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After hearing what the innkeeper inside just said, the last thing he wants to do is expose any of his group to whatever is going on in the tent. “We need to get settled in right now,” he tells them. At that, the three become visibly agitated and the words of the innkeeper comes back to him. “If you refuse, sometimes they go away, sometimes not.”

While not worried about what these three would do to his group, he’s more worried about what his group would do to them. Hoping to diffuse the situation, he says, “We may stop by later this evening after we have something to eat.”

His words have a somewhat calming effect on them. “The lady’s words are greater than any food. Take not long in coming,” the lady says as they abruptly turn away and move down the road.

Fifer glances to James and asks, “What was all that about?”

“Are we going to hear her speak?” Miko asks.

James glances at the departing trio and says quietly, “Not here. Let’s get our horses settled in first and we’ll talk where we won’t be overheard.”

They all turn somber at that. Not exactly what they were expecting to hear. Fifer glances to Illan who nods his head gravely.

Taking the horses around back, they find only one other horse in the stable. Visitors here must be few, with all that’s going on it isn’t too surprising. No stableman is around so they choose a set of stalls together and get their horses settled in. Then they take their packs with them and return to the inn where they head upstairs to their rooms.

James has them all come into his room and they close the door. He gives the others a rundown of what he and Illan were told by the innkeeper. When he’s done, Qyrll asks, “Do you plan to go and listen to the lady’s words?”

He sits back a moment and considers the question. “Maybe,” he finally says.

“What?” asks Jiron. “You can’t be serious.”

James looks to him and says, “I am. Something is going on here and it’s possible I could be the cause. Also, consider this. If she finds out where The Ranch is, she could send all her crazies there to ‘destroy the demon’ which would mean a bloodbath. No, I need to stop this now. She and her followers could become a veritable plague upon the land.”

“So what do you propose to do?” Illan asks.

“Later on, I’m going to go and see what’s going on,” he says. “After I get a little rest and some food.”

“We’re going with you,” Jiron says, several of the others nod their heads in agreement.

“It wouldn’t be wise for you to go in there alone,” Illan agrees.

James considers it for a moment and then says, “Very well.” To Miko he says, “Go downstairs and see if we can get our meal up here.” He hands him some coins to cover it.

“Alright,” replies Miko, taking the coins. “I’ll be right back.” Leaving the room, they hear his footsteps going down the hallway to the stairs.

“What are you planning to do there?” Fifer asks.

“I don’t know, really,” he admits. “People don’t go mad such as we’ve seen in so short a time unless something is causing it.”

“Magic?” suggests Fifer.

Shrugging, James replies, “Maybe. Who knows?”

“Have you felt anything since coming here?” Jiron asks.

“No, but the pavilion isn’t exactly close either,” he replies, shaking his head. He sits in contemplation for several minutes until Miko returns saying their food will be up shortly.

“What did I miss?” he asks.

“Not much,” replies Jiron. He goes to the window and looks out onto the courtyard below. Nothing is stirring out there. The only thing which disturbs the night is the light coming from the pavilion area.

It isn’t long before there’s a knock on the door and the innkeeper’s son arrives with their food and plates enough for all of them. James gives him a few coppers for a tip before he returns downstairs. Roasted chicken, bread and ale, not much variety but there’s a lot of it.

Each of them fills a plate with a portion of the chicken and then finds a place to settle down to eat. James and Illan take the small table and the only two chairs in the room while everyone else makes