by C. R. Daems
* * *
After a full day of discussions, we decided to return to Tarion. Fayza would return via Sanctuary seven. She would wait for the next shipment of flowers to Sanctuary seven, destroy it, and then proceed to the Sanctuary and destroy whatever Passion drug they had processed. Hajna would travel west looking for other Sanctuaries. Rong, Erica, and I would proceed further south to the next Sanctuary and then to Tarion. Our mission was undefined since we didn't know what we would find. Hajna and Fayza would give us two days before beginning to create havoc.
The road south was well traveled and our going slow, having to travel at night and to be careful of camps along the road. Rong cautioned it would be best not to kill anyone unless our lives were in danger in order to keep our presence undetected for as long as possible. We arrived at the next Sanctuary on the morning of the fourth day. From our vantage point well into the foothills, the village looked the size of the one we had left. A day observing the village revealed what looked like a military training center, although from our distant position details were impossible to make out. That night the three of us split up. Erica headed towards the desert floor, Rong towards the main village, and I towards the military area. Although the sky was clear, the streets were dark and the shadows plentiful, with the moon Sycorax still behind the mountains and Setebos only a quarter moon. I didn't know if the Snowmen had a curfew or not, but the streets were deserted well before midnight. The only people out appeared to be Snowmen and most of them village guards. I had no trouble avoiding them with Anil and Kasi scouting the way. The military compound had only a low stone wall easily scaled and only three guards to cover an area hundreds of steps wide and deep. I inspected each of the twenty buildings, peeking through windows and in some cases picking the lock and entering. The three of us arrived back within minutes of each other, as the sky began to turn a light gray.
"No Passion flowers and only a few guards standing watch in the direction of Tarion. The desert floor shows signs of being a training area, with dummies, props, broken equipment, and large areas having been scoured clean of all vegetation," Erica said, as she munched on some root. "Want one? They are very nutritious."
I shrugged and stuck out my hand. It had an earthy taste.
"Hard to call this place a Sanctuary," Rong said, with a scowl. This seems to be the place they take new prisoners. Men who don't conform are used as slave labor and kept locked up at night. The women are fed Passion nectar and used by the Snowmen for entertainment. Like the last Sanctuary, many of the shops make military equipment and clothing."
"Yes, this is where they train the Assur and others willing to participate. It looks like twenty hands of non-Snowmen and ten hands of Snowmen. The Assur are trained with the spear and the bow. The Snowmen prefer swords." I said. "Unless you have another idea, I think we should return to Tarion."
"Maybe a bit of mischief first," Rong said, eyes turned down thinking.
"I'd like to try a Storm Wizard," I said, although not sure what I could or should try, but the wizards would be important in any upcoming battle. I should at least understand what they were capable of doing.
"You going to challenge one?" Erica asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure. Why don't you two leave tonight? I want to see if I can observe one in action, if nothing else."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
* * *
Rong and Erica planned to move further south and closer to Tarion before attempting to cross. I went with them, as the military compound was on the south side of the village. As they continued on, I scouted the area for a good place to observe tomorrow’s activity, taking into consideration the area Erica had said was free of vegetation. Eventually, I found a rocky area to the south of the training ground which was undisturbed and still had some shrubs. I spent the time digging out a shallow depression for me to lie in, and went to sleep. I woke to the sounds of people coming into the area. I counted twenty Assur and four Snowmen. They were well over a hundred paces away, and little danger to me. Around midday a wizard and a woman entered the area much closer to where I lay. He wore a traditional black wizard's robe with swirls along the hem and on the sleeve, and a large one on his back. She had on a plain black robe which I assumed meant she was an apprentice. For the next two hours I watched as he took her through a set of exercises. As I suspected, the Storm Wizards and our Wind Wizards were not the same. A Wind Wizard kept a steady wind circling him and could push a gust in only one direction, some ten to twenty paces wide. The Storm Wizard pushed the air in front of him, causing the sand and debris to whirl into a large storm-like cloud. The wind was deadly at longer distances, not because of the wind but because of the flying sand and debris. An approaching enemy would not only be blinded, literally, but the sand would tear skin and clothing to shreds.
When the wizard decided to quit, it was beginning to get dark, and they were alone on the field. On their way back to the compound, they passed within ten paces of where I lay. When they were well past, I rose, took careful aim, and sent a rocktail arrow at the wizard. I was not sure what I expected or hoped for, but he never turned or showed any sign of awareness as the arrow sunk into his back. The woman was quick to respond and whirled in my direction as I nocked my second arrow. I fired as she pushed wind in my direction. She wasn’t nearly as strong as the wizard, but my arrow fell short. I couldn't nock another arrow as wind and sand tore at my face and clothing, pushing me off balance and making it impossible to see. I wasn't sure about using Anil and Kasi, so I began running out into the desert in the direction of Tarion. As I ran the wind lessened and the sand had less impact. If she had been a wizard, I doubt I would have survived.
I continued to run at a pace I could maintain for many hours, especially at night in the cool air. As I ran, Anil and Kasi flew the area behind me watching for any pursuit. Judging by Setebos, which was at full moon, I had been running for six hours, when four riders, spread about fifty paces apart, appeared about a half hour behind me. Even if I could maintain this pace, I would need at least a full day to reach Tarion. Their horses were laboring under their pace, but I wasn't going to be able to avoid a fight eventually. I ran on, slowing and angling toward the right most rider, since the rider's horse on the far left was falling behind. Two minutes later Anil landed on the rider's neck, injecting him with its powerful poison. If the Snowman were healthy, he would probably survive. The man slumped and tumbled from his horse. A few minutes later, the right most rider pointed in my direction. The other two veered toward me. Kasi landed on the left most rider who was now the furthest behind because of the turn to the right. He fell. Anil attacked the one to the left of the lead rider, who had been so focused on me he hadn't bothered to look for his comrades—until now. He was within twenty paces and saw my drawn bow and nocked arrow. Realizing he had no choice but to try to run me down, he leaned forward against the horse's neck, pointed his sword at me, and screamed as he spurred the horse. The horse lunged unsteadily forward, panting and covered with white sweat. My arrow sank into the horse’s chest. It stumbled and fell, trapping the Snowman's leg underneath it. I swallowed a lump in my throat as the horse when down, but I nocked another arrow. The Snowman kicked free of the saddle, screaming in anger. An arrow to his heart ended it. An hour later I had retrieved the three horses and began walking them towards Tarion.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
DAZEL: Tarion – Revelation
During my ride to Tarion, I debated whether to go the clan, the Earth Wizards, or the king first. My visual-self voted for the clan; my shadow-self, the wizards, because my Sisters would be there. Intuition won, I wound up at the castle.
"Tell Captain Tymon the Shadow of Death would like to see him," I said to the two open-mouthed guards at the outside gate. Not every day the Shadow of Death shows up riding a horse and leading two with empty saddles. One of the guards disappeared inside and a few minutes later a sergeant led me into the castle grounds. Tymon strode into the yard minutes later.
"How is he?"
"Recovered. Truly recovered and furious as a wild dog robbed of its prey." Tymon grinned for a second. "He's sent messengers to every province outlining how Passion nectar had been used to gain control over him and ordering the cults searched and their leaders arrested. He has called for a meeting of the province leaders."
"Let him know I'm here."
"It's very early. Can it wait?"
"Yes, give me a place to sleep, and I'll wait until he's ready." It had been a long couple of days, and I was bone tired. Besides, I'd prefer coming and going at night. From the look of the room, Tymon had led me to a guest room for nobles. The room could have held three of our clan wagons. It had a bed wider than our wagon, windows that looked out onto the Assur Mountains, several plush floor rugs with flowers and vines patterns, an assortment of lounge chairs, two armoires, and tables. I headed straight for the bed and was asleep before I hit the bedding.
* * *
I snapped awake at a light knock at the door.
"Come."
Two young women entered, carrying towels and pitchers of water. They set them on a long table and hurried out. I took my time washing. I had been many days without a wash, and it felt wonderful. I wished I had a change of blacks. Mine were not only dirty but torn in places from my encounter with the apprentice Storm Wizard. Sometime later, another knock rattled the door.
"Come," I said, and Captain Tymon entered.
"The king would like you to join him and the queen for breakfast."
I nodded and followed him to a small dining room where Stepan and Lalia sat. They waved me to an empty seat to his right.
"Shadow, please sit and have something to eat or drink."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said and took the offered seat. I was hungry, but I couldn't remove my scarf without exposing my identity. "If you will excuse my hands," I said, cutting a few pieces of meat and using my hand to reach under my scarf and feed myself.
"Once again the kingdom and I owe you. If you hadn't intervened, not only would I have been a willing slave, I would have sold my kingdom for more of the Passion nectar. How can I repay you?"
"The fight isn't over, Your Majesty. The Snowmen of the Assur Mountains have come down..." I went on to explain what we had found.
"Good, we will put together a Hesland army from all the provinces and crush them."
"I believe that would be a huge risk. I think you could lose. In the desert, the Storm Wizards would give them an immense advantage."
"What about our wizards? We have Wind Wizards of our own, plus Earth, Fire and Water."
"I'm familiar with all of our wizards and their powers. And I've seen a Storm Wizard in action. At the very least, a Storm Wizard would neutralize our wizards, but ours couldn't neutralize a Storm Wizard. In a town, a Storm Wizard would be far less effective and easier to defeat."
"Do you suggest we do nothing?" Stepan's voice rose in anger and frustration. Clearly he wanted to strike out against those who had nearly destroyed him and Hesland. Lalia patted his arm.
"Relax, dear. The Shadow of Death is not one to sit idle while Hesland is destroyed."
"Their Supreme Leader, who is called Askell, cannot afford a stalemate, because that would give you the advantage. So, if you do not attack, he must. It will be where he feels you are the weakest. Unless we can determine that ahead of time, all of the provinces must be ready to respond in unison."
I spent the rest of the day with the king and his military advisors, telling them what I knew and discussing ways the provinces could prepare their militaries to support each other with little or no notice. I left late that evening and made my way to the Earth Wizards' lodge.
* * *
When I arrived, everyone had gathered in the meeting hall. Judging by the silence, they were waiting on my report, since they had already heard each other’s.
"I spend a day watching the Storm Wizard and his apprentice." I detailed everything I had seen, killing the wizard, and my retreat. "When I reached Tarion, I went straight to the castle. I'm happy to say that the king appears to have made a full recovery and is furious. He wants to take an army and wipe out the Snowmen."
"And you advised against it," Rong said, more as a statement than a question. "Because?"
"Yes. If I were Askell, I would welcome such an attack. All or nothing, quick and decisive. And fought on his home field where his Storm Wizards have an advantage. Otherwise, he is in for a prolonged battle fought on our homeland, giving us the advantage."
"What did you suggest?" Hajna asked.
"I know Askell will be forced to act if we don't, but I don't know what that will be. If I did, I would tell the king and let him decide. I told the king what I think. Hopefully, he can get all the provinces prepared, so that the kingdom can respond quickly when Askell moves."
"That’s good advice. The Earth Wizards will offer to act as a communications link with the provinces as we do with you and the Shadow Sisters. That would speed up the response across Hesland," Erica said as the other Wizards nodded in agreement.
"Askell has certainly had a setback. Our Sisters have swept through the provinces, killed the cult leaders, who turned out to be Snowmen, and destroyed all the Passion nectar they could find. I destroyed a cart full of Passion flowers for processing at Sanctuary seven and the twenty-five bottles they had ready for shipment," Fayza said. "The surprising part was how calmly Roisin and the others accepted the destruction of those bottles."
"I just returned yesterday, myself," Hajna said. "I killed several hands of Snowmen in the three Sanctuaries I encountered in my sweep west. Hopefully, that will spur Askell to action. Like the king, I too would like the confrontation to come quickly. If he acts when he's angry, the more likely he will do something stupid."
"Can one of you walk me back to the Tobar clan?" I asked, grinning. "I need verification the Shadow Sisters kidnapped me."
"And you need new blacks," Fayza said. "Those are disgusting. You look like a rag lady."
* * *
I stayed the night, and in the morning Sister Rong accompanied me back to the camp. Alida and Kata were the first to see us.
"Ryana! You're back!" She screamed running towards me and grabbing me in a breath-stopping hug. Luka jumped up from squatting next to the fire pit and ran toward me. Santo and the others followed, as they shouted my name. Luka grabbed me and swept me off my feet, kissing me as he whirled me around to a growing chorus of clapping and stomping feet.
Rong waited until Santo and the others surrounded us before speaking in a voice an octave or two lower than normal and with a Calion accent. I wouldn't have known it was her under other circumstances.
"The Shadows apologize for taking Ryana and keeping her so long. But she had information which when combined with what the Zunji knew has enabled us to stop a plot to undermine the rulers in several provinces. Ryana did not leave the Shadow Sister in disgrace or because we didn't like her. She is very talented. We asked her to leave because she was not suited to the life. Ryana is much more suited to being a gypsy than a Shadow." With that, Rong turned and rode away.
"You're going to tell us what happened, aren't you? Or will we have to torture you?" Kata said. Soon food and drink began to appear and the clan settled into a large family circle.
Luka held me tight against his side. "I've been worried sick. It took so long, I was afraid something bad had happened."
"I'll tell you the real story tonight," I whispered in his ear, between kisses. "But now the fun story."
He put me down, and I fetched a cup of tea. The thought of a fruit-tasting drink made me shudder.
"They wanted to know about that fruit-tasting drink I let you taste..." I spent a couple of hours weaving some truth with a lot of imagination�
��lies—into an entertaining story. It sounded true because it incorporated many of the things that had happened in Tuska, Zunji, Calion, and Araby—as a good lie should—with Rong's brief explanation. By the end of my tale, I felt at peace again. Deep, comforting, warmth came from being with family.
"We have to start practicing." Kata jumped to her feet when the questions finally stopped coming. "The performance before the king is in three days."
"And we have a performance tonight," Santo said. As everyone began returning to their normal activities, Lujza put her arm through mine and steered me away from the others.
"That was a lovely story, and a nice ending. You are a remarkable woman. Two women, I suspect. I think the Shadow you returned with had the right of it. You are not suited for the life of a Shadow, yet you are the perfect Shadow. A terrible burden for one so young." She hugged me. "If you ever need someone to help or just talk to, I'll always be here."
That night after a long and passionate lovemaking, I gave Luka a brief account of my time with the king and in the Assur Mountains. He listened quietly, asking an occasional question, seeming able to see me as two persons—his wife and a Shadow. Maybe it helped to view the Shadow as another person who was only slightly related to his wife. All I know was that I loved him and would ever be grateful he chose to marry me. I only hoped he would never regret it, because it would kill the visual-Ryana and perhaps the Shadow as well.