To the Camp of the Eibonites

"Not until I've had a chance to see them for myself," Exotica replied adamantly. "There are things you do not know, about what has happened here and why. I do not trust them. I do not even fully understand them. But if I am to offer you any true aid in defeating our enemies and restoring the Kingdom, then I must first confront these diabolists."

Exeter gazed at his sister and saw that she'd made up her mind. Wearily he nodded and gave his assent.

Turning to Martine he said, "Gather a party of riders. The others will stay here in the camp until we return." Martine bowed and left the tent.

The riders approached the north river warily. The glow from the huge bonfires the Eibonites had made lit up the sky and made the night less dark but no less perilous. But they saw no one and heard no warning cries until they came to a small crest that overlooked the encampment of the wild worshippers. A small figure was the first to spot them and soon all of the dark clad cultists were staring and pointing. But to Prince Exeter's surprise they did not scream or holler or raise what weapons they had. There was no call to arms or charge en masse. They did none of the things Exeter had expected. Rather, they all stopped whatever they were doing and gathered into a group and gazed up at the mail-clad knights and the Princess Exotica.

"What the devil's going on?" Kenneth whispered. "Why are they just standing there?"

It was Exotica that answered him. "They're waiting for us. I-- I think they've been expecting us."

Isabella tightened her grip on her sword and replied. "So what do they expect us to do? Stroll down there so they can overwhelm us like a mob? I say we ride down and cut off as many of their heads as we can. They can't withstand a full charge, no matter how many of them there are."

"NO," Exotica glanced at the knight fiercely. "I came here to speak with them and that is what I intend to do. If, after I am done, I have learned nothing of importance, then you may cleanse the land of their insanity." Isabella nodded, obviously eager to begin the cleansing as soon as possible.

1. And then a tall figure in a priest's cloak appeared at the head of the crowd and pointed directly at Princess Exotica

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