Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

“Is that…?” Miko begins.

“I think it is,” James replies. “If it is the one from the boat, how did he know we were here?”

“Then we must get out of here!” he whispers to James.

James shakes his head, “Therin’s father has given us leave to be here, I don’t think he’s one to go back on his word for an outsider.”

“Maybe we should go back into our tent, then?” Jiron suggests. “We wouldn’t want him to see us.”

Nodding, James says, “That might be a good idea.” Yearning to know what is going to happen, he reluctantly goes back to their tent with the others. As he pauses at the entrance, he looks back to Therin and his father. Many of the Windrider warriors have gathered around them as they move to intercept the Grey Wolf Clan. He can tell none of the warriors are very happy about the situation and all are bearing weapons of one sort or another. Then he goes into the tent and closes the flap.

They sit there, anticipating hearing the sounds of battle erupt around them. But other than raised voices and conversations of warriors going by, nothing happens. They wait anxiously for almost an hour before Therin opens the flap and enters.

“What happened?” James asks as he comes in.

“My father was all for driving them out when several of the other clan chiefs warned him about violating the Pact of the Gathering,” he tells them.

“Pact?” Jiron asks.

“Yes, it’s what keeps the peace during the Gathering while the tribute is being brought together,” he explains. “The highest law of the Pact states that no blood shall be shed during this time. Those that do are sentenced to death.”

“Kind of harsh,” says Miko.

Turning to him, he says, “Maybe, but it’s kept the peace this long.” Then to James he continues, “If a clan as a whole should violate it, as we were about to do, then all the others would fall upon it.”

“So what are you going to do?” asks James.

“Endure the insult,” he says, seething with pent up anger. “But when the Gathering is dissolved, then we shall have our retribution.”

Just then, the tent flap opens and several warriors come in with food and drink for them. They place them on a rug lying in the center of the tent before turning to leave. Once they’re gone, Therin says, “Since I was the one who brought you to the Gathering, it has fallen to me to see that you are treated well.”

“Thank you,” James says appreciatively.

“There is another thing I must tell you,” he says.

“The armored man with the Grey Wolf Clan?” asks Jiron.

A little surprised, he replies, “Yes.” He takes his seat around the food, as do the others and then grabs a piece of meat as he begins eating. “He wants you, and wants you bad,” he tells them.

“Why?” asks James.

“He didn’t say, just that he’s here for you and we must give you over,” he explains.

“Are you?” Miko asks, worried.

Shaking his head, he says, “No, you bear the Token of the Lady and we respect her more than we fear him.”

“Why would you fear him?” Jiron asks. “You are many yet he is one?”

“You don’t lightly anger a warrior priest of Dmon-Li,” he tells them. “They have fell magic and much influence with the Empire.”

“So what’s to stop him from just coming here and taking us?” asks James.

“You are under our protection,” he says. “And if he broke the Pact, then all would fall upon him. We also would no longer send the tribute, for he’d have broken the peace the tribute guarantees. So he must tread carefully if he doesn’t wish to start a war the Empire can ill afford.”

“I see,” James says.

“Is that why he’s in with the Grey Wolf Clan?” Jiron asks.

“They’ve long been the dark ones among us,” he replies. “The fact that he’s here and that they’ve brought so many with them cannot bode well. They are our sworn enemies, but have allies among the other clans so we dare not do anything outright against them.”

“So, what are we to do?” James asks.

“As before, wait for the council,” he tells him. “If the council should decide against you, you most likely will be handed over to him instead of killed. They would see that as being one and the same thing. If they find for you, you would be allowed to leave but once you left our territory you would no longer be under our protection.”

“So he could come after and kill us?” Jiron asks.

Shaking his head, Therin replies, “No, not here or that would be violating the Pact. But once out of the valley and in the plains below, he could. The Pact only covers the land within this valley.”

“What can you tell us about these warrior priests?” James asks.

“Not much more than what’s been handed down from generation to generation,” he tells them. “Never has one been among us, but they’re believed to be great in battle and to wield the magic of their god, Dmon-Li. They know no fear and the power of their god helps them to heal quickly from wounds. It’s even said to bring them back from the dead.”

“Great,” James says as he looks to Jiron and Miko. Miko stares back at him with a worried expression. Then he turns his attention back to Therin and says, “But he won’t do anything until we either leave, or the council gives him permission?”

“That’s right,” agrees Therin. Finishing up his last piece of meat, he stands up and makes to leave. “You might wish to remain in here until the council, it would cause fewer problems,” he says and then opens the flap and leaves.

A few moments after he leaves, Jiron says, “Maybe we should try and sneak out of here.”

“I doubt if we’d make it very far,” says James. “We’d stick out like a sore thumb if we tried. They’d quickly realize what we’re doing and move to stop us.”

“Why is this priest even after us?” Miko asks.

“Therin said they have influence within the Empire,” explains James. “Perhaps we’ve irritated them enough to bring out the big guns.”

“Big guns?” Jiron asks.

“Sorry,” James apologizes. “I mean, what they’ve thrown at us so far we’ve been able to handle, so it would stand to reason that they’d send in stronger, more deadly adversaries. Those better able to defend against or counter the magic I use.”

“I suppose,” Miko says.

Suddenly, James begins to feel the prickling of magic being used and he signals everyone to be quiet. “Magic is near,” he whispers to them.

They both quiet down, they understand what that has to mean, the warrior priest is near.

A shadow falls across their tent, one bulky with armor. The prickling sensation increases as the shadow pauses at the entrance to their tent. They hold their breath, Jiron gets his knives ready and James takes out a small rock he’d acquired earlier. The shadow’s arm reaches for the tent flap but then several warriors approach and the shadow draws back its arm and returns the way it had come.

They wait for several minutes until the prickling sensation disappears and James says, “I think he’s gone.”

“He almost got in here!” Miko exclaims.

“But he didn’t,” James reassures him. “So try to relax, being edgy won’t help the situation.”

The tent flap opens and Therin walks in. “The last clan has arrived earlier than expected and the council will be beginning later this evening rather than tomorrow. Due primarily to the fact of the warrior priest being here among us. They want the situation with him resolved as soon as possible.” He looks directly at James and says, “They’ll probably want to see the Token and you, the others need to stay here.”

“Should I go now?” he asks.

Shaking his head, Therin says, “No, there’s going to be a banquet first and after that, I’ll come to get you.”