James turns his back on him and walks away.
Shhhhht!
He hears Miller’s sword leaving its sheath. Turning around, he sees Jiron has already moved to position himself between Miller and James. The others of Miller’s band draw their weapons as well just as Fifer steps between them.
“Enough!” he cries out. Looking to Miller, he says, “These are allies! And friends! They’ve agreed to help, but even I can tell they’re dead on their feet. As they are now, they’d be little help in rescuing Lord Pytherian.” He looks Miller in the eye as he says in a calmer voice, “They need to rest. We can scout the city and allow them that time. When they’re able to help us, we’ll know better what to do.”
Getting his anger under control, Miller returns his sword to his sheath. A second later the rest of his band follows suit. “Very well,” he says as he turns his attention to Jiron. “We’ll meet you to the east of the city after sunset.”
“Agreed,” Jiron says.
Miller and his band mount their horses again and then head west toward the city. Fifer gives Jiron a shrug and a slight smile as he follows his leader.
“How did he ever get in charge of a band of men,” James says.
“Probably knows someone,” replies Jiron.
“You get some rest,” he tells Jiron. “I’ll take the rest of the watch.”
Yawning, Jiron replies, “Sounds good.” He spreads out his blanket and lies down under the afternoon sun. Both he and Miko slip into sleep in very short order.
As he sits there waiting for night to come, he shakes his head. Another city, more danger. Will it never end?
He took an instant dislike to Miller. Fifer wasn’t so bad, but that Miller, he could definitely do without.
Shortly after the sun sets, James gets everyone up. After a quick meal, they get mounted and then make for the rendezvous with Miller. It takes them a couple hours before the lights from the city appear on the horizon.
They keep to the east of the city as they hunt for Miller’s band, which is quite difficult in the dark of night. The moon hasn’t risen yet, so the only light they have is that of the stars. Off further to the east of the city, they see a small fire burning and Jiron leaves them behind while he goes to investigate.
He doesn’t get too far before they see the fire being kicked out and extinguished. As he returns with Miller’s band, James can hear Miller saying, “…long enough. What kept you?”
“We slept till dark and then it took us a couple hours to get here,” Jiron replies. “Relax, we’re here aren’t we?”
“What did you discover?” James asks Miller when they reach him.
“There are two main gates, one to the north and one to the south,” he explains. “There are also smaller, auxiliary gates to the east and west. Those may afford us our best chance for entering the city.”
“Do they close them at night?” asks Jiron.
“They closed all but the south gate once the sun went down,” he says. “There’s a contingent of guards there watching all who enter.”
“Perhaps someone could sneak in through the south gate and then go over to the east gate and open it?” suggest James.
“With those guards there?” Miller asks.
“Sure,” Jiron replies. “Just appear like you belong and they’ll most likely not say anything to you.” He glances to James and gives him a grin, “We’ve done it before.”
“True,” James replies, “we have.”
“Okay then,” Miller says. “You go in and open the east gate and let us in.”
Jiron looks to James who nods agreement. “Give us an hour once we’re inside,” he tells Miller.
Miller nods his head, “Alright.”
James, Jiron and Miko turn their horses toward the south gate, leaving Miller and his band behind them. Once they’ve put some distance between them, Jiron says, “Glad they’re not coming with us.”
“Me, too,” he agrees. “There’s just something about that Miller that bothers me.”
“Think he’s a traitor?” asks Jiron.
“Nothing like that,” he replies, smiling. “It’s just his personality. It grates on me like fingernails on a chalkboard.”
“What’s a chalkboard?” asks Miko.
“Something from where I grew up that makes a horrible noise when you run your nails across it,” he explains.
“Oh,” grunts Miko.
As they near the south gate, they see many people going in and out. Many buildings spread outward from the gate, inns and other such business as cater to travelers. “How are we going to play this off?” Jiron asks.
James points over to a single story building and says, “Look.”
Hanging around the building are lines with clothes hanging from them. From the looks of it, the building is a laundry. There’re lights coming from the windows of the building indicating someone is still at work inside.
Jiron nods his head as they move in that direction. “Wait here,” he tells them as he gets down from his horse and hands James the reins.
Moving slowly and carefully, he makes his way over to the clothes. After a careful inspection and a quick look around to see if anyone is close, he begins taking clothes off the lines. Once he has his arms full, he hurries back to James and Miko where he passes out the clothes.
They don the native attire and then tie their horses to one of the clothes lines before they begin moving toward the gate. The flow of people in and out of the gate isn’t great, but enough for it to be fairly constant even this late at night.
James notices how the guards will every once and a while pull someone aside and talk to them, inevitably letting them continue to pass through. His pulse starts to race when he realizes they’re doing that. Should they be asked to step aside, they’ll quickly be found out.
When they’re within ten people of entering the gates, one of the guards begins walking toward them. James casually reaches into his pocket and takes a stone out, holding it ready. The guard continues to approach them and then says something. James begins to panic when he feels Jiron’s hand on his arm and whispers, “Steady!”
The man in front of them steps out of line and moves to the side with the guard. Relief washes over James as they continue to advance toward the gate. Giving Jiron a sidelong grin, they pass through the gate and enter the city.
Chapter Eighteen
The city is a bustle of activity, in many ways the same as any other. Even though it’s night, there are still many people out and merchants can be heard as they hawk their wares to those passing by. The crowds of people are beginning to disperse as the night progresses and some shops are in the process of closing for the evening.
Jiron directs them to a small alley adjacent to a store where they enter and move far enough away from the street until they’re hidden from the view of those passing by. In a hushed voice, he asks, “How do you plan on opening up the east gate?”
“I don’t,” replies James.
“But we told them we would,” argues Jiron.
“Not exactly,” James said. “Besides, once the gate is opened, we’d soon be found out. Something like that would be sure to draw unwanted attention.”
“I suppose you’re right,” says Jiron.
“Now,” begins James, “do you know anything about this Pytherian?”
“Heard his name a couple of times,” he tells him. “Like Miller said, he’s supposed to be some sort of great general. I think he is related to someone on the Ruling Council in Madoc, not sure who though.”
“Ever seen him?” asks James.
Shaking his head, he says, “No. How are we going to find him?”
“Not sure,” admits James. He looks over the tops of the houses to the Keep near the center of the city. Pointing to it, he says, “But considering whom he is, he most likely would be there.”
Looking where James is pointing, Jiron says, “You’re probably right, but how are we to get in there?”
“Haven’t a clue,” he tells him. “But that hasn’t stopped us before.”
Jiron just nods in response.
James turns to Miko and asks, “You ready?”