And for the next several days at moonlight, the holy man would enter their chambers and chant hymns in the tongue of Nain and place the seal of unity in ochre paints onto their heads and bless the prisoners before departing. On these nights, the priest’s eyes would turn white as lightning and his chantings were like a demonic serenade and when the ceremony was over he would wash his bear skinned cloak in the blood of an unknown creature and drape it over his shoulders.
“Blood will cleanse our land,” the holy man said to Wade.
“Who’s blood?”
“You will see.”
“Ours?”
But the priest departed and said nothing and then the Saranian girl entered the chamber and offered the men unleavened bread and meats and wine. Wade took of the wine and drank and then thanked her and asked of the ring. She heard him but said nothing.
“Do you understand me?” he asked her but she stood bewildered. “I’m Wade,” he said and thumbed his chest.
The girl nodded. “Sela,” she spoke.
“Sela,” Wade repeated. “You are beautiful.” He gestures to her face. “Very beautiful.”
The girl again faintly smiled and bowed and then swiftly left the chamber. Sitting in the back, Sheridan chuckled to himself. “You certainly have a way with the ladies,” he jested towards Wade.
“I have a plan.”
“Oh I know you have a plan. And I can see it’s working.”
“There’s a reason why they’ve kept us alive for this long.”
“Of course. They’re gonna make us a part of their blood ceremony. See? You’re not the only smart one here.”
“Do you see any other way out?”
“I don’t. So keep working your magic.”
After finishing the bread and wine, Sheridan was fast asleep and Wade laid awake listening to the ceaseless chanting and drum beats before it all faded away into the night. And minutes after it did, Sela returned to the chambers and offered him more bread and then she took the dead hermit’s ring and placed it back into his hand.
“No no,” said Wade. He took her by the left hand and slid it onto her finger. “This is for you. Something to remember me by.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
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