The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  Chapter 24

  Slow Going

  The group did not start out until it was light and they all had eaten what was left of the rabbit and pheasant. Since there were four horses, everyone would take a turn at riding. This would allow each of them to rest. However, it would slow their pace quite a bit.

  Sir Taz instructed the women, Lord Ackbar and Dax who had injured his leg, to be the first to ride. Dax was the only one who would continue to ride since he wouldn't be able to walk. He had banged his knee on a rock in the river. It was still swollen and very painful for him to try to walk. Even having it bent while on the horse was uncomfortable.

  It was another three days journey before they came to a small town where they could get supplies, horses and rest. They had been lucky that only a few of the people in the party had lost their money pouches in the river. The money had come from Airic and they had divided it up so that each person would carry a share. This way if one pouch was lost, it would not contain their entire wealth.

  There was only one small inn and it would not accommodate everyone. The women were given a room to share and the rest of the party decided to use the hayloft of the inn's barn. It was clean, dry and warm and the men didn't mind. The mistress of the inn recognized them immediately and made sure that they were all given something hot to eat and drink. She informed them that there was a seamstress that ran the town's supply house and a clothing store where they would be able to purchase clothes and supplies. Sir Taz asked about horses and the mistress informed him that a man named Adder would be able to provide them with a few. He lived a mile out of town where there were fields to graze his horses and cattle on. Sir Taz excused himself and took Merk with him to see Adder.

  The mistress asked the group what had happened that they were in need of clothes and supplies.

  Lord Farley loved to tell lavish exciting adventure stories so he was the first to speak up. He explained that the bridge had been weakened by the weather and all of their weight was too much for it and it collapsed into the river. He added some flourish to it of how they just managed to escape with their lives and the unfortunate loss of their supplies and horses. Everyone likes a good tale and Lord Farley wanted to make sure it sounded as if he was enjoying the telling of their recent misadventure. He didn't mention the men that attacked them.

  The mistress was quite distressed to hear the news and assured them that even though their town was small, they would be able to acquire enough items for their journey.

  Lord Farley could tell that she was anxious to depart their company and relate the story she had been told to her hired help. Gossip traveled like wildfire.

  She waited until everyone had eaten their fill before she returned to show them to their accommodations for the night. She had notified the seamstress that there were guests of high standing that were in need of clothes and the seamstress had arrived to take measurements of each person in the group before they retired for the night. She wanted to make sure that she would have their clothes ready for the next morning.

  Angelina and Elise when they were shown their room, quickly washed and climbed into bed. It had been a tiring week and they were grateful for a somewhat soft bed and the warmth of a room.

  The next morning found the group sleeping in later than usual; however, they felt more refreshed than they had during the past week. The injuries of the men were taken care of before they left that morning.

  Sir Taz and Merk were able to trade their horses and purchase ten more. Adder was happy to acquire such fine horses and gave the men a good deal on a total of fourteen horses. It wasn't often that Adder was able to get quality bred horses. The only ones he could offer the men were horses bred more for working in the fields and hauling wagons then for riding. Sir Taz assured Adder that the horses were just what they needed.

  Elise and Angelina were given new riding dresses. The mistress had them delivered to the women's room earlier that morning. Angelina and Elise were so tired that they didn't hear her come in and place them on the chair. They hastily washed and dressed.

  Elise gasped at the sight of Angelina as she was changing. Her legs were covered with bruises as well as her arms. "Did all of that happen when you fell on the rocks?" she questioned as Angelina continued to dress.

  "Yes," she replied glancing toward Elise. "They aren't as bad as they were when it first happened. I guess I bruise easily." She eyed Elise, "I notice that I'm not the only one with bruises."

  "I guess I got a few. Luckily most of them have already faded," responded Elise. She shook her head at the thought that it wasn't going to be so easy keeping Angelina from getting hurt, especially when she didn't manage so well for herself.

  They finished dressing and made their way downstairs. The mistress asked if everything was to their satisfaction and they informed her that it was. When they reached the dining hall, everyone was already eating and feeling more refreshed. They finished their breakfast and after Lord Farley paid the mistress for her services, they set out for Eldorfess.

  Chapter 25

  A Family Visit

  They were able to make it to Eldorfess without any trouble along the way. The Daskars were thrilled to see them. They had received a message from Maypre that the group was on its way. Everyone was shown a room and told to freshen up and rest before the evening meal. Hot baths were provided and Elise and Angelina soaked in them and relaxed. Angelina didn't feel like napping after her bath so she went in search of her cousins. She met up with Nina, Dina and Kala and sat talking with them until it was time to eat. The Daskars provided the group with a feast and most of the Daskar family was present. It was nice to see her relatives, especially her grandmother and grandfather. During the meal, Sir Taz and Lord Farley spoke with Lord Ripley and told him of their run in with the armed men.

  "Do you have any information regarding these men?" Lord Farley asked before he took a bite of the thickly sliced roast that he was given.

  "No, I'm afraid not," responded Lord Ripley as he shifted in his chair, "but I will keep an eye out for these men." He wasn't very happy to hear that his granddaughter had been in such danger.

  Sir Taz noticed his restlessness but knew that they had to continue the journey and needed a guide so he asked, "We need a guide to take us through the White Sea to Cardel. Do you have someone in mind that we could depend on?"

  He was surprised at their request. "Lorac is a trusted friend. I have known her family all my life. She will guide you. She has been making numerous trips every year since her father became too old to do so." He raised his right eyebrow and leaned closer to the two men as he continued, "Are you planning to take the women along on this journey to Cardel?"

  "Yes," responded Lord Farley and noticed Lord Ripley's eyes narrow. "But you need not worry," he assured him, "any one of us would lay their life down to protect them and would not risk exposing them to danger unnecessarily."

  "Well, whatever you are up to, you had better take care and watch out for my granddaughter and Lady Elise. I know that you're up to something besides visiting the family," he began and raised his hand to silence the men as they were about to explain. "I'm not asking you to tell me the real reason, I just want you to know that I'm not happy with this traipsing around the countryside without a proper escort of armed men. Now I'm not saying that any of you wouldn't be able to handle the best of men, what I am saying is that you might run into a situation where your party is outnumbered and then what would you do?"

  "We have already thought about that, but you should know that it was your granddaughter who insisted on this journey and would have gone by herself if we had not agreed to come along," Sir Taz explained and watched as Lord Farley shot a glance down the table to his granddaughter. "She has a stubbornness about her," he continued with a slight smile, "I wonder where she would have gotten it from?"

  Lord Ripley returned the smile. He knew that Gwendolyn had been very headstrong, even as a young child and that she had gotten that from him. "I'll have Lorac notifi
ed that she is needed as a guide and we can all meet her tomorrow morning. Now let's eat, drink and enjoy each other's company."

  The rest of the evening was spent making idle chit chat and it was late when everyone retired to their rooms.

  They woke the next morning to the wonderful smells of fresh baked bread. It was a relaxing meal and Angelina was reluctant to say good-bye when the time came. They wanted to start their journey through the White Sea before early afternoon when the sun would be at its hottest. Angelina hugged each of her family members and kissed them, promising that the next time she came to visit she would stay longer.

  Chapter 26

  A Journey Across the White Sea

  Lord Ripley and Parsell led the group a short distance to where Lorac was waiting.

  Lorac was a muscular, middle aged woman with long dark brown hair and pale gray-blue eyes. Her father had taken her out into the White Sea many times and she knew it well. Her father was up in years and unable to guide them and her brothers were needed at Eldorfess. She was happy to guide them because most of her trips to Eldorfess and back did not include any other person, just supplies and various items.

  They abandoned their horses for tocusses. Tocusses were adapted to the harsh dry land and maintained a layer of fatty tissue around their bodies which allowed them to go for weeks without water. They were a bit larger than horses with course, short black or brown hair and had large tusks jutting from their upper jaw. Each tocuss was fitted with a saddle and bridle. Supplies were kept to a minimum. A large skin of water was given to each person. They were given tunics and leggings made of zef. The only other item of clothing that they took were cloaks. The rest of their clothing was on one of the Tocusses carrying their supplies. The night would turn cold but not uncomfortably so. Each wore thick boots of leather to protect them from possible snake bites and bites of the poisonous blue flame. The blue flame was a beetle usually two inches round and bright blue. The bite of the blue flame instantly rushes its poison through the body and its spreading feels like fire. Both creatures roamed around during the day but hid at night. The blue flame buried itself deep in the sand. The banded snake only lightly covered itself with sand to keep warm. Its nose was the only part of it that stuck out of the sand. These creatures would not strike at you unless provoked. It happened occasionally that a tocuss would step on a resting blue flame or banded snake during the day and get bitten, or someone walking beside the beast would also suffer the same fate.

  Since this trip would prove to be hot, both Elise and Angelina had Corine trim their so it touched their shoulders.

  Each member of the party was given a head piece to wear. It was called an anapa. The anapa was a piece of white cloth that was placed over the head and the ends wrapped around to rest on the shoulders. The middle section of the anapa folded down to cover the face. This part was a veil which was thinner and black on the top where it covered the eyes and thicker and white where it covered the mouth and nose. The anapa helped keep the sand out of your face and lessened the amount of sand dust that was breathed in. It also helped cut down on the glare from the sun.

  When everyone was on their tocusses and ready to go, Lorac checked each person and their supplies to make sure everything was in order. They said farewell to the Daskars and headed out of the gate and into the White Sea. There was some vegetation which lasted for no more than a mile. All you could see from that point on was a rolling sea of white sand. Lorac took the lead. Lord Farley and Sir Asen rode abreast behind her. Merk and Pendrake came next. Bishoff and Dax followed behind them. Sir Matthew and Sir Taz came next, followed by Princess Angelina and Lady Elise. Lord Ackbar and Thaddious were behind them. Koren and Corbin brought up the rear. With the tocusses' large feet, they traveled over the sand effortlessly. After a few hours of riding, Lorac called a stop and everyone dismounted to allow the tocusses a short rest and to get themselves a drink. They were given strict instructions regarding rationing their water. Lorac knew where watering holes were but they were few and far between.

  Angelina noticed that ever since they came closer to Eldorfess and were now journeying to Cardel, Sir Taz seemed to be troubled. She had never heard him talk much about his homeland. She approached him. "Sir Taz, is everything okay?" she asked quietly so that the others would not hear.

  "I guess that I'm just a bit nervous to be returning to Cardel. I've been gone for a long time."

  Angelina knew that there was more but didn't want to question him further because everyone was so close and he might not wish to speak of it knowing that others might overhear. She decided to ask him more about it at another time.

  The break was short and everyone mounted their tocusses and they continued on. Elise had lifted her veil as they traveled and could not believe how bright it was without it. Now she knew why the veils were so important. You would probably get blinded by the sun if you traveled without one.

  It was a long journey. Lorac directed them to a small clump of rocks where there was a watering hole and they refilled their supplies. All water bags were filled again even if there was still more than half of the water in the bag. Lorac told them that sometimes the wells were sabotaged and a well that was accessible the day before would not draw water the next. If they kept their bags full, this would help in case the next water hole was not useable. There were so many little clumps of rocks scattered around that Angelina was amazed that Lorac knew which one held the well. She asked her about it and Lorac told her that mostly it was the lay of the land and you just remembered where things were. You also had to be someone that traveled the White Sea many times. Sand shifted and you could easily lose your way. Another sign indicating which clumps of rocks held water holes was the positioning of three rocks. Unfortunately it was a secret handed down from one generation to the next and Lorac could not disclose it to anyone other than her children. Angelina knew that many people had many different cultures and she respected Lorac's wishes and did not take offense at her words.

  It wasn't until two days later that Angelina was able to talk to Sir Taz in private. She had noticed an increased attitude change as they traveled ever closer to Cardel. He had become less talkative and seemed lost in thought. Angelina waited until camp was set for the night and she asked Sir Taz to step aside with her. They walked out into the sand until they were far enough away not to be overheard.

  "I know there is something bothering you," she began when they stopped. "Would you like to talk about it?" she questioned.

  He sighed and stood there looking out into the darkness before he spoke. "I left Cardel when I was a little younger than you. I left against my father's wishes. He is one of the three tribal leaders that form Cardel. The elder has his say above all and the tribal leaders seek consultation with the elder. All tribal leaders are equal and all members of the tribes treat each other as family." He stopped for a moment before he continued, "My father wished me to wed a daughter of another tribal leader and I had agreed. I thought that in the coming years I would find which of the tribal leader daughter's I would wish to marry. It was within those years that I met Olena and we pledged our love for each other. However, Olena was not one of the tribal leader's daughters. I told my father of this and that it was she that I wished to wed. But it was too late in the telling. My father had already accepted the borandin from Yedda's father who was one of the tribal leaders. This meant that the marriage had been blessed by the elder." He knew that she would not know what the borandin was so he explained. "The borandin is a small round flat stone with symbols drawn on it. It symbolizes a binding marriage or agreement. The elder draws the ancient symbol of each tribe on the stone and over lapses both symbols with another symbol which makes the agreement binding. The elder uses different symbols for different arrangements and agreements.

  My father did feel for me but we both knew that it would not be proper for me to try to get out of the marriage to Yedda. It was my doing because I had already made the agreement with my father. I didn't know that I would find s
omeone else. Yedda was very beautiful and would have made a good wife," he turned to look at Angelina, "but I did not love her. Olena was crushed when the announcement was made. She didn't let me explain. She thought I turned my back on her to wed a woman of higher standing. My brother Zen took a message to Olena for me and explained to her that I had agreed to this a few years ago and before I could explain to my father it was too late. The arrangement must be honored and Olena knew I loved her and not Yedda.

  Zen returned to me to tell me that Olena understood and my pledge to her was no longer binding. I thought that I would get over her." He smiled a sad smile and turned again to gaze out into the darkness. "It was getting closer to the day I was to wed Yedda. I was out with one of my friends when I saw Olena talking with her mother. I knew then that I would never be truly happy with Yedda. I felt it unfair to have her marry someone that would never be able to love her as she should be loved. I could not approach Yedda and explain it to her because it would be an insult and my father would be shamed.