Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [61]
“Great,” James says as he looks to Jiron and Miko. Miko stares back at him with a worried expression. Then he turns his attention back to Therin and says, “But he won’t do anything until we either leave, or the council gives him permission?”
“That’s right,” agrees Therin. Finishing up his last piece of meat, he stands up and makes to leave. “You might wish to remain in here until the council, it would cause fewer problems,” he says and then opens the flap and leaves.
A few moments after he leaves, Jiron says, “Maybe we should try and sneak out of here.”
“I doubt if we’d make it very far,” says James. “We’d stick out like a sore thumb if we tried. They’d quickly realize what we’re doing and move to stop us.”
“Why is this priest even after us?” Miko asks.
“Therin said they have influence within the Empire,” explains James. “Perhaps we’ve irritated them enough to bring out the big guns.”
“Big guns?” Jiron asks.
“Sorry,” James apologizes. “I mean, what they’ve thrown at us so far we’ve been able to handle, so it would stand to reason that they’d send in stronger, more deadly adversaries. Those better able to defend against or counter the magic I use.”
“I suppose,” Miko says.
Suddenly, James begins to feel the prickling of magic being used and he signals everyone to be quiet. “Magic is near,” he whispers to them.
They both quiet down, they understand what that has to mean, the warrior priest is near.
A shadow falls across their tent, one bulky with armor. The prickling sensation increases as the shadow pauses at the entrance to their tent. They hold their breath, Jiron gets his knives ready and James takes out a small rock he’d acquired earlier. The shadow’s arm reaches for the tent flap but then several warriors approach and the shadow draws back its arm and returns the way it had come.
They wait for several minutes until the prickling sensation disappears and James says, “I think he’s gone.”
“He almost got in here!” Miko exclaims.
“But he didn’t,” James reassures him. “So try to relax, being edgy won’t help the situation.”
The tent flap opens and Therin walks in. “The last clan has arrived earlier than expected and the council will be beginning later this evening rather than tomorrow. Due primarily to the fact of the warrior priest being here among us. They want the situation with him resolved as soon as possible.” He looks directly at James and says, “They’ll probably want to see the Token and you, the others need to stay here.”
“Should I go now?” he asks.
Shaking his head, Therin says, “No, there’s going to be a banquet first and after that, I’ll come to get you.”
“Alright,” says James.
“Try to get some rest if you can,” Therin tells him. “Sometimes the councils can go till morning. Is there anything else you require?”
“No, you’ve been most generous,” he replies.
Nodding his head, he says, “Good.” He then turns and again lifts the flap as he leaves.
James lies down on a blanket and tells the others, “I better try to get some sleep before the council.”
“Alright, James,” Jiron says. “We’ll keep watch while you do.”
He closes his eyes but sleep is hard to come as he keeps thinking about the warrior priest and how they’re going to get out of here. Eventually though, he does manage to fall asleep.
Later, after the sun goes down, he wakes up when their dinner is brought. Feeling much refreshed, he eats with a hearty appetite. They have a fire going in the center of the tent, the smoke escaping through a gap in the top.
An hour after they’ve finished eating, Therin enters and says, “It’s time for the council.”
James gets up and follows him out of the tent. “Good luck!” Miko says to him before he leaves.
Chapter Eleven
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Therin takes