by Duane Alston
When they came to the shortcut road, the entrance to it was almost undetectable but Constanto found it easily. He moved into the shrubs and small trees just off the main road and then jogged a bit to the right, then to the left on a smaller path which then turned into a reasonably sized secondary road.
As they rode east, Tom was just behind Jalaby and instead of his usual loud singing, which he said he put off due to there possibly being Fog Warriors nearby, he began to question Jalaby.
“Just how can you tell distance and direction with that stone of yours?” Tom ask seriously.
“Well, based on what I felt back in town and the distance where we saw the remnants of a battle, I've been able to correlate the feel of the stone with how far these activities occurred. It's not precise for sure but I'm getting better. Now direction is easy, I can physically move the stone back and forth and note the change in intensity. The highest intensity is in the direction to the danger.” Jalaby spoke as he sped up slightly to catch up with Constanto.
“Hey, let me try the stone. It might be good for someone else to know how to use it in case you fall into another poison bush.” Tom laughed which then changed to a broad smile.
Jalaby's first feeling was resentment that was bordering on anger, but he checked himself and thought, where did that come from? Maybe this stone has more effect on the person who wears it than he first imagined. Well Jalaby knew what to do.
“Sure, why not.” So Jalaby removed the stone from around his neck and handed it to Tom, who immediately put it on.
“Hey this burns like fire!” Tom quickly pulled it off and gave it back to Jalaby, who immediately put it on.
“What do you mean? To me right now the stone is giving off a warm gentle pulse.”
“Well you must be use to it or something cause it was hot. Hey!” Tom had pulled his shirt down a bit at the neck and revealed a small round red spot. “Told you man, look! Keep that thing away from me.”
Tom's loud grumblings had brought their caravan to a halt at a wide spot in the road and wanting to know what was going on, they had all gathered around Jalaby and Tom.
“Seems like the stone got the better of you,” Connel said with good humor.
“Well the Stone of Crieton is not a toy and we should not treat it as such.” Talisbon's tone was that of a disappointed teacher scolding his students.
“Easy Talisbon, it was my decision to let Tom try the stone and I believe the more we can learn about it the better. If you know more information about this stone then tell us, otherwise it's just trial and error.” Jalaby ended facing Talisbon.
“No, I don't know much but I had heard that only one of Crieton blood can be aided by it.” Talisbon looked and sounded apologetic.
Jalaby took the response on face value but he felt Talisbon knew more.
“OK, enough about it. The stone indicates we have passed the danger and it lies behind us at about an hour's ride. How much further to the camp area?” Jalaby motioned for Talisbon to ask Constanto.
“One more hour, that is all. It has water and local edible plants for food, that I'm sure Tom will be glad to hear.”
Jalaby thought Talisbon almost broke into a smile but he didn't quite get there.
“OK, let's go,” said Jalaby and they all turned to go except Sarah who lingered behind. Jalaby and Sarah stared at each other briefly before Jalaby in one quick move took Sarah into his arms.
“Forget Tom and the others, I'm not going to keep hiding how I feel,” and he kissed Sarah who cooperated fully.
“About time,” Sarah said. “I was beginning to doubt my memory about the other night. Maybe it was just my imagination.” Sarah then smiled brightly.
“Hey you two!” Tom said looking back over his shoulder with the rest of the group. Tom then through up his hands. “Never mind, I give up. I am resigning as your official chaperon.” Tom then paused. “Except at night.”
That made everyone laugh and it turned out to be a very pleasant ride to their new camp site with Tom joking with everyone and Jalaby able to ride alongside Sarah.
It was late when they finally reached the site and everyone was dead tired. They found the best shelter they could, which proved to again be under the roadway, but this was larger than before and there was plenty of room for their horses and kacks. This place was just what Jalaby thought they needed for Talisbon to guard their belongings.
The morning air was cold and Jalaby woke before the others, except for Connel, who had the last watch.
“All peaceful and quiet.” Jalaby made it a statement rather than a question, but Connel answered.
“Yes, it's not a bad place, this forest. Guess today is the big day for Tom. He gets to see a Fog Warrior.” Connel gave a sigh. “Sometimes I don't know when he is serious or not.”
“Tom appears to never be serious but he's good to have with you in a fight and we may just have one today.” Jalaby moved away to start a fire.
“Then we better have a big breakfast because Tom travels and fights best when well fed.” Connel laughed and helped Jalaby with the fire as the others started to get up.
It didn't take long for everyone to be well fed. There was a solemn feel to their breakfast that even Tom's jokes could not break. Jalaby felt it and used it to keep everyone serious about what was ahead. He did not want to lose anyone.
“OK, Talisbon you have the camp. Everyone else get your best weapons, armor and anything else you think you'll need.” Jalaby said and gathered up his equipment.
In a short time they were ready and Jalaby led the way back down the road they had just traveled the day before.
Despite the armor and weapons, they made little noise and from time to time Jalaby used his stone to gauge the distance away from the trouble he sensed. It wasn't long before they arrived at the crossroad.
“We turn here and it looks like about two more miles, so stay alert. If my reading is off, we could be on top of them and not realize it.” Jalaby then slowed down and checked every blind corner before proceeding.
The group as a whole was quiet, even Tom, but for some reason Jalaby didn't like that. He preferred Tom's light hearted banter.
“Tom, why aren't you bellyaching? You must have something to say along those lines.” Jalaby said and laughed, perhaps a little to loudly, but he wanted the group to loosen up a little and felt that it would help them fight better.
“The only complaint I have is that we've been traveling for over an hour and we've seen not one Fog Warrior, not one and...,” Tom broke off as Jalaby winced in pain and dropped to one knee pulling the stone away from his skin.
“Ah, close, everyone off the road and into those bushes.” Jalaby seemed to recover somewhat and was able to again let the stone hang around his neck and be against his skin.
“Down! Several are coming. Don't attack unless we are spotted. Our goal is to get the minder alone and see if we can persuade him or her to part with a little information.” Jalaby then motioned everyone to keep low and found a good vantage point where he felt he could see who was traveling on the road but not be seen himself. Within minutes, three Fog Warriors were on the road within feet of their hiding place. Their blue cloaks went from head to foot but their arms, through holes in the cloak, were free and bore heavy flat swords. Jalaby knew the leader was in front because his headband had three stripes as opposed to the two stripes that the others displayed. They all seem to float as they passed by and the good news, to Jalaby's relief, was that there was no hesitation in the direction of their movement. They headed down the road in the direction from where Jalaby’s group had just come. From the Stone of Crieton, Jalaby knew there was at least one individual up the road from where the Fog Warriors had just come.
“Connel take the rear guard and make sure they don't turn around and attack us from behind. We'll continue down the road a little more. I sense one more in that direction. Be alert and ready to fight,” said Jalaby and he took the lead with Constanto right behind.
Chap
ter 22
It wasn't long before he held up his hand to stop because he sensed a presence very close. Constanto tugged at his sleeve indicating that he wanted to go ahead for a look. Not really wanting to give up the lead but recognizing Constanto's ability to blend into the background, Jalaby reluctantly waved him forward. Constanto was only gone for a minute and then was back pulling Jalaby's arm forward. It was Jalaby's conclusion that Constanto had found their quarry and wanted him to follow.
They moved through the thick brush on a route that was even difficult for the three foot high Constanto to travel. Constanto then signaled for all to keep quiet and stay low. They had arrived at a spot overlooking a camp area and down below was one lone person dressed in dark green. They were too far away to distinguish identity but they knew that this was no regular Fog Warrior. The man was very much like them, except he had a full beard.
“That my friends, I think, is a Fog Warrior Minder,” Jalaby said to no one in particular. “OK, Tom and Connel, you both work your way up behind him on the other side of the camp clearing. Sarah, Constanto and I will approach from this direction. Tom, signal when you are in position, then holdup until you see us break cover to draw his attention towards us, then you and Connel come in from behind. The goal is to talk but don't take chances. If he chooses to fight, then fight to kill. It is as simple as that.” Jalaby said solemnly and then he shook both their hands before they headed out. Jalaby then patted Constanto's shoulder reassuringly and smiled at Sarah.
“Ready?”
“Yes, I'm ready. I'm not as excited as Tom but I have a dozen or more crossbow arrows that need a purpose. Let's see if we can find out what this is all about.” Sarah finished by throwing her red hair back with a flick of her head, a move Jalaby remembered her doing for as long as he had known her and it made him smile. He nodded and using the brush and trees for cover, they inched closer towards the Minder. Because of the dense brush at the Minder's campsite, they were able to get within twenty feet of the Minder. Jalaby could distinguish now that he was a tall man with a heavy reddish-brown beard and wore a heavy sword on his left side. Although a fairly big man, Jalaby got the impression that he was quick. There was something about the way he moved about the campsite that made Jalaby cautious. He knew they needed absolute surprise and a strong position in order to keep this one from attacking them.
On the opposite side of the campsite, Jalaby saw Tom give the signal that indicated they were in place and ready. With that, Jalaby nodded to Sarah and Constanto, stood up and moved in one fluid motion towards the Minder. At the same time, Connel and Tom moved behind the Minder and Sarah, with Constanto, moved just behind Jalaby but spread out. Sarah had her crossbow aimed and ready to fire.
“Don't move. We mean you no harm but if you make just the slightest move for your weapon, you will die.” Jalaby stood ten feet away, sword in hand and trying to look as fierce as he could.
The Minder, at first startled, now seemed to relax and slowly a smile began to appear on his face.
“Jalaby Langmaster, my lord,” said the Minder and gave an almost imperceptible bow. “You need not fear me or my brethren warriors that accompany me. I was sent by your father Crieton Langmaster to simply bring you home.” The Minder's voice and manner seemed to take it for granted that they were now friends.
“I'll remind you again, don't move except to put your hands up and allow my friend behind you to remove your sword. Tom get his sword and Sarah, if he quivers an inch, let go your bolt.” Jalaby finished but did not relax and made ready to attack if needed.
“Sarah, now that is a lovely name.” The Minder nodded toward Sarah but she didn't blink an eye and stood sternly ready.
“I also have a lovely arrow to share if you want it. That's my brother who will be taking your sword, so don't think for one second I'll hesitate, you'd be wrong.”
“OK, fine, the quicker we sit down and start discussing this matter the better.” The Minder said as his smile vanished in the presence of such determination.
Jalaby knew then that the Minder was in their control and without incident Tom retrieved his sword and motioned the Minder to sit on the ground. At that point everyone seemed to relax, except Sarah who took it onto herself to remain with crossbow aimed. Jalaby glanced in her direction but said nothing to her as he brought his eyes back on the Minder.
“It appears for a while now that Fog Warriors such as you and your companions have been trying to find us, to what purpose, I do not know. From what history I know about Fog Warriors, I can't let that happen. They attacked our people on our side of the river many years ago and based on the death and destruction they left behind, my first instinct is to fight. You mentioned that you are acting on behalf of my father?” Jalaby paused for the reply.
The Minder hesitated but finally with the return of his smile, he answered. “Yes Lord Jalaby, your father has sent us to bring you back to Castle Langmaster.”
Jalaby decided to ignore the direction the conversation was going and tried a different approach.
“I take it that you are a Minder. What is your name, that is, what shall we call you?” Jalaby asked in a conversational manner as if he was trying to make a new acquaintance.
“Yes, I do function in that capacity for my Fog Warrior comrades. My name is Noble Sonrad from Langton, at your service. But you mentioned the attacks on your side of the river, but my Lord, this is your side of the river, you are one of us.” The smile seems to spread further.
Jalaby felt he was getting a little tired of this pompous Minder but held his impatience at bay a little longer. He needed information.
“Why does my father only now after all these years seek me out? There must be more to it than that. What does he expect of me?” Jalaby's questions seemed aimed more to himself than at the Minder.
“There is no more to it and I have a paper that was sent to all outposts, if you will allow me to retrieve it from my pocket.” Nobel pointed to his breast.
Before Jalaby nodded the OK, he checked to make sure Sarah had her bow aimed and ready before stepping forward to take the paper.
The paper was from Crieton Langmaster, Highest Lord of Langton Realm. It was more of a poster than correspondence. It asked all outposts to keep an eye out for Jalaby Langmaster and if discovered, to bring him unharmed back to Castle Langmaster. Use force if necessary.
The last sentence made Jalaby flush with anger, that is own father would see him shackled and made prisoner. He drew his sword in one quick movement. Afterwards Tom speculated that the Stone of Crieton must also be effecting Jalaby physically because he never saw such speed before. The motion was quick and the accuracy uncanny. Jalaby trimmed the bottom three inches off the beard of the Minder, who immediately turned very pale and permanently lost his smile.
“You tell my father he will never be a real father to me, but I will come for him in due time and from this point forth will consider all Fog Warriors hostile and I will treat them as such.” The use of the phrase 'come for him' made all those present, including the Minder, curious as to the meaning but there was more anger in the Minder's face than curiosity.
“You'll pay for that you young whelp. Harmed or unharmed, it makes no difference to me and accidents will happen.” The glare from the Minder fixed on Jalaby, but Jalaby paid him no attention and instead moved towards Sarah and motioned her to join him. That movement was all it took for Noble to make his move.
He sprung to his sword which Tom had laid on a nearby log, but it was almost as if Jalaby had planned it, because he was on him the moment Noble's hand brought his sword up.
The first blow was sword to sword, but it was struck so powerfully that Noble was flung several yards and rolled away but came up on his feet like a cat. Sarah, Tom and Connel stood dumbfounded because as big as Noble was, he seemed no match for the speed, power and ferocity of Jalaby's blows. After three defensive parries by Noble, Jalaby brought his sword down and broke Noble's sword blade in pieces. Jalaby raised his sword for ano
ther blow at the defenseless Noble but a gasp from Sarah and Connel seemed to stay his hand. For the very first time, the Minder looked scared as Jalaby, looking like he had expended no energy at all, glared at him.
“Tie him up Tom. We need a couple hours head start. Bind him good enough so he won't get loose for at least that much time. Based on what I feel, the Fog Warriors that were with him earlier, are at least an hour away and there are no indications that they are moving our way.” Jalaby moved again back to Sarah who was waiting with a puzzled look on her face.
“I got the feeling that you did that on purpose!” Sarah said with a tone that Jalaby knew meant that she was irritated. “You set that up and motioned me to you such that I dropped my crossbow aim and allowed him to go for his weapon. I don't know what game you are playing at Jalaby, but if you put my brother in danger like that again for no other purpose that I can see, except for your ego, I'm heading back across the river.” Sarah's face was as red as her hair and her anger evident as she turned on her heel to head toward Connel, who was backing up Tom as he finished the last knot on the ropes securing Noble.
Jalaby knew he better keep quiet and let everyone cool down. He also knew Sarah was right, he had planned it, but not just to wipe the smug smile off Noble's face. Jalaby knew they would be going against the best fighters around. He needed to test his ability against such a foe and the Minders are supposed to be better than their Fog Warrior companions. In Jalaby's eyes, the test was fairly safe, because he knew Tom, Connel and Sarah were there to back him up, but perhaps he should have included them in that decision.
The only problem was that he didn't know if he defeated Noble with or without the Stone of Crieton, which now Jalaby suspected has properties that seem to increase his fighting abilities. Jalaby wanted to take the stone off for a while to make sure it was not effecting his judgment, but he knew he had to at least keep it on until they got some safe distance past the Minder's companions. Jalaby realized he had been sitting for some time with these thoughts and looked up to see Sarah, Tom and Connel staring at him with concern on their faces. Constanto could not seen but he knew he would be around. Jalaby got to his feet with a big smile on his face and knew he must reassure the others.