Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li: The Morcyth Saga Book Three

by Brian S. Pratt

  He definitely felt part of the group when he brought it back to camp and got the congratulations from everyone.

  Once dinner is over, they set up a schedule for watches and Miko takes the first one while the other two sleep. The night passes quietly.

  After another two days of trudging through the mountains, everyone has toughened up and the arduous trek is no longer so bad. Even Miko has stopped complaining as his muscles toughen up and James’ leg is no longer hurting as badly, just the occasional throbbing.

  When darkness begins to fall on the fifth day since leaving the lake area, they crest a ridge and look down on a small valley nestled between two peaks. It levels out for a while before rising on the other side.

  “Good place to spend the night,” James says.

  Jiron nods his head and they begin making their way down to the bottom. As the light fades into twilight, they reach the floor of the little valley and are surprised when they come across a fire ring sitting in the middle of a clearing.

  “Wonder who was here?” Miko asks, looking around.

  “Whoever it was, they haven’t been here for quite some time,” James assures him. “Probably hunters use this place in the winter.”

  “Doesn’t really matter,” Jiron says. “They’re not here and it’s a good place for us to camp for the night.” Turning to Miko he says, “Go get us some food master hunter.”

  Taking his crossbow, Miko replies, “Sure thing.” Then he moves quietly out into the woods looking for dinner.

  “Think he’ll get anything?” James asks him.

  Shrugging, Jiron replies, “He has the last two out of three times. He seems to be getting better with it, though.”

  “True,” he agrees.

  They get the fire going and have lots of wood stockpiled for the night when they hear Miko crashing through the forest toward them.

  James smiles at Jiron and says, “He’s not going to find anything if he keeps making all that noise.”

  Suddenly, Miko bursts out of the trees and runs into camp. “James!” he cries out.

  Jiron is about to make a comment about the ‘great hunter’, when out of the brush behind Miko emerges a large bear-like creature. A crossbow bolt is sticking out of its hindquarters. When it sees them, it lets out with a roar and charges straight for them.

  Jiron jumps to his feet, knives in hand as the bear approaches. Miko runs past them and then comes to a halt at the other side of the camp. He turns and watches James and Jiron as they confront the beast.

  James lets out with a blast of energy that strikes the creature in the side. It doesn’t even slow the creature, it just seems to make it madder.

  Jiron steps backward, not wanting to close with it. His knives would be ineffective against such a brute.

  Crumph!

  The ground just in front of it erupts and throws it off its stride. A slug flies from James’ hand and hits it in the side, lodging against a bone. Damn! This thing is tough!

  Creating his orb, he tosses it in front of the beast and causes it to explode in blinding light.

  The creature rears back, crying out in fear from all the unexpected attacks and then runs off into the woods. They can hear its cries as it continues to move further away.

  As one, they turn to Miko who says, “I didn’t even see it. I swear!” He looks back and forth between them and then continues, “I was aiming for a small rabbit. When I fired, it moved and the bolt flew past and into some bushes. I guess it was sitting on the other side of the bushes and got hit. It sat up and roared. Then it saw me there and started to chase me!”

  They both continue to give him stern glares when suddenly, James starts chuckling. Then Jiron joins in until they’re both laughing.

  “It’s not funny!” Miko yells. “I could have died!”

  Which only makes them laugh all the harder. When they finally settle down, Miko is quite put out by them and sits down in a huff. “You guys don’t care,” he says, dejected.

  Sobering up, James goes over to him and says, “Of course we care, but the whole situation was just too funny.” He can’t help himself as he breaks into another smile. “Don’t feel bad.”

  “It’s just that I didn’t get anything for dinner,” he tells him.

  “That’s okay, we still have plenty of meat from last night,” he assures him. “And I think there are still some fruit and roots from Lyria’s as well.”

  When he sees they’re not really disappointed with him, he begins to smile a little.

  They break out their rations and sit around the fire as they eat their dinner. Here in the mountains, when night falls, it falls fast. It’s not long until they’re in full night with only the stars and the almost full moon overhead to give light. They keep the fire going through the night in order to keep warm. Here in the mountains, it gets very cold when the sun goes down.

  Chapter Ten

  _________________________

  Early the next morning as they are getting ready to continue on their way, James looks to the east and sees a band of horsemen coming through a gap in the ridge. “Jiron!” he exclaims, pointing over to them.

  “Let’s move!” Jiron hollers as they quickly run to the west, hoping to avoid detection. But that hope is short lived when they hear a horn, blaring. They glance back toward the horsemen and see them moving quickly in their direction, one of the riders is pointing to them.

  Running through the trees as best they can, James tries to find a place to defend as he knows escape is no longer an option. They come to a steep side of the cliff where they can put their backs to as they face the oncoming horsemen.

  The horn blares again and the riders come into view as they make their way through the trees before them. These horsemen aren’t part of the Empire’s forces, they wear leathers and most have short curved bows. Several of the bowmen have arrows knocked and aimed as they use their knees to steer their steeds.

  “James!” Miko cries out. “What are you waiting for?”

  The horsemen, though targeting them with bows, don’t feel necessarily evil or dangerous. So he holds back and waits to see what they’ll do.

  At the horsemen’s approach, Jiron draws his knives and Miko brings up his crossbow. James puts his hand on the crossbow and lowers it back down. He steps forward, holds his hand up and says, “Greetings.”

  Two of the horsemen exchange looks and one of them replies, “You are trespassing in Windrider territory.”

  “Our apologies,” James says with sincerity. “We did not know that this area belonged to anyone.”

  “None are allowed here,” the rider explains. “You must turn around and go back!”

  “James!” Miko exclaims.

  “Shut up!” he says to him. Turning his attention back to the rider he says, “There must be some way that we could be allowed to continue.”

  “There is none,” the rider asserts. He nods over to the ridge to the north and says, “Had you crossed over, your lives would’ve been forfeit. But you have not yet crossed the sacred boundary, so I will let you live.” He pauses for a moment and then adds, “If you leave, now.”

  Suddenly, he feels Jiron’s hand on his arm as he whispers, “James, look at their tunics.”

  “What about them?” he whispers back.

  “The beadwork,” he explains. “It’s the same as on that necklace Lyria gave you.”

  James looks closer and he slowly nods his head as he sees the same pattern of shapes and colors as is on the necklace.

  He begins to reach into his pouch for it when the archers begin to draw back their arrows at his movement. He stops and says, “I have something I wish to show you, if I may?”

  Nodding, the rider holds up his hand and the archers relax somewhat but still have their bows at the ready.

  He reaches in and pulls out the necklace, holding it out to the rider.

  The rider gasps and takes it from him as several of the others gather around to examine it, the archers lower their bows a little
bit more. After several moments of exchanging words in their language, the rider turns to James and asks, “Where did you get this?”

  “It was given to us some time ago by a lady,” he explains.

  “What lady?” he asks, an odd expression forming on his face.

  “She called herself Lyria and she lived on an island in the middle of a lake,” he replies. “The lake sits at the southern edge of these mountains.”

  His explanation generates more intense discussion among the assembled riders. The bowmen continue to keep their bows ready, but are no longer aiming them at James and the others.

  When the conversation ends, the rider turns back to them and says, “We will take you to our camp.” Then he says something to the bowmen who put their bows away. They put the unused arrow in a quiver slung across their backs and then sling the bow alongside it.

  The rider turns his attention back to James and says, “My name is Therin, sub-chief of the Windrider Clan.”

  “I’m James,” he replies. Motioning to his companions, he continues, “And this is Jiron and Miko.”

  “So we will be allowed to travel in your territory?” Miko blurts out.

  “The lady has given you our token,” he says. “So you will not be immediately turned away. But whether you are allowed to live is up to our chief.”

  “Live?” James asks.

  He gestures to the southern ridge and says, “Our camp lies beyond the ridge. If all is as you claim, you have nothing to fear. If not, you’ll not live the day.” He speaks to one of the horsemen and he quickly rides off toward the southern ridge.

  Turning his attention back to James, he says, “Now, if you’ll all mount behind one of my riders, we’ll be on our way.”

  “It’s okay,” James assures Jiron and Miko. “I think we’ll be alright.”

  As Miko is mounting behind a rider, he says, “I sure hope so.”

  Once they are mounted, Therin leads them toward the southern ridge. It takes them a half hour to reach it and when they crest the top, James hears a gasp from Miko. Looking out beyond the ridge, he sees a vast circular valley, surrounded on all sides by mountains. James is reminded of a meteor crater, one must have hit here some time far in the past.

  The valley is filled with tents and horses. Thousands of horses run free within the valley. “This is where the Clans gather each year to ready the tribute to the Empire,” Therin tells him as he rides along side of him.

  “Tribute?” James asks.

  “Of horses and gold,” he explains.

  “How many clans are there?” he asks.

  “Ten,” he replies. “But four have yet to put in an appearance. The Windrider Clan claims the gathering area as part of our territory, but during this time, all the clans are allowed to come.”

  “I take it you don’t all get along?” James asks.

  Shaking his head, he says, “No, not all. Most work together for mutual benefit, to make the clans strong.”

  As they continue to work their way down the side of the valley toward the Gathering, James looks out over the tents, now able to discern the different patterns of the various clans, each clan having its own unique pattern of color and shapes. The tents, which at first looked to be randomly scattered about, can now be seen as being grouped according to each clan.

  Near the center of the gathering, James can see tents bearing the pattern of the Windrider Clan. It’s by far the largest group of tents in the valley, probably due to the fact it’s their territory.

  When they reach the edge of the gathering, others begin to notice them riding behind the clansmen and the word of their arrival begins to spread. A crowd gathers around them as they progress toward the Windrider tents.

  Therin exchanges words with some as they ride but most are simply following along after to see what’s going on. Upon nearing the Windrider tents, James observes a clansman enter the largest tent and after a few moments, an aged man exits. Though he’s seen a few years, he still has strength about him and a commanding look.

  “The Chief of the Windriders,” Therin tells him. “My father.”

  Coming to a halt in front of his father, Therin dismounts and greets him with a hug. He then begins talking to him in their language.

  James can hear their names being said during the course of the conversation. At one point, he holds up the token Lyria had given him and the Chief’s eyes widen and several in the crowd begin muttering.

  Therin turns toward them and says, “My father would like to meet the friends of the Lake Lady.”

  Dismounting, James and the others come forward. Giving him a bow, he says, “Greetings, Chief of the Windriders.” Miko and Jiron both bow just like they saw James do.

  “Greetings,” the Chief says. “Never has the Lady given our token to another. This is indeed a strange occurrence, though what to do with you remains unclear. Outsiders are not allowed here, yet you bear the favor of the Lady.”

  “Therin,” he says to his son, “find them a place to stay.” Turning back to James, he says, “When the moon is full, the meeting of the clan chiefs will take place. At that time, we shall decide what to do with you. Until then, you can move freely among us.”

  As if that’s that, he turns his back upon them and returns within the tent from which he’d emerged.

  Therin returns Lyria’s token to James and says, “That will be tomorrow night.” He points off to the east and says, “The Black Tails have just arrived. By tomorrow night, all the clans should be here.”

  He leads them away from his father’s tent over to a smaller one set up a dozen yards away. Opening the flap, he says, “You may use this tent while you’re among us.” Once they’ve entered, he follows them in and closes the flap.

  “What do you think they’ll do with us?” James asks him.

  Shrugging, he says, “The laws are clear about outsiders. To be in the Valley of the Gathering is to die. But yet you bear the token of the Lady and that is something they must strongly consider. They will not wish to anger the Lady.”

  “Why?” Miko asks him.

  “She is beloved by all,” he explains. “Many have been the times when she’s appeared and helped us in our times of need. She even saved my father’s life once when he’d been bitten by a snake. We all had begun the final rites but she appeared, gave him some medicine and ministered to him. I needn’t tell you how happy we were when he again walked out of his tent.”

  “No, I don’t think death will be your fate,” he says. “What it may be, I couldn’t even begin to guess.”

  “I suppose being here for a day wouldn’t be that bad,” Jiron says as he lies down on a blanket.”

  “If you wish to remain in this tent,” he tells them, “you may. It might be the best thing to do. Some of our warriors are brash and easily offended. It wouldn’t do for trouble to happen before the chiefs have a chance to come to a decision. If you should leave your tent, try to stay within the Windrider’s camp, they all know you are under our protection until the meeting of the chiefs.”

  James says, “Alright.”

  He lifts the tent flap and leaves.

  When the flap shuts closed, Jiron says, “Think they’ll allow us to leave?”

  Shrugging, James says, “I don’t know. Thank goodness Lyria had given us that token or there’d be a war going on right now.”

  “There still may be one if they decide against us,” observes Jiron.

  “Let’s hope not,” Miko says from where he’s stretched out on one of the blankets. “We have at least till tomorrow night before anything will be decided.”

  “True,” agrees James.

  From outside the tent, a sudden outcry erupts. James glances to the others and says, “I’m going to go see what’s happening.”

  The other two get up and join him as he goes outside the tent. The warriors are talking amongst themselves and James can see they’re angered about something.

  Seeing Therin talking to several warriors who are obviously distraug
ht, he goes over toward him. Therin glances at him as he approaches and James asks, “What’s going on?”

  Pointing to the north, he says, “The Grey Wolf Clan has just arrived.”

  James looks and sees a large body of horsemen coming over the ridge. Along with them is a herd of horses, most likely part of the tribute. “And why is that causing such a problem?”

  “That they’re here, none,” he explains. “It’s that they’ve brought twice the number of warriors as is agreed upon.”

  “And that’s bad?” he asks.

  “It’s an insult!” Therin says with anger. “To bring so many here, within our territory, outrageous!”

  His father exits the tent and looks in anger at the Grey Wolf Clan approaching the assembled tents. Warriors of the various clans stop what they’re doing and watch their approach.

  James glances to his father and can tell he’s seething within. When he looks back to the approaching riders, he can see there’s someone else with them, someone who’s obviously not a clansman. Riding at the head of the riders is a man in armor and a chill runs down James’ spine when he sees him. A memory comes to him of a storm tossed sea and a man in armor wielding magic.

  “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.