I was free.

Of my restraints at least. I had no doubt that there was no way that I was going to be able to get away from the killers I was surrounded by.

“Follow me.” Rishard motioned for me to follow him away from the fires.

I felt a very strong urge to comply and saw both of the Adventures tense as I slowly began to move. I still had on my CB, so I could reach for my weapon, but considering that I knew that at least Rishard was over Tier Five, it would be vain to try to fight them even if I couldn’t die.

I paused after taking a few steps. The urge got stronger, but it wasn’t forcing me to move. Yet. The intensity of the urge gave me no doubt that it would start forcing my legs to comply if I waited much longer. And just the thought of going the opposite way felt like I was filling my brain with needles.

I coughed and pretended that I was catching my breath when the two behind me took a step towards me. “I’m good.” I bent over and took a deep breath, then smiled as I looked over at them. “I don’t think everything got lined back up perfectly yet.”

Neither of the two women showed any emotion, but at least I knew that the last person who held one of my chains was a woman that looked like a younger copy of Nise.

I stood up and eased the growing compulsion as I walked over to where Rishard was standing. The urge to obey vanished as I stopped behind him. I smiled as I was starting to learn the extent of the orders I had to take. I was curious if the urge would return if the High Priest started walking again, or if he would have to reissue that order. If it didn’t return, I was still going to follow him, simply because I didn’t want them to learn how exactly they could push me.

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“You won’t tell me your secrets…” Rishard looked out at the desert. “What about others? If I asked you to spy on someone would you do it?”

I felt the urge start swimming through my brain, then my thoughts settled on him asking me to spy on Tres. I thought the possibility of having to spy on the God I served would fill me with dread. Instead it banished the urge. I smiled as I looked at him. “Who do you want me to spy on?”

“That’s a no…” Rishard shook his head. “Lyssa is going to be very disappointed that her new toy doesn’t do anything that she wants it to.”

I glanced over at where Lyssa was ranting at Meson. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but given the order Rishard had given him, I could guess it had something to do with not letting her hurt someone.

“Who is she?” I looked back at the High Priest.

There was hesitation on his face. “I guess it would help you understand your duty to her.” He looked up at the sky. “You know how the Gods sometimes have children?”

I swallowed as I realized why those red eyes looked so familiar. She was Kire’s daughter.

“Are they all..?” I glanced around. All four of the other Adventures had the same red eyes.

“In a manner.” Rishard folded his arms. “Kire has been around for a while. But Lyssa is the only daughter.” He looked at me. “She might not have learned what makes you scream…”

I knew where the rest of the threat was going before he finished.

“But Kire has centuries more experience.”

“You’re pairing me with her?”

“Maybe.” Rishard looked down at me. “Let’s see what all you’ll do first. We might be better off just throwing you in a hole back in Kire.”