Nodding, he replies, “I think so. If they were discovered, their first inclination would be to attack.”
Looking around the assembled faces, he summarizes their situation, “Either we attack one band and face what’s out there now, or we wait for whatever else may be coming.”
“That would seem to be the choices before us,” agrees Jiron.
James sits back and thinks on the situation for a minute. The others remain quiet to give him time to think. He glances to Dave but he knows what he’ll say, ‘Leave’. The others want to attack, he’s sure of that. They’re men of action and don’t like the idea of waiting.
“If what they’re waiting for takes another day or two to get here,” he says, “we may be finished and on our way home.”
“I don’t think we should count on that,” Fifer states.
“He’s right,” agrees Jiron, the others nodding in agreement.
James sits and contemplates the various options before him. He can see the logic in an attack, but his inclination is to avoid direct confrontation if at all possible. “Right now, we do nothing,” he tells them. Around him he can see them reacting negatively to his decision, all that is but Dave.
“We’ll keep an eye on the band near us through the night and tomorrow we find another place to hole up, maybe in one of the mines.” He glances to the others a moment before saying, “It would be more defensible should they attack.”
“With no way out,” Miko warns.
Turning to him, James replies, “I know. But it’s still better than sitting out here in the open. If anyone comes up with a better idea, let me know. Now let’s get some sleep while we can.”
He no sooner says the last word before another wail comes from Ironhold.
“What was that?” Qyrll asks as he gets to his feet and moves to where he can look out over the town.
“The ghost of Ironhold,” Fifer says.
“He’s been going on that way for some time now,” Miko explains.
The others come to stand near him and see the spirit atop another building on the far side of town. Qyrll makes to move toward Ironhold and James puts a restraining hand on his arm. Qyrll glances to him and sees him shake his head.
“Might not be a good idea to go down there,” warns James.
Mixed desires war within him but he finally sighs and stays put. The spirit stays active for a few more minutes and then again disappears.
“It’s been doing that since shortly after you guys left,” Miko says.
“I really didn’t think the tales we heard were actually true,” admits Jiron. Glancing to James he says, “Think that’s the miner Miko saw?”
“Could be,” replies James. “Though from what Miko said, it wasn’t glowing or making any sound.”
“It’s possible it will only do that at night,” suggests Qyrll.
“Perhaps,” nods James.
They stand there a moment longer before the cold drives everyone but Qyrll back to the fire. Since it doesn’t look as if he has any intention of going to sleep right away, Jiron hollers for him to wake him when it’s his turn at watch. Qyrll nods in reply but never takes his eyes off the darkness concealing Ironhold.
As the night progresses, the visitations of the spirit diminishes until finally coming to a halt sometime after midnight.
Dawn comes, cold and crisp. A high pressure system must be keeping the clouds at bay, the sky is a dazzling crystal blue and frost covers most everything.
When James gets up he sees Miko over near the fire where he’s been trying to keep warm during his shift at watch. Glancing around he notices Qyrll is nowhere around. Coming to Miko he asks, “Where’s Qyrll?”
“He went down to Ironhold,” he replies. “Said something about wanting to investigate where the ghosts appeared.”
“What?” he exclaims. “How long ago did he leave?”
“About a half hour or so,” Miko tells him. “Said not to wake you, that he would be back shortly.”
“Damn!” curses James. He quickly moves around and gets everyone up, telling them that Qyrll has gone into town. “Get up and get ready, we’re going after him.”
“Why?” asks Dave. “He’s a big boy and can take care of himself.”
James glares at him and says, “Just get your horse ready.”
“Alright, fine,” he replies and then gets up to do just that.
It’s just a few minutes before they’re ready to ride. Moving away from the campsite, they head down the trail to town. As soon as they’re upon the main road, they hear coming from behind them several horses as the travelers from the plateau begin making their run through Ironhold.
The first one to reach them gives them an odd look, he knows they didn’t come from the area to the south as he and the others have. Not bothering to stop, he races on past in a hurry to get through Ironhold as quickly as possible.
One thing James has noticed is that those traveling through Ironhold don’t talk. It’s almost as if everyone is afraid to disturb the tranquility of this place. Or of disturbing what may lurk here.
“There he is,” Fifer says, pointing to a building not too far away.
James’ eyes follow where Fifer is pointing and finds Qyrll atop one of the tall buildings.
“I think that was one the spirit walked last night,” suggests Jiron.
Nodding, James says, “You may be right.” Moving through the streets toward the building Qyrll is on, he finds his horse tied to the rail before the front door and comes to a stop next to it. Dismounting, he hands his reins to Miko and says, “Hold this.”
Taking the reins, Miko says, “Okay.”
Jiron and Fifer dismount to accompany him to the roof. They make their way inside and take the stairs up to the third floor where they find a ladder leading to an open hatch. Climbing the ladder, James gains the roof to find Qyrll bending over and examining a section of the roof.
From the ladder he asks, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Qyrll glances up and sees him there in the hatch. Getting to his feet, he makes his way over to them. “Wanted to see if the ghost left any evidence of its passing.”
“Why?” asks James as he moves down the ladder to allow Qyrll room to descend.
“To know if it was real or not,” he replies. As he steps off the ladder and onto the floor of the third floor hallway, he adds, “Didn’t find anything though.”
“Spirits don’t leave footprints,” Jiron tells him.
Nodding, Qyrll says, “Now I know for sure.”
They make their way back down to where the others are waiting outside. On the way Fifer asks, “Why are you so interested in this anyway?”
Shrugging, Qyrll replies, “I don’t know. It fascinates me for some reason.”
“I can understand that,” says James. “Where I come from there are all manner of people who hunt for ghosts and such things. Why, there’re even tours you can take that will bring you to the most haunted areas.”
“Really?” asks Qyrll, intrigued. “I’d like to do that.”
“Most of them are just shams to get your money,” he admits. “Though there are a few that are legitimate I suppose. Never been on one myself.”
Returning to the others, they mount their horses and make their way through town to the last section they have yet to search. After a brief warning to be alert, they split off into their pairs again. James gives Jorry and Uther a stern gaze warning them not be up to any shenanigans today. They assure him they’ll behave, probably the sight of the spirit the night before had a sobering effect on them.
The morning goes by and still nothing is discovered. James is beginning to become discouraged at the lack of anything to do with Morcyth. Ellinwyrd had to have led him here for a reason and one to do with what he learned at Saragon.
At noon when they return for the noon meal, Fifer says, “I think I saw someone on a hill to the south watching us.”
“Probably one of the soldiers,” Qyrll says.
“I’m sure they’re keeping their eye on us,” Jiron replies.
“I hope they don’t do anything,” wishes Miko as he glances to the surrounding hills.
“Wouldn’t think it likely until whatever they are waiting for arrives,” says Qyrll. “They seem content to watch us from a distance and as long as we continue as we are, I doubt if they will do anything.”