Even the strongest mind could not enter uninvited. Though Gewey is not an elf there is a chance it may give him the same advantage."

Lee raised an eyebrow. "Really? I had no idea jawas had that power."

Kaylia smirked. "There's much I know that you don't, half-man," she said.

"Perhaps," said Lee. "Still, I will test if it's effective."

That night after Gewey finished his training with Kaylia, Lee beckoned him over. They repeated the exercise Lee had taught him, except this time Lee told Gewey not to try and keep the gate of his mind closed. Much to his amazement, Lee found himself completely unable to enter Gewey's mind; the jawas tea seemed to work exactly as Kaylia had claimed it would.

"How long is it effective?" Lee asked Kaylia, who was standing nearby.

"One dose will last for at least two days," Kaylia answered. "But more importantly, it builds in your system. Among my people there are those that can journey inside the mind of another. We use jawas to strengthen that ability."

"But from what I've just seen, it would block minds-not make it easier to enter them," said Lee.

Kaylia's mouth twisted in disgust. "If your intention is to invade a mind you're right, jawas prevents this from happening. But we do not enter uninvited as you might. With jawas, we can touch the thoughts of another with greater ease and also at greater distance."

"That could prove quite useful," said Lee, stroking his chin. "How much do you have?"

"Enough to last many weeks," she answered. "At least six, I should think."

"Is it hard to find?"

"Not in this area," Kaylia replied. "I shall gather more for the journey while I wait for you to leave the city."

"You'll be coming with us into Kaltinor," Lee said flatly. "It's very important we gather information before we continue further west. The Dark Knight's power grows, and we need to know what lies ahead. This may take a few days, and I might need you with me."

Kaylia looked concerned. "And what if I'm discovered? That could prove to be a problem."

"You won't be discovered," said Lee. "I have friends in Kaltinor that can hide you if need be, but I don't think it will come to that. We'll be staying in the Temple of Ayliazarah, so you can stay silent and hooded the entire time-like a good little pilgrim."

It was obvious Lee was trying to get under Kaylia's skin. The two were constantly throwing thinly veiled insults at one another. This time, Lee had the advantage. Kaylia couldn't hide the fact that the idea of staying in a temple of one of the G.o.ds made her uncomfortable.

"I will bow and stay silent," she seethed, "but if you think I will pretend to worship..."

Lee doubled over with laughter, further fueling Kaylia's anger.

"Calm yourself, elf," he said, grinning widely. "Pilgrims do not usually pray until they reach their destination."

This did little to calm Kaylia down. With her teeth clenched and back straight, she turned and strode off into the night. When she returned, she moved her blanket far away from the others.

The next day, Gewey noticed more travelers along the road.

Kaylia took special care to remain unseen, despite the fact that her hood completely covered her features. As they rode on past midday, the sheer volume of traffic told Gewey that the city was near.

The farms they pa.s.sed were no longer abandoned, though the fields were empty from the harvest. Along the way, they were stopped by a man driving a wagon loaded with bricks and masonry tools. Thinking them pilgrims from the east, he asked for news. Lee told him that times were dark and getting darker; the man replied that it was the same here, and moved on unhappily. This darkened Lee's mood, and he hardly spoke for hours.

"I guess our ruse will be put to the test," Millet said as the sun began to go down.

Gewey leaned forward and saw an encampment ahead. "Who are they?"

"That, my boy, is a group of real monks," Lee answered. "I can see ten of them from here."

"Do we have to stop?" Gewey asked, nervously.

"If we don't, they'll wonder why," Lee responded. "Besides, if we can't fool them, there's no way we'll fool the temple."

Lee pulled off the road to the edge of the encampment. A tall, hooded monk walked up to the wagon next to Millet.

"Welcome brothers...and sister," he said, noticing Kaylia's hooded figure in the back. Even through the robes it was impossible to hide her feminine shape. "I'm Brother Salvo. Please take your ease with us. We have plenty to share."

"Thank you, Brother," said Millet, taking the lead. "We will be pleased and grateful to share your fire. I'm Brother Milton, this is Brother Leston," he said, pointing at Lee. "And in the wagon are Brother Gewton and Sister Kaymaya."

Millet stepped from the wagon and stood in front of the man.

After exchanging a few words, Millet told the rest to climb down and see to the horses and gear. Lee jumped down while Kaylia and Gewey climbed from the back. Gewey was confused by the sudden role reversal, but Lee acted as if following Millet's orders was second nature.

The encampment was a beehive of activity as the monks and pilgrims prepared supper. No one spoke to them at first, which pleased Gewey. Kaylia was doing everything she could not to get too close to anyone, but eventually Lee leaned over and whispered in her ear. Gewey saw her nod, then walk over and offer a.s.sistance to several monks who were preparing bedding for the group.

"This is not a time to avoid contact," Lee whispered to Gewey as he pa.s.sed. "That would be noticed."

Gewey wondered how Kaylia would avoid giving herself away, but no one gave her a second look. Luckily, she was not the only female pilgrim in camp, and Gewey observed that the other women hardly ever removed their hoods or spoke. It seemed as though their ruse was intact, at least for now. By nightfall, several other groups had arrived at Brother Salvo's encampment; by the time dinner was served, their number reached about thirty. Millet and the others gathered near the wagon to eat and talk privately.

"A dangerous game," Kaylia grumbled under her breath.

"But necessary," Lee insisted.

"I agree," said Millet. "This is a good chance to test our deception."

Kaylia clearly didn't think so. "You had me working openly with these...monks. If one of these oafs had b.u.mped into me and discovered my ident.i.ty, what then?"

"I'm counting on your elf dexterity to prevent that," Lee replied. "If you had not behaved as a pilgrim should, it could have put us in danger. And please, don't call them oafs. Men and women like these here do nothing but good works. Their lives are dedicated to it."

Just then, Gewey saw the figure of Brother Salvo approaching.

"Brother Milton," called the tall monk.

Millet stood and bowed low. "I thank you for sharing your meal," he said. "As do my companions." Gewey, Lee, and Kaylia bowed their heads in turn.

"We're happy to have you among us," said Brother Salvo.

"Pilgrims on the road have become more and more rare these days. It's good to see those willing to make the journey of faith.

May I sit with you?"

"Of course," said Millet, offering his blanket. Millet sat next to Kaylia so that he could face Brother Salvo directly.

"Where do you come from?" Salvo asked.

"We are from the Temple of Ayliazarah in the eastern kingdom of Palinsali," answered Millet. "We're on our way to the Temple of the Far Sky."

"Ahhh," said Salvo. "Servants of sacred love. We haven't seen many in these parts for some time. You have a long journey ahead. The Temple of the Far Sky is many weeks from here."

"All the more reason to thank you for your hospitality," Millet said graciously.

Brother Salvo pushed back his hood. He was older than he sounded, yet he was still quite handsome. The years showed in his eyes, but his blond hair and squared features suggested the type of maturity that Gewey had heard the women of Sharpstone speak of with admiration and desire. His skin had a golden hue that could only have been the result of years of hard work in the sun.

"You won't find much generosity beyond this point," Brother Salvo lamented. "The world is being consumed by darkness. All the news we get here is filled with sadness."

"Are you part of a temple?" asked Millet.

"No," said Salvo. "I follow Saraf, but for the past few years I have maintained this encampment. We serve as a refuge for pilgrims and travelers, though lately there have only been a few. This is the largest group we've had in months."

"I see," Millet said thoughtfully. "But why do the pilgrims not take refuge in the city temples? It's less than a day's ride from here."

Brother Salvo smiled feebly. "I see that things aren't as bad in the east. Here, the temples are turning everyone away-and it's the same in the western kingdoms. The High Priestess of the Temple of Ayliazarah, in Kaltinor, has actually turned out her own novices and acolytes."

Millet looked mortified. "How could she? She has no right."

"I agree," said Salvo, "but there's little that can be done."

"What has caused this?" Kaylia asked suddenly.

Gewey felt Lee stiffen next to him.

"I don't know, Sister," Salvo replied. "But I've heard stories- terrible stories."

"What kind of stories?" asked Millet before Kaylia could speak again.

"It is said that Angraal is alive again, and the dead are rising from their graves," whispered Salvo. "Stories are spreading everywhere, of an evil power bringing darkness across the land."

"Angraal?" said Gewey.

"Please, don't speak that name too loudly," Salvo warned, looking around to see if they had been heard. "You may be too young to know the story, but a thousand years ago Angraal was a kingdom far to the north, well beyond the White Wilderness. Legend says that the Demon King Ratsterfel rose up to challenge the G.o.ds. The war raged for a hundred years. Eventually, he was destroyed in a battle with heaven itself-but not before he had laid waste to half the world. Some say he has returned to take his revenge."

"Do you believe that?" asked Gewey.

Brother Salvo lowered his eyes. "I'm not sure what I believe anymore," he said. "But I know that I've never seen such hardship in the world. There is something sinister behind it. I can feel it. Whether or not it's the return of the Demon King is impossible to say, but there is a pestilence spreading, and it's growing stronger. If it wasn't for the help I get from pa.s.sing pilgrims, and the few n.o.bles still dedicated to the G.o.ds, I wouldn't be able to do what little I manage." He sighed heavily and shook his head.

Millet reached over and put his hand on brother Salvo's shoulder. "Have faith, Brother. Things will get better. What you do here is important; there's nothing little about kindness."

Brother Salvo looked up and smiled. "Thank you, Brother. It's hard not to despair sometimes. Your words comfort me." He rose to his feet. "Now, I must attend to my other duties. Please stay as long as you wish."

"Thank you, Brother Salvo," said Millet. "But we'll be leaving at sunrise."

"Then I hope you'll stop here on your return journey," he said, and walked back into the heart of the encampment.

"Surprising," said Kaylia.

"Surprising how?" Gewey asked.

"Such kindness in a human is to be admired," she said. "My people would be very interested to see it."

"It appears you have as much to learn about us as we do about you," said Millet.

"So it seems," she replied.

"I'm worried," said Lee. "I had intended for us to stay a few days at the temple in Kaltinor, but if what Brother Salvo says is true, we may have to make other plans."

"That would be fine by me," said Kaylia. "I never thought it to be a wise plan."

"Good thing you're not in charge, then," Lee said, glancing at Kaylia. "We need information, and the temple is the best place to get it. Without it we travel blind."

"What do you suggest...as the leader?" Kaylia asked sarcastically.

Lee smiled devilishly. "I could say we've killed an elf, and we need somewhere to dispose of her body. They'd let us stay in the High Priestess' apartment if we did that!"

Kaylia glared at Lee from underneath her hood. "You could try," she hissed.

"Enough of this," said Gewey. "Let's just get there. Maybe they'll simply let us stay."

"The first intelligent thing I've heard all night," Millet declared. "I, for one, am going to sleep. If you two wish to insult one another, be my guest. But please do it quietly."

There was silence among the group. Though tension remained between Lee and Kaylia, they eventually decided Millet was right and lay down to sleep.

Chapter 9.

In the morning, they said their goodbyes to brother Salvo. Millet gave him two gold coins that Lee had given him, and promised to stop there again when they returned home. As they pulled away, Gewey wondered if they would be able to keep that promise. The more he learned, the more it seemed unlikely he would ever see his home again. Kaylia was deep in thought, her robes pulled tight around her.

"Are you alright?" asked Gewey.

"I'm fine," answered Kaylia. "I was just thinking about the people at the encampment. They weren't what I expected."

"What did you expect?" Gewey asked.

"I don't know," Kaylia admitted. "I suppose I expected them to be more brutish. I didn't expect the kindness they show one another."

"Millet's right," said Gewey. "You have a lot to learn about humans."

Kaylia was silent.

"The story Brother Salvo told about the Demon King," said Gewey. "Have you heard it before?"