Part 11: Departure

    "It's him!" one of the guards said, darting back into the room.  Michael walked into the same room a few moments later, trying not to look embarassed at the display which greeted him.  Twelve of the castle guards stood in line, standing at attention and staring directly ahead.  The one closest to him saluted.
    "Sir Morhaime!"
    "At ease."  Michael found himself saying.  These people were treating him like a man twice his rank for some reason, and he had yet to figure it out.  It wouldn't bother him if he had earned it, but he hadn't.  He was just lucky, so far.
    The guards relaxed, but not by much.  The leader, who Michael recognized as being one of the men who guarded the goddess - Larana, he corrected himself - stepped forward.  "Sir Morhaime, we are all deeply honored that you're here with us today.  Father Dabiri has instructed us to help you."
    Michael looked at all of the guards in the room.  Apparently Dabiri had changed his mind about just sending one cleric along.  Good.  These were the type of people he'd need on a suicidal quest like the one he was about to undertake.  The only catch was that he'd need about ten times more men than he saw here.  "All right then.  Where do we start?"
    The lead guard looked at him for a moment, as though unsure what to say.  "Ah... we're waiting for your travelling companion."  At Michael's puzzled look, he elaborated.  "Father Dabiri's apprentice is going to arrive soon.  We were told that she would be travelling with you."
    Michael nodded his understanding and stood where he was, waiting for whoever Dabiri decided to send along.  After a short while (to Michael it seemed short, but to the guards who were standing there, it seemed like a very long time), Eve entered the room, showing a small smile to Michael. Before Michael could utter a word of greeting, the lead guard had spoken up again.
    "Sir Morhaime, Sister Annai, we have prepared supplies for your journey."  he gestured to two large packs that lay on the table.  Michael was relatively sure of his ability to carry his, but Eve's pack was nearly as big as she was.  Oblivious to Michael's observations, the guard continued.  "The city of Roshin lies along the path that Dabiri suggested."  hesitiating, he produced a rolled piece of parchment, smoothing it out on the table.  Gesturing for Micheal to come over, the guard pointed to
a spot on the map.  "This is where we are.  There's Roshin, and further south Plinth."
    "Here there be Daemons?" Michael asked inquisitively, pointing to the area below Plinth.
    The guard looked slightly embarassed.  "We don't have contact with that area.  Anyone we send there does not return, and if there are cities in that area, nobody from them tries to contact us.  The map-makers have decided to put that there, to warn
anyone off of the course."
    Michael nodded again.  "It is that area that I have to travel through.  And you're telling me that nobody has survived the trip?"
    The guard nodded.  "That... is what I am saying."
    "Wonderful."  Micheal said.  "So when do we leave?"
    "I think" Father Dabiri entered the room, causing all of the guards to spring to attention once more.  "that you should leave as soon as you can."  he glanced over to the guards.  "At ease."
    The guards relaxed imperceptibly.  Michael turned to the Priest.  "Father Dabiri, I'm glad that you've decided to send more people along with me.  No doubt they'll be helpful."
    Dabiri looked confused for a moment, and then his face cleared.  "Oh no, you seem to be mistaken.  I needed someone to brief you on the area which you would be traversing.  Sentry Gillam volunteered.  I was not aware-" with this Dabiri turned his attention back to the lead guard "-that he would be bringing so many people along with him!"
    The lead guard who had been talking to Michael, apparently Sentry Gillam, looked toward the floor abashedly.  "I apologize, father."
    "No need."  Dabiri said.  "After all, it is not every day that the chosen one of the goddess arrives.  You are forgiven, but make sure that no similar mistakes occurr."  Without looking for the guard's reaction, the priest turned back to Michael.  "Sir Morhaime, I do not wish to create a great commotion about your leaving.  We want Thavirat's forces to think that you are still present in the castle."
    "Why?"  Michael objected.  He didn't really think he was going to change the old man's mind, but he was at least going to try.  "It's not me that Stinnett's after, it's the goddess."
    Neither Dabiri nor Michael noticed the guards flinch at the mention of the demon's name.  Dabiri countered Michael's argument almost instantly, as though he had anticipated it.  "You have a weapon, perhaps the only weapon, that can counter
a magic as strong as the demon who drives Thavirat's men.  I do not ask you to leave it here, for you must use it.  However,
if the demon believes that you are still here, he may be more cautious, and this can give us the extra time we need.  I held council with many of the military leaders and while the fighting force of this city is indeed one to fear, it is smaller by half than Thavirat's army.  We can hold off their forces for some time, but we will not last forever.
    "Michael, Eltai will fall without you."