Shaking his head, James says, “No, just in here with the others while we waited for your return.” Waving him over, he says, “Come on in, we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
“Thank you,” he says to the page who then turns and heads back to the castle.
Once they are back in the room and the door is shut, James asks, “Okay, what happened.”
“When I got to the gate, I held aloft the necklace,” Jiron begins. Smiling, he continues, “You should’ve seen the look on that Parvati’s face when he saw what I was holding. Shock would be too mild a word.”
“Coming to a stop, I could hear ‘Shynti’ being said several times. He asked me how I’d gotten it and while we were there talking, the other forces behind them were screaming at them to let them by. But they just ignored them, it almost seemed like we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time. It was a weird moment out there by the gate.”
“When I realized the gates were shutting behind us, I told the Parvati leader that I had to go back inside. He asked if I would come back to his camp. I was assured of safe passage back and having dealt with them before, I knew they would keep their word. So I told Jorry and Uther to return within the walls before the gates closed.”
“When they took me back to their camp, the other enemy forces at first thought I was a prisoner. They became quite agitated when they learned that not only was I not a prisoner, but that I was going to be honored and returned unharmed. The others almost fell on the Parvati’s right then and there. One poor bastard actually called them traitors, his head fell to the ground before he took another breath. After that, there was no more talk of them being traitors.”
“We had a feast together, and I told them of our time in their homeland. Many of them haven’t been back for quite a long time. When it was over, they walked me back to the gates amid loud protests from the other groups. I asked them why they were doing this and possibly antagonizing the Empire. They said because I was Shynti, as if that explained everything.”
“Back at the gates I was wondering if they’d even let me in with a force of Parvatis standing next to me. I was sure surprised when the gates actually opened up and saw Fifer standing there.”
“Then Henri showed up and said that Lord Pytherian requested my presence at the castle. I told Fifer to come back here and let you know what’s going on while I was meeting with him.”
“Basically, he asked me about troops, the makeup, how many, stuff like that. When he was satisfied I’d told him everything I knew, he had that page bring me here.”
“What’s a Shynti?” asks Uther.
“A very special person to the Parvati,” he replies. “It basically means I’m one of them and that honor is seldom, if ever, given.” Turning his attention to James, he asks, “What now?”
“Now we leave Lythylla,” he replies. “Councilman Rillian, we hear, is making plans against us and I want to be out of here before he executes them.” He brings out the letter Lord Pytherian had given him and continues, “Lord Pytherian wrote this letter for any and all to render us what aid we may require in getting to Cardri. He said to go to a city on the Sea of the Gods and get someone there to ferry us across to the other side. From there we should be able to make it to Dragon’s Pass in no time. Trendle isn’t far from there, I understand.”
“Good!” exclaims Jiron. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen Tersa.”
“I suggest we leave first thing in the morning,” says James. “Let’s post a watch in the hallway against unwelcome visitors.”
Just then, they hear a floorboard squeak outside their door. Everyone becomes silent for a moment and then they hear it again.
Uther gets up and slams through the door. A grunt is heard from the other side as the door knocks a man against the far wall. “Get him!” Jorry cries as everyone springs into action.
The man rolls and comes to his feet fast. Without pausing, the man shoulders Uther out of the way as he races for the stairs, Uther and the rest hot on his heals.
He takes the stairs four at a time and at the bottom, makes with all speed for the front door to the inn. Ramming the closed door with his shoulder, he bursts his way through. Once outside, he dodges down a side alley and quickly loses his pursuers in the dark.
They hunt for him for several minutes before they finally give up and return to their room. “Do you think he heard everything?” Jiron asks.
“I don’t know,” replies James. “Maybe.”
“That tears it!” Uther exclaims. “Now they’re going to know our plans.”
“Perhaps, but if we move quickly enough, it might not make any difference,” states James. “Forget about waiting until morning, we leave now. Get your stuff together, we meet at the stables in five minutes.”
Having all of his things already on him, he waits while they gather their packs. Then they go down to the stables where they begin saddling their horses. Once they’re all saddled and everyone is mounted, they move out and head for the northern gate. The streets are fairly empty this late at night enabling them to reach the gate in no time at all.
The gates are closed for the night and a squad of guards is stationed there. When they approach, one of the guards comes forward and says, “Gates are closed for the night, you’ll have to leave in the morning.”
James produces the letter form Lord Pytherian and shows it to him. “We have urgent business and need to leave tonight.”
The guard takes the letter and gazes at it for a moment then nods his head. Shouting to someone in the gatehouse, he says, “Open it up!”
When the gates begin to swing open, he hands the letter back to James and says, “Good evening to you sir.”
Returning the letter to his pouch, James replies, “You too.”
Once the gate has opened wide enough to allow them to pass through, they leave the city. After the last rider has passed through, the guards close the gate behind them with a thud.
Chapter Thirty
James turns to Illan and says, “Which way would see us to the Sea?”
He points to the northwest and says, “It lies there, about a days ride.”
As they get moving, James asks him, “Think there’ll be any enemy patrols along this side of the river?”
Shrugging, he replies, “Always a possibility in these times. But the bridges spanning the river in this area have been destroyed, all but the one here by Lythylla, and there’re very few spots where an army can ford. Doubt if the Empire would know of them. I hear we have watchers in those areas to give the alarm just in case.”
“That’s reassuring,” says James.
Illan glances over to James, gives him a quick smile with a nod and then continues riding.
Dawn is still many hours away, the sliver of a moon giving some light to dispel the dark, though it doesn’t illuminate much.
They decide to break away from the road that runs along the river, figuring if any enemy were to be on this side, they’d most likely be there. James sets Illan to lead as he knows the area around here far better than anyone else. “There’s a town further north on the Sea at the base of the foothills called Seastar,” he tells them. “It’s not a large city but does have a port that merchants sailing upon the Sea use from time to time. If we’re lucky, we’ll find a ship there that will take us across.”
“Why Seastar?” asks Jiron.
“It’s far enough north that I’m hoping it will be free of any enemy incursions,” he replies. “Plus, I was born there.”
“That might help,” James adds.
“Certainly couldn’t hurt,” he says.
They travel on through the night for several hours, riding fast and making good time. The few breaks they have to rest the horses were short ones, the memory of the man who had been listening at the door back at the inn pushing them onwards.
When the sky begins to lighten with the coming of the dawn, they see a patrol riding their way out of the north. “It’s one of ours,” Illan assur
es everyone as he turns toward the approaching riders.
“Kylun!” Illan cries out as he recognizes the leader of the patrol.
“Illan, you son of a dog,” Kylun replies as they meet and come to a stop. “I thought you were down by Lythylla?”
“Were, but a lot has happened,” he replies. As James and the rest draw near, Illan gestures to them and continues, “This here is James, Jiron and Miko. The rest you know.”
Nodding, Kylun says, “Good to meet you all.” Then turning back to Illan, he asks, “What brings you to these parts?”
“We’re on our way to Seastar to see about sailing across the Sea,” he replies. “Is the way clear?”
“Yes,” he tells him. “We have the Empire stopped at the river, though at times it’s touch and go. I heard a large force is camped across from Lythylla.”
“It’s still there and looks like they plan to stay for a while,” he tells him. “An attempt was made yesterday to open the gate from within, but it was stopped and the enemy beaten back. Councilman Rillian is rumored to have had a hand in it.”
“Councilman Rillian?” he questions.
“That’s right,” replies Illan. “Though Lord Pytherian doesn’t think there’s enough evidence to move against him, we know he was involved.”
“We’ve heard rumors too,” he says. “Though just vague things about possible dealings with the Empire before the war, things like that. As you say, not enough to do anything about.”
Before Illan can say anything more, Kylun says, “Say hello to my family for me when you get there, okay? We’re on our way to patrol this side of the river, making sure they haven’t managed to cross over.”
“Good to see you again,” Illan says.
“You too, and good luck.” Turning to his fellows, Kylun says, “Move out!”
Illan sits there a moment as he watches the patrol ride away before saying, “We grew up together in Seastar.”
As they begin moving again, James says, “Seems like a nice enough fellow.”
“He is,” says Illan wistfully. Then, coming back to the present, he continues, “At least we have little to fear as far as running into the enemy between here and Seastar is concerned.”
“That’s reassuring,” comments Jiron from behind them.
Resuming their previous pace, they ride through the plains as the sun begins to peak over the horizon. As they ride, they see other patrols moving along the plains. Every once in a while, someone would holler a greeting to Illan as they pass.
“You seem well known here,” comments Uther.
“Like I said, I grew up here,” he reminds him.
When the sun has risen a ways above the horizon, they begin to see the glistening of the Sea ahead of them. James reflects back to the time when he was on the other side, now seeming so long ago. So much has happened since then.
Running north and south next to the shoreline is a well maintained road. Refugees from the south are plodding away on it as they seek safety to the north. Some with carts and wagons loaded with what belongings they were able to bring, others only having a pack on their backs. Children walk beside parents, often as not carrying their belongings as well.
One mother had three children who were pulling a cart with a fourth child lying within. When James comes abreast of the wagon, he sees the poor boy sick with a fever of some sort. Reaching into his pouch, he pulls out two gold coins and hands them to the woman. “Here,” he tells her, “use this to help your boy.”
With tears in her eye, she looks up at him and takes the coins, “Thank you good sir!”
“You’re welcome,” he says as he kicks his horse to join the others who had begun to pull away from him as they continue following the road north.
When he catches up with them, Illan glances from him then back at the mother and says, “That was nice of you.”
“We do what we can,” he replies.
“True,” agrees Illan. “Though most wouldn’t even have bothered themselves that way.”
“If you ride with James long enough,” Miko pipes up, “you’ll learn to get used to it.”
James glances back at him and sees him there with a big grin on his face. He returns the grin, but not for the reason Miko thinks. It’s because Miko is beginning to become more of his old self. It seems the effects of the Fire wear away after a while. Not the increase in size and muscle, but the effects it has on his spirit. It kind of dampens it, making him more solemn and serious. To see the adolescent side again gives James hope that Miko isn’t too far gone.
“How much further?” he asks Illan.
“Another hour, maybe two,” he replies.
Sure enough, a little over an hour later, they begin to see the outline of a city on the horizon. “Seastar,” Illan informs them. Several merchant ships can be seen out on the water, one’s pulling away from the docks and there are three others still moored there.
“Looks like we’re in luck,” Uther says when he sees the ships at the docks. “One of those should be able to ferry us over to the far side of the Sea.”
“I hope so,” says James.
Seastar has a defensive wall, though it’s not very high or thick. The road travels to the southern edge of the wall and passes through the gate there. Four guards are there, helping to keep the traffic of refugees and soldiers moving along quickly. Off to the east of the wall, a refugee camp can be seen. Hundreds, maybe thousands of displaced people mill around the makeshift camp. Soldiers can be seen in and around the area keeping order and generally helping the people. A couple wagons are unloading sacks and boxes of food to waiting people.
When they arrive at the gates, Illan hollers to one of the guards, “Shoen!”
Shoen looks up from where he’s supervising the others and breaks into a smile when he sees who just addressed him. “Illan!” he cries as he moves toward him, extending his hand. “Didn’t expect to see you for quite some time.”
Illan takes his hand and gives it a firm shake before saying, “Can’t stay and talk I’m afraid. We need to see about a ship to take us across the Sea.”
“There’s a couple at anchor, I know,” he informs him. “But don’t know whether they’ll take you all the way to the other side?”
“We have a letter from Lord Pytherian requesting any and all to aid us,” he explains.
Nodding, he smiles and says, “That should make some merchant happy.” They both begin laughing hard at that, several others standing around who hear that join in as well. “Good luck!” wishes Shoen. “It was good to see you.”
As Illan begins moving to pass through, he says, “You too, Shoen.”
Shoen waves them on through, then goes back to making sure the traffic continues to flow smoothly through the gate.
Illan leads them through and once on the other side, takes the street heading down toward the docks. “Let’s see about a ship first, before they have a chance to get away,” he tells them. “Once we have one to agree to take us, we can find an inn should we have the time.”
“Alright,” agrees James.
You’d think Illan had returned a hero the way everyone greets him as he moves down the street. He handles it all well, only slowing when absolutely necessary. “He sure is popular around here,” observes Miko as he watches Illan wave to the people on the streets.
“He’s well liked by everyone who knows him,” Uther comments when he hears Miko. “Never sure why he joined up with us, but I suppose he has his reasons.” Lowering his voice, he continues, “Some of us believe he lost his wife during the war and wants revenge. But no one knows for sure.”
Miko stares at Uther’s back and nods.
Looking down to the end of the street, they can see the water of the Sea and the masts of the ships at dock. The few buildings bordering the docks have the look of warehouses and Illan continues on past and stops at a small building sitting at the entrance to the docks. “Dockmaster,” he tells them as he dismounts. James and Jiron dismount as well, the others
remain on their horses.
Illan steps up to the door with them right behind and pushes it open. Inside, they find a man sitting behind a desk covered in a disorganized pile of papers. He looks up from where he’s making notations on one of them and a smile breaks across his face when he sees who it is.
Getting up, he says, “Illan! What brings you back here?” Moving around the desk, he gives Illan a big hug, careful not to get the ink on his fingers on the back of Illan’s shirt.
“Marko,” he says, returning the hug, “didn’t know you were the new Dockmaster.”
Releasing him, Marko says, “Have been for a year now, ever since Yeurn got married to that woman from the City.” Stepping back two steps, he continues, “It’s good to see you again.”
“I’m afraid I can’t stay long,” he explains. “We have need to reach the other side of the Sea and were hoping to be able to get someone to take us.”
His smile fades somewhat as he says, “Nothing serious I hope? The Empire isn’t on its way here is it?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Nothing like that. Our forces still have them on the other side of the Etterling River.”
“That’s good news,” he says with relief. “We haven’t had much news lately about the war. Just what the refugees tell us as they pass through.”
Gesturing to the ships at the dock outside, he asks, “Which one of those would be our best bet?”
“You might try the Sea Strider, it’s the one all the way at the end,” he says. “Derrin Nellix is the captain, and he’s leaving shortly for the far side. Don’t know if he’ll take on passengers, but you can try.”
“Okay, we’ll do that, thank you,” he says as he holds out his hand to his friend.
Taking the hand, Marko shakes it vigorously and says, “You’re welcome. If you’ll be staying in town, I’d love it if you could come and have dinner with me and Pauline.”
“We’ll see,” he replies. “Probably have to dine with my family first, though. They’d never let me hear about it if I didn’t.”
Marko laughs at that. “I think you’re right. Well, good luck.”
Warrior priest of Dmon-Li ms-3 Page 43
