Korgan. Taking out the mirror once more, he releases the magic as he gazes upon the surface.
The image begins to come into focus and they see Korgan’s unmistakable patch and scar. He widens the image and sees that he’s talking to another man in what looks to be a basement. What really surprises them is that the basement contains tables and racks filled with weapons.
“Looks like they could arm an army from what they have there,” remarks Jiron.
“Probably what they plan to do,” he says. “I wish this thing had sound!”
He scrolls the image around the basement where they see five others there with Korgan as well as the other guy he’s talking to. “Wonder what they’re saying?” Jiron asks.
“My guess is they’re making plans for the fall of Lythylla,” replies James.
“Then we better find them quickly,” Miko says from over James’ shoulder.
“I think you’re right,” agrees James.
He’s about ready to cancel the image when they see the meeting breaking up and all the men there begin to climb the stairs out of the basement. “Where’re they going?” asks Miko.
James suddenly turns and stares at Miko and says, “Say that again!”
“Where’re they going?” repeats Miko, confused at James’ request.
Miko’s voice has deepened, become more of a man’s voice than a boys. Recovering from the shock, James says, “Who knows? Let’s get Korgan and we’ll find out what’s going on.”
“He’s most likely heading to the castle again,” suggests Jiron. When James turns his head in his direction, he continues, “When Miko and I were out looking the town over as you requested, we spotted him. We followed him until he went through the gates to the castle.”
“Then we’ve got to get him before he makes it there,” says James. “Which entrance did he use?”
“It was the east gate,” he replies.
“Then let’s hurry,” he says. He goes back over to the others and says, “We think we may have a lead on him, but we need to hurry before he makes it back within the castle.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Uther asks.
James nods to Jiron who begins running toward the eastern gate leading into the castle area, the rest following right behind.
They have to duck down side streets twice to avoid patrols. They don’t know if they’ll be looking for them or not, but best not to take any chances.
Jiron brings them to a halt when they near the eastern gate, keeping to a side street overlooking it.
James pulls out the mirror and the view of Korgan appears. He’s still walking along the streets, one of the men is accompanying him. Putting the mirror away, he says, “Spread out and cover the streets leading here,” he says. “Let’s hope he’s going to use this entrance again.”
“What if he doesn’t?” asks Jorry.
“Then we’ll have to try something else,” he replies.
They quickly spread out, and station themselves where they’ll be able to intercept anyone heading for the gate.
James, Jiron and Miko watch the main street while the others cover the side streets. They wait for five minutes when, from down the street they can hear the sound of footsteps coming toward them. It sounds like there’re more than one person.
“Think that’s them?” Jiron whispers.
“It’s gotta be,” replies James. To Miko he whispers, “Go tell the others to get back here.”
Miko nods his head then melts into the darkness as he goes to get the others.
“How’s your shoulder?” James asks.
“Bad, but not much I can do about it now,” he states.
James can see one knife in his right hand as they wait for them to come closer. He looks back down the street, they can hear them approaching. The minimal light from the lamps doesn’t give enough illumination to make out more than approaching shadows.
As the others join him, he sends them around side streets to block off any possible avenue of escape. The two people who’re approaching pass through a circle of light from one of the lamps a little ways down the street. They can see that one of them definitely has a patch over one eye.
James hides in the shadows until they’re just about to enter the circle of light from the next lamp. Then he steps out in front of them with his knife drawn and says, “Stop right there!”
They take one more step before coming to a halt, which brings them into the circle of light. A woman screams and James can see they’re not Korgan and friend.
A middle aged lady and a gentleman who looks to have been a veteran of battle stand before him.
The man pulls out his sword and cries, “What’s the meaning of this.”
“My apologies,” James stammers, embarrassed. “I thought you were someone else.” Putting away his knife, he begins backing away from the couple.
The man keeps his sword out as they, too, begin backing away.
“The gate!” Uther cries out.
They all turn their attention to the gate as they watch Korgan and his friend run in through the gate. Korgan pauses momentarily as he looks in their direction, a grin upon his face. He says something to the guards, and one brings a horn to his lips and begins sounding the alarm.
“Move!” cries Jiron and they all begin running down the street past the couple James had accosted.
Ducking down a side alley, they try to lose any pursuit that may be forthcoming. They run to the end of the alley and break across another main thoroughfare to the alley on the other side.
Pausing a moment, they listen for any pursuit. When none is forthcoming, Jiron leads them further into the alley until the darkness within completely swallows them before coming to a stop.
“Now what?” he says as he turns to James.
“I don’t know,” he replies. “We might try to backtrack the way he’d come and see if we can find where that meeting was being held.”
“Whatever we do, we need to hurry,” Illan states. “When they come to get you out of the dungeon in the morning for the council meeting, they’ll know you’re not there.” Remembering the horn blast from the guard at the gate, he adds, “If they don’t know already. And dawn isn’t very far away.” They all glance at the sky that is beginning to lighten with the coming of the morn.
“Hopefully we can discover their plans before the army begins its attack,” Uther says. “Whatever they’re planning has to coincide with that.”
“I agree,” says James. “Do you remember the way?”
Indicating the direction with a nod of his head, he replies, “It’s this way.” He then leaves the alley and turns down the street in the general direction of where Korgan had been.
“How are we going to find out which house it is?” Jiron questions.
“Not sure, exactly,” replies James as they continue following Uther.
In the early morning hour, they’ve encountered relatively few people. No group has been greater than two or three and those were usually drunk. That’s why when he sees a group of twenty men coming their way from down a side street, James has them duck into a side alley to avoid being seen.
“What’s wrong?” Illan asks him when they’re within the shadows of the alley.
“Doesn’t it seem strange for such a large group to be about so early in the morning?” he asks.
“Now that you mention it, it does,” he replies.
“And the fact they’re in the area where all those weapons are leads me to think they may be going to retrieve those weapons,” explains James.
“Could be,” whispers Jiron.
They all remain quiet as the men turn onto the street James and the others had just recently vacated. As the men move away from them, James whispers, “My guess is, if we follow them, we’ll find that house.”
Several of the others nod their heads in understanding.
Letting the men move further down the street, James and the others quickly enter the street to follow them. They continue following the men at a discreet distance until they come to a large house. Turning off the street, the men approach the front door, open it, and then go in.
“That’s the house!” exclaims Jorry excitedly. “Has to be!”
