Warrior priest of Dmon-Li ms-3

by Brian S. Pratt

Rubbing it, Jiron replies, “Hurts, but it’s getting better. At least it’s not oozing blood anymore. Another week or two and I’ll be able to use it again.”

  “I’m glad,” says James. “I was worried it might’ve been injured permanently.”

  “Won’t really know until it heals more,” Jiron says. “It doesn’t feel as if anything major is wrong with it.”

  “What’s Trendle like?” asks Miko.

  “Just a small farming community, really,” explains James. “Good people.”

  “What’re we going to do there?” he asks.

  “First of all,” James tells him, “I think we should all take a much deserved rest for a while. Give us time to fully recover from all that’s happened to us.”

  “What about you?” Jiron asks. “Are you still going to search for more on Morcyth?”

  “I intend to,” answers James. “But I need to rest and think about some things first. I want to be better prepared than I have been.”

  “Makes sense,” nods Jiron.

  “I have some ideas I’ve been thinking on the last week or so,” he says to them. “Ever since we left that complex in the swamp, I’ve been thinking about those crystals we found there.”

  “Oh?” asks Miko. “Like what?”

  “Not really sure, but I think I may be able to use them to harness and store magical energy,” he explains. “If I can, then there is really no limit to what I might be able to do.”

  “How are you going to do that?” Jiron asks.

  Shrugging, he replies, “I haven’t a clue. But I believe it’s possible so I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out. Remember that large crystal above that lake?”

  They nod their heads, and then Jiron says, “Yeah, I remember.”

  “Well, that one had magic in it, or at least passing through it,” he tells them. “I just need to figure out how they did that.”

  “I see,” comments Jiron.

  James also remembers an encounter with that little creature, Igor. It always had seemed odd that they’d gone for pizza that time, but after seeing those crystals, he remembered how Mama had been watching Star Trek. It didn’t register at the time, but she had said how the episode was the one where they’d had to recharge the dilitium crystals.

  Perhaps that was why he’d been taken there, to have him think in that direction. If so, why Igor didn’t just come out and say it remains a mystery.

  The mountains to the west continue growing in size as the day progresses and near the end of the day they can see where the road enters the mountain range.

  “Should be there by nightfall,” Illan announces to everyone.

  “Are we going to make camp before entering the mountains?” asks Yern.

  “That would probably be advisable,” Illan says. “I think it would be best to take the pass in the daylight, less chance of taking a misstep in the dark.”

  “I was hoping we would,” says a tired Keril from the rear. He and Hinney had been back there all day and were tired of eating everyone’s dust. Those two had been friends long before joining Miller’s band and tended to stay together for the most part.

  The grasslands stay fairly flat all the way to where the mountains begin rising up to the sky. They find a good spot to camp about a half mile from the pass entrance. As the sun sets, they go about finding enough wood to last the night and settle down to eat the rations they bought in Fairview.

  A shadow, some distance away, watches their camp as the night deepens. Once he realizes they are staying put for the night, the scout remounts his horse and rides back to the main party, some miles to the south.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  As the eastern sky begins to dawn, they have a quick bite to eat before saddling the horses. “Should make Trendle sometime tomorrow,” Illan tells the rest of them.

  He takes the lead as they move toward the pass entrance. Appearing out of the pass entrance before them are about twenty horsemen. One of the riders brings a horn to his lips and blares forth three quick notes. Answering horns can be heard sounding from all around them. Illan brings them to a stop.

  “James,” Miko says as he brings his horse closer to his, “what’s happening?”

  From all sides, horsemen appear. Jiron’s knife leaps into his good hand as he takes in the hundreds of approaching horsemen who’re moving to surround them.

  Suddenly, a familiar tingling sensation begins to make itself known to James. He looks to the pass and sees four horsemen detach themselves from the others. They begin moving down to where James and the others wait. One of them is dressed in armor and a shudder goes through him when he recognizes him.

  “Abula-Mazki!” he breathes.

  “What?” Jiron asks.

  Pointing to the riders coming from the pass, James says, “Abula-Mazki. It seems he didn’t die when the catacombs collapsed.”

  “Who is he?” asks Jorry.

  “A warrior priest of Dmon-Li,” he replies. “I thought we’d rid ourselves of him some time ago.”

  The surrounding riders move to within a hundred yards before coming to a stop. James recognizes the Wolf Clan, as well as patterns of two other clans from the Gathering.

  “How did they know to be here?” Miko asks.

  “I don’t know,” replies James as he keeps his eye on the approaching warrior priest. The others with him look to be the chiefs of the clans, James recognizes them from when he’d been questioned before the council.

  “It looks as if they wish to parley,” Illan says as he glances to James.

  “Should we?” Jiron asks him. “I don’t trust him to be honorable.”

  “No, I don’t either,” agrees James. “But if it holds off an immediate attack, perhaps I should go and see what he has to say.” Turning to Miko, he says, “You stay here.”

  “Okay, James,” replies Miko.

  As he moves out to meet with Abula-Mazki, Illan and Jiron join him. He can see that the warrior priest did not come away unscathed from his ordeal in the catacombs. His face is horribly marred and his armor looks to have been crushed and then reshaped. Strong indeed must the magic of Dmon-Li be to allow him to survive such punishment.

  Both parties come to a stop once they’re ten feet away from each other. The Chief of the Grey Wolf clan looks with undisguised hatred at James.

  “Abula-Mazki,” begins James. “What an unexpected pleasure.”

  “I’ll make this simple,” the warrior priest says. “I want the one carrying the Star, the rest can go free. Resist, and you’ll all die!”

  Pulling out the Star, he shows it to him and asks, “Why is this so troubling to you?”

  Abula-Mazki’s eyes lock on the Star as he replies, “Priest of Morcyth, I’d strike you down now if I didn’t need you alive!”

  James contemplates the situation quickly and comes to the conclusion that there’s no way their party will be able to withstand the combined might of the clan riders and the magic of Abula-Mazki. Either one by themselves, maybe, but not together.

  Then an idea begins to form in his mind, one he doesn’t care too much for, but there may not be another way, “I have a proposition for you.”

  “What is it?” Abula-Mazki asks.

  “I propose we each chose a champion to decide the outcome,” explains James. “If yours wins, I go with you willingly. If mine wins, you allow us to continue, unhindered.”

  A smile spreads across his face as Abula-Mazki listens to him. “Swear upon the Star, Priest of Morcyth, and I’ll agree to your proposal.”

  Holding the Star high, James says, “I swear to go with the warrior priest Abula-Mazki should his champion win.”

  “Very well, priest,” he says. “I agree.”

  “Give us a few minutes to prepare, and our champion will return here to this spot,” James says.

  “You have ten minutes, no more,” he warns him.

  Nodding, James replies, “That is agreeable.”

  Both parties turn around and return to the others waiting
for them.

  When James, Illan and Jiron arrive, Uther says, “I know how they knew to be here.”

  Every eye turns to him as James asks, “How?”

  Gesturing to the group of riders in the pass, he says, “If you look, you’ll see the man who was outside our door just before we left.”

  They all turn and sure enough, the man who they’d chased out from in front of their door back at the inn in Seastar is among them. “Damn!” Illan exclaims. “I thought he was working for Councilman Rillian.”

  “So did we all,” Jiron adds.

  “Maybe he was,” Yern suggests. “What he’d heard could’ve been relayed from Councilman Rillian to them.”

  “True,” agrees Illan. “They must’ve almost killed their horses to get here so fast.”

  “So what happened?” Fifer asks.

  James fills them in on what was said and the deal he’d made. At hearing that, Jiron says, “James, there’s no way I can win a fight with my shoulder the way it is.”

  “Besides,” Illan says, “there’s only one person he’s going to select as champion, and that will be himself. The warrior priests are terrible foes, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of one being beaten by another living mortal. Who among us could even hope of defeating a warrior priest of Dmon-Li?”

  He glances around at the faces looking to him until he settles on one, “Another warrior priest of Dmon-Li.”

  Staring back into James’ eyes, Miko takes a sudden intake of breath. “What? Are you crazy?” He glances around at the others assembled there and says, “I’m no warrior, let alone a match for someone like Abula-Mazki.”

  Illan glances from Miko, to James, then back to Miko. His head begins to nod slowly as he says, “Perhaps.”

  Miko turns his attention to Illan as he says, “You can’t be serious!”

  “I’ve seen you fight,” he tells him. He gestures at the rest of those gathered there before continuing, “None of us can even hope to match what you do. You’re the only choice.”

  “James,” Jiron says to him. “We can’t take that chance, not with…”

  “I know,” he replies. “But that’s just what I’m counting on. With it, Miko has a chance to beat him.”

  The others look confused, not understanding what they’re talking about. James turns to Hinney and says, “Give your armor to Miko. I think you’re about the same size.” As he begins removing his armor, James comes over to Miko and says, “You can do this. There really is no one else.”

  Miko’s eyes show the fear and doubt that he’s feeling inside. James leans closer and whispers so only he will hear, “The Fire will aid you. It already has in every battle you’ve fought.”

  Coming back to look him in the eye, he says, “I believe you can do it.”

  “But, what if I lose myself for good?” he asks. “It’s been harder each time to come back out of it.”

  “I won’t let that happen,” James assures him. “I promise.”

  Jorry and Uther come over and begin to help him in putting on Hinney’s armor. “Let me have your sword,” James says.

  “What’re you going to do?” Miko asks as he hands it over to him. A pile begins to form at his feet from all the excess equipment they are removing from him in order to make room for the armor. The only pouch he retains is the one containing the Fire.

  “Make it stronger, better able to withstand whatever he may do,” he replies. He holds the sword out before him and begins concentrating as he readies the magic. Hoping he remembers enough from the shows on television he’d seen about metallurgy and sword making, he lets the magic begin to flow as he works on removing the impurities and strengthening the iron into steel.

  He stands there for five minutes as he works on the sword. When he at last feels it’s complete, he stops the spell and hands the sword to Illan. “Tell me what you think.”

  Taking the sword, he tests it for balance and weight, all the while nodding his head approvingly. Then he checks the edge by running his thumb along it. The barest of pressure cuts through the skin and a drop of blood begins to form.

  He holds the sword out and then turns to Fifer, “Take out your sword and strike it.”

  Fifer removes his sword and while Illan holds the sword in a blocking position, strikes it hard. When his sword strikes Miko’s, it rings out and Illan says, “Again!”

  Strike! Strike! Strike!

  Three more times Fifer hits Miko’s sword, after the third strike, Illan nods his head and gestures for Fifer to halt. Turning to where Miko stands, now dressed in armor, he says, “This sword is better than any other I’ve ever seen.” Handing it to him hilt first, he continues, “It will serve you well.”

  “Thank you,” he says, taking it. Placing it within the scabbard, he glances to James. “I’m scared.”

  “I know,” he says. Then a horn sounds from those within the pass and they turn to see Abula-Mazki returning on foot with the clan chiefs. “It’s time,” he tells Miko.

  James, Illan and Jiron accompany Miko out to where the duel will take place. With dread, Miko advances toward the spot where he will meet Abula-Mazki in combat. I can’t do this!

  When the two groups meet, Abula-Mazki says, “So, who plans to die today?”

  “None of us, actually,” James says. He gestures to Miko as he continues, “Miko here will meet your champion.” Looking around at those with Abula-Mazki, he adds, “And which one of you will be brave enough to meet him?”

  The clan chiefs break out into a gruff laugh as Abula-Mazki says, “I had thought this to be a serious match.”

  “It is,” James assures him. “He is far better than you’d imagine.”

  Looking upon Miko, Abula-Mazki’s expression shows he seriously doubts his abilities. “Okay,” he says, “so be it. I will be my own champion for there is no other better than I.”

  “Just one thing before we begin,” James says.

  “What?” he asks.

  “Should we win,” he replies and then points to the clan chiefs, “I want your word they will not attack us. Nor will they try to seek any sort of vengeance against us.”

  With an amused smile upon his face at the very thought, Abula-Mazki says, “You have it.”

  “Very well then,” says James.

  The clan chiefs back away from Abula-Mazki as he draws his sword.

  James can feel the prickling as he calls the magic. He puts his hands on Miko’s shoulders and looks him in the eye. Miko looks back with naked fear at the thought of facing him in battle. “You can do this!” asserts James. Then in a hushed whisper, adds, “The Fire will protect you.”

  “How can you be sure?” Miko asks.

  “I am,” James replies. “Trust me.” He continues gazing at Miko until he gives him a barely perceptible nod.

  Miko turns to face the warrior priest. Drawing his sword, he steps forward as James and the others step back.

  He watches as Miko closes with Abula-Mazki and begins to notice how his movements are slowly changing, becoming more streamlined and relaxed. The Fire is beginning to take control.

  With sword at the ready, Miko waits for Abula-Mazki’s attack. When it comes, it’s so incredibly fast that no one even realized he’d even attacked before Miko’s sword moves and blocks it.

  The ringing of the clash of swords slowly dies away, and the clan chiefs begin murmuring among themselves. They cast looks from Abula-Mazki and then over to where James waits with the others.

  As he watches Miko and Abula-Mazki begin to circle each other, Illan says, “He might be able to win.”

  “Let’s hope so,” James says.

  “If he does,” says Jiron as he points to the clan chiefs, “do you think they’ll abide by Abula-Mazki’s word?”

  “I doubt it,” replies James. “But let’s worry about that after Miko wins.” He looks to Jiron who gives him a nod.

  Clang! Clang!

  Their swords move at speeds so fast, the eyes of the onlookers aren’t capable of fol
lowing. Then suddenly, Abula-Mazki disengages and backs up. He looks at Miko with a new found respect. This isn’t any ordinary foe, he realizes.

  Suddenly, the tingling James has been feeling since the beginning of the match spikes. He tries to call the magic forth to help Miko but is too late. A ball of fire flies the short distance from Abula-Mazki to Miko, and explodes in a giant fireball.

  When the smoke clears, Miko is still standing there, untouched. James can faintly see a reddish shell begin to dissipate from around him. He glances to the warrior priest and sees the look of utter amazement upon his face. Smiling in satisfaction, James hollers, “Go Miko!”

  Miko doesn’t acknowledge his support, instead, he strides forth and begins attacking. With incredible speed, he launches into a series of attacks that Abula-Mazki successfully blocks. But instead of pausing, he keeps on attacking and actually succeeds in making him back up two steps before ending the series of blows.

  Enraged at the temerity of this boy, Abula-Mazki lashes out with his magic again and watches as the bolts of energy are deflected by the red tinged barrier. Using an attack combining both magic and sword he goes on the offensive. The magic is countered while Miko’s sword blocks the attacks.

  At this time, Fifer and the others have come and joined James’ group. “Incredible,” he says to James as he stands next to him.

  “Glad I’m not in there,” admits Yern.

  A jubilant cry from Abula-Mazki and they watch as Miko’s sword goes sailing through the air and lands point first into the dirt ten feet away.

  “Miko!” cries James.

  Then suddenly, the sword is no longer in the ground, but once again in Miko’s hand as he goes on the offensive again. A series of blows has Abula-Mazki giving ground and in disbelief, everyone watches as Miko’s sword rips through his armored leggings and slices the thigh beneath.

  Miko has drawn first blood!

  Abula-Mazki takes a few steps back to gather himself, a strange expression now upon his face. He glances down at the blood beginning to drip from the cut on his thigh. It’s not deep and will hardly even slow him down. But to score on a warrior priest, inconceivable! Never has such happened to Abula-Mazki.