Rojuun

by John H. Carroll

  Chapter 14

  After eating breakfast, they traveled the road to Brondaggiin. The four companions walked out of respect for their guides, their horses led by members of the Druids so the party could talk with Adele.

  “Druids have existed in the forests of the world since the beginning of humanity,” she began. “Few know our ways and nothing is written so as to keep it so. Most Druids are born into the order, though on rare occasion a person will feel a call to join.” She shrugged. “It is as the gods will it.”

  “Druids are human then?” Liselle asked.

  Adele wiggled her hand. “Yes and no. The difference is spiritual. Energies flow through our bodies differently than humans.”

  “Some people hold you in fear,” Tathan said.

  “And do you fear us, Friend Tathan?”

  He chuckled darkly. “Me? No. Fear is a waste of time.”

  “I see.” Adele shrugged. “In any case, Druids care for the forests of the world. Wherever there is forest, at least one Druid will tend it. The Willden Forest is one of the largest in the world. There is a thing very few people know about forests.” She made certain their attention was entirely on her. “Each and every forest in the world has a Mother Tree. She’s responsible for the well-being of the forest.”

  “Does she spank the other trees when they’re bad?” Tathan grinned.

  The Druids gasped in shock while Liselle, Vevin and Sir Danth laughed aloud. The party fell quiet in a hurry when they realized the joke wasn’t appreciated.

  Adele took a deep breath to keep her temper. “The Mother Tree is a sacred being.” Her eyes narrowed in a warning not to make more jokes. “The Mother Tree of the Willden Forest is powerful and wise beyond all. I expect you to treat her with dignity and respect.”

  Tathan tried to behave himself, but couldn’t succeed. “Yes. I wouldn’t want her to send me to my room without dinner.”

  Liselle covered her giggle with a hand.

  The Druid glared. In fact, all of the Druids were glaring at him. Tathan concluded that hugging trees didn’t cultivate a sense of humor. “So why are you so upset about the fortress?”

  Adele would have glared at him, had she not already been doing so. Instead, she shook her head, muttering something Tathan couldn’t distinguish.

  “Seriously, what’s the deal with the fortress?” He didn’t care whether or not she was cranky. Tathan was tired of people being cranky and over-involved in their own issues.

  She didn’t say anything for a few moments before answering him. “It’s where the Rojuun live.”

  “I thought the Rojuun were a rumor . . .”

  Adele shook her head and looked forward as she walked.

  “Rojuun? I’ve never heard of them,” Liselle said.

  “It’s a new race and they are not a rumor.” Adele picked at one of her nails. “The Rojuun appeared from the depths of the mountains about eight hundred years ago. It’s their intention to take over the world, keeping humans as servants.”

  “And if humans don’t wish to be kept as servants?” Liselle was incredulous at the concept.

  “That is a good point. Humans don’t wish to be kept as servants in general. The Rojuun are powerful though, and many people consider servitude to be better than death.”

  “Perhaps if you were to tell us more of this race we would better understand, Lady Druid,” Sir Danth suggested. “It is not surprising that I have not heard of them if they have only existed for eight centuries. I find it difficult to believe they could force the entire human race into servitude.”

  “Of course, Sir Danth. I will tell you what I know.” Adele cleared her throat. “The Rojuun first showed up eight hundred years ago in the Caaldith Mountains. We haven’t been able to discover how they came to exist. They are similar to humans in some ways; with two legs, a body and head with hair that is always black, but then things get unusual.” It was clear she didn’t like this subject. “Their eyes are shaped like upside down teardrops with catlike pupils. Their skin is pale white. They have long legs and fingers, but four arms and hands. Their eyes and arms are the most shocking part.”

  Tathan drummed his fingers on the hilt of his sword. “I understand that they’re different, but what I don’t understand is how a race that’s new to the world could possibly think to convert humans into servants.”

  “They are beautiful,” Adele said. “Rojuun are artistic. People who face them discover they don’t want to hurt them anymore.” Irritation rasped in her voice. “They’re also fast, strong warriors and adept at magic.”

  “So they’re pretty, good with a sword and can spin a few spells. I don’t see how that would enable them to take over the world.” Tathan flicked his fingers in dismissal.

  “Why do they want to take over the world, Adele?” Liselle asked.

  “They feel they are superior to humans.” She spat in disgust. “There is an arrogance about them. I don’t think they can take over the world, but they certainly seem determined to try.” Adele lifted a finger. “They wield four long knives, not swords, and they’re lightning-fast with them.”

  “And they live in the fortress?” Liselle asked.

  “They live in the mountains, deep in the caverns. The fortress city was built to protect them from Druids.” Adele scowled. “We do not think them so pretty. A Druid is a formidable fighter as well. The Rojuun have outlawed bow and arrows within the fortress because of us.” She patted the bow on her back.

  Liselle reached over her shoulder to touch her own. She didn’t want to give away the gift her uncle had made for her. Adele noticed the movement. “That is a well-made bow, Liselle. It is obvious that it was crafted with love.”

  Liselle smiled quickly then ducked her head to hide the tears that threatened.

  “Is their engineering any good, Druid Adele?” Sir Danth asked.

  “They did not build the city. Humans did it for them.” Her lips twisted in loathing. “Rojuun are in league with Emperor Kravka of Iynath, who has been taking over lands with their help. The emperor captures people of conquered lands then turns them over to the Rojuun.” Adele shook her head. “Between the forces of the Iynath and the Rojuun, the captured people don’t dare try to revolt.”

  “That’s terrible.” Liselle grabbed Tathan’s arm. “Tathan, we must save them.”

  He saw she was serious. Tathan sighed. “That sounds like fun, but . . .”

  “I know. I’m being silly.” She blushed. “I just can’t stand the idea of people being held as slaves.”

  “I would clarify a point,” Adele interrupted. “They are servants, not slaves.”

  “If they’re being kept against their will, then they would be considered slaves by definition,” Sir Danth stated.

  She shook her head yet again. “They make an income, but must declare allegiance to the Rojuun and Empire of Iynath.” She shrugged. “If they do that, then they’re allowed to prosper and own land. Adventurers may even carry weapons providing they aren’t used against the Rojuun.”

  “How extraordinary. It is not possible to own land. The land exists regardless of humanity or the existence of any other race,” Sir Danth said.

  Tathan raised his eyebrows. “A new, four-armed race that turns humans into servants and you’re struck by the concept of owning land?”

  “Well . . . I suppose you have a point.”

  Tathan got the distinct impression that the knight was grinning at him.

  “What if they don’t agree?” Liselle asked.

  “Any who don’t agree are executed.” Adele stopped and gestured grandly. “Here we are, The City of Brondaggiin.”

  Before them was a city that was part the forest. Dwellings were made of branches and leaves from living trees. Those trees were enormous, easily fifty to a hundred paces in diameter. The branches joined with each other as though the trees were all holding arms in friendship. Dwellings hung
from these at different levels.

  “I thought we were two days out of Brondaggiin, Druid Adele.” Liselle looked around in awe as she spoke. It was late morning.

  “We took a shortcut.” A smirk curved her lips. It was clear she intended to keep the method of travel a secret. “Come with me. I’ll take you to Mother Tree.”

  The party, with the exception of Sir Danth, looked around at the trees and dwellings in awe. There were people living in the city, though it was not crowded. A light breeze rustled the leaves and brought the sounds of wildlife mixed with voices of people in the distance. Children ran and played in the trees and on the ground.

  After short while later, they came to a large clearing with an amphitheater dug into the center. It would sit two thousand on the benches with probably another five thousand in the trees surrounding it.

  “I won a competition among the knighthood here,” said Sir Danth. “Lords cheered me while ladies threw their scarves . . . and other items . . . to me for their favor.”

  “That sounds exciting!” Liselle clasped her hands. “I wish I could have been there.”

  “You would have been the fairest of all the ladies.” Sir Danth bowed.

  Adele rolled her eyes and led them forward.

  Not long thereafter, the largest tree any of them ever laid eyes upon appeared. Instead of one central trunk, this tree had eighty, the smallest of which was a hundred paces thick. Each of these trunks rose from the ground, wrapping around each other as they reached toward the sky. It was hundreds of feet tall, towering above the forest around it.

  “I introduce to you Mother Tree of the Willden Forest,” Adele said in a formal voice with a grand, sweeping gesture.

  “How extraordinary.” Sir Danth folded his arms. “That wasn’t there before.”