Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

“That one we saw moving around the forest,” Jiron says, “do you think they could have been on their way there?”

“Likely,” says Fifer. “But who knows for sure?”

Once they’re done eating and the horses have had a rest, they remount and begin moving north through the forest again. They decide not to follow the river northwest, instead they head due north, hoping to avoid anyone that might be using it.

The day progresses as they continue through the woods, sometime after noon they hear a rustling ahead of them. Suddenly, four men with longbows step out of the trees, arrows knocked and ready. Several others step out with them, one comes forward and says, “Stop and identify yourselves.”

“You Madoc’s men?” James asks.

Nodding, the man waits for their reply.

Fifer steps forward and says, “I’m Fifer, belong to Miller’s band.” Indicating the others, he says, “These here are friends.”

The man eyes him suspiciously and says, “Don’t know any Miller’s band and you’re not familiar. What business have you here?”

He glances to James and Jiron before replying. “We helped rescue Lord Pytherian from the Empire, got separated from him, and now are trying to get back to friendly territory.”

The man signals the archers who lower their bows. “Heard he disappeared,” the man says.

Nodding, Fifer continues, “He was taken in a raid, I believe there was treachery involved. We separated several nights ago. He went north while we diverted a force bent on capturing him to allow him time to get through to our side. Last we saw of him, he was heading in this direction.”

“You’ll have to come with us back to our camp,” the man tells them. “Our captain is going to want to hear what you have to say.”

Fifer glances to James and Jiron who both nod their heads. He turns back to the man and says, “Lead on.”

The man turns to one of his men and whispers something to him. His man then turns and begins to run northward, disappearing into the trees.

“My names Erwin,” he tells them. “Don’t be alarmed, he just went ahead to let them know you’re coming.”

James steps up, and offers his hand. When Erwin takes it, he says, “I’m James, and this here is Jiron and Miko.” Each nods their head to Erwin when they’re introduced.

Erwin begins to lead them through the forest, his men flanking them as well as bringing up the rear. “The camp’s not too far away, about a mile or so,” he tells them. They walk the rest of the way in silence. Soon, they begin to see a camp opening up in the trees ahead of them. From the looks of it, several hundred men call this camp home.

As they approach, they see a man in woodsman attire standing at the edge of the camp waiting for them. He’s flanked by several men, bodyguards by the looks of them.

“That’s Captain Alerin, he’s in charge of these woods,” explains Erwin.

“Captain,” he says when they come near to where he’s waiting, “these men here are James, Fifer, Jiron and Miko. They claim to have helped Lord Pytherian escape from the Empire.”

The captain’s eyebrows rise slightly when he hears that. “Great news indeed, but where is Lord Pytherian?”

James steps forward and replies, “We were separated from him several days ago. We drew off a group of soldiers in order for him to escape. Last we knew, he was heading in this direction.”

“He hasn’t passed through these woods, or I would’ve known it,” states Captain Alerin gravely. “Hopefully, he went around them and found a safe route that way.” He gestures for them to follow as he moves over to a large tent. Coming to it, one of his men moves and opens the tent flap for him.

After the captain has passed within the tent, the man holds the flap open as the others file inside behind him. Within the tent are several tables with maps covering them, as well as several braziers burning throughout to give light.

The captain moves over to one table with a large map lying open upon it and gestures for them to join him. He indicates a section of the map and says, “This is the forest we’re in right now. Where was the last place you saw him?”

James comes over and begins inspecting the map. He sees near the bottom of the map the area where the mines lie. “Here,” he says as he points to a spot a little west of the mines. Then he brings his finger over to the town just west of the spot, “This is where they took him.”

“And you rescued him from there?” he asks incredulously. “Just the four of you?”

“Actually,” Fifer says, “I wasn’t with them at the time of the rescue. I was waiting outside the east gate with Miller and the rest.”

He glances at James, Jiron and Miko a moment then shakes his head. “That hardly seems likely.”

“Likely or not,” Fifer replies, “they did enter the city and they brought him out.”

“Do you have a mirror?” asks James suddenly. “Or perhaps a bowl of water?”

“Why?” he asks.

“I’ll be able to ascertain his whereabouts if you do?” replies James.

Fifer sees his confused look and explains, “He’s a mage.”

Eyes widening, Captain Alerin says, “Truly?” When Fifer nods affirmative, he says, “Never met one before.”

“Do you have a mirror?” James asks again.

Captain Alerin reaches over to another table and lifts up some paper revealing a four inch square mirror. Picking it up, he hands it over to James, “Will this do?”

“It’ll do just fine,” he replies as he takes it.

Setting it on the table in front of him, he motions for the captain to stand next to him. Concentrating on Lord Pytherian, he lets the magic flow and the image begins to form. Suddenly coming into focus, they see Lord Pytherian in a room with others, talking.

“Ah,” he says as he sees the image, a smile coming across his face.

“What?” asks James.

“He’s made it to Olton,” he says. When he sees their lack of understanding, he explains, “It’s a town to the north of us and as far as I know it’s still in Madoc territory. The ones with him are leaders of the town, as well as a few others I don’t recognize.”

“Could they be members of the alliance?” asks Fifer.

“Maybe,” he says. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out of these woods.”

“Is Colton well fortified?” asks Jiron suddenly. “Could it withstand an attack?”

Shaking his head, he says, “Hardly, it’s not that big of a town. If anyone were to attack, it wouldn’t be able to last very long. Why?”

“We saw a large force of foot soldiers moving around this forest,” explains James, indicating the position on the map. “If they were to surround and hit Colton, would they be able to hold them off?”

Looking worried, Captain Alerin says, “Not a chance. It would fall in a day.” Moving to the tent entrance he hollers for one of his men. When the man comes close, he says, “Send someone to Colton, warn of immediate attack by a large band of men moving from the east around the forest.”

“Wait,” he hears James say. When he glances back to him, James says, “There may be a quicker way.”

“Have someone stand by,” he tells the man who runs off to carry out his orders. He turns and comes back over to James, “How?”

“I’m not sure if it’ll work, but I might be able to give him a message,” James explains.

Looking skeptical, Captain Alerin says, “Alright, let’s see if it works.”

“First, let me see where exactly that army is now,” he says as the image shifts. Suddenly, they see the forest and the image quickly scrolls to the east. When it reaches the edge of the forest, James moves it first southward and when he fails to find the army, he moves it north.