Jaded Dusk

by Scott Wale

  “Why were there only three?” Alejade asked pushing herself off the ground.

  “Scouting party”, Fenrit answered. “They were headed east along the edge of the woods when I first spotted them. They probably wouldn’t have even entered the woods if we just took cover and let them pass by, but that wouldn’t have turned out so well for the safety camp. They can’t be sure we’re all here, but they’ll definitely send more this way to check it out.”

  “Then we need to hurry back to the camp and get everyone started on their way to Aman”, Alejade suggested.

  Fenrit stared into Alejade’s eyes searching for the right words. She could tell he had something important to reveal and that he wanted to do it in a delicate manner.

  “You don’t intend to come with us?” Alejade asked trying to read Fenrit’s thoughts.

  “No, you two will return to the safety camp and I will head south to Shadowport”, Fenrit said bluntly. “This will only end when Grimtav is confronted and Shadowport is the best idea I have on where to get a lead on where he’s hiding.”

  “And you want to circumvent the group of elders, which is why you brought us here instead of directly to the safety camp”, Alejade inferred.

  “Do you still not see it even after those scouts?” Fenrit asked. “Whether we’re simply in the way or he has some sort of unknown grudge against us, Grimtav wants us dead. We can’t hide, especially in front of the biggest obstacle between him and control of everything that lives in this valley.”

  “What do you plan to do?” Alejade asked with a judgmental tone. She was displeased with Fenrit’s avoidance of the elders. This act would be seen as intentionally disobeying their direction.

  “I don’t have a plan”, Fenrit answered. “I just know that sitting outside of Aman is not solution. Running around trying to stay one step ahead of the cymutts is not a solution and most of all waiting for Grimtav to come to us is not a solution.”

  “I don’t expect you to have a solution to everything”, Alejade responded. “I do think you’re being impulsive and making decisions out of frustration.”

  “Well the problem with impatient people like myself is that they get tired of waiting and eventually start creating their own solutions”, Fenrit started. “I’m tired of being asked to hold on to faith and that somehow things will work themselves out without me having to intervene.”

  Cerevus stood by awkwardly. Eventually the brother and sister would reach a compromise and all three would abide by it. Arguing was only going to take time that they would all agree is precious.

  “I’m sorry you feel the way you do, Alejade”, Fenrit continued. “But my mind is made up. I’m doing what I think gives our people the best shot at survival. I’ve let life take me on its course since my birth and now it’s time for me to take control of my own destiny.”

  “The elders will not approve of your action”, Alejade pointed out. “You’re embarking down a dangerous path and if you hopefully return alive there will definitely be consequences for your decision.”

  “If I succeed, then any consequence is worth it and if I fail, then I won’t be returning anyways”, Fenrit reasoned.

  “Then I’m coming with you”, Alejade replied sternly.

  “What?” Fenrit replied caught off guard by her response.

  “My primary concern is that you return alive”, Alejade started. “My second concern is that you’re doing this without any moral compass. You’ve already implemented your plan to get around the elders, but I’m coming with to make sure you don’t stray any farther from the path you should be following. The elders instructed me to represent our people and now I plan to do so alongside your undertaking.”

  “Not everything is black and white, and I feel like I’m headed into a world of grey”, Fenrit began. “Plus, it has a lot of potential to get dangerous. I think this is something I need to attempt on my own.”

  “Danger and ambiguity are all the more reason I should join you”, Alejade said. “You make rash decisions when you’re frustrated. I can provide guidance and a rational mind when you’re in that state.”

  “I realize my outward appearance is that of always being angry”, Fenrit said as he began to regain his composure from a heated argument. “The truth is I just get very defensive when I feel cornered which causes me to come out fighting like a Kanoak. The actual problem is that I feel like I’m cornered all the time.”

  “If this is the path you feel you must take, then we take it together”, Alejade said.

  Fenrit began to mull over Alejade’s proposal. She would definitely slow down the decision making process, but she would also add value in either pointing out things Fenrit may have overlooked or providing a new perspective. Fenrit also needed to consider Alejade’s safety. She could handle herself ok, but he wasn’t looking to babysit when more important matters needed his attention. The concern for her safety could be eased if Jandra joined them and Jandra could add a lot of additional benefits such as a literal eye in the sky. There was also a desire of Fenrit to test Alejade’s morality in real world situations that needed quick answers. With so much at stake this may not be the best situation to test someone’s principles; however it had the potential to be a learning opportunity for both of them. Maybe they would both understand the other just a little bit better if they both made it through the journey.

  “You may come on one condition”, Fenrit offered with a pause.

  “And that is?” Alejade asked in anticipation.

  “Jandra will join us”, Fenrit finished.

  “I suppose this means I’m headed back to the camp alone?” Cerevus finally interjected.

  “Yes, you’ll inform the elders of the relocation to outside Aman”, Alejade instructed. “Please tell Jandra that Fenrit and I are headed south to Shadowport. It shouldn’t take her long to locate us.”

  “She can understand me?” Cerevus asked in a confused tone.

  “When you have her attention you’ll need to give her the signal for me and city”, Alejade answered. “I’ll show you and then you may want to practice a few times so that you remember.”

  Alejade brought both of her hands up towards her mouth and then pushed them away while simultaneously fluttering her digits mimicking the motion of a bird’s wings.

  “That means me and this means city”, Alejade said as she brought her arms parallel to the ground and then slowly brought her hands together and folded them up towards the sky.

  “Makes sense, I suppose”, Cerevus said practicing the motions in an effort to lock them into his short term memory.

  “She’ll understand and it won’t take her long to locate us”, Alejade said confidently.

  “You’ll also need to inform the elders of my plan”, Fenrit said. “Be sure to stress the fact that this is my doing and that Alejade has joined me to serve strictly as an adviser.”

  “I’ll make sure the message gets passed along”, Cerevus assured. “I wish I could join you both. Be safe and don’t do anything I would do.”

  ***

  Cerevus arrived at the safety camp to many concerned faces. He knew they were wondering why three left, but only one returned. It would be best to provide a single update before the group of elders just as he had done a few days earlier as part of the group of survivors.

  He continued walking to the center of the camp as the crowd gathered around. There was no need to summon the group of elders as they were already waiting in the circle at the village center. Virra motioned for Cerevus to take a seat on a nearby log. Cerevus continued to stand figuring that the gesture had been made in compassion for his weary condition. Virra and Arkiva had greeted Cerevus with a smile while Halden had a look of perturbation across his muzzle.

  “What news do you bring, premalier?” asked Halden.

  “Alejade has gained us a safer refuge in her talks with Jalpa”, Cerevus began. “He has permitted us to settle right outside of Aman. This is conditional on us serving as a barrier should Aman fall under attack.�
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  “The stipulation is the price we shall have to pay”, Arkiva responded. “Proximity to the Ipta is our safest venture at the current moment.”

  “Where is the rest of your party?” Halden demanded.

  “Alejade and Fenrit have continued south to the city of Shadowport”, Cerevus started. “It was Fenrit’s decision to seek more information about Grimtav and he felt this was the best place to start. Alejade joined him to serve as council for what she considered decisions that would have implications on all of us.”

  Cerevus began to search the crowd. Perched in one of the tree limbs above the center of the camp was Jandra. Cerevus made eye contact with the raptor and delivered the two signals that Alejade had taught him. Jandra immediately understood and spread her wings taking flight to the south. Only the wide open Jade Plains existed between the fringe of the Echo Woods and Shadowport which would make Alejade and Fenrit an easy mark to spot. Some soaring and scanning would reunite her with the one whose shared bond could not be broken.

  “Fenrit’s decision is troubling”, Arkiva remarked. “I would not have recommended a direction that crossed paths with Grimtav so soon after the loss of Dimday. Unfortunately, I believe Fenrit is acting with malice and he has pulled Alejade along with him.”

  “I agree”, Halden added. “He is being reckless. The time will eventually come when it is appropriate to interact with Grimtav, but it is too soon.”

  Halden did all he could to hold back a look of relief from spreading across his face. Fenrit’s decision would be a win-win scenario. Either Fenrit would successfully interact with Grimtav and the Chafel and Loupiq would be granted some sort of reprieve or Fenrit would fail and tarnish the reputation of the premaliers. It could be argued that Fenrit’s actions were independent to that of the premalier’s, but Fenrit was a model premalier whose individual acts were an optimal representation of the whole. The balance of power between the premaliers and group of elders was constantly contested. There were a lot of grey areas, but the group of elders had always overseen relations with other sentient beings and surely Fenrit knew this.

  “Fenrit succumbs easily to frustration, but his heart is pure”, Virra added. “I have a lot of faith in his abilities and I have just as much faith in Alejade’s judgement. The pair will do what is right and best for our people.”

  “Well said, Virra”, Arkiva complimented. “Alejade has always shown a talent for taming what troubles any individual. I have to believe she is even more effective with her brother.”

  Cerevus was pleased with himself. The elders were not holding Alejade accountable at all. For the time being the elders sounded displeased with Fenrit, but it didn’t sound like something he couldn’t fix upon his return. Cerevus had done what he could for damage control and he had managed to do what both Fenrit and Alejade had requested of him.

  “While Fenrit is a fine example of a premalier, he should have consulted with the elders about his next course of action”, Halden pointed out. “He has undertaken a mission that is beyond his reach and affects us all. These activities shouldn’t be overlooked and demand some sort of disciplinary action.”

  “I agree that we cannot let rogue behavior go without an appropriate punishment, but because he is under the consultation of Alejade we should wait for him to return before we determine what, if any, correction should be applied”, Arkiva suggested.

  “I concur with this”, Virra agreed.

  “Fair enough”, Halden conceded.

  Halden had successfully planted the seed. Fenrit was now free to test his fate with his mission, but he would not return completely unscathed. It was probably best to let Fenrit’s quest play out. More severe actions would lead to more severe consequences. Things would surely get more complicated and out of hand and in doing so Fenrit’s grave would grow deeper and so would that of the premalier’s.

  “Now we must discuss the logistics of relocating to Aman”, Virra redirected the conversation.

  “Time is not on our side”, Cerevus explained. “While returning to the camp we encountered a cymutt scouting party. They’ll eventually send more this direction and we can’t afford to be here when they do. I recommend we dismantle the camp and do our best to leave no trace that we were here.”

  “Yes, Lachtyn and Talsend did some scouting of their own while you were away”, Virra said. “They spotted one set of cymutts in the north west part of the Jade Plains which must have been the group you encountered. They didn’t engage them, but it was the only cymutts they found in the vicinity. I agree that we must relocate quickly to avoid any future encounters with the mechanical beings.”

  “It’s almost dusk! Won’t traveling through the woods in the dark be dangerous?” someone in the crowd shouted out.

  “That is a valid concern”, Arkiva admitted. “Do we have other alternatives considering our time and safety constraints?”

  “What if we temporarily moved deeper into the woods?” Virra asked.

  “We’ll be safe traveling as a larger group”, Cerevus assured. “We just need to make sure we have enough torches in our caravan. Light and numbers will keep away any large predators lurking in the woods.”

  “How do you suggest we eliminate all traces of our settling here?” Halden inquired.

  “We’ll need to bring everything with us”, Cerevus answered. “Things we don’t intend to use or carry along the entire route to Aman we can pitch when we’re further into the woods. Fences and logs that have been fashioned into seating can be carried a ways into the woods before being discarded. We can push dirt over the fire pits. A good tracker would pick up on what we can’t hide, but lucky for us cymutts are built for destruction, not tracking. At the very least we should do our best to hide our numbers. The less information they can gather the better.”

  “What about the young and the weak?” another question erupted from the crowd.

  “We’ll make a formation around them as well as the beasts we’ve brought along from Dimday”, Cerevus advised. “This way no one is open to an attack and we won’t lose anyone. I know the journey is going to be difficult, but safety is our priority right now.”

  “Well put, Cerevus”, Virra remarked. “It sounds as if we should waste no further time and be on our way.”

  At Virra’s command the villagers began to disassemble their tents and pack what minimal belongings they still possessed. The domesticated beasts were harnessed and the villagers worked together to tear down the basic structures they had erected over the last few days. No one was excited to be on the move again, but no arguments were made against the necessity of relocating. Soon they would all be under the pseudo-protection of the Ipta and everyone could focus on rebuilding what was once a well-knit society.

  ***

  Alejade and Fenrit trekked along the plains. Fenrit had slowed down his pace considerably allowing Alejade to walk at his side. He had been up most of the night before keeping watch as Alejade slept. He was still concerned roaming cymutts would spot them and use the dark to their advantage. Although Alejade had offered to take watch at some point during the night, Fenrit had refused citing that a premalier’s endurance was constantly tested by lack of sleep.

  The two had been moving along for quite some time in silence. Fenrit was pondering his next move when they reached Shadowport while Alejade played out Cerevus’ interaction with the elders in her head. Regardless of how the meeting went they would all surely be headed to the outskirts of Aman by now.

  Fenrit returned his attention to the path ahead and took in the beauty of the Jade Plains. It was curious how the simple rolling hills of glistening grass could elicit an overwhelming sense of tranquility. Maybe the darkness of the Echo Woods had been too much for Fenrit, but he was beginning to realize this is where he truly belonged. If any other Loupiq or Chafel felt the same way as Fenrit did, then giving them the opportunity to return to the Jade Plains made this quest worth every step.

  “I don’t know where my heart will perform its final beat,
but shortly thereafter my life essence will return to the Jade Plains in some form”, Fenrit announced in a rare acknowledgement to the beliefs held by the Loupiq and Chafel.

  “The Maker would not see it any other way”, Alejade said not trying to stifle Fenrit’s poetic mood.

  A vociferous caw gained the attention of Alejade and Fenrit as Jandra made her presence known. The raptor glided overhead the traveling pair and made no indication that she would leave the circling pattern anytime soon. Alejade smiled now that she had finally been reunited with her companion. If Cerevus had succeeded at nothing else, it appeared he at least got word to Jandra of where the brother and sister were headed.

  “Jandra has arrived just in time”, Fenrit exclaimed. “We shouldn’t be too far from Shadowport. I don’t know how populous the city is, but I can’t imagine all the people making it easier for Jandra to spot us.”

  Jandra screeched in agreement. She had scoured the plains the night before finally surrendering at dusk to her crepuscular needs. With the fleeting moments of daylight she had hunted for a quick meal before planting herself on an upper limb of a starlight tree that was part of a small grove. She awoke early and had started the search anew in the morning.

  “I knew she wouldn’t waste any time meeting up with us”, Alejade said. “Arkiva once told me the strongest bonds you’ll ever form are the ones that are made in your youth. I’ve connected with many birds over my life, but my relationship with Jandra has been growing since dad brought her home.”

  Fenrit winced a bit. It had been a long time since either of them had spoken about their parents. Their parent’s life essence had long ago reformed itself into a new living structure. Their father had spent a short time as a premalier before his tail was crushed in an accident. His mobility was severely impaired in the accident and he turned to farming after realizing he would never be as swift as he once was. Their mother was not saddened by their father’s shift in profession. She had been an assistant to Arkiva before and during Arkiva’s tenure as a member of the group of elders. It was through their mother that Arkiva had noticed Alejade’s potential for creature empathy. Whether it was a serpent or a bird, the lessons were the same for honing the skill.