by TJ Muir
“Ouch. Lad, I'm not like to disappear into the fading moonbeams.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I just didn't want to lose track of where you were.”
“Were you planning to follow the trail of blood drops?” she asked.
Jedda could hear the sarcasm in her voice, but it was tinged with motherly concern.
“He's a city boy, mum,” Kirrin explained.
“I gathered as much from the claws digging into my arm,” she said. “It's just over here. You can probably see the horses through the trees now.”
A few moments later they were standing back in the copse of trees where they had left the horses. Jedda let out a sigh as though he had just landed on safe ground after a treacherous ride. A dog barked from behind them. They all exchanged quick looks and lowered their voices.
Cham stepped forward, checking the horses to make sure none had stepped on their lead ropes. He tightened girths and dropped stirrups with the quickness of someone long used to dealing with such beasts.
“Jedda is a rank beginner, so you could take his horse and have him ride behind you,” Cham said, before pausing. “Do you ride...?”
“I can ride, although I am no expert.”
Cham nodded. “In which case, Jedda, you ride behind me. Tattia, take Jedda’s horse. That might be the best arrangement.”
Kirrin was already in the saddle and straightening Bailey's reins by the time Cham turned around. Tattia was already up and ready to go. Cham gathered Trilly’s reins and sprang to the saddle in one fluid move. He reached down a hand to Jedda, pulling him up behind him on the saddle. He nudged Trilly in the ribs, guiding the dun colored gelding as they turned and headed towards the path. Jedda grabbed onto Cham’s waist, holding tight to his jacket, back braced against the bedroll behind him.
A misty grayness swirled around them as it grew lighter. By the time the Nibbin had started his first pass, they were well beyond the little village and turned west again, towards the road. Jedda’s attention was focused on the horse beneath him, as he continued to pray it would behave, even though he trusted Cham’s horsemanship. His unease was compounded by the unfamiliar sounds all around him. All of his senses missed the city where he knew all the sights, sounds, and smells.
Cham pulled his horse to a stop in a small clearing, circling around to face the others. Jespen and Bailey herded up close.
“Is that the north road, there?” Cham asked, nodding over his shoulder.
Tattia moved Jespen forward. “I think so. This path should be clear of the village and outlying farms. It should come out on a long stretch of empty road.”
“Now is the time to decide on our best course. We are a little past the White-gate bridge, yes?” Cham glanced back at Tattia. She nodded.
“No, that path runs along the canals," Kirrin said. “Hak'kar will have watchers there. And while they might not be looking for us, they will surely remember us if they are asked.”
“So do we try to blend in, and slip through? Or do we go north, toward North Fork?” Cham asked.
“Speed or stealth,” Kirrin said, clarifying their predicament. “I think we should go towards North Fork.
“Stealth,” Tattia added, agreeing with her son.
Jedda didn't know enough about the land or their situation to make a decision. He was out of his element here, and he knew it. His instinct was to run as fast and as far as he could get. But years of living and spying in the streets for Hak'kar had taught him the value of stealth.
He nodded, agreeing with the group.
Kirrin spoke up, “Hak'kar will know we have left the city. But he may not know which route was taken. Logic will tell him that we could flee through the north. But, he cannot discount the possibility that we might do the unexpected, slipping out through the south, where he has more allies. Soon, he will have all of his watchers on alert, so the further we can get from the city, the better. And the sooner we are on the other side of the Pember, the better. He has reach there, but it will be less, at least.”
Cham cleared his throat. “Along the fringes of Faenyr land, there are camps that travelers often use. Sometimes it is nothing more than a fire site, in other places there are actual cabins, lean-tos. The Faenyr often travel, moving about, hunting, herding, or just... traveling,” he shrugged. “The camps are places any Faenyr can use.”
“And how is that going to keep us safe?” Jedda asked. He knew there tended to be a natural distancing between the Faenyr and the Chanmyr. The Faenyr considered the Chanmyr immature, but with a sense of being primitive or crude.
“The Faenyr lands and paths tend to be…” Cham paused, looking for the right word. “Slippery.”
“What do you mean?” Jedda was still terrified, but part of him was racing with excitement. He wanted to learn more about this other side of his heritage. He might never know who his mother was or where she was from, but if Kirrin and Cham were correct, Jedda's father was likely Faenyr.
“The Faenyr maintain a close relationship to Nature, their gods, and magic. That magical force...it protects them.”
“Is this magical force dangerous?” Kirrin asked.
“No. Not dangerous. It is just… You may, or may not find a trail that you know is there. And it may turn out to be the wrong trail, that spits you out back onto the Chanmyr road. Especially some of the borders can be tricky to navigate. It is like a magical force, or the land itself, reroutes unwanted visitors.”
“You mean Chanmyran visitors,” Kirrin said, speaking plainly.
“Yes. But the essence of violence that they carry will hinder them even more.”
Jedda listened with fascination.
“So Hak'kar's will not be able to follow us into Faenyr land?” Tattia asked.
“Correct. But, we may also have some difficulty there as well--we are being chased, and the land may seal us out to protect itself. Given the mixed blood of myself and Jedda I don’t think this is likely,” Cham added, seeing their horror-struck faces. “But first we need to get clear of this stretch of road. While it is long and empty, that also means we will be remembered by anyone passing on it. And in order to move quickly, we need to secure another horse without bringing attention to ourselves.”
Tattia spoke up. “I have an idea about finding a horse. There is a Beddo p’hatra, designated land, not too far from here. One of us could probably go in and purchase a horse without raising suspicion. Do we have enough silver?”
“I left most of my coin with Turner,” Jedda said.
“I have some,” Kirrin noted. “I have always kept a cache, against emergency. This type of thing.”
“There is also some moneys in one of the saddle bags. Didn't Trey say he had given us coin to help, and provide grain for the horses while we traveled?” Cham added.
They each rummaged through their saddle bags, finding a small purse in each bag, plus one larger one tucked into a separate saddle pouch.
Cham weighed it in his hand before spilling a small pile of silver ducats into his palm. Everyone's eyes widened slightly.
“It seems Trey feeds his horses well,” Tattia said, and even Jedda caught the dry humor. “There’s more than enough here to secure an additional horse.”
After a brief discussion, it was decided that Cham would be the one to approach the Beddo. The Faenyr and the Beddo travelers got along better than either did with the Chanmyr.
Tattia tried to give him some pointers on picking the best mount. “Check the legs, especially the ankles, for any signs of bumps or swelling. And pick up the feet. The Beddo take good care of their horses, but they do not shoe them, so be sure to check for any tenderness. Run your hands over its muscles, light pressure, see if it flinches.”
“I do know horses,” Cham said, trying to be polite. “But good advice.”
They rode a few miles up the road and found another glade off the side where the three could wait, shielded from view. Before the sun had reached noon, Cham came back, riding a red roan horse, with a flaxen mane a
nd tail.
Tattia checked the horse over, giving it a final pat on its neck that sounded like approval.
“Clean up and mount up,” Cham said, straightening.
Jedda stood, wincing at the burning ache in his legs. It had been bad enough when he was on the horse, but he hadn't fully realized how sore his legs were until he was out of the saddle, and sitting for a few hours. He groaned as Cham helped him back up onto Jespen.
And it only got worse. Now that they each had a horse, on a clear road, Cham decided that making time, and putting Tatak Rhe behind them was the best plan. Again. Jedda clung tighter to the saddle as the horses trotted and ran, in turns.
Their progress was delayed by several detours to avoid travelers as well as cargo wagons that traveled between North Fork and Tatak Rhe. Most goods were shipped by the river, but some still came by way of the main road.
Cham, and the horses, saved them from running into other people several times. Jedda was completely exhausted when they finally pulled up. The full dark was broken only by the light from Triappa and Breshan, waxing full. Cham found a small hunting camp a little ways from the road where they could stake the horses and sleep under the partial shelter of a lean-to.
Jedda swung his leg over the saddle in an attempt to dismount. The muscles in his legs burned like fire. He managed to kick free of the stirrup, and slip down towards the ground, but as soon as his feet hit the dirt his knees buckled and he almost slid underneath Jespen as he clung to the saddle, desperate not to fall beneath his hooves. Tattia was closest and wrapped one arm around him and used the other arm against his back to hold him up while she moved him away from the horses. She guided him over to the lean-to, where he collapsed on the step and leaned against the post.
He followed Kirrin and his mother with his gaze, chest swelling with guilt as they tended not only to their own horses, but his as well. It was obvious by the way they moved that they, too, were stiff and sore, and yet they still managed to do what needed doing.
Jespen had taken great care of him. He was sure the horse had shifted its gait several times so he would remain in the saddle. The horse deserved better than to be abandoned by his rider at the end of the trail. Determined to do his bit, Jedda tried to stand, only to be overwhelmed by the searing pain in his legs. He closed his eyes and waited for it to subside.
A shrill, yipping sound from the woods jolted Jedda awake a moment later. "What was that?" Jedda asked as the first yip was answered with another longer closer burst of yammering.
Cham was nearest and turned to look as he hoisted the saddle off of Jespen’s back. “That's just coyotes, off in the distance. They are further away than they sound.”
Jedda felt a little better knowing there wasn't something about to pounce on him.
Another yip. “Except for that one,” Cham added, “sounds pretty close.”
Jedda gulped. He tried to remember the archives with Diya--he was sure he had read about coyotes. How dangerous were they? His senses remained on high alert, picking out strange noises from all around.
After the horses were staked out and watered, the others carried their packs and gear into the lean-to. With that done, Cham collected an armful of small branches and twigs. Kirrin and his mother saw what he was about and disappeared into the dark. Jedda felt his eyes closing again and he drifted off. Through his half-closed eyes, he saw a flare of light coming from the fire pit. It seemed brighter than normal.
Tattia, walking up with an armload of wood, dropped it. “What was that?” she asked Cham.
Cham looked up at her, “What?”
“The fire got going awfully fast.”
“Oh,” he said. “Magic. Handy sometimes.”
“Certainly quicker than matches,” Tattia said, adding, “and probably quicker in the rain, too.”
Cham pulled out a small pot and filled it with water. Once it was heated, he used the herbs he carried in his bags to brew a dark pungent tea, and then carried a cup over to Jedda. “This will help with the pain.”
Jedda sniffed at the steaming brew and caught a hint of something tangy and spicy. He took a cautious sip, tasted honey. “What's in it?”
“Nothing harmful. Some things I learned from the Faenyr, and some local herbs. Willow, for one,” Cham said. “I also have this salve you can rub into the sore muscles. But be very careful not to use it around the groin. And be sure to wash and wipe your hands thoroughly afterward. Otherwise, you will find a new area experiencing discomfort.”
“That,” Jedda said, “is already in discomfort, thank you. But I take your warning.”
Cham held up a wet cloth, nodding at Jedda, before placing it next to the jar of ointment. “Or, if you’re concerned, I could rub it on for you.”
Jedda tried to decide if there was a hidden meaning in Cham’s words but decided he didn’t care if the pain would just go away. “That’d be good, thanks.”
Cham’s hands were skilled, rubbing in the salve. Jedda closed his eyes, and for a brief moment, he imagined Diya’s hands. He sighed.
Hearing Cham’s voice broke the spell. “That should feel better now.”
By the time dinner- a simple oatmeal with fruit and nuts- was ready, Jedda found that his pain was in the tolerable range. He didn't know if it was the rest or the potions Cham had given him, but he could stand on his own and walk far enough away to relieve himself without cringing.
Cham came up to him as he sat down next to him.
“Would you like me to ease the pain further?”
“The tea has helped. Thank you.”
“Hold,” Cham said. Then he raised his hands up for a moment, clapped them together three times, and rubbed them briskly against each other. “Lay down,” Cham instructed, “on your front.”
Jedda was more than happy to cooperate with that request. As soon as he was laying down, Cham placed his hands on Jedda, on the lower back, massaging, working the muscles down into his butt, and legs. And he had no modesty for working in areas that made Jedda blush into his pillow. After, Cham put pressure on certain points, wiggling or vibrating his fingers, it seemed. The spots were very tender but bearable. After a while, Jedda felt the pain start to melt away. He took a deep breath, relaxing.
“That feels really good. That’s amazing, actually,” he admitted. “I feel like I could get up and walk without any pain.”
“Good, then.”
“Is that magic?” Jedda asked.
Cham laughed. “No, not magic.”
“It feels like magic.”
“Healing work. Similar to magic. But different.”
A hot meal had gone a long way to improving everyone's mood. With dishes washed and packed away again, the four of them sat around the fire.
“Do you know this road?” Kirrin asked, looking to Cham. “I have only traveled this way a few times, long ago. I know there are a few bridges across the Pember. And North Fork is three to four days from the city at a normal pace.”
Cham nodded. “I don't know the area well. Your recollection sounds right. I'd like to get us across the river. Ideally, we would find a place we could ford it.”
“Not below North Fork,” Kirrin said.
Cham nodded.
“There is an old bridge a day south of the fork.”
“That may be our best choice then.”
Jedda listened, cringing at the thought of two more days of this. He was missing his soft bed and warm covers.
Cham looked over at him as though reading his thoughts. “It gets easier. I promise. And once we are across the river, off Chanmyr land, there will be time to rest.”
Jedda nodded.
“And be sure to stretch before going to bed, otherwise it will be worse when you wake.”
“Stretch?”
Cham nodded. “I'll show you. It will ease the muscles and keep them from cramping.”
“Do we stay on the main road, which runs the risk of being seen?” Jedda asked, changing the subject back.
“We've bee
n doing okay, so far,” Kirrin said. “Do we trust our luck to hold?”
“What is the alternative?” Jedda asked.
“Finding a ferry to carry us across is not an option. The road that runs directly along the river is also out. We can stay on this road, or we can veer up into the hills and try to come out closer to the bridge.”
No one looked happy at that prospect so they silently agreed to continue on their current road.
For all of his silent grumbling, Jedda was grateful to lie down to sleep. There were raised cots of woven hemp canvas in the lean-to, which was far better than the hard ground. He was exhausted and ached from head to toe. But sleep eluded him as all his senses were on high alert, listening to every unknown sound. Every sound could be a bear about to crash into the camp.
Hooo-hoo-hoooo, had him bolt upright with a yelp that startled the others.
“What's wrong?” Cham asked.
“I heard something.”
“What was it?” Cham asked, worried. Pursuit was a real possibility.
Hooo-hoo-hooooo the sound came again. Jedda watched as Cham tried not to laugh outright.
“That? That is just an owl. You're in far more danger from skunks that from owls.”
“Yes, an owl,” Kirrin said, confirming the information for Jedda. “But bears can sound just like that, as well--Ow!”
Jedda heard the muffled kick in the dark.
“Sorry. That was definitely an owl.” Kirrin said, a sudden meekness to his tone.
“Perhaps it was your owl, watching over us as we travel,” Cham added.
That made Jedda feel a little better. That owl was preferable to a bear or some other wild animal. He thought about the carved owl he had offered to the wishing well... the well of forgetting, he reminded himself. The owl had gone down the well, only to explode in a burst of light and color and fly off into the night. Thinking about it again, he wasn't so sure he felt better.
Jedda heard Cham stirring nearby. Then he heard the soft sounds of music, a lilting melody that weaved through the dark night, soft and gentle. The tune was foreign and exotic. Jedda wondered if it was a Faenyr tune. But he was bespelled by Cham's playing- the man possessed many hidden talents- he tried to follow the music, it felt like it was leading him... somewhere...