Later on when they convene in the common room for their evening meal, they take a large table off to one side. The room begins to fill as other travelers as well as locals come to have their meals. A bard sets up and begins playing by the time the server has brought them their food.
“I doubt if they’ve given up yet,” Jiron suddenly says.
“Who?” Fifer asks.
“The people who were interrogating Dave,” he explains. “It still bothers me that one of them got away.”
“True,” agrees Illan. “But if we stay together and keep alert, we should have no problem.”
“Wish they would just stop,” says Miko.
Dave gives a short laugh at that.
Turning to him, Jiron asks, “You got something to say?”
Giving Jiron a sardonic look, he replies, “They’re never going to stop! They will keep at him until they have what they want.” To James he says, “Would it be so bad to give it to them if it would mean living without the fear of being attacked at any moment.”
Jiron gives him a look of barely disguised disgust.
Shaking his head, James says, “Never. They could give me no guarantee that I would believe. Besides, giving it to them may prove more disastrous than the possibility of continued attacks.”
Face turning into a frown, Dave glances at the others and can see them united against the idea of returning the Fire to the Empire. Getting up, he says, “I’m going to my room and go to sleep.”
“Be careful and lock the door,” James tells him.
“You needn’t point out the obvious,” he replies then begins making his way to the stairs and up to the room he and James share.
“Coward,” can be heard though James not sure which one of them said it.
Turning his attention to the others, he says, “You guys should cut him a break.”
Jiron looks at him with a serious look on his face. “Are you sure he’s the type of person you want around? Things are afoot and he’s just a liability.” Around the table others nod their heads in agreement.
Sighing, James says, “I know. But where would he go? What would he do? I’m almost as lost here as he is.”
“But you’re handling it well,” Fifer interjects. “And you sure don’t back down from a fight.”
Shaking his head, James says, “Given the choice, I wouldn’t fight at all and would avoid any conflict to the best of my ability.” He sighs then continues, “But I am not given that choice. I know what’s right and I do it even though sometimes it pains me. He’s just gone through a bad time, worse than any I can imagine. Maybe he’ll find his niche here, but until then, he stays with me.”
“As you will,” Jiron says. “I just wanted you to know how we feel.”
“I understand full well how much you all dislike him,” he replies.
The rest of the evening they sit and enjoy the music and tales the bard relates. When James finally can’t fight off sleep anymore, he heads up to his room. As he clears the stairs and begins walking down to the door, it opens and a girl comes out.
He freezes for a moment as she makes her way toward him and then moves quickly down the stairs. Muffled sobs can be heard coming from her and tears dot her cheek. Confused and speechless, he stands there as she disappears down the stairs.
Moving quickly, he comes to the door to his room and opens it. Dave is lying in bed and turns to look at him as he enters the room. “What happened?” he asks his friend.
“What do you mean?” replies Dave.
“You had a girl in here,” he says.
“So?” replies Dave. “Just because you’re happy being a virgin doesn’t mean I am. Relax, she got paid.”
“She was crying when she passed me by out in the hall,” he says accusingly.
Shrugging, Dave says, “Don’t know why, she enjoyed herself well enough earlier.” Lying back on his pillow, he says, “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m quite tired.” Closing his eyes, he lies there quietly.
James stays standing by the door staring at his friend for a minute then moves over to his bed and undresses before getting under the covers. With a final glance over to his friend, he blows out the candle and tries to go to sleep. Sleep is long in coming, the memory of the sobbing girl keeps him awake.
The following morning, they head out early. “Should reach Trendle by the time it gets dark if we keep a quick pace,” announces Illan as they leave the outskirts of town.
“That would be nice,” James says with a grin.
Breaking into a fast trot they take the road to the northwest. Three hours out of town they come to a crossroads and take the northerly direction which will take them through Osgrin on the way to Trendle.
Ironhold. James ponders the significance of that lone word Ellinwyrd had inscribed on the scroll. What significance does it play? Where is it? He hopes Ceryn will be able to help him in discovering the answers.
Shortly after noon the party makes it to Osgrin where they find an inn to have their lunch. During the meal, Jiron suddenly says, “Wonder if there’re any assassins here?”
The others with him chuckle at that, all but Qyrll, Miko and James. Qyrll doesn’t understand, but Miko and James do all too well. “Enough of that,” James scolds him.
“Sorry,” he replies. The last time Miko had been here he overheard what he thought was an assassination plot aimed at James but which in fact was a betrothal party on their way to a wedding. The others still give him a hard time about it now and then despite James’ efforts to get them to stop. At least it’s fairly harmless jesting and Miko doesn’t seem to mind as much as he had.
After leaving Osgrin, they continue north, next stop hopefully will be Trendle. Illan informs them it’s still many hours away but that they should be able to make it by dark if not before.
As it turns out, they reach the outskirts of Trendle just as the sun hits the horizon. The people on the streets pause as they see him ride through, some offering greetings or well wishes. He returns them and continues on.
Passing the Squawking Goose, the favored inn of most of the townsfolk, they see young Devin coming out in the company of his family. His face turns pale as he sees them riding toward him.
“Why James,” Mary says once she sees him approaching, “thought you were out of town for awhile?”
“I was,” he replies. “I’ll be in town for a short while before I have to be off again.”
Illan is eyeing Devin who’s withering under his gaze. Obviously he isn’t supposed to be in town.
Corbin notices Illan’s gaze and says, “Today’s Devin’s birthday. We went out to your place and asked Yern if we could take him into town to celebrate. He said it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Illan’s face softens slightly as he says, “Just return before too long.”
Relaxing with relief, Devin replies, “I will sir.”
“I wish we could stay to share your celebration,” James says. “But we’ve been on the road for several days and are extremely tired.”
“I understand,” Corbin says. “Nice to have seen you again.”
“You too,” he says. Then to the two girls he adds, “You two, too.”
They just giggle and cast him shy glances.
Kicking his horse into a trot, he heads down the road out of town and to The Ranch. The shack for the guard stationed at the end of the lane leading to The Ranch has been completed. A lit lantern hangs from a post nearby to shed light on any who approach.
“Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Jorry says as he steps from the guard shack.
“How’ve things been?” James asks him.
“Quiet,” he replies. “Still get the curious every now and then but it seems to be tapering off.” He notices Qyrll there but the darkness prevents him from being able to see his features well.
“Good,” he says.
“How did things go in Cardri?”
“Tell you later,” replies James. “I’m for bed.”
“Good to have you back,” he says as he returns to the guard shack.
Heading down the road, he sees Errin and Aleya sitting on the front steps fledging arrows. When they see him coming down the lane, Errin bolts to her feet and rushes into the house. Shortly, Roland and everyone else come out to greet him.