Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

Lord Pytherian looks from the dead body, to Councilman Rillian and then to James. He moves over and begins to untie the councilman.

“What’re you doing milord?” exclaims James as he comes to his feet. “He’s a traitor to Madoc. He lured us here, drugged us, and was about to begin questioning us about who knows what before Jiron here showed up and foiled the whole thing.”

“Surely you’re not going to take the word of this thief and murderer, are you?” Councilman Rillian asks once Lord Pytherian has untied him. Coming to his feet, he adds, “I want them executed right now for what they’ve done here!”

“You know the law as well as anyone, Councilman,” Lord Pytherian says. “No one is to be executed until duly tried.”

“This is outrageous!” cries the councilman. “Then I demand them to stand before the council first thing tomorrow.” He stares at Lord Pytherian and says, “I want them locked in the dungeon where they can’t get away.”

“As you wish, Councilman,” Lord Pytherian says. Turning to the guards at the door, he says, “Come in here and take these men to the palace dungeons.”

Eight guards enter the room with their swords drawn and take James, Jiron and Fifer into custody. One of the guards slings Fifer over his shoulder.

James glares at Lord Pytherian and says, “But we rescued you! How can you do this?”

“I have no authority in civil matters,” he explains. “Councilman Rillian here is one of the ruling body of Madoc, he has the right in this matter.” Nodding to a guard, he says, “Take them away.”

“But we have proof! Miller is holding a man who works for him,” he says, indicating the councilman. “He’ll explain everything!”

“We’ll see,” Lord Pytherian replies. To the guard, he says, “Go ahead.”

“Yes, milord,” the guard says. Then to his prisoners, he says, “You heard his lordship, move.”

The guards follow as James and Jiron leave the room. Just as they begin to move down the hallway, they hear Councilman Rillian begin yelling at Lord Pytherian.

Down the hallway and then to the bottom of the stairs they’re led. When they exit the building, the crowd of people in the courtyard parts, allowing them to pass through to the castle.

James is trying to understand what just happened. He was sure Lord Pytherian would’ve believed them and been on their side. Strange things indeed must be afoot.

“James, can you get us out of this?” Jiron whispers as he leans closer to him.

“Too tired,” he replies quietly. “By morning, who knows?”

“Quiet you two!” orders the nearest guard.

They can hear Fifer groan from where he’s being carried by one of the guards, the drug must be beginning to wear off.

The front gates of the castle are twenty foot high and twice that wide. The classic moat runs around the outside with a drawbridge allowing access over it. As they cross the drawbridge, James notices a strong, iron portcullis hanging above them that would be dropped in emergencies, effectively blocking the entrance to the castle.

A forty foot tunnel leads from the gates to the inner courtyard. No doors lead from it, but there are arrow slits in the walls where defenders could fire upon any attackers caught in the tunnel. Above the tunnel, the ceiling contains holes, murder holes, where defenders could rein down rocks or burning oil to cost the attacker’s dearly.

At the end of the tunnel hangs another portcullis, similar to the one at the other end. Exiting the tunnel, they enter the inner courtyard of the castle, itself designed as a killing ground. Only two sets of doors lead out of it and they’re lead to the one on the right.

Once through the double doors, they proceed down a long corridor past several other closed doors before coming to a flight of steps leading down. The lead guard takes a torch that is burning in a wall sconce and begins descending the steps. James and Jiron follow close behind with the rest of the guards, the one carrying Fifer bringing up the rear.

The stair winds its way down until finally opening on a large room with cells on both sides. “This way,” the guard leading them says as he continues on toward the end where he opens one of the cell doors and directs them to enter.

The light from the torch illuminates a sizeable cell with several benches situated about the floor. He finds it empty, much to his relief.

Jiron follows him in and then the guard carrying Fifer comes and lays him on one of the benches. Then they proceed to remove all their weapons, Jiron looks like he’s ready to protest when they remove his knives but stands passively as they take them.

Once all their weapons have been removed, the guards leave the cell, closing the door behind them. They then proceed from the room in silence, taking the weapons with them. As they move up the stairs, the light from the torch gets dimmer and dimmer until they’re finally in total black again.

Light suddenly flares up as James’ orb springs to life in the palm of his hand. “I thought you were too tired?” asks Jiron.

“I am, but this is fairly easy to do,” replies James. “How’s the shoulder?”

“Hurts,” he replies. “I think the blood has finally stopped oozing out.”

James gets up and moves over to Fifer who’s beginning to groan once again. “Fifer!” he says as he sits next to him. Holding the orb close, he can see his eyes are open. “Can you hear me?” he asks him.

Fifer nods his head and says weakly, “Yeah.”

James helps him to sit up and has to hold him steady as he’s still not completely over the effects of the drug and it’s messing up his equilibrium.

“Where are we?” he asks.

“In the dungeon under the castle,” replies Jiron.

“What?” he exclaims. “How?”

James proceeds to relate the events since he woke up back on the couch. Fifer’s eyes widen when he hears the accusations being brought against them. “That’s absurd!” he cries out, the glow from the orb accentuating the anger on his face.

“We know that, and you can bet Councilman Rillian knows it too,” James explains. “But he’s just covering up his own hand in all this, at our expense.”

“What about that one eyed guy?” Jiron asks. “That one Miko mentioned?”

“We’ve got to get word somehow to Lord Pytherian about him,” says James. “Before it’s too late.”

James moves over to Jiron and takes a closer look at the bolt sticking out of his shoulder. “Can’t leave that in there to fester,” he says.

“I know,” he replies. “You better pull it out.”

“But we have nothing to close it with,” counters James.

“What choice do we have,” says Jiron. “It’s got to come out.”

“Alright,” agrees James as he gets in position to pull it out. Just before he takes hold of the bolt, the stairwell begins to lighten up again and the sound of approaching footsteps can be heard. He takes his hand away as they all turn to see who is coming.

Lord Pytherian, along with another man bearing a bag and a torch, move into the room. They come and stand before their cell.

James glares at him from where he’s sitting next to Jiron.

“I believe you,” Lord Pytherian tells him. “Go ahead,” he says to the man with him who produces a key and opens the cell door.

“He’s a healer,” he tells them. “He’s here to remove the bolt from your shoulder, Jiron.”

James gets up to make room for the healer. He then goes over to Lord Pytherian and asks, “If you believe us, why are we here?”

“You must understand,” he explains, “I have no authority in civil matters. Councilman Rillian is a very powerful member of the council with many friends. I could not side against him, it would’ve created severe problems we can ill afford with that army sitting on our doorstep.”