Brian Pratt - The mists of sorrow

Nodding, Stig says, “Will do.”

“And see what you can learn about the Ambassador,” he adds. “His men may not readily recognize you as they would Jiron, Miko, or me.”

“See what I can find out,” he replies. Getting up from the table, he heads for the door and leaves the suite.

Once Stig is gone, Miko asks, “Don’t you trust Illan’s people?”

“Sure I do,” he affirms. “It’s just that I hate sitting here and doing nothing. This way it feels like we are doing something.”

Rest of the morning goes by uneventfully, everyone is glad for this brief time to rest before returning to the road. When Stig returns, he states that the horses are superb. As for the Ambassador, he couldn’t ferret out any more information than what they were already told.

“I did find out one thing though,” he tells them. “They want this keep back in a bad way.”

“Doubt if they’ll get it,” remarks Potbelly. “After all they’ve done to Madoc, Councilman Tethias would be a fool to hand it back over.”

“If they did it would take Madoc a year or two to rebuild theirs,” figures Shorty. “From what I’ve heard, it’s all but a pile of rubble somewhere to the north.”

“I talked with Hedry for a bit,” Stig says. “He was out at the stables when I stopped by. Seems the reports coming from agents within the Empire tell of the Empire still having a large standing army.”

“But if they committed them to retake this keep, wouldn’t that leave their southern states open for rebellion?” asks James.

“Who knows?” replies Stig. “That’s what I heard.”

When the others begin to argue about the stupidity of certain leaders, James raises his hand. “It’s not our concern right now what Madoc does or doesn’t do with this keep.” Turning back to Stig he asks, “Anything else?”

“Actually yes,” he replies with a grin. “The Raiders have begun calling the keep, ‘Hawk’s Aerie’. Of course they mainly do it when those of the Empire are near to hear it, seems it’s bothering the Ambassador something awful.”

“Hawk’s Aerie,” mumbles James. Nodding he grins and says “I like it.” The others add their agreements.

It was sometime after the noon meal when Councilman Tethias decides to pay them a call. Ceadric was able to give them all of a minute’s warning before the councilman’s footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs. Ceadric asked them to assemble in James’ suite for the Councilman’s visit.

A rather short man, Councilman Tethias stands only five foot six. His brown hair, salted with a smattering of gray, is combed to rigid perfection. Not a single hair is out of place. He’s accompanied by two aides who follow a step behind.

Ceadric is waiting in the hallway for him and they can hear him greet the councilman. Opening the door, he allows the councilman and his aides to enter first.

They come to their feet in respect as he enters the room. “Councilman,” Ceadric says after he enters the room and closes the door, “may I present James, a mage of some power, and those who travel with him.”

James and the councilman stand there and eye each other for a moment. James is decidedly uncomfortable, he feels likes he’s a bug under a microscope. Extending his hand, he says, “Nice to meet you, Councilman.”

Taking James’ hand, the councilman gives it a firm shake and replies, “I’ve heard a lot about you. Even before I arrived here for the talks, tales of your exploits had reached me.”

Giving the councilman a disarming grin, he says, “Nothing too terrible I hope.”

Shaking his head, he releases James’ hand. “On the contrary,” he begins, “what I’ve heard can only be called miraculous.”

“Would you care for a seat?” Jiron asks, indicating the finest seat in the suite.

“Thank you, I would like that,” replies the councilman. Crossing over to the chair, he sits down and his aides position themselves behind him.

“To what do I owe this visit?” asks James.

“Nothing more than curiosity I’m afraid,” admits the councilman. “When Lord Black Hawk informed me you were here, I asked him if he thought you would mind a visit. I do appreciate you seeing me.”

James gazes at the councilman questioningly. This hardly seems a man who is one of the Patriarchal Council of Madoc, and who is use to his word being law. Before he can stop himself he says, “You aren’t what I would expect of a Councilman.”

Arching an eyebrow at him, he grins and says, “You mean I’m more cordial than others in positions of power?” When James nods he continues. “Just the way I am I’m afraid. Also what makes me a good negotiator. They considered sending a hardliner down here but that would have been a grave mistake.”

“I understand that the Empire is demanding the return of this keep,” Jiron says.

“It’s true,” the councilman replies.

“You don’t plan to give it back do you?” asks Scar.

“Hardly,” he assures them. “That would be the surest form of stupidity. No, this keep will be a sore spot between our two lands for some time to come I’m afraid.”

Shorty comes forward with a mug of ale and offers it to the councilman. “It’s the best we have,” he apologizes.

Taking the offered cup, the councilman gives him a nod and says, “Thank you.” He takes a sip while the others remain silent. Then he returns his gaze back to James. “You know, they believe you are still in the Empire.”

Surprised, James asks, “Why?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” he replies. “But rumors are surfacing of someone in the Empire causing massive destruction. Bridges, army encampments, even one report of an entire city collapsing, though I give that last one little credence.”

James glances at Jiron for a second and sees that he came to the same conclusion that he did. Those seeds of destruction he sowed in wagons earlier this summer are still active. At one point he tried to recall just how many he planted, but couldn’t quite remember exactly. The number had to have been over two dozen, possibly as high as forty. If they are still active, then they’re still gathering power. The longer it takes for them to go off, the more powerful the explosion.

“A whole city you say?” he asks.

“Supposedly,” he replies with a nod. The councilman notices the expression of anguish that comes over James’ face. Though he doesn’t comment, he realizes that James does know something about it.

“When are you planning on leaving?” he asks.

“As soon as d…” Stig begins before he’s cut off by Jiron.

“We haven’t decided yet,” James says quickly. He casts a quick glance to Jiron and gives him a brief nod. James has always been one who hated someone else knowing his business.

“Ah,” the councilman says as he comes to his feet. The rest of the room comes to their feet as well. “I’m sorry I must make my visit brief,” he says. “The meeting will begin shortly.”

James extends his hand for a goodbye shake which the councilman takes. “It was good to meet you,” says James.

“You too my boy,” he replies. To Ceadric the councilman says, “Tell Lord Black Hawk I would like to meet with him later this afternoon after the talks have ended for the day.”

“Yes, milord,” assures Ceadric.

“Very good.” Moving for the door, he pauses but a moment to give one of his aides time to open it for him then exits into the hallway.

When the door shuts behind him James turns to Ceadric. “He seems nice enough.”

“He is,” agrees Ceadric. “I have yet to meet anyone who can say an unkind word about him.”

“Surprised he’s able to survive on the Council,” states Potbelly. “I hear they are a bunch of cutthroats.”