by Susi Wright
In a particularly indulgent manner, thought Luminor, his impatience causing him to feel a moment’s irritation about that fact. Then he admitted, in truth they deserved the rest. Even he himself was exhausted, the battle with the flame adder and the enormous energy he had used to kill it had drained him severely.
Yet, still he could not sleep, his thoughts filling with the memory of Fralii: her beautiful violet eyes that had, from the first, drawn him into her very soul, the mystical spark that had flared and taken them into the Link, that rare and ethereal connection between the souls of two beings, reaching far deeper than the simmering physical desire he also acknowledged in his body. Another source of frustration was that he was unable to detect her exact whereabouts, over such great distance, because the brief time they had together was insufficient to fully establish their connection. But he could sense her deep and abiding pain, echoed as it was, in his own being. He had never wanted to cause that. He wanted to try to heal it, and soon. He suspected it would take a great effort to manage that, and win her trust again. He reflected for a long time, as he stared absently out of the open window, over the dark rooftops of the city, in which he now felt captive.
Still unsettled, the walls of his chamber pressing in on him, Luminor toyed with an idea. With all the Gaians deep in stuporous slumber after a heavy evening meal, and a little mind-cloaking on his part, he saw no reason to avoid making use of the remaining hours of darkness, to at least make a start on his search. There was no moon, a strong, natural intermittent breeze, and patches of dense fog to hide his flight. He was on the city ramparts before he had finished the thought. There were only two guards on duty. Many soldiers and city folk alike had succumbed to the excesses of drink that evening, using the arrival of the heroes as an excuse to begin early celebrations. And those two were definitely asleep at their posts, so Luminor raised his cloak, and launched himself onto the westerly breeze that would speed him to Splendo.
In the time he had before dawn, when he would have to be back in his quarters, he hoped to make some progress, even if it was only to ascertain if Fralii was still in that city. He knew he would need more time than he had now, to see her and speak to her. He was ready to resist the urge to do just that. Feeling closer to her would have to be enough for now. His thoughts raced; maybe he could even catch a glimpse of her as she slept. Speeding up the wind that carried him, he was almost at the gates of Splendo in two hours. He landed outside the walls, feeling puzzled. The awareness of her, which he expected to be now almost overwhelming, had diminished, if anything. He had been so certain she would be here, with her family for support. Chadren would certainly not be recovered enough for them to be back on the road. He focussed intently, trying to ignore his disappointment. No, she is not here. It actually became clear to him then, she was even further away. There was no time to fly off in a different direction. Neither did he dare wake Chadren in the middle of the night, the way they had parted, to ask her whereabouts. There was only time to spend a few minutes here in Splendo before he would have to return to the Capital.
It was possible, if he circled the vicinity of the family house, he might get a sense of which direction she had taken, so he took a series of airborne leaps, under the cover of the ever-thickening night fog, bringing him directly outside Runo’s villa. As he tried to pick up a sensory clue, he noticed a light on in an upstairs room. He remembered from his visit, Chadren’s room had been on the other side of the building. Fralii was definitely not here, and the servants did not live in the main house, so it must be the grandfather, Runo, awake.
He had liked Runo the instant they had met, and Luminor had sensed Runo liked him too, detecting kindness and concern in his wise old soul, along with enormous gratitude for returning Fralii home. Even now, as Luminor searched his perception of the old man from street level, he could find no trace of resentment or anger. There was sadness, yes, and anxiety, understandable if Fralii had gone away. Rashly, he took a gust of wind up to the balcony, and tapped lightly on the pane. He could see Runo sitting, reading with his back to the window. Startled, the old man turned, then recognising Lumi, seemed surprised but unafraid, almost pleased, hurrying over to open the latch for him. Luminor shrugged off his cloak and slipped inside, into the warmth of the room. It was frightfully cold, flying these autumn nights.
Runo exclaimed in a low voice, ‘Well, well, young man, I thought I might see you again! Just was not sure when!’ then, not unkindly, ‘What do you have to say for yourself?’ He kept his voice to a whisper, patting the chair opposite him, for Lumi to sit. He smiled hopefully. ‘I don’t suppose you have word of Fralii, do you?’
‘I am sorry, sir! I came to ask you the same!’ replied Luminor ruefully.
‘Where have you been, lad? You left so suddenly!’ Runo was pressing for Luminor’s side of the story.
‘I was in trouble… my father forbade me to stay. Then, I volunteered on the quest to destroy the flame adder. You have heard… the beast is no more?’
‘Yes, my boy, we heard earlier today! Word travels quickly these days… these new superfast pigeons are a wonder! Congratulations, and thanks to your people, we are all saved! You are a member of that Gaian clan we heard about, are you not?’ Runo looked him in the eyes and smiled kindly.
Luminor nodded, almost certain Runo did not know his high rank.
‘Well, obedience to your father exonerates you of all blame, in my opinion! Though none of us enjoyed seeing our Fralii so upset, she almost made herself ill! I think you may know why Chadren was so angry… but that was all long ago… it does not excuse his rudeness. Fralii has not spoken a word to him since, and now she has taken off to help nurse the injured in the northern medical camps! Such a headstrong lass… always has been! No amount of pleading would change her mind. Chadren is so heartsick and worried about her, and I am sad and anxious too, although I know she is stronger than we think. But I am also glad she has become interested in something again! She told me, you know… that night you left. That she cared for you… I do not know if she still does!’ He sounded as if he hoped she did.
Heartened by Runo’s genuine concern, Luminor confided, ‘I care for her also, more than I can say! We have been apart too long, but duty binds me for a few days more! Then, I give my word, I will bring her home! May I have something small of hers? It will help.’
‘Certainly, lad, one moment.’ Without questions, Runo hurried quietly off to Fralii’s room, returning with a Chuli gemstone necklace she had been given several years ago, pressing it into Lumi’s hand as he stood to leave, aware of the lateness of the hour. Its aura buzzed in his palm as he closed his fingers around the amulet. It was an excellent token. He moved towards the window. ‘Now I must go. Thank you, Runo… for understanding.’
Throwing his obsidian cloak around his shoulders, and all caution to the wind he leapt upon, he took flight, unconcerned that Runo was watching him go, with great interest.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Fortunately, the fog that had progressively arrived during the night, had become as thick as pea soup by predawn, making Luminor’s return to his room through the window an easy task, even though the light of daybreak was seeping through it across the countryside. He lay wearily down on his pallet, hoping for a few minutes of rest before the day’s activities began. Unaware he had dozed off, succumbing to exhaustion, he was rudely awakened, what seemed like a bare minute later, by the breakfast gong, calling all the servants to their kitchen duties, and guests to rise for breakfast.
By the Ancestors! Why did these people need to eat so often? Was not once a day sufficient? Irritated and groggy, he sat on the edge of his pallet. They had all eaten well the previous evening at the governor’s own table, more than they would normally eat in several days. He would admit the textures and tastes of food afforded a certain amount of sensory pleasure, but Gaians, with their extremely efficient metabolism, needed little in quantity to sustain their energy. But now he was awake, though tired to his bones, he was a
nxious to get on with the day. He quickly bathed and dressed, making a mental note that he must send for some more clean clothes, this very day.
A knock at the door announced the arrival of breakfast. He stretched and opened the door, collecting the heavily laden tray and placing it on the table, perusing the array of delicacies, trying to feel some interest. Not really succeeding after staring at the tray for several minutes, he broke off a small piece of bread, ate it, and washed it down with a sip of water. It would more than suffice until the lavish evening meal that was, no doubt, being planned for later in the day.
The next knock he knew to be Altor, looking bright and totally refreshed, as he breezed into the room. ‘Brother! The ugly one, I see! Or is it sorely tired? I cannot tell!’ he grinned audaciously. When they were alone, formalities were put aside. Luminor had no objections; they were very close.
‘You fare so poorly! Why?’ He could pick up that Luminor was still deeply exhausted, and impatient also. He held his elder brother’s gaze intently. Luminor quickly masked his innermost feelings. ‘I slept little,’ was his only comment. Then to lighten the mood, he laughed and slapped his younger brother on the back, hard, feinting a punch to his abdomen, saying, ‘You fare too well, I see! Methinks all that food will weigh you down when you try to fly!’ Altor, who had withstood the slap on the back but reacted swiftly by jumping back to avoid the punch, just as they had practised many times in their sparring matches, chuckled and rubbed his shoulder good-naturedly. He cherished the camaraderie that still endured between them. It would serve them well as the future challenges of the Alliance unfolded.
Directly after breakfast, the governor’s aide brought Luminor and Altor clean clothes that had been ordered overnight from the best of the city’s tailors, so they could dress comfortably for the day. The fashion, of course, was completely different from their native dress, but clean and stylish, the old garments whisked away to the laundry. In the meantime, Luminor would send one of his men to fetch new Gaian clothes for all six of them that would arrive before the evening feast. He wanted to represent his people that night in full native regalia. From today, there would be no more hiding.
Later that morning, the council called another meeting as soon as Thomass and his Gaian escort arrived on the samblars. Luminor’s story was amply verified, to the extent that Thomass had witnessed events. The large piece of the flame adder’s scaly skull, charred by the fire, attested to the rest. The governor proudly informed Luminor that the trophy would be preserved and mounted on a marble podium for posterity, a dedication to Luminor’s bravery engraved in the stone, along with the names of the fallen warriors and grateful acknowledgement to the others, on display in the city square for all to see. Masons had been commissioned, beginning work this very day.
After Thomass’ glowing, and very wordy, oratory of praise, the council members voted a unanimous acceptance of the agreement, all impressed in their own ways as to the benefit of having these specially talented people working alongside them. The physicians could look forward to Gaian assistance with herbal healing, and their ability to calm or sedate their patients. The masons and builders were excited at the prospect of help with earth and rock-moving projects, water diviners, well-diggers, and farmers, with water and irrigation. The country of Baram promised to progress quickly and grow prosperous. No one seemed to be particularly concerned that magic would be involved.
The meeting adjourned with a planned afternoon guided tour of the city on samblar-back. Luminor sighed heavily as he left the council building. Would the rounds of tedious official duties never end? But, he was pleased how far they had come, as he watched his warrior take flight from the battlements in plain sight, with a human audience looking on in fascination, pointing and chattering excitedly to one another, but happily accepting the spectacle. Yes! He was very hopeful that he would be able to leave the following morning on his search for Fralii.
His impatience on that score was starting to get the better of him. He certainly could not endure sitting through another meal pretending to be hungry. Besides, he was bone-tired from several nights devoid of sleep, so he excused himself from the midday repast to take to his room, pleading the need to rest. In truth, repose was the last thing on his mind, weary as he was, his heart and mind filled with yearning almost to the point of obsession. He was startled by his brother’s loud whisper in his ear, in Gaian dialect, suddenly aware he had completely let down his guard, and that Altor had not left. ‘It is the woman, is it not?’ Luminor quickly met Altor’s eyes. The others had wandered off to the dining room. Altor was grinning knowingly, ‘The human… you rescued?’
Luminor felt somewhat like a child discovered in mischief. He had been so long intent on keeping the secret, he really was not certain why he continued to keep Fralii to himself. Perhaps possessiveness, perhaps in deference to the memory of their father.
‘Why hide it?’ Altor asked in a sincere tone. ‘Surely… it would help the Alliance?’
Luminor knew his brother, like himself, did not stand with the age-old traditions. Most of the time, they had obeyed their father out of respect and fear of punishment. However, on numerous occasions, both had endured lengthy confinements in their tents, deprived of liberty and all interesting activities for their little juvenile mischief. Being forbidden to leave one’s tent for two weeks was the worst punishment imaginable! Strangely, Thunis’ powerful authority seemed to linger, even now.
Luminor looked very serious, placing his hand on Altor’s shoulder in emphasis, stating matter-of-factly, ‘Now, Father is gone… not his memory… but be prepared, Brother… I will change many things!’
Altor looked at his older brother, now his lord too, with a solemn expression, slightly unusual to his gregarious nature, saying, ‘I am with you! You know it!’
Chapter Thirty-eight
The icy fingers of winter had begun to take their grip on the Northern Mountains, inching southward by the day. Heavy morning frost glistened on the canvas, and on the ground everywhere, as Fralii emerged from her tent to start her daily rounds. Simban had already risen, revived their campfire to a welcoming blaze, and was crouched down, beginning to prepare food. Hearing Fralii approach, he stood, turning with a smile to offer her a warming tisane. She accepted the drink gratefully, curling her fingers around the hot cup to thaw them.
‘Good day, mistress,’ he greeted her. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Good day to you, and yes, thank you,’ she replied. ‘Think you many more will arrive today? There were so many yesterday, we are pushed to our limits!’
‘Truly, mistress, I do not know. But now the flame adder is gone, the numbers of casualties they are finding should be coming to an end!’
She sipped her warm drink, daydreaming as she did in her rare quiet moments, what had become of Luminor. She knew, from the reports, the Gaian people were to thank for the destruction of the monster that had killed and injured so many. There were hundreds now, whom she and the other volunteers worked tirelessly to heal. The numbers were almost overwhelming, arriving daily by the cartload, maimed or badly burned, some dead by the time they reached the medical camps.
The soldiers had built two camps, this one and one a little further south, tent cities to house the displaced and injured. But having only two physicians, even with volunteer nurses from Splendo, and almost fifty Gaian women who arrived some time ago, was glaringly insufficient for the task.
It was a bleak, grey, and smoky scene, dotted with the flames of several large fires. Funeral pyres had to be built on open ground, to burn the dozens of dead. Fire, to deal with the effects of fire—it seemed an endless irony.
Inside the shelters, the living injured could be heard whimpering and moaning in pain constantly, until they could be dealt with in turn. There had been a shortage of Prian, the supplies brought by Fralii, and the Gaian women, long ago depleted, though a search party had been sent out to gather more. The lubio tincture used for pain relief and sedation was also running out. Th
e few Gaian womenfolk who had that special talent were doing their best to calm the worst cases, but this skill was only possible one-on-one, and for short periods only, exhausting to implement on this scale.
More Prian should be arriving this morning. Then the rounds of chewing it to a paste and dressing wounds would begin again. Her jaw ached and Fralii could not rid her mouth of the bitter taste, similarly with Simban and all the other volunteers. But they knew that was small discomfort compared to the pain endured by their patients. Since arriving here, she had shed many tears, especially when she had encountered burned children, some of them also orphaned, to add to their pain. She had watched Gaian women, compassionate and selfless, working from dawn until well after dark, tending to their patients and singing to the children, taxing their ability to calm to the limits, even through the night, when some of the injured would wake crying out. She admired them, was inspired to follow their example to work even harder. It seemed to at least soothe the ache in her own chest, the heartache she was sure would never completely heal. She considered that at some point she might feel ready to ask one of the Gaian women if they knew of Lumi. Her attention and admiration had been particularly drawn to a tall, elegant, and proud Gaian woman who seemed to be in charge of the others. Fralii had heard some of the others call her Aleana, and her daughter, Rihann. They worked hardest of all, long into the night and up again before dawn. Perhaps she would ask them sometime. But for now, she thought as she hastily finished her breakfast of beans and bread, she was busy! The chewing of Prian left little time or opportunity for conversation, anyway.
The group of six soldiers and two elder Gaian men who had gone off in different directions to gather Prian had begun arriving back at camp, laden with hessian sacks of the herb. This prompted all the volunteers to finish their scant meal and launch into action for the day, donning aprons and washing their hands. They all took a hefty draught of water to replenish their saliva. As the men opened up the sacks, a queue of mostly women formed to take their allocations, and begin processing it for use. Fralii and Simban, who had taken to helping her for some hours of each day, took theirs, methodically chewing, as they made their way to the medical tents to begin their duties. The prepared paste was applied immediately to the worst cases; any surplus was kept in pails for later. It was relentlessly thirsty work, and luckily, the nearby water supply had not yet frozen over, so they had ample to drink and it was easy to fetch.