The Star of Morcyth: The Morcyth Saga Book Five by Brian S. Pratt Read Free Book Online Page B

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.
    They finish their morning meal quickly and
are soon on the road. As they pass by the last of the buildings
James sees someone standing against the wall of the last building,
staring at their party. It’s the woman who the night before the
innkeeper told to leave his place. When she notices him looking at
her, she turns and runs away. Not looking back, she goes around the
corner behind the building and is soon out of sight.
    Odd, he muses to himself. Dismissing
it as the vagaries of humanity, he returns his attention to the
road ahead. Dave beside him begins whistling a tune from their
world and he soon joins in.
    The next two days fly by fast. By the end of
the fourth day, the walls of Cardri come into sight. When the view
first appears before them, James can hear a gasp from his friend
Dave. Turning toward him, he sees the awe in his eyes. “Told you it
was impressive,” he tells his friend.
    “I know,” he replies softly. “But I never
expected this.”
    The scene before them is one of breathtaking
beauty. Far away on the horizon, the sun lies low near the ocean,
its light a dazzling display of sparkles upon the water. Ships of
every size are either at anchor at one of the many docks lining the
shoreline or upon the water under sail. The walls of the castle
itself gleam in the light and the city surrounding it sprawls for
miles in every direction.
    To Illan, James says, “There’s an inn called
the Silver Bells located within the second wall. I know the
proprietress and it would be a good place to stay while we’re
here.”
    Shrugging, he says, “One place is as good as
another.”
    A branch of the Kelewan River flows to the
east around the city before emptying into the sea. Just as they are
about to ride onto the bridge spanning the river, Fifer points off
to the east and exclaims, “Illan!”
    In an area adjacent to the river, sits a
large encampment of tents. The pennant flying from the largest of
the tents bears the Empire’s insignia. “What are they doing here?”
James asks.
    “I don’t know,” replies Illan as he glances
at him, a worried expression upon his face.
    “Can’t have anything to do with me could
it?” asks James.
    “I wouldn’t think so,” he says. “Best to
give them a wide berth. No sense looking for trouble.”
    “I agree,” replies James. To the rest he
adds, “While we’re in town, keep your ears open for what they may
be doing here.”
    “You got it,” replies Miko.
    Just knowing they’re over there gives James
a bad feeling. What could they be here for?
    The evening crowd moving through the gates
into the city is not very busy and they soon reach the gates. After
a few brief questions by the guards on