Free Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2) by Chris Walters Page B

of robed men, who looked like monks.  The bandit thought they might be called the Lord’s Sickle, or Hammer. The bandit’s chi did not work at all on the men. These four monks had taken four of the five men and burned them in the middle of the street on the east side of town. The bandit had run back all the way to tell the Lord Marshall of the fate of his team, knowing full well that often meant a death penalty for leaving your comrades in the field. This was different.  The fear the bandit felt from the monks was greater than his fear of his Leader’s response.
                  “You have done well in bringing me this news.” Eric began, seeing the shock on the man’s face and even startling Summers. “Go. Get some rest, and some grub. General Summers and I will prepare a proper response to this outrage.”
                  Eric shook his head slightly when Andy started to say something.  He did not want to discuss this in front of any of the men. As the man left, Eric closed the door behind him and turned to look at Summers.
                  “So, it is true.  All that we have heard?” Summers asked.
                  “Apparently, it is.” Eric answered. “The Faith, and their Lord’s Hammer, is not just a myth told at survivors’ camps to scare the children. If that is true, it means they have thousands of followers.  If the first, more unbelievable story is true, then the second one can’t be far wrong.”
                  “Do we stick to the same plan?” Andy looked almost relieved, like he at least knew what direction they were headed in.
                  “Yes.” Eric said. “Open the road up to the mountains.  Pull our defenses back to just the edge of the Highway, not blocking it. It seems, General, that we will have to win the favor of old enemies.”
                  “Yes, sir.” Andy answered.
                  “Make it happen, Andy.  I will leave with a small group, once our defenses have been reset.  When do you think that can be accomplished?”
                  “It should not take more than a few days total.” Summers replied.
                  “Very well,” Eric said. “Let’s begin.”
                  The change in the borders of the Manitou encampment would serve the purposes of enticing people to make their way up the highway, but would also serve another purpose. Since Eric had less than forty percent of original numbers, the reduction would make their area more secure while not looking like they were pulling back. Eric went to change clothes.  It was time to show a different type of leadership, again.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER NINETEEN
                  Jack Collins watched the bicyclists wind their way down the road from his place atop the over-looking cliff. As requested by Cliff, he had kept the secret, never telling anyone about the ‘malady’ that was ailing the boy. But, Jack was absolutely fascinated. He had been in the hut with Cliff and Annie for most of the time there.  He had heard Cliff’s questions about the changes she was able to accomplish for people.  He had seen the boy’s excitement, but he had never imagined how quickly Annie had been able to act.  In the few minutes within that hut, after Jack had walked out to talk with Rich, she had begun Cliff’s transformation.
                  Jack thought back on what he had learned from helping the centaur mare.  He had seen the intricacy of the DNA blend, and the movement of power that flowed through.  He had been able to help the mare by stabilizing the bond. He had just done the same for Cliff, which should quicken his transformation and make it much less uncomfortable. The rash now covered most of Cliff’s body, but Jack was able to “convince” Cliff’s body that it was a normal transformation which took the pain and most of the itch