry.
“Got it!” he exclaims as he moves to round up Keril and Hinney.
“Now captain,” James says to him, “let’s get to your ship.”
“Didn’t really believe you when you said you’d get me out of here,” he admits.
“Don’t blame you,” says James. “I wouldn’t have either.”
“How long will it take you to get underway?” Fifer asks him.
“Not very long,” he replies.
Out front, they wait only a moment before Fifer returns with the other two, then they quickly make their way down to the docks.
On the way, the captain introduces himself as Merril Hawls. He had an office in the City of Light but is now working out of Pyrtlin, a city on the northern shore. “Once we’re underway, it shouldn’t take more than a day’s sailing before we reach Fairview.”
“That fast?” Fifer asks.
“Hopefully, but I seldom make the run all the way there from