Jalaby's Journey

by Duane Alston

  “No parents, no family. I've been on my own for many years now. I would like to help.” Henry looked up at Jalaby who could not help but admire this young kid's courage to survive.

  “OK Henry, you're one of us now. So I know you're tired but we leave in ten minutes can you do it?” Jalaby said smiling.

  “You bet! I'm ready now!” Henry said smiling excitedly and Jalaby patted his shoulder as he moved past to gather up his belongings.

  Chapter 32

  The way to Fortress Aldon was unknown. Henry had let them know early on that he knew the general direction but had never been there before.

  Jalaby believed by using the stones that he could project himself to their location to see what was going on but he didn't want those around Tom and Connel to see his projection or hear his conversation. Not at this time anyway, but even without more information from Talisbon, the third stone had given him increased power to sense their state of mind and from that he could tell that both Tom and Connel were not under any physical or emotional duress. In fact, he could sense that they were both trying to figure out a way to escape. Their mood was upbeat with Tom being a little irritated at himself for being captured. Jalaby let Sarah know what he was sensing, for which she was grateful. He assured her that if circumstances were to change he would project there.

  They rode at a moderate pace and after descending from Stoneburst Settlement, they were now in farmland on a wide flat road lit only by moonlight.

  “OK Talisbon, let's talk about what options this third stone gives us.” Jalaby said as they rode side by side.

  “Well first, let's talk about fighting power.” Talisbon paused slightly before continuing. “Your individual ability is now increased by over one thousand times. Think of it! The speed of each sword blow sped up one thousand times.” Talisbon's excitement was now quite evident.

  “You seemed to know quite a lot about this subject. How do you know all this?” Jalaby asked but immediately regretted it since Talisbon's physical posture seemed to immediately deflate and his response brought back to Jalaby the reclusive soul they met months ago.

  “Legends, just legends. They may mean nothing and I would not want to waste you time with perhaps meaningless information.” Talisbon said and immediately looked away.

  “I meant no offense. I just have a natural curiosity about the stones. For what its worth my heightened senses indicate no ill will from you so I hope we will always be friends.” Jalaby said sincerely.

  “I feel the same and whatever I do in the future will be done for the best.” Talisbon answered.

  Jalaby thought to himself that it was a rather cryptic response but let it go.

  “OK, give me all you know.” Jalaby said and was glad to see Talisbon quickly nod in agreement.

  So for the next hour Talisbon told every legend or recent story he knew about the stones but in Jalaby's mind it boiled down to four areas. Jalaby now had tremendous combat skills. Perhaps a thousand times greater than when he fought the Zefferts. Second, all his senses have been increased dramatically. Not only the physical senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch but the ability to sense how others feel when they are at great distances. Third is projection. Not only could he project to another location to view and communicate just like he did on the Altus Cave Trail inside Neteos Mountain, but Talisbon said he could now project himself physically to another location and physically interact with whoever and whatever is at that location. The fourth and final ability was one that greatly excited Jalaby. It was the power to give these abilities to others through a different form of projection. This could be given to perhaps as many as a thousand friends and allies. Jalaby could just imagine what this could mean in the rescue of Tom and Connel. They could take on the Fog Warriors.

  “Thanks Talisbon. This is just what we need,” Jalaby said and reach across and shook his hand vigorously.

  “You're welcome Prince Langmaster.” Talisbon allowed a shy smile to appear and Jalaby could not help but smile in return after thinking of all the times he had asked him not to call him that.

  “I hope you can wield these powers, if they exist. To me it has only been legend, but I am hopeful,” Talisbon finished.

  “You and me both,” Jalaby said and decided now was the time to see what he could do.

  Jalaby had them stop early the next morning and, since they had ridden all night, there was little argument, just a raised eyebrow and a few words from Sarah, who despite looking like she would fall over, wanted to go on.

  “We will,” said Jalaby and Sarah saw a familiar look in his eye as he said it and immediately responded.

  “OK, I know that look by now. What do you have in mind?”

  “My plan is this. First I'm going to give or project all my abilities to you, Talisbon and Henry. In addition, give them to Tom, Connel, the Olandie and the Zefferts.” Jalaby paused as Sarah eyed him skeptically and then continued. “Talisbon says legend has it that this can be done, so I'm going to do that shortly. Before anyone asks, no I don't know how to actually accomplish that yet.” Jalaby shifted uneasily on his feet. “Second, I'm going to let Tom and Connel know about my plan so they will not attempt to escape until we are there to help. Third, we are going to find a place near the fortress Aldon so we can see what we are up against and safely project into the fortress to save Tom and Connel.”

  “How are you going to project somewhere that you've never been?” Sarah asked with some doubt creeping into the tone of her voice.

  “We are going to key off Tom's and Connel's physical position as well as what I can get from them about the lay of the land when I contact them shortly.” Jalaby answered with as much optimism in his voice as he could give.

  “I am at your command, Prince Langmaster. Please proceed.” Talisbon said formally.

  Jalaby nodded. “OK, I'll proceed,” Jalaby said solemnly.

  Jalaby then did the only thing he could think of and that was to concentrate on what he wanted to have happen. In his mind, he focused all his thoughts on giving all his abilities to the others. The more he concentrated, the warmer the stones felt against his skin. Then all of a sudden the heat intensity spiked and then nothing. The stones felt normal again.

  “I felt it Jalaby and feel it now!” Sarah said excitedly.

  “Yes, there is definitely something that has changed in me. I don't feel the stiffness I had.” Talisbon said with a definite surprised look on his face, which seemed out of place on Talisbon.

  “Henry, you too?” Jalaby asked.

  Henry just nodded with a big smile.

  “Henry with nothing to say? Something must have happened,” teased Sarah.

  “OK Sarah, let's test whether anything has really changed with a quick practice sword fight.” Jalaby said smiling broadly.

  Jalaby and Sarah quickly drew their swords and began a mock fight and it was evident from the onset that even with Jalaby's new combat powers that they were very equally matched.

  “Amazing,” Talisbon said. “Your movements were a blur. I don't know how it felt but from our point of view your sword hits sounded like the drumming of a woodpecker and lasted but a few seconds.”

  “It actually felt like normal speed to me. I guess because Sarah was at the same speed level as I was. If we fought someone without these enhanced abilities then undoubtedly we would see a difference,” Jalaby said with no signs of having expended any energy at all.

  “Yes, Jalaby's right. I felt nothing different, but I'm glad to see it's working. So let's get going, we need to get Tom and Connel out of there as soon as possible,” Sarah said with the worry evident on her face.

  “OK, no time to lose. I'll use the same method to give Tom and Connel our abilities and talk with them.”

  Jalaby did as before and a wave of relief swept over him as he again felt the stones spike in heat and go cold. This time though, he began to project his thoughts to Tom and opened his mind for an answer and it worked.

  “Tom are you alright?�
�� Jalaby asked.

  “What! Is this weird or what. I can hear you inside my head. Yee Ha, I guess you found that third stone. Are you guys safe?” Tom's thoughts came in a rush.

  “Yes, we're all safe but what about you. We are looking to make our move the day after tomorrow. Can you hold out?” Jalaby asked with evident concern.

  “Ah, we have been taking it easy on these Fog Warriors and have about figured out a plan but we can wait if you need our help. Is Sis OK?” Tom asked.

  “Yes, she's fine. Listen, I need to let you know that with the help of the stones I can now project all my combat and other abilities to you and Connel and have done so a few moments ago. You won't feel any different but will have heightened senses and fighting abilities,” Jalaby said.

  “I felt something but thought it was indigestion from all this nasty Fog Warrior food.” Tom laughed making Jalaby also laugh.

  “When we are ready, we plan to physically project ourselves to your location and carry the battle to the Fog Warriors.” Jalaby said with confidence.

  “Man, that is a big task. Do you know how many Fog Warriors we have here? Wouldn't it make more sense to just sneak us out of here?” Tom said calmly.

  “Actually it would be almost impossible to sneak past the thousands of Fog Warriors there, but the good news is we have help. Constanto and his people are coming and also the Zefferts. I plan to project my abilities to as many of them as possible and once I give them my abilities, they can project themselves to any place we need them. The Zefferts have time to get here but Constanto's people may need help in getting here in time. Don't get over anxious and antagonize your guards before the deadline. Before I forget, we plan to move to a better location near the fortress. I'll do this based on what you and Connel have seen, so I want both of you to visualize what it looks like around the fortress. A good observation point such as a hill would be what we need.” Jalaby paused to give Tom and Connel a chance to remember and pretty soon Jalaby was able to see the images of what they were remembering. As Jalaby suspected, Connel had the visions with the greatest detail. “Alright, got it. Thanks, I see a knoll south of the fortress, that should work nicely.”

  “Wow, I was about to describe it but I guess you can see what I remembered.” Connel replied.

  “Cool. Alright, guards are coming. It's breakfast time, so I can't talk. Hey wait, I guess I can. They can't hear me think. Ha, anything else?” Tom sounded his old self and Jalaby was glad to see his friend in such good spirits, considering his circumstances.

  “No, nothing now. I'll talk to you two later. Probably tomorrow. Better yet, I'll probably have Sarah update you guys.”

  “Sounds great. I'll also get the update on your romance. Take care.” Tom finished.

  “Ha, I'm sure she can do that but more likely she will chew you out for getting caught. Talk with you later.” Jalaby finished and took a deep breath. He had not realized how concerned he was. The relief was evident on his face as he turned to the others.

  “They are safe and ready to join in. There is a knoll just south of the fortress. That is our next destination.” Jalaby smiled at Sarah.

  “What a relief. I'm sure my brother was his usual self?” Sarah's question sounded more like a comment but Jalaby answered.

  “Yes, he was that. I wouldn't want to be the Fog Warrior stuck with being his jailer. He may drive them all nuts before we get there.” Jalaby laughed out loud which lightened the mood considerably.

  Jalaby then one at a time contacted Constanto and Malno to inform them of his plan and that the abilities he is giving them will allow them to travel faster in order to arrive in time. With no problem, he was able to project abilities to all the Olandie and Zefferts.

  "It's done, they have the powers and will be near the fortress in time." Jalaby let everyone know what he had accomplished.

  Chapter 33

  After a couple hours rest with no one on guard, they moved on. Since they all had the danger sensing ability of Jalaby, there was no need to keep an eye out. Because they had traveled most of the night, plus all day and then late into the evening, Jalaby knew, but also sensed, that they were getting close to the fortress.

  “We are close.” Jalaby stated, to which everyone nodded, and Jalaby knew that they had been sensing the same thing. “Tomorrow we will find a good vantage point on that knoll. Because we pushed it, we are two days early and we will use the extra time to set up our attack. This will also give us time to coordinate with our friends the Olandie and Zefferts.”

  After eating a quickly prepared meal, Henry brought up a question that had probably been on his mind all day.

  “If we can project from anywhere, why didn't we just project from where we were last night instead of riding all the way?”

  “Well Henry, for one thing, our skills at projection have probably not been perfected yet. We are learning. I think what you suggest is possible, but it's too great a risk. We might project ourselves in the middle of a thousand Fog Warriors and with nowhere to hide. We'd have to fight our way out. No, it is best we get in a good physical position first and then project ourselves next to Tom and Connel.” Jalaby said and Henry's eyes opened wide in surprise. “Well, not that close. We won't project into a locked cell, if that's what you are worried about.” Jalaby finished reassuringly.

  Henry's face brightened and he nodded in firm agreement.

  “OK everyone, we need to share some of the communication tasks because it will quickly drain my energy if I did it all. So Talisbon, try to contact Constanto and see what progress his people and the Zefferts are making. Sarah, talk with Tom and Connel. Let them know that the day after tomorrow we plan to project to their location and get them out of there.”

  “What about me?” Henry asked.

  “The day after tomorrow while we are busy projecting into the fortress, I know how best to use you and still keep you safe. I want you to keep watch on the knoll and let us know when Constanto and the Zefferts show up,” Jalaby said and Henry frowned in disappointment. “Now wait! This is important. We will be inside the fortress and may not be in a position to concentrate our senses to know when they arrive. By projecting over to Constanto's group when they are close, you can give them a message, which I will write out, detailing the plan of attack. We will work from inside the fortress but the majority of the Fog Warriors will be outside the walls.”

  “I'll take the crossbow that Sarah gave me. I'll do my part.” Henry said confidently.

  “When you are with Constanto's people, you can join in but don't do anything while on the knoll to draw attention to yourself. Promise?” Jalaby asked looking directly into Henry's face and with a hand on his left shoulder.

  “Yes, I'll wait until I'm with Constanto and have delivered the message.”

  “Great, now let's see what Sarah has taught you.” Jalaby said and they moved away from their small camp fire and for the next quarter of an hour Henry showed to an impressed Jalaby, just how good he was.

  The night brought the rest they all needed but to Jalaby it seemed like he had not slept at all. Last night Talisbon let him know that Constanto and the Zefferts would arrive in time to attack at midday tomorrow. In addition, Sarah was also able to talk with Tom and Connel to let them know when they would join them to launch their attack from inside the fortress. She further explained that even though they have the ability to project out of there, their actual physical being would remain, though invisible. It is just the way it works; you are anchored to where you project from even though at that location you disappear physically, you ultimately have to return there afterward. This can especially be bad if the bearer of the stones hasn't the energy to keep projecting the abilities to the others. She said Tom in particular was not too happy about that, but they would be ready.

  “Jalaby, if the creator of the Fog Warriors has essentially the same powers as you, then why not bestow the powers to a group of others as you have done and then defeat us?” Sarah asked when she woke up.

&n
bsp; “I guess the simple answer is trust and fear. The person who has the other set of stones is evidently afraid to give too much power to anyone else for fear they might use it in some fashion to take the stones away. Instead, they used the stones to create these Fog Warriors. They can create these in great numbers and thereby control a larger area and the Fog Warriors will mindlessly obey.” Jalaby answered feeling like he was coming across a little like one of Talisbon's lectures.

  They broke camp and traveled on but it didn't take long that morning for the stones to begin warning Jalaby that they were approaching some sort of danger and in turn, since Jalaby was projecting the stones abilities to the others, they were feeling the discomfort that only Jalaby had previously felt.

  “Ow, I see what you mean about sensing the danger ahead but I was hoping we wouldn't be stuck with this pain since we don't actually have the stones on,” Sarah said grimacing.

  “I know you don't want me to say it, but you will get used to it and by the end of the day, you'll have to actually focus on it in order to figure distance and direction.” Jalaby was thinking about how great it was to no longer be alone with the experience. “We are getting close. Probably another two miles to the knoll near the fortress. We'll walk the horses from here and approach the knoll cautiously,” Jalaby said.

  They moved off the road and into heavily wooded land with Jalaby in the lead. From what Tom had told him and the direction and distance he sensed ahead, he felt he had a pretty good bearing on the knoll. They carefully moved ahead and began to notice the way become steeper as they went along.

  The going was rough and they had to make their own path through the dense forest. It was Henry that gave the first warning that they were nearing their goal.

  “Up ahead, I see a break in the trees!” Henry spoke urgently but in a hushed voice.