Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [60]
Nodding, James says, “That might be a good idea.” Yearning to know what is going to happen, he reluctantly goes back to their tent with the others. As he pauses at the entrance, he looks back to Therin and his father. Many of the Windrider warriors have gathered around them as they move to intercept the Grey Wolf Clan. He can tell none of the warriors are very happy about the situation and all are bearing weapons of one sort or another. Then he goes into the tent and closes the flap.
They sit there, anticipating hearing the sounds of battle erupt around them. But other than raised voices and conversations of warriors going by, nothing happens. They wait anxiously for almost an hour before Therin opens the flap and enters.
“What happened?” James asks as he comes in.
“My father was all for driving them out when several of the other clan chiefs warned him about violating the Pact of the Gathering,” he tells them.
“Pact?” Jiron asks.
“Yes, it’s what keeps the peace during the Gathering while the tribute is being brought together,” he explains. “The highest law of the Pact states that no blood shall be shed during this time. Those that do are sentenced to death.”
“Kind of harsh,” says Miko.
Turning to him, he says, “Maybe, but it’s kept the peace this long.” Then to James he continues, “If a clan as a whole should violate it, as we were about to do, then all the others would fall upon it.”
“So what are you going to do?” asks James.
“Endure the insult,” he says, seething with pent up anger. “But when the Gathering is dissolved, then we shall have our retribution.”
Just then, the tent flap opens and several warriors come in with food and drink for them. They place them on a rug lying in the center of the tent before turning to leave. Once they’re gone, Therin says, “Since I was the one who brought you to the Gathering, it has fallen to me to see that you are treated well.”
“Thank you,” James says appreciatively.
“There is another thing I must tell you,” he says.
“The armored man with the Grey Wolf Clan?” asks Jiron.
A little surprised, he replies, “Yes.” He takes his seat around the food, as do the others and then grabs a piece of meat as he begins eating. “He wants you, and wants you bad,” he tells them.
“Why?” asks James.
“He didn’t say, just that he’s here for you and we must give you over,” he explains.
“Are you?” Miko asks, worried.
Shaking his head, he says, “No, you bear the Token of the Lady and we respect her more than we fear him.”
“Why would you fear him?” Jiron asks. “You are many yet he is one?”
“You don’t lightly anger a warrior priest of Dmon-Li,” he tells them. “They have fell magic and much influence with the Empire.”
“So what’s to stop him from just coming here and taking us?” asks James.
“You are under our protection,” he says. “And if he broke the Pact, then all would fall upon him. We also would no longer send the tribute, for he’d have broken the peace the tribute guarantees. So he must tread carefully if he doesn’t wish to start a war the Empire can ill afford.”
“I see,” James says.
“Is that why he’s in with the Grey Wolf Clan?” Jiron asks.
“They’ve long been the dark ones among us,” he replies. “The fact that he’s here and that they’ve brought so many with them cannot bode well. They are our sworn enemies, but have allies among the other clans so we dare not do anything outright against them.”
“So, what are we to do?” James asks.
“As before, wait for the council,” he tells him. “If the council should decide against you, you most likely will be handed over to him instead of killed. They would see that as being one and the same thing. If they find for you, you would be allowed to leave but once you left our territory you would no longer be under our protection.”
“So he could come after and kill us?” Jiron asks.
Shaking his head, Therin replies, “No, not here or that would be violating the Pact. But once out of the valley and in the plains below, he could. The Pact only covers the land within this valley.”
“What can you tell us about these warrior priests?” James asks.
“Not