The star of Morcyth ms-5 Page 4

  The following morning at breakfast, those still there when he and Dave come to the kitchen give Dave cold stares and hardly talk at all. Most excuse themselves as soon as he and Dave sit down.

  Ezra fills their plates and Dave’s is decidedly lacking in the better portions of the food. He may have missed that little nuance, but James certainly picked up on it. After last night, it’s only what he expected. He’s actually surprised that Ezra didn’t demand he go out and eat with the recruits. Probably would’ve if he hadn’t been friend to the master of the house.

  The morning goes pretty much the same. Wherever Dave goes, the others either pointedly ignore him or slight him in some small way. James feels bad for his friend, but knows only time will heal this rift between his friend and the others.

  A little before noon, two notes are blown by the sentry down at the road and every one rushes out to see what’s going on. James and Illan are standing outside the front door as a rider comes toward the house.

  “He’s wearing the King’s colors,” Illan says. “Which means he’s on official business.”

  “What in the world would bring him here?” asks Jiron.

  “I don’t know,” Illan replies.

  The man is wearing the coat of arms of the King of Cardri. James recognizes it from his time in Cardri earlier when he met with the Archive Custodian, Ellinwyrd. The appearance of the herald can only be bad news.

  As the herald reins up before them, he dismounts, turns to them and says, “I bear a message from King Colbern, King of Cardri for the mage known as James. Would one of you be he?”

  Stepping forward, James says, “I am.”

  Removing a rolled scroll bearing the wax seal of Cardri, he extends it to him. “I am to await your response.”

  Taking the scroll, he cracks the seal and reads it:

  To the Mage known as James:

  You are forthwith summoned to appear before the Royal Court with all due speed.

  His Royal Majesty,

  King Colbern Cardri

  He shows the letter to Illan and then asks the herald, “Why am I to appear before the Royal Court?”

  “That was not told to me sir,” the herald replies. “I am simply to await your reply and then return to the King.”

  “Give us a moment,” he says. The herald nods his head.

  Indicating they should go back into the house, James moves inside and the others follow. “What do you make of it?” he asks.

  Handing the letter back to him, Illan replies, “I don’t know. Maybe your reputation has at last reached the King and he wants to see you for himself.”

  “Maybe. But what should I tell him?” he asks, gesturing to the herald waiting outside.

  “You have to go,” he tells him. “You cannot ignore the summons of the King, no matter what. Not if you wish to reside in his kingdom.”

  “He’s right,” adds Roland. “A local noble here and there is one thing to antagonize. But it wouldn’t be wise to put the king of the land against you, as surely would happen should you ignore his summons.”

  “So I have to go all the way to Cardri?” he asks.

  “Yes, you have no choice,” Illan states.

  “There’s always a choice,” he says as he returns back to where the herald is waiting.

  The herald sees him coming and says, “And what is your reply?”

  “You may inform his majesty that I will leave first thing in the morning for Cardri,” he tells him.

  “Very well,” he says. “I shall so inform his majesty.” Mounting his horse, he turns it around and rides down the lane back to the road.

  James watches as he reaches the end and turns onto the main road. Glancing at Jiron, he says, “Not only do I have the bother of people coming here to gawk at me, but now I have to travel for days for the King to.”

  “This may prove beneficial to you,” he replies.

  “In what way?” James inquires.

  “Ellinwyrd, the Royal Archivist in Cardri you mentioned before, may be able to help you with what you discovered in Saragon,” he explains.

  Nodding, he says, “You may be right.” To Illan he says, “I’d like you and Fifer to accompany me to Cardri. I’ll also bring along Miko, Jiron and Dave.”

  At the mention of Dave, Jiron gets a dark look. The thought of traveling with him brings back the anger from the night before.

  Seeing his reaction, James turns to him and asks quietly so only he may hear, “Would you rather me leave him here?”

  Realizing that would be even worse he shakes his head. “No,” he says, “best to bring him along.”

  “You know, he really isn’t a bad person,” James assures him. “I’m sure last night was just as he said, he simply went into the wrong room. He probably got confused being in a strange house in the dark.”

  “Maybe,” Jiron says, though the tone of his voice tells he doesn’t believe that. His eyes dart to the door and he sees Dave standing there. Turning around, he stalks away from the house.

  James can hear Illan mumble under his breath, “This is going to be a fun trip.” Shaking his head, he knows that if they just give Dave a chance, they’ll come to find out he’s not nearly as bad as they think. They’ve just gotten off on the wrong foot.

  He returns to the house and takes Dave out through the kitchen where he picks up a couple of towels. Leading them through the back door, he leads him out to his bathing pool.

  “What are we doing?” Dave asks as they approach the water.

  “Taking a bath, why?” asks James.

  “Out here?” he asks.

  “Sure,” replies James. “Not much privacy around here.” When he sees Dave hesitating, he adds, “Everyone knows to avoid this area when someone’s here. Don’t worry, no one will disturb us.”

  “Okay,” agrees Dave hesitantly. As he gets undressed, James can again see the patchwork of scars and mutilations across his body. No part of him seems to have escaped the wrath of whoever owned him.

  As they settle into the water, James is greeted by the coldness. Taking baths here certainly cannot continue much longer. He glances over to the construction site of his new house. The outside is practically complete and the inside is coming along nicely as well. Soon he’ll be able to have a hot bath.

  During the time they spend in the pool, they talk about inconsequential things. James learns a little more about Dave’s time in the Empire, but nothing of any real relevance. He in turn, tells of some of his exploits.

  By the time lunch is ready, he’s ready to get out. Drying themselves off with the towels, they get dressed again and head back to the house.

  The rest of the afternoon is taken up with preparations for their trip to Cardri. James is annoyed at having to make the trip, but at the same time is looking forward to seeing Ellinwyrd again. Maybe as Jiron suggested, he could help in figuring out the enigmatic riddle he came across in Saragon.

  The riddle continues playing through his mind,

  When the Fire shines Bright

  And the Star walks the Land.

  Time for the Lost

  Will soon be at Hand.

  Time for the Lost. What could that mean? Suddenly, a memory comes to him, something he hasn’t thought about for quite some time. It was during the time when Igor had taken him to Disneyland in that dream, vision, whatever it was. He had bent over and picked up a wallet. But it was what he said about it that stops him in his tracks:

  “ Sad when something gets lost,” he tells James. “When you lose something, you always hope an honest person will find it and work to get it back to you. All too often though, you never see it again. Such is life.”

  Could there be a connection? Something to do with Igor is lost? Or with Morcyth? His mind churns over the idea. Other visitations by Igor have had ulterior meanings, why not that one. He always thought that particular one had to do with Disneyland being a focal point. But maybe it was to do with returning something that was lost.

  A shiver runs down
his spine as he suddenly comes to the realization of what this could all be pertaining to. The Star of Morcyth! Of course! That makes perfect sense. Taking out the medallion bearing the symbol of the Star, he holds it up and looks upon it. Could that be why I’m here? To find the lost Star of Morcyth? Then that could mean the second and third stanzas of the riddle could be directions to lead him to it.

  He hears Ezra call them for dinner and he practically skips on his way to the dinner table. Excited, he takes his seat and the meal commences.

  “What’s got you all happy?” asks Miko from where he’s filling his plate with boiled tubers.

  “Oh, nothing,” he says. But the grin on his face belies his statement. He would like nothing more than to talk about it, but too many here don’t know the whole story and it wouldn’t be wise to mention it in front of them.

  “Sean said the new house will be ready in a couple weeks,” Roland says. “Maybe when you come back, you’ll be able to move in.”

  “That would be nice,” states James.

  “If he’s done in time, we’ll be sure to get your stuff transferred over,” Roland assures him.

  “Thank you,” replies James.

  Dave sits quietly to the right of James as he eats his dinner. The attitudes of the others have begun to mellow, some beginning to realize that he could have actually stumbled into the wrong room as he says. That James vouches for him gives credence to his story as well.

  None come right out and really talk to him, and James is worried for his friend. He wants him to become a part of his life here and over time, he’s sure he will.

  The evening’s gathering goes by quickly and they soon head to their respective beds. When he and Dave are lying in the dark, Dave asks, “Where is this Cardri?”

  “It’s several days away, out on the coast,” he tells him. “The king has a large castle, just like the ones I’ve always wanted to see. Was able to see it up close a month or so ago.” Turning to his friend, he says, “I’m sure you’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure I will,” he says. “Thanks for being a friend, James.”

  “Always,” he assures him.

  “No matter what?” he asks, hope in his voice.

  “No matter what. Now get some sleep,” James says as he turns over to go to sleep.

  Chapter Four

  The following morning, those heading to Cardri with James rose early and met in the kitchen. Illan is leaving Yern in charge of the recruits’ training in his absence. The last time he left Miko in charge, he won’t be making that mistake again. He’s no good at maintaining discipline or getting them to do what they’re supposed to. When Illan had returned from The Merchant’s Pass, the schedule of training he left with him had barely been done. Yern on the other hand, is a whole lot more apt to get done what needs to be done.

  Everyone turns out to see them off, even those whose duty is to patrol through the outlying trees. James mounts his horse and turns to face Roland. “Seems I’m off again,” he says with a grin.

  “That’s why Ezra and I are here,” he replies. “To look after things.”

  “Everyone’s ready,” Illan announces.

  James glances back at those mounted behind him. Miko and Jiron ride next to him and Dave is just behind. He looks sullen at having to be in that position, but makes no fuss. “Let’s go,” he says as he gets his horse moving.

  “You be careful,” Tersa hollers to her brother from her position by the front of the house.

  Jiron turns and waves to her as he gives her a reassuring smile. Next to her stands Aleya. Things have cooled off between them since his return from Trademeet, he’s not sure why.

  Errin has the watch at the end of the lane today and she comes to attention as they ride by. James gives her a nod in passing and then turns onto the road heading south. Four long days lie ahead of them before they reach the walls of Cardri.

  He can’t help but be a little overwhelmed at being summoned by the king. From what he’s heard of the man, the king is a just and kind ruler whom the entire populace of Cardri adores.

  The grey sky above prevents the sun from warming the morning chill from the air. Fall is in full swing, the colors of the trees bright and cheery as the leaves begin turning orange, red and yellow. A gust of breeze now and then sends a flurry of leaves scattering across the road.

  The evening of the second day, they find themselves an hour south of Bearn. Passing through made James a little leery as it’s the home of Lord Colerain and the man has had it in for him almost since his coming to this world. For some reason, he has the idea that James stole something from him. Of course James has not, but he’s had two attempts made on him.

  It wasn’t very long ago when he made the last attempt. He actually had the temerity to send men out to The Ranch to abduct him. It would’ve worked except Miko recognized one of the captors which led them to Bearn. And Bearn led them to Lord Colerain. After Illan and the others rescued him, he told Lord Colerain that if he again moved against him that he would come back to Bearn and raze his house to the ground and destroy everything of his that he could find. So far, it seemed the man had heeded the warning. James is usually a patient man and has the philosophy of live and let live but Lord Colerain has pushed him beyond that.

  As the sun begins to set, a cluster of buildings begins to appear ahead of them, just another of the small areas set up to cater to travelers. Most of the ones they’ve passed the last two days only had an inn, a chandler’s shop, and little else. This one is no different.

  No sign on the inn, but the fact that it is an inn is unmistakable. “Shall we stop here for the night?” James asks Illan.

  Nodding, he replies, “I doubt if we’ll find another before dark.”

  “Alright.” Dismounting, he and Illan go inside to see about rooms while the others stay with the horses.

  Inside they find a man bearing a tray of drinks over to a table. He pauses when he sees them enter and says, “Just a moment and I’ll be with you.”

  “No problem,” responds James.

  After setting the mugs of ale on the table before two customers, he makes his way back to where they’re waiting. “My name is Jared, welcome to the Restful Traveler. Can I help you sirs?” he asks.

  “Need three rooms and stalls for six horses,” replies James.

  Nodding, the man says, “It’ll be three coppers a room, meals are extra. And another copper for each of the stalls.”

  “Very well,” replies James and he removes the required number of coins from his pouch and hands them to the man. Walking with Jared over to the counter, he accepts three keys from him for the rooms.

  “The stalls for the horses are around back,” he tells them.

  “Thank you,” says James and then he and Illan return outside to the others.

  Leading their horses around to the back, they get them situated in their stalls before returning to the inn. They then go upstairs and put their things in their rooms before heading down to the common room for dinner.

  During the course of eating dinner, a commotion near the entrance of the inn draws their attention.

  “I said not to come around here again!” Jared the innkeeper says sternly.

  James looks over and sees a young woman, obviously very poor and looking destitute turn around and leave. When their serving girl comes near, he asks her what that was about.

  “Oh, she comes by here from time to time, looking for a handout,” she explains. “My father used to give her food but then she started coming every night and annoying the customers. That’s when he put a stop to it. Poor girl, I feel sorry for her but what can you do?”

  “Thank you,” he says.

  “You’re welcome,” the girl replies as she moves along to help another customer.

  “Kind of feel sorry for people like that don’t you?” asks James to no one in particular.

  “Some,” agrees Fifer.

  Before the end of the meal, an itinerant musician sets up in one corner of the
common room and places a bowl on the floor before him for any donations the patrons would care to give. Most musicians of this world have no paying patrons and just go from tavern to tavern looking for a place to play. If the proprietor has no one to provide music already, he’ll let the musician set up and play for tips, often supplying his dinner if he plays well.

  They sit back after the meal and listen as he plays. Not nearly Perrilin’s standard, but who is? Still, he does play well and the songs he sings are on key. During one intermission, James goes over and puts a silver in his bowl.

  Sitting back down, he notices Dave is gone. “Where did Dave go?”

  “Who cares?” says Jiron. His feelings for Dave have hardly become better over the last couple days. While Dave has done nothing further to antagonize anyone, if anything he’s been trying hard to get along, he still has yet to allay Jiron’s feeling of distrust.

  “Jiron, stop that,” Illan says disapprovingly. To James he adds, “He said he was tired and was going up to sleep.”

  A big yawn escaping him, James says, “I may go on up too.” Then the musician begins playing a song James has heard before, one he especially likes. Sitting back down, he looks to Illan and says with a smile, “Maybe after one more song.”

  Illan laughs and James sits back as the musician makes his way through the piece. It’s a whimsical song about a layabout who winds up mistakenly courting his benefactor’s daughter. Rather a long song, but from the reaction of the other patrons there, more than just James like it.

  When the song ends, he gets up and stretches. “Definitely off to bed now,” he says amidst another big yawn. “See you all tomorrow.”

  “Good night James,” Illan says. The others bid him good night as well.

  Heading up to his room, he finds Dave asleep in bed just as Illan had said. Getting undressed quietly so as not to awaken his friend, he slips into his own bed and relaxes as he begins drifting off to sleep.

  The following morning when they’re in the common room having a quick bite to eat before heading out, everyone seems to be mellowing toward Dave. Jiron still has an edge, but it’s beginning to soften somewhat as he gets to know him a little bit better. It’s unlikely he’ll ever have total trust in him, but as time goes on, James hopes he will.