The Mists of Sorrow: The Morcyth Saga Book Seven (31 page)

“No,” he replies. “I’ve never been one for
the actual use of weapons. Rather, I teach those willing to
learn.”

He stops before a door on the left side of
the hallway and removes a key. Using the key to unlock the door, he
opens it and leads them inside. The room they find themselves in,
considering the ostentatiousness of what they’ve seen so far, is
rather plain. A simple wooden table in the center of the room with
chairs set around it upon a bare wooden floor.

“Now, if you will take a seat,” the man
replies, “we can discuss whatever it is that brought you here.”

Jiron takes his seat but feels slightly put
off by the amicable nature of their host. “Who are you?” he
asks.

“Where are my manners?” he asks. “You can
all me Ohan.”

“Ohan?” asks Stig. “I don’t think I’ve ever
heard that name before.”

Ohan gives him a grin and says, “Not too
surprising. In my life I’ve only encountered one other person who
had the privilege to be called such. And that was quite a ways from
here as a matter of fact.”

“Indeed,” says Jiron.

“You seem awfully…uh…” stammers Reilin.

“Nice?” he asks. When Reilin nods he shrugs
and says, “To be honest I’m just bored. My job is to take care of
the members here and to keep the House in order. Aside from Kozal,
you are the only ones I’ve seen in days. And frankly, he isn’t much
of a conversationalist.”

Jiron is beginning to warm up to the man.
Giving him a grin he says, “I could see that.”

“Oh, he’s not a bad sort once you get to
know him,” he replies. “Just likes to read. Never saw an
ex-swordsman read like he does. Anyway, we are getting away from
what it is that brought you here.”

“We are looking for a man by the name of
Azku,” Jiron explains.

“Azku you say?” he asks.

“Do you know him?” asks Stig.

“I know several men by the name of Azku,” he
replies. “Two happen to be members that stop by here from time to
time.”

“The one we wish to contact was in Inziala
about a month ago,” explains Jiron. “Said he was stopping by here
when he left.”

“Hmmm,” Ohan says as he visibly turns inward
to think about what Jiron just said. Finally after a full minute of
contemplation, he nods and says, “Yes. I think I know the one you
are looking for.”

Excited, Jiron says, “Can you tell us where
he is?”

Shaking his head, Ohan says, “Sorry, that
would be against the rules I’m afraid.”

“Can you at least tell us if he’s here in
town?” Stig asks.

“I am not sure to tell you the truth,” he
replies, “haven’t seen him in a couple days. Although many of the
members don’t always drop by here on a daily basis.”

Jiron looks at the man, frustrated by his
lack of help despite his friendly and accommodating nature. “Is
there any way in which you can be of help?” he finally asks.

“Oh yes,” he replies. “You could leave him a
message that I will be more than happy to deliver to him as soon as
he puts in an appearance.”

“Which could be a long time?” asks
Jiron.

“I’m afraid so,” Ohan answers.

Stig looks to Jiron and says, “It’s better
than nothing.”

Jiron thinks for a moment and then says, “If
that’s the best you can do, so be it. Tell this Azku that we are
staying at the Soaring Eagle and that this regards a certain
incident that happened back in Inziala. Tell him the woman in
question is with child and we desire to settle this matter
forthwith.”

Ohan’s eyes widen at that. “Is the parentage
of the child in doubt?” he asks.

“As for that,” replies Jiron. “It might be
best if I take it up with Azku.”

Nodding, Ohan says, “That may be the wisest
course.”

“So do I,” replies Jiron. Standing up, he
says, “We thank you for your time and if you should see him, also
tell Azku that we are leaving on the morrow. It would be best for
all parties to have this settled before that time.”

“Should I see him, I will most assuredly let
him know,” he states.

“Excellent,” says Jiron. Indicating for the
other two to stand, he gestures for Ohan to escort them out.

“I must say,” he begins as they leave the
room, “you gentlemen certainly have laid waste to the monotony
which is the life of a Caretaker. Thank you very much for
coming.”

“Any time,” Stig says.

Out in the main room, Kozal is still at the
table reading. His eyes flick up and remain on them until they
enter the hallway with the suits of armor. Stig definitely does not
like the man’s attitude.

Once they’ve reached the door leading
outside, Ohan opens it for them and bids them good day. Jiron and
the others leave the Order of the Scarlet Sword and pass back into
the plaza. He stops abruptly when he notices something he hadn’t
before.

“What?” asks Stig.

Indicating the statue atop the fountain, he
says, “Look at the way it’s facing.” When the others look, they see
what he means. The statue is facing directly toward the door
leading into the Order of the Scarlet Sword.

“So?” asks Reilin. “It has to face
somewhere.”

“I don’t know,” he replies. “It just struck
me as odd that a statue of a soldier is facing the entryway to a
guild of soldiers.”

“Think there could be some connection?” asks
Stig.

“Maybe. But right now I’m not really
concerned about it.” Turning toward the other two he says, “All I
care about right now is talking to Azku.”

“He may not even be in the city,” says
Reilin.

“Perhaps,” states Jiron. “Although after the
message I left, if he is we will know soon.” Stepping out, he leads
them back to the Soaring Eagle to wait for Azku’s appearance.

Back at the inn they tell James and the
others about what transpired at the Order of the Scarlet Sword. At
the description of the red banner that hung by the door, Scar
interrupts by saying, “I think there was one in the City of Light.”
All conversation ceases as every eye turns toward him. “If you
described the banner hanging out front correctly, then there was
one just like it on Copper Street.”

“Wasn’t that within the merchant’s
district?” asks Stig.

“That’s right,” replies Scar. “I met a
patron in that area for some reason, I forget exactly why, but I do
remember seeing a banner just like the one you mentioned hanging on
a building there.” He can see the doubt in some of their eyes. “I’m
telling the truth.”

“I believe you,” says Shorty. “I saw it
too.”

“What can it mean then?” asks Reilin.

James soon finds everyone’s eyes upon him
for some sort of explanation. “Don’t look at me,” he says. “I don’t
know.”

“But you can guess,” says Jiron. “You always
have some idea about everything.”

“Do I?” he asks surprised. When everyone
nods their head, he shrugs. “Guess it’s due to my over active
imagination. Always made me a good Dungeon Master.” When he sees
them looking confused by the term, he waves away the question that
was on their tongues. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Well?” asks Jiron.

“Maybe it’s a guild that transcends
nationality,” he replies. “From what you said, it’s comprised of
fighters and those who have dealings with them such as weaponsmiths
and those scholars who deal with the theory of fighting.” Looking
to Jiron he asks, “The man said that a Commander of Ten was a
member?”

Jiron nods. “Yes, that’s what he said.”

James remembers going up against one of
those on his trip to recover Miko from the Empire. The one he faced
was exceptionally skilled with the sword not to mention the added
ability to use magic. “It seems odd that such a one would be a
party to something that consists of elements outside of the
Empire.”

“When this Azku gets here,” Jiron says,
“we’ll ask him.”

The others agree and for the next several
hours they toss around different ideas of what the Order might
mean, what it does, that sort of thing.

Darkness settles in with a vengeance and
they finally decide Azku is not going to make an appearance this
evening. James sends them all to their rooms and then climbs into
bed. He no sooner blows out the candle than there’s a knock on the
door.

Jiron is out of bed in a flash and runs to
the door. Flinging it open, he sees one of the inn’s boys standing
outside. The boy hands him a letter and says something in the
Empire’s tongue then turns around to head back downstairs.

“Reilin!” Jiron calls out.

A nearby door opens up and Reilin sticks his
head out. “What?” he asks.

Indicating the departing boy, Jiron holds up
the recently delivered letter and says, “Ask him where this came
from.”

Moving from the doorway, Reilin hurries
toward the boy and hollers for him to stop. The boy pauses at the
top of the stairs and turns back to see what Reilin wants. Reilin
and the boy exchange a few words before the boy turns back to the
stairs and heads down.

Returning to where Jiron waits in the
doorway, he says, “One of the street kids delivered this and said
it was for you.”

“Me?” asks Jiron, looking at the letter.

“Yes,” he replies. “The kid didn’t give any
further explanation other than that a man had asked him to deliver
it right away.”

“Must be from Azku,” says James.

Jiron hands the letter to James and says,
“Can you read it?”

Taking the letter, James opens it and finds
it is written in the northern tongue. “Yes I can,” he replies.

“What does it say?” Jiron asks.

“It says…

Red Lantern Bridge. One hour. Come
alone.

“Red Lantern Bridge?” asks Stig. The others
have gathered in the hallway to see what’s going on.

To Reilin, Jiron says, “Go downstairs and
see if you can find out where we can find Red Lantern Bridge.”

Nodding, Reilin says, “Right.” He then turns
and hurries to the head of the stairs. In a second he’s disappeared
down the stairwell.

James indicates for everyone to come into
his room while they wait for his return.

“Looks like you got his attention,” says
Brother Willim.

“If it is him,” says Miko. “We have been
misdirected before.”

“I agree,” James says. “There’s no way to
know if this is from him or not.”

“I realize that,” states Jiron. “I’m not
stupid.” He puts his arm around Aleya and they wait for Reilin’s
return.

A few minutes later, the door opens and
Reilin walks in. “I found out where it is,” he announces.

“Where?” Jiron asks.

“It’s in the heart of the city,” he
explains. “A tributary from the river winds its way through
underground tunnels until it emerges in a large park area the
locals have constructed. The waterway runs for two hundred feet
before returning to the underground tunnels on its way back to the
river. Several foot bridges span it and one of them has two red
lanterns that are lit at either end during the night. That’s where
its name came from.”

“Where is it?” he asks.

Reilin explains. “If you follow the street
running in front of the inn down to the right for six blocks then
take a left, that street will take you all the way to the park.
From there, just look for the red lanterns.”

“Very good,” Jiron says as he stands up.
“I’ll be back,” he tells the others.

Aleya grabs him by the shirt and says, “It
might be a trap.”

“I know,” he says. “I’ll be careful.”

“We’re going with you,” says James.

“The note said to come alone,” he objects.
“If I bring all of you, he may not show himself.”

“Don’t worry,” assures James. “We will be at
a discreet distance and I’ll use my mirror to keep an eye on what’s
going on. If trouble arises, we will rush to your aid.”

He considers the plan for a second then
nods. “Just don’t be too close,” he says.

“We won’t I assure you,” James tells
him.

“Alright then, let’s go,” he says.

Aleya jumps up and rushes to her room where
she returns with her bow and quiver of arrows slung across her
back. “A bit conspicuous don’t you think?” asks Brother Willim when
he sees her.

She puts on her cloak to hide her weapon but
now simply looks like a severely hunchbacked woman. “Any better?”
she asks.

“No,” he replies shaking his head. “Best to
just leave it off.”

Taking off her cloak, she then removes her
bow and quiver. Wrapping them within the cloak, she tucks the
bundle under her arm and then looks to Brother Willim. “Better?”
she asks.

Nodding with a grin, he says, “Much.” In his
hand he carries his staff, the only weapon the Priests of Asran are
allowed to utilize.

Now that everyone is ready, Jiron makes for
the stairs and then down to the common room. He angles for a side
door that leads into the alley between the Soaring Eagle and the
chandlery shop that is next door.

Once in the alley, he turns to James and
says, “Stay a good deal behind me. He could be observing us right
now.”

“Understood,” he says as he places his hand
on Jiron’s shoulder. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Turning toward the street which
passes before the inn, he moves quickly. Reaching the street, he
turns to the right and is gone.”

“How long do you think we should wait?” asks
Stig.

“A couple minutes or so,” replies James.
Taking out his mirror, he soon has Jiron in sight as he walks down
the street. Giving him some time to put distance between them, he
waits until he reaches the street that he’s supposed to turn down.
Once he sees Jiron turn onto the other street, he glances up and
says, “Okay, let’s go.”

Moving to the end of the alley, Scar and
Potbelly take the lead while James stays in the middle of the
group. Miko takes his arm to help guide him as he’s trying to keep
Jiron in view with his mirror.