by Dave Skinner
“Ready for a soak?” Waycan asked.
“Are you joining me?”
“If you like.”
“Please,” she said.
Kat turned her back to him and removed her clothes. As she turned towards the pool, she realized he was watching her.
“You are as beautiful as I remember,” he told her.
“Keep your silver tongue still,” she told him, as she turned away to hide her smile.
She eased herself into the pool. He followed. The hot water felt good seeping into her tired muscles. She relaxed and let her fatigue float away. She could feel the exertion of the past days. Her legs were the worst. With her eyes closed she rubbed and kneaded at the tired muscles.
“Here, let me help,” Waycan said.
She felt his hands on one calf, strong and firm as they worked the knots out. He spent a long time on her lower leg before his hands moved up above her knee. She tried to relax, but his hands kept drawing her attention as they moved higher and higher up her leg. Her pulse was racing when he finally trailed his hand down the leg and started fresh on the other. He worked at the lower leg again, spending as long below the knee as he had on the other, but eventually his hands moved up, and up, and up. She tried to hide the explosion when it came, but thrusting herself against his hand was a giveaway. She opened her eyes and saw his shocked look.
“Sorry,” he said.
“Shut up,” she responded as she moved forward. “We have played this game long enough. Ang was a good husband to me and a good friend to you, but he is gone. I think we have honoured his memory sufficiently, and Waycan, I have been alone for too long. Let’s not waste what time we have left. The end of the world may be coming, after all.” His arms encircled her, and he groaned as she came to rest on his lap.
Chapter 24
Ran was up with a meal prepared before Tamican groaned himself awake. He took a bowl of crushed grain to the boy and settled down beside him.
“Are you in a great deal of pain?”
“Yes.”
“Your back?”
“My back hurts, but my chest and side are worse.”
“If you have problems because of broken ribs, our only recourse is to get you back to your people. I have nothing here with which to tend injuries of that nature... unless… ” Ran dragged his pack over to where he sat and became pulling items out of it. At the very bottom he found the cloth shirt Manda had given him. “I can rip this up and bind your chest. It will help with the pain, I think.”
“Hold it up, please,” Tamican said. When Ran complied the boy studied the shirt for a time. “There is a great deal of feeling bound to that shirt. Whoever gave it to you loved you greatly. Are you sure you want to part with it?”
Ran bunched up the cloth in his hands and studied it. He had dreamed about wearing this shirt when he met Manda again. It might spark forgiveness in her heart, but it was a stupid dream. He could not allow himself the luxury of companionship. He could not be trusted with it.
“It is just a shirt now. It can be replaced,” he added, as he pulled his knife free and began to cut the shirt into strips.
Tamican’s side and chest were covered in deep purple bruises. Ran wrapped the cloth strips as firmly as possible without causing the boy too much pain. When he was finished, and they had Tamican’s shredded shirt and jacket back on, the boy’s face was alabastrine from pain.
“Is it possible your people are looking for you?” Ran asked after he had laid the boy back on the bearskin.
“Probably, but I travelled far, and they were not aware of my direction. I doubt they will find us here.”
“Is there any way you can let them know where you are? I understand the Far Derrig have magical abilities, is there anything that you can do in that way?”
“No, I am without that ability.”
“Then I suppose we wait for spring to reach the high passes. I will build a smoker outside the cave. If they are looking for you, it might help to attract their attention.”
Ran tended his smoker fire for a seven-day period. No one came. Tamican’s condition did not improve. Ran started carrying him out into the sunshine in the warmth of the afternoon in an attempt to hasten his recovery, but it did not help. Ran spoke to the woods telling anyone who was listening about the injured boy and asking for word to be passed to his family.
“Why do you speak to the Mother like that?” Tamican asked one day. “Do you expect her to help?”
“The Mother, no, but that is the way we speak to the little people where I grew up. There always seemed to be Hobs, Brownies, or Leprechauns around somewhere.”
“You will not find them here. This is Far Derrig territory, and we do not travel far from home in the spring. Storms can be sudden and vicious at this time of year in these mountains. In our valley it is birthing time for the new teratorns. There is much to do in preparation for the hatchlings.”
“You mentioned hatchlings the first day you were here. Is that what you were doing with the bird that injured you? Trying to reach its hatchlings?”
“No, I was trying to ride the adult.”
“Why not wait for a hatchling?” Tamican’s chin had sunk down to touch his chest. Ran could barely here his answer.
“Because I was not chosen to be a rider. I would not be allowed to enter the nesting area, or bond with a newborn.”
“So, you went after a full grown bird?”
“Yes.”
“It looked like a wild ride.”
Tamican’s head came up. “It was,” he admitted with a grin. His smile, his pale complexion, and his loss of weight made his head look like a skull, but there was a glint of fire in his eyes. Ran returned his smile.
“Well, Skyrider, if you ever want another chance, we have to get you home, and the only way I see to do that is for you to ride my back. I am not as fast and comfortable as a teratorn, but I am all there is. Be aware, it will hurt. Are you willing to try?”
“I already hurt, so yes, I will try.”
***
Ran fashioned a carry chair that sat on his back. There was nothing graceful about it. A few saplings bent and tied into place to form a seat with some branches added for back and arm rests, all tied together with rawhide strips. The only good design feature was the fact that the bearskin could be thrown over both of them if the going got stormy.
On the day of departure, Ran stood outside the cave and watched the sunshine flow across the valley below him, watched it climb the mountain side and race above and beyond. Although he could feel the warmth in the air, there was also coolness on the breeze that sunshine could not disperse completely. There was still snow in the high passes and part way down the mountain side. Given the choice, he would wait for the snow to clear more, but that was impossible. Tamican was not recovering. He needed more care then Ran could offer, and he needed it soon. The Far Derrig was sitting up when Ran re-entered the cave. His face was ashen, and there was sheen of sweat on his forehead.
“You could wait here in the cave while I go to find your people,” Ran mentioned again. The boy’s colour was not to his liking. He had suggested this a few times now. If he stocked the cave with food, and blocked the opening against animals, Tamican would be safe until he returned.
The boy smiled as he had before. He could say many things with his smile. This one meant no.
“You still hold I would not find your people unless you are with me. Very well, I bow to your knowledge.” Ran knelt and lifted the boy in his arms. As careful as he was, Tamican still showed a slight grimace as Ran lifted him. “At least promise to tell me when you need a rest.”
“Of course, but you are the beast, I am the burden, you will need to rest more often that I. Luckily, I am a slight weight for a work-beast of your caliber.”
“I agree, you are next to nothing, but it is the rest of our possessions that will have me dragging my feet.”
Despite a few stops to find the most comfortable way of carrying the food, bearskin, chair
, Tamican, and Ran’s weapons, they reached the tree where Ran had found Tamican shortly after the sun reached its zenith. They stopped to eat before striking off into unknown territory. Ran skirted berry bushes and areas with fresh green shoots as much as possible. He did not want to happen upon a hungry bear. The chill from the snow far above was making itself known before they stopped for the night, when the sun touched the mountain tops and fired the snow above them. Ran chose a sheltered area with an overhang above as their camping site. With a fire going, their meal completed, and a warm herbal tea filling their gourd bowls, they settled back on the bearskin. Ran would have to do some stretching exercises tomorrow morning to loosen his muscles, but he was feeling good about his condition. Travelling last fall and living rough through the winter had hardened him. His prior physical abuses appeared to have been overcome. He felt like his old self again—physically at least.
Tamican was no better and no worse. His face was pale, and his forehead glistened in the light of the fire, but so did his fine white teeth when he smiled. If he was suffering he did not say.
The following day was much the same, but the morning of the third saw them facing a difficult climb up an area of flaky, crumbly, shale. It took Ran the whole morning to get above it. Too many times they slid down further than they had just climbed up. Tamican was not smiling when they finally crawled above the shale. Ran called for an early end to the day. He found them a small cave for the night and after eating and making Tamican comfortable, he spent a few hours collecting berries and new spring greens to go with the goat kid his bow had supplied. Tamican’s smile grew back after the fresh food and the afternoon of rest.
“Where is your woman, Ran?” he asked.
“I have no woman.”
“Then it was your mother who gave you the shirt? Usually you do not see that type... that much love expressed between a mother and her grown child. I believe my mother loves me, but I am one of two children. She could never spend that much time on a gift for one child.”
“It was not from my mother. It was from a woman I was with for a year or so. She left me.”
“What did you do to make her leave?”
“Why do you assume I did something?”
“I am young, Ran. I am not stupid. It is always safe to assume the man is at fault, now what did you do.”
“I developed a fondness for cards and drink. I was in a big game, and I think I ignored her. She sailed her ship away. Left me ashore.”
“Did you win the game?”
“No.”
“Are you looking for her to say you are sorry?”
“No.”
“You should, my friend. You asked me if I had the ability to distance call my family. I do not, but I do have a different ability. I can see the emotion involved when something is created. I can see the intentions you had when you created my chair, and I could see the love that was put into the shirt you used to bind my ribs. She would take you back. Probably would never let you forget it, but she would take you back.”
“I would only end up hurting her again, maybe worse next time. I will travel alone.”
Chapter 25
Micka watched as Andoo made his way to the podium. He still looked thin and undernourished, but there was more of a spring in his step. The Traveller girl, Ta’Lee, had been correct. The exercise and the fresh air had help to revitalize him somewhat. He was starting to put on the weight he had lost, but there were still streaks of grey in his hair and bags under his eyes—not the usual appearance for someone in his early thirties. She wondered if he would ever again be the uncle she remembered. She wished Ta’Lee had been able to accompany them further than Marshtown. The Traveller girl had been good at getting Andoo to exercise.
Despite the renewed bounce in his steps, it took Andoo some time to reach the podium after he had been called to speak. The council room was large, and a direct route to the speaker’s area was obstructed by the huge pool he had to circumvent. This was Micka’s second time in the chamber room. Last evening, unable to wait, she had snuck in. Every apprentice had heard of the Seeing Pool. She just had to view it for herself. Last night she had not dared to come as close to its still, reflective surface as she was now. Her seat today was behind Andoo’s, and as a council member he was seated beside the pool, as every council member must be. The hum of voices had grown as Andoo made his way around the room, but it died down as he mounted the raised platform containing the podium. Andoo Toran, the Wizard of Waysley, was a respected member of this chamber.
“Brothers, sisters, members of the High Council, thank you for hearing me today,” Andoo began. “On other occasions when I have addressed this exalted council, I have strived to inject humour into my presentation, but today there is no humour in what I have to say for I have come to warn about the end of our world.”
For moments the room remained still, before the uproar began. Everyone was on their feet yelling questions and comments, feeding the chaos, refusing order, until a searing ball of blinding white energy exploded above the centre of the pool. Struck silent by the display of power, the members fell back into their seats. The ball of energy floated slowly across the pool’s surface towards the staff from which it had come. Armanous Varity, Master of the Wizard’s Council, lowered himself back into his chair.
“Thank you, Master Varity,” Andoo continued. “It has taken me two years to find the key to what I am about to share with you. The first glimmer I had of this path of destiny was before the Battle of Waysley. Since then I have delved deeply into possible futures. A short while ago, I went so far as to attempt a manipulation of forces to disrupt my destiny. I failed.”
Andoo paused while the hums from that admission buzzed around the room. Micka, seated within the body of members, could make out the content of the hum. It was disbelief that the mighty Andoo Toran had failed, followed by the realization of what his failure meant in the larger scheme, the realms in which these council members were respected as Masters, the magical realm. This issue must be resolved before the council meeting could end. That rule was clear in the covenant that members had sworn to uphold. Anything significant enough to bring forth before a full member’s meeting, the council has to take action on.
“Let me state what I hear you saying,” someone behind Micka said. “You are saying that this is an issue the complete council has to debate and reach a decision on now, before we can continue with any other business. We have to come together and affect destiny.”
“We have to make the attempt, but I do not hold much hope that we will be victorious in our effort. I believe we left that possibility far behind. I have looked down the futures available to us beyond this point. Our only option now is to prepare for what is coming.” A scream of silence followed Andoo’s words.
“Before we continue, I will show you what I have seen,” Andoo said, as he stepped down from the podium platform and placed the tip of his staff into the seeing pool. Above the calm surface an image formed.
Micka was drawn forward until she was skimming above the surface of one of the lakes. In the distance she could see black smoke and flames billowing into the sky. She recognized the harbour at Point and Little Point, once so safe, but now a scene of horror. Ships of all kinds filled the harbour, and she could make out people scrambling up ropes to get aboard.
A creature from legend, bat-like wings extending from a long reptilian body, suddenly rose from the flames of Point, the beating of its huge wings fanning the flames below as it rose. It circled higher and higher until it seemed to stop, hovering, waiting, before suddenly swooped towards the harbour and the ships congested there. With an eye-watering brilliance it spewed fire towards the ships. The closest, a red-sailed vessel, keeled over from the force of the Dragon’s breath before fire engulfed it. The other ships were not long in following, until an infernal blazed across the harbour.
Micka’s flight continued across the harbour and over the city of Point. She witnessed destruction everywhere before her soaring vis
ion cleared the city and swooped over the plains beyond. A mighty army of Men, Fay, and Dragon People fought with their backs to the flaming city. They faced a larger army whose origin was nightmare. They fought bravely, but huge demon-like creatures crashed through their ranks, ripping bodies asunder as they passed. Micka’s eyes filled with tears as the image faded. Andoo’s words splashed like cold water into the silence that followed.
“That scene is repeated on every timeline I have been able to access, where South Lake cities stand alone. The North Lake cities suffer a similar fate, only later. Eventually, our world is nothing but a smoldering wasteland, devoid of all life, except for the creatures you saw.”
“You mentioned earlier that you attempted to influence the key to these happenings,” Master Verity stated. “Please tell us about it.”
“I traced the key or pivotal element to a necklace. If you have read my scroll about the Battle of Waysley, you will recall that the cloaked figure, or Dragon Woman as she has come to be known, possessed a necklace ensorcelled with a magical link to her own world. That link allowed her people to send a small group of Dragon Men here to our world. Their arrival turned the tides at the battle for the city.”
“But they returned to their own world,” someone called. “Are you saying that their arrival condemned our world to destruction?”
“No,” Andoo answered. “I was unaware of it, but I found this in the mists of time.” He dipped the tip of his staff into the pool again, and another image formed showing a small group of men women and Dragon People standing in a field close to a stand of trees. One of the Dragon People, a woman, moved forward and addressed another woman with red hair. After a few moments she removed a necklace and placed it around the neck of the red-haired woman. They embraced, the Dragon Woman moved on to a leather clad young man. The image faded.