Beneath a Desert Moon

by Mary Hamilton

  ◆◆◆

  “I will go.” Kharla cinched her belt in place. “I am an excellent tracker.”

  Klunk shook his head. “You are certainly the best of the trackers. But remember, Kharla, our people need you here. You are the battle leader. And we have seen that the humans can attack at any time. You must stay. While I am not as skilled as you, I can do this.”

  Her face softened. “Your words carry truth. Okay. But, Klunk, please be careful. These are strange and dangerous times, even our own desert.”

  Klunk guffawed. “I have traveled the desert much. And Tovi and I traveled far before we met you. I will be fine.”

  “Just be careful. You will not have me there to take care of you.”

  Marzi saw something in the ogre girl’s eyes that was not about tracking or fighting.

  Chapter 80: Crystal Sands

  The eastern sky lightened as the band of three lit out across the sand. Klunk had taken only a few minutes to determine the direction Saige had taken. With Marzi on his shoulders, he bounded along, with Saryn slightly behind.

  For almost an hour, they ran in silence. Then without warning, Klunk burst into song.

  Across the sands

  and into light

  embrace the sun

  and race the night

  Klunk and Marzi

  Saryn too

  across the sand

  neath sky of blue

  On they run

  the travelers three

  to find the truth

  for all to see.

  “That’s really good, Klunk. Where did you learn that song?” Marzi felt the jarring as the ogre pounded along.

  He let out a hearty laugh. “That’s awsie, right?”

  “You’ve been talking to my brother.” She laughed, remembering Tovi’s made-up term. She hoped that she’d get to hear him say it again.

  “Tovi and me, we talk a lot. We run a lot. He is my friend.”

  She heard worry in his voice. “He’s going to be fine. Ran went with him. And Ran is probably the best of all the elf warriors.” She had no idea if this was true. But he was strong and amazing in battle, and she did trust him the most, well, except maybe for Rintaur, Rys, Elle, Saryn, and…. She sighed as it occurred to her that there were quite a few elves to whom she would trust her life as well as her little brother’s.

  “Of course, he will be okay. He is Tovi. And Tovi is always good. Even when the snake bit him and he was sick, he got well. And when he fought, he was good,” Klunk chuckled, “even if he did get hit so hard it knocked him out.”

  Marzi shuddered at the thought of her brother having to fight and getting injured. She remembered seeing dead humans and elves. She remembered the blood, and sitting with Ryshara hoping for her friend to get better. Tovi shouldn’t be involved with any of this. And yet, he was gone, away to a strange land doing something that would end the coming war.

  Saryn, who remained silent to this point, spoke up. “Are you still seeing signs?”

  Klunk stopped and set Marzi down on the sand. Kneeling, he inspected a small area then shuffled forward to another spot about two meters ahead. “Yes. You can see, the sand has fallen into the track a little. I say two hours ahead. But look, the tracks are growing closer together. She tires.” He stood and turned toward the sun, shading his eyes with his hand. “If we keep up this pace, we will reach her about one hour before the sun rests.”

  The three resumed the trek, picking up the pace. Marzi felt as though her teeth were rattling from the constant jarring of Klunk’s run. She glanced back over at Saryn. His face betrayed worry and grief. His eyes remained glued to the horizon ahead and his jaw clenched with his mouth drawn into a tight line. It occurred to Marzi that this task was perhaps one of the hardest things that could have been asked of the young elf. And there was nothing she could say to make it any easier. His mother had taken the cloak and fled across the desert. Looking back, Marzi knew that she should have expected something like this. Saige had steadily deteriorated, becoming more and more withdrawn and hostile.

  She heard Valyn break into her thoughts. “There is nothing you could have done, Marzi. The course of action that she has taken was set in motion long ago. You can affect the outcome perhaps, but you could not have prevented it.”

  Marzi understood Valyn’s words. And she believed them. Still, it frightened her to be in the middle of all this, whatever this was.

  “It is about her quest in life. The dream she chases is understanding and knowledge. It has become, though, about power and the ability to control knowledge. She has lost the ability to discern right from wrong, good from bad. She believes that knowledge equates to power. And there is power in knowledge, but to seek knowledge solely for the sake of power is corrupting. And this is what you will face when you find her—a corrupted Saige.”

  As hard as this was to accept, Marzi knew that Saryn would find it even more difficult. How would he handle it? He seemed mostly immune to the lure of power. But was a son’s love for his mother enough to bring her back?

  “These are worthy questions. You will find the answers only when you find her.”

  Klunk paused and knelt again, examining the sand. “Half an hour. She tires. Perhaps she will stop for the night. Let’s move quickly.” And they were off running again.

  Twenty minutes later Klunk stopped abruptly, raising his hand. “There, just off to the left.” He set Marzi down and pointed ahead.

  Saryn stepped forward, shading his eyes. “Yes, I see. You wait here, I’ll go to her.”

  Marzi took hold of Saryn’s hand. “Please, I think there is a better way. Let me go. She doesn’t really like me, but she has been honest with me. I can try and talk to her. If nothing else, she’ll tell me why she took the cloak.” She surveyed the horizon. “And it’s going to be dark soon. Like Klunk says, she’s tired so she probably won’t run again.”

  “I appreciate what you’re saying, Marzi. But she’s my mother. I should be the one.”

  “Saryn, please, think about it. She is not herself. Your mother, in normal times, would never have done this. She has never seen me as a threat, or really anything other than an annoyance. You are a grown elf. What if she sees you as an enemy? I would not want you to fight with your mother, not if there is another way.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you going alone. Why don’t all three of us approach? We shall see what happens and decide then.”

  The three travelers resumed their journey, at a more relaxed pace. As they approached, Marzi could see Saige sitting beside a small hill, the area littered with boulders and smaller rocks. The woman rocked back and forth, holding the cloak in her arms.

  They stopped and watched for a moment before Saryn called out, “Mother, I am here. I need to talk with you.”

  Marzi could see the old elf turn her head and stare at them. “You brought an ogre… and the Azyrean.”

  “Mother, may I come to you?”

  Saige stood, clutching the cloak to her chest. “No! Stay away.”

  “We cannot do that. You know that the cloak must be returned.”

  “The cloak is mine. It was sent to me. I must become one with it and unite the universe.”

  Saryn closed his eyes and shook his head. “Please, Mother. Let me come to you.”

  “No. You cannot have the cloak. But if we must talk, send the Azyrean. I will speak with her.”

  Marzi stepped forward and turned to face Klunk and Saryn. “Please, believe me. This is what I have been called to do. You know that. I told you back in the camp that Valyn spoke to me. She didn’t tell me this specifically, but now that we are here, I am clear. This is what I must do.”

  A tear made its way down Saryn’s cheek. “This is not right.”

  Marzi took his hand again. “Maybe not. But it is all we have.”

  Silence. Saryn nodded.

  Marzi turned and shouted toward the haggard figure about twenty meters distant. “I’m coming.”

  Chap
ter 81: Crystal Sands

  As she drew close, the sight stunned Marzi. Saige had changed. She barely looked elven. Her once long, flowing hair had become a mass of tangles and dirt. Her eyes, once bright and flashing showed nothing but dull contempt. Her clothing hung in tatters on her rail of a body. But as Marzi approached, Saige draped the cloak over her own bony shoulders. Only now it was dull and lifeless. “I am here. I came alone to talk to you.”

  Saige appeared not to have heard. “This is all your fault, you know. The cloak belongs to the elves, and you destroyed it.”

  Marzi protested, “I did nothing. I only just saw it last night, the same time you did. I didn’t even touch it.” As she approached closer, the cloak began to glow.

  Saige looked down and noticed the cloak beginning to shimmer. She turned her head and stared into the setting sun. “Night comes. Darkness will fall over the land. None will be spared. And the blood of the elves and ogres will stain your hands.”

  She made no sense to Marzi. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  Saige whirled around gesturing with her hand. “All will be lost. You brought the false goddess. You conjured her to suit your own needs. The true Valyn would never come to an interloper. You have deceived the others, but I can see the truth.”

  Marzi grew desperate. “Saige, I have done nothing but try to help. I have deceived no one. We are all together. We fight against Dredwyn. He is the true enemy.”

  “Dredwyn is of no consequence. He is a conjurer, to be sure. But an impotent one. I have the true power. I see all. The cloak, it holds the key to binding the stars, the galaxies—all the worlds in the universe. And it rests upon my back.” She narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice. “But you destroyed the magic. You stole the glow, the light that came from this wondrous garment.”

  The sun rested on the horizon, ready to retire for the night. The sky had turned a brilliant hue of orange, fading to pink and purple. “Saige, please. I did nothing. You know me. Remember? We talked at the caves. You helped me to understand much. I would never do anything to hurt you or the elves.”

  The elf cackled. “Lies come easily with you, little one. You say whatever benefits you, no matter who it hurts. But I have seen through you. And tonight, here, I will destroy you.” She picked up a large flat rock with both hands. “If you want to live, you will have to draw that fancy dagger of yours and use it on me. Otherwise, I shall crush you like an insect.” The dull contempt in Saige’s eyes had become a wild mixture of madness and rage. She took a step toward Marzi.

  “No. I will not. I did not come here to harm you. I will not kill you, or any other elf.” Marzi stood as straight as she could, trying to calm her trembling legs.

  “What, you have suddenly run out of courage? Does an old woman with a rock frighten you so that you cannot even defend yourself?” Saige took another step.

  Marzi felt a calm descend over her. She spoke in a low voice. “No, Saige. You are the leader of the cliff elves. I have nothing but respect for you. If you choose to kill me, then do what you must. I will not draw my weapon on you.”

  Saige took one more step and, with the stone in hand, pushed Marzi down. The Azyrean fell to the ground, the elf standing over her.

  “One last chance. Draw your weapon or die.” Saige raised the rock over her head, a wild gleam in her eye.

  In the dying light, an arrow suddenly appeared in the elf’s chest. Blood spread in a circle around it. The fire in her eyes died, momentarily replaced by a look of peace before they went blank. Saige fell backwards, the rock tumbling from her hands. She lay still.

  Marzi caught her breath. Looking back toward her companions, she saw Saryn, longbow in hand, walking slowly towards her, Klunk following behind. As the elf drew near, Marzi could make out tears and torment on Saryn’s face.

  Chapter 82: Crystal Sands

  Silence hung over the camp like a pall. Marzi sat staring into the fire. Even as the elves and ogres bustled around her, she felt alone, even more than when she’d first landed in Menalor. How did things go so wrong? Why couldn’t she have stopped this? Valyn had told her that it was up to her. And she failed.

  “No, my child. You did not fail. In fact, you may have saved more than you know.”

  Marzi’s words remained unspoken but real. I didn’t save Saige.

  “How do you know that?”

  Well, for one thing, because she’s dead. If I had saved her, she would be alive. Marzi was sick of all this strange talk. Everything had to be like a puzzle. Why can’t you just say what you mean? Why do you have to hide things?

  “I don’t hide things. It is simply that there are some things you will not see. I could tell you about them; in fact, I do tell you. But there are times when you refuse to hear. Saige lost her way. That started long before you ever met her. The ending of her life out in the desert, while not absolutely predestined, was certainly a likely outcome. There was nothing you could have done to stop that.”

  Then why did you send me?

  “Because things needed to happen as they did.”

  Why did they need to happen that way? Why couldn’t you save her?

  “She had free will, Marzi. She, like all other beings, makes or made her own choices. If it is any comfort, though, I will offer you this. What you see as death is not the end. It marks the transition from one life to another. One day you will make that journey as will your parents, your brother, and everyone you know. But it does not end them.”

  Marzi didn’t want to hear this. She didn’t want to think about what happens when people die. As far as she was concerned, they just died. And now, because of her, Saryn had been forced to kill his mother. How could she live with that… how could he? But, in her heart, she knew it was useless to argue with the goddess. There would be no winning of that fight. “What comes next?”

  “Your time is coming. You will confront your fate at the portal site. You must travel there in the morning. It is there that you will find your knowledge.”

  I thought that I wasn’t supposed to fight. I’m supposed to be the peacemaker, remember?

  A soft laugh reached into Marzi’s heart. “And so you are, Marzi. So you are. And it is in the desert, by the portal, that you will make this peace. And I will tell you true, if you do not succeed, there will be no peace in this time.”

  Just what I need. More on my shoulders. First Saige, now the future of the world… Marzi smirked.

  “Marzi, I have never led you astray. You are precious to me, and I would never send you to a purpose that is without hope. Know in your heart, if there is anyone on this world who can bring this peace, it is you. I have heard you speak the words you need to know. I have seen the answer in your heart. Yes, you will know what to do. And it will come as naturally to you as riding a moonbeam.”

  Marzi laughed aloud. Just remember, though, I hopped on the wrong moonbeam.

  “No, my child, you did not. You jumped on exactly the right beam.”

  Chapter 83: Ebon Hills

  “Master Whit.” The voice echoed through his head, crowding out the disjointed, on-again off-again dream. It didn’t matter. Jarek slept fitfully anyway.

  What? He’d done everything he’d been instructed to do. What more could Aristan want of him? And, whatever it was, why did it have to be in the middle of the night.

  “Come with me.”

  Where?

  “The ‘where’ is not important. Come.”

  Jarek propped himself up on one elbow. I hope you can appreciate that I’ve gotten into more than my share of trouble by wandering off.

  The voice laughed. “Do not be alarmed. You are not going anywhere. At least your body is not going to move. Your spirit, on the other hand, has much to see.”

  Jarek stood and, to his shock, his body remained on the ground. He could see the gentle rise and fall of his chest, assuring him, at least to some extent, that he was still alive. Okay, okay. I’m coming. Just give me a minute to wake up.

  To his surprise, the g
od standing in front of him had no red glow. He looked like an ordinary man, a human. Is that what you really look like?

  “For the moment. I am, after all, the deity of the humans. You like it? Or would you have preferred that I looked more like an Azyrean?” The figure, illuminated only by ambient starlight, seemed more of a shadow but somehow, the details were crystal clear.

  A strange thought occurred to Jarek. The god could change his own appearance. What if he, Jarek, could make himself look different—to be more like a human. He could be taller and have short rounded ears… like Burns. He followed Aristan into a stand of trees.

  He pushed his way through the low-lying brush and slipped between the large tree trunks before emerging into another clearing. Only it wasn’t a clearing.

  Jarek stood on… nothing. He stared down at a huge green and blue globe, illuminated on one side by a bright yellow sun. Several moons hovered on the other side of the ball. Is this…?

  “Yes, Master Whit. This is Pangrove, your home.”

  His initial shock wore off as he reminded himself that his body was not really here. And the question from the previous evening returned. Was Pangrove really his home?

  “You are asking the right questions.”

  I didn’t ask anything. The Azyrean didn’t care for the fact that this god could read his thoughts.

  Aristan bellowed. “I confess, I will miss our little interchanges.” The mirth seemed to fade before the voice continued. “This will be the last time that I shall trouble you.”

  A sudden, unexpected pang of regret coursed through Jarek. What, now that you’re done with me, will you just cast me off?

  “Something like that. But I would prefer to think of it more as giving your life back to you. I wanted to leave you with a final gift, a token of my appreciation, as it were.”