Tides of Faith: Travail of The Dark Mage Book Two (12 page)

“What did you learn?”

“Father Vickor was correct,” Miko said
as he steered his priest to a chair next to James’ cot. “He is a
caravan guard.”

“But how does he know Tinok?” demanded
Jiron.

The priest gazed at him with bloodshot
eyes. “He didn’t say. I did get the feeling that he and Tinok have
known each other for some time.”

“Could be a regular at the Pits,”
James suggested.

Father Tullin nodded. “That is
possible. I tend to frequent the other Pits.” He glanced to Jiron.
“The thirteenth can be a bit gruesome.”

“What’s his name?”

“Ayem. It was his caravan master who
brought the mage and fighter against Tinok. Seems they have been
raking in the coins down south and heard about our Pits. Since
Madoc has very few mages around, they thought it would be easy
pickings.”

Jiron glanced to James and laughed.
“They thought wrong.”

Father Tullin grinned. “I’m sure the
last person they expected to find there was a real
mage.”

“Weren’t they fooled by the
doppelganger?”

He shook his head. “At first they were
worried. After all, coming from the Empire as they had, The Dark
Mage is a name that can still send women swooning and leave grown
men quaking in their boots. From what Ayem said, they quickly
deduced the man was a fake.”

James nodded. “Any mage would be able
to tell he did no magic. The man is nothing but show.”

“Exactly. In fact, most of those who
frequent the Pits on a regular basis know him as what he is. It’s
just part of the show.”

“Did you learn anything about the mage
himself?”

“Only that those of the caravan think
he’s very powerful and not one to trifle with.”

“Powerful? I think not. The man wasn’t
able to keep his concentration very well and his spells lacked
finesse.”

Jiron looked to his friend. “Still, a
mage, even one as inexperienced as you claim this one to be, should
not be so easily dismissed.”

James shook his head. “I hadn’t
planned on doing any such thing. But unless he has more tricks up
his sleeve, there isn’t much he can do. I will sense him if he’s
close, and I’m faster.”

“I have him under watch in any event,”
Miko said. When James turned a quizzical gaze upon him, he added,
“The caravan, too.”

“Good. Probably nothing to worry
about, but no sense taking any chances. We have less than a day
before we leave.”

“All the arrangements have been
made.”

Jiron turned to James. “I think we
should see if Tinok will come with us.”

“I don’t know.”

“He already knows we’re here. And you
have to admit, he’s pretty good in a fight.”

Miko nodded. “Do not forget, he spent
a great deal of time down there before being captured. His
knowledge may come in handy.”

James glanced to the High Priest. “Is
that you talking, or Morcyth?”

Miko shrugged and grinned. “Sometimes
it is hard to tell. Either way, Tinok has over a year of experience
upon which we could draw. With everything that has happened, and
what may be on the horizon, we would be fools to not take advantage
of every edge we can.”

Jiron nodded. “I’m certain he would
go. We are, after all, talking about an excursion into the Empire.
He wouldn’t pass that up.”

“He might,” James argued. “That would
leave someone behind who knows of my whereabouts.”

“He knows anyway.”

“Better to have him with us,” Miko
said.

James didn’t like it. Tinok was
unstable and still harbored a deep vengeance for what was done to
his beloved Cassie. Dare he risk bringing along someone whose need
for retribution may very well outweigh his sense of duty to
friends? He knew Jiron was for it. Miko, too, by the way he had
been arguing.

“Fine.” Turning to Jiron, he said,
“But I leave it to you to keep him in check.”

“Not a problem.”

To Father Tullin, Miko asked, “Find
him and let him know what we plan. Tell him to meet us on the road
south of the city just after dawn.”

The priest gave out with a
weary-filled sigh. He had hoped to crawl into bed. “As you
wish.”

Miko grinned and patted him on the
back. “My thanks.”

Father Tullin yawned, then quickly put
hand to forehead when the gesture exacerbated his headache and left
the room.

“Why not have Tinok meet us here?”
Jiron asked.

“For one thing, you, James, Jira and
Kip won’t be here at dawn. I plan to sneak you out tonight.” He
glanced to James. “I figure if someone is keeping track of the
goings-on here at the temple, then it would be best if you were not
in my company when I leave.”

James merely nodded. “What do you
plan?”

“Tonight, we slip you in with those
coming for the evening meal. Then you make your way out of the
city. Keep to the river. Father Berron will be waiting with horses
near a collapsed dock.” To Jiron he asked, “You know him, do you
not?”

Jiron nodded. “Rather portly fellow
who’s more deadly to himself than to others with his
sword?”

“That’s him. He will return to the
city while the three of you head south to Inna’s Bend. Know where
that is?”

“Yes,” Jiron replied. “Farther south
and east of the river.”

“That is correct. We will
meet you at
The Wayfarer’s
Tavern
.” Miko glanced to Kip. “You will be
coming too.”

His eyes lit up. “Me?”

Miko nodded. “If I leave you behind,
everyone will know of it before the sun rises.”

A hurt look came over the young
novice. “I would never violate your trust.”

Patting him on the head, Miko grinned.
“I know.”

Jira appeared at her father’s
side.

“We shall soon be with your
mother.”

She didn’t reply, merely hugged her
father and grinned at James.

Coming to his feet, Miko said, “Well,
there are things that need my attention before we leave. Father
Keller will come when it is time for you to intermix with the
hungry.” He then gave Jira a cheerful smile before heading for the
door.

Once he left, Jira squealed
in delight.
They were going to see her
mother!

While they waited for Father Keller’s
return, James went through the items brought from Earth. Those
deemed not vital would be left behind in Miko’s inner sanctum, such
as the books purchased at the used book store. The rest would be
sneaked out on the horses carrying the supplies Miko planned to
bring along. The candy and cocoa pods James would take with him.
Those items were of a greater personal value since the candy was
for Meliana and Kenny, and of course the cocoa seeds would
introduce chocolate to this world; he hoped.

Time passed slowly as they waited for
the time when the temple served the evening meal to the hungry.
They offered both breakfast and dinner, though dinner was by far
the more bountiful of the two.

When Father Keller finally appeared,
he handed a set of boyish clothes to Jira and a ragged beggar’s
outfit to Jiron. He and his daughter were familiar to many within
the temple as well as those of the streets. Jiron readily donned
the disguise but would not relinquish his knives. The outer garment
was sufficiently voluminous to hide their presence if he was
careful. James remained in regular clothes with only a floppy hat
to conceal his features.

The plan was simple. Intermingle early
on, then leave at the height of confusion, that time when the
temple would be most packed with those seeking a hot meal. James
and Jiron would each make their way alone to where Kip and Jira
waited a mile or so down the road from the gate. The foursome would
then make their way down the river to the broken-down dock and
Father Berron.

Kip changed out of his novice attire
and into a set of well-worn travel clothes, then with Jira at his
side, left for the dining hall. A few minutes later, Jiron
followed. James was the last to leave.

Nearly every available place at the
tables in the refectory was filled. Most were obviously from the
streets; their use of language’s cruder side would have given them
away if nothing else. Beggars, street kids, the old and infirm, and
several whole families complete with babes on the teat were
intermixed throughout.

James remained just within the hallway
for several moments. He saw Jiron hunched within his beggars’
clothes being regaled by a toothless crone. From the way her arms
gyrated, she felt quite strongly about whatever it was she spoke
of.

Jira and Kip could be seen all the way
at the end. Kip sat with two temple novices, they spoke with heads
held close together. James hoped this would not be a problem. One
wrong word near a sharp ear could have trouble hot on their
trail.

“Excuse me, good sir.”

The greeting practically caused him to
jump out of his skin so unexpected was it. A temple novice stood
behind him in his white robe, a serene smile fixed firmly upon the
young man’s face.

“What?”

“Is this your first time
here?”

Realizing he was being taken for one
of the street people come for a meal, James nodded. “Is this where
I go?”

The smile broadened as the novice
nodded. “Come. Let us find you a place and get you a hot meal.
Morcyth helps all who come to Him.”

James allowed the novice to escort him
into the refectory and to a table with but a lone stool left
available. The other seven were taken by a couple in their sunset
years, three boys that looked to be entering puberty, a beggar
missing a leg, and a young girl who couldn’t be more than six. The
boys, girl and beggar flat out ignored him while the man and his
wife nodded in greeting. Once seated, the novice departed promising
swift arrival of the evening’s victuals.

The man with the woman openly stared
at James, a frown upon his face. James met the stare for a moment
before breaking contact and glancing around the
refectory.

“Never seen you here before.” The man
had a deep bass voice and his tone hinted at some unknown
displeasure.

James glanced back at him. “No,
probably not.” Glancing to the woman, he could tell she was
nervous, about what remained unclear.

“Been here before?”

“A couple times.”

The woman’s nervousness faded as she
worked a grin into place. “We never had much to do with temples
before, but we never miss a meal. The food here is very
good.”

The man flashed a disapproving glare
which she pointedly ignored.

“Most places only give old bread and
castoffs. These priests bake it fresh for us every day. The meat,
though not in any great quantities, has yet to be gamy.”

“I’ve heard that.”

“Are you a follower of Morcyth?” Now
that a conversation of sorts had developed, she seemed to
relax.

James shook his head. “No.” He noticed
the man’s expression had taken a turn for the worse.

“Just where are you from?”

“Not here.”

That answer hadn’t set well with the
man for his eyes narrowed.

“What’s your name?”

The woman laid a hand on her man’s
arm. “Don’t bother the man, Jessup. Anyone can see he’s from around
here.”

James glanced between the two and
didn’t answer. Just then, the novice returned with a bowl filled
nearly to overflowing with a thick stew. He set it and a quarter
loaf of bread on the table in front of him.

“If you desire more, you have but to
ask.”

“Thank you.”

“Morcyth is always willing to
help.”

At the center of the table was a
pitcher of water and a single mug. James took the mug and helped
himself to the water. It was purer than average, containing only a
few foreign particles. Miko had taken much of James’ feelings
concerning sanitation and hygiene to heart.

The stew was flavorful, if heavy on
vegetables with only a few pieces of beef. The bread was fresh as
the woman had stated. It still held warmth deep within its
center.

“Is it good?”

He glanced to the woman and nodded.
“Very good.”

She smiled.

The woman was proving to be a
congenial table-mate while James cared little for the scrutiny from
her man that he still had to endure.

To his left sat the little girl. She
leaned close to him and said, “He thinks you’re a spy.”

James about spewed the half-chewed
contents of his mouth across the table as he tried to rein in the
laugh that threatened to explode. Swallowing hard, he glanced to
her and asked, “A spy?”

She nodded as did two of the three
boys.