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“Yes milord,” he says. “I plan to do just that.”

“Best we talk about this in a more private location,” Lord Pytherian says.

“I agree,” responds James. He moves to Delia and asks, “Everyone make it?”

“All of our people survived,” she assures him. Then she lowers her voice as she adds, “The crystals worked perfectly, we brought them all back.”

“Excellent,” he says.

“Best we return to camp and get what rest we can before the morrow,” Illan suggests.

“I couldn’t agree more.” He follows Illan and Lord Pytherian as they turn back and enter through the gates with the rest right behind.

They work their way through town, most of the population is turned out to look upon the ones who dealt the Empire such a blow. Cheers and other salutations greet them as they make their way through the streets.

During their ride through the streets, Delia fills him in on what happened and how her people acquitted themselves in battle. He then gives her a brief rundown of what happened out by the palisade and what he observed of the enemies forces.

“Looks like we’ll have our hands full tomorrow,” she says.

“I’m going to see if we can’t have support from Madoc’s forces,” he tells her.

“It would be in their best interest,” she says.

“We’ll see,” he says.

At the plaza where their camp is set up, Lord Pytherian and his party take their leave. A meeting with Illan and James is scheduled to begin in an hour to work out the plans for the following morning. The others set about getting a bite to eat and then turning in, everyone that is but the leaders. They gather for an impromptu meeting before James and Illan leave for their meeting at the castle.

They meet in James’ tent. Ceadric, Delia, and Jiron make sure their people are settled in before they join James, Illan, and Miko in his tent. Before the last three join them, Illan turns to Miko and asks, “Just what happened out there?”

“What do you mean?” he replies.

“I mean, the Star shone bright and you were speaking in a language I didn’t understand,” he clarifies.

Shrugging, Miko says, “I don’t know. When the gate opened and I saw Jiron by the gate battling those creatures, the Star was in my hand and the words were coming out.” He glances to the others there before adding, “I didn’t know what I was saying.”

“Whatever it was,” Illan says, “it worked.”

James gazes at Miko for a moment, can see the concern in his eyes. “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about,” he says, allaying his fears. “It must have come from Morcyth in some way.” He sits for a moment thinking before continuing. “My guess would be that the warrior priest summoned them from somewhere that is in direct opposition to Morcyth and that’s why it had the effect upon them that it did.”

“Warrior priest?” asks Illan.

James nods his head gravely then turns his attention back to Miko.

“Sort of like your medallion back in that underground complex in the swamp?” Miko asks.

“Precisely,” he replies with a nod. “Seems Dmon-Li’s priests not only have the ability to control beings from the plane of fire but also to summon demons, for lack of a better term.”

“How is it that it works for me?” he asks.

“I don’t know. Perhaps because it has no choice if it is to spread its influence upon this world.”

Just then the tent flap opens and the other three come inside. As the tent flap closes, James sees Devin there taking his position outside his tent. Once everyone is settled in, he says, “Illan and I will meet with Lord Pytherian shortly. With any luck we’ll be able to count on their support in the coming battle.”

“If they want to keep Madoc free they better,” Ceadric interjects.

“There is a sizable presence here in Lythylla,” adds Illan, “not only of Madoc’s forces but those of the Alliance.” Around the group, a few heads nod in agreement.

“Whatever they decide to do, we still have a battle to fight on the morrow.” James glances around the assembled faces and adds, “We have a warrior priest to deal with.”

Delia gasps and Jiron nods his head, “Thought so. When I saw those creatures at the gate, I knew something had to be up.”