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A murmur begins running through the onlookers as they see the toe of Qyrll’s boot extends two inches past that of the imprint. One says, “He couldn’t have been the one.”

The innkeeper’s anger toward Qyrll dissipates quickly. Looking to the Parvati, he grudgingly says, “Sorry.”

Qyrll makes no reply as he puts his boots back on.

“But who killed my daughter?” he wails as his wife comes over and embraces him, her sobs adding to his own.

“I don’t know,” James replies, “and we’re all sorry for your loss.” To Fifer, he whispers, “Get the horses ready to leave.”

“Right,” he whispers back and takes Miko with him to get it done.

Many of the onlookers come to the grieving family and offer words of sorrow and encouragement. James glances to Jiron and Qyrll and nods to the stables. As they leave the crowd behind, he says, “Let’s get out of here quickly before something else happens.”

With Dave walking beside him, he and the others make their way to the stables. Those who had left their things in their rooms hurry back to the inn to retrieve them. Before too much longer, they are all in the saddle and making their way down the road.

“That was quick thinking,” Illan tells him after riding several minutes in silence. “I never would’ve thought of that.”

“Where I come from, solving crimes and stories of the same nature are very popular,” he tells him. “Frankly, if his boot had matched the bloody footprint, I don’t think bloodshed could’ve been avoided.”

“I’m glad you were able to avert a conflict,” Qyrll says. “Killing people such as those would bring little honor.”

They ride on for several hours, a few travelers share the road with them, but otherwise it’s empty. A caravan passes them coming from the north and James asks them how far the next town is.

One guard pauses long enough to say, “The next town lies a full day’s ride to the north.”

“What’s it called?” he asks.

The guard replies, “Willimet.”

“Willimet?” James asks. When the guard nods yes, he begins seething inside. He hasn’t forgotten what happened to him the last time he passed through there.

Miko remembers as well and comes to ride next to him. “What are you going to do?” he asks.

Turning to him, he says, “Going to go and talk with her.”

Serenna, that was her name. The fortune teller who had run him out of town. The one who is telling everyone he is possessed by a demon. He intends to get her to stop!

Chapter Fifteen

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The rest of the afternoon, James rides in silence, his mind only on what he will do at Willimet. Miko on the other hand is more than happy to tell the story in its entirety to the rest of the group. When he gets to the part about how they learned the following day the way she had distorted the truth, several of them chuckle which only darkens James’ mood further.

To make matters worse, during the late afternoon while they are still several hours away from Willimet, they encounter a man.

They first see him approaching down the road and don’t pay him very much attention. He’s a bit scraggly and when he draws close, can see a wild look in his eye.

Stopping right in front of them, he raises his hands and asks, “Where are you bound to on this fine day?”

Bringing his horse to a stop so as not to run over the man, James replies, “To Willimet.”

The man’s face lights up, “To see the great Serenna? Truly she is sent by the gods to guide us in these dark days.”

At that, the entire company comes to a stop and gathers around to hear this man. “Sent by the gods?” scoffs James. “I don’t think so.”

The man immediately grows indignant and cries out, “Scoff not the wise Serenna. Only her wisdom can deliver us from the demon which walks the lands.”

“Demon?” Illan asks him. He casts a quick glance to James and can see the anger seething behind his eyes.

“Yes my friends,” he says. “A demon disguised as a man. Evil are his works and through Serenna, the gods work to counter his most malign plans.” He gazes into their faces,