“Because it’s the right thing to do,” James tells him.
Breaking out into a laugh, he says, “Get them out of here.”
“Let’s go,” the man with the swords says as he lays a hand on Jiron’s shoulder.
Spinning around fast, Jiron knocks the man’s hand off as the men with the crossbows take aim.
“We should leave,” James says to him. Then in a barely audible whisper he says, “Later.”
Swallowing his anger, Jiron backs down and the man with the swords gives him a grin and then precedes them from the room.
Following him across the barroom, they move to the door and are escorted outside. “Don’t come back unless you have gold,” the man says.
‘Red’ is there looking at them and their eyes lock for just a moment before James turns. Then he and Jiron move off down the street.
Once they’re out of earshot, Jiron asks, “Why didn’t we do anything?”
“I wasn’t sure if he had them or not,” he says. “I can’t just go around and indiscriminately kill everyone who crosses my path.”
“What are you going to do now?” he asks.
“Find out if our stuff is there or not,” he replies.
“And if it is?” prompts Jiron.
“We go back tonight and reclaim them,” he states.
Nodding, Jiron follows him down the road a ways until James ducks down a deserted side alley. Moving away from the entrance, he comes to a stop. Glancing around quickly to make sure no one is observing them, he creates his translucent seeking bubble which he has used before.
Letting it go, it begins floating through the air as it hunts for the medallion bearing the Star of Morcyth. Moving out of the alley, it’s barely perceptible as it drifts along through the people on the street. One young girl does a double-take as she takes notice of it but then her mother pulls her along and she dismisses it.
They follow it from a discreet distance, just far enough to be able to keep it in view. Even though they know exactly what they’re looking for they still at times lose it only to pick it up again a second later. It bobs around people as well as over and under wagons and carriages as it continues making its way through the street.
When it begins nearing the thugs outside of Orlander’s establishment, James watches it carefully. If it’s not in there, the bubble should go around the building. If it is, stop at the door. He made it so as not to go through walls, he was afraid he might lose it if it went through a building.
Sure enough, it floats toward the door to the tavern and comes to a stop. Just as the red haired thug begins to notice something there, James cancels the spell and the bubble disappears. ‘Red’ squints his eyes and with a shake of his head returns to his conversation with another of the thugs.
“So it is in there,” states Jiron.
“It would seem so,” replies James. They turn and move back further from the tavern, coming to stop in front of an ironsmith. The sound of the smith’s hammering creates quite a din.
“What are we to do?” Jiron asks. The hammering coming from the building next to them drowns out their conversation.
Glancing back down the street in the direction of the tavern he says, “Let’s find an inn and get some rest. Tonight we’ll pay them a visit.”
Grinning, Jiron says, “I like that plan.”
They return to collect their horses and then find an inn. Eating a quick bite, they retire to their room for some sleep before the coming of night.
“Doesn’t look as if anyone’s around,” Jiron says as they watch the tavern from across the street.
They waited until well past midnight until only a few hours were left before the dawn. James had thought the place would have some activity even at this hour, it was a tavern after all. But when they got there, the place was dark and no one was about.
The entire area around the tavern was deserted, not even a bum lying in the street. No one passing by or anything, altogether giving off the feel that something wasn’t quite right.
“Do you think they are waiting for us?” James asks.
“Maybe,” replies Jiron.
They stand near a building across the street for some time and still no one or anything makes an appearance. “Guess we better do this,” James whispers.
Sensing more than seeing Jiron’s nod in the dark, they begin making their way across the street toward the building. Nestled in James’ hand is a stone, one of many he acquired since his slug belt was stolen. The rest are in his pocket.
Approaching the front door cautiously, Jiron indicates they should go around the side and see if there is a back entrance which may afford them a better entry. James turns to follow him as he begins heading around the side.
As they follow the side of the tavern, no opening presents itself. After turning the corner to the rear of the building, they find another door. Apparently the only other way in besides the door in the front, this must lead to the office where they talked with Orlander earlier.
Jiron motions for James to halt as he puts an ear to the door. After a moment he whispers, “Don’t hear anything.” He puts his hand to the door handle and attempts to open the door only to find it locked.
Pulling a knife, he begins working on the lock while James keeps an eye out for anyone approaching. A soft ‘click’ can be heard following several tense moments and Jiron turns the handle and then slowly opens the door.
The other side is dark. The only light being what is filtering in past them through the door. They move inside and Jiron closes the door behind them just as a soft light springs into being on James’ hand. Jiron turns to find his glowing orb resting upon his palm.
“We better hurry,” James tells him and receives a nod.
They start moving into the room when they come to a quick halt. It is indeed the office in which Orlander had met them but that isn’t what stops them. Resting upon the desk in plain view are the three necklaces, situated as if on display.
This can’t be good. James glances to Jiron and can see his worries reflected in the eyes of his friend. “Just grab them and let’s get out of here,” he says.
Jiron nods as he moves to collect the necklaces.
Standing there nervous, he waits while Jiron goes to the desk and picks up the necklace designating him as a Shynti and puts it around his neck. He then picks up the medallion bearing the Star and tosses it over to James who does the same. The necklace with the three dots and lines almost connecting them he puts into his pouch.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” James says as he extinguishes the orb and moves to the back door.
As he opens the door, light springs to life outside as the shutters from several lanterns are pulled back.
Chapter Twenty Four
“I thought you might try something like this,” Orlander’s voice comes from the dark behind the light. The other door leading from the tavern to the office opens behind them and the red haired thug comes in with the rest of his cronies, swords drawn and menacing.
James and Jiron stand there in hesitation as they take in the situation, Jiron has his knives out.
“No one steals from me,” Orlander says as he steps into the light. His face is contorted with anger as he advances, sword in hand. The rest of the men out there with him begin advancing as well. “Kill them!” he shouts.
Jiron grabs James and jerks him inside the office, slamming the door shut just as several crossbow bolts thud into the other side. Turning quickly, he moves to engage the half dozen men coming in through the inner door.
“You can’t hope to win,” boasts Red as he and the others move to intercept.
James pulls himself off the floor and drops the bar to secure the outer door as Jiron’s knives clash with that of Red’s sword. Turning to the fight, he begins flinging stones and the thugs drop quickly.
Those on the outside start pounding on the door in an attempt to force it open.