Beneath a Desert Moon

by Mary Hamilton

  But it occurred to Tovi that he didn’t have friends in Pangrove, at least not real friends like in this world. Was Pangrove really his home anymore?

  Chapter 60: Crystal Sands

  “I’m telling you, Ran, you’d better take care of him.” Marzi forced back the tears. “I know you can do it. You keep him safe.” The two of them sat beneath the tovar nut tree that had become Marzi’s private go-to place, especially when something bothered her.

  But the elf was uncharacteristically quiet—more serious than she’d ever seen him. He seemed focused on inner thoughts, paying little heed to the external world. Leaning back against the tree trunk, he tapped his foot to some internal rhythm, his hands folded in his lap.

  The sun had journeyed across the sky and would sink beneath the western horizon within a few hours. A waxing half-moon hung midway up in the southern sky. Myhrren said that it would be sufficient to produce the portal, once the sun had set. The ogres had located a suitable red crystal deep within the mines and were busy positioning it outside the encampment. Marzi averted her gaze from the activity. She didn’t want to see the thing that would carry Tovi away again.

  Ran’s voice broke through the hum of the wind. “Do not worry. It will be fine. We will do what must be done and be back before you even miss us. Remember, Mathias will be along as well. He is a good and honorable man and warrior—one I would fight beside any time. He knows his way around his world and, once we find these brothers they speak of and the rest of the rebels, it should be an easy task.”

  Marzi wanted to believe him. And surely the gods wouldn’t send a child to die. They must have confidence too. So far, Valyn had never lied to her. And Myhrren was a god, or so he said. So he wouldn’t deceive her either. But gods do lie. Dredwyn is a god, and he is a master of lies. She wanted to press Ran, make sure that he understood how important this was. She could see in his eyes, though, that he knew. The responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders and in his mind. Of that she was certain. “Do you think they’ll have the crystal in place by sunset?”

  “Probably. There doesn’t seem to be a lot to it.” He smirked. “You know, if Valyn is that powerful, why can she not make the portal? I wonder why we have to go through all of this with a crystal.”

  Marzi thought it a good question. If gods can do magic, why not just transport people? Still, if she had learned nothing else, it was that gods worked in their own way… and things seemed to turn out okay. Or at least they had so far.

  ◆◆◆

  It looked like the crystal they’d used back in Menalor, at the Ruins of Koror, except that this one was deep scarlet in color compared to the blue one that had been used to transport her and the other elves to Crystal Sands. The sun sat on the horizon, ready to retire for the evening. The moon, which brightened as the afternoon light waned, stood ready.

  “You have the dagger?” Myhrren knelt to meet Tovi eye-to-eye.

  Tovi’s hand found its way to the hilt, hanging from the belt on his left side. “Got it.” His gaze wandered to the crowd that watched him.

  Marzi felt a bit of amusement in all of this. Her kid brother, the little weasel, seemed to be enjoying the experience and the attention. He was too young to understand the danger. But he was making the most of this moment. She could tell that he was bursting with pride.

  The two locked gazes and Tovi’s smile broadened. He nodded. They’d already said their goodbyes. She’d given him all the warnings, threats, and encouragement she could muster. There was nothing left but tears. He searched the crowd, apparently looking for another face. And his lit up when he found it. He waved.

  Ellemareth stepped out of the elven ranks. Making her way over to him, she bent down and put her hand on his head. Her words were so soft that Marzi could not make them out, but there was no mistaking Tovi’s enthusiastic response. Her words of encouragement found their mark. The elf knelt and hugged him and then stepped back.

  Marzi felt overcome with gratitude. She and Elle had had a rocky start but had become fast friends, maybe best friends. And to see the elf treat Tovi with such respect and gentleness, well, it felt right. That would be the best way to describe it.

  Ran met Mathias as he emerged from one of the tents. Both had two-handed greatswords sheathed on their backs. The young warriors had solemn but determined looks on their faces. They strode forward with purpose in their gait.

  Captain Virgil and Saryn intercepted the pair, giving them what looked like last-minute instructions. Mathias and Ran nodded but seemed eager to get on with it.

  With the last vestiges of the sun at the horizon, the party of three assembled near the crystal. Ariessa and Elondiel stood off to the side, displaying no emotion. Saige was notably absent. Virgil joined them and turned to watch the event.

  Finally, Klunk stepped from the ogre ranks and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “Tovi, you are my friend. You are a friend to all ogres. More than anything, I wish I could be the one to go with you.” He gestured toward Ran and Mathias. “But I know in my heart that your two companions will serve you better than I could. My thoughts will be with you and I will be waiting to hear of your adventures when you return.”

  Marzi could have sworn that a tear trickled down the ogre’s cheek.

  Myhrren turned to watch the sun disappear. “It is time. I will spare you additional instructions. You know what you need to know. Go with my blessing and the blessings of all the gods.”

  The sun disappeared and the crystal began to shimmer. A scarlet beam of light shot out the side opposite the moon. A swirling circle of scarlet light, easily twice the height of the tallest elf, formed at the terminus of the beam some ten meters distant. Without words, the three travelers stepped into the portal and disappeared. Within seconds, the portal vanished, and the ogres repositioned the crystal so that a new one would not form.

  Marzi’s heart skipped a beat, and she caught her breath. She’d just watched her brother being whisked away again. She stared at the spot where Tovi had been and muttered to herself, “Please come back, Tovi.”

  Darkness came quickly. She started for her tent but decided to go for a walk instead. She shared the tent with Elle, Rys, and a few of the other elven women. And just at the moment, Marzi didn’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. With the moon high in the desert sky, the landscape seemed surrealistic. The sand and rocks took on a deep umber cast. The sky, dotted with countless stars, dwarfed everything.

  She shuffled toward the oasis, her favorite spot. The ogres had assured her that there were no snakes nearby, so there was little danger. And she needed to be alone. As she approached the trees, she heard a sound from behind her. She turned and, out of the darkness, a familiar face appeared.

  Chapter 61: Ebon Hills

  “Don’t even think about it.” The armored cavalier emerged from the brush. Within a second, more soldiers entered the clearing from different directions.

  Jarek counted six. His sweaty hand tightened its grip on the dagger hilt. He furtively glanced at each of the intruders. They advanced slowly—step, pause, step.

  “I will tell you only once more. Drop your weapons and you may yet survive this day.” The leader came forward, two-handed greatsword at the ready.

  CeCe backed up against a tree, showing no signs that she intended to comply. Her eyes remained glued to the man. She went into a crouch and remained silent.

  “Look, I have no interest in killing you. And surely you would not put the lives of these two children at risk with your foolish heroics.” A slight smirk found its way onto the man’s face.

  Jarek bristled at the notion of being considered a child. He eased over to stand next to CeCe, the dagger still in his grasp.

  “How noble of you. You certainly are the courageous bunch, picking on a woman and two children.” CeCe’s face reflected what looked like peace… or maybe resignation.

  The man circled to his left, never taking his eyes off his prey. “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be. There is
no need for anyone to get hurt.”

  She chortled. “Right. We go peacefully and none of you are hurt. As for us, well, I think we all know what’s in store back at the castle.”

  His face hardened, and his body tensed. “My orders are simple. Bring you back alive or kill you. You can leave this world right here or you can take your chances with my superiors. I honestly don’t care which you choose.”

  “Except that if we fight here, I can guarantee that we’ll take a couple of you with us. And I promise this, you will be my first target. So your men may well finish us off and return for their evening dinner. But if I leave this world, as you so delicately put it, you shall accompany me.”

  Time stood still. Jarek stared at the leader of the soldiers, who, in turn, appeared to be sizing up the opposition.

  “What’s with your ears? You got some kind of disease or something?” The cavalier apparently had just taken a closer look at Jarek.

  “A childhood disorder—very contagious.” Jarek knew it was a futile attempt but had little else to offer.

  The officer burst out laughing. “Well, then, I’ll simply have to cut them off.”

  CeCe limped forward, raising her daggers. “You’ll have to go through me first.”

  “With pleasure.” He grinned and started forward, a glint of what looked like pleasure in his eyes.

  Suddenly, the area was bathed in a brilliant ruby glow.

  Chapter 62: Ebon Hills

  Time slowed. Jarek turned to stare as a swirling portal of red light appeared. His eyes widened as he watched events unfold. And suddenly, Mathias appeared… then a small child with big ears… and then someone else.

  The cavaliers turned toward the portal and stepped backward, swords at the ready. The leader shifted his weight and appeared to tighten his grip on the greatsword. “Halt.” He repeated the same order that he’d given CeCe and company. “Drop your weapons… right now!”

  In a flash, Mathias unsheathed his two-handed sword and went into a crouch. The last being through the portal pulled his greatsword and moved up to stand beside the human.

  The child, which Jarek immediately recognized as Azyrean, stepped back away from the encounter.

  CeCe burst out laughing. “Ah, the odds have changed. Let’s see how brave you are now.”

  Everyone moved in slow motion. Jarek’s attention was drawn to that mysterious third person. He stood nearly a half-head taller than Mathias. His long, dark hair hung on his shoulders with pointed ears protruding. But the most profound feature on his face was the set of piercing icy-blue eyes. This must be an elf, the one that Aristan had told them about. And the looks of him—tall and of strong build, the look on his face, and his stance—left no doubt that he was a warrior.

  “Nothing has changed. I will still either take you into custody or kill you. It is your choice.” But the look on the soldier’s face was anything but confident. A rivulet of sweat ran down the side of his head.

  Mathias, apparently quick to assess the situation, took a step forward and smiled. “Well, my good man, it would seem you have your work cut out for you today.” He raised his sword in front of him.

  If the leader of the cavaliers looked uncertain, the others looked downright frightened. They stared alternately at the portal and the three new arrivals as they backed up closer to the edge of the clearing.

  Without warning, Mathias and the elf, almost as one, leapt forward swinging at the leader. The cavalier raised his sword as though to defend himself. But he never had a chance. The human and the elf brought their blades down from opposite sides, both of them striking the man where his shoulder armor joined his neck protection. They penetrated the covering as though it didn’t exist. The soldier dropped in his tracks.

  CeCe sprang forward, albeit at a limp, to stand beside them as they turned their attention toward the other cavaliers. She beckoned with one of her daggers. “Come on. Any of you want a taste of this?”

  They melted into the forest, and Jarek could hear the sound of crashing brush recede into the distance as they fled. After a moment, Mathias and the elf sheathed their swords. CeCe stepped backwards and slouched down, the pain returning to her face.

  Jarek broke the brief silence, “Mathias, thank the eternal moonbeams, you got here just in time.”

  “Jarek, good to see you intact.” He turned and gestured toward the elf. “I’ll let my friends introduce themselves.”

  “I am Ran, a dark elf of the Twilight Bough.” He bowed his head briefly. “Honored.”

  Jarek strode over and extended a hand, as he had learned to do among the humans. “I am Jarek Whit, Azyrean of Pangrove.” He didn’t really think of it as much of a title, but it sufficed. He turned to the young boy that had come through with the other two. “And you must be Tovi.”

  “Yes. I’m Tovi Gloam of Pangrove.” The boy looked confident, a big smile on his face.

  Mathias eyed CeCe and then Jarek and Ben standing nearby. “We weren’t expecting a welcoming party.” He surveyed the clearing.

  She gazed up at him from her sitting position and then at the elf. “Ran, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Marie Cecile Dubois. Everyone calls me CeCe.” She turned her attention back to Mathias. “Much has changed since you left. I fear that you have dropped into a rather difficult situation.”

  “Yes, we heard something about that before we went through the portal and I am grieved more than I can say. Another reason for us to get this thing done. And the quicker the better.”

  “I agree.” CeCe resheathed her daggers before continuing, “Let’s be on our way then.”

  Chapter 63: Ebon Hills

  Everything had changed. Tovi felt it immediately. Not just the land, although this new place, Ebon Hills, they called it, was far different from Crystal Sands. It provided a stark contrast to the desert from which he had come. The air was cool and damp. They were in a wooded area, so everything seemed closed in. But it wasn’t just that.

  He recalled meeting Klunk, how he had been so open and real. The ogres didn’t conceal their feelings. When they were happy, they laughed and talked. When they were angry or sad, they showed it. They spoke their minds but with courtesy and diplomacy. Tovi sized up each of the others with whom he had been tossed into company. CeCe, the woman, was quiet, like she was holding back or plotting something. The boy, whose name he couldn’t remember, seemed fearful of everything.

  But what was most strange was meeting Jarek. He had forgotten what adult Azyreans were like. The beam keeper seemed a little snooty. He had only nodded curtly when introduced. He didn’t seem friendly at all. And it’s not like the man had any right to be upset or anything. After all, it was his fault that Tovi and Marzi had ended up in this situation. Tovi wasn’t really sure about that last part. Myhrren had said that the whole thing was planned out by the gods. But still, this Jarek guy seemed to be involved.

  The party trudged along, leaving the cover of the forest in darkness and striking out across fields of high grass. According to the leader, CeCe, it would take them about three nights to get to where they were going. Tovi kept pace with Jarek, in the middle of the pack. “So, how did you get here?” He glanced sideways as they marched.

  Jarek shrugged and kept his eyes forward. “Same way as you, I guess. I got on a colored beam—a red one—and I ended up in the same place where the three of you just dropped out.”

  “Yeah. Same here. I rode a blue beam and fell into the desert. I met this ogre named Klunk, and he helped me.” Tovi wondered how the ogre was doing. What struck him most was how much he missed his large friend.

  They made their way in darkness and silence for a time before Jarek spoke again. “So, I guess you’re the reason I’m here.” He gave a sideways glance toward Tovi who returned Jarek’s look with a sheepish grin. Jarek sighed before he continued, “What is it that you’re supposed to do here anyway?”

  Tovi wondered briefly whether he should be talking about it. But Myhrren and Valyn had shared it with ev
eryone back in Crystal Sands. And, after all, Jarek and his friends were supposed to be helping. “I guess I’m going to be going into some castle or palace or something. There’s this crystal there, and I’m supposed to stick a dagger in it.”

  “How would you stab a crystal with a knife? That doesn’t make any sense.” The older Azyrean gave Tovi a puzzled look.

  “I don’t know. Myhrren just said that I should stick it in and that would work.” He thought about pulling the weapon out and showing him, but the thought struck him that the glowing dagger would likely be seen for miles.

  “Hmph.” Jarek fell silent.

  CeCe held up her hand and issued a quiet order. “Let’s hold up here. Get something to eat and drink. We move in about fifteen minutes.” She started to open her pack and then stopped. “We’re running a little short on food. We’ve been out longer than we expected. Did you by any chance bring enough to share?”

  Ran, who had not spoken since the introductions, rummaged through his rucksack, retrieving a leather bag about the size of his head. “Here, you can divide that up.” He tossed the package to her.

  “Thank you.” She divvied up the dried meat between Jarek and the young boy. “This should be plenty to get us back to the monastery.”

  Tovi noticed that the woman walked with a distinct limp. When they stopped, she appeared to change a bandage on her shoulder. This group must have been in a fight before he, Ran, and Mathias had arrived.

  The elf slid over next to her. “Your wounds, they look serious.”