I wasn't sure what kind of system allowed the place to be so pleasantly cool, until I saw several small windows higher up.
Three were arranged at ninety-degree angles on one wall, and several smaller ones were peppered across each of the other walls of the hut. I marveled at the ingenuity as the cross-breeze cooled me.
Each of the windows also possessed a screen which, when set at an angle, blocked the harsh sand from entering even while allowing the breeze to cool the heat from the sun. What did they do at nighttime to keep it from getting too cold? I was distracted from my thoughts when I caught the conversation between Nyalla and John.
"Heart Stone, you say?"
I winced. I hadn’t realized the obvious problem with asking around about the location of the Heart Stone—how many people would find out about it. It was a dilemma I didn't see any way out of though, so I was grateful Nyalla kept the question as vague as possible.
"Yes, probably would have come through in the last few months. Anything unusual lately?"
John thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Sorry, nothing out of the ordinary has been traded to my knowledge. Maybe head to Billstown. He might know something."
Nyalla exhaled, covering her disappointment with another bright smile. "Thanks John. Would it be possible to resupply and rest here until dusk? We’ll move along as soon as it cools down."
"Absolutely. How about I rustle up some grub and you tell me what you need for your pack. You have camels?" Nyalla nodded and John matter-of-factly added, "we best put them inside the stables for now. It's hot, even for a camel."
"Thanks. I was hoping you'd be able to tell us where the stone is, but this helps just as much. How far to Billstown from here?"
John thought for minute, holding out a hand and moving it in a seesaw motion. "About two or three hours, give or take. Seeing as how you’ve got camels, likely only two. Unless they're old camels."
Nyalla shook her head. "No, they're fairly good. All right. Once we’ve rested, we’ll head to Billstown. Thanks again for taking us in."
John nodded and his face became serious. "You’d best be careful. I've been hearing talk lately about ur’gel. Only last night we heard tell of an attack in Rosetown. Wasn't good. Only a couple handfuls of people made it out. Some of them made it here, some of them best I understood, headed for Billstown. Seems like we're seeing a lot more of them things lately."
I gulped, wondering what kind of ur’gel could take on an entire village. Either enormous numbers, such as the ones who’d attacked us in the Low Forest, or perhaps the bigger ones I'd read about in the books, the ones I'd had nightmares about after our last encounter.
"Thanks for the warning, John. We’ll be careful."
Nyalla rested a hand on John's beefy forearm and he patted it with his other hand.
Will cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I don't suppose as part of your supplies you'd have any extra weapons to sell?"
John narrowed his eyes, looking down at Will and his wirier form with a shrewd expression. "Might. What are you looking for, youngster?"
He shrugged. "We have some short swords, but if you had something a little better for fighting larger opponents, I’d appreciate it. It's just us, but we only have three short swords to go around."
John wrinkled his nose, giving Gwen and I a skeptical once over before looking at Sel and raising an eyebrow. "I'll see what I can find. Might be hard for anybody here to have the strength to use a bigger weapon effectively."
Sel narrowed his eyes and I knew he felt as if his honor was being called into question, but he wisely held his tongue.
"I would be grateful. Perhaps you could bring a variety?" I gave him as winning a smile as I could muster. "We may not be strong, but surely if we test a few out we might find something we can handle."
John's forehead creased. "I'll see what I can do. For now, though, you guys have a seat. I put away what was left of supper last night. Lucky for you, I made enough for seconds and thirds, so there should be enough for everybody to have a portion. While you eat, I’ll ask around town and see what I can rustle up for supplies."
John proved as good as his word. Within minutes, full bowls of a decent smelling stew were placed in front of us with thick hunks of a coarse bread. While the bread wasn’t up to the quality Will’s mother or Marthe had shared with us in Sunglen and Midland, it was filling and tasty.
We ate quickly over light conversation, mostly filled with Nyalla and John reminiscing about mutual acquaintances. Once we’d finished eating, Nyalla shooed John out.
Gwen and I helped her tidy while the guys arranged the sleeping quarters he’d shown us prior to leaving.
When he returned, his small hut was tidy, and our sleeping mats were ready. Based on Nyalla's happy expression, his procurements were exactly what she'd hoped for and she quickly repacked our bags with food and water. He saved the weapons for last and we followed him outside to find an arrangement of about ten different swords and knives leaning against the wall.
Will immediately went for the largest one. I kept my mouth shut but was impressed with how easily he wielded it. Apparently, John was as well, because his attitude toward him improved dramatically. Sel stuck with a thinner version almost the same length, while Gwen and I picked long daggers the size of my forearm. We wouldn't be able to keep a large ur’gel at bay for long, but I knew I’d topple over trying to swing anything larger.
Once restored and replenished, we fell into a deep sleep.
Although I’d wanted to stand guard the way we’d done most days, the others had argued because we were in a safe house there was no need. Reluctantly I caved, hoping the key around my neck which pulsed gently from time to time would warn me if any danger approached. Still uncertain about the path ahead, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
We left as the sun set. Our camels were fresh and easily made it to Billstown within the two hours John had estimated.
Bill proved to be every bit as friendly as John but knew just as little about the stone and directed us toward Gagetown, promising if we found Gage, he may know more.
We jumped back on the camels and headed down the dusty path which interlocked the villages of the Oubliee. Each town had a slightly different terrain and niche as Nyalla had pointed out earlier and when I considered the desolate region, I found it was an ingenious system for maximizing everyone's independence and interdependence.
When we arrived in Gagetown, we stayed an even shorter length of time. It was the first time I’d seen her look uncertain, even afraid. She had us stay on the camels as she rushed to another small hut and knocked on the door.
She spoke with the man who answered too low for me to hear, then shook her head. Giving him a quick hug and a kiss on both cheeks, she ran back and jumped on the camel, kicking it to get it moving.
At the questioning looks on our faces, she shook her head. "We can talk later. We need to move. Ur’gel are on the way. If we stay, we’ll regret it."
We didn't argue, but it was clear something had changed since we’d begun wandering the desert. It now felt imperative that if we were going to stop, the town needed to be a fortified location. We didn't question her decisions, instead heading to the next stop she had on her list—Jamestown.
There, the same pattern replayed itself. We'd hardly entered the town when Nyalla got a look on her face. She led us to a house where she chatted briefly with someone, this time a woman, and without stopping, once again led us out of town.
I waited until we were alone and away from the small community to question her. "What's going on? Did you even ask her about the stone?"
Nyalla looked at me, her mouth set in a grim line. "I did. But more ur’gel are on the way, and we need to get out of here. Each time we stop I'm asking the person who would know the most about movement in and out of their territory. If they don't know, they pass me on to the next person."
"So, where's the next stop?"
To my surprise, it was Sel who spoke up. H
e sat on the camel with Will, both alert and looking around for danger.
I couldn’t see any benefit to her lying over this and believed her when she told us ur’gel were on the way. After leaving Gagetown, she'd also shared news of other ur’gel attacks in neighboring villages, which was partly why we were headed back toward the mountain range of the Dragon Dominion.
"We're heading to a scavenger's stronghold. Gemma was speaking with one of the local black-market merchants earlier this week and believes they may know something."
I winced. "Is it safe to be going back to the same place we escaped?"
Nyalla bit the inside of her cheek. "Safety is an illusion. With ur’gel swarming the Northwestern Lands, I'm not sure anywhere is safe. Besides, this town isn't the same place we left. That is Jaydraberg."
I nodded. "Of course. Tell me, is there any place in the desert not named after a person?"
Even under the circumstances, Nyalla smiled at my irritation. "It's a straightforward way to keep track of who lives where. Every clustering of houses or towns is named for the head of a clan group in charge. Everyone knows who is in power, and it helps when it comes to arranging marriages."
Gwen's eyebrows raised. "How exactly does that work?"
Nyalla tilted her head, pointing in the direction of the town we’d just left. “If people know where you came from, they also know who your family is. With tribes like this, if you were to marry locally, the children become sick and weak after only a generation or two. By marrying people from neighboring villages or better, villages which are farther away, it keeps the blood lines strong. Foreigners are usually viewed with suspicion at first, but if they prove to be attractive and useful, they are valuable commodities."
I saw the look passing between the guys. For the first time it crossed my mind there may have been another reason for a kidnapping us above just stealing our valuables. "Do you mean to say part of the reason we were kidnapped is because we may…"
"Have made good slaves?" Will interjected.
My eyes widened and I shook my head. "I was going to say breeding partners, but I would pretty much have to be a slave to go for that." I wrinkled my nose at the distasteful idea.
Nyalla shot me a commiserating look. "Slave or bride. Either way, it was a possibility. May still be, in fact." She included us all with a wry smile, adding, "Although running away may not have been in their intentions for you, it could actually raise your value in their eyes."
Gwen choked, then quickly coughed to hide her reaction. She regained control finally, managing to ask, "You mean breaking out of prison was a good thing?"
"With these people, sometimes. It shows spirit, grit, and determination, if not necessarily wisdom. Those traits are prized here, where the land can quickly wear down the weak of heart and spine, and the strong have more children. Besides, as much as I hate to admit it, your wolves would be enough to attract a high price, even if they didn't like you."
I felt her shocked recoil behind me on the camel and had to stifle a laugh. I think it was the first time anyone had ever considered her and the wolves a valuable package.
"Why do they like the wolves so much?" Sel asked.
I waited for Nyalla to respond, envying her easy grace on the camel. Every step mine took made me lurch from side to side, but she appeared to be sitting on nothing more inconvenient than a swinging chair.
"The wolves are valuable because they not only provide for themselves, but with the right master or mistress, they have the potential to feed many mouths in a village. Wolves are worth double what a human is. Even the stray dogs you’ve seen wandering the streets are valuable friends. And they have no special qualities other than being able to provide for themselves."
"Huh."
Everyone fell silent as we carried on to the next town. But just before arriving, Nyalla looked startled and turned, her eyes wide. "Change of plans. We need to go to Jaydraberg. Right now."
I wanted to argue, but the fear in her eyes outweighed any objection I could make. What made it worse was the fact we could see the next village only a few minutes off in the distance and I was certain Jaydraberg would add at least an hour to our journey, if not longer.
As we changed directions, the night wind brought the reason for our abrupt change of direction into perspective.
The clash of metal rang in the night, shattering the silence as screams rang out.
I knew the others had heard the same thing as we nudged our camels to follow Nyalla at a faster clip.
None of us were eager to return to Jaydraberg, but we'd also never been this close to becoming part of one of the ur’gel attacks which made the decision easier.
It was still dark when we arrived at the high walled town. In comparison to the others we’d been through over the last few nights, it was easy now to see why this would be considered the capital or most important city. Few of the other towns had been walled, and none had approached the size of this one. While it hadn't seemed like much the first time we’d been there, I could now see it for the central trading hub it was.
We entered with as much stealth as we could, through the same hidden doorway into Nyalla's house from which we'd exited, leaving the camels outside. Once we were secure within the house, Nyalla led them around to the main entrance. We waited, silent and still in shock at the night’s adventure. While we may have gotten used to the desert wind and sand, hearing an ur’gel attack from up close but not attempting to help sat uncomfortably in my heart and mind.
"I can't believe we just left them." Gwen spoke softly into the quiet room, voicing my thoughts aloud.
I moved closer to where she sat on the floor, laying my head on her shoulder. “I know. It didn't feel right to me either, but what were we going to do to protect an entire town if they couldn't do better themselves?"
Will nodded, his face barely visible in the dim light. "Exactly. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the Oubliee are far tougher, not to mention more skilled at fighting than any of us." He paused and even in the dark I saw a smirk across his face. "Well, except for myself course."
I rolled my eyes but felt a little better. He was right, after all. Not to mention the fact even had we been properly outfitted for battle and knew how to fight, we needed to retrieve the stone before chance losing our lives against ur’gel we had sought out.
Maybe I was trying to soothe my conscience, but it seemed to me at that moment, the key pulsed with faint warmth. Calm filled me.
Nyalla returned a moment later, unwrapping her scarf with a pleased expression on her face.
"What happened to the camels?" Sel asked, trying to peer through the narrow window next to the door, as if looking for them outside.
"I sold them to a friend. I gave him a good deal in exchange for some information. It turns out he may know someone who knows where the stone went. We need to leave now though, before daylight. It'll be a lot easier to remain unseen in the dark."
We nodded, leaving everything behind except for my satchel and the weapons we’d managed to retrieve and purchase. Although we were hoping it didn't come down to it, none of us felt safe wandering through town unprotected.
After making sure our protective disguises of scarves and long cotton robes were intact, I followed Nyalla, my hand absently resting over the key on my chest. It was warm, but not in the way I was beginning to associate with imminent danger. I tried to shove my concerns down. Just before we turned the next corner, the key suddenly became so hot I pulled my hand off with a small gasp and looked down. But it was too late.
A soldier stood there, almost an entire head and shoulders larger than Will, brandishing a weapon which made his look like a bread knife in comparison.
“Sisters take me," Nyalla muttered, confirming what the key had warned me. Apparently, he wasn’t a friend of hers. She looked at us grimly. "I'm sorry, but this appears to the end of the line for us."
If I'd harbored any hope of overpowering the gargantuan guard, when he was joined by three others I ex
haled slowly. It appeared we’d be making another trip to the castle. The only question was; would it be directly to the prison, or would we have a chance to speak with Jaydra and perhaps this time, achieve a better outcome?
Initially it seemed we were destined for lock up, but when the guards surrounding us led us back to the same receiving area to which we’d spoken with the Sovran, I realized they hadn't removed our weapons. Strange, maybe they didn't know we had any? Or perhaps they wanted us to use them to give them an excuse to could kill us. Whatever the reason, I wasn't about to draw attention to them myself.
I knelt where the guard had thrown me and looked around the room. The only difference from our last visit was the room was empty. Other than the guards, we were the only one's present.
One of the guards left while the others took up positions at the front of the room and beside the doorway. The room was lit with torches which gave off a soothing orange glow. It would have been a peaceful scene, if the rapid beat of my heart hadn’t echoed in my ears.
The ominous sound of a door creaking caused us all to turn our heads. To my surprise, the guard returned, holding the door as Jaydra glided into the room.
She was every bit as fiercely elegant as I recalled, only this time her hair was down and trailed almost to the floor. I hadn't realized her scarf hid so much hair and although it made her look strangely more approachable, it also made her look more goddess-like and untouchable.
Jaydra gave us a wide berth as she walked around us to sit in her chair, moving her long dress to the side. It was a beautiful dark blue, highlighting her eyes and tanned skin as much as her previous white raider outfit had. Her face wore a mixture of irritation and intrigue.
"My guards have informed me not only did you escape from the prison somehow, but you also managed to get past the walls of the town. The fact you are standing before me means you have also survived the desert, and for some odd reason, had the nerve to come back." She shook her head, clearly marveling at our boldness.
Heart Stone Page 16