Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [176]
“The Parvati have some peculiar laws and customs,” James tells them. “Let’s find someplace to rest.” Turning to Yern, he says, “Would you mind staying here and keep an eye out for him?”
“No problem,” Yern says, nodding. “But how’ll I find you if he should somehow return?”
“Once we’re settled in, we’ll let you know where we’ll be,” he tells him.
“Okay,” he says then moves to the wall access.
To the others he says, “Now let’s find an inn.”
Chapter Twenty Nine
_________________________
They find an inn with enough room for all of them, though it’s pretty pricy. Fifer and Keril, the youngest member of Miller’s band, went to relieve Yern on the walls. James and Miko have their own room while the rest are crammed into two others.
Once within their room, Miko lies down on one of the beds while James sits facing him on the other. “I’m so tired,” Miko says as he glances over to James.
“Understandable,” replies James. “You’re going through a lot.”
“What’s happening to me?” he asks, voice revealing a trace of fear.
Lowering his voice, he says, “It’s the Fire. That gem you’re carrying.”
“What?” he asks. “How?”
“I’m not really sure,” James answers. “But every time you’re in a battle, it appears that the Fire is taking over. When the Fire has control, you are unbeatable on the battlefield.”
Miko’s eyes widen in wonder as he continues, “Today, your sword was moving so fast I had a hard time keeping track of it.”
“Unbelievable,” Miko breathes.
Nodding, James says, “I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it myself. There’s something else going on too.”
“What?” asks Miko, worriedly.
“You’re growing,” he says. “Since you’ve been carrying the Fire, you’ve grown almost six inches. Heck, you’re almost as tall as I am now. Plus you’re gaining muscle mass faster than normal.”
Miko looks down at his arms and chest as he moves his hands over them, feeling the muscles beneath. He looks to James and asks, “What should I do?”
“When we get back to Cardri, we’ll find a place to hide it and you could possibly go back to normal once you’re rid of it,” he tells him. “At least you won’t change any more, I hope.”
“You hope?” he asks. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I really don’t understand what’s going on,” he explains. “I believe the Fire is some sort of a focal point of Dmon-Li here on earth. What it does, how it does it, or what it might do in the future, I have no idea.”
When Miko casts him another look full of worry and fear, he says reassuringly, “But as long as we keep you out of battles, nothing seems to happen. All the changes take place while you’re in battle and under the influence of the Fire.”
He lays his head on the pillow and says, “Okay.”
“Get some rest,” James says to him. “Not sure just what’s going to happen next, but we’ll need our rest.” He glances over and sees his eyes have already closed.
James lies back and rests his head on the pillow. Though he’s tired, thoughts of Jiron run through his mind as well as concern for Miko. Korgan is still on the loose as well, at least his plans were foiled, this time. Going to have to track him down if he’s still here. Not just because he’s a danger to the city, but because he owes him.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Suddenly brought out of a deep sleep by someone knocking on the door, James holds his head as a headache blossoms to life. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, he looks over to Miko, but he’s still asleep.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Getting up, he goes over to the door and opens it. “Yes?” he asks.
Outside the door is a boy about eleven or so. His clothes mark him as a page from the castle, he’d seen a couple of them when he’d been marched through the castle on the way to the dungeons. “Are you James?” the page asks.
“Yes,” sighs James, “I am.”
“Your presence is requested at the castle,” he says.
“By whom?” he asks.
“Lord Pytherian, sir” he replies.
“Alright, let me get ready,” James tells him.
“He said it was urgent,” the boy says, urging him to hurry.
Glancing back at Miko who’s still sleeping,