Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [59]
He leads them away from his father’s tent over to a smaller one set up a dozen yards away. Opening the flap, he says, “You may use this tent while you’re among us.” Once they’ve entered, he follows them in and closes the flap.
“What do you think they’ll do with us?” James asks him.
Shrugging, he says, “The laws are clear about outsiders. To be in the Valley of the Gathering is to die. But yet you bear the token of the Lady and that is something they must strongly consider. They will not wish to anger the Lady.”
“Why?” Miko asks him.
“She is beloved by all,” he explains. “Many have been the times when she’s appeared and helped us in our times of need. She even saved my father’s life once when he’d been bitten by a snake. We all had begun the final rites but she appeared, gave him some medicine and ministered to him. I needn’t tell you how happy we were when he again walked out of his tent.”
“No, I don’t think death will be your fate,” he says. “What it may be, I couldn’t even begin to guess.”
“I suppose being here for a day wouldn’t be that bad,” Jiron says as he lies down on a blanket.”
“If you wish to remain in this tent,” he tells them, “you may. It might be the best thing to do. Some of our warriors are brash and easily offended. It wouldn’t do for trouble to happen before the chiefs have a chance to come to a decision. If you should leave your tent, try to stay within the Windrider’s camp, they all know you are under our protection until the meeting of the chiefs.”
James says, “Alright.”
He lifts the tent flap and leaves.
When the flap shuts closed, Jiron says, “Think they’ll allow us to leave?”
Shrugging, James says, “I don’t know. Thank goodness Lyria had given us that token or there’d be a war going on right now.”
“There still may be one if they decide against us,” observes Jiron.
“Let’s hope not,” Miko says from where he’s stretched out on one of the blankets. “We have at least till tomorrow night before anything will be decided.”
“True,” agrees James.
From outside the tent, a sudden outcry erupts. James glances to the others and says, “I’m going to go see what’s happening.”
The other two get up and join him as he goes outside the tent. The warriors are talking amongst themselves and James can see they’re angered about something.
Seeing Therin talking to several warriors who are obviously distraught, he goes over toward him. Therin glances at him as he approaches and James asks, “What’s going on?”
Pointing to the north, he says, “The Grey Wolf Clan has just arrived.”
James looks and sees a large body of horsemen coming over the ridge. Along with them is a herd of horses, most likely part of the tribute. “And why is that causing such a problem?”
“That they’re here, none,” he explains. “It’s that they’ve brought twice the number of warriors as is agreed upon.”
“And that’s bad?” he asks.
“It’s an insult!” Therin says with anger. “To bring so many here, within our territory, outrageous!”
His father exits the tent and looks in anger at the Grey Wolf Clan approaching the assembled tents. Warriors of the various clans stop what they’re doing and watch their approach.
James glances to his father and can tell he’s seething within. When he looks back to the approaching riders, he can see there’s someone else with them, someone who’s obviously not a clansman. Riding at the head of the riders is a man in armor and a chill runs down James’ spine when he sees him. A memory comes to him of a storm tossed sea and a man in armor wielding magic.
“Is that…?” Miko begins.
“I think it is,” James replies. “If it is the one from the boat, how did he know we were here?”
“Then we must get out of here!” he whispers to James.
James shakes his head, “Therin’s father has given us leave to be here, I don’t think he’s one to go back on his word for an outsider.”
“Maybe we should go back into our tent, then?” Jiron suggests. “We wouldn’t want him to see us.