Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [50]
Jiron angles them away from the scene of the explosion and they make their way back toward the lake shore. From there, they continue following it for several more hours until James states that he just can’t make it any further. Jiron moves ahead and returns shortly saying he’s found a spot along the shore they can spend the night.
As he brings them back to the camp site, he sees a small animal at the edge of the water. Stopping, he whispers, “James, can you take him down?”
Removing a slug from his belt, he leans on Miko to steady himself as he prepares to throw. When he throws the slug, his leg gives out and he loses his balance, falling to the ground. Despite falling, the slug flies true and strikes the animal, killing it.
“You got him!” Jiron hollers jubilantly as he moves over to the dead animal.
Miko helps James to his feet and then over to a tree where he aids him in sitting down. Once James is settled in, Miko sits down next to him and then passes out from exhaustion.
Bringing the animal over, Jiron says, “You just rest. I’ll gather some wood and we’ll have this cooked in no time.”
James just nods his head before resting it back against the tree. Closing his eyes, fatigue takes him and he quickly falls asleep.
The smell of roasting meat wakes him up. Glancing over to where Jiron is cooking the animal, he asks, “Do you think it’s risky to have a fire?”
“Maybe, but I’m not eating this raw,” he replies. “Besides, I really doubt if anyone will be coming after us so soon after the beating they took back there.”
“I hope you’re right,” he says.
They have a hard time waking Miko when dinner is ready. But once the mouthwatering aroma reaches him, he perks up and readily joins in.
James wishes for more than just meat to eat. He was never much into salads or vegetables when he was back home, but he sure misses them now. Looking around, he’s sure there are edible plants and roots out there somewhere, if he only knew what they looked like. Oh, well, at least he has the meat.
When they’re done eating, they toss the carcasses into the water and Miko is surprised when nothing comes and eats them. “Where are the little fish?” he asks.
“The water’s probably too cold for them,” explains James. “They most likely prefer the warmer water back in the swamp area.”
Miko just looks curiously out at the water and when still nothing happens, nods his head and realizes that James is probably right. Again.
James and Jiron decide to keep watch through the night, they don’t dare trust Miko to do it, not in his tired state. James decides to take the first watch since he’d already taken a short nap.
It was several hours into his watch when he first notices it. At first he thought it was just his imagination, it was so subtle and quiet. Then it became increasingly more pronounced. Singing. A woman’s voice, singing a quiet song.
He quickly realizes it’s coming from the direction of the lake. Pulling himself to a standing position, he looks out over the water. Barely perceptible in the moonlight, he’s able to make out a small boat coming toward their camp. A small figure is sitting in the middle of the boat, facing his way.
The singing continues as the boat approaches closer and James is able to see that it is indeed a woman sitting within the boat. James begins to feel the prickling which always indicates magic being used in the vicinity. Must be what’s powering the boat.
When the boat reaches the shore, he grabs it and pulls it further up onto the beach. The lady inside says, “Thank you,” as she gets up and steps out of the boat.
Standing only about four and a half feet tall, she walks over to James and stops several feet away. Her blond hair glistening in the moonlight, she looks James up and down.
“Hello,” James greets her.
“A good evening to you sir,” she replies.
“My name is James,” he tells her.
“You may call me, Lyria,” she says to him, giving him a small smile.
“Would you care to come and share our fire?” he asks.
Shaking her head negatively, she says, “No. I had