by Thomas Rath
Chapter Seventeen
Thane stared at the flames that licked the air, feeding on the oxygen that gave them life. His mind had been racing since Teek’s revelation about the existence of the sacred trees that had been the life blood of the Chufa and would possibly be the salvation of all good races. He tried to keep his excitement in check, knowing that what they were planning to do was a desperate gamble at best, but one they could not afford to let pass. Though Teek acted confident that he could lead them to their destination, they still were dealing with secondhand information that might well have been the confused imaginings of an eccentric old mind. He wished he could speak once more with Gelfin and find out what secrets he knew about the matter.
Jne sat down next to him and offered him food from her plate. Though he was not hungry, he had learned long before that to reject an offering of food from a Tjal was more insulting than spitting in one’s face. Taking a large piece of roasted pork, he took to it immediately; not because he enjoyed it, but to show respect to its giver. He didn’t even like pork. Jne smiled, content with his enthusiasm and the honor he showed her. Her rarely seen smile alone was enough for him to choke down just about anything she offered.
Quickly finishing he turned to her and took a deep breath but she cut him off before he could let any words fall from his lips. “You will ask something of me that I will not like,” she said flatly. It was not even a question but a statement of complete confidence in her assumption.
He sighed and turned back to the fire. “Is it that obvious?”
Jne swallowed a piece of carrot and nodded. “You have become quiet and your sense of resolve and confidence wanes in your visage. It is not a very attractive look for you or any man.”
At first he wasn’t certain how to respond to such a comment but decided it was best to just present his opinion and have it over quickly. “I think you need to go back to your people and seek their help.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Though I would have you with me, whether I and the others succeed or fail we will still need all the swords we can muster. The Tjal are the greatest swordsmen having none to equal their skill. We will need them,” he paused and then corrected himself, “we will need our people if we hope to win this war.”
There was a long pause and he was beginning to think that she had not heard him. As he waited, he realized that he meant what he had said. The Tjal were his people now. No longer did he have the slightest desire to return and live with the Chufa as they were at that time. They were without honor or integrity. It was with the Tjal that he would make his home when all of this was over; with Jne.
“You honor me,” she suddenly whispered, the emotion escaping into her voice as she fought to contain it, “in requesting that I complete such a task. I too have thought of this but was not sure how you would react at my requesting to leave.”
“Why? You said you are no longer Jinghar,” he responded and then immediately regretted his words as he saw how they stung her. He still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that she stayed because she wanted to and not because she was duty bound. He was not used to such loyalty even though Dor and Tam had always given it. And he knew that it was not the same type of loyalty that kept her at his side. Before she could answer he quickly added, “I have dishonored you. Please forgive me or mete the punishment equal to my thoughtless words. I know why you remain with me. I desire your company for the same purpose.”
He waited, expecting the harsh words or physical pain he knew he deserved but suddenly Jne’s arms were around his neck and her lips were pressed against his cheek. “My honor is intact,” she finally said, releasing him. “I will depart immediately.” And without another word she was swallowed up in the night.
Thane suddenly felt both hot and cold. His body missed the parts where she had held him while his cheeks burned, the feeling of her lips still lingering in the spot where she had kissed him. The few others around the small fire kept their eyes straining on their plates of food or into the fire not daring to make a comment or interrupt the silence that had fallen. But had anyone spoken he would not have heard it. His eyes could not focus and his head spun to the point that he knew that to try and rise would be folly as he very likely would land in the fire pit itself. He wanted to chase after her so as to see her one last time in case she was serious about leaving that moment, but he still didn’t feel confident that his legs would hold him should he try to stand.
“Are you well?” a voiced asked him that sounded strangely familiar. He could make out the form of a person to his left, but his mind still refused to focus on anything other than Jne and the too quickly fleeting feeling her lips had left on his cheek. Were he able, he would have halted time and relished in that moment for eternity.
“Thane,” the voice interrupted again and then a hand was on his shoulder chasing away all signs of the moment from his mind and body. “You appear flushed. Are you ill?”
He turned his head, wanting to lash out angrily at whoever was crass enough to steal away such a cherished moment and was met by a pair of concerned dark eyes. It was Bren, one of the many healers that now canvassed the camp applying their healing arts to those in need. Kat was also with him smiling slightly as if she held onto a secret that she wished to spread to any who would listen. He had called for them, but not for healing. His intentions were just the opposite of those that brought relief to the sick or injured. He wanted them for war.
“Come,” he said as he rose to his feet. “Let us speak in more private quarters.”
Silently, the healers fell in behind him as he lead them a short distance to the privacy of his tent. Entering, he quickly called fire to the candle resting on a small box by the door. The tent was small, lacking any other furniture save for a small canvas bag and a mat on the floor for sleeping. He had never gotten used to sleeping in the raised soft beds of the HuMans. Moving to the center of the small room, he sat and motioned for his guests to do the same. When they were settled he spoke directly to his reason for calling them. “How comes your progress with pulling out water?” he asked.
Bren shrugged, looking at Kat as he did so. “We have yet to meet any real success though we continue to work at it as often as time will allow.”
Thane frowned. That was not the answer he had hoped for.
“It is strange,” Kat added. “Never has a skill been so difficult for any of us to learn and master. Even those whose first strength is the MarGua have been unsuccessful.”
Thane perked up some at her words. “So you have been teaching others then?”
Bren nodded. “Yes, but there seems to be some vital piece of information missing. It’s as if we were blocked from touching the water.”
He shook his head. “I have no other help to give. It is more of a feeling sense than it is a thought process. Other than what I have shown you already, I have nothing else to offer. I guess it will just take more time.”
Kat and Bren nodded. “And that is something that we don’t seem to have in much abundance,” Kat said with a sigh.
Thane nodded his agreement and then suddenly noticed that Jne’s belonging were gone. His heart seemed to slow in its beat; she had already left.
* * *
“I can’t believe he said yes!” Domis cried with excitement.
Teek smiled. “How could he not? I have the information he needs to be successful.”
Domis frowned at his friend’s words. “Are you certain you know where we are going and how to get there?”
Teek shrugged. “As certain as anybody,” he said.
Domis’ frown deepened. “You don’t sound very certain.”
“Listen,” Teek said putting the final shine to a pair of Jack’s boots. “I remember perfectly the story that old man Twee told me. As long as he told the story straight, then I should be able to get us pretty close to the right location.”
Domis bit at his lower lip. “I suddenly don’t feel so excited about this adventure any longer.”
“Don’t w
orry,” Teek insisted. “We’ll be with Thane. He’s got magic that he can probably use to find his own way without us. You saw how his eyes lit up when I told him the story. This is grand and we are going to be part of it.” Though his appetite for adventure had decreased greatly since the loss of his family and their people, Teek was becoming ever more depressed by the mundane existence they had been leading as King Jack’s stewards. Even Domis had made mention that he was tired of walking all day and that though he didn’t relish the fact that they were at war, he never thought it would be so boring. Now they had the opportunity to take part with those who were shaping history and the excitement of it was like adrenaline to their systems.
“Come. I have to check that the enemy has not left the city yet,” Teek offered. “Maybe Tchee will let you ride with us this time.”
Domis hesitated. “She doesn’t ever let me ride her,” he protested.
Teek didn’t give in. “Well, maybe she will today.”
* * *
The three friends met, as agreed, at Thane’s tent. None had slept well that night as their minds were constantly revolving around the possibility that after over a thousand years they may be the first Chufa to regain the sacred trees that were their ancestry. Tam stifled back a yawn and then adjusted her pack higher onto her back for comfort. Thane hefted his own bag and then with a quick word led them through the camp toward Jack’s tents. They were not the easiest to spot, being positioned well in the middle and lacking any outward sign that would indicate that they were anything other than regular tents as used by many in the company. Though Wess and Ranse had insisted on using formality when addressing and acting around Jack, they all knew that in times of war it was only commonsensical to keep the king’s position a mystery to the enemy. Especially now after they had been so blatantly attacked.
They found Jack questioning the guards stationed outside his tent, his ire evident by the look on his face and the slight tremor evident in the guard’s stances. Domis was at his side looking rather pale like he might be sick if he had not been already.
“And you are certain he did not return?” Jack demanded.
“Yes, milord, I am certain,” the guard answered quickly trying to maintain his composure. “I have been at this post this whole night and none have come or gone since I got here.”
“What is going on?” Thane asked.
Jack pulled at his beard. “He’s gone,” he snapped back. “Left in the afternoon yesterday to check on Zadok’s army and hasn’t been seen since.”
“Teek?” Tam asked, the concern obvious in her voice.
“It’s my fault, Master Thane,” Domis suddenly interjected, his lower lip quivering as he fought to hold back the tears. “He said he needed to check the enemy’s progress one last time before we left. He asked me to go but I said no because she never lets me ride anyway and I didn’t feel like watching from the ground. I should have gone with him. Do you think he’s hurt?”
Thane took it all in and felt bad that his concern was not really on whether the Waseeni boy was well or not but on the fact that his only hope in finding the lost YeiyeiloBaneesh trees was now missing. “Are you certain he was only going to ride the roc?” he shot at the boy.
Domis nodded.
“He didn’t say anything else about going somewhere different?”
Domis shook his head, his control over his emotions quickly waning. “Do you think he’s dead like that merchant family?” Domis asked to the surprise of all present.
Jack was beside himself. “How do you know about that?” he demanded.
Tam stepped forward and placed an arm around Domis’ shoulder while giving Jack a fiery glare. “Don’t worry,” she soothed. “I’m sure he’s just fine. I’m sure he just lost track of time and will be arriving anytime now.”
“Has there been a search?” Thane asked.
“As good as can be had in such a crowd,” Jack answered, recoiling some from Tam’s glower. “I sent Erl out early to search for him, but he has yet to return. If he can be tracked, then Erl will find him.”
Thane scratched his head; his thoughts no longer on the stable boy turned royal steward or the missing Waseeni. They hadn’t the time to sit and wait for a careless boy who went and got himself lost the night before the most important task of his life. But without Teek, how were they to find the correct path to the trees? A shadow passed over their heads drawing all eyes to the skies as the two rocs circled high above waiting for their passengers to clear the camp so they could finally be on their way. Thane turned his attention back onto Domis. “You said last night that you knew the way second only to Teek. Is that true?”
Domis hesitated. Originally he’d only made the comment so that he would be included but now that the success or failure of the mission might rest completely on him he wasn’t so sure he still wanted to hold to such a claim. Without thinking, he slowly nodded his head. “Yes, I suppose. I’ve heard him tell it some few times.”
“Good enough,” Thane decided. “We can wait for Teek no longer.” Looking at Jack he continued. “We must be away so as to return as quickly as possible or we will be of no help to you and the army. Zadok’s forces will certainly be leaving within the next day or two which leaves us very little time.”
“I agree,” Jack said still pulling his beard.
“Good. If Teek does get here soon, send him after us. As agreed, we will get supplies in Aleron and then start into the forest. If he does not reach us before hand then he should return to you. From what I have heard of the Underwoods he should not go in there alone. We will make our search and then return as quickly as possible to you at Bedler’s Keep.”
Jack nodded and then smiled sadly. “We have come a long way in such a short time we two.”
Thane smiled back, the love he felt for this man equal to that he would have happily given to a worthy and deserving father. Absently he looked to his side where Jne had always been and a feeling of deep sorrow and loss quickly swept over him to not find her there.
“You have forgotten one thing, Master Thane.”
All eyes turned to see Prince Ranse and his constant companion, Jace, approaching them. “We need the men stationed at Aleron.”
Thane bowed slightly in greeting but countered the once prince’s argument. “I haven’t time to try and convince the people there that a Tjal-Dihn warrior is on a mission from the king to pull them away from their posts.”
Ranse smiled. “You will not need to. I and Jace will be coming with you.”
“Impossible,” Jack countered. “They take the sky road on the backs of the giant birds,” he said, pointing to the winging creatures overhead.
Ranse did not look up, but instead stared at Thane. “We will go with them.” Then, turning back to Jack he included, “with your permission, my liege. We need those men and like Thane has so aptly accounted, they will not answer to his call. That is why I have volunteered myself to go in his place.”
Jack considered the offer. It was true what all of them had said. And though he appreciated Ranse’s candor and experience when dealing with the daily responsibilities with court matters, it was essential to gather as many to them as could carry arms. “Can they carry you all?” Jack asked.
Thane shrugged. “I can’t say but it would appear that we will find out very quickly.”
Jack nodded, his hand still held fast to his gray beard. “Apparently we will.”
Chapter Eighteen
The wind pressed against him with increasing force and Teek could not help the scream of excitement that dribbled from his lips. No longer was he taken by the sickness that had made his rides with Tchee almost unbearable. Replacing the nauseated stomach was now one that thrilled at the altitude, speed, and maneuvering that was the giant bird. Gone too was the depressing boredom of camp that had been chipping away at the wall of emotions that he’d been building to keep back the emptiness that was still his burden to carry at the loss of his family. Tryg had not been the lifting spirit he’d
originally thought he would be. The knowledge that he was not the only Waseeni still in existence was a sort of comfort in some sense, but Tryg’s lack of any social skills in the least made him almost more of a burden than a relief. Luckily he had found a good friend in Domis and wished now that he were there with him enjoying the ride.
Tchee dipped left and then rose with a current of air as she sought for greater altitude so they could spy out Zadok’s army without getting too close to Calandra or becoming an obvious target for his pet dragons. Though Tchee’s size made her much quicker and agile in flying, they still did not relish an encounter with the death breathing serpents. Trying to concentrate on his duty and purpose for being in the air, Teek scanned the area between the capital and the fleeing refugees. The long swath they had cut in their escape from the great city was clear but still remained empty of any pursuit. He shuttered to think of what had kept the enemy within Calandra for such a long period of time while their ultimate quarry inched farther away.
* * *
Quickly pulling his sword from his opponent’s chest cavity, he splattered the dead man’s blood on the approaching guard just before burying it into his chest. Three others came at him from the side but the blood lust that fueled his strength was just beginning to rage as he quickly dispatched the first and then attacked the remaining two. It was obvious from the start that though they outnumbered him, neither had a chance except to run if they desired to extend their lives a few moments more. He did give them credit for at least making an effort to protect their employer to the end as she cowered in the corner, her gasps at the violence making him even hungrier for the death that came at the end of his blade. Though the floor was slick from all of the freely spilt blood, he was an expert at such play and could not be counted on to falter in his movements or his steps. Feigning such a mistake drew the other two in for what they assumed would be his demise but both were surprised to find themselves slashed to the ground awash in their own gore.