James turns to Illan and says, “Which way would see us to the Sea?”
He points to the northwest and says, “It lies there, about a days ride.”
As they get moving, James asks him, “Think there’ll be any enemy patrols along this side of the river?”
Shrugging, he replies, “Always a possibility in these times. But the bridges spanning the river in this area have been destroyed, all but the one here by Lythylla, and there’re very few spots where an army can ford. Doubt if the Empire would know of them. I hear we have watchers in those areas to give the alarm just in case.”
“That’s reassuring,” says James.
Illan glances over to James, gives him a quick smile with a nod and then continues riding.
Dawn is still many hours away, the sliver of a moon giving some light to dispel the dark, though it doesn’t illuminate much.
They decide to break away from the road that runs along the river, figuring if any enemy were to be on this side, they’d most likely be there. James sets Illan to lead as he knows the area around here far better than anyone else. “There’s a town further north on the Sea at the base of the foothills called Seastar,” he tells them. “It’s not a large city but does have a port that merchants sailing upon the Sea use from time to time. If we’re lucky, we’ll find a ship there that will take us across.”
“Why Seastar?” asks Jiron.
“It’s far enough north that I’m hoping it will be free of any enemy incursions,” he replies. “Plus, I was born there.”
“That might help,” James adds.
“Certainly couldn’t hurt,” he says.
They travel on through the night for several hours, riding fast and making good time. The few breaks they have to rest the horses were short ones, the memory of the man who had been listening at the door back at the inn pushing them onwards.
When the sky begins to lighten with the coming of the dawn, they see a patrol riding their way out of the north. “It’s one of ours,” Illan assures everyone as he turns toward the approaching riders.
“Kylun!” Illan cries out as he recognizes the leader of the patrol.
“Illan, you son of a dog,” Kylun replies as they meet and come to a stop. “I thought you were down by Lythylla?”
“Were, but a lot has happened,” he replies. As James and the rest draw near, Illan gestures to them and continues, “This here is James, Jiron and Miko. The rest you know.”
Nodding, Kylun says, “Good to meet you all.” Then turning back to Illan, he asks, “What brings you to these parts?”
“We’re on our way to Seastar to see about sailing across the Sea,” he replies. “Is the way clear?”
“Yes,” he tells him. “We have the Empire stopped at the river, though at times it’s touch and go. I heard a large force is camped across from Lythylla.”
“It’s still there and looks like they plan to stay for a while,” he tells him. “An attempt was made yesterday to open the gate from within, but it was stopped and the enemy beaten back. Councilman Rillian is rumored to have had a hand in it.”
“Councilman Rillian?” he questions.
“That’s right,” replies Illan. “Though Lord Pytherian doesn’t think there’s enough evidence to move against him, we know he was involved.”
“We’ve heard rumors too,” he says. “Though just vague things about possible dealings with the Empire before the war, things like that. As you say, not enough to do anything about.”
Before Illan can say anything more, Kylun says, “Say hello to my family for me when you get there, okay? We’re on our way to patrol this side of the river, making sure they haven’t managed to cross over.”
“Good to see you again,” Illan says.
“You too, and good luck.” Turning to his fellows, Kylun says, “Move out!”
Illan sits there a moment as he watches the patrol ride away before saying, “We grew up together in Seastar.”
As they begin moving again, James says, “Seems like a nice enough fellow.”
“He is,” says Illan wistfully. Then, coming back to the present, he continues, “At least we have little to fear as far as running into the enemy between here and Seastar is concerned.”
“That’s reassuring,” comments Jiron from behind them.
Resuming their previous pace, they ride through the plains as the sun begins to peak over the horizon. As they ride, they see other patrols moving along the plains. Every once in a while, someone would holler a greeting to Illan as they pass.
“You seem well known here,” comments Uther.
“Like I said, I grew up here,” he reminds him.
When the sun has risen a ways above the horizon, they begin to see the glistening of the Sea ahead of them. James reflects back to the time when he was on the other side, now seeming so long ago. So much has happened since then.
Running north and south next to the shoreline is a well maintained road. Refugees from the south are plodding away on it as they seek safety to the north. Some with carts and wagons loaded with what belongings they were able to bring, others only having a pack on their backs. Children walk beside parents, often as not carrying their belongings as well.
One mother had three children who were pulling a cart with a fourth child lying within. When James comes abreast of the wagon, he sees the poor boy sick with a fever of some sort. Reaching into his pouch, he pulls out two gold coins and hands them to the woman. “Here,” he tells her, “use this to help your boy.”
With tears in her eye, she looks up at him and takes the coins, “Thank you good sir!”
“You’re welcome,” he says as he kicks his horse to join the others who had begun to pull away from him as they continue following the road north.
When he catches up with them, Illan glances from him then back at the mother and says, “That was nice of you.”
“We do what we can,” he replies.
“True,” agrees Illan. “Though most wouldn’t even have bothered themselves that way.”
“If you ride with James long enough,” Miko pipes up, “you’ll learn to get used to it.”
James glances back at him and sees him there with a big grin on his face. He returns the grin, but not for the reason Miko thinks. It’s because Miko is beginning to become more of his old self. It seems the effects of the Fire wear away after a while. Not the increase in size and muscle, but the effects it has on his spirit. It kind of dampens it, making him more solemn and serious. To see the adolescent side again gives James hope that Miko isn’t too far gone.
“How much further?” he asks Illan.
“Another hour, maybe two,” he replies.
Sure enough, a little over an hour later, they begin to see the outline of a city on the horizon. “Seastar,” Illan informs them. Several merchant ships can be seen out on the water, one’s pulling away from the docks and there are three others still moored there.
“Looks like we’re in luck,” Uther says when he sees the ships at the docks. “One of those should be able to ferry us over to the far side of the Sea.”
“I hope so,” says James.
Seastar has a defensive wall, though it’s not very high or thick. The road travels to the southern edge of the wall and passes through the gate there. Four guards are there, helping to keep the traffic of refugees and soldiers moving along quickly. Off to the east of the wall, a refugee camp can be seen. Hundreds, maybe thousands of displaced people mill around the makeshift camp. Soldiers can be seen in and around the area keeping order and generally helping the people. A couple wagons are unloading sacks and boxes of food to waiting people.
When they arrive at the gates, Illan hollers to one of the guards, “Shoen!”
Shoen looks up from where he’s supervising the others and breaks into a smile when he sees who just addressed him. “Illan!” he cries as he moves toward him, extending his hand. “Didn’t expect to see you for quite some time.”
Illan takes his hand and gives it a firm shake before saying, “Can’t stay and talk I’m afraid. We need to see about a ship to take us across the Sea.”
“There’s a couple at anchor, I know,” he informs him. “But don’t know whether they’ll take you all the way to the other side?”
“We have a letter from Lord Pytherian requesting any and all to aid us,” he explains.
Nodding, he smiles and says, “That should make some merchant happy.” They both begin laughing hard at that, several others standing around who hear that join in as well. “Good luck!” wishes Shoen. “It was good to see you.”
As Illan begins moving to pass through, he says, “You too, Shoen.”
Shoen waves them on through, then goes back to making sure the traffic continues to flow smoothly through the gate.
Illan leads them through and once on the other side, takes the street heading down toward the docks. “Let’s see about a ship first, before they have a chance to get away,” he tells them. “Once we have one to agree to take us, we can find an inn should we have the time.”
“Alright,” agrees James.
You’d think Illan had returned a hero the way everyone greets him as he moves down the street. He handles it all well, only slowing when absolutely necessary. “He sure is popular around here,” observes Miko as he watches Illan wave to the people on the streets.
“He’s well liked by everyone who knows him,” Uther comments when he hears Miko. “Never sure why he joined up with us, but I suppose he has his reasons.” Lowering his voice, he continues, “Some of us believe he lost his wife during the war and wants revenge. But no one knows for sure.”
Miko stares at Uther’s back and nods.
Looking down to the end of the street, they can see the water of the Sea and the masts of the ships at dock. The few buildings bordering the docks have the look of warehouses and Illan continues on past and stops at a small building sitting at the entrance to the docks. “Dockmaster,” he tells them as he dismounts. James and Jiron dismount as well, the others remain on their horses.
Illan steps up to the door with them right behind and pushes it open. Inside, they find a man sitting behind a desk covered in a disorganized pile of papers. He looks up from where he’s making notations on one of them and a smile breaks across his face when he sees who it is.
Getting up, he says, “Illan! What brings you back here?” Moving around the desk, he gives Illan a big hug, careful not to get the ink on his fingers on the back of Illan’s shirt.
“Marko,” he says, returning the hug, “didn’t know you were the new Dockmaster.”
Releasing him, Marko says, “Have been for a year now, ever since Yeurn got married to that woman from the City.” Stepping back two steps, he continues, “It’s good to see you again.”
“I’m afraid I can’t stay long,” he explains. “We have need to reach the other side of the Sea and were hoping to be able to get someone to take us.”
His smile fades somewhat as he says, “Nothing serious I hope? The Empire isn’t on its way here is it?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Nothing like that. Our forces still have them on the other side of the Etterling River.”
“That’s good news,” he says with relief. “We haven’t had much news lately about the war. Just what the refugees tell us as they pass through.”
Gesturing to the ships at the dock outside, he asks, “Which one of those would be our best bet?”
“You might try the Sea Strider, it’s the one all the way at the end,” he says. “Derrin Nellix is the captain, and he’s leaving shortly for the far side. Don’t know if he’ll take on passengers, but you can try.”
“Okay, we’ll do that, thank you,” he says as he holds out his hand to his friend.
Taking the hand, Marko shakes it vigorously and says, “You’re welcome. If you’ll be staying in town, I’d love it if you could come and have dinner with me and Pauline.”
“We’ll see,” he replies. “Probably have to dine with my family first, though. They’d never let me hear about it if I didn’t.”
Marko laughs at that. “I think you’re right. Well, good luck.”
Illan nods his head and then turns to leave. James and Jiron back out, giving him room to pass through the door.
“Why didn’t you tell him about Lord Pytherian’s letter?” James asks. “Wouldn’t that have expedited it better?”
“Why use it if we don’t have to?” he asks. “Besides, he’s not the one we have to convince.”
Returning to where the others are waiting, he says, “Might be in luck, you just wait here while we go down to the ship to arrange things.”
“Alright,” Uther says for everyone. He gets down off his horse, the others following suit. “If we’re to wait longer, I’m not going to do it on horseback.”
“You got that right, man” agrees Jorry.
Illan leaves them behind as he, James and Jiron walk down to the end of the docks where sailors are busy transferring cargo from several wagons onto the ship resting against the dock.
Coming to the wagons, he catches the attention of one of the seaman returning from the ship for another box and asks, “Is Captain Nellix on board?”
The sailor doesn’t even pause as he replies, “Yes he is.” Grabbing another box, he starts to return to the gangplank.
“Can we speak with him?” Illan asks the sailor.
“I’ll ask him,” he says just before reaching the gangplank.
They watch as several other sailors leave the ship as they continue the transferring of cargo. The sailor they’d talked to returns to the top of the gangplank and begins walking down it to the dock. When he comes to where they’re standing, he says, “The captain said for you to go ahead and come aboard. You’ll find him at the cargo hatch going over the bills of lading.”
“Thank you,” Illan says.
He just nods and grunts before taking another box off the wagon.
Illan glances at James and asks, “Shall we?”
James nods and then follows Illan as he moves toward the gangplank. They pause at the bottom while two sailors leave the ship before walking up it to the ship’s deck.
They see a man, obviously the captain in question, standing at the cargo hold hatch going over the bill of lading just as the sailor had told them. He glances over to them as they begin walking over to him. “Yes?” he asks. “You wanted to see me?”
“We were hoping to book passage for us and our friends over to the other side of the Sea,” Illan explains.
“Don’t take on passengers,” the captain says. “They just get in the way.” A sailor comes on board with a box and pauses a moment while the captain checks it off. He gives the sailor a nod who then carries it on down into the hold.
“But our need is great,” insists Illan, “and we’d be willing to pay.”
“Don’t care,” he says. “I hate having people on board. Now, if you’ll get off my ship, I have work to do before we sail.”
“But,” James begins, “we have a…”
Illan shakes his head and waves for him to stop.
Confused, but willing to follow his lead, James doesn’t finish.
“Let’s go,” he says to them as he makes for the gangplank.
James and Jiron follow right behind. When they’re off the ship and have moved a short ways past the wagons, they stop. “Why didn’t you want me to mention the letter?” asks James.
“That would’ve seemed to be the smart thing to do,” adds Jiron.
“I don’t think it would’ve made any difference,” he explains. “We should try the other two ships and find out if they’ll be more agreeable.”
“Alright,” James says as he glances to Jiron who just shrugs.
The next ship they come to is a single masted vessel and looks to be deserted. The gangplank is up so Illan hollers, “Hello ship!”
When there’s no answer, he hollers again, “Hello ship!”
They wait a minute but no reply is forthcoming. He turns to the others and indicating the last ship says, “One more to try.” Moving down to the other end of the docks, they come to a twin masted vessel where several sailors are sitting around on deck, looking bored.
“Hello the ship!” Illan hollers.
One of the sailors looks over the rail and asks, “Yeah?”
“Request permission to come aboard and talk with the captain,” he says.
“Captain’s not here,” the sailor tells him.
“Where could I find him?” he asks.
“City jail I’d imagine,” the sailor replies.
“Jail?” asks Illan. “What’s he doing there?”
“Cooling his heals for a few days,” the sailor explains. Several other sailors come over and join him at the rail.
One of them says, “He got in a fight with the wrong man and was arrested. They said he’d be in there several more days.”
“Thank you,” Illan says to them. Turning away from the ship, he begins making his way back to where Uther and the others are waiting. “This is perfect!” he exclaims.
“What is?” Jiron asks.
“Don’t you see?” he says. “Though the letter from Lord Pytherian wouldn’t have much pull with a ship’s captain, it will have with a magistrate. And if we use it to get the captain out of jail, then I would think he’d be happy to take us across the Sea.”
Nodding, James says, “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
When they get back to the others, Illan explains to them what they’re planning on doing. “In the meantime, while we’re getting the captain out of jail, the rest of you go and find something to eat.”
Miko perks up at that, the mention of food always does.
“Go down the street until you come to the blacksmith,” he tells them. “Then turn down the road to the right. You shouldn’t have far to go before you come to the Flying Fish. The owner is a lady by the name of Mari, and the food there is very good. At least it was last time I was in town.”
“When will you meet us there?” asks Yern.
“Hopefully not more than an hour,” he tells him.
“Alright then,” Uther says. “We’ll see you there.”
“You may as well go too,” James tells Jiron. And then he lowers his voice to a whisper as he adds, “And keep an eye on Miko.”
“You got it,” he says as he joins the crew going to the inn.
The bunch going to the inn takes all the horses with them. Illan and James go down a different street as they make their way to the city jail.
More people pause when they see Illan walking down the street, most give him a friendly greeting or ask him a question. Begging lack of time to talk, he makes his responses short as he continues down the street.
At the next junction of streets, he turns to the right and points to a two story building on the right side. “That’s the jail.”
“Think we’ll have any problems?” James asks.
Shaking his head, Illan says, “I really doubt it.”
They walk down to where the front door is standing open and walk inside. Two guards are sitting at a side table sharpening their swords, another sits behind a desk and has the look of the one in charge.
The guard behind the desk looks up as they enter and says, “Yes? Can I help you?”
Illan walks over and asks, “We’re looking for the captain of the ship in the harbor. His men said he might be here?”
Nodding, the guard captain says, “He’s here all right.” Calling over to one of the guards at the table, he says, “Rullins, take these gentlemen back to the holding cells. They want to talk to the captain.”
Getting up, the guard named Rullins replies, “Yes sir.” To Illan and James he says, “If you’ll follow me.” Turning toward a door in the side of the room, he takes out a key and unlocks the door. Opening it, he indicates they should follow him as he moves past the cells on the side of the walkway.
Five large cells line each side of the walkway, two of them have prisoners. One has two men who look to have been beaten up pretty badly, the other holds a solitary individual. And it’s to the solitary individual that the guard is taking them.
As they draw near, the man in the cell turns and watches their approach. “These men want to talk to you,” the guard tells him. Then to Illan and James, he says, “If you need help, just holler. We’ll be able to hear you.”
With that, the guard turns around and leaves the cell area. He leaves the door to the outer room open so they could be heard should the need arise.
The captain comes near the bars and looks out at Illan and James. “Do I know you two?” he asks.
Shaking his head, Illan says, “I doubt it, you don’t look familiar to me.”
“What do you want?” he asks.
“We want to talk about passage across the Sea, all the way to the other side,” Illan explains.
The captain breaks into a laugh and says, “You may have to wait for a while.”
“How long are you going to be in here?” asks James.
Shrugging, the captain says, “I don’t know, could be a while I’m guessing. I got into a fight with a prominent personage of some sort. Of course I didn’t realize who or what he was at the time. I mean, really, who would’ve thought he’d be in a place like that.”
“If we could expedite your release,” James offers, “would you take us across the Sea?”
“Of course,” he agrees. “But I don’t see how you’ll be able to pull that off, I broke the man’s nose.”
“How soon can you be ready to sail,” James asks.
“You get me out of here and we’ll sail within the hour,” he states.
“Alright,” Illan says, “we’ll see what we can do.” He begins to leave then glances back at the captain and adds, “We’ll be back shortly.”
“I hope so,” he says as they leave the cell area.
Illan walks over to the guard captain and asks, “How would we arrange his release?”
The guard captain laughs and says, “Man, from what I understand, he’s going to sit in there an awfully long time.” The guards over at the table can be heard chuckling as well.
“Still, who should we see?” persists Illan.
“Well, you could try Magistrate Harlan,” he explains. “He’s probably the only one who could arrange it.”
“Thank you,” Illan says as he makes ready to leave.
“But don’t get your hopes up,” he tells them.
Illan casts him a quick glance, gives him a nod and then they leave the jail.
Once they’re outside, James asks him, “Do you know this Magistrate Harlan?”
“Oh yes,” replies Illan. “He’s a good man and we should be able to get things arranged through him.”
“Good,” states James. He follows Illan as he leads him through town to the Magistrate’s offices.
They continue along, turning once down a main thoroughfare where they walk past several side streets before it opens up onto a large courtyard square. Setting on the far side of the courtyard is a large, imposing structure, obviously the home of the Magistrate’s offices.
There’s a wall separating the building from the rest of the courtyard. At the gate through the wall, a guard stands and smiles when he sees Illan approaching. Coming to attention, he salutes him as they pass through.
Illan returns the salute and the grin on his face is just as big as the guard’s is.
As they approach the front doors, James asks him, “What was all that about?”
Pausing, Illan explains, “He’s my son.”
“Oh, okay,” replies James. Looking back at the guard at the gate, he can see the resemblance between father and son.
Illan opens the door just as another man is leaving. The bandage on his face tells them this must be the man whose nose had been broken by the captain. Without so much as an ‘excuse me’, he walks through the door and they have to step back to allow him room.
The man walks straight toward the gate and passes through to the courtyard beyond. “Nice man,” James says.
“Yeah,” replies Illan. “No wonder he got his nose broken.”
James nods his head as they enter the building.
“His office is up on the third floor,” he tells him.
Leading the way like he’d been here a hundred times before, he follows the corridor to the stairs winding up. He climbs them until they reach the third floor and then follows a hallway down to a pair of ornate doors.
Opening them, he walks right in, James following close behind. They find themselves in a reception area with several tables and couches. Another set of double doors across the room from them must lead into the magistrate’s office.
Illan crosses the room and swings them both open at the same time revealing a man sitting behind a desk with his feet propped up on top of it, snoring.
James can hear a quiet chuckle coming from Illan as he enters the room and comes to stand before the desk behind which the man is sleeping.
“On your feet soldier!” Illan hollers in his most commanding voice.
The man behind the desk starts awake and comes to his feet, standing at attention. His eyes blink several times and James can see his body visibly relax as he begins to realize what happened and who it is standing before him.
“Illan you bastard!” the man shouts as he sits back down in his chair. He glares at him a moment before breaking out in an uncontrollable laughing fit. After a moment Illan joins in with him. Even James has a hard time remaining calm.
“Good to see you again, Harlan,” Illan says when he’s calmed down some.
“You too, Illan,” Magistrate Harlan replies as he, too gets his composure back. “Though you about gave me a heart attack,” he accuses.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” he says, grinning.
“What brings you back to these parts?” Harlan asks.
“Need your help with something,” he says. He gestures for James to give him the letter which he does. Once he’s had a chance to read through it, he explains about the captain and how they need to cross the Sea.
Harlan leans back in his chair and gives them a look which could only be called despondent. “If only it was for anything else,” he says.
“Why?” Illan asks. “We have a letter from Lord Pytherian himself requesting any and all to help us.”
“I know,” he replies. “But the letter is only a ‘request’, it’s not an order. So it doesn’t have as much weight here as you would think.”
“What do you mean?” asks James.
“That captain hit a very important person around here,” he explains. “Whether he knew it or not is immaterial. And this person is demanding the stiffest punishment allowable under the law.”
“Which is?” asks Illan.
“A year,” he replies.
“A year?” exclaims Illan. “For hitting someone? That’s outrageous!”
“I know, but this man has a lot of influence in the area, not to mention he’s quite wealthy,” Harlan tells them.
“Who is he?” asks James.
“His name is Faetherton,” Harlan replies. “Though since he’s become so influential, he’s been taking to calling himself, Lord Faetherton.”
“Never heard of him,” states Illan.
“Not surprising,” he explains. “He arrived in these parts shortly after you left five years ago.”
“So there’s nothing we’re able to do about this?” asks Illan.
“I’m afraid not,” he says. Lowering his voice, he continues, “I have to admit, Faetherton has been such an annoyance, that I for one was glad that captain broke his nose.”
“So, hypothetically, if this captain was to disappear, it would sure upset this Faetherton?” asks Illan.
Harlan gives him a smile and says, “To be sure. Oh, and on a side note, the guard captain at the jail is a cousin of his as well.”
“I see,” Illan says. Then he extends his hand to his old friend and continues, “It was nice to see you again, hopefully next time I’ll have time to stay for awhile.”
“I understand,” Harlan says. “Sorry I couldn’t have been more help.”
“You take care,” Illan tells him.
“I will,” he replies. As they make to leave, Harlan says, “Good luck.”
Illan nods his head and gives him a brief wave as they leave his office. Out in the corridor, as they head for the stairs, James says, “I wish that had gone better.”
“What do you mean?” asks Illan. “I thought that went pretty well, all in all.”
“How can you say that?” asks James. “We still don’t have the captain.”
“No but we will,” he explains. Gesturing back to the offices they just left, he lowers his voice and says, “He all but told us to break that captain out of jail.”
“You sure?” James asks.
“Absolutely,” replies Illan quietly. “He even said the guard captain was a cousin, which to me means we can treat him roughly if we want.”
“I hope you’re right,” he says.
“Don’t worry,” he tells him.
As they leave the building, he stops by his son and says, “Tell your mother I’m fine, but things are moving fast and I won’t have time to visit.”
“I will father,” his son assures him.
Nodding, Illan continues on out into the courtyard and turns down one of the side streets. Keeping his voice low, he says, “Let’s go tell the others what we’re going to do.”
“What are we going to do?” asks James, afraid he already knows the answer.
“Break that captain out of jail,” he says.