by Thomas Rath
She became desperate as the strands of wind holding her up and keeping her alive suddenly began to unravel more quickly. She tried to call out to them but she didn’t know how to make them stronger. One by one they simply let go and faded away. One by one the strands of her life were snuffed out by the evil form bent on her destruction. One by one the pain she was suddenly feeling increased as parts of her seemed to fade with the currents the wicked figure destroyed. She struggled in desperation but it was no use. The wind would not come to her rescue and there were very few strands left keeping her connected to life.
The pain was almost more than she could handle and she suddenly found herself yearning that the last wisps of current would be torn away so she would no longer have to suffer so. She whimpered and then let out a terrible scream.
“Tam!”
Her eyes snapped opened and she found Dor, Thane and Jne standing over her with bright smiles on their faces. The storm still raged but she didn’t seem to notice as she let out a terrible cry before falling into Dor’s arms.
Dor looked up at Thane, a concerned look on his face. “What is wrong with her?”
Thane knelt down by his friends while Jne merely watched, her expression unreadable. “Tam,” he said gently, placing a supportive hand on her back. “What ails you? You are safe.”
She looked up at him, her sobs coming in waves almost to match the storm. “It was killing me,” she said, gasping between sobs.
“What was killing you?” Dor asked in confusion.
She rested her head on his shoulder, the sobs still coming uncontrollably. “It was awful. I was riding the winds on my way to look for Thane and Jne.”
Thane suddenly grasped her arm. “You rode the winds?” he asked excitedly. “You actually left your body and rode the wind currents?”
She only nodded. “But there was this face.”
Thane’s expression instantly turned dark. “A face?”
“Yes,” she said, finally gaining some control over her tears. “It was evil and it laughed at me as it unraveled the wind and tried to kill me.”
“Zadok!” Thane cursed. “But how did he find you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. How is it that he can ride the winds like you and me? Is he a Chufa?”
Thane shook his head. “Once, maybe, and even then I’m not so certain. He uses sorcery to force his will on nature.”
“I was almost lost,” she cried. “How is it that I am not dead?”
Dor’s face suddenly looked ashen. “I called your name and you just opened your eyes. Thane and Jne found us. I thought that you had fallen asleep, so I was waking you to tell you that you didn’t have to try to connect to the winds anymore.” He gave Thane a questioning look.
Thane shook his head. “I don’t understand how it works exactly. All I know is that when we leave our bodies they remain in some type of trance-like state and to disturb that immediately returns us to our bodies.”
Dor swallowed hard, the knowledge that Tam had almost been killed striking him like nothing else had before. He suddenly felt weak.
“There was something else,” Tam said, finally gaining some control over her emotions. “I saw Calandra. It is taken.”
Thane just nodded. All of them knew that the city would fall. And though he was concerned for Tam, the danger to her had past and was quickly being devoured by his excitement at what she’d accomplished. With the revelation that came with Kat’s and Bren’s ability to use multiple Tane he had hoped that not only could he teach others to go beyond their own Tane, a complete failure when Dor tried, but also to use the powers their existing Tane offered. Now he had proof that others could wield the same powers as he. His people had fallen into mediocrity because they lost the ability, or will, to use what the Tane offered. If he could just get them to listen to him when they reached the Ardath, the Chufa could rise as a great people once again. Not to rule or press authority over others, but to become the beautiful race he knew they must have been during Gelfin’s time.
Gripping Tam’s shoulder, he motioned toward the rocs sitting close to each other huddled in against the storm. “Are you able to ride again?”
She nodded her head.
“Good. We need to keep moving. Time is no longer the luxury it once was. If Calandra is taken, as you say, then we probably only have a few days before Zadok’s evil satiates itself on the lives of their victims and they begin to move on after the others. We need to get the arrow and return before then so we can fight against the dragons.”
Tam and Dor only nodded in agreement, Dor helping her to her feet. Thane turned to Jne who was suddenly smiling at him. It captured him how beautiful that smile was when she shared it with him. Not wanting it to end, though confused why she had chosen to gift him with it, he smiled back but then raised an eyebrow in question. Jne moved past him toward their mount and merely said, “Your honor makes you extremely attractive.”
Thane turned and watched her pass, his face flushed by her words. Though he didn’t quite understand what she meant, her brazen declaration made it suddenly difficult for him to concentrate on anything but her.
“Let us be gone,” she announced from atop the roc, “and test the honor and heart of the Chufa people.”
Thane had the rocs fly to the north of the Chufa village where they were able to find a clearing large enough for the two giant birds to land without notice from the local population. It was probably an hour’s hike to reach the outskirts of the place the Chufa called home, but it was better to remain unseen for as long as possible. To have landed right in the town would have caused a great stir and possibly the loss of life as those on guard duty might think themselves under attack and unleash a volley of arrows into them. As it was, Thane was not very certain as to the welcome they would receive. The last time he’d been in the Chufa village he’d been beaten and left for dead.
Holding a finger to his lips for quiet, he led the group through the trees toward his former home. A shower of emotion rained down on him with every step they took closer to the home that never really was his. The painful memories of hate and mistrust washed over him like an avalanche that chilled him from the inside out. His mother was the only one he really had any desire to see again. She had always shown him the love that he so craved from others, like his father, who offered nothing but abhorrence. He wanted his mother to know that he was well. He knew he could not stay, and probably would never be able to return again, but at least he wanted her to know that he lived and that he loved and cherished her. He felt a small tear run down his cheek and was grateful for the waning sun and his leading position so that no one would see it. He wasn’t ashamed of his emotion he just did not want to share it with anyone else at that moment.
He could almost sense the energy and excitement Dor and Tam felt at returning home. For them, the Ardath had fond memories of loving families and a safe haven. Both had experience such horrible things since leaving that he felt that this time he might be successful in convincing them to stay. It had been easy to deny him while they were in the wilds of the HuMan world, but now that they were back in the forest, taking in its scents, hearing its sounds and feeling the trees around them, he was fairly certain he and Jne might be the only ones leaving.
Holding up his hand for them to stop, he scanned the forest ahead. There was a small thicket on the right, a perfect place for a trap. Though he had no reason to believe that anyone knew of their presence, they were close enough to the village now to meet up with those picked to stand guard. Closing his eyes, he sent his senses outward becoming one with the forest and everything it held. He could hear his companion’s hearts beating, feel the heavy emotions exchanged between Dor and Tam and was somewhat surprised by the little emotion he felt because of it. Their love had been difficult to deal with in the beginning as he tried to stifle his own emotional bond to Tam but now he felt truly happy for the only friends he’d ever known as a child.
Pausing with Jne, he inhaled the almost i
ntoxicating scent of her hair. He wanted to linger close to her, to delve deeper into the feelings he knew would be easy for him to decipher but he felt it would be too invasive and wrong to do so; a violation of the one for whom his feelings had continually grown stronger. Turning from his companions he inspected the thicket but then quickly turned away from it, concentrating instead on the sudden rhythm of two extra heartbeats. They approached from the east and would soon be upon them. He knew if he stretched himself farther he would be able to gather more information about who drew near but to do so risked their being discovered. They had to act.
Motioning to the others, he led them to the very thicket that, moments before, posed a threat. Now it was they who would be in position for a trap. Watching from their concealed location they waited until Dor wondered if Thane had misinterpreted his misgivings. He was about to voice such an opinion when his eyes suddenly caught movement. Three figures appeared out of the trees in the faded light of dusk. Dor’s eyes narrowed, recognizing immediately the arrogant swagger of the one in the lead. Glancing at Thane he could tell that his friend also recognized the person who had been responsible for his near death on the mountainside. It was PocMar.
A wicked grin suddenly spread across Thane’s face and Dor half expected him to rush from their hiding place with both swords drawn and finish off the coward where he stood. He would be justified in doing so and even were he brought before the Kinpa and examined, they could not have condemned him. PocMar’s actions had been cowardly and he deserved nothing less than death at the hand of the person he’d offended.
Thane looked at him and then motioned his head back. Dor followed his gaze and rested his eyes on a ripening patch of Shue berries. A boyish grin suddenly formed on his lips while an impish sparkle flashed in his dark eyes. Without a word, both gathered up a handful of the deep red berries while PocMar and his two companions drew closer. Their mannerisms, along with their noisy passage, revealed that they were not on alert or suspicious of anything out of the ordinary. With all of the trolls gone from the mountains, it was evident that the lack of raids had made the guards slack in their vigilance.
Jne’s expression made it obvious she could not decipher what the two meant to do while Tam’s face was that of a mother about to discipline her two unruly boys. “And what exactly do you two plan to do with those?” she asked in a demanding whisper.
Thane glared at her, bringing his finger up and motioning for her to stay quiet. PocMar and his companions were still approaching unaware of their plight. Tam’s fists were firmly planted at her waste in defiance while Jne’s face revealed her complete perplexity at the situation. Thane showed Dor his fingers as they counted down from five. Dor stifled a laugh as he nodded, preparing for the assault. Thane’s fingers showed three, two, one. Both stood unleashing a barrage of berries raining dark red terror upon their victims. PocMar was their main target and he took the brunt of the hits before realizing what was happening.
“We’re under attack,” he suddenly yelled and raced through the trees scurrying back toward the village leaving his companions behind who readied their bows but who had not moved from where they stood. One of them, who’d taken a stray berry to the chest, wiped the area with his finger bringing the mashed berry flesh to his lips. He smiled slightly but then aimed his arrow at the thicket. “Who’s there? Come out!”
Jne reached for her sword, but Tam placed a hand on her arm and shook her head. Thane and Dor were both in tears trying to hold back the laughter that wanted to roll off their lips like thunder. A few snickers escaped, instantly revealing their position. It was then that Tam took matters into her own hands.
“You and Thane stay here,” she whispered to Jne who merely nodded. “Don’t shoot!” she called out to the guards and then unceremoniously grabbed Dor by the ear and pulled him along behind her as she withdrew from their hiding place. “We are Chufa.”
Dor smarted from her hold on his earlobe but at the same time could not hold back the laughter now that they were caught and were not trying to stay hidden. Thane, still hidden in the brush, placed a hand over his mouth trying desperately to not give himself and Jne up. He knew that to do so would cause no small stir, especially since Jne would be seen as HuMan. She glared at him now as if understanding the jeopardy in which he and Dor had placed them and without warning reached up and flicked his ear hard with her finger. All laughter quickly faded as he gave her a questioning look while trying to rub away the sting.
“Name yourselves,” the guard commanded, lowering his bow but keeping it nocked. The other guard did the same while taking up a better defensive stance close to the trunk of the nearest tree.
“TamVen,” Tam returned, “and DorMar,” she finished, giving Dor a rough tug on his ear before letting it go.
“What mischief is this?!” the man by the tree interjected, his gruff voice breaking with emotion. “TamVen and DorMar are no more.”
Tam’s breath caught in her chest while Dor stood in stunned silence. They had been so occupied with watching PocMar that none of them took real notice of the other two guards. Tam stepped closer, the changing dim light of dusk making it difficult to see as neither their day nor night vision was at full capacity. “Paeh?” she called, tears suddenly streaming down her dirty face.
The man at the tree rushed forward. “Daughter?”
Chapter Twelve
Helgar pressed them to almost complete exhaustion not allowing more than an hour’s rest a day for food and to regain what little strength they could. They were all anxious about their kin and the safety of Thornen Dar but even the elite guards were beginning to tire. The one who’d brought the message was left behind and told to follow as he could for they would not wait for him to recover knowing that to do so would only slow the rest. It was a near constant march since word came of the attack and the king’s demise and though they all wished for home they would not be able to continue like this much longer. Luckily, the mountains that marked their abode continued to rise in the distance tapping some unknown reserves that strengthened them and pushed them onward.
Now, even more than before, Rangor was determined to protect his prince. With the king dead and Helgar the only living heir, it was all the more imperative he be protected and kept from harm. Until he was crowned king in the Great Hall, Thornen Dar was without a ruler. The sooner Helgar was coronated the better for the dwarf kingdom.
Bedler’s Keep rose up like a beacon in the distance calling them forward, encouraging them to press on, telling them that Thornen Dar was only a day and a half farther. The dark castle was a mere half a day away to where they could just about smell the hard rock of their mountain home. Bardolf considered the keep for a moment realizing that their lives and those of all the good races would be determined there. It was dark and foreboding where it rose from the valley floor, a fortress almost impenetrable by an army alone. But Zadok had no simple army. How would it hold against an army back by sorcery and dragons?
“We be restin’ fer one hour,” Helgar grumbled, “then we be marchin’ until we be reachin’ our gates. Git what sleep be at yer eyes now fer ye won’t be gettin’ none ‘til then.”
There were no protests as the guard simply dropped where they were, not willing to waste precious sleep time on arguing. They were too hardened and loyal to complain anyway. They would have marched straight on the whole way had their lord asked it of them. All were willing to die for their liege, whether that be in battle or marching toward it there was no difference to them. Helgar barely had the words out of his mouth before loud snores could be heard coming from every quarter.
Bardolf approached his friend who had slipped beyond anyone’s grasp since he’d heard of the loss of his father. “Ye be needin’ sleep more then the rest o’ us,” he stated simply. “I’ll be keepin’ watch this hour.” It was a statement; there was no inflection in his voice to suggest otherwise.
Helgar growled. “Do ye be supposin’ to command yer lord?” he spat.
Bar
dolf ignored the rough edge of his friend’s voice. “If need be,” he answered flatly. “I’ll not be arguin’ ‘bout it neither. Ye can throw whatever royal fit ye be cookin’ up in that stone skull o’ yers but I won’t be backin’ away from it. Now stop wastin’ the hour and git yerself to sleep!”
Helgar’s face was a mask of rage. How dare he talk so insolently to him? He was the rightful king and none dare speak to the king in such tones or countermand him. Helgar rested his hand on the dagger at his side as if he might pull it and bury it deep into Bardolf’s chest, but his friend still remained solid where he stood, his expression tired but resolute. “I won’t be coddled,” Helgar hissed.
“Good,” Bardolf replied. “And I won’t be coddlin’ ye neither. But neither will I be bullied by me friend who not be himself at the moment. Ye need to be restin’ so as ye can be leadin’ us proper when we be reachin’ Thornen Dar. If the beast still be within the mountain we’ll be needin’ a king that can keep his feet, and his wits about him.”
Helgar took in his words and seemed to chew on them for a moment as if seeing how they tasted in his mouth. Finally, he spit but didn’t put up anymore resistance. Turning away he planted himself on a soft piece of grass and almost instantly fell asleep.
It was dusk when the ragged group of dwarves finally reached the heavy doors that marked the entrance to their ancestral home. It had been a hard climb over treacherous rocks and precipices to reach the hidden entrance. No one who did not know exactly where they were going could have found the entry to Thornen Dar, yet alone gained access through the solid stone doors that were hidden to view to the untrained eye. The entrance was of thick rock cut right out of the mountain and fitted so exactly as to leave the entryway invisible; a mere mountain face without sign of being anything else. But all took in a deep breath of awe as they gained the top of the outcropping that was the porch, as it were, to their kingdom. The doors had been blown outward with such force as to unhinge one of them, leaving it face down on the ground before them.