Brian Pratt - The mists of sorrow

“You are putting us in the tower?” Scar asks.

“That’s right,” replies Ceadric. “At least until the Ambassador returns to his camp.”

Ascending the flight of stairs, they pass one level and leave the stairwell on the next. A short hallway extends from the stairwell with but one door on either side. Coming to a stop at the doors, he turns and faces the others. Indicating the two doors, he says, “These must have been designed for visiting dignitaries. Beyond each door is a suite of rooms with sufficient beds for all of you.”

“Thank you,” James tells him.

Nodding, Ceadric says, “I must return. It would be good if you could stay within your rooms until morning.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” he says with a yawn. “We’re all about dead on our feet.”

“Then I shall leave you to your rest.” And with that Ceadric moves to the stairs and begins making his way back down.

James, Miko, Brother Willim, Jiron and Aleya take one set of suites while the rest take the other. As it turns out, they are identical in the way they are laid out. A large room designed for entertaining guests lies beyond the door from the hallway. Three other doors lead to rooms containing beds, tables, and dressers. Two of the rooms have two beds each while the third is much larger. Most likely for the prominent member of the guests staying here, it has but a single bed larger than the others as well as the addition of a walk-in closet.

“Nice,” comments Miko after checking out the rooms.

“Have the others come in here for a moment,” James says to Jiron. While he waits for Jiron to go across the hall and bring in the others, he takes a seat on the long couch in the front visiting room.

“Better than any inn we’ve stayed in,” Miko says as he sits in one of the padded chairs next to him. Brother Willim sits at the other end of the couch from James.

James nods agreement then gazes at his friend. “When did you start being able to tell when people died?” he asks.

“Since the City of Light,” he replies. “I’ve only felt it three times before now. The first time took me by surprise, let me tell you. But there was no fear or apprehension involved. When the person died here tonight, it felt different and I knew it was no normal passing.”

“The benefits of having a High Priest travel with us are already coming into play,” James says.

To Miko, Brother Willim says, “It was the fear of the person who was killed this night that you felt. When a normal death occurs, there’s no fear, maybe just a little apprehension of the unknown fate that awaits them.”

Miko nods his head, “I think you’re right.” Then he gets a contemplative look as he and the others wait for Jiron’s return.

They haven’t long to wait until Jiron returns with the others. The fading light coming from outside doesn’t give sufficient light with which to see so James continues to leave his orb active.

Scar and Potbelly have to pull chairs from the adjoining room for everyone to be able to sit down. Once everyone is seated, James says, “This business of the shadow being here has me worried.”

“It didn’t seem as if it was after anything or anyone in particular,” Brother Willim states. “As far as we can tell its attacks were entirely random.”

“I know,” replies James. “Up until this point, every time we have encountered shadows there was a reason behind it. So there must be one now.”

“Stands to reason,” nods Jiron. “But what can it be?”

“I don’t know and that’s what is bothering me,” admits James.

“Other than keeping our eyes out for signs of others, there isn’t a whole lot we can do about it,” Stig says. “With Miko and the priests of Asran here, I can’t see how they can give us much trouble.”

“If we know they are there, that’s true,” agrees Brother Willim.

They sit there a moment and discuss the shadows, finally coming to the conclusion there’s not much that they can do about it.

“Are we leaving to find Tinok soon?” asks Jiron.

“We all need a rest,” replies James. “I thought we would leave tomorrow night after it gets dark. It wouldn’t do to have the Ambassador’s men see us leave.”

“True,” he agrees.

James takes out a strip of cloth and casts his seeking spell. The cloth rises in his hand and points straight toward the south. “Tinok’s there somewhere,” he explains, “we just have to find him.” Canceling his spell, he replaces the strip of cloth in his pocket. “Now, everyone get some rest, stay in your rooms, and we’ll leave as soon as the sun goes down tomorrow night.”

As the meeting breaks up and those who are staying in the room across the hall leave, James glances out the window at the crescent moon rising in the sky. Knowing time is slipping away, he makes his way to bed, cancels the orb and tries to go to sleep.

Early the next morning, Ceadric shows up with a dozen servants carrying trays of food and pitchers of ale. “With Lord Black Hawk’s compliments,” he says as the servants set the trays down upon the tables. Once the food is in place, he has them return back downstairs.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” begins James as he starts to load his plate with food. “Where did you get the servants?”

“Some are relatives of the Raiders who are now living here,” he explains. “They started arriving two days after we took over. How they learned of it so fast is anyone’s guess.”

“I suppose,” agrees James.

“The rest are the people we freed from slavery. Some didn’t have anywhere else to go so remained with us.” He glances from James to Jiron then adds, “Couldn’t very well say no.”

Shaking his head, James says, “No, you couldn’t.”

“What happened with the Ambassador last night?” Jiron asks.

“Not much,” he says. “Black Hawk explained what happened, how the priests of Asran caught a wayward spirit that was causing the deaths. He didn’t look too convinced, but what could he do but take him at his word?”

Laughing, Scar adds, “Must have scared them something awful when that shadow was hovering above them surrounded by a green glow.” Several of the others chuckle at that.

“It didn’t do anything for the negotiations I’ll tell you that,” explains Ceadric. “I think Councilman Tethias plans to talk to you sometime today before you leave.”

“What about?” asks James.

Shrugging, Ceadric answers, “Not sure.” He removes a piece of pork from a platter and takes a bite.

“We plan to leave after the sun goes down tonight,” James informs him.

“Thought that might be the plan,” he says. “Lord Black Hawk wanted you to know that there are several Raiders here who are fluent in the Empire’s language if you think you might need one.” He glances at James a moment before adding, “Just be more careful than you were with the last one.”

“Hey,” counters James, “if Jared hadn’t panicked, he would be alive today.”

“Be that as it may, should you desire one let us know.” Finishing the piece of pork, Ceadric takes his leave.

When he’s left the suite and the door is shut, Jiron exclaims, “What nerve!”

“Yeah,” exclaims Miko. “The way he said it, you would think you killed Jared yourself.”

The others chime in with their opinions before Scar says, “Jared was a cousin of his.”

“Oh, that would explain it,” says James with a nod.

“Still no cause to say what he did,” insists Jiron.

After finishing the meal, James says to Stig, “I want you to see about the horses Illan plans to give us. Make sure his people give us good ones.”