Brian Pratt - The mists of sorrow

“Go get Brother Willim,” James tells them.

Potbelly turns and leaves the room. The two pairs continue to stare at one another until he returns with Brother Willim and Miko in tow.

James sums up the situation for them, the fact that someone may be able to help, but that he has to come dressed as a slave.

“No!” exclaims Miko. “Absolutely not.”

Scar just laughs. “Can’t imagine you going around in one of those,” he says.

The look on the young man’s face is growing darker by the minute. James takes note of the fact and says, “I’m not saying no.” Miko turns to look at him incredulously. “Calm down,” he says. Then to Brother Willim he says, “But the problem is that I am not exactly what you would call tan.” Pulling up his shirt, he shows them his pale skin. “I would stand out among all the other slaves.”

Brother Willim nods his head. “Yes, I can see that you would,” he agrees.

“What I need is something to give me the appearance of having been out under the sun,” he explains. “You being into plants and all, I thought you might be the best one to help me.”

“There are saps and other things which could be combined to give you the required appearance,” he says. “Though I don’t know if they are available in this area.”

The young man’s expression softens somewhat when he realizes James is at least considering doing as requested. “If you were to supply me with a list, I could see about acquiring the needed items,” he offers.

“This is a bad idea,” Miko insists.

James turns to the young man and asks, “Do you really think your friend will be able to get us inside the temple?”

“If anyone can, he would be the one,” the slave replies.

“Very well.” Then to Brother Willim he says, “Tell him what you need.” Once Brother Willim has told him of several different ingredients that will work, and the slave successfully recites them back to him, James gives him coins to pay for the items.

“How long will it take you to combine the ingredients once you have them?” he asks Brother Willim.

“Not long, maybe a half hour at the most to get it just right,” he explains.

“So you intend to meet with him?” asks the young man.

James turns back to him and says, “As of right now, maybe. Another member of our party is not here,” he explains. “When he returns I’ll know for sure whether I will or not.”

“Very well,” he says. “I’ll be back.” Then he and the other slave move toward the door. Scar opens the door for them and they leave. Closing the door, he turns back to James, glance at the slave rag still on the table and grins.

“What?” James asks.

“Aren’t you even going to try it on?” he asks. Several of the others in the room start snickering at that.

Jiron, Reilin, and Shorty return a couple hours later. When apprised of what the young man said, Jiron of course was adamantly against it. “No, no, no, NO!” he exclaims. “You can’t even be thinking about taking this course of action.”

“I haven’t committed to it as yet,” he replies. “What did you find out?”

“The place really doesn’t have much of a guard,” he explains. “The area among the outer buildings of the temple complex affords many places in which to hide.”

“How about the temple itself?” Scar asks.

“That may be a little tougher nut to crack,” Jiron says. “Several braziers sit by the temple doors which I’m sure at night are lit. There will be no way to sneak in once they have been. Anyone in the vicinity will undoubtedly see us heading to the doors.”

“Were there non-priests present on the temple grounds?” James asks. “Maybe we could disguise ourselves as a disciple or something.”

“That wouldn’t work either,” interjects Brother Willim. “Temples to Dmon-Li are not known for the attendance by the faithful. If a group this size were to approach, they would become interested in us. Not saying suspicious, at least not at first, but it would definitely be seen as something out of the ordinary.”

“So if I understand this correctly,” James says as he glances between Jiron and Brother Willim, “any frontal assault will draw attention.”

Brother Willim nods and Jiron says, “Most likely.”

“Is there a back way in?” asks Stig.

“If there was we didn’t see it,” replies Shorty. “The temple is pretty big too. It may take us some time to locate this dais thing you want to get to once we’re inside.”

“Perhaps this slave’s plan is the best course to follow right now,” suggests Reilin. When the others give him glares, he sticks to his guns and says, “At least go and see what this guy can do for us.”

“I’d want you to follow and keep an eye on me,” James tells Jiron.

“Oh, you can bet I’ll be doing that,” he says. Picking up the slave rag off the table he says, “Shouldn’t you be getting into this thing then?”

James looks in disgust at it and shakes his head. “Not until I have too.”

Another hour goes by and the young man has yet to return. When it’s but a couple hours before dusk, he again appears at James’ door. This time he’s alone, the other slave that was with him the previous two times is absent. Tucked under one arm is a package which he hands to Brother Willim upon entering.

“I found everything you requested,” he says. “Took some doing, though.

Bother Willim takes the package and nods. “I can imagine.” He then opens it up on the table and begins removing the contents.

Turning to James, he asks, “Are you planning on meeting with the one whom I spoke of?”

“Yes,” he replies. “It doesn’t look as if I have much choice.”

“Then when you’re ready I will escort you to him,” he says.

Picking up the slave cloth, James asks rather unhappily, “Are you sure this is the only way?”

“If you wish to meet with him, yes.”

Sighing, James says, “Very well.” While Brother Willim is beginning to crush some leaves in a bowl, he takes the slave cloth. “I’ll be in the next room when you’re ready.”

Brother Willim nods. “Be there when I am done.”

James then leaves the room and goes to the next one over. Once he’s inside and alone, he holds up the cloth and a shiver runs through him. Nothing for it, he tells himself and begins removing his clothes. Naked, he picks up the cloth and begins working to secure it around his loins. Not nearly as easy as he first thought, it takes him three attempts before it’s on well enough that it won’t fall off when he paces back and forth.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Yes?” he hollers through the door.

“It’s me,” he hears Miko says.

“Come in,” James tells him.

When the door opens, Miko comes in and sees him standing there in naught but the slave cloth. “Man oh man,” he says with a mischievous grin.

“What?” James asks.

“First of all,” he explains, “you have it on wrong. Here let me help you fix it.” Closing the door he moves forward and removes the slave cloth. Then he shows him the proper way to wear it. “The way you had it on, it would have fallen off in no time.” Tucking the last piece within the part circling his waist, Miko nods and stands up.

“I feel naked,” James says.

“That feeling will get worse once you’re out in public,” he says. “Trust me, I know.”

James only nods.

They stay in the room for a half hour and Miko coaches James in the nuances of being a slave. Keeping your eyes lowered, never talking back, all the things he learned during his time as a slave.

By the time Brother Willim makes his appearance, James has the basics down and should be able to pass himself off as one. Entering with his bowl in hand, he pauses a moment when he sees James there. White skin contrasting badly with the tanned areas of his body that had been exposed to sunlight, he almost glows in the dark.