Rojuun

by John H. Carroll

  ***

  Tathan awoke in the middle of the night twelve days after leaving Aaltdiin. There was no rain and he could see stars in the sky above. The clearing they camped in that night was nice, with a clear, cool stream running along the western edge.

  It worried Tathan that he was able to sleep at night. He hadn’t slept well in years. Another thing that bothered him was that he felt safe with Sir Danth doing guard duty. Tathan felt as though he was beginning to lose the edge he had gained in his travels.

  Another thing that worried Tathan was the fact that he had no idea what to do with his life. At times, it seemed as though he had found a place to live, but things always went wrong and he had left every city, usually in a hurry.

  The Eastern lands held the Empire of Iynath, whose emperor was trying to take over the world. Tathan thought that to be a silly idea because Ryallon was an enormous world and no one had ever ruled all of it. But he wasn’t an emperor, so his thoughts didn’t count. To the north was . . . well, nothing. They might make their way to the Kingdom of Kethril to the northwest and from there take a ship to another land.

  They could also try to discover what the fortress was, but in Tathan’s experience, fortresses contained people with weapons who didn’t invite intruders into their midst. There was also the fact that the group had no clue how to get there. The concept of a new race was both intriguing and frightening though.

  Tathan looked over to his cousin sleeping peacefully on his right. She had done an amazing job of keeping her wits about her considering what she had been through. Many people would never have recovered from the experience. Liselle brightened the days when she smiled. Tathan had found himself smiling in return and that was not normal for him.

  He worried about what the future would hold for her. The world was a rough place where many kingdoms suppressed the rights of women. There was one organization in the Western Kingdoms where women became soldiers called Blue Wyverns. They were powerful in bringing about change, but many kingdoms wanted to see them done in.

  Sir Danth was an oddity. Tathan had met a few ghosts in his time, but the knight was different. There was an aura of death and danger about him that Tathan recognized and it concerned him. Should the knight ever turn on them, he wasn’t sure they would survive.

  The biggest enigma was Vevin. For days and days, he had tried to figure the creature out. He had a feeling Vevin was even more dangerous than the knight but couldn’t place why.

  Tathan looked on the other side of Liselle where Vevin normally slept. His bedroll was empty. Tathan quietly stood, put on his sword belt and looked around. Both of Ryallon’s moons were half-full, casting lavender illumination over the clearing. He saw Sir Danth near the road and went over.

  The knight greeted him pleasantly. “Hello, Master Tathan. What wakes you at this hour?”

  “Have you seen Vevin?”

  “Of course. Nothing gets past without my knowing.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” Tathan waited for Sir Danth to continue. When the knight didn’t, Tathan asked, “Where did he go?”

  “He went off into the forest like he does most nights.”

  “And you didn’t stop him? It’s dangerous out there.”

  “Whatever monsters and animals may be in the forest, I assure you they are more frightened of our friend than he will ever be of them.”

  “Right . . . I honestly believe you’re correct.” Tathan sighed. “What is he? Do you know?”

  “I do not, though I must admit to curiosity. Dawn will be breaking shortly, Master Tathan. Would you like me to begin breakfast?”

  “No, I’ll get it this morning.” Tathan paused for a moment and then faced the knight. “I’ve wanted to thank you for all you’re doing for us.”

  “Not at all, Master Tathan. I am grateful for the opportunity to do something other than stare at walls, which refuse to pose a danger to the vault.” His chuckle had a metallic tone to it.

  Tathan chuckled as well. “I imagine so.” He walked back to the fire pit, stoked the fire and began breakfast, enjoying the smell of wood smoke in the crisp morning air.

  When breakfast was almost ready, Vevin came back. He arrived at the fire pit just as Liselle was waking up. Sir Danth came over at the same time.

  Vevin whispered, “We have company. People just arrived and surround the clearing. They were hunting in the forest when they saw our campfire.”

  Tathan loosened his sword in its scabbard. Liselle slid out of her bedroll, picked up her bow and strung it as she moved to Tathan’s side.

  Sir Danth looked around. “I see them now. I wasn’t expecting invisibility spells in the middle of the forest.”

  “They’re invisible and very, very quiet,” Vevin replied. “They have magical cloaks, which allow them to blend into the forest.”

  “Are they human?” asked Liselle.

  “Oh yes. Most definitely human.”

  “Not human. They are Druids,” Sir Danth clarified. “It is good to know they still exist. The Kingdom of Morhain and Druids co-existed in this forest for centuries.”

  “Of course there would be Druids.” Tathan snapped his fingers. “The Willden Forest is believed to contain more Druids than anywhere in the world.”

  “I always wondered what a Druid looked like,” Vevin said thoughtfully. “They’ve been around for as long as humans and forests I think.” He frowned in deep thought. “I think the first humans were Druids. Druids are good. I like Druids.” He went into his happy dance.

  “All right. So what do we do now? . . .” Liselle asked the more experienced members of the party.

  “They won’t be very friendly if I remember correctly. Druids don’t like anyone in their forest,” Sir Danth said. “But as long as we don’t attack them or take hostile actions, we should be fine.”

  “They’re coming now! Yay!” Vevin clapped.

  The figures materialized out of the trees like silent ghosts. They wore green and brown leggings, tunics, footwear and cloaks. They didn’t make a sound as they walked toward the party. There were twelve; four each from west, south and north. Each carried a bow. The feathered ends of arrows resting in quivers were visible above their shoulders.

  Tathan grew angry. He should have the right to walk through some stupid trees on an ancient path if he wanted to without having to worry about being questioned. When he realized he was beginning to crouch in a position to attack, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. It would not do to endanger his cousin’s life like that.

  One of the Druids, a woman of middle years, raised a hand to halt the rest. She and a man beside her moved forward toward the campsite from the north side of the clearing. Upon coming within ten paces of the group, they stopped and removed their hoods. The others stayed back, keeping their faces hidden.

  “Greetings, Travelers. I hope the morning finds you well,” the woman said pleasantly. She was the same height as Liselle. Her hair was brown with touches of grey. Her face, fingers and body were long and thin in form. She had an intricate tattoo of vines starting behind her right eye, circling around her cheek, then trailing down to the point of her chin. Honey-colored eyes looked at them above a guarded smile.

  Tathan was not used to leading, preferring to stay in the shadows, but his companions turned in unison for his response.

  The woman followed their gaze and raised a questioning eyebrow.

  He stepped forward. “And greetings to you, Lady Druid. My name is Tathan.” He gestured to his right. “This is my cousin, Liselle.” He gestured to the left. “The gentleman in armor is Sir Danth, and Vevin is to his left.” Just because Tathan wasn’t used to leading didn’t mean he didn’t know how to handle it.

  “Greetings, Tathan, Liselle, Sir Knight, Sir Dragon.” She nodded in turn to each. “My name is Adele Skiewin. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”

  An icy wave of shock went do
wn Tathan’s spine. He was fairly sure the woman had just called Vevin ‘Sir Dragon’. He remembered the stories he heard of dragons, including those of their liquid-silver eyes.

  “Are you all right, Tathan?” the woman asked. “Your face has become pale.”

  Tathan also remembered that dragons were nigh invincible, the most dangerous creatures in the entire world. “Umm . . . Yes . . . I’m all right, thank you.”

  Adele looked as though she didn’t believe him. “Very well. I would ask what your intentions toward the Willden Forest are.”

  The question angered Tathan and he forgot Vevin. Color came back to his face. His hand was on the hilt of his sword again and he didn’t see the worried looks his companions exchanged.

  Adele put forth a calming hand. “Peace, Friend Tathan. We are Druids, protectors of the forests. You are free to travel as you wish. However, were it your desire to destroy or burn down the forest that is our home, we would feel a bit cross with you.” She smiled at him while speaking.

  Tathan blushed as he realized he was acting the fool. The woman was being courteous to them. “I’m sorry.” His hand left the hilt. “I’ve been treated badly in many places I’ve traveled. It’s not right for me to take it out on you.”

  She smiled even more. “Not at all, Friend Tathan. Do you intend to wreak havoc amongst the forest?” she asked half-jokingly.

  He gave a wry grin. “No. We intend neither havoc nor harm to the forest.”

  “Excellent!” She clapped her hands. “Now then, I see you have breakfast. Do you mind if we join you? We bring food as well.” She motioned her companions to approach. The Druids all lowered their hoods. They were male and female, most with tattoos similar to Adele.

  “Of course. We would welcome the company.” Tathan gestured for them to join around the campfire. Some dragged over a couple of old hollow logs to sit on. Liselle put her bow away and joined Tathan in sitting on the log they had placed the night before. Sir Danth moved outside of the logs and remained standing while Vevin sat on the ground at Liselle’s feet with a happy smile on his face.

  Vevin. Dragons were the most powerful of all creatures in the world of Ryallon. They lived for centuries, even millennia. They were vastly more intelligent than humans and had powers of magic the greatest wizards only imagined. Even in his current form, he could most likely kill everyone here with ease. Tathan felt another shiver go down his spine when he realized they had been traveling with him for days.

  “You look pale again, Friend Tathan. And you’re shivering. Have you caught cold?” Adele asked, obviously concerned.

  “No . . . no, I’m sorry.” Tathan tried to recover from his thoughts and pay attention to their guests. “Druid Skiewin, I assure you that we travel through the forest only with great respect.”

  “Of course. I am not concerned, truly. Two of the other Druids were adding their own food to what Tathan had prepared. “Please call me Adele. We don’t rest on formality in the forest.”

  “All right, Adele.

  She turned to Vevin. “It is an honor to be in your presence, Sir Dragon. Might I ask what brings you to the Willden?”

  “I lost my home,” Vevin said sadly. A look of fear crept into his expression and he turned to show her the wound on his face. It was healing ever so slowly, but still looked angry. “He took it from me and all my treasure!” Then he smiled. “But Lady Liselle and Tathan found me a new home and Sir Danth said I could have it and they are my friends now and isn’t that wonderful?!” He got up to do a little dance, complete with spins.

  Tathan noticed the rest of the Druids had given the dragon a fair amount of space. A few gulped nervously when Vevin got up to dance. It was nice to know he wasn’t the only one. Tathan wondered what in the world could hurt a dragon like that. Then decided he probably didn’t want to know.

  Adele smile at the dance. “It truly is wonderful, Sir Dragon . . . Your home is in the Willden?”

  Vevin stopped and thought for a brief moment. “It’s in Aaltdiin, which is in the Willden. You won’t destroy it will you?” he asked in a worried tone.

  “No. We most definitely will not destroy your home, Sir Dragon. The Druids revere dragons as well as all life and would not deign to harm you or your home.”

  “Oh, thank you so much!” Vevin returned to his happy dance.

  Adele smiled once more. Tathan thought he saw a bit of relief there. She turned to the knight. “Sir Danth, to be honest, I have never seen a knight in the forest. Will you tell me of your order?”

  “But of course, Druid Adele. I am Sir Danth Wazmordin, Guardian Protector of the Crown of Morhain, Black Order of the Knights of Morhain.” There was a formal tone to his voice that spoke of great honor and position.

  “Knights . . . of . . . Morhain.” Adele spoke in a voice that became quieter with each word. Her face was now pale. Tathan looked at the rest of the Druids as they put hands on weapons. Every single set of eyes was wide.

  Even though Sir Danth didn’t have a body, Tathan got the distinct impression that he had raised an eyebrow at the movement. “I have no quarrel with the Druids and I would recommend they not have a quarrel with me.”

  Adele swallowed nervously. “Of course, Sir Knight.” She frowned in thought. “The Knights of Morhain have been gone for over a thousand years . . .”

  “A sacred duty required me to exist longer than my civilization. That duty is done now and I travel with these people and this dragon.” He gestured to his companions. “I will also tell you that I consider them my friends.”

  The Druid swallowed nervously again. “Of course, Sir Danth. Are your friends aware that the Knights of Morhain were reputed to be the most deadly and bloodthirsty of all ancient warriors?”

  “Bloodthirsty? I assure you, my good woman, that I have never had thirst for a single drop of blood.” He held his head high. “Although I do admit there was an order of the knights that did. Rather disgusting habit I should say,” he finished in a more casual tone.

  “I see . . . Well . . .” Adele trailed off.

  “Do not concern yourself, Lady Druid. I have no intention of killing everything I see,” Sir Danth said in a comforting tone that didn’t seem to comfort any of the Druids. “I am traveling with my friends and will only kill to protect them.” While he made the statement in a way to set aside any concern the Druids may have had, it sounded more like a threat.

  The Druids stared at him in mild panic. It struck Tathan as extremely odd that they would feel comfortable around a dragon, but be afraid of a knight. He thought it might be a good idea to get the conversation away from Sir Danth. “Do you know if the city of Brondaggiin still exists?” Tathan asked Adele. “It’s my understanding that it was made to be one with the forest and that we were nearing it.”

  Adele stared at the knight for a moment more, and then turned to Tathan. “Yes, only two days travel. The city won’t be as it was in its prime, but it’s still beautiful . . . which brings me to my next point.” She gave Tathan a hard gaze.

  Tathan had a feeling that his original mistrust was about to be justified. “Yes?”

  “The Druids do not allow outsiders into Brondaggiin.”

  “Then there is no problem. They may enter as my guests,” Sir Danth said.

  Adele stared at Sir Danth. There was tension in the air and the potential for violence was palpable. Tathan did not want to get into a fight with Druids in the middle of the Willden Forest. It was not a formula for survival.

  “When we were in Aaltdiin, Tathan and I noticed what looked to be a fortress next to a lake by the mountains,” Liselle said, interrupting the tension. “Does that belong to the Druids as well?”

  “No! The fortress city is an abomination and the beings that built it are unnatural.” Adele bit off each word in anger. “It isn’t the work of Druids.”

  “Enough!” Tathan startled everyone.

  He s
tood and paced. “Everywhere I go people get territorial and hostile toward outsiders.” He turned to Adele. “You say we’re welcome, but then tell us that we can’t go in your city.” He gestured toward Sir Danth while still addressing the Druid. “You become hostile toward him, calling him a killer, which he probably is, but you’re getting cranky about it.” He threw his hands into the air. “We ask a question about a fortress and you get angry about that!” Tathan pointed at Adele. “We’re not truly welcome here are we?”

  She was quiet for a moment. The rest of the Druids removed hands from their weapons. With a deep breath, Adele replied, “You have my apologies. Things have been . . . difficult.”

  “I understand difficult, I really do. But I ask you to understand that we’re just traveling through the Willden. The way south is not open to us,” Tathan said. “It’s our intention to travel north to the Kingdom of Kethril. When we saw the fortress, we considered exploring it. The truth is that we don’t know for certain where we’re going, or what we’re going to do.”

  “I do owe you an apology. My behavior is unaccep . . . Aaaaiiiiggghhhh!!” Adele rose into the air, arms and head arched back.

  Tathan instinctively drew his sword, causing the Druids to also draw weapons.

  Adele straightened upright, still floating mysteriously in the air. Dark green energy emanated from her eyes and mouth. A deep, supernatural voice came from within. “Come to me, Tathan of the Shadows. Come to me, Liselle, Child of Flowers. Come to me. I am the Mother Tree. Come and speak with me.”

  Adele collapsed on the ground as the mystical energy left her body.

  The man who had approached with Adele moved to tend to her. The rest of the Druids remained motionless with awe showing on their faces. Tathan sheathed his sword and looked at Sir Danth who only shrugged. After a brief moment, Adele came to and stood up, dazed.

  “Are you all right, Druid Adele?” Liselle asked her with concern in her voice.

  “Y . . . Yes,” she replied weakly. “I . . . The Mother Tree has only spoken through me twice before and it is difficult.” She wiped an arm across her forehead and took a deep breath before sitting down. “You shall visit the city of Brondaggiin after all. And you shall visit Mother Tree.” She looked at them all one by one. “It’s a rare honor, one that few have been granted.”