by A R Maloney
When my eyes opened again, I felt quite rested. Mera was awake and moving through the cabin as she cooked. I slowly sat up, placing my feet on the wooden floor. The pain in my side wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. She looked up as she heard me stand and take my first uncertain steps. “You ok?” she asked.
I nodded as I made my way to a chair at the table, still finding my feet. “It’s not too bad, but I feel a little wobbly still.”
“That’s the medicine. It should be wearing off soon enough.” She handed me a bowl filled with what appeared to be a sort of corn mush. I sniffed it curiously before tasting it. “Corn meal with clover honey.” She said.
“It’s very good.” I ate hungrily. “This is much better than what I had packed.” I said, gasping. “Oh!” Mera looked up quickly as I explained. “My pouch! I have something for you!” I looked around the room, trying to see where I had placed it.
Mera opened a drawer and pulled out a small pile of clothing including the belt, bringing it to me. “I’m sorry, your tunic was beyond repair, here is one of my own. I was able to get the belt clean enough. There are clean leggings here too that you may have.” She set the pile on the table.
“Thank you very much.” I said. I opened the pouch and pulled out the envelope from General Eno. “I was told you would be very happy to receive this.” I handed the envelope to her.
She looked at the envelope incredulously. “You risked so much to bring me this?!” She shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled. I just find it hard to believe he would do this for me.”
I was confused. “He seemed to speak highly of you. Honestly, I had no idea what I was carrying. I had asked for an assignment which would bring me into Ustenia, and this is where I was sent.” I watched her as she read the letter, her face clouded with emotions.
“It’s from…my love. Well, he was my love, we too were separated by the Great Break. Please believe, I understand your plight, and I trust you will keep our confidence.” Mera quickly penned her response, pushing it into an envelope of its own and sealing it. “Please, if you would return this to him. I would greatly appreciate it.” I took the letter and nodded, placing it in my pouch.
“Absolutely. I’d be happy to do this, it’s the least I can do for the kindness you’ve shown.” I smiled, and then I changed the subject. “Do you, by chance, know where I can find the Kauri, Nabaru?”
Mera looked at me with concern. “We have many Kauri here in Morland, although I’ve heard they may be dying. What is your business with Nabaru?”
I took a moment to respond, I wasn’t sure what to say. “I have been given a memory to deliver to him. It’s from Espencheid, Kauri of Arden, Lucenia.”
She nodded. “I have heard of them using sentinels to communicate before, although I’ve never seen it.” Mera sat back, drinking her tea and watching me as though assessing me. She then stood and nodded. “They aren’t far, not even a half day’s walk down the main trail. You will know you are near when you see the large mushroom trees overhead. You cannot miss them.” She then continued with a request. “If you are able to, would you mind picking a few bundles of valerian and ginger roots for me, as well as cat’s claw?” She showed me the three plants from bundles which had been hung to dry on a rafter above us. I was familiar with the valerian and ginger roots but hadn’t seen the cat’s claw before. She removed one of the long stems from a bundle and handed it to me. I looked closely at the plant, learning the patterns which covered the stem, the curled shoots which resembled the claw, giving the plant its name, and the shapes and rotations of the leaves and flowers. “They are some of the main ingredients I used to heal your infection, and I cannot allow my supply to run low.”
I reached my hand out to take a piece of parchment and carefully wrapped the sample inside, and then placed it into my pouch. “Of course. I would be happy to find these for you as soon as I have delivered the message to the Kauri.” I hooked the pouch onto my belt and looked to her. “I should be leaving soon. I don’t want to cause you problems by lingering.”
Mera snorted a laugh. “Trust me, I am about as near an outcast as you could find. But you are right. You will need to keep on the move. If you are feeling strong enough, I can help you leave when night comes.” I nodded in agreement. Mera pointed to the hearth, where a kettle of water was warming, “You may clean yourself up and then you should rest again until then. I’ll wake you at dusk.”
I washed myself briefly with warm water and soap and dried with a towel then changed into the clean clothes provided by Mera. Then I returned to the bed and lay down, suddenly feeling the fatigue come over me again. After checking that my stitches were holding, I lay my head on a pillow and was asleep even before I could try to think of dreaming.
Chapter 15—Edict of the Kauri
THE NIGHT WAS CRISP. A light breeze blew across the trees, pushing cold air towards the earth beneath my feet. Mera had scouted the trail for several miles in both directions as best she could before I left her cabin. I ran along the path, my feet light and swift. My injury was hardly noticeable now. I traveled with my head on a swivel, a little wiser since my confrontation with the ranger days ago. I whispered a defensive spell, forming a protective shell around me every several minutes. I was too far along in my endeavor to fail now.
I had travelled two or three hours with no sign of anyone else. It was just after midnight when I saw the magus. He had been travelling the trail before me and I believed he had not yet noticed me. I was considering waiting behind, letting him go on and putting more space between us. That was, until I saw the load he carried. Strung over his shoulders was a pair of bloodstained white wings.
I shook my head, cursing softly under my breath and refreshed my shield. Then I sped up, quickly gaining ground. When I was close enough to cast a spell, I began whispering the series of words and phrases that would form my attack. The enemy stopped in his tracks as his legs were morphed into thick roots. The roots grew quickly enveloping his body, covering the length of him in thick bark and moss as he took on the form of a tree. Moments later an explosion caused the bark to fly several feet through the air as my attacks began hitting their marks. A ball of ice flew through the air hitting him, a second smashed into his chest stunning the magus, ripping the air from his lungs. The sentinels eyes first looked shocked, then glowed a fierce red as he cursed angrily at me, realizing his cast had been interrupted. A look of terror entered his eyes and he began casting again. One swift word from my mouth sent me leaping away from his spell. The now furious magus swung his head to the left and the right, trying to locate me…but he was too slow. I hurled two more large fireballs at him, engulfing him in a tarry flame. He faltered. I could see he was weakened and nearing complete exhaustion. I ran to the magus and hit him with one final icy blow, full force. The man’s shoulders sagged, and he fell to the ground, defeated.
I paused a moment to catch my breath and took a drink from my water skin. Reaching into my belt I pulled out a small blade, usually used for skinning and cooking my food. I shook my head, disgusted and astonished at the grim act this enemy had committed. Memories of my recent losses flooded my head. It’s one thing to defeat a sentinel in battle, sending his or her soul back to the skies…but this…the removal of one's wings…was a curse onto itself. While I didn’t know the veracity of it, it was told that the sentinel who lost their wings would never be able to ascend again. It was a punishment which should be saved for only the worst of the worst. I wondered who it was that would not be returning home tonight. I cut the bindings from around the fallen magus’ shoulders, releasing the bloodied Lucenian wings from his body. I gently placed them on the ground near the dead Ustenian. Another spell left my lips and the wings of the slaughtered Lucenian went up in flames, released in a cloud of smoke and ash which was carried away by the breeze. I bowed my head in tribute as I spoke a soft prayer for the spirit of this fallen sentinel who would not return to their family, friends or company. Hopefully this sm
all act would allow the return of the deceased to this world again, to return to their life as a sentinel once more. Hopefully he would be whole when he returned.
I continued down the path much more quickly now, moving away from the immolated magus. His body had been reduced to a pile of ash along with the cremated wings, which was being blown away on a breeze. I didn't bother to cover the black scars on the trail which were left from our fight. I pushed myself hard to hasten my trip to the Kauri. Two or three more hours passed. The landscape was changing. I made my way into a deep valley where the coniferous trees became scarcer, now replaced by sturdy oak and enormous mushrooms. The air was much warmer here. I remembered Mera had said this is where I would be close to the Kauri. The land was covered with thick moss and fungus of all shapes and sizes. A variety of forest creatures were seen here. Deer, snakes, lizards, squirrels, and a variety of birds were in abundance. They all roamed freely and could be observed snacking on the bugs and spiders roaming the thicket. The gnats and flies buzzed nonstop here too, their wings a low humming song that never ceased.
I slowed my pace, trying to find any landmark which would point me in the correct direction. I crept through the thick patchy underbrush. If the Kauri were near, the chances were high that Ustenians would also be near. I moved as silently as possible, knowing my luck was bound to run out sooner than later.
A low rumble caught my attention. I searched from left to right with my eyes, slowly turning my body as I sought out the sound, finally finding the source. A pair of ancient eyes were gazing at me through the dim light of the thicket. I bowed my head and held open my hands, showing my palms, becoming a picture of humble non-aggression. “Hello, dear old one. My name is Skye. I have been sent from the Kauri, Espencheid. I carry a message for Nabaru. Would that by chance, be you?” I repeated myself in the ancient language, unsure if he would understand the Lucenian I spoke initially and then I waited patiently for a response.
As I waited another Kauri awoke, stretching his long branches and causing leaves and seeds to fall to the ground like a soft rain. The two ancient ones spoke to each other in their low rumbling language. Finally, the first one spoke, “Nabaru will see you.” I bowed my head in thanks, not sure still which one Nabaru was, or if he was even here.
The voice of a third Kauri caused me to turn in quiet surprise. “I am Nabaru.” The third spoke slowly. “It has been many years since we have heard anything from our brethren. Is this true, Espencheid has sent you?” His old eyes pierced into my soul.
I nodded. “Thank you for speaking with me, Nabaru. Yes. Espencheid has sent a memory for you. I have it in my pouch.” I pointed to the small satchel on my belt. I continued, “I am aware that I am considered a hostile in this region, I do not want to cause any problems for you here. If you wish me to leave now, I will go.”
The Kauri spoke together briefly again before Nabaru responded. “As you are here on request of our kind, please know that you are our guest. As our guest we expect you to be respectful in our home, and in doing so, we will maintain your safety. Any strike against you as our guest in our home will be considered a strike against the Kauri, just as any violence among any of our guests will be considered a strike against the Kauri. Would you agree to this?” The three Kauri watched me expectantly, awaiting my decision.
I nodded my head. “Yes. I would not care to do anything to offend my friends in their home, nor to disrespect the friend who sent me here.”
Nabaru nodded and lowered his thick branches to the ground. “Young sentinel, sit please.” I climbed up into his sturdy arms and held on as he raised me up high into the air, winding his limbs into thick walls around me. “You will be protected from any harm while in my arms.” Nabaru’s old voice was calm and soothing. “Please, show me now.” I pulled my pouch off my belt and opened it carefully. I reached my hand into the top and dug, pulling out the smaller pouches which I then opened, pouring two large tear shaped rubies into the palm of my hand. I held them up between my fingers, so that Nabaru could see what I had carried. They sparkled and glowed softly as the light passed through the tears. There was a creaking of wood as Nabaru opened his mouth. I carefully placed the memories into his mouth then I sat back as he swallowed the gems. Several minutes passed before Nabaru spoke again. “You did not view your memory?” The question was not an accusation, it was more curious in nature.
I lowered my eyes. “No sir. I did not. Espencheid said I should, but my heart has been filled with grief. I was not ready to see more at that point. I was injured on my journey to you.” My voice wavered before continuing. “I was very close to you before I had thought of it again. I decided to bring it to you directly, along with the other.”
“And now? Would you be ready to see now?” The old one was gentle, but insistent.
I took a deep breath and nodded. “If you believe I should carry the knowledge it gives, then yes. I would see it now.”
The Kauri held me gently in his arms as his smaller branches rested on my shoulders and in my hands. Small flowers began blooming from the tips of the branches, releasing a calming fragrance. Nabaru spoke softly, “Look now sentinel, this is the past, the present, and maybe the future.”
Images flashed through my mind of our world before the Great Break, shown from the eyes of my mother and father. Our people were intact. Our only enemy was the Lluren, who had come from the skies and invaded our lands. Serafina and Soulkos were good people. They worked hard; they loved their families. They married. There was sadness as Serafina ascended and found herself pulled away from Soulkos. Their faith and countenance were unmatched. Then the tragedy came as our world was ripped apart, the broken land reforming into something barely recognizable. Many years passed. Soulkos ascended, adapted, changed, grew stronger, but his heart remained steady. They searched for each other, but after many lonely decades passed, they had each believed the other was lost. Rifts appeared. Sentinels went through but many were never seen again. Murderers came to the darkened land, exterminating the changed ones like bugs under one's boot. Families had cried out, “Does no one recognize us?”, and the land had screamed as the blood memories seeped down into the roots of the trees. Serafina came to the dark land. Recognition. Happiness found its way into the corners of the small home again. The love shared by Soulkos and Serafina was strong. They created life; and death found them once again. Droghel stood sneering over the corpse of Soulkos as his great black wings were removed from his lifeless body. Serafina passed out.
I gasped, forcing air deep into my lungs as the emotions of the visions raced through my brain. Nabaru caressed me with a calm whispering breeze. “Skye,” he called my name out in a low creak of bending wood. “Open your eyes and hear me now.”
I rocked on my heels as his limbs cradled me. Minutes passed before I regained my composure. “What am I to do with this? How can I possibly be the one to bring any change to our broken world?”
The ancient Kauri let out a low whistling breath before answering, “We have a gift for you. Use it wisely, as it is the rarest of the rare.” He opened his great woody mouth and made a series of chirping clicks and whistles. Moments later I heard the sounds repeated over and over again by the surrounding Kauri, until eventually it became so loud that I had to cover my ears from the sound. Then, silence.
Before long I heard a similar song returned from somewhere in the distance. Nabaru moved his tallest branches aside, allowing room for a large bird to descend, eventually landing on the platform next to me. This bird was large, bigger than an eagle. It had sharp eyes and talons, and a large, curved black beak. It's plumage was a glowing mixture of bright reds, oranges, yellows and whites. The bird seemed to embody the spirit of fire itself. I had always believed the tales of the phoenix were just stories, but here one sat before my very eyes.
The bird faced Nabaru and they began speaking between themselves in a melodic series of clicks and whistles. Then, the bird faced me and bowed his great head low in my direction.
Nabaru
addressed me again, “This is Avi, a phoenix.” I tilted my head in greeting to the bird. “His kind is very rare, and he is also an immortal being...and has heard our call. Avi has come to give you his greatest gift.”
I looked between the two in curiosity. The great tree and bird both waiting for me to process the strange interaction. I nodded and whispered, “I'm not sure what you mean, but thank you?”
The Kauri sighed, “Surely you have heard of the blood of the phoenix?” I shook my head. I had not heard any such tale. “So much we have learned, and so much we have forgotten.” The tree responded sadly. “Listen sentinel, for this rare gift will be your help.” I nodded and listened to the words of Nabaru. “The phoenix were never numerous in number; they have no way to reproduce. They are magical beings, made wholly of spirit and flame, and they live in a constant cycle of life, death and resurrection.” I nodded with recognition; I had remembered hearing this before at some point in the past. The tree continued, “The phoenix have one lesser known gift, such a rarity that they had been sought out and imprisoned at one point by men in hopes of controlling such power. The blood of a phoenix can be spelled to allow a sentinel to resurrect themselves.”
My eyes opened wide in astonishment. I could see how such a spell could be invaluable, and I could see how it could be used for evil if found in the hands of one who meant to cause great harm to many. That would be very dangerous indeed.
The phoenix watched me, appraising me silently as if reading my thoughts. Nabaru chuckled and said, “Yes, he is listening to you.” The great tree winked and continued his story. “There is one catch. The blood of the phoenix is worthless unless it has been given willingly. The phoenix must be willing to shed his blood, ending his life and resurrecting again. Avi has searched your spirit and is offering his gift to you, Skye.”
Humbled, I turned to the great bird. I held my right fist over my heart and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Avi, thank you.” I felt a soft tingle of heat brush across my cheek and raised my eyes. The phoenix held his massive head against my cheek. A great warmth spread through me, beginning in my face and moving down my body and through my limbs as the phoenix sent me silent instructions on how to gather the blood and prepare the spell.