“Don’t suppose you have any left?” he inquires.

Looking somewhat guilty, Miko shakes his head. “Sorry, that was the last one.”

James pats him on the shoulder and gives him a grin. “That’s okay,” he says. “After all you’ve done for everyone, you deserve them.”

“Next time I’ll save one for you,” he assures him.

A few minutes later, Brother Willim and the other two priests of Asran enter the hall and make their way toward them. When Brother Willim draws close James indicates the chair recently vacated by Jiron while he’s out dancing with Aleya.

Taking the seat, Brother Willim leans back in the chair and sighs. The other two priests join Derek and the others at their table.

“Tired?” asks James.

“Yes, very,” he replies. Nodding to Miko he adds, “I think between Miko, my brothers, and I many lives were saved. What there is left can be readily dealt with by the healers.” A server brings him a cup of ale and he downs it in one gulp. Giving out with a satisfied ‘aah’ he sets the cup on the table where another servant carrying a pitcher comes forward and refills it. “Thank you my son,” he says to the server as he takes up his cup once more. The server nods and immediately withdraws back to the wall where he scans the assembled guests for anyone else in need of a refill.

“I heard you are leaving in the morning?” asks Brother Willim after taking one more swallow of ale.

“That’s right,” replies James. “We’re going to escort several of our comrades to Cardri. Most of them aren’t really suited for warfare.”

“None of us really are,” he states. After pausing for another drink he says, “I would still like to accompany you if you don’t mind.”

“What about your fallen brothers?” he asks. “Aren’t you going to escort them back with the other two?”

“No,” he answers. “My brethren can do that well enough, what I needed to do has already been done.”