Chapter 5: Grenfell ... Part 3 Continues ...

Grenfell’s messenger guild was on the north side of the city. The sounds of the rioters were still loud enough to be heard outside the doors of the messenger’s headquarters. The building was only large enough to house ten messengers and apprentices at any one time. The streets were clear enough for Galen, Draven and Dustin to approach from the front of the building.

“So this is a messenger’s guild.” Dustin spoke half out of breath. “Not exactly what I thought it would be.”

“Times are different now with war on the horizon,” Galen said.

The three found the doors locked. Galen knocked brashly. From inside a voice shouted: “Only messengers are allowed to enter. Identify yourselves.”

“Galen of Colodia,” Galen responded. “I have with me Draven of Norfolk and Dustin of Atanna; now open the doors at once!”

The sound of a large plank of wood scraping the backside of the door could be heard. The doors were open and inside were two men that any of the three messengers did not know. They motioned them in quickly and closed the doors and locked them as soon as the three crossed the threshold. There were few windows to provide light inside so the interior corridor which led to the back door was lit by candles.

“Take the third door on you left into the basement,” one of the men behind them spoke up. “Adam and the other apprentices are meeting in the basement.”

Galen, Draven and Dustin walked down the candle lit corridor to the third door on the left. A flight of stairs that seemed longer than it should be led to the basement. The stairwell was lit by candles and added an ominous feeling to the descent. There was a small landing where the stairs changed directions and led deeper underground. The three could feel the cool damp air of the basement as the started down the second flight of stairs.

At the base they could see a dirt floor littered with foot prints. The light coming from the room was almost as bright as the sun. Hundreds of candles adorned the loose brick walls. There was a large round table in the middle of the room where Adam and the other apprentices sat.

“Galen, how long has it been?” Adam asked.

“Far too long,” Galen replied. “We heard your address to the people, is Macote ready for war?”

“Always straight to business, that’s what I’ve always liked about you.” Adam replied. “I see you still haven’t changed a bit. To answer your question, they’ve been preparing for war for a while now. I’ve been waiting to hear from Stephen to see if he will need some additional help training conscripts.”

“The whole city is rioting,” Dustin jumped in. “Shouldn’t we be helping with crowd control?”

“You’ll have to pardon my friend here,” Galen said. “He’s from a small outskirts town and is still wet behind the ears.” Galen turned to Dustin, “The city guard will take care of the crowd. We have more important issues at hand right now.”

“Yes indeed we do.” Adam said.

Come back next week for more of the tale...