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James sums up the situation for them, the fact that someone may be able to help, but that he has to come dressed as a slave.

“No!” exclaims Miko. “Absolutely not.”

Scar just laughs. “Can’t imagine you going around in one of those,” he says.

The look on the young man’s face is growing darker by the minute. James takes note of the fact and says, “I’m not saying no.” Miko turns to look at him incredulously. “Calm down,” he says. Then to Brother Willim he says, “But the problem is that I am not exactly what you would call tan.” Pulling up his shirt, he shows them his pale skin. “I would stand out among all the other slaves.”

Brother Willim nods his head. “Yes, I can see that you would,” he agrees.

“What I need is something to give me the appearance of having been out under the sun,” he explains. “You being into plants and all, I thought you might be the best one to help me.”

“There are saps and other things which could be combined to give you the required appearance,” he says. “Though I don’t know if they are available in this area.”

The young man’s expression softens somewhat when he realizes James is at least considering doing as requested. “If you were to supply me with a list, I could see about acquiring the needed items,” he offers.

“This is a bad idea,” Miko insists.

James turns to the young man and asks, “Do you really think your friend will be able to get us inside the temple?”

“If anyone can, he would be the one,” the slave replies.

“Very well.” Then to Brother Willim he says, “Tell him what you need.” Once Brother Willim has told him of several different ingredients that will work, and the slave successfully recites them back to him, James gives him coins to pay for the items.

“How long will it take you to combine the ingredients once you have them?” he asks Brother Willim.

“Not long, maybe a half hour at the most to get it just right,” he explains.

“So you intend to meet with him?” asks the young man.

James turns back to him and says, “As of right now, maybe. Another member of our party is not here,” he explains. “When he returns I’ll know for sure whether I will or not.”

“Very well,” he says. “I’ll be back.” Then he and the other slave move toward the door. Scar opens the door for them and they leave. Closing the door, he turns back to James, glance at the slave rag still on the table and grins.

“What?” James asks.

“Aren’t you even going to try it on?” he asks. Several of the others in the room start snickering at that.

Jiron, Reilin, and Shorty return a couple hours later. When apprised of what the young man said, Jiron of course was adamantly against it. “No, no, no, NO!” he exclaims. “You can’t even be thinking about taking this course of action.”

“I haven’t committed to it as yet,” he replies. “What did you find out?”

“The place really doesn’t have much of a guard,” he explains. “The area among the outer buildings of the temple complex affords many places in which to hide.”

“How about the temple itself?” Scar asks.

“That may be a little tougher nut to crack,” Jiron says. “Several braziers sit by the temple doors which I’m sure at night are lit. There will be no way to sneak in once they have been. Anyone in the vicinity will undoubtedly see us heading to the doors.”

“Were there non-priests present on the temple grounds?” James asks. “Maybe we could disguise ourselves as a disciple or something.”

“That wouldn’t work either,” interjects Brother Willim. “Temples to Dmon-Li are not known for the attendance by the faithful. If a group this size were to approach, they would become interested in us. Not saying suspicious, at least not at first, but it would definitely be seen as something out of the ordinary.”

“So if I understand this correctly,” James says as he glances between Jiron and Brother Willim, “any frontal assault will draw attention.”

Brother Willim nods and Jiron says, “Most likely.”

“Is there a back way in?” asks Stig.

“If there was we didn’t see it,” replies Shorty. “The temple is pretty big too. It may take us some time to locate this dais