Dryw Henge

by Jonathan Forth

  “Urien, take your place as the Captain of the Guard. Let us set an example to all that may cast their eyes upon us in the coming days. Hold our heads high and straighten your backs. Let us inspire those whose paths we cross and give them hope. Troth to the Realms!”

  “Troth to the Realms!” shouted the men as they dug in their spurs and their horses launched into a canter.

  *

  Aksel led them a short distance and stopped on the edge of the woods. “There’s a rocky outcrop perhaps two leagues to the east of here. I suggest we head there for the night. It’ll give us some cover, but also we’ll be able to see if anyone is on our tail.”

  The Princess nodded.

  Leo turned to Sirion, “Sirion have you ever heard of the name Vane? He may be an ancient being. Perhaps existing even before the Chronicles of Durik.”

  “I will give it some thought. It is not a name I know or have heard whispered even by the grass.

  “So what are you seeking?”

  “We are on our way to Windstrom to the Grand Library of Celestina. On our journey to Dryw Henge, Saturnus mentioned a sixth Totem, a twin to Quintessence, perhaps our only hope. Perhaps the library may have some clues as to where we can find it.” Leo shrugged, “It’s a long shot, but we are thin on arrows at the moment.”

  “There’s no need to go all the way to Celestina. A walk like that far would play havoc with my arthritis.”

  They both turned to look at Sirion, who suddenly looked self-conscious, well as close as a pile of rubble could.

  “Ummm, well what I mean is I know where it is. It’s in the Lost Valley of the Gods.”

  Leo’s expression went from hope to incredulity in a matter of a second. “The Lost Valley? Well that does not sound very helpful.”

  “Oh yes, I see what you mean. If you can find it, then it’s not lost. Never thought about it like that, it’s a bit of an oxymoron.”

  “Right,” sighed Leo, and looked at the Princess. “No worries, it’s another reference point.”

  “No, you misunderstand,” interrupted Sirion. “Perhaps they need to rename it ‘The Almost Lost Valley’ apart from a few ancients who know where it is.”

  “You know where it is?” asked the Princess.

  “Absolutely!” grumbled Sirion. “I just have to rack my granite brains.”

  *

  “This is ridiculous!” exclaimed Leo eventually. They had been sat around a fire by the outcrop for most of the evening. Sirion was poised on a boulder just a short distance removed from them. He had assumed his thinking position, elbow on knee, and chin in hand. He’d explained to them that artists most frequently depicted this as the philosopher’s contemplative pose. And they were spot on. The only better position to think was sitting on a privy. But it lost something in its aesthetic appeal. Hardly artistic to imagine great philosophers of the day perched on a toilet, even though some of their eureka moments were leaf in hand, so to speak.

  “To trust this man to come up with the location of something that is lost is one thing; to expect him to come up with it quickly is another. I mean the last time he sat down to contemplate the meaning of life he pondered for so long he turned to stone.”

  “Give him time,” said Aksel. “Oddly I believe in him.”

  Aksel had finished applying a new support to the Princess’s arm. “It’s not broken, just bruised and perhaps the tendons around the elbow have been wrenched a little. Should be fine in no time.”

  Fayette studied Aksel for a moment. “Can I ask you about your tattoos? They are very intricate.”

  Aksel turned and nodded.

  “They are called Mataka. They represent both the honour we owe to our ancestors, our status, and our accomplishments in life.

  “For warriors it’s applied to our shoulders and back. According to our status it may also be tattooed to a man’s face.

  “For many years, I just had these striped markings on my shoulders, the mark of a slave but, over time, I earnt my tribe’s trust. As a captain of the Janshai, the curved wave stripes on my back represent my rank, and the prancing mare above it is the emblem of my regiment.

  “The spiral tattoos on the left side of my face are those of my uncle, not my father’s. It is a reminder of the man who took my father and mother from me and the fact that one day I will avenge my father’s murder. You would normally wear the symbol of your mother on the right side of your face, but my uncle forbade me to honour my mother so. It is my shame.”

  “Did they hurt?”

  Aksel laughed, “Like hell. The craftsmen chisel the tattoos using bone. Then the cuts are mixed with soot and plant dyes to make the colours. As you grow up there are rites of passage and rituals when you earn your tattoos. You are not allowed to cry out in pain as it is a sign of weakness, you have to bear it or you will bring shame on your family. It brought tears to my eyes but I survived. I’ve suffered worse at the hands of my uncle.”

  He pointed to one that was slightly more faded than the rest, a rough greying image of a raging boar crossed by a spear. “This one represents my first hunt, when I killed the wild boar. Just as well really,” he laughed. “He was charging with his head down and his fangs were longer than my hands. Ran straight onto my spear thankfully. Luckily it had a cross piece on the shaft to halt the beast. Boars are quite capable of running up a spear as it plunges into them, killing a hunter even as it takes its final breath. I was rooted to the spot terrified, he’d have gored me otherwise, for sure. I was lucky and in fact, it’s a good likeness of the boar.”

  Chapter 16

  Sirion

  “I mean, do we even know he is awake? It’s difficult to tell,” continued Leo.

  “I’m awake. It’s here somewhere, just got to get the gears in my head turning again. They are a tad rusty,” Sirion groaned.

  “Sirion, don’t worry, it’s not your fault if you don’t remember,” said the Princess.

  “Fault. Fault, that’s it, the Borna Fault. The Lost Valley is in the Borna Fault,” he said glumly, clearly he could not have been less excited by his discovery.

  “Are you sure?” asked the Princess. “I think people would know about it.”

  Sirion shook his head. “Actually, unless things have changed, hardly anyone ventures into the fault. There is nothing there after all. However, there is a valley, lush and abundant. And it’s hidden by an optical illusion of the rock formations. The entrance cannot be found and its sides are camouflaged by rock faces that face away from the valley, like a veil concealing the valley within.” He did not seem impressed by this feat of nature.

  “If the entrance is hidden, how will we find it?”

  “Don’t worry,” said Sirion, “I’ll ask the rocks. They are not much for conversation, but they are pretty good at directions.” And he left it there, seemingly underwhelmed at the prospect of conversing with a pebble or two.

  “What do you think; Aksel; Princess? Are we agreed? The Borna Fault,” asked Leo.

  “Agreed,” said the Princess.

  “Me also,” said Aksel.

  “So be it, Sirion, do you remember anything else about the sixth Totem? Saturnus said the sixth is not in a physical form; it is light, thought, consciousness. It is in fact the essence of all things.”

  “Saturnus, now there is a name I’ve not heard for a while,” he said gloomily. “I recollect a tale, event more ancient than the Four Realms. It was a time when good and evil fought for dominion of the earth. The Tutaim, or good, were defeated in battle by the Cyon, who represented all that was evil. The Tutaim pleaded to the Creator, a celestial being who was the essence of all things, to help them and bring peace to the earth. She gave them a totem, the light, consciousness, which they used to defeat the Cyon, casting them into the wilderness. The Tutaim rose again, exultant in their victory. However, then they became arrogant, vain and boastful of their new powe
r, acting like gods themselves, soon forgetting the supremacy that had been bequeathed to them by the Creator.

  “The Creator was angered by this and came to earth; she took the Tutaim and banished them to live in the Lost Valley of the Gods for eternity. Then she made the Lost Valley of such breath-taking beauty that the Tutaim would live in its shadow, reminded of the shame that once they believed they were gods when they were merely mortal beings, and that only the Creator had the power to bring into existence life itself.”

  “Crikey, and these are the people we’ll need to ask to borrow the sixth Totem. It won them battles and as a result they have been banished for eternity. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that they will not just happily hand it over?”

  “Agreed,” said Aksel. “Though we can appeal to their good nature, we will have to have a plan and be prepared to take it by force.”

  *

  Leo took the Princess aside, leading her away by the arm. He indicated for her to sit and smiled at her with all the warmth he could muster. “I’m not sure how long Ampheus can hold, especially without your father there. But we can only play the cards that we have in our hands. Let’s say it takes two to three weeks to secure the sixth Totem and take it to the castle. There is a chance that Ampheus will still be in Terramian hands despite Vane’s newfound powers especially with Aron, Sumnar and the others proving a thorn in his side, which I am sure they will be. The next solstice should be around that time. Auspicious right?”

  The Princess raised her head to look at him.

  “And your father may be healed, if the staff has any power.”

  “Do you think he will recover?” she asked.

  “I do not know. If the blade that struck your father resulted in significant internal bleeding his chances are slim. It’s difficult to explain but the staff left me with the sense that he was healed. But I don’t really know.

  “If he manages to escape himself, it will still take time for him to regain enough strength for any vigorous physical activity like a sword fight. But, he will be well enough to stand. That may be enough to inspire every Terramian to fight like ten men!”

  “What about you?” asked the Princess. “Vane said that you are the key to his continued being. That Gorath’s body is dying and can’t sustain him much longer. He will overwhelm you, and take your being instead.”

  “Well, despite what has been said and what Vane and Saturnus believe, I grew up with little knowledge of this fact. Perhaps this resonates with my attachment to music and how it reverberates with the world around us. It will make me susceptible to Vane’s powers but it also provides me with an affinity with all that is good and perhaps that will help me resist him.

  “Let me tell you I am my own man, and I won’t give up that easily. Before Saturnus let go of his life force we managed to bind our souls. The knowledge he conveyed to me is that which he himself has gained over the centuries. His strength and his powers. I believe he knew he could only impart these to me on his death, and that is why he gave in so readily.

  “Believe me when I say I am no longer the boy I once was. Also, for now, please keep that knowledge to yourself. It is only in the element of surprise that I will be able to wield it to catch Vane unawares and defeat him.”

  “Defeat him?” laughed the Princess. “Leo that is foolish. He has untold powers. If you try to defeat him you will only succeed in giving him what he wants. Your body to extend his life.

  “No, the only way to conquer him is for you to run and hide, well at least until Gorath’s body fails Vane so he can no longer sustain himself, or, or.”

  “Or what… if I die?”

  “Leo!”

  “But you are right,” said Leo. “If I die perhaps Vane will also perish in time if he cannot find another vessel for his being.

  “So, who will do it? You. Aksel?” demanded Leo.

  “That is not the answer. If we start making decisions about who lives and dies based on a perceived benefit to society, then we are no better than Vane,” responded the Princess.

  “What about hangings; are they simply not a decision to rid society of people that are harmful to it? Am I not possibly harmful to our society?”

  “That’s different, that’s purging society of evil offenders who have killed or caused a moral offence. An eye for an eye. The law makes a case for this being ‘fair’ in case of senseless and unrepentant murder. It’s a concept we understand and it’s nothing to do with revenge or retaliation or emotions.”

  “Maybe,” pondered Leo.

  “Don’t worry. Don’t think of life as so black and white. There is also something deep inside us that understands mercy, and it conflicts with this concept of a life for a life. It’s a trait that makes us human. Beyond fairness is sympathy, making amends, and forgiveness. Such punishment, with no option for mercy, is the hallmark of a cruel and inhumane society,” argued the Princess.

  “So, there are no cases where a shared need for justice or where the common good outweighs our shared need for mercy?”

  The Princess sighed, “Some instances, perhaps, but likely not many. A leper colony removed from society is for the benefit of society, but of course imposes untold hardships on the individuals. Again, removal from the community is different from killing them.”

  “It’s just the next obvious step,” replied Leo.

  “Perhaps, but it’s not an easy next step, because of what it might say about us as a society if we take a tooth for a tooth. Let alone if we start killing good people because of a perceived benefit or detriment to society. No, these are decisions we take because of who we are and how we measure our humanity,” said the Princess.

  “So I don’t need to watch my back.”

  The Princess took his hand, “Let’s hope the knowledge Saturnus imparted to you leads us to an answer.”

  Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a scrap of leather. He unfolded it and spread it on the boulder where they sat.

  “What is it?” asked Fayette.

  “It’s Daylon’s key to control the crystal of Talisien. The markings indicate the image to be drawn on the ground. The larger circle is where the seer sits, then the smaller circles surround the larger circle, each with markings of the four elements. See, the parallel running lines represent the Earth Totem and Terramis.”

  “And the words?” asked the Princess.

  “The incantation opens the portal. It allows a seer to travel in the spirit world.”

  Leo read the incantation out loud, as if getting a feel for the words.

  “One can speak of the course of the stars,

  One can speak of the vast creation,

  Harness the power of the crystal,

  Listen to the wisdom spoken,

  Through my mind, and the breath of my mouth,

  Grant me access to mine Ancient World.”

  He nodded, folded up the leather patch and tied a cord around it. He took the Princess’s hands and cupped them around the bundle.

  “You take it, keep it safe. I think I have it memorised. When the next solstice arrives perhaps we can use it to find your father.”

  The Princess smiled, “Thank you. It’s like having a connection to my father. I feel our fate is now entwined.” She leant forward and gave Leo a gentle peck on the cheek.

  It was at this point that Leo heard a huff in the background. Flint and another horse emerged out of the darkness.

  “Well I never,” said Leo.

  “Don’t tell me you are best buddies now,” laughed the Princess.

  “Well I’m not sure what we are, but I can’t say I’m not pleased to see him.”

  Leo stepped up and gave the big charger a hug around the neck.

  “You are full of surprises my friend.”

  *

  The Queen had joined the Windstrom army and said goodbye to Captain
Blade and his crew. The pirates’ spirits buoyed by the prospect of heading back south to the Aquamuran Sea.

  “Thank you once again, milady, for saving my life,” said the captain. “I shall forever be in your debt.”

  “Well, let’s call it quits,” said the Queen. “If you ever find your land legs, captain, you are always welcome at Ampheus. Also I’ll sleep a little easier at night knowing Terramis has such a fine navy at its disposal. Albeit only when the mood suits.”

  The captain chuckled a throaty laugh. “Yes, as long as you don’t mind us doing piratey things while not in His Majesty’s service!”

  “Yes, let me have a word with the King. I’m sure he’d be willing to turn a blind eye… Err, no offence meant.”

  The Queen gave him a hug before watching the boat glide back down the river.

  *

  That evening Gulden and the Queen walked together and stood away from the camp. It was a warm evening. The sun had dipped over the horizon and the stars flickered up in the sky. Around them fireflies sparkled among the grasses.

  “I am sorry.”

  Gulden’s shoulders sagged. “He was the best of all of us,” said Gulden.

  “May I have a little time Your Majesty?”

  Gulden leant down on one knee and lowered his head.

  “So long big brother and safe travels. We will see each other again.”

  As he looked up a star glowed in the sky. It was that of the harp of Gemini.

  Gulden smiled.

  “I know where to find you whenever I need to…”

  *

  Gulden and the Queen were in her pavilion when Mia came with word that three riders had entered the camp. She was still limping from the fractures to her ribs and arm that made her wince with every step, and her face still showed the signs of battle. Cuts were still a rude purple as the swelling subsided on her face. The bruises had turned into dark purple blemishes that were only now yellowing around the edges as they healed. But she was young and healing fast.