Read Online The Star of Morcyth: The Morcyth Saga Book Five by Brian S. Pratt - Free Book Online Page B

the room and shutting the door.
    Making his way across the room to where
Ellinwyrd sits, he takes extra precaution not to step on and damage
any of the books or scrolls lying across the floor.
    “James!” Ellinwyrd says as he gets up from
his chair. “What an unexpected pleasure!”
    Coming to the table, James extends his hand
which Ellinwyrd takes and gives a firm shake. “Good to see you
again too,” he tells him.
    Ellinwyrd indicates a seat across from him
which James moves over to and sits down. Taking his seat as well,
Ellinwyrd says, “I’m so glad you decided to stop by and see
me.”
    “It’s not only for the pleasure of your
company that I stopped by,” he tells him.
    “I know,” he replies.
    “You do?” asks James, surprised.
    “Yes. You were summoned by the king to
appear before the Royal Court,” states Ellinwyrd.
    “That’s right,” agrees James. “Do you know
why?”
    “Didn’t the summons explain that?” he asks,
perplexed.
    Shaking his head, James says, “No, it
didn’t.” Removing the letter the herald had given him from his
pouch, he hands it across the table to Ellinwyrd.
    Taking the letter, he reads the brief
missive before returning it to him. “Highly unorthodox,” he says.
“Custom states you are to be given the reason for the summons.”
    “Does it have anything to do with the
Ambassador from the Empire being here in Cardri?” asks James.
    Eyes widening, Ellinwyrd asks in return,
“What makes you say that?”
    “Well, a lot’s happened since last we met,”
he explains. “By the way, why did you have me deliver that book to
Ollinearn?”
    Smiling, he says, “I was hoping that by
being a courier for me, it might’ve helped smooth things out with
local garrisons, things like that.”
    “It did and I thank you,” he says. “But what
about that Ambassador?”
    “He showed up about two weeks ago,” he
explains. “I wasn’t privy to all that was said, but word has a way
of getting around.”
    “And?” prompts James when Ellinwyrd had
grown quiet.
    “And from what I gathered, it seems he’s
here to ask the king for aid in capturing someone,” he says, eyeing
James questioningly. “It seems this individual has killed scores of
people in the Empire and they want him badly.”
    James slumps in his chair, his demeanor all
Ellinwyrd needs to tell him that James believes the individual in
question to be himself. “Why don’t you tell me what happened,” he
suggests.
    “It started with the fall of the City of
Light,” he begins. “My companion Miko had been captured and…” He
goes on to relate in brief detail some of the events which the
Empire could want him for, leaving out the more sensitive parts
like the Fire and other things.
    When he draws to a close, Ellinwyrd says, “I
can see why they want you.”
    “Yes,” he admits. “But I never initiated any
of it!”
    “Don’t see how that will matter one way or
another,” he tells him. “One sovereign nation has made a request of
another for justice. Unless you’re able to refute their charges, I
don’t see what else the Royal Court can do but accede to their
request.”
    “How can you say that!” accuses James.
    “I don’t believe you’re guilty of anything
more than defending yourself against hostile forces bent on your
destruction,” he says. “But my opinions will have little weight in
these matters.” He looks at James as he sits there, mulling over
what he just told him.
    “What can I do?” he asks him.
    “Appear before the court,” he says. “If you
don’t, any decision made will go against you by default. The only
way out is to go forward.”
    “Great,” says James in irritation.
    After a moment’s silence, Ellinwyrd asks,
“Did Ollinearn help you?”
    “What?” asks James, coming out of his
reverie.
    “Ollinearn over in the City of Light, did he
aid you in your quest?” he repeats.
    Nodding, he explains about the last high
priest, the disappearance and how the last high