by Blink, Bob
Rigo and his companions rode away swiftly. Even Ash’urn who was dismayed at the recent turn of events and generally liked a slower pace, moved quickly. They traveled east, moving with the intention of putting distance between themselves and any possible return of Burke or his friends. It appeared there was something special about the location, and once away from Ny’em Rigo hoped the wizard would be unable to travel any faster than they could. Without the necklace to guide him, Burke would have also lost any advantage he’d had in locating them. Without Ash’urn along who knew the trails from his study of maps and previous visits they would have gotten lost a dozen times.
There was no point going south. That would take them back where they had been, back where they had killed the soldiers and where they could expect the Lopal fighters to be searching for who was responsible. It would also take them back only to the monastery, and there was nothing of use to them there any more. North was the way they’d been headed, but while that would eventually take them closer to the population centers of Kellmore, it was also the direction where Burke had intended to take him. He’d learned enough from the wizard to know that the area they’d been seeking was the same general area where Burke would have friends. Rigo had no interest in going to that area any longer. He didn’t know exactly what he would find beyond a group of people who were more powerful than himself with intentions he could only guess at. West was Ny’em. Not only would that take them too close to the forces of Lopal, but Burke had indicated there was something special about the place. That was reason enough to avoid it.
“There is little that is helpful this way,” Ash’urn informed him. The older man had dropped back from the lead where he’d been providing Daria general directions from the vast store of knowledge he had of the area. He’d tell her what was supposed to be out here, and she would uncannily be able to find the way. “The mountains you see ahead will soon present a formidable barrier to heading east. That is why the main trail goes north and south here until they normally reach the foothills of this range.”
“They can be crossed?” Rigo asked.
“From what I know of them, there are footpaths that make their way over the top. But I do not know if the horses will be able to make the journey.”
“What about turning north again once we cross the path we were on originally?”
“That is an option, but now that we are farther north there will be more traffic to deal with. With the killing of the soldiers there will be far more interest in anyone traveling that road.”
Rigo nodded his understanding. He’d expected as much. That meant taking the trail would now involve an unacceptable risk. They would have to find a place to stop and consider what would be the best way to proceed.
Rigo dropped back to talk with Kaler who was bringing up the rear as Ash’urn spurred his mount to ride up alongside Daria.
“Have you seen anything that indicated we are being followed?” he asked his friend.
Kaler shook his head. “There is no one close. I doubt we could be trailed over some of the rocky ground we have ridden across even by the best of trackers. So long as we don’t run into a group of soldiers by accident I don’t think we need to worry in that regard. It will probably be some time before they even find where Burke had led us anyway. I doubt that Burke and his friends are skilled in tracking. I suspect they’re used to relying on other means.”
Kaler pointed at the staff to emphasize his meaning.
“Are you certain that your friend can’t track that thing?” he asked pointedly.
“I can’t be positive, but something tells me it is blocked while it’s in the staff. I wish I knew where my feelings on such matters originate.”
“I think it’s a risk for you to keep it,” Kaler said, stating his opinion.
“Perhaps so, but for some reason I think it would be a mistake to let go of it.”
“It’s your decision, but I’ll not rest easy as long as it’s with us.”
“If they find us again, then we’ll know and I’ll get rid of it,” Rigo said.
“If they find us again, I doubt we’ll have any say in the matter,” Kaler replied pointedly.
Further conversation was delayed as the trail became narrower once again and Rigo had to move up so they could ride single file. It was too difficult to carry on a conversation under these conditions so he was left to his own thoughts. Kaler was correct he knew. He was taking a risk by bringing the necklace along, but something inside him assured him that it was safe to do so. The feeling felt as if it originated from the same place where he received inspiration and understanding how to perform the limited range of magic he was capable of.
Now more than ever he realized his abilities were severely limited. He’d always assumed that if he encountered a village of those with his kinds of abilities they would be more powerful than himself, and they might be able to teach him how to expand his capabilities. But seeing Burke in action was a complete shock. Burke had effortlessly displayed magic and power so much greater than his own that he was stunned. The bright energy bolt that had literally burned the enemy archers to ash sounded very much like the skill that Ash’urn had witnessed that night so very long ago. Rigo tried to recall what he could of the action, but he couldn’t wrap his mind around anything that would direct him in the use of the weapon.
Similarly, was the magical skill which Burke had used to completely heal Daria, removing all sign that she had ever been scarred. He would have to speak with her, but from the brief words she had spoken afterwards, she claimed to be back to her old self. Rigo noticed she walked somewhat differently now, as if her range of motion was expanded and as if a deep hurt no longer bothered her. If anything, she seemed to be more deadly and silent even than before. He could see where she had gotten her name.
Clearly Burke’s powers far exceeded his own, and he couldn’t know how Burke ranked among his fellows, however many there might be. Rigo couldn’t imagine him to be the strongest. It wouldn’t make sense for Burke to have been the one seeking them if he was.
Rigo had also learned other lessons. For one thing, he had been far too casual with his staff. As long as he’d had the staff, he’d come to see it as virtually indestructible and always available. It would find him, or he could call it to him when needed. But Burke had blocked that without so much as a thought. When he’d tried to call it to him, he’d been unable to do so. But matters had been very different when he’d had the staff firmly in hand. When he’d broken free of Burke inside the bubble, he’d felt Burke try to stop him, but he’d been unable to do so. Together, he and the staff had been able to overpower Burke’s magic. Was that because Burke had been extended with the bubble he’d created, or simply that joined Rigo and the staff were stronger? He didn’t know, and it was an important bit of information. Clearly, he didn’t want any distance between himself and the staff if an attack was imminent.
He’d also sensed the staff had needed him. In the past, he’d had the feeling that the staff was all powerful, and contained its own magic that was greater than his own, sometimes making his magic stronger. But when he’d escaped from the bubble and driven Burke wherever he’d sent him, the staff had been drawing the needed power from him and wouldn’t have been able to do what it had done had they not been joined. He didn’t know how he knew, but he did. Did that mean he was inherently a lot stronger than he realized? If so how was he to tap the abilities he didn’t know about?
Rigo felt his attention being brought back to the present.
“We can stop here,” Daria was saying as he rode up next to her.
Rigo reined in his horse as Kaler pulled up along side him. They had been traveling for about four hours, sometimes riding fast and other times walking as the trail demanded, but the horses needed a break. Daria had found a comfortable enclosure within a circle of rocks that would be well concealed. There was a pool of fresh water, and a place for the animals. They needed to take time and consider their plan rather than simply keep runnin
g. It didn’t matter anyway. Rigo realized they were up against the base of the mountains, and as Ash’urn had warned, there was no longer an obvious way forward. They had passed over the northward heading trail over an hour before, electing to forego it as an option when they’d found fresh traces of many horses where they crossed over.
Wearily Rigo climbed down from his mount, his legs feeling stiff as he did so. They took a moment to care for the horses, but left them saddled in case they might need to depart quickly. They elected to do without a fire, and made a cold lunch of fruit and cheese and dried beef.
“Where are we?” Kaler asked as they sat around chewing.
Ash’urn provided a bit of geography.
“There is a way over them?” Daria asked pointedly.
Ash’urn repeated what he’d told Rigo on the trail. “We can either follow along the base and hope we find a way, or we can try and make our way over the top. On the far side we will have more options where to go.”
“A lot depends on where we want to end up,” Kaler noted.
Three pair of eyes turned to Rigo.
“Burke’s appearance has changed everything,” he said slowly. “We know that others with ability in magic exist, and they are quite powerful. We also have seen they have their own interests, that don’t necessarily correspond with our own. Burke made it quite clear he didn’t care about the impending war, nor did he have a spare care for any of you. He wanted me. He intended to take me back to where the rest of those like him live and bring me into the fold, whether I desired it or not.”
“Think what you could learn,” Ash’urn said.
“Obviously they have answers that I have sought all my life,” Rigo agreed. “They also would have control over me and what I do from this point forward. I don’t want that.”
“Is Burke dead?” Daria asked. “They are going to keep looking for you. Especially if you killed him.”
Rigo nodded. “I suspect they will as well. That means I need to go where they don’t expect to find me. It also means that all of you are at heightened risk by being with me. They will ignore you at best, and might even eliminate you if they feel it in their interests. We don’t know what they are capable of. As for Burke, I don’t think he was harmed. Humiliated I’ll bet, but I think he was simply shipped back wherever he intended to take me. The feeling I got through the staff was not one of death.”
“He’s going to have it out for you then,” Kaler added.
“So, what is our plan?” Daria asked.
“All of you will be safe enough if you aren’t with me,” Rigo said with assurance. “I think it would be best if we can get back to Kellmore and then split up. You,” and he looked at Daria, “still have some unfinished business with the Duke. Now that you are back to normal, that won’t be any problem for you. Kaler, I’m not sure what you would want to do, but you shouldn’t risk yourself for me against these kinds of forces. I assume Ash’urn will continue his explorations.”
“It’s not going to be an easy task to get to Kellmore from here,” Daria observed. “Even assuming we were to do that, just what are your plans?”
“I’m going to the Ruins,” Rigo told them solemnly. “I have long felt a pull that way, which I have ignored in hopes of learning more about myself and my ability before going there. I’m told it is a wild and dangerous area. But given those who will be seeking me, I can’t put it off any longer.”
“You expect to go alone?” Daria asked.
“It would probably best. I don’t know what to expect there, but I can’t see taking anyone else into such a situation.”
“I’m coming along,” Kaler said softly in a voice that indicated he would tolerate no objection.
“I am coming also,” Daria said almost before Kaler had finished speaking.
“You have other plans,” Rigo objected.
“They can wait,” Daria said without hesitation.
“This is crazy,” Rigo said. “We have the soldiers of Lopal after us, and might still be being tracked by Burke and his friends. Add to that the dangers that are unknown about the Ruins and …”
“All the more reason you need us,” Daria said pointedly.
Kaler nodded his agreement.
“Er, I’ve always wanted to explore the Ruins,” Ash’urn said quietly from his seat off to the side. “Besides, from what I have seen, the lot of you will get completely lost without someone with a little knowledge of the area to guide you.”
Rigo looked at his three companions. He had to admit he felt more than a little blessed and reassured by their willingness to follow him. They had more courage and loyalty than he had any right to expect. “It might all be for nothing,” he warned them. “I don’t know why I feel the need to go there. It certainly is going to be difficult and dangerous.”
“Maybe we should rest and start in the morning,” Kaler suggested, not put off by the warnings. “It’s only a couple of hours from dark, and we shouldn’t tackle the mountains at night.”
Chapter 38
Rigo found Ash’urn sitting on a large flat rock some distance outside the ring of light thrown by their campfire. The older adventurer was looking up at the sky with one of his journals open ignored on his lap. Rigo could see that he had been sketching something, but was now lost in thought as his eyes searched the heavens. Rigo’s footsteps were soft, but the rocks crunched ever so slightly under his boots as he walked toward the man, and he slowly turned his eyes away from the skies.
“What’s up Rigo?” he asked.
“Just wanted to check and see that you were okay,” Rigo replied. “You have been unusually quiet since we made camp. Do you see anything of interest up there? You’ve been staring rather intently at the stars for some time.”
“Just thinking. I’ve also been looking at the moons. I find their presence to be comforting sometimes.”
“Moons?”
Ash’urn looked at him and smiled. “The study of astronomy isn’t widely followed anymore, but yes, moons. There are actually four. Every one knows about Minra. She’s the big one, and gives us light depending on how full she appears. But she has three much smaller sisters. If you don’t know what to look for they appear simply as stars when they are present, but if you watch, you can see them move across the sky. The stars don’t do that.”
“And what answers do they provide you?”
“They’ve never revealed any of their secrets to me,” Ash’urn admitted. “They are much like me I think, aimless wanderers searching for something.”
“You are bothered by what happened today, aren’t you?”
Ash’urn nodded. “All my life I have searched for those with the power of the gods. The one time I witnessed it in my youth the man seemed so unselfish and focused on helping out my village. I always assumed if I found them, they would all be like that. You don’t think we misinterpreted Burke’s motives somehow?” He looked at Rigo hopefully.
“No. Unfortunately not. He made it very clear to me what he planned and what was important to him. His interests were only on bringing me back to the others like him. He wasn’t at all concerned what happened to the rest of you.”
Ash’urn sighed heavily. “That is a hard thing to learn after so many years.”
“What do you mean?”
“All these years I have sought them. Now it seems that if I were to locate their village I would not be welcomed as I thought, but might well be harmed to protect their secret. The purpose behind my life’s adventures has been pulled from beneath me.”
“So what will you do now?”
“For now I will follow you if you’ll permit me to. You have the gift and have something that draws you. Maybe I can learn something from your quest. Afterwards, well, I’ll decide what comes afterwards later.”
“Are you drawing something?” Rigo asked, changing the subject and pointing at the journal.
“A crude map. Something to show you and the others so you understand better what lies ahead of us as we make our cho
ice. I planned to show it to you in the morning.”
“You’ve been here before then?” Rigo asked hopefully.
Ash’urn shook his head. “Not here exactly. I’ve been in the general area and have studied maps and texts some years before. I always took the easy way through the mountains.”
“I’ll wait until morning so you can explain it to us all at the same time. It’s a little dark to make out your sketches anyway.”
Rigo stood and wished the other a good night, then wandered back toward the fire where Daria and Kaler had already settled down to sleep.
“Here’s where we are,” Ash’urn explained, his finger pointing to the open journal and the map he’d finished after sun up. “To the west and a bit north is Ny’em, where we were headed with Burke. Ny’em sits on the edge of the river which runs north and south separating Kellmore and Lopal. To the south are the mountains we passed through with the narrows where we had the encounter with the soldiers and where we were almost killed. That is the only formal trail through that area, and trying to cross the mountains to the south any other way would be a nearly impossible task.”
“To the east is another range of mountains. Lopal is mostly mountainous, but these two ranges are both larger than normal. The north south range runs a considerable distance, but on the far east side is a large wide valley, one of the major growing areas for Lopal. There are said to be paths that cross the mountains, but they are not well marked. For the most part, the people here tend to loop around the mountains on the north side, and to a far lesser degree to the south. Unfortunately if we are to head north, we either have to risk the trail that we passed by yesterday, or carefully make our way along the foothills hoping to avoid being seen.”
“What do you suggest?” Daria asked.
“We have little choice. We need to head east if we are to get to the Ruins, then scout along the foothills for a promising lead into the mountains. I would head north along the base of the range because we know the mountains eventually thin out that way, whereas to the south they are only getting higher and more rugged for many days of travel and will eventually bump up against the east west range.”