Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

“What’s happening to me?” he asks, voice revealing a trace of fear.

Lowering his voice, he says, “It’s the Fire. That gem you’re carrying.”

“What?” he asks. “How?”

“I’m not really sure,” James answers. “But every time you’re in a battle, it appears that the Fire is taking over. When the Fire has control, you are unbeatable on the battlefield.”

Miko’s eyes widen in wonder as he continues, “Today, your sword was moving so fast I had a hard time keeping track of it.”

“Unbelievable,” Miko breathes.

Nodding, James says, “I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it myself. There’s something else going on too.”

“What?” asks Miko, worriedly.

“You’re growing,” he says. “Since you’ve been carrying the Fire, you’ve grown almost six inches. Heck, you’re almost as tall as I am now. Plus you’re gaining muscle mass faster than normal.”

Miko looks down at his arms and chest as he moves his hands over them, feeling the muscles beneath. He looks to James and asks, “What should I do?”

“When we get back to Cardri, we’ll find a place to hide it and you could possibly go back to normal once you’re rid of it,” he tells him. “At least you won’t change any more, I hope.”

“You hope?” he asks. “What does that mean?”

“It means that I really don’t understand what’s going on,” he explains. “I believe the Fire is some sort of a focal point of Dmon-Li here on earth. What it does, how it does it, or what it might do in the future, I have no idea.”

When Miko casts him another look full of worry and fear, he says reassuringly, “But as long as we keep you out of battles, nothing seems to happen. All the changes take place while you’re in battle and under the influence of the Fire.”

He lays his head on the pillow and says, “Okay.”

“Get some rest,” James says to him. “Not sure just what’s going to happen next, but we’ll need our rest.” He glances over and sees his eyes have already closed.

James lies back and rests his head on the pillow. Though he’s tired, thoughts of Jiron run through his mind as well as concern for Miko. Korgan is still on the loose as well, at least his plans were foiled, this time. Going to have to track him down if he’s still here. Not just because he’s a danger to the city, but because he owes him.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Suddenly brought out of a deep sleep by someone knocking on the door, James holds his head as a headache blossoms to life. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he looks over to Miko, but he’s still asleep.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Getting up, he goes over to the door and opens it. “Yes?” he asks.

Outside the door is a boy about eleven or so. His clothes mark him as a page from the castle, he’d seen a couple of them when he’d been marched through the castle on the way to the dungeons. “Are you James?” the page asks.

“Yes,” sighs James, “I am.”

“Your presence is requested at the castle,” he says.

“By whom?” he asks.

“Lord Pytherian, sir” he replies.

“Alright, let me get ready,” James tells him.

“He said it was urgent,” the boy says, urging him to hurry.

Glancing back at Miko who’s still sleeping, he says, “Let me tell someone where I’ll be so they’ll not worry.” Stepping out into the hall, he goes to the next door and knocks.

When Uther opens it, he says, “I’ve been summoned to the castle.”

Coming instantly alert, Uther asks, “Trouble?”

“I don’t know,” he replies. “The page said it was urgent. Lord Pytherian wants to see me.”

“Do you think we should come with you?” he asks.

Shaking his head, he says, “No, I don’t think that will be necessary. Besides, you weren’t requested, just stay here and wait for Jiron. When Miko wakes up, let him know where I’ve gone.”

Uther glances at the page standing behind him and then says, “Okay, good luck.”

“Thanks.” Turning back to the page, he says, “Alright, let’s go.”

With the boy in the lead, they leave the inn and work their way through the streets to the castle area. “What’s the enemy doing?”

“Rumor is they are waiting for reinforcements,” the page explains. “They’ve also begun constructing defensive fortifications and from what I’ve been told, it looks like they intend to stay out there for a while.”

“Since they can’t take the city, they’ll just maintain a presence there?” he asks.

“That’s what they’re saying,” he replies.

They pass through the gate leading into the castle area and when they get to the courtyard, he notices how they’ve turned it into an area for the wounded. Tents have sprung up and everywhere are men with bandages or lying on cots.

When they pass one tent, he’s startled when a man suddenly screams inside. The pile of amputated arms and legs lying just outside the entrance gives testament as to what is transpiring inside. James just shudders as he thinks of what these people are going through.

He feels a great sense of relief when they come to the castle’s entrance and they’re able to leave the scene of misery behind them. The page takes him down a long corridor and then up a flight of stairs to the next level. Then down another hallway where he stops before a single door.

“He said to wait in here,” the page says as he opens the door.

Where have I heard that before! Stepping through the door, he enters a room. A large table with several chairs sit in the middle of the room. The door the page is holding open is the only way in or out. Before closing the door, the page says, “He shouldn’t be too long, make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks,” James says as the page closes the door. He walks around the room but other than the table and chairs, nothing else is in here. Taking a seat, he takes out a slug and places it in his hand, just in case. He isn’t going to be too trusting again.

Ten minutes later, the door opens and he looks over to see Lord Pytherian framed in the doorway. “See that we’re not disturbed,” he says to the guards who’ve accompanied him.

“Yes, milord,” one of them replies as he moves to enter the room. The guard shuts the door once he’s inside.

James knows he should stand, but he’s just too tired.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” he says as he takes a seat across the table from him.

“The boy said it was urgent,” he replies as he replaces the slug in his belt.

Lord Pytherian notices him returning it and raises an eyebrow.

“After the last time, I don’t plan on taking any chances,” he explains.

“Understandable,” he says.

James asks, “So what’s the urgency?”

“One of our agents who has been watching Councilman Rillian suspects there may be an attempt made to either kill or capture you,” he replies. “We’re not sure when, but we do know it’s being worked out as we speak.”

“Why don’t you just arrest the councilman and be done with it?” he asks.

“Only by order of the Council can that happen, and he has powerful friends,” he explains. “There are some on the Council who believe, but they’re unwilling to act without proof.”

“So now what?” James asks. “You’re going to leave a known traitor on the ruling body of Madoc?”

“As I said, it’s not in my power,” he replies. “But since we know, and he knows we know, his actions will be much curtailed. He won’t do anything, or be a party to anything that might change the will of the Council.”

“But he’s coming after me!” James exclaims. “What do they plan to do about that?”

“Nothing,” he says.

“Nothing!” he cries out. “How can they do nothing?”