They soon came to an area of many flat lowlands and prosperous farming villages. Fewer slaves had been used out here, and the land was green and fertile. Now and then, they'd see ox carts carrying goods under guard by armed mercenaries. The road had many toll booths on it, the price paid for it being paved. Every so often, they'd see a shrine or a great monastery.

The hunger did not seem nearly too bad here, nor did the diseases. This domain was ruled by the Lord Karkan Caskav, a cousin of Father's old nemesis, Borinius. William was glad to have this company with him. Since Borinius' disgrace, Caskav had been under the authority of Atravain. William was not keen on meeting the man.

Meanwhile, Jaina, Janice, and Grace were eating at a different campfire. The three seemed to be speaking of some internal matter between them quite closely. Lamech was unconscious and bound to a rope to keep him asleep. His armor had been taken and thrown aside on the road, and his sword was in William's keeping.

It was heavy on his back, and the hilt hurt the hand to keep. None of the ladies had wanted to touch it. So they'd thrown it away.

Often the three ladies, would look over at them, either with wary glances or smiles. Massacre kept all of them well supplied with rabbits to eat, and Jehair taught them all to forage for food.

Grace was particularly interested in all this.

"How have none of them been married off by now?" muttered Felix in irritation.

"Atravain is very powerful," noted William. "And most of the other houses' sons are already married. Perhaps some soldier promoted to replace Rius could marry Janice.

"Prince Aris of Estal is not yet wed. And there is likely other Estalian nobility."

"The men of Estal are regarded as somewhat quint in such circles," said Jehair. "And only Prince Aris would be considered as great as Atravain. I suppose you might be a contender as well."

William noticed their glances turning his way, then toward the nearby town. He wondered if they were discussing the subject. It was important to their future; women were expected to be married. Though he supposed the priesthood was an option.

"Where do we go from Brisgald?" asked William of Jehair over a meal.

"Well, that depends on what kind of trip you want to make," said Jehair. "We're bound for Brisgald first, of course. Then we must head south toward Gel Carn, by the main road or by Blackfear.

"The King's Road is perfectly safe and never has any trouble with bandits. Unfortunately, not everyone was content to act as glorified caravan guards from criminals. However, I expect you might welcome a chance to fight them. And many of them have been terrorizing the local villages to the south."

"Terrorizing?" asked William.

"Well, threatening," said Jehair, straightening her hair. Her outfit had been worn and muddied by her efforts. "The best are desperate and have nothing else to survive on. The worst are monsters."

"Why aren't they on the King's Road?" asked Felix. "Surely they would make a better profit there."

"There is an unofficial arrangement with the local lords," said Jehair. "You see, the King's Road was built by Anoa the Builder, but it must be maintained. Now in the old days, when Harlenor was united, it was maintained by the King's men. But with the fall of the Anoa IX, that system broke down.

"You need to pay people if you want them to work for you. This even though everyone had a stake in keeping the road active. A truly inexplicable event."

"Amusing. Go on," said William.

"Well, the King's Road has fallen into disarray in Escor, and it never reached Haldren," said Jehair. "But in Antion, the system became that the local Lords would be expected to keep it in good repair. Not doing so could be considered treason.

"Aona I, the founder of Antion, actually sacked a castle because the road was falling apart. It was a chilling way to set a precedent, but it was effective. Of course, later, Kings took to giving the Lords an incentive.

"They are entitled to charge a reasonable toll for anyone who walks through their territory in it. All to cover expenses, of course."

"That seems like a system that can be abused," noted William.

"Blindingly so," said Jehair with a nice smile. "The Border Hills had several bloody conflicts with the lands of Blackfear. It was mostly on the basis that they were overcharging. It was making it impossible for their merchants to get to their destination, so they had to sell early.

"It is no exaggeration to say that virtually all of the negotiation that goes on here relates to the King's Road."

"What does this have to do with bandits?" asked Felix.

"Think about this from the perspective of a merchant from Gel Carn, child," said Jehair. She drew a line in the dirt with her scythe. "You want to journey up through the Border Hills to Antion.

"You would have to travel the entire King's Road or most of it. No matter what business you did, you'd lose money on it. It's one of the reasons Gel Carn has never recovered."

"So they cheat," guessed William. "Merchants try to take alternative routes to skip the checkpoints." He ate from some rabbit Massacre had caught earlier. Massacre was munching on thorns to one side.

"Very good, child," said Jehair with a laugh. "And so having bandits murdering all the merchants who go off the road seems very appealing. One of the jobs I started doing a century or two ago was negotiating on behalf of local communities."

"That would raise prices enormously," said William. "What about vital supplies?"

"There are special arrangements that are in place for emergencies," said Jehair. "In wartime, things usually only have a brief delay. But during peace, things can completely grind to a halt."

"So the bandits are left unchecked?" asked William. Felix stood up to go wash his hands off in a stream, running down from the mountain.

"Not unchecked," said Jehair. "If they start misbehaving too badly, the local Lords will crack down and slaughter some of them. Sometimes an entire gang has been wiped out. But the bandits started making interconnected alliances as well.

"So often if a Lord gets too aggressive, they'll find themselves with a very serious problem. Rius, I gather, took the policy of never taking any action."

"Why not?" asked William.

"Ascorn is too prominent to attack," said Jehair, brushing a braid from over her shoulder. "If they did, there would be a mass outcry. Or so was the assumption until now."

And so they continued.

Their road came to the city of Antres, which had been founded by Sir Orson and his friend, John Rain, long ago. It had been a major center of smithing, taking iron shipments from the Border Hills. They turned it into plows and horseshoes and many other things. It sold wares that reached to many lands.

But his line had died out when King Andoa I killed the last male heir in single combat. That had been when Andoa had returned from captivity among the elves of Qor'Danas as a ward. At the time, many had doubted his right to rule. The King had lamented it and built many shrines and cathedrals in later days. Much of his focus on helping the people and public works had been given form here.

Now Antres stood on the southeastern corner of the Black Mountain, and it was less formidable. The stonework was once very fine for human hands. He had been made obsolete and little maintained. Evidence of stolen stones could be seen, and the town had grown beyond it. The smoke of forges was heavy in the air and cooking fires, and the cathedral Anoa had built was there as well. Now it was ruled by Caskav, and that worried William.

Best not to make an open announcement of his presence.

And on the road before them was Lord Dunmoore.

In his hands was a huge, red sword planted in the ground before him. On either side were ranks of Paladins. Some looked grim, others resolved, and others averted their gaze.

"Speak of Diabolus," said one of them.

"Lord Dunmoore," said Janice, going forward at a slow gait. She looked back to William as she did, and he found his eyes drawn to her. His eyes looked her up and down despite his own efforts, and he tried to look away.

His gaze then fell instead on Grace and found himself with the same issue. And turning away from her led to Jaina. Finally, he forced himself to focus on Dunmoore to not be distracted by their beauty.

"Lady Janice, Jaina, and Grace? What are you doing here?" asked Dunmoore.

"We come bearing a prisoner for you," said Janice. And she motioned to Lamech on the back of Massacre. "Lamech waylaid several Paladins and slew them in single combat.

"Jaina gave him the means to do so that he would not harm innocents. Sir Gabriel defeated him, and we bring now their shields and Lamech for judgment."

Dunmoore nodded and looked to two Paladins. "...Well done.

"Take this man to Princess Ansara. Keep him there. Be sure that Sir Gabriel's actions are noted. It is the least we can do. You three may pass."

And they did but turned to look back as William came forward. He had the feeling this conversation was not going to go as well for him. So he kept out of sword range.

"You have my thanks, Sir William Gabriel, but you may go no further," said Dunmoore. "Go back to Ascorn and abandon this quest."

"Lord Dunmoore, why do you bar my passage?" asked William. "I go to my family's lands."

"And from there, Gel Carn," said Dunmoore, frowning. "I know well your political designs and the power of your family. So I cannot allow you to reach the Heir of Kings."

"Lord Dunmoore, I am going to Gel Carn to take her measure, nothing more," said William. "She is not even my principal goal."

"Can any man, however noble, have their word be trusted in these days," said Dunmoore sadly. "There is great good you could do here. But I cannot allow you to go further.

"Do service as a healer and a knight. There is much glory in that, more than in any tournament."

"This cannot be about the Heir of Kings," said William. "What hold is on you that you must do this?" He could not defeat Lord Dunmoore, although with Massacre he might have a chance. Yet the only victor would be Lamech.

"Dark forces have a hold on all of us. And some all must tolerate," said Dunmoor. "Just as you tolerate Arraxia, I must tolerate others."

"I must get to Gel Carn," said William, looking to the three women. The sun was smiling down on them while they were in the shade.

"I will give you an oath that no harm shall be done to her while we are here."

"But oaths are not always binding," said Dunmoore. "What if you came to that place and thought her the puppet of one who meant your house ill? You might argue, with real honor from your own perspective, that she was not the Heir of Kings but an imposter."

"Lord Dunmoore, I will go through you if I must," said William firmly. "I have a friend to gain pardon for. To do otherwise is to risk open war with Adrian Wrynncurth."

Dunmoore nodded but stood his ground. "Then do as you believe is right.

William halted and contemplated his chances. Looking to Felix, then Massacre, then Jehair, he saw them tense. Could he afford to have a battle here? Even if they won, there would be casualties. Looking around, William searched for any way out. To go around would take a long time he did not have. And Dunmoore had trackers of his own, no doubt.

"I will not turn back," said William. "Lord Dunmoore, it comes to this. You must either trust me to pass or act as I have promised. Or you must kill me. Or you must turn me back, knowing that I will find another way past.

"Every duty both to family, friend, and nation compels me to go this way. I cannot abandon it."

"But what about Ascorn and the death of Lord Rius?" said Grace suddenly.

"What?!" said Dunmoore, looking back.

"Yes, Lord Dunmoore, Rius was executed for crimes against the people," said Jaina.

"How can this be?" asked Dunmoore. "Sir William, do you know of this?"

"Apparently, he and his Captains had a falling out," said William. "They became convinced he was plotting to undermine their houses and keeping secrets. And agents of King Gavin were within the city. War may well happen if rapid action is not taken, and the Babarassians are poised to take advantage.

"And Lamech on the road behind had been killing every Paladin that crossed that way. Finally, he is defeated and taken captive by House Atravain. You can find the shields hanging still. Lamech was a known associate of Rius and was openly allowed to do business."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Dunmoore seemed for a moment torn between grief and a kind of joy. And he looked like he had half a mind to yell in rage and the other to shout in joy. "This cannot be," he said, keeping the smile off his face. In fact, he was grimacing with the effort. "Rius dead and Lamech in his employ." He turned to his men. "Let him pass into his own land.

"I will trust you in this, Gabriel. I pray that I do not do so in vain."

"I understand," said William.

"We go at once to Ascorn and check the shields he spoke of," said Dunmoore.

Then the Paladins walked off. Dunmoore laughed the whole way, struggling to keep his composure. Many of the Paladins were able to avoid joining in. Some took Lamech off toward Antion.

"In Calisha, Rius would have been crucified a long time ago," noted Felix.

"Yes, well, no system is perfect," said Jehair.

"Do not speak of such things," said William.

Then he looked to see the banner of the Church of Elranor in a series of pavilions near the shrine. Many people were clustering by it from all over. William felt a sense of ease and wonder at that symbol. Of two hands reaching outward toward the sun as it rose.

Though it had faded, the Sun Spirit had been worshipped as long as Elranor itself. Orson had popularized it, and now it stood as a symbol for all religions. For the High Priest of Elranor had authority over the faith itself and mediated disputes. He only hoped Rundas had not poisoned his mind against him.

"Well, I suppose we can continue to the High Priest," said William. "No doubt we can speak to him about how to handle the plague. Perhaps we may be of service."

And he began to make toward the shrine instead of the city. There were a number of buildings near it. First, a stockade filled with many animals, chickens, cows, and pigs, as well as doves. People were selling animals there, William presumed for sacrifices. Antion sacrificed animals as an act of faith. William did not understand the practice. Haldrenians stuck to the old ways of sacrifice by deed. Glory in combat and death, where the sacrifice was yourself or your enemy.

Still, there was no shame in alternative practice. Antion sought to live more peacefully, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"Do you think he will be able to help?" asked Jehair, faintly amused.

"Of course," said William, irritated at the question. He had the feeling Jehair had some private joke at his expense. "He's the High Priest of the Gods and of Elranor, God of Healing. And he is at present making a tour of this area."

"I will leave you here for a time, William," said Jehair, sensing his unease. "Janice knows this area well, and I would like to see how the woodlands have fared. Will you allow it?"

"Of course," said William, appreciating the effort. "Felix, Massacre, go with and ensure her safety. We have the less dangerous road."

"Yes, sir," said Felix.

And the three broke off.

The three maidens came around him now, their staffs in hand. Jaina moved forward, adjusting her cloak. "Shall we, then?"

"There is to be a sermon up there," said Grace. "You want to see it?"

"Sermon?" asked William.

"Yes," said Grace. "The priests sort of make a speech to the crowd that helps them with spiritual enlightenment.

"Don't you have those in your cathedrals?"

"We don't have cathedrals," said William. "Relationships with the gods are strictly personal." Still, it seems reasonable. The High Priest was the head of the church, of all churches in Antion. So it stood to reason that he would have the wisdom to impart.

Otherwise, why would be invested with infallible authority over the texts?

"...There is a plague house over there," said Jaina. "If you want to heal them."

"What?" said William, looking to see a large building with two crimson-clad guards within. "How is that possible with so many priests here. The Paladins had a military expedition to get to; what could be taking them."

"We could heal them," said Jaina.

"The sermon is starting now," said Grace. "I want to hear it."

"Someone could die while we are listening," noted Jaina.

"The High Priest has left them there for a reason," said William. "He can't possibly be unaware of them. However, I would not presume to intrude on an area under his authority. It may be that they have some curse beyond the greatest healers."

"Perhaps we'll find out," said Janice, with a tone of one who knows the answer.

They went to the sermon, and it seemed like something out of a story. There was the shrine, and at the gates were the priests, clad in white and red. Below him were his assembled people, vast in number and clad in various clothes. There were merchants and ordinary men, and even a few slaves. They looked on with faith, with animals in their hands as above them the priests came forward.

The priests wore red and gold and were inclined to be fat. They had jeweled necklaces and elaborate staffs. Most of them were not looking at the crowd at all but looking around and at eachother in boredom. Two actually exchanged coins as though settling some bet, but that was absurd. To one side, William saw a blonde woman dressed in simple white. A man dressed in gray was easy to move around with. They seemed to be speaking, and the man was scowling. So far as William could guess, the woman was trying to justify something.

Then the High Priest came out of the temple, and he was not fat. He wore white and gold, and it was elaborate. Too elaborate, such as the amount of gold embroidery that it obscured him. William could only tell that he was about twenty or so and lean and tall, with neatly combed, blonde hair. Rundas was near him, and Joffrey as well, and William guessed he had fled Ascorn before William.

"Presenting His Excellency, High Priest Coinfurth," said Rundas. "High Priest of the Gods, Chosen of Elranor, Supreme Overlord of the Church, Cirithil Magnar."

This was ridiculous.

The Kings of Harlenor did not feel the need to make this kind of entrance. And what was the good of all these titles? No, no, he was the head of faith, and that required certain formalities. And the priests all looked uncomfortable. Actually, they'd looked uncomfortable, to begin with.

William wished he could believe it was a desire to pursue their duties.

Cirithil came forward and raised a page as though it were a script. "People of Elranor, do not fear the plague, for all things are according to divine plan," he spoke in a bored tone. It was as though reading a script. Which he was. "The suffering now upon us is for the purposes of instruction. Continue to pray and give money to the church, and you will be saved.

"If you have sinned, we will remove the taint of your sin for an agreed-upon amount. That's all."

And then they dispersed to cheering applause.

Were these people stupid? No, of course not; they couldn't be that stupid. Grace wasn't stupid, and she was looking on in awe. They'd come out here for a religious revelation; the enthusiasm they felt was their reward. The High Priest was simply the channel by which they received it.

But by the sneering laughter of some of the priests. They ripped off expensive garments and threw them at the blonde woman; they did not agree. At least some of them thought these people were really that stupid. No, no, they'd probably made speeches like this before and were eager to get it over with. William was eager to get this over with, and they were only human.

Now they could move on.

"That's it?!" said Jaina. "A couple of bullet points rushed through in a bored tone is what they came a weeks travel to see?!"

"He might have a reason for haste," said William, looking to where they were going. "There are many sick and injured to tend to here." The sentence left his lips as he saw the priests heading into a tall building with a woman outside it. She was wearing a white robe, but it did not seem like something she was used to.

As though ushering them into heaven.

It was a brothel, wasn't it? Well, many great warriors of Antion used the brothels. Of course, they weren't perfect and spiritual warfare was important too. Who was William to judge?

"What is that building?" asked William, not even half believing his justifications.

"That's a brothel, William," said Janice with a smile. A smile infuriated William.

"I know what it is," said William with a sigh.

"Step back. Step back, all of you," said a man with a resemblance to Raynald. He was clad in the orange of House De Chevlon and bore the Calishan Honey Badger. Around him were many soldiers standing by. "You can't take your animals into the temple for sanitation reasons. The plague may be carried inside."

"It is our right to sacrifice to the Gods," said a man. "Who are you to stop us?"

"Get back, peasant!" said the man, and he smashed him across the face hard. He fell back, bleeding horribly with his jaw out of place. "I am Alchive De Chevlon! And no one gets through!

"The High Priest has initiated this as a means to control the plague. No one gets in or out. Sign your name here, and you can sell your animals at that market. They will give you money that can be used to purchase properly sanitized animals within the temple."

William moved forward and quickly healed the man as he limped away. He then healed several other people as the discussion continued. His eyes found drawn to Janice, Grace, and Jaina over and over. And he began to suspect they had cast some kind of spell.

"But I already bought an animal from a special market," said a woman. "See here?"

"That's the wrong brand," said Alchive. "Now buy one for real or get out."

Obviously, the guard was going behind the High Priest's back. Time to do something about this. But what?

"I'm going," said one.

"What?" said a woman. "Why?!"

"Better to get fleeced and keep my soul," said the man.

"Shouldn't we do something?" asked Grace.

"William?" asked Janice.

"I'm trying to think," said Jaina.

What would Father do in this situation?

He'd just walk on as it was not his business. It would be unwise to challenge them on their doorstep. So what would Raynald or Tanith do? "I'm a Haldrenian.

"You don't want my solution."

More laughter, and it maddened him. "Excuse me, Lord Alchives?"

"Yes, what is it?" asked Alchives. He was almost an exact twin of Raynald, actually. Only without the scars or withered appearance. "Who are you?"

"I am William," said William. "I am a student to your brother.

"What is the plan for those plague victims over there."

"They have been quarantined," said Alchive. "And will receive treatment when their families pay the Healer's Guild. Now get out of my sight."

"I would like permission to tend to them," said William. "I am an accomplished healer."

"Tend to them?" said Alchives. "You ask me for permission to sabotage a legal business?"

"How do you measure up to your own standards," asked Jaina. "By what authority does the High Priest bar passage to a shrine on the lands of Lady Atravain?" asked Janice.

"This shrine is dedicated to Elranor," said Alchives. "Elranor is not limited in his authority, neither are we. Moreover, our purpose is to respond to the plague. Quarantine is one of the rights within his grace's jurisdiction."

William looked again to the plague victims, mouth opening, and he almost made for it. But he checked himself, praying they could be helped.

"Yes, but the shrine was built by my Grandfather," said Grace. "When he was friends with House Rain. And I want to pray in it. Can I go through it?"

Alchives looked at the now restless people around him. "So long as you do not carry animals, yes. But none of these scum around you. Nobility only."

Grace turned back. "Well then, why don't each of you pray and make your sacrifices here. Then you won't have to enter the temple at all!"

"You dare undermine the High Priest's rights?!" said Alchives.

"Why not?" asked Janice, eyes narrowing. "Turnabout is fair play. There's no law against making sacrifices before a temple."

"The money that is made from these sacrifices will pay for a new temple," said Alchives. "Contracts have already been sent out to stonemasons to be built at a place of the High Priest's choosing. So you peasants will fulfill your purpose and sacrifice here."

William stood up, realizing he'd been resting on one knee from the blow. His hand went to his sword, but Jaina caught it. A sense of her being wise and all-knowing went through him, and he did not know why. But it halted him.

William had the impression that Cirithil would make different use of those profits.

"I'm a daughter of Lady Atravain," said Janice. "Who holds authority here. It is my judgment that it is their decision how they use their animals.

"Then it's settled," said Grace. "Some of you must go out and gather wood and leaves to build pyres to burn the offerings on outside. Each of us shall enter at a given time, and when all have prayed, we'll sacrifice them at once.

"It shall be a communal sacrifice."

"This is no ritual I have heard about!" said Alchives.

"Unless you have another way these people can avoid being fleeced, it's all they have," said Jaina. "Outside quarantine, so we can do as we like. Janice, can you take charge of gathering firewood.

"Partake or watch as you will."

Alchives stepped forward in a rage, hand going to his sword. But William drew his own and Jaherus her scythe.

"Massacre," said William. "Make sure these men hurt no one. If they try, you can do as you like."

"Bah," said Massacre, treading behind Alchives.

"We will build a cairn and dedicate it to Elranor," said Janice. "Then it will be a temple."

This idea was met with enthusiasm from the commoners and seething rage from Alchives. But he could not leave the gate and dared not fight Massacre. The guard was assigned to keep watch on the animals by Grace while everyone set about making their altar. William thought it worked out better this way. Everyone kept their money, and the extra effort made it more memorable.

Obviously, they'd had bad luck with the priest of his generation.

"You realize you have struck an ally of your house across the face," said William, drawing off his helm. "I am the son of Duke Vanion Gabriel."

"I don't care if you were trained by that withered armed, deformed abomination!" snarled Alchives. "He is a vicious, depraved animal, kin to wolves and devoid of courage or intellect. The little monster substitutes base cunning and animal bloodlust for both.

"Why Argath ever vouched for him is beyond me!"

William halted and saw those same empty eyes he'd seen in Joffrey. As if Alchives had been torn down to the foundations of who he was and had them marred. "It is a shame to see a great house sink so low. I see now why the Baroness Saphra was given the position you three declined."

And he walked away. Alchives, meanwhile, was deadly silent.

Now William saw why Raynald hated his brothers so much. He'd thought they're turning on the Vampires to have been an act of virtue. But they were all utter beasts. Or two out of three anyway.

"Is this a new problem?" asked William.

"Not really," said Jaina sadly. "The closest you get to Antion, the less religious people are."

"That's worrying," said William, not becoming suspicious about the animals being sold. "I want to know about those animals. Jaina, let's go."

Moving up the slopes, William came to the structure. Virtually no one was at it, but a man was counting money with obvious glee. His hair was reddish, like the De Chevlons, but he lacked the scorn of the others. Then, feeling their eyes on him, he put it away apologetically. "Sorry, slow day.

"The Lady's ritual has cut my profits."

"You don't seem upset," said William.

"I'm already a rich man," said the man, having the grace to seem a bit guilty. "This plan of His Grace has made me and many others very wealthy. The wife and I shall be taking our children to a new house.

"Are you here to purchase animals for sacrifice?"

"Actually, I want to know about the animals," said William. "Where did you get them?"

"They come from the High Priest's personal flocks. They are quite extensive," said the man.

"And how are these flocks swelled to such numbers?" asked Jaina.

"They are purchased," said the man. "Though many of them are bred. They've been growing over generations, and many are butchered to feed the poor." Well, that was nice. "Traditional, though I admit, the poor are a bit too numerous. These days with all the Sornian buyers coming into the market.

"Begging your pardon milady."

"Not at all," said Jaina. "My family is very distantly descended from Sorn. We have inherited a talent with wealth. But we are of Antion.

"Who are your usual buyers?"

"Recently?" asked the man.

"Yes, recently?" said Jaina.

"The High Priest has been making a tour to ease the suffering of these people," said the man. "In the process, flocks are sometimes purchased on the side. When you can bypass tolls, it mean you can actually use the King's Road?

"Can I interest you in an indulgence?" He brought up several slips of paper.

William frowned. "I was given to understand that King Andoa phased indulgences out. Citing a meeting where Elranor personally requested it."

"Yes, however, they have been recreated in response to a changing world," said the man. "I am certain his Grace has his reasons.

"Actually, I shouldn't be saying this, but funds have been disappearing at an alarming rate. A lot of unexpected expenses. New clothes, appointments to keep. Sometimes you have to give money to questionable sources to get anything done."

"Do we get a cut?" asked Jaina.

"What?" asked the man.

"Do the nobility get a cut for all this?" asked Jaina.

"Why would you ask that?" asked the man. "Surely the temple is administered purely by the priesthood, milady."

"Because you are on our land," said Jain. "You are using merchant stalls that could be used for other purposes. You are cutting off access to holy sites we often built with our finances.

"What is done here affects us.

"Yet no word of this came to my Mother, Lady Atravain. We were not even informed of this, and there was a major meeting of nobility. Not one spoke of it."

"Perhaps the bandits are worse than we thought," said the man.

"But are we getting a cut?" asked Jaina. "Yes or no will do."

The man halted. "No."

"Then pack up your wares," said Jaina. "I may not have authority over holy ground, but this is not holy ground. Your presence here has already disturbed the prayers of my people.

"Caskav is one of our vassals.

"Take your profits, sell your remaining wares, and let us see no more of them."

"Of course," said the man, looking unsteadily at Alchives. "I am certain the High Priest will understand your concerns. Perhaps you could see him in yonder br- building."

William felt sympathy for him. He was just doing his job, but Jaina's gaze seemed to be piercing him. Off he went, talking to servants and getting them to go out and find buyers. At the same time, the burnt offerings began on the new Cairne. Grace said prayers with great enthusiasm. William wondered if she should not have been a priestess.

"There is no way there is a good reason for this," said Jaina. "I'm going to see the high priest."

"I will go," said William. "A direct confrontation could be scandalous. I am an ignorant foreigner, so just hang back."

"As you wish, Sir Knight," said Jaina with a smile. "You shall be my shield in this."

William smiled and walked toward the confrontation.

Even so, as he approached the brothel, he reflected he was not looking forward to this. Because in that brothel was a demon.