“In that case, I shall return to the captain,” he tells them before turning toward the door and leaves.
It isn’t long before they’re done with their meal. Leaving the inn, they find four good horses outside waiting for them, each with a new bedroll and saddlebags. And when Miko checks the bags on his mount, finds them full of travel rations. A new water bottle hangs from each of the saddles as well.
“Didn’t expect all this,” Jiron says as he climbs into the saddle.
“Me either,” agrees James after he mounts up. He looks at the others, everyone is looking tired and travel worn. Though he doubts if anyone is experiencing fatigue to the degree that he is.
“Tired as we are,” he begins, “we better make for Lythylla before stopping. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of rest there.”
“I hope so,” says Fifer.
“And a bath!” pipes up Miko. He grins at James when he glances in his direction.
“That too,” says James, returning the smile. “Let’s go.” As they move out, they see the wagons with the wounded going through the streets. It doesn’t look as if they’re going to stop here in Colton but continuing on down to Lythylla.
Once past the outskirts of town, they continue passing people on the move as they try to get to safety from the coming armies. James is reminded of the traffic they encountered when they were approaching the City of Light. The faces of these people show the same lack of hope for the future that the others had.
Across the river they see patrols of the Empire riding along. They have complete control over there, the only thing keeping from being on this side is the river. It’s flowing much too wide, deep and fast for them to be able to make it across safely. Especially if there’re soldiers over here picking them off while they’re in the water.
The light begins to fade as they continue along. Riding hard, they pass several small towns along the way, each is in a stage of evacuation, soldiers encouraging and helping the citizens to leave.
When night has finally settled in and the stars have come out, they slow their pace so as not to ride over the people on the road. Even the dark of night isn’t stopping the refugees from fleeing. James feels sorry for them and hates those behind the wars that cause such grief.
Near midnight, they begin to see the lights from a great city appear ahead of them. “That must be Lythylla,” comments Jiron.
“I would assume so,” says Fifer.
As they continue to move closer, they’re able to discern campfires, thousands of campfires on the other side of the river. “There must be thousands of troops over there,” says Miko in awe. “Why are they just sitting there?”
“Might be they can’t get across the river without dying,” suggest Jiron.
“Or they’re waiting for something,” states James.
“Like those armies to the south?” Fifer asks.
“Probably,” he replies. “If so, they’ve got a long wait.”
He hears Fifer give a chuckle at that, “Especially if Commander Eathan has anything to say about it.”
To the east of the city are hundreds of fires and tents of those allies who’ve come to help defend Lythylla. The wall of the city itself comes right to the water’s edge. Anyone trying to cross the bridge there will face a massive barrage from those defending the walls.
“Looks pretty defendable,” says Fifer.
“That’s what they thought back at the City of Light too,” counters James. “And we know how that turned out.”
The area around the city is well lit with torches and campfires. No one could possible sneak in or out without being seen.
James thought they’d at least stop them and ask them some questions, but the guards at the gate just wave them on through with the other refugees entering the city.
“Should we go in search of Lord Pytherian?” Fifer asks.
“Yeah,” replies James. “He’s probably up at the castle.”
Moving through the streets, it isn’t hard to find their way to the castle. It towers over every other building in the city and they’re able to follow the streets that head in its general direction. Eventually they make it to the curtain wall which surrounds the castle area.
The guards at the gate leading into the castle area are not nearly as lackadaisical as the ones at the outer wall. When they approach, one of the guards moves to block them. As they come to a stop, he says, “No one is allowed within the castle area.”
“We’re here to see Lord Pytherian,” James tells him.
The guard looks him up and down and then glances at the others, obviously questioning the voracity of what James is saying.
“And why would you be here to see Lord Pytherian?” the guard asks him. “In the middle of the night?”
“I don’t see how it could possibly be any of your business,” replies James. “Just send a runner up to the castle and inform Lord Pytherian that James is here to see him.”
“James huh?” the guard asks, the other guards get up and come over. “You’re the third ‘James’ that has been here to see him today. Are you claiming to be the one who helped to rescue him from the clutches of the Empire too?”
James glances at the others, and sees them mirror his doubt and confusion on their faces. Turning back to the guards, he starts to reply when the guard continues, “The first one was brought expeditiously to Lord Pytherian and was soon exposed as an imposter. The other ‘James’ tried to attack him and kill him, his body now lies in a garbage heap somewhere.” Giving him a suspicious look, the guard asks, “Now, why should I believe you? I’ll not disturb his lordship again until I am sure.”
“I don’t believe this,” complains James.
“What’re we going to do?” Jiron asks him.
“Well, we’re definitely not going to fight our way through,” says James. “They’ll need every ‘fool’ on the walls when the Empire attacks. I’m just too tired to do anything about it at the moment.”
Turning back to the guard, he says, “I am the real James. With me are Jiron, Miko and Fifer who’s a member of Miller’s band, the irregulars out of the City of Light. When someone asks you if we’ve shown up, please inform them that you turned us away.”
James turns his horse back toward the city and says to Jiron, “Let’s find a room somewhere and get some sleep. I’m about ready to fall off my horse. We’ll deal with that,” he says, indicating the guards behind them, “tomorrow morning.”
Moving away from the gates they head back into the city as they try to find an inn to spend the night. The first several they come across are all full, refugees have taken every available space.
They finally end up finding an empty warehouse with enough room for them and their horses. Bringing them inside, they shut the door and spread out their bedrolls.
“What do you think he meant when he said that two other ‘James’’ have been here?” asks Jiron.
“I don’t know,” replies James. “But it can’t be good.”
“Who would know?” Fifer asks. When the others turn their attention to him, he continues, “I mean, who besides us would know to come here and say that?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea,” says James from where he’s lying down. “But we’ll worry about that tomorrow.” Before he falls asleep, he glances over to where Jiron is looking out one of the windows. Glad he’s decided to take the first watch. Unbeknownst to him, the others are going to allow him to sleep through the night without a turn at watch.
The following morning, when everyone but James is awake, they sit on the other side of the warehouse from him as they talk quietly so as not to awaken him.
Jiron says to Fifer, “Think you could go and find someone from Miller’s band who could help us get in to see Lord Pytherian?”
“Maybe,” he replies. “I’m not sure if they’re even in the city.”
“I know,” says Jiron. “But it might be our only way without something spectacular.” He nods over to James, “If you know what I mean?”
Fifer flashes him a grin as he remembers the trip back and all the things James has done. “I understand,” he replies. “Better try to keep this low key unless we have no other option.”