‘Now, to planning!’ hethought.
Chapter 35 The TemplePuzzle
As the morning lightshone down on her flaming hair Miranda knelt in meditation. Shethanked the Lady for their success in the battle the previousnight, for keeping her alive, and for blessing her with Aquitain’slove. She asked the goddess to watch over them both and guide themin their quest. She prayed for success in finding the children andfor as many healing prayers as she could take, since she knew thatif there was further fighting her healing abilities would be ingreat demand.
She didn’t plead tohave the cursed tattoo taken off. She now believed that it wasthere for a purpose, and had no doubt that Tain would remove it indue course. She knew Aquitain loved her and she loved him, and thatwould be enough for now. She went to him and cuddled him around theneck again, whispering in his ear how much she loved him, but hewas much more interested in eating.
The villagers broughthim a load of food and he pleased them by eating it all. Rori wasnow a village hero. He supervised the food for the bear and evenKami had to admit he had the makings of an excellent shaman.
Kami for his partapologised for being shot and not attending the big fight, but wasreally pleased with the way it had turned out. Not a singlevillager had been harmed. He wished to accompany Aquitain when theywent to the temple, saying that he could help by getting the Barrapeople to sing. Aquitain agreed.
Miranda had a quicklight meal, and after he finally ran out of food she managed tocapture his attention so that they could discuss their tactics. Shefelt that she should teleport to the Crin city to discuss with theQueen the use of the platoon of Crin fighters. She was worried thatXentos might have lost his nerve a little after being dominated,and might not be prepared to commit the Crin fighters to anyserious battle if one broke out. Better to be safe than sorry.
Aquitain concurred, andthis gave him an idea. It was time to flex his muscles. After thepain of healing Miranda the previous night, he didn’t want to haveto do that again soon. If they were going to have trouble then itwas better to be thoroughly prepared, but he decided to keep it asurprise for the time being.
They agreed to use Gothas the teleport marker and to meet wherever it was located atmidday.
Miranda gave him aloving hug told him to stay out of trouble until she was there torescue him. She changed to an eagle and flew off. Aquitainteleported to Twin Towers with Kami. Rori was unhappy about missingout, but the Jeti chief was adamant that they couldn’t afford tolose both Kami and Rori. One would have to stay behind, and Roriwas that one.
On arrival Aquitainchanged to his giant newman form and almost immediately discovereda problem. His steps were so large that Kami had to take ten forhis one, and Kami was quite old. He didn’t want to wear the oldshaman out before getting to the temple, so he offered Kami a rideon his shoulder. Kami at first refused, but after running to keepup with the giant for a few hundred paces he saw the virtue in itand accepted a ride.
The sight greeting thesix guards on the roadblock must have been quite humorous, for theyall had smiles except for the sergeant in charge. He was quite sourand perhaps a little stupid, for he stopped Aquitain and wouldn’tlet him pass.
‘I’m Wizard CaptainBrown Bear. I wish to see the High Wizard or Druid Quab,’ boomedAquitain.
‘I was told to let noone pass unless I know them or they are authorized.’
‘I am authorised topass. I was here yesterday,’ said Aquitain.
‘You may have beenauthorised yesterday, but not today,’ said the sergeant, and it’spointless in any case because both the High Wizard and Quab areunavailable at present.
Aquitain lost hispatience. He mind blasted the lot of them and continued onwardsthrough the town to the wall gateway, where he was again stopped bythe two guards on the gate.
‘I am Wizard CaptainBrown Bear. I wish to see the High Wizard or Quab the druid.’
‘I’m sorry sir. We havebeen advised that they are unavailable today. Could you please comeback tomorrow?’
‘I want to seewhoever’s been left in charge,’ boomed Aquitain growing annoyedagain.
‘That would beLieutenant Black, sir, and he told us he’s not to bedisturbed.’
‘Where is he?’ askedAquitain.
‘At the Ugly Bear,Sir,’ said one of the guards.
‘Kami, do you have thistrouble?’ asked Aquitain.
‘I am having theseproblems for all my life, Spirit Lord,’ replied Kami. ‘But is verygood to see that the heads of the big people are being as thick asthose of the small people.’
Aquitain strolled downto the Ugly Bear Inn and banged on the roof.
‘Lieutenant Black comeout!’ boomed Aquitain.
The man raced out,sword in hand, followed by a stream of onlookers who, on seeingAquitain, turned and ducked back inside.
‘What’s the meaning ofthis? Who are you?’ he said hesitantly.
‘I’m Wizard CaptainBrown Bear I need to discuss some official business now,Lieutenant!’ he commanded.
‘Captain Brown Bear? Ohthat Captain Brown Bear! The High Wizard and Quab are away at themoment. There’re at the trial of Senior Wizard Curbut. It’s beingheld at the Druid Council’s headquarters at Templegate. I’ve beenleft in charge.’
‘So I’ve been told. Iwish to discuss some urgent business with you that can’t wait, andI don’t think that I can fit in the Inn,’ Aquitain said,patiently.
‘Oh. Of course! Let’sgo for a walk in the camp,’ the Lieutenant suggested, and theymoved off.
‘What’s that on yourshoulder?’ he asked. Fortunately Kami didn’t understand theLieutenant’s accent to well.
‘This is Shaman Kami ofthe Jeti tribe of little people. He is a powerful magic user andwise man.
‘I want a platoon ofguards fully equipped for battle one hour before midday for apossible skirmish this afternoon, and I want enough wizards totransport them about fifty leagues. I also want some equipment fromthe armoury, and two wizards for magical defence.’
‘What! I can’t do that.Most of the men are off
