by Travis Pond
Tureis took the book back from Seth, “It’s actually a book about the Matya. It’s sort of a history book about the Matya. It’s not very in depth, but it does provide some good general information.”
The Matya was a topic most people didn’t speak about openly. In the Kingdom of Thaven it was generally thought that the Matya was just folklore or legend. Some even thought it was make believe. You had to be very careful not to talk to the wrong person about the Matya. You could get thrown out of a store, beaten or worse, killed.
The Matya was treated as a forbidden topic. Those people that believed in the Matya or had their Matya awakened and embraced it, hid it from everyone except those closest to them. They did this primarily out of fear for retribution.
Seth was a believer and he knew that Ailish had her Matya awakened. He also knew some of the story of how Tureis had his Matya awakened. Because of this, it was a safe topic among them. Still, they very rarely discussed the topic for fear of being overheard.
“With a name like, History of Us, how would anyone know it’s about the Matya?” Seth asked.
Tureis smiled, “Time for another secret.”
He lit an oil lamp and moved it closer to him, then he turned the book over and exposed the back cover. “What I am about to show you is a closely guarded secret of my father’s,” he said. “I learned about this by accident a couple years ago. I was in the castle library with my father one day. I had found a book that looked interesting and was sitting on the floor behind some shelves reading. My father came in with another person and they were discussing books about the Matya. My father told this person how you can quickly tell if the book is about the Matya. When he realized I was sitting there, he made me promise not to tell anyone.”
He stood and went over to the crates holding the books and retrieved a cloth. He wiped the dust from the back cover and moved the oil lamp closer to the book. “There’s a mark placed on all books about the Matya to help those people who know about it find the books easier. It’s called the oracle’s mark,” Tureis said.
He took the rag and placed the corner in his mouth. “This book is old and the mark is slightly faded, but it’s still there,” he said. “You can see it if you look close.”
He took the now moistened rag and wiped a small area on the back of the book in the lower corner right near the binding. Seth and Ailish peered close at the area he had wiped. To their amazement, right there in the corner was a very small silver circle with two arrows in the shape of a ‘V’ in the middle.
Ailish rubbed her finger over the area, “Wow! I can almost feel it, like a slight energy to the mark. You say it’s on all books about the Matya?”
“All real books about the Matya have this mark. My father said that any book that is trying to mislead you or is about the dark Matya will not have that mark. It’s placed there with the Matya, thus the energy you can feel. Those with their Matya awakened can feel the energy of the mark and therefor know it’s a real book that can be trusted.”
Seth ran his fingers over the mark and said, “I can feel the energy. It’s very faint, but I can feel it.”
Seth had had his Matya awakened as well, but it wasn’t a story he often shared. He was very secret about it as most people in the castle did not have their Matya awakened. It was also thought that if a ruler were to have the powers associated with the Matya, he would use the power to enslave the people and it would lead to their destruction.
King Seathan had very powerful Matya. His primary gift was with strategy in war, a fact that very few people knew and a closely guarded secret. A secret that carried death as a penalty.
Seth had not told his father about his Matya being awakened, since he really only understood some of his gifts, one of which was a gift relating to battle itself. Since his awakening, his skills in battle had grown quickly. Braon thought it was due to his excellent teaching, but Seth knew the Matya was helping him progress at the fast pace everyone saw. He also thought that a gift associated with strategy in war would be a natural gift he possessed since all the kings before and including his father had that gift.
His awakening had only occurred about a year previous and it involved his father. Seth was...well, being Seth and sneaking around the castle. He entered the King’s private quarters where his father often met with his military and other leaders. Laying on the table was his father’s sword. He thought it was very strange that his father’s sword would be lying on the table as Seth almost never saw his father without his sword.
He moved closer to examine the sword. The silver scabbard was inlaid with gold around the edges and had many rubies and other precious stones adorned down it’s length. The hilt was pure silver with circular patterns of inlaid gold. Attached to the bottom of the hilt was a smooth round silver ball. The blade was polished to a mirror finish and was made from a special hardened steel that wasn’t found anywhere in the surrounding kingdoms. He was told by his father that the sword was very powerful and that it could never fall into the hands of his enemies.
He had never been permitted to touch the sword. Actually, no one was allowed to touch it...ever. Even if the sword was lying on a table just like this, with no one around, it was still forbidden. He focused on the pure silver sphere on the end of the hilt. For a brief second he thought he saw some writing on the front of the sphere. That seemed odd to Seth and he rubbed his eyes. When he looked again, the writing was gone.
He moved closer when he noticed the writing appear again. As he bent even closer to read the writing he accidently brushed the sphere with his hand. Immediately, a large shock shot through his entire body and knocked him backwards into a chair and left him stunned for several minutes. After regaining his senses, his whole body hurt… a lot! He felt like he’d been hit by a battering ram. After composing himself and allowing some of the pain to subside, he listened to make sure no one was around. Relieved that he was still alone, he quietly left the room.
Seth felt embarrassed by this incident, so only Ailish and Tureis even knew about the events of that day. He had never even told his parents about what happened, partly from embarrassment, and partly from the fear of what his father would do knowing he had disobeyed such a strict rule. The incident, although painful and embarrassing, had awakened his Matya and for that he was grateful, but if Seth had his preference, he would rather not have experienced so much pain.
He sat back in his chair as his thoughts of the past faded and looked at his two friends. “So...what is this idea of rescuing Braon?”he asked.
Tureis shrugged his shoulders as if to give Ailish permission to take the lead in the discussion. “Well...it’s sort of an idea, but we don’t actually have a plan yet.” said Ailish.
“We know we need to be able to get into the castle and find Braon; free him from the stockade and get out of the castle. All of this without being detected,” said Tureis.
“That’s where the idea of using your secret entrance came into play,” Ailish added. “We were hoping to use it to get into and out of the castle.”
“Ok,” said Seth.
“Ok?” questioned Tureis. “Are you thinking of changing your mind?”
“No. I’ll show you my entrance,” said Seth. “But you really can’t tell anyone.”
“Seth! It’s us,” said Ailish. “We would never share a secret with anyone. You should know that.”
“I know,” he said.
“Now we need an overall plan,” said Ailish, continuing with the conversation. She began thinking out loud, “Once we are in the castle, how do we find Braon? Once we find him, how do we get him out of the stockades? Once we free Braon how do we get back out? Once we are out where do we go? Well?”
“Let’s start at the beginning, where does your secret entrance put us in the castle?” asked Tureis.
“Ultimately, we will end up in the kitchen,” said Seth.
&nbs
p; Ailish sat down and looked at the others. Secretly she knew this was her idea, but she worried inside that they would get caught. Something told her to trust her friends, but she couldn’t help feeling scared.
They just stared at each other for a full minute with no one saying a word. Then slowly, the discussion started and the plan began to take shape. After some time, Seth leaned back in his chair and stretched. “So we know what we’re going to do. What do we have to defend ourselves if needed?” he asked.
Tureis stood up and walked over to a chest sitting on the floor near his small bed. He picked up the chest and set it on the table. Then he retrieved a key from a small stone ledge in the wall of the cave, and brought it back to the table. He inserted the key and lifted the lid of the chest. As they looked inside, Tureis said, “Not much to work with. But it’s all I have by way of weapons.”
Inside the box, sitting on top of a small crossbow, were two daggers, a long knife, a pair of slings and a small hatchet. Before they could remove anything, Ailish reached over both of them and withdrew the crossbow and six bolts from the bottom of the chest. Neither Seth nor Tureis argued when she took it, since they both knew she was much better with a crossbow than either of them.
Tureis took a dagger and a sling and placed them on the table. Seth took the remaining sling and the long knife. Ailish, in addition to the crossbow, took the remaining dagger. Tureis set the small hatchet on the table, closed the chest and returned it to the floor.
“That’s it?” asked Seth.
Ailish held up the crossbow, stroking the sides and manipulating the firing mechanism, a large grin on her face. “This is perfect,” she said.
“Now I’m wishing we had kept the sword,” Seth said.
With a plan in place and a few basic weapons to use if needed, everything seemed to be ready. Now all they needed was some rest, as this was going to be a long night.
When they awoke, the sun had set and the cave was dark. Tureis lit the oil lamp and double checked his bag to make sure all the weapons were still there. Then he closed the bag and sat for a moment rehearsing the plan in his head. Together, they all double checked their gear as they prepared to leave.
Tureis sat at the table, his mind racing and full of worry. This was not one of their normal excursions. They wouldn’t be simply exploring and observing the activities of those around them like they’d done on so many occasions. This was an idea that went beyond fun and went directly against the King himself. This wasn’t an excursion; this was treason.
If they were caught they would likely be hanged and their families would be shamed for generations. Tureis exhaled deeply as he considered the consequences of what they were about to do and what it could mean for him and his father. Braon had been a lifelong friend and was more like the older brother that Tureis never had. What had happened to Braon felt wrong, and his father appeared to agree. Tureis hoped the actions of himself and his friends tonight would right some wrongs. But more importantly, he hoped they wouldn’t be caught.
Out of pure instinct, Tureis reached into his pocket and felt the cool, smooth familiar silver sphere and he felt peace. Knowing the sphere could guide them, he hoped tonight it wouldn’t lead them astray. Their lives and the lives of their families depended on it.
Chapter 7
- Escape -
“Ok. Where do we go from here?” Ailish asked in a whisper.
Tureis, Seth and Ailish were standing in the shadows of a large tree near the intersection of the road to Grinnurd and the town square. In the middle of the square is a bridge that leads over a river separating the castle from the towns. Somehow, without using the bridge, they had to get to the other side of the river.
“Over here,” Seth whispered in response. Seth turned away from the town square and headed down the road toward Grinnurd.
“Where are we going?” asked Ailish.
“Just follow me,” said Seth.
They continued for some distance when Seth suddenly turned off the road. They walked through a field until they came to the river’s edge. This was not an extremely wide river, but the current was swift and swimming across was not for the weak.
“Are we swimming across? I don’t remember you ever being soaked when you meet up with us,” said Tureis.
“No. It’s deeper than it looks and the current will drag you under. There’s a place upstream we can cross nearly dry,” Seth said.
As they continued walking upstream, Seth periodically put one foot into the water as if searching for something. After several attempts Ailish asked, “What’s wrong? What are you looking for?”
Seth looked up at the sky. “I’m trying to find a special step. It’s so dark I’m having a hard time orienting myself,” said Seth. The moon was very small tonight, just a sliver was visible.
They continued walking slowly up the river bank with Seth randomly sticking his foot into the water. After a dozen attempts Seth finally stepped into the water and his foot didn’t sink. “Found it.”
“What is it?” asked Ailish.
“Just under the water’s surface are a series of stone steps. Each step is under water and invisible in the darkness. The stones are placed a few feet apart.” Seth explained.
Ailish must have had a concerned expression on her face because Seth said, “Don’t worry, I’ve done this so many times I know where each stone is placed.”
“Ok. So how do we find the steps after you cross?” asked Ailish.
Seth thought for a moment as he scanned the water sizing up each step. “Ok,” he said with confidence. “The steps are pretty wide and the distance between them is roughly the same. I will step to the next stone and leave my back foot on the previous stone. Ailish, you place your foot next to my back foot. I will then take another step and you will follow, leaving your back foot in place for Tureis to follow,” he explained.
Tureis and Ailish looked at each other and nodded. “Ok, I think we can do that,” said Ailish.
“Let’s get moving,” said Tureis.
Seth left his foot on the first step and blindly took another step out into the water. Tureis and Ailish were surprised when he didn’t fall into the water. Ailish placed her foot next to his back foot. Seth took another step and waited. Ailish followed closely behind. Seth continued and Tureis placed his foot on the first step. They continued this way, taking one slow step at a time, with a ripple effect of each of them moving. After several minutes and a few near falls into the river, they reached the other side.
“Wow! You do that every time?” asked Ailish.
“Yeah, but because I’ve done it so many times, I can do it at nearly a run.” Seth said.
“Which way now?” asked Tureis.
“This way,” Seth resplied.
Seth led them toward some trees in the distance. When they reached the trees they realized they were actually standing at the edge of a forest. With so little moonlight tonight, it was hard to see clearly where they were going.
“This is Claggem Forest,” Seth explained. “It extends all the way around the castle. We are going to skirt the inside edge of the forest to not be seen. Let’s go.”
He turned and led them inside the edge of the forest; deep enough to not be seen, but close enough to the edge to keep the castle wall in view. They walked briskly until they arrived at the south west corner of the wall. Guards posted on the wall were making their rounds.
They slowed and moved deeper into the forest, walking quietly. Seth turned and put a finger to his lips. They nodded and continued walking along the west wall until they came upon the northwest corner. Just around the corner, they quietly made their way through the trees toward the castle until they stood at the wall. They were able to stay hidden as the trees continued right up to the wall.
Seth looked up to the top of the castle wall and w
aited. After a minute, two guards walked around the corner and continued across the wall. As soon as the guards were out of sight, Seth motioned for them to follow. He crept closer to the wall and quietly moved some bushes aside revealing a door. Next to the door was a large tree with a hollow opening about five feet up.
Blindly, Seth reached into the hollow opening and removed a key. He inserted the key into the lock and slowly turned it until he heard a soft click. Seth opened the door very slowly to prevent the old rusty hinges from squeaking too loudly. When the door was opened just enough to pass through, Seth motioned them to follow and he went inside. Once inside, Seth closed the door and locked it with the key, then he placed the key up on a ledge above the door.
“Where are we?” whispered Tureis.
“This is a long forgotten and never used cellar,” said Seth.
They couldn’t see much of anything as they looked around the dark room. Soon their eyes adjusted to the darkness and they could make out the rough outlines of things around them in stacks and piles, but they were unable to see determine what they were looking at.
“Follow me. We are going toward that light,” said Seth, pointing toward the other side of the large room.
Ahead of them was a very faint glow coming from the ceiling. As they walked, Tureis realized the light was actually coming from in between the floorboards above them. Just enough light came through the boards to let them see which direction they were going and prevent them from running into things.
They continued forward until they came to a staircase. Seth ascended the stairs as they followed. When they came to the top of the stairs, Seth paused and put his ear to the door. Hearing no sounds he quietly and slowly opened the door.
Seeing all was clear, he motioned them to move forward. They entered the door and found themselves inside some sort of a closet. Looking around they saw breads on a shelf and bags of grain on the floor. “This is the bakers pantry,” whispered Seth. “We are in the back of the kitchen near the door to the outside.”