Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li: The Morcyth Saga Book Three Read Free Page A

back at Mountainside. While he is
talking, she continues to ooh and aah at all the right times,
making him feel very good. Nothing boosts a man’s ego more than a
pretty girl hanging onto every word he has to say.
    Miko walks along behind him, disgusted at
the whole sight.
    From atop the estate they hear a musical
chime ringing out. Miriam says, “It’s time to go back to the hall,
the banquet will be starting soon.”
    As they return to the hall, Meliana
continues to hold onto James’ arm. As they reach the front doors, a
man steps from within the doorway and stops in front of them.
    “Papa!” Meliana exclaims happily. “This is
James, the one I’ve been telling you about.”
    Her father gives a small smile as he reaches
out a hand and says, “Nice to meet you young man.”
    James takes the hand and says, “You too,
sir.”
    The father eyes James appraisingly and gives
a barely perceptible nod. Turning to his daughter, he says, “It’s
time for us to take our places at the table.”
    “Nice to have met you, James,” he says as he
holds his arm out for his daughter. She releases James’ arm, much
to his dismay, and hooks her arm through her father’s. He turns and
leads her into the banquet hall, a slight limp in his walk as if
his leg is bothering him.
    “I think he liked you,” Miriam tells
him.
    James just shrugs, “Doesn’t matter, we’re
leaving in the morning anyway.” He gazes at Meliana as she and her
father enter the hall.
    Miko tugs his sleeve and asks, “Shouldn’t we
go in too?”
    Snapping out of his reverie, James says,
“Yeah, sure.”
    Following Miriam into the hall, they’re led
up to the main table where the Ferdillons will sit. Nate is already
there at the place of honor and he gestures for them to come and
sit next to him.
    Miko takes the seat immediately to his left
while James sits next to Miko. Shortly, Jiron comes in and makes
his way over to sit next to James. “Did you find your admirers?”
James asks him as he sits down.
    Giving him a big smile, he replies, “Yes,
two actually.”
    The musicians off to the side begin to play
and their music gives the hall a gaiety it had lacked before. The
musicians are quite skillful, though perhaps not in Perrilin’s
league. James finds himself watching the musicians as they play the
unfamiliar instruments, finding it all very intriguing.
    From a table further down the hall from
where he sits, James can see Meliana looking his way. When she
notices him looking at her, she gives him a large smile and a
brief, unobtrusive wave. He nods and smiles back to her before
turning his attention to watch the other guests arrive.
    Many are dressed in similar attire to what
he and the others have on, no longer making him feel so
conspicuous. From the number of other men wearing similar garb, it
truly does seem to be the current fashion trend in the area.
    When the tables have mostly filled up, the
doors to the side of the hall open up and Nate’s parents walk in.
The band strikes up a processional style tune as they enter and
approach the head table where James and the others are sitting.
    The mother takes her seat while the father
continues standing. The band comes to a stop and the hall becomes
very quiet. Gazing around at the assembled guests a moment, he then
begins to talk.
    “Welcome all, to a banquet in honor of the
return of our son Nathanial, whom we never had thought to see
again.” He gestures to his son who stands up amidst applause from
those gathered at the tables, gives the crowd a short bow, and then
retakes his seat.
    “We are also here to honor and recognize
those who helped bring this about. Miko, who befriended Nate in the
mines, as well as James and Jiron who were instrumental in
orchestrating his return. We give them our heartfelt thanks and
wish them only the best.”
    At this, the crowd breaks out into another
thunderous applause. At Nate’s father’s direction, James, Miko, and
Jiron stand up and give the crowd a bow