Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li: The Morcyth Saga Book Three (27 page)

When they bring the horses over to where he
waits with the man, he takes one and mounts. He gives the man on
the ground one last look, knowing he’ll most likely not survive.
Then they leave, moving due east.

Once they’ve passed beyond where the man can
see them, they turn north and gallop toward the safety of the
hills. Another hour finds them entering the foothills.

They move to the top of the first hill and
pause a moment to get a view of the surrounding area. The plains to
the south are devoid of anything moving upon them, other than the
waving grass.

To the north, the hills progressively become
higher until finally turning into the range of mountains they see
further ahead. The hills also begin sprouting trees and James can
see how the trees get progressively thicker as the forest extends
to the distant mountains.

Moving down off the hill, they make their
way more to the northeast as they wind their way through the hills.
At a river flowing out of the hills, they begin following it
upstream, further into the hills.

As the sun begins to set, they decide to
find a spot along the river to make camp, one near the lee of a
hill to better conceal them. James wades into the river with a
sharpened stick and succeeds in catching two large fish while the
others get the fire ready. His legs cold from having waded out in
the water, he huddles close to the fire for warmth.

Keeping the fire as low as possible so as
not to announce their presence to whomever may be around, they cook
the fish. James is glad to find some bread in a couple pouches that
had been on the horses. Though it’s a little stale, he’s pleased to
be able to have something other than just meat.

After the meal, while they’re sitting around
the fire, James sees Miko begin to reach into his pouch to bring
out the Fire. “Better leave it alone,” he advises.

“Why?” Miko asks, pausing momentarily in
reaching for it.

“It needs to remain hidden,” he explains.
“We don’t know if Dmon-Li has any spies in the area. But the last
thing we want is for him to know we have it.”

Miko considers it a moment and then takes
his hand away. “I guess you’re right.”

Jiron looks to James and says, “I’ll take
first watch.”

“Good enough,” replies James as he settles
down to get some sleep. He smiles when he hears Miko snoring from
the other side of the fire. Sleep doesn’t come quickly, his mind is
too full of the events of the last several days.

What is he to do with the Fire? Obviously
he’s supposed to keep it hidden and away from Dmon-Li, but how is
he suppose to do that if he can’t even touch it? Questions and more
questions, that’s all he seems to have since coming to this world.
What I wouldn’t give for some concrete answers!

Sleep does finally come but it seems all too
short before Jiron awakens him for his watch.

Up early with the sun, they move further
north along the river, keeping a good pace as it makes its way
through the hills. They continue following it for several hours
before coming upon a road ahead of them.

Jiron moves forward to investigate and
discovers the road goes north and south. He scans both directions
to see if anyone is upon it, and is relieved to discover it empty.
Going back to the others, he says, “It looks like it’s little used.
To the north it crosses the river and continues on further into the
mountains. It just disappears into the hills to the south, doesn’t
look as if anyone is currently using it.”

“We’d make better time on the road,” Miko
urges.

“But we’d run the risk of running into
someone, as well,” James says.

“I’m with Miko on this one,” Jiron says.
“Unless we want to abandon the horses, we probably better stay to
the road. It’s unlikely they’d be able to continue through the
mountains.”

James replies, “Alright, but let’s be
careful.”

“You needn’t keep saying that,” Jiron tells
him. “I’m not about to be careless.”

“Sorry,” apologizes James.

Moving out, Jiron takes the lead as they
come out onto the road and turn to the north. The bridge where the
road crosses the river is an old wooden one. It seems to have stood
here for quite a long time, the horses’ hooves clatter as they make
their way to the other side. Moving quickly, they head down the
road and are able to make better time now that they’re on the road
than they had along the river.

As they continue following the road, the
hills begin to turn into mountains as the road follows a narrow
path between them. The river had left them shortly after they
crossed the bridge. It isn’t long before they can no longer hear
it.

Suddenly from up ahead where the road curves
around a bend, a group of men come into sight. James is shocked
when he sees the extensive tattoos that cover them.
Parvatis!
Just like the ones from Korazan.

The two groups pause momentarily, both sides
stunned to see the other there in the road before them. Then the
Parvatis give a war cry as they draw their swords and rush to
attack.

Miko turns his horse and is about to gallop
away when Jiron suddenly kicks his horse and rushes to meet the
charging warriors.

James readies a stone to throw and is about
to when he notices that Jiron hasn’t drawn his knives. But instead
is holding aloft the necklace with the three stones, the one the
Parvatis back in Korazan had given him for defeating one of them in
battle.

As he approaches the Parvatis, they suddenly
come to a stop as they realize just what he is holding. Their
demeanor changes quickly from one of antagonism to one of
astonishment.

James and Miko come up behind Jiron as they
hear him say, “May your swords drink deeply.”

One of the Parvatis, an older one, gives him
a smile and replies, “May your knives drink deeply.” His expression
subtly changes when he sees James and Miko ride up behind him.

“They’re my friends,” Jiron says to the
Parvati who nods in response.

“Welcome, then,” the Parvati says to them
all. “My name is Qyith, Warleader of the Eller Tribe,” he says.

Jiron replies, “My name is Jiron, and these
are my friends, James and Miko.” They each give the Parvatis a
slight bow from the backs of their horses.

“How is it that you came to possess mounts
of the Grey Wolf Clan?” he asks.

“They attacked us,” Jiron explains. “We
killed them all and took their horses.”

The Warleader breaks into a grin as he says,
“Truly, you are a formidable warrior.” He translates for his
fellows who nod approvingly. Turning back to Jiron, he says, “We
have no love of the Grey Wolf’s, they’ve been a blight upon us for
generations.”

“You must come to my village,” he says to
them. “We should feast and hear of the exploits of such a
Shynti.”

“Shynti?” asks Jiron.

“Ah, that means a friend of the Parvatis,”
he explains. “Any who bear the three stones is called such.”

“We don’t have time, I’m afraid,” he tells
them. “We are pursued and must make all speed north.”

Qyith waves away the comment and says, “Not
to worry, none shall harm you while you remain with us.” He says
something to his men and one runs down the road to the south while
the others turn around and begin running north. When he sees Jiron
looking questioningly at him, he explains, “They’re going to spread
the word a Shynti is here.”

James looks at the departing warriors
worriedly, but takes Qyith at his word.

“Come,” he says. “Our village lies not far
from here and tonight you may rest in safety. Tomorrow, you may go
upon your way, should you wish.” He then turns and begins moving
northward.

Jiron glances back to James who shrugs and
then nods as he begins moving his horse to follow the Warleader.
Qyith leads them down the road until it comes to a fork and turns
to follow the right hand fork that runs due east.

They follow him for a couple hours before
coming to the outskirts of his village. It’s a large collection of
huts nestled in a small valley in the mountains. James sees many
young Parvatis running around, playing at one game or another and
the Parvati women can be seen in and around the various huts.

When they’re noticed arriving, the young
ones come over to them and gather around to see the Shynti. Word
must have already been brought here. “Do many Shynti come?” asks
James as all three dismount.

Qyith shakes his head as he replies, “It’s
been a generation at least since anyone has been named such.” He
then faces the assembled members of his tribe and begins speaking
in their tongue.

James can hear their names being told to the
Parvatis gathered there as he tells the people about them. On the
way to the village, they told him about the Gathering and their
escape. They also told him about the fight back at Korazan. All
this, he relates to his people.

When he’s done, Jiron is looked to with awe
and many of the children come close to touch him, to see if he’s
truly a real person. He endures their attention until Qyith shoos
them away. “I ask your pardon,” he says to Jiron. “They’re just
excited to meet an actual Shynti.”

“I understand,” he replies.

“Let me show you around our village and
where you’ll be staying while you’re with us,” he says. Not waiting
for a reply, he leads them into his village and begins to describe
some of the things he thinks they’ll be interested in.

Jiron interrupts him and says, “I noticed
none of the women have tattoos like the men do.”

He pauses and turns back to them. “Tattoos
are only for the men, once they’ve attained manhood,” he explains.
“Each of our young boys goes through a series of tests that bring
him from childhood into manhood. If they survive, then they are
given the honor of bearing the mark of the warrior,” he says as he
gestures to the tattoos covering himself.

“Ah, I see,” Jiron says.

They come to a hut where Qyith abruptly
halts at the entrance. “You may use this hut while you are here,”
he tells them. “If you’d like, you may roam freely about the
village. The feast will be later this evening when the others
arrive.”

“Others?” asks Jiron.

“Yes,” he says. “A Shynti here is a rare
thing. Many will wish to come and see you to pay honor.”

“I see,” he says, not altogether happy about
all the attention.

“I must leave you now and ensure all is
properly prepared for this evening,” he tells them. Turning around,
he begins moving away from them, back the way they’d come.

“Think we’ll be okay?” Jiron asks James.

“I would think so,” he replies. “You seem to
be some kind of celebrity.”

“Celebrity?” he asks.

“Someone famous and well liked,” he
explains.

“I suppose,” he says.

They tie their horses to a post near the
entrance and then go inside. There are four beds with an open stove
in the center to allow for heat and cooking. Rugs and mats cover
the floor giving the place a comfortable feel to it.

Miko stretches out on one of the beds and
says, “This is nothing like Inius’.”

Jiron looks questioningly to James who says,
“Inius ran an inn we stayed in that had the softest beds.”

Sitting down on the firm beds, he says, “I
see.”

Still, for all their stiffness, they’re
still better than the ground. James lies down and turns his head
toward Miko and says, “Better not take the Fire out here, we don’t
want anyone to see it.”

Miko sighs and says, “I’ve already decided
to leave it in the pouch.” He leans on one elbow and looks at James
as he continues, “It makes me feel weird.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“It’s hard to explain, but I feel like it
wants to suck me into it,” he replies. “That’s not exactly the
feeling, I’m not sure how to describe it. But if I keep it in the
pouch, then I don’t feel anything at all.”

“Then it may be a wise thing to leave it
alone,” Jiron says from where he’s lying on his bed.

“I agree,” adds James. He’s relieved to be
able to just lie down and rest. It seems lately, he’s been going
from place to place, events propelling him along. He would really
like to just stay in one place for a while and relax.

Coming suddenly awake, James realizes he had
fallen asleep and that it’s now almost dark. Sitting up, he looks
over to find Jiron and Miko are no longer within the hut. Getting
up, he goes over and opens the door.

Outside, the village is lit with dozens of
fires and hundreds of torches. Parvatis are everywhere, their
numbers having swelled dramatically over the last few hours.

“James!” he hears Miko cry out to him but is
unable to find him in the mass of people. Suddenly he appears out
of the crowd, coming toward him, waving his arms. Several of the
Parvati young boys are with him as well. “About time you woke up,”
he said when he draws close.

Miko is wearing some of the Parvati attire
and another of the boys is wearing his shirt. Apparently, he’s been
making friends with the locals. “Where’s Jiron?’ he asks.

“Over there,” he says as he gestures to the
middle of the village. “He’s talking with many of the Chiefs and
Warchiefs that have come from neighboring villages. Come on, I’ll
take you there.”

James follows him as he leads him over to
where a dense concentration of Parvati warriors have congregated.
“…and then we raced for the pass, leaving the Gathering behind us,”
he hears Jiron say to the assembled warriors.

He waves to James when he sees him
approaching and the Parvati move aside, allowing him to come
forward to stand next to him. “This is my friend James,” he tells
them as he reaches his side.

The gathered warriors begin talking among
themselves when his words are translated for them.

“When we got to the pass,” he continues in
his narration, “James here brings the sides of the pass down and
completely blocks it with rubble, keeping the Grey Wolf Clan from
catching us.”