The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [76]
He sits there a moment and watches as the man continues down the road. “Great!” he exclaims. “What in the world is she saying about me now?”
“Looks like it’s getting pretty serious,” Illan says. “I’ve seen religious zealots before, and that man certainly acted like one. We better be careful while we’re there.”
“What is she doing?” asks Fifer. “Creating a new religion?”
“We’ll find out shortly,” he says.
“Wonder how come word of this hadn’t reached us before?” Jiron asks.
Shrugging, James says, “Who knows? Maybe she’s just recently stepped up what she’s telling people. Or maybe she’s come to believe it as well.”
“What are you going to do?” Miko asks as they resume their way north.
“I don’t know,” he replies. “But I can’t just let this whole thing fester and rot. Who knows where it might lead?” Or where it already has?
They continue on down the road and it’s well after dark when the lights from Willimet appear ahead of them. Off to the east of town, a large pavilion has been erected in which numerous people are congregating. Many fires dot the area around the pavilion where those not within can keep warm.
“What’s that?” Dave asks as they ride closer to town. “Looks like a revival meeting from back home.”
“It does, doesn’t it,” agrees James. “It’s probably where she’s preaching.”
Suddenly a great cheer and cry can be heard coming from the pavilion. “Wonder what she’s telling them now?” he hears Miko say behind him.
“Probably that I’m going to eat their souls or something,” he says.
Jiron chuckles, “Maybe.”
James turns his horse toward the pavilion, intending to go see what’s going on but Illan stops him. “I don’t think it would be such a good idea for you to go over there right now.”
“Why?” he asks.
“If you’re recognized as the person of whom she’s talking about, they’ll try to tear you apart,” he says. “Or you’ll be forced to kill them.” He pauses a moment as James digests that. Then he asks, “Do you want a bloodbath?”
“No,” he replies.
“Alright then,” Illan says. “Let’s find an inn and the rest of us will find out what’s going on and let you know while you stay out of sight in your room.”
James definitely doesn’t like the sound of the plan, but can see the wisdom in it. “Very well,” he says. Turning his horse back to the road, he leads them toward Willimet.
The first thing he notices upon reaching the outskirts of town are the many lean-tos and makeshift dwellings which have sprung up since he was here last. When they reach the outer edge of the main buildings of town, the number of makeshift dwellings decline rapidly until they disappear altogether.
The few citizens still on the street hurry along as if they’re afraid to be out after dark. “There’s a definite uneasy feeling here,” observes Jiron.
“I know,” agrees Fifer. Watching one fellow hurrying along, he sees him continuously darting nervous glances this way and that. When he notices Fifer looking at him, he stops in his tracks, then darts quickly down a side alley.
“Wonder what has them all spooked?” Dave asks.
“The answer is probably in that pavilion sitting outside of town,” replies James. “From the look of that one guy we ran into earlier, it isn’t surprising the townsfolk have grown wary.”
They come to an inn and James has everyone wait by the horses while he and Illan go inside to see about getting some rooms. He dismounts and with Illan right behind him, goes through the front door.
As he enters, a man behind the counter turns with a start, his eyes wide. When he sees them entering, his demeanor subtly relaxes and he asks, “Travelers?”
James nods and says, “Yes we are. Just passing through on our way north.”
At that, the man completely relaxes. Illan asks, “What has everyone around here so afraid?”
The man’s eyes dart around for a moment, as if he’s looking to see if anyone is listening. Waving for them to come