The Marenon Chronicles Collection - By Jason D. Morrow Page 0,60

bottom of the steps, he found Coffman sitting at the table with Alric, smoking long pipes and playing some card game. Lorcan sat in a chair in the far corner, keeping to himself. All of them looked up when Silas entered, leaning against the wall to steady himself. Inga stood behind him not knowing exactly why Silas had made this trek. Alric stood as to show a gesture of welcome and remorse.

“Silas, I want you to know…”

Silas held up a hand to silence him. “You are my only way to finding my grandfather and it is really important that I do. A person’s life is at stake and my grandfather is the only one that I know who can help him. I need to know that if I do this job, that you’ll keep your word.”

Everyone waited silently, not knowing exactly what to say.

“And I want to know that I can trust you.”

Alric walked over to Silas and stuck out his hand. Silas grabbed it reluctantly and shook. “Of course you can,” Alric said smiling wide. “Coffman?”

The big man sat silent for a moment then spoke. “Sure, you can trust me.”

“Inga?” Alric asked.

“Of course,” she answered.

All eyes fell on Lorcan in the corner.

“Lorcan?”

He waited a moment, saying nothing. He looked as if he had something he really wanted to say, but just couldn’t bring himself to do it. It was on him whether or not Silas was going on this mission. He would not go if they were not going to help him find Garland. This was the only reason he had to be there at all. After a long moment, Lorcan looked at Silas.

“If your grandfather is alive, and we survive this mission, you have my word that we will help you find him.” At that moment he gave a glaring look at Alric. Silas wasn’t sure, but it seemed that it was one of disdain. He wondered what conversation had transpired while he was unconscious.

Silas looked at Alric. “Then you have me one hundred percent.”

Everyone but Lorcan stood for a moment in silence. Silas considered the gravity of his words, hoping his commitment to this band of coarse individuals was a good one. Alric silently left the room and the awkward quiet felt heavy. In a few seconds, he came from the other room with an arm full of parchments. He set them all on the table and spread them out in an order that only he could make sense of. The papers revealed descriptions, lists and other indecipherable transcripts, but Alric drew their attention to the detailed maps.

“These,” Alric said, “are the plans for tomorrow. Hopefully we can get in there and get out as quickly as possible.” Alric pointed at one of the maps. “The entrance we are taking is to the south, not far from here. There will be a few guards. Inga will hit them hard with her magic and with as little noise as possible.”

Inga nodded, knowing the plans well.

“We won’t be there to kill, just to get the object, Alric continued.”

“Is that right?” Lorcan said looking away in the distance.

Alric ignored him and pointed at a map of what looked to be the underground tunnels leading to the city of the Anwyn people. “Coffman and I will be moving ahead to make sure the lower levels are clear and Inga will scout the upper levels. Together we’ll be clearing the way for our exit to the east.” Alric looked behind him at Lorcan who was still sitting in the corner whittling away. “Lorcan will stay at the south entrance to make sure no one is coming in from behind and after fifteen minutes he’ll come around and meet us at the back exit with the horses.”

Silas was anxious to hear what Alric had planned for him.

“You will be the one that actually steals the staff while we are getting the other artifact and clearing your way.”

“What?”

Alric picked up a smaller piece of paper and handed it to Silas. “This is a map showing the direct route to the staff and to the escape to the exit. We will be clearing you a safe path for your escape and making sure no one comes up behind you.”

Silas shook his head. He had no idea they wanted him to do their dirty work. “This is why you want me? If I get caught you can just escape with all of your friends and leave me to bear the consequences?”

“Silas, if you get caught, we