And meanwhile, one of the gods is trying to sabotage the quest and prevent the meeting from taking place. With troops converging from all sides, the companions must make it to the Temple through territory that's alien to them but home to the hunters. Some in the Cult believe that they can win by default if they can prevent the meeting from taking place. That means the Cult knows where they're going. Both sides must be present for a meeting to take place. Also, the event in the Temple of the Damned is a meeting. The entire resources of the kingdom are ranged against the Companions. According to their research, the Temple of the Damned is situated in the kingdom of Nava. All the signs are fulfilled, and the journey to the Temple can begin. But certain necessary signs had not yet been fulfilled, so they hid the collars where the Cult couldn't get to them and went home to wait. Prophecy says the collars must be taken to the fabled Temple of the Damned so that the events that are ordained to happen there may take place events that will affect the very future of their world. "Oh, shut up, Niari!" A year ago, Niari, Carlitha, Friend, and their companions beat the Cult of the Earth Mother to the Collar of Volandris, thus completing the set of the Collars of Phaleran. You can do what you like, but I'm getting into that city even if I have to tunnel all the way to the temple with my bare hands.""There's not really a lot you can say to that," Niari observed mildly to Carlitha. I was just saying that I don't intend to fail after all this effort. "Well, won't we?" "Mennia, if you start in about the gods again, I'll throw something." "I wasn't going to mention the gods. "If you're about to say that we'll get through, don't bother," Carlitha said sourly.
"You're a cheerful lot, aren't you?" Mennia said.