"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 much more than what's been handed down from generation to generation," he tells them. "Never has one been among us, but they're believed to be great in battle and to wield the magic of their G.o.d, Dmon-Li. They know no fear and the power of their G.o.d helps them to heal quickly from wounds. It's even said to bring them back from the dead."

"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 p.r.i.c.kling 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 the warrior priest is near.

A shadow falls across their tent, one bulky with armor. The p.r.i.c.kling 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 p.r.i.c.kling sensation disappears and James says, "I think he's gone."

"He almost got in here!" Miko exclaims.

"But he didn't," James rea.s.sures 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 appet.i.te. 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.

Therin takes him to the large tent in the center of the Windrider camp. Many warriors from the different clans stand around outside the tent. You can tell the different factions of the clans by who stands near whom. As they approach, two Windrider clansmen standing guard by the tent flaps each takes a side and swings them open. Therin precedes him through the opening and into the council tent.

Many braziers are situated around the tent, giving light to the proceedings. James sees the ten members of the council sitting in a semi circle on the ground. A fire burns within a ring of stones before them. His eyes widen slightly when he begins to feel the p.r.i.c.kling sensation. Looking around, he sees the warrior priest sitting beside the Chief of the Grey Wolf Clan.

"Bring him forward," Therin's father says once they've entered.

Therin gestures for him to follow and they walk forward until they're standing before the a.s.sembled chiefs. He sees Therin give the council a bow, so he follows suit.

"Here is James, the bearer of the Token from the Lake Lady," he announces to them. Turning to James, he says, "Show them the Token."

James opens his pouch and brings it out, holding the Token up so all can see. He shows it first to the chief on the right then slowly moves it around to the chief on the left so all are able to see it clearly.

"How do we know this came from the Lady?" asks the Grey Wolf Chief.

"Tell them," Therin says to James.

James then relates how they were camped on the sh.o.r.e and the manner in which she came to them. How she had brought them to her home and fed them. Then he speaks of finding the Token the next morning. Once he's done explaining how he'd come to be in possession of it, Therin takes the Token from him and hands it to his father. After examining it, he hands it to the chief sitting next to him.

As it pa.s.ses from one chief to the next, James stands there under their eyes. The eyes of the warrior priest never leave him and he can feel nothing but malice coming from him. Twice he feels the p.r.i.c.kling increase momentarily as the warrior priest engages in magic, but he's unable to tell just what he's doing.

When all the chiefs have finished with their examination of the Token, Therin's father asks, "Is there still any who doubts that this came from the Lady?"

All the chiefs shake their heads and voice their agreement that it did indeed come from the Lady. The Grey Wolf Chief seems to almost deny it, but with all in opposition to him, he concedes.

"So, now what to do with him and his companions," he says. Gesturing to the warrior priest, he says, "Abula-Mazki here has laid claim to them."

Standing up, the warrior priest says, "They are criminals of the Empire. They've laid waste to cities and have killed hundreds of its citizens. They have moved through the Empire like a plague, killing and destroying as they go. In the name of justice, I demand them!"

They turn their eyes to James who begins to sweat. What he'd just said is basically true, just not exactly in that context. He's about to say something when Therin says, "But would the Lady have given men such as he just described her Token?" He looks around at the a.s.sembled Chiefs. "We all know her to be good and kind, a friend in need who has never harmed a soul. It doesn't stand to reason that she would do such a thing as give her Token to such."

James is relieved to see more than a few of the chiefs nod their heads at his words.

Then Abula-Mazki says, "They belong by rights to the Empire for all that they've done. You cannot deny the Empire in this!" He glares defiantly at the a.s.sembled chiefs as if daring any of them to oppose him.

Therin's father stands up and turns to face him, "According to the Treaty our forefathers signed with the Empire, we can." Face to face now with the burning intensity of the warrior priest's anger, he continues, "As long as it is in effect, the laws stated therein will hold true. In exchange for the Tribute and a cease of hostilities, the Empire will leave us alone. Our laws govern here, not the Empire's."

He gives Abula-Mazki a look of command as he says, "Until at such time either side breaks the Treaty."

Abula-Mazki stares him down, never once blinking or glancing away.

The Chief of the Sunset Hills comes to his feet and stands between them, "Enough! We are not here to fight amongst ourselves but to decide what to do with the outlander." Pointing to James he continues, "It first must be decided if he and his friends are to be allowed within the Gathering without penalty of death."

Both Abula-Mazki and Therin's father look away at the same time as several of the other chiefs begin speaking out in agreement of the Chief of the Sunset Hills' statement.

Resuming his seat, Therin's father says, "So be it. Who believes they should be granted safe travel?"

Six chiefs raise their hands. "And who believes the Token means nothing and they should either be executed or given over to Abula-Mazki?" Four hands go up.

"It's decided then," he says. Looking to Abula-Mazki, he says, "They are granted safe pa.s.sage through our lands."

Face burning with anger, Abula-Mazki's eyes practically spark with pent up rage. "So I am to be denied?" he cries out to the a.s.sembled chiefs. His anger and rage roll over those in the tent like a red tide.

"As long as they are in our territory," Therin's father says, "yes, you are." When he sees how dark his anger is, he adds, "Harm them in our territory, and you break the centuries long peace between us."

He turns and gives James a look of naked hatred and anger before stalking out, the air practically sizzling with his rage.

Therin's father turns to James and says, "You are granted safe conduct within our lands, and none here will gainsay that. It is the will of the council. But once you leave our lands, you leave our protection."

"I understand," James says. "And thank you."

Therin gives the council another bow and again, James follows suit. He then turns for the exit and James follows him as he leaves the council tent.

"You probably better leave in the morning," he tells him as they walk back to his tent.

"Will we be safe here until them?" James asks him.

"Yes," Therin replies. "He dares not violate the Treaty." Sighing, he continues, "I really didn't think they'd go against him. I'm surprised so many voted in your favor."

"Why?" he asks.

"Even though you bear the Token of the Lady," he explains, "we really dare not anger the Empire, their might is too strong. But many saw this as a chance to strike out at the Empire, even in so small a way."

"Your people don't care for the Empire?" he asks.

Shaking his head, he says, "No. The Tribute takes too many of our horses and goods every year. We are honorable people, or at least most of us are, and so we abide by it."

"Maybe some day you can be free of them," James says.

"It would be a good thing for our people," he agrees. "But until that day comes, we must do what honor dictates."

They come to James' tent and he lifts the flap and enters. He stops suddenly when he sees only Jiron sitting there on the floor.

Jiron looks up as they enter and asks, "Isn't Miko with you?"

Worry comes over James as he replies, "No, he isn't."

With confusion on his face, Jiron says, "Two warriors came and said that the council had requested his presence, so he went with them."

"The council made no such request," Therin tells him.

"Then who came and took him?" James asks.

Anger suddenly blossoms upon Therin's face as he replies, "The Grey Wolf Clan no doubt!" He spits on the floor as he begins pacing. "Since they can't move against you or it would violate the Pact, they've arranged for you to move against them."

"You mean they've taken Miko to cause us to go after him and break the Pact?" James asks. "So we'd be given to that warrior priest?"

"It would seem so," he replies.

"d.a.m.n!" curses James.

"Are we going to tell the council?" Jiron asks him.

"Tell them what?" he replies. "We have no proof other than your word which will not be believed over that of one of us. You can be sure the Grey Wolf Clan will deny any involvement in this."

"So what are we to do?" James asks.

"You must go and get him," he says.

"But they'll be expecting that," Jiron adds.

"True," agrees Therin. "But what choice do you have?"

Jiron comes to James and says, "If we can escape from Azzac when all are against us, we should be able to manage getting Miko from out of here."