The look on his face sent her laughing again. “It’s spelled differently!” he said indignantly. “And it’s ancient. It’s a high and noble….uh, name.”
That sent Jak over the edge. She busted out in laughter, doubling over and clutching a growing stitch in her side. Why was she laughing so hard? It wasn’t that funny that the guy had a name called Naem. But she kept laughing, spurred on by the expression on his face. Others paused to look at her, and Naem glanced around with an embarrassed expression. She had to get ahold of herself!
When she finally calmed down, she wiped tears from her eyes. Wow, but that had felt good. His face was still indignant. “Are you done?” he asked.
Jak nodded, still wiping tears from her eyes.
“Well, after that catastrophe, it’s only fair that you tell me your name.”
“It’s Jak,” she said. “Jaknilteksnewodheghoma.”
“Well Jak,” he said, “It was a pleasure to meet you. Now I’m less certain.”
“Oh come on, it’s just a…name.” And she nearly started giggling again.
“No, no…none of that. Let’s just move on, shall we?”
Jak nodded. The mirth of the moment was starting to wear off, and she almost felt guilty for laughing. She shouldn’t be happy given her present situation.
A horn sounded near the front of the caravan, where most of the Watchers led the group.
Naem’s head rose at the sound. “Sorry, I have to go,” he said, and he began running ahead.
Jak followed, though a few paces behind. She didn’t want him to know she was following. By the time she reached the front of the caravan, the Watchers had stopped at a small stream. Kuldain was stepping onto the back of a wagon.
“We will set up camp here for the night,” he said, straightening. Jak hadn’t even realized that the sun was already setting. They had been walking all day.
“We will come to a crossroads in just a few more days, where most of us will have to leave you, so I’d like to remind everyone that we will still accept capable men and women to join us on our way to Foothold.”
Mutters rose from the crowd,
Kuldain raised his voice. “My party and I have been tasked with finding the Fae in the mountains, as you know. Once we reach the crossroads, my lieutenant, a man I trust, will take you north-west to Tradehall. We anticipate no demon threats, though some of my best men will accompany you for your protection. I and the rest of my band will take the other road, to where the Fae are rumored to live.”
The Fae. That was the second time that Kuldain had mentioned them. Stories were told in the village about them, stories to frighten children. Her father was the only one Jak knew who didn’t believe the stories. When Jak had asked about them, he never said much. He only said that the rumors of stealing babies or killing travelers were complete folk tales. Once, when she was younger and always dirty from running around with Marek, they’d been playing Demons and Fae and the other kids had been talking about demons who would come and steal you in your sleep. Jak woke up one night, screaming from nightmares about sharp clawed child-eating monsters. Rael sat in her room that night, cradling her and telling her she was safe. “Demon’s aren’t real. Fae exist, but you don’t have to worry about them, Jak.”
Jak nearly slapped a hand to her forehead. How had she missed it before! The only lead she had on her mother was that she had been lost in the mountains. Specifically the mountains where the Fae lived! Perhaps the Fae would know what happened to her. It was just a hunch. Her mother had disappeared in the mountains while on an expedition with Gifters to learn more about alchemy, or the study of brands on inanimate objects. None of them had ever returned. But surely the Fae or someone knew where they went. Rael wouldn’t have given her the task if it was impossible.
She had to go with the Watchers. If they were seeking the Fae, she’d have the best chance of finding them if she tagged along.
Kuldain gave a few orders and people began to settle down for the night, then stood with his officers as Jak approached.
Naem saw her coming and went to meet her. “I think Kuldain wants all the villagers to stick togeth...”
“I want to come with you,” she said, cutting him off. “When we reach the crossroads.”
“Oh, ah. Believe me, I’d love for you to come along, but Kuldain is very insistent that all villagers go to Tradehall. I mean, I’m flattered and all…”
Jak rolled her eyes. Were all men so self-centered? He had completely misunderstood why she wanted to go with them. “No, I mean, I want to find the Fae, with the Watchers. I’m not meant for Tradehall. I want to kill demons.”
“Soldier!” a voice boomed nearby. “You’re needed to help with the food. What’s your holdup?”
It was Kuldain. He was looking at the two of them. Naem, flustered, tried to respond, “Sir, I was just…she…”
“Get the pretty lady with the rest of the villagers. We don’t have time for you to flirt, boy.”
Jak folded her arms. Apparently men did all think alike.
“No sir, I mean, yes sir….I…”
“I want to come with you.” Jak spoke directly to Kuldain over the heads of the other officers.
Kuldain stared at her, then took a few steps forward, looking her up and down, assessing. “I’m afraid we don’t have room for any dead weight where we’re going.”
“I’m not dead weight. I can help. I want to find the Fae and kill any demons that threaten other villages like mine. I will not be a burden to you sir!”
“What skills can you offer? Are you trained in combat?” Kuldain asked.
“Ah…my father taught me the basics of combat.” It was partially true. Her father had taught her to hunt, as well as some basic defensive techniques. It was hardly combat training, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “Also, he has agreed to train me,” she pointed at Naem, who looked taken aback.
“Me…I,” he stammered.
“Is this true, soldier?” Kuldain said, amusement in his face as he watched Naem sputter. Jak met Naem’s eyes, trying desperately to will him to agree. He calmed and barely inclined his head at her.
“Yes sir, I did agree to help her out. Assuming you would let her travel with us.”
Kuldain acted like he hadn’t heard, but continued with his questions to Jak. “What’s your brand?”
Jak winced. She knew this would come up. Reluctantly she held up her left hand.
“Gifter eh? Where is your master?”
“I don’t know, I couldn’t find him after the attack.”
“Well we have little use for a Gifter among our ranks. You’d be better off going to Tradehall and finding passage to Skyecliff.”
“No sir, please!” Jak said hastily. She needed this man to understand. She might not have much to offer yet, but she would learn. Above all, she needed to go with the Watchers. “My mother was lost in the mountains.”
Kuldain turned back to look at her, his eyes widening as if seeing her for the first time. He stared at her for a long moment, long enough that Jak started to wonder if he had heard her correctly. Finally, he said, “You’re Rael’s little girl?”
The sorrow washed over her, but she pushed it back. “Yes. Did you know him? I saw you standing there after he died.”
“I knew him,” Kuldain said. “We were friends once, and I remember you too now. You were just a baby, but that hair is unmistakable.”
Jak ran a hand through her black hair, placing the red streak behind her ear.
“So you must have known my mother too, then,” she said. This was something she hadn’t hoped for. Someone who knew her mother and could tell her more about her. Rael had never said much.
Kuldain adjusted his armor and turned slightly, as if readying to leave. “I knew of her. But I have no time to discuss past memories. You are free to accompany us, and you will adhere to the rules of the band. The Sergeant will fill you in.” he waved at Naem.
Jak felt her excitement rise. “Yes, sir!” Sh
e performed her best salute, which must have been a poor attempt because Kuldain sneered and turned his attention to Naem.
“And you!” he said. “She is your responsibility. Make sure she trains hard and knows her way around the camp. I don’t want her delaying the band in any way.”
“Sir, yes sir,” said Naem. He was looking as flustered as ever, but less so now that he had direct orders. He gave a crisp salute which Kuldain returned casually before moving away.
Naem turned to Jak. “Well, that was unexpected.”
Jak wanted to retort, but secretly she agreed. For a while there, it hadn’t looked like she had much of a chance of traveling with the Watchers. What had changed Kuldain’s mind? Was it just his past relationship with Jak’s father? Jak doubted that was the only reason. And that troubled her.
“You’ll need to make sure you have all your supplies before we split from the other villagers in a few days.”
Jak shook her head. “All I have is my father’s spear. And my journal.” She patted her sack.
Naem nodded, “Okay, well stay close to me. I’ll make sure you get a ration and a bed. We don’t have much while we’re traveling, but you should be more comfortable than the back of that wagon.”
She shot him a look. Had he been watching her last night? Well, she supposed she shouldn’t expect less from someone called a ‘Watcher.’ Still, she wasn’t sure about Naem. She couldn’t quite figure out if she was a curiosity to him, or something more. She was taking a risk asking him to train her, but she had seen him fight. If anyone could turn her into something useful, it would be him.
A few moments later and everyone settled in for the night.
Jak followed suit, but found herself staying up late. But this time, it wasn’t the horrors of seeing her father die that kept her awake, but the prospect of finding her mother.
6
The next day, Jak woke with a start as Naem entered her tent while beating a pot with a stick.
“It’s time to wake up,” he said loudly and with a bit too much enthusiasm. Jak covered her ears and groaned. It was still dark outside. Naem continued speaking loudly. “We leave at dawn, so I only have the early morning to train you. You did want to train with the spear, no?”
Jak felt herself waking up. She mumbled a brief, “yes, okay,” which came out as another groan. It took a moment for her to get her bearings and get to her feet. The small blanket she had curled up in hadn’t provided much cushioning, and she was still stiff from the long walk the day before.
“Come on now, time is all we have and it’s leaving.”
Jak almost wanted to hit him, but she was too tired to even try. Besides, she had asked for this. When she followed Naem out of her tent she looked at the sky. She couldn’t even see any hint of the sun rising. Just how early did they have to rise for training?
As her mind began to focus, she felt excitement build in her. She was going to learn how to fight! Something useful for once. She wondered what type of techniques Naem would teach her to use with the spear. Would she even get to spar with him a bit? She hoisted her spear in front of her just as Naem turned and said, “No spears today!”
“Um...what do you mean. We’re here to learn how to use a spear, right?”
“Oh it will take some time before you’re actually ready to handle a real spear. Today we’re starting with footwork.”
Jak felt her excitement drop. She had hoped for something a bit more exciting than footwork. But she shrugged it off. A few simple steps surely wouldn’t take too long.
Naem led her to a small clearing outside the camp and began to show her various stances. He started with a lunge on his right leg, which Jak copied. Then with a fluidity that had to come from his brand of Grace, he switched legs in a fraction of a heartbeat. After a pause, Jak tried to do the same, and almost fell over backward.
“Hmmm,” said Naem, “This may take some time.”
Jak wanted to slap him, but restrained herself, instead trying again to emulate the stance. She put one foot in front of the other, shifting her weight to the forward leg.
“No, you don’t want all your weight on one side like that. If an opponent were to nudge you in just the right direction…” he followed suit by kicking her thigh just enough for her to lose balance again. She fell and grimaced in the grass before lifting herself back up again. She wasn’t going to give up so easily.
That wasn’t the last time that Naem knocked her over. It happened several times, but after an hour or two, she was starting to get the hang of it. Thoughts of her mother spurred her on. If Jak could follow the Watchers long enough to find out what happened to Karlona, getting knocked down a few times was worth it.
Naem had her repeat several different stances, one right after the other, correcting her as they went. Her legs were starting to grow sore, but she pushed that out of her mind, along with many of the negative emotions she’d felt concerning her father and village. It was a long time before she realized that she was smiling.
Finally the sun was rising, and the bugle sounded for the rest of the camp to wake.
“Alright,” said Naem, “We’ll take a quick break and get back to this after breakfast.”
Jak turned to look at him, “Aren’t we breaking camp after breakfast?”
“We are, but if you ever want to improve you must find ways to practice on the go. Once we finish eating I want you to start down the road, using the stances I’ve taught you to move forward.”
“Instead of walking?” She stared at him like he was crazy.
“You heard me. And you might want to get a head start. Since this is your first time, you’re bound to be slow and the rest of us will almost certainly pass you up in no time.
“Just how long do you want me to keep going?”
“Until we break for lunch.”
“What!? That’s hours from now!”
“And when it’s over, you’ll know these steps intuitively, without having to think about them.”
“But…” Jak didn’t want to say that she was already tired. But in truth, her legs felt like jelly. Hours of alternating through the lunges and stances would no doubt ensure that she would never walk again. But she didn’t want to tell Naem that.
“What’s to stop me from just walking normally once I’m far enough ahead?” she asked.
“Nothing, but you want to learn, don’t you?”
She sighed. She did want to learn. And if it took dead jelly legs to do it, then so be it.
Jak hurriedly ate her breakfast consisting of gruel and some dry bread before setting out down the road. She began moving through the stances, taking big steps forward with each lunge. She hadn’t progressed far when she heard the signal to break camp behind her. A few minutes later and they were already gaining ground on her head start.
One by one, the Watchers and villagers began to pass her with their wagons. Estel made a point of snickering as she passed on horseback. None seemed confused to find a girl making big unnecessary steps in front of them. Apparently this was normal for the Watchers.
Within no time all the wagons had passed her up and only the stragglers lay behind Jak. But she kept putting one foot in front of the other, running through each stance that Naem had taught her.
Naem was waiting for her at the back of the group. “Keep up that pace and you’ll never catch up by lunchtime.” Jak saw the barest hint of a smile on his face. He was enjoying this! Jak increased her speed. She would not let this young man, this boy, take pleasure from watching her struggle.
She managed to keep pace with the band for a while, but it didn’t take long for fatigue to slow her pace. Her legs, which had already felt overtaxed before she started, now felt nearly numb. Jak was sure that if she halted, they would simply stop working and she’d never get back up.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the Watchers kept pulling ahead of her. But she could still see them in the distance. Surely it had to be lunch time by now, right? But time seemed to stretch. She
gulped, ignoring the yearning in her stomach. The Watchers were far ahead of her now, and she didn’t want to lose sight of them. She thought about stopping her stances and walking to catch up. But at this point, she wasn’t sure her legs had the strength to get her there any faster even by walking normally. So she grit her teeth and kept going.
“What’s amazing to me is that you’re actually going along with this,” a voice said beside her. Her head whipped up to see Marek walking calmly beside her. She hadn’t even seen him approach, she was so absorbed in keeping her legs moving.
“Yeah, well. I have to make up for not having a brand like yours.”
“Well, I think you’re doing a great job. You’re not giving up.”
“Don’t speak too soon,” she answered through gritted teeth. “Also, why aren’t you training like I am?”
Marek shrugged. “Each teacher has different methods I guess. Besides the combat stuff you’re doing doesn’t matter much for Telekinetics.”
“You’re a combat Brand. And you’re a Watcher. Combat is literally what you do.”
He grinned, “Okay maybe I just enjoy watching you struggle.”
Jak fixed her eyes on the path ahead. “You and Estel are perfect for each other then.” But she found herself smiling. It was nice to have Marek around. “Shouldn’t you stay with the group? You’re going to be late for lunch.”
“It’s okay, I thought I might keep you company.”
“I’m...not going to be the best conversationalist.”
He laughed, “I understand. I’ll just be here if you need anything.”
Jak didn’t say it, but she really appreciated what Marek was doing. He was her friend, he knew that she hated solitude, even though she had forced it on herself of late. Staying with her like this, even without speaking, it lifted her spirits considerably as she forced one foot in front of the other.
They walked in silence for a while, and Jak had lost all sense of time as her legs began to drag, kicking up dust as they went. But, were the wagons ahead of her growing bigger? She was catching up to them! They must have stopped for lunch, finally!
Out of Shadow: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 1) Page 6