by Joshua Hoyt
Chapter 12:
John and Aithnea supported Kristiana as they walked for several hours toward Darthmoth. Tom and Cody, wrapped up in their own despair at the loss of Karman, kept talking to a minimum.
Why did he have to die? Where is he now? Life isn’t fair. First I lose my mom and dad and now Karman. Am I cursed to lose everyone that I care about? Tom wiped the sweat from his forehead. The day had grown hot even while patches of snow still fought to survive in the early spring air. The path to Darthmoth wound its way through the trees and over stony hills. Bushes crowded the sides of the road and the occasional squirrel chattered at them from above. Don’t be a baby, Tom. You have to be strong. If mom and dad are still out there, you need to be strong enough to find them. Karman wouldn’t want you to be crying over him.
The pack on Tom’s back grew heavier and heavier as they traveled, the trail started to descend a little and the footing grew slippery as the snow melted over the path. Tom slipped on a rock but luckily Cody caught him before he fell into the ever increasing mud. “You ok?” Cody asked.
“Yeah, I’m ok.” Thankfully Cody’s still here to catch me. Tom smiled at his friend.
“What’s the grin for,” Cody asked.
“Nothing. Just glad I met you.”
“Thanks Tom. I’m glad I met you too.” Cody slugged Tom in the shoulder. “Now stop being such a cheese ball and watch where you’re going.” Tom feigned hurt then smiled. The mood lightened and the boys talked about their trainings while they walked.
After traveling for what felt like an eternity John put his hand up and pointed toward a small shack off in the distance. “There’s a hunting shack up ahead,” he said. John lowered Kristiana to a rock and said, “Aithnea, you wait here with Kristiana. We’ll go and check things out.” Tom, Cody and John jogged toward the shack slowing when they were within a short distance of the building. The back side of the building had a single window to the left of a back door. The paint on the wooden slats’ peeled in many spots. The roof looked in disrepair and no smoke came from the chimney. In fact the whole place looked like it had seen better days. John pulled his sword from his scabbard while they crept closer. They circled around to the front of the building. John stepped on the wooden deck careful to avoid the rotting holes and grabbed a rusty chain that wrapped around the door handle. One of the two windows was broken. John pointed to either side of the door. Tom and Cody took their places. John looked at the chain for a second and then hit it several times with the hilt of his sword. After a few hits the rusty lock broke and the chain fell loose to the wooden deck. John opened the door and peered in. “It looks empty.” He slowly walked in. “Tom, go and get Kris and Aithnea. Cody and I’ll get things a little more comfortable here.”
Tom ran toward the women, reaching them quickly and through gasps of air he said, “It's empty.” Tom and Aithnea helped Kristiana cover the distance to the shack, one on each side. By the time they reached the shack, Cody and John had already put a board in front of the two windows and had cleaned an area where Kristiana could lay down. John covered Kristiana with a blanket that he had found in the back and then looked to her wounds. Tom looked through his pack and found some clean bandages and handed them to John.
“Thanks, I’m glad you guys were able to get supplies from the hideout,” he said. “Aithnea could you get some clean snow from outside that we can heat up.” Pointing to the pack he said, “Tom, I think there should be a heating tablet in the pack.” Aithnea took a small pan out of the pack and went outside. Tom pulled the warming pellet out of the pack and broke it so that it would start to heat up. He found an old tin plate in a cupboard and put the pellet into it. Aithnea returned with the pan overflowing with snow and placed it on top of the pellet. Within minutes the snow had melted and warmed up. John had, in the meantime, torn Kristiana’s clothes away from her burns and wounds and took a clean rag and dabbed it into the water. He gently washed her wounds and then applied the bandages. Color slowly returned to Kristiana’s face as she warmed up and the pain eased. John turned to the rest of the group and smiled. “Who’s next?”
He started to mend the others as best he could with the limited supplies they had. After he cared for the others he worked on his own wounds. Tom and Cody looked around the small shack and found some more blankets along with some clothes. After everyone had been bandaged Cody broke out some food from the packs and handed it out. Tom wrapped a blanket around himself and ate the food Cody offered him, but the emptiness in his heart lingered. Was there really a heaven like his mom had talked about or was that just a way to comfort him about his grandmother’s death? His grandmother had belonged to the sisterhood as well. He smiled remembering the little butterflies she would conjure up for him. He never knew his grandfather but he imagined that he had probably been like Karman. He ate his food slowly, thinking of the many nights by the fire listening to Karman, talk about the “good old days.” Those were the days when the council cared about the people more than their own power. According to Karman, the council had become corrupt due to their neglect of the old laws and their inability to adapt to the new technology. Kristiana would argue with him while John got stuck in the middle. Karman would become riled up and begin to shout but in the end he would grin and make some sort of joke that would ease the tension. I can’t believe you’re gone.
“We need to set up watch duty,” John said. Tom jerked, startled out of his memories. “I’ll take the first shift, then Tom, then Aithnea. Cody you take the last watch,” John said. John looked over at Cody preparing his bed. “Make sure we’re awake at the first hint of light. We have a long ways to go and I don’t think it’ll take them long to organize and find our trail.”
Tom wrapped his blanket around himself and lay down. He tried to block out the day not wanting to think about the loss of Karman. He pictured Aithnea, in the morning sun instead. He had wanted to hold her for a long time. Maybe from the very first time I saw her coming down the stairs behind Kristiana and John at the mansion. It seemed so natural, as if they were one. He still remembered the power and warmth that came from the embrace, and he wanted to feel it again. He smiled softly, falling asleep thinking about Aithnea and her long black hair.
John shook him awake. “It’s your turn, Tom. There’s a chair by the window, keep an eye out the window and every once in a while check the back,” he said. Tom nodded sleepily and dragged his blanket to the chair. John patted Tom’s head and headed off to sleep. Tom watched out the window trying to remember the different spells that he had learned and practiced the gestures as he watched. He found it hard to stay awake and decided he should check the back window to stay awake. He walked past the group asleep on the ground into the back room and looked out the back window. He squinted. Is that a man? My eyes must be playing a trick on me? Tom rubbed his eyes. It is a man. The man had a large pack on his back and he used a staff to hold himself up. He staggered and nearly fell many times as he made his way to the cabin. Tom ran into the other room and woke John. “There’s a man outside coming from the back.”
John jumped to his feet and ran with Tom to the back of the house. Where’d he go? Maybe it was a dream?
John looked out the window into the darkness. “Are you sure you saw someone?”
“Yeah, he was hunched over and carried a pack and everything. He had a staff. I’m sure I saw him. He looked hurt,” Tom said.
John rubbed the window, cleaning part of it. “Go check the front.”
Tom ran to the front and looked out the windows but didn’t see anything. Maybe it was just a dream.
John came in from the back and looked out the front windows. He looked at Tom. “Are you sure you saw something out there.”
“I thought I did but maybe I imagined it,” Tom said. John looked out the window again and then went into the backroom. Tom followed and when he stepped through the doorway John grabbed him and pushed him against the wall. John put his finger to his lips and pointed out the window. A man strugg
led up to the window. He got to the window and peered into the shack, looking side to side. The man had a big scar running across his left cheek and wrinkle creased his forehead. He stepped back from the window and walked around the side of the building. John pushed past Tom into the next room pulling his pistol from its holster. Tom turned and saw the man walk in front of the window and begin to turn the handle. The door opened. “Don’t move,” John shouted at the man.
The man stepped back in alarm then smiled. “I’m not here to hurt you, young man.”
“Hold your hands up so I can see them.” The man held his hands out in front of him showing that he had nothing in them. John walked toward him.
“Maybe I should close the door so that it doesn’t get any colder in here,” the man said. John nodded and the man closed the door.
“Who are you?” John asked.
“I’m no one of consequence. I’ve been traveling for many days from the north,” He lowered his hands and continued “I’ve come looking for a man by the name of Archelaus. I must speak with him.” John motioned with the pistol and the man raised his hands again. “I've had a long journey, I’m very tired, and if you don’t mind, I would like to rest.” The man shrugged and lowered his hands as he walked to a chair. He sat down ignoring the pistol in John’s hand. The moonlight shined through the window on the old man. He had a long, grey, tangled beard with twigs caught in it. He wore a plain grey robe that was ripped and stained. He walked slowly and favored one leg.
“What’s your name?” John asked.
“My name’s Caspin the Grey,” he replied with a smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of eyeglasses. Putting them on, Caspin said, “And who are my fine hosts this evening?”
“My name’s John.” John pointed to Tom. “This is Tom.”
“It’s nice to make your acquaintance good sirs.” He nodded. Cody and Aithnea stirred. Cody looked up. He jumped to his feet with his sword drawn. “Wow, you are a jumpy bunch aren’t you,” Caspin said with a chuckle.
“We’ve had some hard times recently,” John said.
Caspin looked down at Kristiana. “I can see that.” He moved toward Kristiana.
“Don’t get any closer,” John said.
Caspin looked at John. “Don’t be afraid of me. I’m a friend.” Caspin reached out his hand toward Kristiana. “She’s injured more than you’re able to repair,” Caspin said. He knelt beside her and as he did a feeling of peace and warmth filled the room.
Caspin could never hurt anyone. All the feelings of dread fled Tom’s soul. Caspin lightly placed his hands on Kristiana’s face and bowed his head.
“He’s a healer,” Cody whispered to Tom as Caspin spoke a few words under his breath. Kristiana’s breathing quieted. Caspin’s shoulders’ visibly sagged as he moved his hands away from Kristiana. Slowly, he rose to his feet and struggled towards the nearest chair. John grabbed Caspin before he fell and helped him sit.
“Caspin, I’m sorry for the disrespect,” John said.
“There’s no harm done.” He sighed and said, “Please, in my bag is some tea will you prepare it for me?”
Caspin breathed heavily, his head sagged. “I’m not as young as I used to be that’s for sure.” He smiled at the group. “Your friend will be fine.” He looked up at John, “How did this happen?”
“We were attacked by men from across the sea. They are known as the Red Dragon Clan. Kris,” John looked down at Kristiana, “Kristiana is an enchantress and I’m her counterpart.” He turned and looked out the window and said, “They attacked while we slept and their numbers overwhelmed us quickly. A witch accompanied them and focused on Kristiana, drawing much of her energy.”
“She pulled energy from an enchantress?” Caspin asked. John looked at Caspin then back to the window as he nodded. Caspin patted his shoulder softly. “It’ll be ok.”
“Thank you for your help. We were surprised by her power and don’t know how she managed it.” John looked back at Kristiana, “I tried to aid her by giving her more life energy but Kris wouldn’t take it. She must have realized that I needed my strength to get us out of there. Somehow she managed to keep up a spell long enough for us to escape.”
“She must be a powerful enchantress. To hold up against a witch who can sap her energy must have been very difficult,” Caspin said. Tom handed some tea to Caspin. “Thank you.” He nodded and said, “I have healed her wounds but the energy can only be replaced with time.” He sipped at his tea. “I wonder why the red dragon clan is attacking this far inland. Do you know what they are after?” Caspin asked.
“It’s not what, but who,” John replied. “We believe that they’re after Tom.” John gestured toward Tom and continued. “He has a gift that has not been seen in this world for many generations.”
Why is John telling him so much? What if he is with the witch?
Caspin looked over at Tom raising his eyebrows and John continued, “He’s able to use his life energy to create magic. But not only that, he’s able to combine that energy with a counterpart. His counterpart is Kristiana’s apprentice, Aithnea.” Caspin looked at Tom studying him intently.
Why is he looking at me? I’m not that special. He stood and came close to Tom lifting his hand to Tom’s chest. Caspin mumbled a few unknown words as he moved his hand up to Tom’s forehead. He then sat back down in his chair. Tom fidgeted as Caspin stared at him longer.
“You speak the truth,” Caspin said, “He does have the gift of the old Order of the Rose. It’s strong in him but I’ve never heard of the order using or needing a counterpart.”
John nodded. “We’re planning on going to Darthmoth where we can get a ride to the mansion of Archelaus. Archelaus recruited him, and we trained him there until we were attacked.”
Tom sat on the floor I wonder who Caspin is and how he came to this place at the same time we were here. Why would a healer know so much about the order? The odd thing about it though, is that I trust him. It feels right that he is here.
John sat down next to Caspin. “I still don’t know how they could have found us. The witches have grown powerful. Kristiana had protective spells up at all times.”
“It sounds as if you may have been betrayed,” Caspin said.
“No one knew where we were but a select few. Those who knew were loyal to Archelaus,” John said.
Caspin put his empty cup down on the table and looked around. “Well, I’m much too tired to think about this tonight. I think it would be wise if we all went to sleep and talked about it more tomorrow.” He stood with a groan. “I’ll bless this shack. We need not worry about our enemies tonight.” Caspin knelt on the hard wood floor and blessed the home. Tom’s heart and mind filled with peace. His worries fled and he found that he had become very tired all of a sudden. He stumbled to his bed almost falling asleep as he walked the short distance. He lay down and was asleep before his head hit the floor.