Lost and Found

by Mary Hamilton

  ◆◆◆

  The sound came before the light. “Easy now, young one.” The voice was unfamiliar. “That’s one nasty gash you have there. Another inch or two and you’d be comfortably in the afterlife.”

  Tovi tried to open his eyes but the light felt as if it were sizzling his brain. “Ugh.” He tried to raise himself up on an elbow but failed miserably, plopping back down onto his back. “Where? What? Who are you?” He wasn’t sure what he really wanted to ask.

  “Just lie quietly for a few moments while I get you patched up enough to travel. I should like to have us all safely back at my hut before dark.” The voice came out soft and comforting.

  “Klik?” It occurred to Tovi that he’d rushed into the fight without even thinking about his pet, who had been perched on his shoulder at the time. His inquiry was rewarded with chattering and he felt a brushing of fur on his face. “Klik. Good.” More chattering.

  The unfamiliar voice returned. “Okay, little one, roll over onto your side and try to open your eyes.”

  Tovi complied and met with success. His vision, although still a little blurry, had no whirling stars, which was an improvement. He pushed himself up to a sitting position.

  “Here, drink.”

  Tovi saw a pair of wizened old hands approach his face and felt water as it passed his lips. He swallowed and closed his eyes to savor the quenching liquid. “Thanks.” He took another drink. “That’s good.” He turned to see an odd being sitting across from him. He looked a little like the assailants they had just fought, but different. His head was topped with snow-white hair and his face deeply wrinkled. Bushy white eyebrows nestled over warm brown eyes. “Who are you?”

  He broke into a wide smile. “Why, I am Myhrren and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Tovi Gloam of Pangrove.”

  Chapter 72: Jarek

  “You seem like you’re in a better mood today.” Burns engaged herself with tossing pebbles into the small pool of swamp water on the other side of the clearing.

  Jarek shrugged. He did feel a little better. “Yeah. I guess I was just worried about Corny.” Or, maybe it was the experience of giving voice to his concerns. Or perhaps it was the realization that West was probably considering the possibility of a spy as well. Whatever it was, he didn’t feel quite so alone, so isolated.

  “Maybe we can get back to work then.”

  The weight in his pocket once again intruded on Jarek’s thoughts. He reached in and touched it. Giving only a moment’s thought, he drew out the crystal and placed it on the ground between the two of them. “Corny brought this back.”

  Burns stared. “When were you going to tell me?”

  Jarek struggled for an answer that didn’t sound hollow. “It doesn’t do anything. This coating won’t allow light through. Didn’t see any point in talking about it.”

  She shook her head. “You can really be stupid when you want to be. You know that, don’t you? All you had to do was ask.”

  “Ask what?”

  “Really? That crap on the surface? That’s what bothered you? That’s easy. Metalsmiths have an abrasive compound used to polish surfaces. It would take a little rubbing, but that stuff should come off pretty well.”

  Jarek sighed and threw up his defenses. “But I don’t have any of that, what did you call it, abrasive compound? Corny’s not out there gathering for us right now and I don’t know where to get any.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, right. Well, as it happens, I think some of the warriors keep it around for their weapons. I’ll check.” She stood and ambled toward the cavern entrance. Before entering, she stopped and turned to face him. “And next time, cut the crap. If you don’t want to talk to me, just say so.”

  ◆◆◆

  “See there, just like I said.” Burns rubbed the pasty gray compound on the encrusted crystal. Within a few minutes, the deep red of the crystal shone through at the spot she massaged. “We just need to clean the whole thing. It’ll take a little elbow grease, but it works.”

  Less than an hour later, Jarek sat staring at the scrubbed crystal, his gaze transfixed by the deep, clear crimson color. He turned it over in his hands a few times and held it up to the sun. “The light’s getting in and you can see here,” he nodded toward the stone, “the red beam comes out the other side.”

  “So?”

  Jarek shrugged. “So, I don’t know. We’ve got a red beam. But it doesn’t seem to do anything except make that swirly spot on the ground.” He moved his free hand in and out of the red beam but felt nothing of substance. “Seems pretty clear to me that we can’t ride it.”

  Burns guffawed. “I guess not.”

  “So, we’re not that much closer than we were.” Jarek gave the crystal one last look before cramming it into his pocket. “We’re missing something.” He reached up and stroked his floppy ear. “Maybe it’s some kind of god or demon that just magically makes the beams so that we can ride them.” He laughed at his own joke.

  But when he glanced at Burns, she wasn’t smiling.

  Chapter 73: Jarek

  “Cogs and gears! I was only kidding.” Jarek had thought his joke funny, until Burns had taken it seriously. “There are physical laws that govern light and matter. Just because we haven’t figured them out doesn’t mean that it’s magic.”

  They had migrated back inside the cavern and sat on the hard floor with their backs to the wall. Burns turned to face him, fire in her eyes. “I didn’t mean magic or a god, like you said, but maybe there is a consciousness or being that transcends what we know. That’s all. I’m just saying, let’s not completely discard the idea because it sounds weird.”

  Jarek sighed. “There’s absolutely no evidence to that effect, none of any sort. We could just as easily say that the light itself is alive and does what it chooses. We have as much proof of that as we do the god thing.”

  Burns leaned her head back against the wall and exhaled. “Okay, okay. I catch your point. But, just so you know, there are accounts, legends, and some would argue, even ancient records of a god. It goes back to tales of the great war. And after that, humankind abandoned the notion. But you still hear it whispered from time to time.”

  “I suspect that most civilizations have their myths. We should continue to go where the evidence takes us. This whole magic thing, even if we thought it had some remote possibility of being true, it doesn’t move things along at all. Unless, of course, you have some idea where this god of yours might be.”

  Jarek felt, more than saw, Burns roll her eyes. Her silence, though, signaled that the debate was over. Despite what either of them thought about it, there was simply nothing they could do other than keep trying alternative techniques with the crystal. Maybe additional colored crystals would add to their knowledge. He took a bite of the roast quail.

  They ate in silence while watching people mill about in the cavern. Jarek reflected that, for all its seeming uncertainty, there was also a definite rhythm to this life. They slept at night and arose in the morning. The skirmish team went out. The acquirer went out on his business, at least when he wasn’t laid up in bed with injuries. The intelligence gatherer worked her network and brought back crucial information. Even those who stayed behind in the cave had chores to do—cooking and cleaning for the entire band, hauling water, sewing and repairing clothing, and the like. And in the evening, they all sat around eating and discussing the day’s events. One day led to the next. One week to the next. Life goes on. He wondered how life was going on in Pangrove. No doubt he had been fired by now. He wondered if the two kids had made it home or if, as West had said, they were captured by the king or worse, dead. All because he had allowed colored beams on the slope.

  Burns stood up. “I’m going to grab some bread before its gone. You want some?”

  “No thank you. I’m fine.” Jarek sipped on the strong, bitter coffee he had grown quite fond of. He watched his friend slip across the room and reflected on how much he’d come to count on her being there. Friends—it felt
good, even if they didn’t always agree.

  A voice from the side interrupted his musings. “You look deep in thought, Master Whit.”

  He turned in that direction. “Oh. Hi, CeCe. Yeah, I guess.”

  She glanced around the room and then eased down beside him. “You okay, I mean, after the thing with Corny?”

  “Yes. I think so. He’s recovering, and I guess things will be getting back to normal here soon.” Although he wasn’t quite sure what normal would be like.

  “Anything new with the portals and beams?” Her words came out soft and tentative.

  Jarek shrugged. “Well, yes and no, I guess.” He felt a resurgence of, what was the feeling, pride? Importance?

  Her response carried a bit of an edge to it. “How so?”

  “We managed to get a crystal and ran some experiments. We were able to create a small portal but we’re still fine-tuning things, you know, trying to create just the right wavelength composition and substance.” He winced as he said the words, realizing just how pompous, and false, they were.

  But her interest was palpable. “Really?”

  He could feel her wanting to ask something else, but she remained silent for a moment. When she spoke again, the words came out as a warning, something portending dire consequences. “Jarek, be careful of your words.” She glanced around the cavern. “Not all ideas should be heard by all persons here.”

  “What?” But he knew the answer. The idea of a spy or traitor in the group had never been far from his mind.

  “Not everyone is as they seem. Dole out your trust with caution, my friend.”

  Burns returned and plopped down, nodding to CeCe. “You should get some of this, Jarek. They just fried it up.” She tore off a piece of the flat, charred bread and handed it to him. “Melts in your mouth.” She ripped off another small bit and popped it into her mouth.

  The aroma enticed him—the combination of browned flour and some kind of herb. He examined and then took a small bite of the warm bread. “Hmmm. Yes. It’s delicious.”

  CeCe stood. “Take care, Jarek.” She nodded to Burns and made her way across the room.

  “What did she want?”

  Jarek stared at CeCe’s receding back. “Nothing. Just stopped to say hi and to see what kind of progress we’re making.”

  Burns took another bite of bread. After a swig of coffee, she changed the subject. “So, what’s next?”

  “Don’t know. I guess we can wait and see if CeCe brings anything back. But even if she does, I’m not sure it’s going to answer our basic question of the beams.” A part of him wondered, albeit briefly, if there might be something to the god explanation.

  Chapter 74: Jarek

  Jarek watched the pair with mild curiosity, although he could hear nothing of what they said. Commander West and Captain Virgil spoke frequently and usually in the commander’s private alcove. But something about this time seemed different. West periodically glanced over toward the main part of the cavern where most of the band gathered. Virgil gazed at the floor, nodding from time to time.

  The Azyrean had a hard time reading the two. Communication between them was to be expected. After all, she commanded this band of rebels. He commanded the specific skirmish parties that ventured forth each day. Presumably, the daily sorties were coordinated and planned with West ahead of time. Still in some cases, she seemed to defer to him. Other times, she made a point of preserving her role as leader.

  But this day seemed like neither case. Both wore worried looks. West subtly gestured toward the open area as she spoke. Finally, the captain glanced up at her and then directly at Jarek. He shrugged and nodded his head once. Whether it was a rough approximation of a bow or a curt assent to her words, Jarek could not tell.

  ◆◆◆

  He followed the captain out of the cavern into the gathering twilight. He wanted to ask why the need for secrecy but figured he’d be told soon enough.

  When they emerged into the small clearing, Virgil gestured toward a tree. “Have a seat.” He stared at the Azyrean for a moment and then began pacing the small area.

  Jarek opted to remain standing. “What is it?”

  “We’re going to take a trip.”

  “A trip?”

  “Tomorrow morning, first light. You, Burns, Mathias and me. We’ll be gone two or three days. I’ll have the cooks make us some field rations. Make sure you bring an extra blanket in your pack. Days will be warm, but the nights will have a chill.”

  Jarek arched a brow. “May I ask where we are going?”

  “Yes, you may.” An awkward silence overtook them before the captain chuckled. “Sorry, bad joke.” He cleared his throat. “There is something I… we would like you to see. It’s an old abandoned monastery, mostly in ruins. But there are markings on some walls that may mean something, at least to you.”

  “What kind of markings?”

  “Better to let you have a look for yourself. I’ve seen them only once and they meant nothing to me.” He shrugged. “And, who knows, maybe they’ll mean nothing to you as well.”

  But what bothered Jarek most wasn’t the thought of the monastery or the markings. “Why just the four of us? Why not an entire party?” After all, the dangers of the world had been drummed into his head by several of the band, not the least of which was Commander West.

  “We need to travel fast and light. And there is a need for… discretion… well, I’ll just say that we don’t want the visit to be general knowledge.

  The explanation did little to allay Jarek’s concern. In fact, the discretion part heightened his sense of alarm. Still, he had not been steered wrong by Virgil or West thus far. But he did decide to pose one other concern. “Not to seem contrary, but Commander West has been most severe with me about leaving the compound. Is she to be aware of this trip?”

  The captain chortled. “Well said, Master Whit, well said.” The laugh softened to a smile. “Yes. She knows every excruciating detail of this endeavor. After all, it was her idea.”

  Chapter 75: Marzi

  Marzi watched with fascination as the confrontation unfolded. She had initially thought to step forward and greet the new arrival, however, Saige’s response changed her mind.

  The elder female strode out, using her staff as a walking stick. As she approached the visitor, she stopped and barred his way. “Lord Consort Rintaur, to what do we owe this honor?”

  Rintaur closed the final distance to her, halted, and bowed. “Saige.” He looked across at the assembled group. “We have members of our Bough in your company this morning. I have come to ensure their safety.”

  Saige brushed back the hair from her forehead and laughed. “Do tell. And what danger is it you think pursues them that would necessitate your protection?”

  The lord consort brushed past her and approached the group. “Ryshara.” He nodded toward the Bough elves. “Are you well?”

  “Yes, Lord Rintaur. We have been treated well. Why are you here?” She cocked her head and stared at him with a questioning look.

  He turned without responding. Moving to Saige’s side, he spoke just barely loud enough for Marzi to hear. “These are delicate matters. I am simply trying to make sure that there are no misunderstandings, which might result in tragedy. I mean you no harm or offense.”

  Saige studied him for a moment and then directed her attention to the forest. “And your archers? They are hidden in the brush and among the trees, just in case?”

  Rintaur glanced toward the forest and then met her gaze. “I came alone and in good faith.”

  Saige chortled. “So, I am guessing that Ariessa did not approve this little trip of yours.”

  “What passes between the Empress and me is no concern of yours.” He stared at her for another moment, his eyes moistening. “And I came also to speak with my daughter.”

  Saige’s mirth faded. Her face took on a more serious look, eyes intense and mouth drawn into a tight line. “Yes. I thought as much. But you must realize, Arien is a g
rown woman now. You cannot just come out and capture her or sweep her up to return to the Bough with you.”

  Rintaur sighed. “I have no intention of capturing her. I simply wish to speak with her.”

  “Oh, you harbor some hope that you can still convince her of the wisdom of the Bough? Get her to abandon the faith that she places in the future? That is your plan?”

  The lord consort met Saige’s eyes with determination. When he spoke, his voice carried a mixture of pain and anger. “You know nothing of the pain of estrangement. Of all the things I need or want to do here, justifying myself to you is not on the list. I repeat, I offer you no threat of harm or offense. But I wish to speak with my daughter.” He turned and looked at the assembled party.

  Saige did not immediately respond. Instead, she walked closer to the forest and then turned. Surveying the scene in front of her, she spoke in a tone that sounded almost like a peace offering. “Yes, well, regretfully, she is not here now. She is on a scouting mission.”

  Rintaur turned and stared at the forest from which he had just emerged. “Funny, I saw no one leave the area this morning.”

  Saige shrugged. “I expect them back shortly.”

  “Tell me, did you send them out on a multi-day mission or did you expect them back last night?”

  “I assure you, Lord Rintaur, I care about my people every bit as much as you care about yours. As I said, I expect the party to return shortly.”

  His eyes narrowed as he inspected the party. “Is this group going in search of them?”

  “No.” She started for the cliff. “Saryn, you may carry on. Lord Rintaur, if you’d care to join me in the caves, I can provide you with food and drink. You can rest while you wait for Arien to return if you like.”