Shaking his head, James says, “No, it didn’t.” Removing the letter the herald had given him from his pouch, he hands it across the table to Ellinwyrd.
Taking the letter, he reads the brief missive before returning it to him. “Highly unorthodox,” he says. “Custom states you are to be given the reason for the summons.”
“Does it have anything to do with the Ambassador from the Empire being here in Cardri?” asks James.
Eyes widening, Ellinwyrd asks in return, “What makes you say that?”
“Well, a lot’s happened since last we met,” he explains. “By the way, why did you have me deliver that book to Ollinearn?”
Smiling, he says, “I was hoping that by being a courier for me, it might’ve helped smooth things out with local garrisons, things like that.”
“It did and I thank you,” he says. “But what about that Ambassador?”
“He showed up about two weeks ago,” he explains. “I wasn’t privy to all that was said, but word has a way of getting around.”
“And?” prompts James when Ellinwyrd had grown quiet.
“And from what I gathered, it seems he’s here to ask the king for aid in capturing someone,” he says, eyeing James questioningly. “It seems this individual has killed scores of people in the Empire and they want him badly.”
James slumps in his chair, his demeanor all Ellinwyrd needs to tell him that James believes the individual in question to be himself. “Why don’t you tell me what happened,” he suggests.
“It started with the fall of the City of Light,” he begins. “My companion Miko had been captured and…” He goes on to relate in brief detail some of the events which the Empire could want him for, leaving out the more sensitive parts like the Fire and other things.
When he draws to a close, Ellinwyrd says, “I can see why they want you.”
“Yes,” he admits. “But I never initiated any of it!”
“Don’t see how that will matter one way or another,” he tells him. “One sovereign nation has made a request of another for justice. Unless you’re able to refute their charges, I don’t see what else the Royal Court can do but accede to their request.”
“How can you say that!” accuses James.
“I don’t believe you’re guilty of anything more than defending yourself against hostile forces bent on your destruction,” he says. “But my opinions will have little weight in these matters.” He looks at James as he sits there, mulling over what he just told him.
“What can I do?” he asks him.
“Appear before the court,” he says. “If you don’t, any decision made will go against you by default. The only way out is to go forward.”
“Great,” says James in irritation.
After a moment’s silence, Ellinwyrd asks, “Did Ollinearn help you?”
“What?” asks James, coming out of his reverie.
“Ollinearn over in the City of Light, did he aid you in your quest?” he repeats.
Nodding, he explains about the last high priest, the disappearance and how the last high priest was born in Saragon.
“Did you go to Saragon?” asks Ellinwyrd.
“Yes,” replies James, nodding. “As a matter of fact I did.”
“What did you find out?” he asks.
“I think a long time ago, someone planted a prophecy or riddle or something like that with one family,” he explains. “There may have been more but we didn’t have time to hunt for them. It went like this…
When the Fire shines Bright,
And the Star walks the Land.
Time for the Lost,
Will soon be at Hand.
At the foot of the King,
Bathe in his Cup.
Pull his Beard,
To make him sit Up.
Seven to Nine,
Six to Four.
Spit in the wind,
And open the door.
When he’s done, he sits back and waits for Ellinwyrd’s response. “Doesn’t make much sense does it?” he asks after Ellinwyrd remains quiet for a few minutes.
“No, it doesn’t,” he replies. “Some of it I understand. The star must mean the Star of Morcyth, not the medallion you’re carrying, but the real one.”
“Oh?” he asks.
“Since your last visit, I’ve been doing research about Morcyth and I’ve come up with several items of note.”
“Such as?” prompts James.
“The Star of Morcyth is the focal point of the god on this world,” he says. “Through it, the old writing says, many wonderful things were accomplished by the priests of Morcyth. Just what, isn’t mentioned.”
“Now the fire which is mentioned, I saw mentioned in the same text as the one which told of the Star. Dmon-Li, the god who obliterated Morcyth’s priesthood also has a focal point in this world, that being the Fire. Through it, terrible things happened. It seems that whoever is in possession of one of these focal points is able to have tremendous power. The text doesn’t say where any of these are, most likely they’re in the possession of the high priest of each order.”
“Interesting,” states James. Nothing new here, just reinforcing what he already knew.
“The next stanza doesn’t seem to make much sense,” says Ellinwyrd with a smile. “I mean who’s going to bathe in a cup at the king’s feet and then pull his beard?”
“I know,” says James.
Suddenly, what sounds like a church bell begins tolling. “What’s that?”
“It signals that the Royal Court will be meeting shortly,” he replies.
Coming to his feet, James says, “I better go then.”
“Surely you don’t plan to present yourself before the Royal Court looking like that are you?” Ellinwyrd asks.
Looking down at himself, he realizes what he means. His travel worn clothes would be ill suited for such an occasion. “What should I do?”
Getting up, Ellinwyrd says, “Follow me.” Moving to the door of his sanctum, he opens it and passes through with James right behind.
“Where are we going?” he asks.
“To get you suitable attire,” is the reply.
Following Ellinwyrd, he moves along the hallway and ascends up a flight of stairs to the next level. Upon reaching the second floor, they move down the hallway and come to a halt before the third door on the right. Removing a key from his robe, he opens the door and enters.
A lone window gives the room some light and James can see this is some kind of storage room. Several chests and dressers are placed about the room as well as two wardrobes.
Ellinwyrd goes over to a table and lights the candle to give them more light, then walks over to one of the wardrobes. “It’s amazing what accumulates over the years,” he says as he opens the door.
Within are five sets of clothes hanging from hangers. All are of good quality and two look to be about James’ size. One is green and the other is a dark brown color. “Take your pick,” he says as he moves back to give him some room. “These were left by various apprentices I’ve had over the years.”
James removes the dark brown set and says, “I like this one.”
“That will do nicely,” he says. “We’ll go down the hall to a room where you can dress without worrying about
