Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

“Easy, Fifer,” he says, “You’ll break my back.”

“I thought you dead!” Fifer exclaims. “How’d you escape the City?”

“That’s a long story,” Jiron replies. He motions over his shoulder and says, “My camp is over that way, would you and your friends care to join us?”

“Us?” Fifer asks. “Who else is with you?”

“No one you’d know,” he explains.

When Fifer’s comrades come over, he turns to them and says, “This is Jiron. We fought in the pits together, the deadliest man with two knives you’ll ever see.” Then he turns back to Jiron and asks, “Is Tinok with you?”

“He was, but we got separated some time ago,” Jiron tells him as he begins to lead them back to where James and Miko are sleeping.

“At least he survived the fall of the City,” he says. Gesturing to one of his comrades, he says, “This here is Miller, he’s our leader.”

Jiron gives him a slight bow, “Glad to meet you.”

“You as well, Jiron,” Miller replies. “Fifer here has constantly told us about the pits and the fighters there. It’ll be good to have you as one of the team.”

James is awake and looking anxiously in their direction when they round the hill. When he sees Jiron smiling and unconcerned, he visibly relaxes and returns the rock to his pouch.

Miko starts awake, at first disoriented but then comes to his senses. When he sees the band of men coming toward them he at first fears attack, but then like James, relaxes when he sees Jiron’s calm demeanor.

“James, Miko,” says Jiron as they reach the camp. “This here is Fifer, a friend from the pits.” He claps him on the back and then indicating the leader of the group, saying, “And this is Miller, the leader of this band.”

“Greetings,” James says. Miko remains quiet, unsure how to take all this. “Just what brings you all this way into the Empire?”

“We’re on the trail of a force traveling south,” Miller says. “You wouldn’t have seen them, have you?”

“As a matter of fact we did, earlier today,” replies James. “There’s a town to the east a few hours away, I believe they were heading toward it.”

Miller and Fifer exchange glances that tell James this news was not what they had hoped to hear.

Turning to Jiron, Miller asks, “Now that you know our business, would you mind telling us yours?”

“We rescued James’ friend Miko here from slavers,” Jiron explains. “Now we’re just trying to get out of the Empire.”

“Why are you pursuing that army?” James asks.

Fifer looks to Miller who nods his head. Fifer turns back to them and says, “Several days ago, there was a major battle between the forces of the Empire and those made up of Madoc’s forces as well as allies who’d come to help.”

“Our general, Lord Pytherian, was captured when the Empire made a bold attack on our flanks. A force of cavalry had cut their way through the lines and before anyone could stop them, had broken through to the command area and taken the general.”

“And you’re trying to rescue him?” James asks.

Nodding, Fifer says, “We must. The alliance is beginning to fall apart without him. Most only joined because he was in command. Without him, the opposition to the Empire in this area will simply disappear.”

“It’s worse than that,” interjects Miller. “Suspicion has been growing that one faction or another had a hand in his capture. If he’s not returned, there may be conflict between the different members of the Alliance as they begin accusing each other of the deed.”

“Join us!” exclaims Fifer. “We must get him back or the Empire will expand unchecked until all of Madoc lies under its thumb!”

“What do you plan to do?” James asks.

“Now that we know where he’s been taken,” Miller explains, “we’ll go to this city and find a way to get him out.”

“Give us a moment,” James says as he nods to Jiron and Miko. Moving away from the others, they talk quietly among themselves.

“We should help them,” Jiron says. “If things are as they say, we have no choice.”

“But we don’t know that it is,” James replies. “We just have their word.”

“Fifer wouldn’t lie to me,” Jiron asserts. “We’ve known each other too long.”

“Okay, let’s say what they say is true,” James begins. “Dare we risk what we carry to help?” He points to the pouch at Miko’s waist wherein the Fire lies.

“I know,” says Jiron.

“What do you think Miko?” James asks.

Surprised at being asked, Miko says, “I say we risk it. The Empire is a blight upon this world that must be hindered in any way.” He says it with such conviction that James is taken aback by it.

Glancing from one to the other, he comes to his decision. “Alright, we’ll help,” James tells them. “But we stick together, agreed?”

Miko nods his head and Jiron says, “Agreed!”

Going back over, they tell them that they’ll help them regain Lord Pytherian.

“Great!” Miller says. “Now, show us where this city lies.”

Suddenly, James realizes that they’ve only gotten a couple hours of sleep and that Jiron has had none. “We should wait until nightfall,” he says. “We are on the point of exhaustion and need to rest before embarking on this venture.”

“Lord Pytherian may not have that much time!” Miller exclaims. “We go now!”

“Then go!” James exclaims with impatience. “You scout around and we’ll show up later, after sunset.”

“That is unacceptable!” blusters Miller. “When you agreed to join my band, you agreed to follow my orders. I say we go now!”

James gets in his face and shouts, “We did NOT agree to join your band, and we certainly are NOT under your orders! If you want our help, you will have to wait until this evening, I’ll not jeopardize our lives because of your impatience!” Standing there eye to eye with him, James can see his face beginning to turn red, obviously he’s not used to having his orders challenged.

James turns his back on him and walks away.

Shhhhht!

He hears Miller’s sword leaving its sheath. Turning around, he sees Jiron has already moved to position himself between Miller and James. The others of Miller’s band draw their weapons as well just as Fifer steps between them.

“Enough!” he cries out. Looking to Miller, he says, “These are allies! And friends! They’ve agreed to help, but even I can tell they’re dead on their feet. As they are now, they’d be little help in rescuing Lord Pytherian.” He looks Miller in the eye as he says in a calmer voice, “They need to rest. We can scout the city and allow them that time. When they’re able to help us, we’ll know better what to do.”

Getting his anger under control, Miller returns his sword to his sheath. A second later the rest of his band follows suit. “Very well,” he says as he turns his attention to Jiron. “We’ll meet you to the east of the city after sunset.”

“Agreed,” Jiron says.

Miller and his band mount their horses again and then head west toward the city. Fifer gives Jiron a shrug and a slight smile as he follows his leader.

“How did he ever get in charge of a band of men,” James says.

“Probably knows someone,” replies Jiron.

“You get some rest,” he tells Jiron. “I’ll take the rest of the watch.”

Yawning, Jiron replies, “Sounds good.” He spreads out his blanket and lies down under the afternoon sun. Both he and Miko slip into sleep in very short order.

As he sits there waiting for night to come, he shakes his head. Another city, more danger. Will it never end?

He took an instant dislike to Miller. Fifer wasn’t so bad, but that Miller, he could definitely do without.