The sacrificial cave was bustling with activity. Azmeritus had just finished supervising the final placement of the Abitar near the cave-mouth. He called anxiously up toward the opening in the ceiling to a brother who had been stationed above the cave to watch for the rising of the full moon above the horizon.
"Can you see any part of it?"

The monk leaned over the opening and shouted.
"Not yet, but it can't be long now."

"Let me know as soon as you see any portion of it above the horizon!" Azmeritus shouted back.

The mongoose was energized. He dashed about the entire length of the cave, checking every loose stone and unfamiliar shadow. He stuck his head around a bend at the far side of the cave, where a large stone chamber was serving as the residence of the noble supplicants. The group of sacrificial royals were well behaved, but noticeably anxious, drinking heavily and stuffing their faces with the small banquet that had been provided.

Only two of the supplicants were restrained in any way, one was a weasel duke who had been a commander in the Brotherhood navy and did not have the faith required to face certain death calmly and the other was Chief Acolyte Zaphyr, who had replaced Deeb Shatus.

Zaphyr was not resigned to his fate and continued to struggle against the bonds securing him to a chair. He had spent the first part of his confinement alternately shouting protests, proclaiming his innocence, and pleading for mercy. Azmeritus finally ordered the Chief Acolyte gagged as well as bound so as to restore the proper level of quiet to the cave for the final awakening.

Jauba entered the cave leading a group of a dozen Brotherhood archers which Azmeritus had ordered to supplement the soldiers guarding the area in front of the waterfall leading into the main cavern. Azmeritus approached the Prester.

"Soon, Jauba," He said happily.

"Yes eminence," The sable replied.

"How is the battle going?" the mongoose asked.

The Deev and their beasts are almost to the top of the cliff, we are unable to harm them and they are cutting through our troops. The enemy to the south seems to have given up and is returning to their vessels. The force to the north has disappeared..."

"Disappeared?" the mongoose asked.

"Yes, eminence, but that is not unusual considering the circumstances. The jungle is heavy there and we have limited scouting parties...most of our troops have withdrawn to the plateau for the main defense."

Azmeritus thought for a moment.
"If they haven't been seen, then they are too far to be a concern to me. The ceremony will begin very soon. The Deev, still pose a small threat...," he walked to the cavern-mouth, then gave new orders to Jauba , "have the brothers aboard the ships anchored off the cliff land behind the Deev force and harass them....move the force guarding the main gate of the castle around the back by the steps to slow the Deev down any way they can...remember, Jauba, we only need to delay them a while longer, not defeat them outright. When Xenophus is awakened they will no longer be a threat."

"I will see to it," Jauba responded smartly. He exited the cavern.

Azmeritus stationed the new archers within the cavern itself. He walked back to the large wooden table scanning the Prophecies for the hundredth time that day. Suddenly a cry came from over his head.

"Lord Azmeritus! The moon has crested the horizon!"