by Duane Alston
“Yes, I know. I just couldn't say no to all the choices Constanto had back there. I really like that little guy.”
Jalaby noticed that Sarah looked tired but then so did they all.
“I'm starved. Let me get started making food. I picked out some great meats back there and I am anxious to try out a recipe or two.” Talisbon said and Jalaby was surprised at how bright his smile was.
“You've got kitchen duty tonight then Talisbon. I'm sure you won't hear any argument from anyone about that. Have at it!” Jalaby said and waved a hand toward the supplies that were starting to stack up as they were unloaded.
Connel was too tired to even attempt conversation and just nodded to everyone in greeting and began to unload. It wasn't long before the campsite was looking pretty good. Wood for a fire was scarce, so Talisbon had to use one of the small oil stoves and it wasn't long before something that smelled pretty tasty permeated the air.
“Talisbon, the fumes of supper never smelled so good!” Tom's grin was as big as Jalaby had seen in quite a while.
"Come on Tom, fumes?" Sarah laughed at Tom's choice of words.
“Come on, let me help you get it on the table or since we don't have a table, let's just get it on plates as fast as we can,” said Tom.
“OK, OK, you can help. It is ready and I made plenty because you eat like a horse.” Talisbon said with his usual deadpan expression.
“I accept the compliment Taliman,” Tom laughed and started serving up what turned out to be the best meal of their entire journey, thus far.
Sleep came quickly. It had been a long tiring day and they were so regimented as to the guard duty schedule, that everything went like clockwork. Jalaby finally fell asleep but not before thinking about how different tomorrow would be. A completely different environment, plus the lack of full vision and hostile creatures to boot. He finally realized that not much had really changed after all and went to sleep.
They were up early with the sun's light slowly seeping into the cave. They ate the leftovers from yesterday's meal and then packed to leave.
“Say Jalaby, believe it or not, I was thinking about our horses and kacks and the noise they are going to make on the rocky floor of the Cave Trail. It seems to me that we could use the spare blankets and clothing, cut them up as necessary and wrap the hooves of the horses and kacks. That should keep the noise down a little,” Connel said looking expectantly.
“Great idea, lets get it done.” Jalaby said and told everyone to do as Connel had suggested.
“Well, I'll be lucky if I'm not naked pretty soon, the way we keep using the extra clothing for what they never were intended,” Tom complained.
“There you go trying to scare us again. Don't worry, I'll give you my last blanket before I let that happen brother of mine,” said Sarah with a light laugh.
Then with lanterns lit, the feet of the horses and kacks covered and Jalaby in the lead, they began the Cave Trail.
The oil lanterns cast a pale yellow light which created ever changing shadows of the travelers and of the rocks and boulders along the way. They could see well enough and the light color of the cave walls themselves had a nice reflective property that helped. The bed of the trail was well used and that fact made the going easier. It was obvious that the trail bed had been groomed by those who used it by pitching to the side any of the larger sharp stones, leaving the smaller gravel size alone. Over time these had further broken down into a nice soft gravel bed, which at this point on the Cave Trail was about twenty feet wide. The cave height had dropped though and now averaged only eight to ten feet. There were often side tunnels along the way but it was always quite obvious which was the main Cave Trail. Everyone was extremely quiet. Jalaby figured that the fact that they went to all the trouble to wrap the horses' and kacks' feet to prevent noise, must have got the point across. What was remarkable was how straight the trail was. Only a slight turn now and then. The slope was gentle and always climbing.
The stone around Jalaby's neck gave no danger warnings and had decreased in intensity day by day since their encounter with the Fog Warriors, so Jalaby felt very at ease. It was not safe enough to let Tom sing, but it didn't appear Tom was in the mood for singing anyway.
Except for a brief stop for a quick lunch, they had continually walked leading their horses for the better part of the day.
“Hey Jalaby, I hate to complain but the scenery on this tour is getting pretty monotonous. All I see is rock wall after rock wall. At least the other way had a view.” Tom said with only a hint of humor in his voice.
“Yes, but it's warm, you've got to admit that!” Jalaby didn't wait for a reply because a question had formed in his mind.
“Talisbon, did Constanto give you or tell you about any directions when taking the Cave Trail?” To get the answer to his question, Jalaby moved closer.
“No, he was rather vague about how to get through the mountain, but said the trail was fairly easy to follow. He said we may need to use some side tunnels to keep away from the Pale Ones. He also said Sarah may be of some help with that.”
“Interesting. Sarah, please come up front for a minute.”
“Oh, how formal we all are.” Sarah said playfully.
“Oh, er...well, I think we should try an experiment on that headband Constanto gave you. If you have it handy, go ahead and put it on,” Jalaby said and Sarah did as requested.
“OK everyone, kill the oil lanterns,” and one by one everyone complied until it was completely dark.
“Oh, I can't believe it, do any of you see the floor or walls? They have arrows pointing in the direction we are heading!” Sarah said excitedly and almost in unison everyone said no.
“It isn't very bright but I can see pretty clearly all around me, including the direction we need to go on the Cave Trail. This is incredible,” Sarah said calmly.
“My turn now Sarah, let me try,” Tom said as he lit one of the lanterns to see Sarah and get the headband.
“OK, give it a try.” Sarah seemed eager for Tom to try it.
“OK, I've got it on.” Tom then turned off the oil lantern.
“Hey, I don't see a thing. It's pitch dark with no light at all. Every time you guys get some trinket with special powers or abilities, I can't get them to work. It's just not right. You might as well turn all the lights back on or you are not going anywhere with me as your guide.” Tom seemed truly disappointed. “Anyone else want to try?”
Everyone tested the headband but to no avail.
“Well you know Constanto did hint that it would not work for just anyone and now we know. It may only work for Sarah or perhaps just the female of the species.” Talisbon said with only a faint smile.
“OK, test complete. We now have another tool at our disposal. It's funny Constanto just didn't tell us about it. Why does everything have to be a riddle. Let's continue on.” Jalaby ordered in a casual voice.
So they traveled another hour until they found a wide area in the trail that looked to Jalaby like the perfect place to stop, so he relented and halted the journey for the night. The first day on the Cave Trail was finally over.
So it went, day after day until a week had passed. Jalaby knew everyone was growing tired of the repetition because he was. Slowly things began to change. It was subtle at first, just the coloring of the cave walls. The walls surface began to have a greenish tint and then they found an underground spring. It was fairly large, about fifty feet across and in a large cavern
“About time, I was beginning to think I would never have a bath again,” Tom said tiredly.
“Jalaby, as much as I would like our world to smell a lot better, please keep my brother out of there until we get our drinking water bags filled!” Sarah said good-naturedly.
“Sarah's right Tom. Water bags first, then we can all have a dip, but it will probably be a cold one,” said Jalaby as he began to tie a rope picket line between a couple of boulders to tether the horses and kacks.
Everyone in turn tied up thei
r animals. It was then that Jalaby noticed Talisbon tiredly sit down.
“You OK?” Jalaby asked with evident concern.
Talisbon's head was drooped and Jalaby thought he raised it rather reluctantly.
“Oh, I'm fine but I have to admit I'm very tired,” Talisbon said.
“Well, I've decided we'll stay here for a day. I think everyone, man, woman and beast needs a rest and this has been the first hospitable spot,” Jalaby said and at the news he could visibly see the relief on Talisbon's face.
“Hey this water is warm!” Tom shouted as he filled his water container.
“Great, I wasn't looking forward to an ice cold swim,” Sarah said.
“Jalaby, it seems to me it wouldn't take very long to go through the mountains based on distance. Do you think the Cave Trail and Mountain Trail run parallel the mountain range for a good part of the way?” Connel asked and Jalaby was again reminded of the contrast of personalities. Tom and Sarah getting ready to play in the water while serious Connel thinks about the journey, and Jalaby somewhere in the middle, but right now Jalaby was ready to play.
“I think that you are right; the trails must do that and I've noticed the compass has had us turning a little at a time such that now we are currently parallel the range. Now, lets fill our canteens and get in that water,” Jalaby said as he slapped Connel on the shoulder and headed for the spring.
Everyone splashed about for quite a while, except Talisbon, who was content to soak his feet and splash water over his face with his hands. The spring water was crystal clear and about twenty feet deep. The rock formation that held the pool of water was quite colorful. There were green, blue and sometimes yellow shadings in the gray-white rock surfaces. Jalaby thought it was quite beautiful.
It wasn't long before a tired but somewhat refreshed group had settled into sleep and that's when things changed for the worse.
Chapter 25
The campsite was dimly lit with only two lanterns and all were asleep except Connel, who was on second watch. It started with one terrifying high pitched scream and the thumping of what sounded like drums. It brought everyone to their feet and they scrambled for weapons while Talisbon, for some reason, scrambled to light another lantern. Connel was slightly up the tunnel in the direction they were to go in the morning and Jalaby heard scuffling sounds from that direction, but before he could move there was a cry from Connel that sent a shiver through his body.
“Sarah, guard our backs, Tom with me,” Jalaby shouted as he moved quickly to find Connel, who was on his back being dragged by two pale figures as he flailed his sword at them to no avail.
Jalaby didn't stop to stare, as he might in calmer times when he came across something that he had never seen before, he attacked one creature while Tom simultaneously went for the other. Jalaby realized at once that these were the creatures that Constanto had said they may likely come across and he struck vicious blows to the arms of the Pale Ones. The creatures shrieked in pain, let go of Connel and ran down the cave.
“Jalaby!” Sarah shouted and Jalaby turned to see Talisbon and Sarah facing three more creatures.
In one motion Jalaby jerked Connel to his feet and pulled him toward the new fight. Sarah hit one creature with her crossbow and it turned and fled. She then pulled her small sword, but with Jalaby, Connel and Tom now moving fast towards them, the other two Pale Ones got smart and made a hasty retreat.
Everyone stood momentarily in an irregular circle panting and moving their eyes in all direction waiting for a new attack, but none came, and almost in unison they took a deep breath.
“Wow! Man that was unreal. Connel man, they almost got you man, they almost got you,” Tom laughed and slapped Connel on his shoulder. “I take it those were the Pale Ones. Did you see their yellow eyes in those pale white bodies and not a bit of hair.”
“And those faces. Their body was human like, but it was like someone stretched their face vertically and removed their ears,” Connel joined in, looking no worse for his near capture.
“Well, I saw their weapons and they would be no match for our swords,” Jalaby added. “They were long sticks with a spiked ball at the end. Very crude.”
“Yes, but in great numbers they could be a problem,” Talisbon added solemnly.
“Now Taliman, you've got to be more upbeat like me. At least we won the first round,” Tom said and was about to continue when Jalaby broke in.
“Maybe not! I think they might have got away with a horse and kack!” Jalaby said angrily looking towards the picket line. “And it looks like my horse Willow and kack Rosey.” After a few moments with no one offering an opinion, Jalaby continued. “I'm going after them, but first we need a place for the rest of you and the animals to hide. If we can find a dead-end cave off the main trail, that is somewhat hidden and defendable, then I think it will be safe for me to get our property back,” Jalaby said firmly and started to move.
“Hey, wait a minute. Why didn't your stone give you any warning?” Tom ask somewhat accusingly.
“That's my fault and it won't happen again. I took it off when we all went for a swim and forgot to put it back on. I'm hoping that with the stone I will be able to find their main living area and find my animals.” Jalaby then grabbed the Stone of Crieton and put it back around his neck. “It seems OK, they are somewhat distant now.”
“Well, I'm going with you. With my headband we don't need a light so we can sneak up on them. Let's face it, if you try to head after them carrying a lantern, it's not going to end well,” Sarah said.
Jalaby wanted to but couldn't fault Sarah's logic. Jalaby felt the odds of getting his horse and kack back and surviving, went from almost none to a definite maybe.
“OK, but we are getting ahead of ourselves, we need a safe place first, so pack up everyone and let's check out each side tunnel we come to.” Sarah seemed to like Jalaby's short affirmative to her help and nodded, smiled and started getting ready. Tom not so much. He held back as the others moved to get ready.
“I don't like this much. You're splitting up our forces and taking my sister with you.”
“I think this will work Tom. With her and my special abilities, there should be little risk. If we all try it, it would be a disaster trying to keep everyone safe. I'm counting on you and Connel to protect the base and if you are discovered, that won't be an easy task.” Jalaby finished with a worried look, which the dim lantern light now showed, along with the sweat from his encounter with the Pale Ones.
“Just take care of her,” and after a pause. “and yourself Jalaby.”
“I thought for a second you were not going to worry about me,” Jalaby said teasingly.
“Why would I worry about you. You're too ornery to get taken by a bunch of pale throwback cavemen that could use a day in the sun,” Tom laughed, which immediately made Jalaby smile and feel inside that it would all be alright.
“OK, let's go!” Jalaby said and took the lead. It was the middle of the night, but who could tell since the cave was always dark.
Jalaby urgently pressed on. He wasn't sure what the Pale Ones had in mind for Willow and Rosey, but he felt it wouldn't be good. His uncle, he knew, must have paid quite a sum for Willow and he wasn't about to let him become someone's supper or a pack animal for the Pale Ones. The first side tunnel they explored offered nothing but a narrow passage that would have been difficult to defend. They would have to fight one on one and being out numbered it would never work. A short way later they found what they were looking for. The side cave was a dead end, but the end was cavernous, so that they could picket their horses and kacks plus store their gear. The trail to that point was narrow and lower, so they could easily block the narrow part and position themselves above the attackers. It would be three against one every time the Pale Ones would attack. They also rigged up a few traps that involved flaming lantern oil but they would use them only if it became necessary. This would be a last resort since they needed that oil very badly. When they were done with the de
fense preparations, Jalaby and Sarah gathered up their weapons and made ready to leave.
“I think you are in a strong position here and I have no doubt that if attacked, you could defend this position forever.” Jalaby said with confidence. “We hope to be back in three to four hours but if we are not back in twenty-four hours then we are probably in trouble. All decisions after that are up to you.”
Everyone shook hands, Tom and Sarah hugged and wishes for good luck were made all around for those going and those staying. With that, Jalaby and Sarah were on their way, with Sarah in the lead carrying no lantern and only a headband to guide them through the dark cave.
“Jalaby, can you sense how far from us the Pale Ones are located, like you did with the Fog Warriors?” Sarah's voice was just a whisper but the close cave walls made it sound louder than Jalaby wanted it to be.
“Just a minute. Let me try to get a direction.” Jalaby moved the stone back and forth. “I think it is a little to the left of where we are headed. It is weak, but I think for some reason, that having layers of rock between them and us is reducing the intensity. They could actually be very close. I'd say we are OK at the moment.”
Jalaby was following Sarah by sound only and occasionally ran into her when she slowed down, which he did now.
“Sarah there must be a better way for me to follow?” Jalaby laughed.
“Yes, the back of my feet have been stepped on more times than our last dance.”
“Don't remind me, I nearly killed Kent. I wonder where that guy is now?” Jalaby's voice held regret.
“You're distracting me. It's not easy to see with this headband. It's like wearing horse blinders that give me no peripheral vision. OK, take one end of my crossbow bag strap and I'll take the other. Try to keep it fairly tight and if it goes slack then I'm slowing or stopping. That is the best we can do.”
Jalaby had to admit that it did help and they continued on until a spike in the intensity of the stone made Jalaby wince and pull back on the strap connecting him to Sarah.