look. It’s the man who had fetched the items Perrilin needed to remove Kir. Both men stand up as they pass through the hallway.
A voice hollers to the innkeeper from the kitchen area and he replies in a reassuring tone of voice. Jiron glances back and sees the man he pushed out of the way standing in the doorway staring at him with a grimace. The innkeeper hollers to the man again and he nods then closes the door.
“Come in gentlemen,” the innkeeper says in their language. Then adds, “and lady,” when he sees Aleya there with them.
“We need to talk to you…” begins Jiron.
“Yes, I know,” the innkeeper interrupts him. Gesturing to the vacant chairs at the table with him and the other man he says, “Please, won’t you have a seat?”
The innkeeper says something to the other man. Nodding, the man gets up and leaves the room by the other door to the right of the hallway they entered through. When he sees Jiron about to ask about the man, he says, “He’ll make sure we are not interrupted.”
“And why would he need to do that?” Miko asks.
Waving away the question, the innkeeper says, “There is little time. I had thought they took all of you. Thank the gods they did not.”
“Who?” asks Jiron. “Who took them?”
“An agent of a very powerful person here in the Empire,” he replies. “One whom it is unwise to openly stand against. He knew of Kir being here and wanted him. He made us drug the ale going to his table, and when they were all unconscious, several of his men came and took them.”
“They were after Kir?” asks Jiron. “I thought for sure they were…” He trails off, not finishing the thought. Turning to Miko he sees him nod, he too thought they had come for James. James simply happened to be in the wrong place.
“Where did they take them?” Brother Willim asks.
“One of our men followed them when they left and will report back when he knows,” the innkeeper states. He glances from one to the other then says, “So far, the Empire remains unaware of this inn’s involvement in certain activities. It would be beneficial for all concerned if they continue to remain ignorant of that fact.”
“Don’t worry,” Jiron assures him. “Your secret is safe with us.”
Suddenly, the door to the right of the hallway opens and the man who had been here when they arrived enters the room. He glances to Jiron and the others and then looks questioningly to the innkeeper.
“It’s alright,” he says in the northern tongue. “They’re Kir’s friends.”
Nodding, the man says, “They’ve been taken to the Keep.”
“Can you take us there?” Jiron asks as he comes to his feet.
“Yes,” the man says, “but it is heavily guarded.”
“You would stand little chance of getting in there,” the innkeeper states. “It’s very well fortified.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” asks the innkeeper.
Jiron glances to Aleya then nods, “Yes, there is one thing.” He tells him of his need and the innkeeper tells them that he will be able to accommodate the request. They wait there for a few minutes while the other man is sent to get it.
When he returns, he hands Aleya a beautifully worked bow and a quiver of arrows. She takes it and looks in awe at the workmanship that had gone into it. Intricate designs run its length and when she strings it, the pull is strong. “This is a good bow,” she says.
“It was one of several made by a friend of mine who is a master woodworker,” the innkeeper says. “I trust you find it acceptable?”
“Oh yes,” she says with a nod. “It’s far superior to anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Then it’s yours,” he tells her.
“Thank you,” she says with a grin.
“Now,” Jiron says. “Take us to the Keep.”
“It’s not as simple as that,” the innkeeper says. “We are fairly certain there are still agents watching the inn.”
“So?” Miko asks.
“Depending on how long they’ve been watching your group,” he tells them, “they may recognize you when you leave.”
“That could prove problematical,” Brother Willim states.
“What do you suggest?” asks Aleya.
Chapter Thirty One
Malki had been placed to watch the front of the inn since he and others had come to take those people away. Though he wasn’t told why they were taken, he knew they had to have been wanted by people in high places. Especially if you consider who it was that put the whole operation together. Whenever you see his face, you know that whatever is going on concerns the highest levels of the Empire.
He and the others who are staking out the inn are looking for a couple other people, and should they appear, they’re to take them too.
The front door of the inn opens and he turns his attention to those coming through. Two people emerge, a couple by the looks of it. The man is leaning heavily upon the woman who is working to keep her man upright. Malki grins at the way the drunken man tries to negotiate his way down the few steps to the street.
Cursing at her man, the woman loses her hold on him as he stumbles down the remaining two steps and crashes to the street. Giving him a swift kick to the side in anger, she drags him back to his feet and together they work their way down the street.
Behind the couple comes another pair, two men this time. One has a stiff leg that looks as if it’s unable to bend it at the knee. He limps and shuffles alongside the other. Upon making it down to the street, both men turn and go the opposite way that the woman and her man had gone.
Not the people he’s interested in, Malki remains in the shadows and keeps a watch upon the door.
Once Miko is sure the inn is out of sight behind them, he takes Brother Willim down a side street. Moving into the shadows, he helps Brother Willim remove his staff that had been hidden beneath his tunic. It had been secreted within his trouser leg, which gave him the appearance of having a stiff leg. Having walked so far pretending that his right leg was stiff has made his left one ache.
“Is anyone following?” Brother Willim asks as he finally gets the staff free of his clothing.
Miko stares back down the street for a second then shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I really didn’t think it was going to work,” he admits.
“Let’s go to the rendezvous and pray that Jiron and Aleya made it there safely.” Miko then takes the lead. With the pack wherein lies the Book of Morcyth slung securely across his back, they hurry to the appointed place.
It isn’t far and when they arrive they find Jiron and Aleya already there. Another minute and the man who is going to lead them to the Keep appears.
“Let’s go,” Jiron says to the man. He’s a little put out that the man has yet to offer him his name. But like James always says, ‘What you don’t know can’t be tortured out of you’.
Taking numerous side streets they work their way across town to the Keep, only taking the main thoroughfares when they have no other choice. When the Keep finally comes into view, he takes them to a spot down a block from the main entrance. Standing in the lee of the building where the shadows are the thickest, they have a commanding view of the gate.
The gate stands in a curtain wall which surrounds the inner keep. Outside the gate stand six soldiers, three of which have crossbows. Atop the curtain wall, additional soldiers are seen walking to and fro as they keep watch. Beyond the curtain wall, the Keep itself rises high.
“Beneath the Keep is an extensive dungeon where prisoners are taken and interrogated,” the man tells them.
