by A D Lombardo
While the others enjoyed the beautiful view, Kai tilted his head east. He strained his ears, searching for the grumble within the mountain. Either he had imagined the sound or the roaring rapids slamming down on the rocks made it impossible to hear.
Thirsty, each of them went to the water’s edge for a drink. Kai splashed his face with the cold water, stood and wiped his mouth. “Dresnor, Drew, and Shane, this is where you must leave us. We must cross the river here alone.”
Dresnor scoffed. “Nah, I think I will continue. Kempery-man Albey tells me the Zabranen Forest starts at the second waterfall. It is another hour or two around and up. I will turn back there—not a step before. If you’ll remember, Albey grew up in these parts. He knows the rules well. I will not leave you or Rayna alone in the forest.”
Shane smirked at Dresnor. “Well, if he stays, so do I.”
Drew nodded and raised an eyebrow in agreement.
There was no arguing. Kai dropped his pack and sat on a nearby rock. “We should stop for food. Refill our canteens. We have a long way to go, and mine is empty.”
He knew Dresnor was only avoiding the inevitable, but for now, he let him have his way. They kept the conversation simple. Fun, happy adventures around Baden Lake. Rayna tossed Smoke a few scraps and tucked the rest of the dried meat and cheese into her pack.
Ever mindful of the time, Kai hurried the group together, and they crossed the river using a downed tree wedged between the large rocks. Although he wished the others had turned back, he was happy for the company. He figured Shane tagged along out of curiosity, while Dresnor did so out of pure stubbornness. The man was utterly unreasonable. Kai laughed inside his head at the resolve of his friends.
Once on the other side, Kai felt a sudden uneasiness. The path into the trees looked well-worn. Dresnor wanted to follow the trail farther into the forest, but Kai was skeptical. He knew better. Everyone had warned him to stay near the water.
They walked into the trees about fifty feet, and Kai pointed. “We climb.” He pointed out the various ledges and boulders along the slop. Thick vines climbed upward. “Davi instructed me to stay near the water. He cautioned that the trails can be misleading and send you hours out of your way.”
Kai looked at the climb above. Smoke would not be able to climb with them. They would have to separate. His faithful companion stood beside Rayna. Her hand sank into Smoke’s thick fur. Sending Smoke off alone did not worry him. Kai knew the Katori would not harm a wolf; however, the loss of the second pair of eyes and keen senses did cause him some concern.
Confident his wolf would not bother with the path, but sniff out the route to find his own way, Kai sent him into the woods, instructing him through their connection to reach the next waterfall. Smoke bolted from the clearing, disappearing into the dark underbrush.
The climb was steep and arduous. The vines gave them a handhold, but the moss-covered rocks made their ascent slippery and dangerous. Several times Kai pulled Rayna up to the next level. The narrow ledges were barely wide enough to stand on. Drew and Shane seemed to enjoy the challenge, while Dresnor mumbled to himself the entire climb.
Both Kai and Rayna were soaked with sweat. Each time before hoisting her up, Kai thoroughly wiped his hands dry on his pants. When they reached the top, they walked back to the falls. Kai looked down. Beautiful, he thought. “Too bad we can’t spend the day here.” He nudged Rayna.
Feverish, Rayna wiped the sweat beads off her forehead. She begged for a break with her weary expression. Kai offered her his canteen, and she sipped eagerly. It may have been a challenging climb up, but Davi’s advice to stay near the falls saved them hours of walking.
Between the sun, the climb, and his fever, Kai felt like he was on fire. Sweating profusely, he wiped his brow. He wasn’t sure how much more he could take. They were all tired, but they needed to keep going. A survey of the riverbank was not good. The trees were dense, and the rocks were jagged. They offered no easy path for walking.
Challenging by design, Kai thought. We’re not meant to stay near the river. The Guardians want us to leave the water, travel into the forest. Kai crossed his arms, frustrated. If he’d been alone and had more time, he might have hopped from rock to rock. Alone, he could slowly work his way along the water’s edge. His friends would never understand the risks of such a path when the forest was easier.
Deeper into the forest, Kai sensed a presence. The hair on the back of his neck tingled. Magic filled the air. Reasonably sure the Katori Guardians were already watching them, he reached out with his mind. He gleaned the forest.
Nothing. Odd. How can there be nothing? No light, no magic emanated from his surroundings. He could not glean. Rayna tapped the corner of her eye and shook her head. She, too, was unable to glean the path ahead.
Fear crept around the edges of his mind as he remembered Haygan’s words: “You can’t be afraid. Out here, it is survival of the fittest. Choose to survive or choose to surrender. Your life will be determined by your strength of spirit, and you have a strong spirit—trust it.”
His uncle was right. Kai had to have faith in himself and in Rayna. They could do this. Although the trail angled into the woods, Kai continued to cut through the underbrush. Shane’s battle-ax came in quite handy, and both he and Shane took turns clearing the path. It was exhausting work, hacking away at the vines and bushes.
Drew took the lead and their weapon. His forceful strike against the clinging vines made a clear path. Dresnor guarded the rear and kept a sharp eye on their surroundings, his sword at the ready. “You sure we cannot follow the path? This seems like a lot of effort to shave off an hour or two of walking.” Dresnor scanned around, searching for hidden threats.
“Stay near the water, that’s all Davi said,” Kai responded. “I will not chance getting lost for an easier route.”
Ever vigilant, Kai kept them near water. At times the water was barely moving while other times it dashed around and over large rocks. They worked methodically—climbing over rocks and between dense tree saplings. Their hours of persistence finally paid off when they hacked through the last thicket and stepped into a clearing.
Smoke darted up the path behind them. Rayna ran her fingers through the wolf’s fur and smiled at his arrival. “We are all back together,” she beamed.
They had reached the base of the second waterfall. Twice as massive as the first, the water thundered over the towering falls and crashed onto the rocks below. An enormous plume of billowing mist lingered around the base of the falls. Kai could feel the change in the air. The snow-capped Katori Mountains fed the Conha River, making the water especially icy as it collected into pools.
But Kai did not feel cold—the heat from within was more than he could tolerate. Clothes and all, Kai waded into the large pool and sank below the surface. The water instantly chilled his inflamed skin. It was refreshing. He stood up in the waist-deep water to see Rayna removing her boots. “You could have removed your boots first,” she chided.
“I don’t care,” he laughed, falling back under the water again.
Dresnor and Drew conversed from the nearby rocks. Shane cleaned his ax, and Smoke drank from the water’s edge.
Relief from the heat relaxed Kai’s mind. As he tramped out of the water, steam rose from his shoulders. Rayna stood waist-deep and attempted to wring out her wet clothes and hair. They were a sight.
Kai ran his hands through his sandy-blond hair and glanced at his friends. “Time to go back. From here, you will need to return to Albey. I appreciate you escorting us this far, but Davi warned if you go any farther, our word would mean little to the mountain people. They do not like outsiders. They will not help us if you continue. Don’t make me beg. Please, go back.”
Kai prepared himself for an argument.
Dresnor crossed his arms. “I know I promised to turn back, but I do not understand why I cannot meet these people. See them for myself, know the truth of their worth. I will not trust your safety to the mysteries of the Zab
ranen Forest.”
“Philip Dresnor, are you not a man of your word? Don’t push me on this!” Kai thundered.
Wide-eyed, Shane chimed in. “It is not my place, but Kai is not questioning your loyalty, Dresnor. We all know you would die for him, as would we all, but I have lived in the area. The Katori are hesitant to trust outsiders. Before Julia and I moved here, I hunted the area to learn the terrain. Davi and his group stalked me in the shadows. I learned through Kinnon, Kempery-man Albey’s brother, that Davi had spoken with him about who I was. I had to be patient and earn their trust.”
“But these people are not Davi,” Dresnor countered. “He is not even facilitating the introduction. How can I trust any of them?”
Kai had not considered asking Davi to join them, but in retrospect, it would have helped convince Dresnor to return. This was not supposed to be this difficult. “One tribe to the next,” Kai began to spin a tale, “they keep to themselves. I am sure if Davi felt I needed an escort, he would have come, but it is time for you to turn back.”
Rayna let her hand touch Dresnor’s shoulder. “We will be fine. They promised Davi they could help us, but we need to be true to our word and not lead others to their camp. Please, all of you, go back.”
Dresnor was doubtful at first, but then he reluctantly offered his hand. “Good luck—both of you. I suppose we will leave you here, then.”
Kai took the offered hand and pulled Dresnor in close. “I can do this, you trained me well.”
“I did train you well.” Dresnor let Kai go. “Be safe.”
Drew sighed heavily. “Rayna, you’re a strong woman. Look after Kai, and we will see you in a few months.” He hugged her and pulled Kai into their moment. “Take care, little brother. I will be waiting for your return.”
This would be the first time Kai had gone anywhere without one of them for more than a few hours. This was not like dodging their watchful eye for a run or an afternoon sailing on the lake. He knew full well this could be goodbye for much longer.
Shane extended a hand. “Be safe. I will speak with Davi. Maybe he can visit and bring back word.”
Even though Kai knew better, he nodded to give them a sense of hope. He took in a deep breath of fresh, pine-scented air and took Rayna’s hand.
Everyone parted ways. Kai watched his friends fade back into the forest through the trail they had created. He listened to the occasional whack of Shane’s battle-ax strike underbrush and small saplings that evidently blocked their chosen direction.
Unable to glean their path, Kai hoped they would continue to follow the same route and keep close to the Conha River. The forest was dense and unwelcoming, but Dresnor and Shane were expert trackers, and they would have no trouble getting back to Albey as long as they followed the same course.
Chapter 4
Shifting Landscape
Rayna laced up her boots, studying the cliffs and various trees around the clearing. “So, what next?” she asked. “What are we looking for next?
Kai thought of Kendra’s reminder—three oak trees near the base of the second waterfall. Those trees marked the entrance to the Zabranen Forest. But as they looked around, they didn’t see anything remarkable. Every tree looked the same, and certainly, none of them looked like an entrance. He resigned himself once again that they would have to venture away from the water’s edge to find a way up to the third level. His brow knit together with concern.
Could the Guardians have hidden the entrance to the forest somehow? Was it possible to change the landscape?
The lack of challenge so far made Kai wonder if the Guardians stayed away because of his friends, or because they were willing to let them begin their test proper and fair inside the Zabranen Forest. But deep down, he knew. The guardians were never about to make it easy…
What were they missing? There was no way to climb the immense waterfall. Kai thought harder on his dreams. His vision came back to him. There would be no path marked by signs of man. The giant oaks were here, but which ones? An eerie, fog-shrouded forest loomed in front of them. The thundering water crashed down beside him. He stepped toward the falls; the sound was louder. But there was nothing but dense forest in front of them. No clue they were in the right place.
Again, focusing on the dream, he touched his face, thinking about what he felt. “That’s it. The mist. We are not close enough to the falls,” he said, taking Rayna by the hand. “We need to stand in the mist.”
Together, Kai and Rayna ventured around the edge of the plunge pool. Kai turned his head to the right, searching. The raging water roared beside them, and cold mist speckled their faces. Smoke waited nearby. Kai reached out his hand and touched the sheer cliff wall. They were practically under the falls before he saw the arch in the trees, the entrance revealed by the angle they now had.
Vines and thick underbrush distorted the arch, but it was there: three tall oak trees set at an angle. Large arm-like branches, originally meant to be open and welcoming, were now covered by dangling moss and ivy. Gray mist hung in the damp air, further hiding their way. Still, their new path became visible.
Sunlit rays danced over the vine-covered ground. A feeling pulled at Kai’s soul, and he felt a longing in his heart. Rayna looked up at him, as if she felt the magic too. Something guided them into the Zabranen Forest. Was it Alenga calling them home? Kai did not know, but he felt compelled to follow the feeling. Hand in hand, they walked under the moss-covered oaks. They stepped under arched branches covered with bright green new growth. Acorns crunched under their feet. Squirrels dodged for safety within the trees. The fog swirled around the tree trunks.
The fresh, crisp scent of the waterfall morphed into damp earth, decaying leaves, and pine. The overgrown ivy gave way to pine needles. As they made their way, the trail twisted and turned, this way and that. Deeper into the forest, the trees changed. Towering pine trees blocked out the sun. Birds chirped in the canopy above.
Wanting to reassure Rayna, Kai tried again to glean the area—but he saw nothing. No light beaming from the foliage, animals, or earth. There was absolutely nothing. He thought of the skillset of the Katori. The only one that fit was the Lumens—Haygan had said they could manipulate the energy that flowed within all life. Davi had also told him to expect to lose his magical sight.
Kai felt blind. Everyone was right—gleaning would provide him no benefits. They would need to navigate another way. The only landmark he trusted was the river, and they were leaving it behind. What other tricks could they expect along the way?
Each step took them away from the only indicator that they were on the right trail. Over rotten hollow logs and around dense foliage, they pressed on. Thicker leaves and thorny brambles closed in around the fading path. Creaky trees swayed in the breeze. Kai felt uneasy. Dark foreboding sounds echoed through the hillside. Low overhanging branches grew closer, and their trail was gone.
If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he heard whispers on the wind. Voices that warned them to go back. Rayna squeezed his hand. “We’ve lost the path. Should we go back to the falls and start again?” she questioned, stepping in close.
Kai pointed to a felled tree near some large boulders. “We should stop, eat, and get our bearings before we continue. We have been walking for over an hour. I can’t tell which way we are headed—” he pointed at the clouded sky above “—but something feels wrong. At every turn, more obstacles block our path. We take more steps down the mountain than we do up. It seems to me that the path is forcing us southwest. Down the mountain.”
“You’re right,” Rayna agreed. “They have us outmatched. The Katori have skills we do not understand, and they’ve had a lifetime to perfect their gifts, not to mention design this trial.”
Rayna handed Kai a bundle of food. The dried meat, cheese, and bread helped lift Kai’s spirits. He drank some of the cold mountain water they had collected at the falls before passing it back to her.
“We need to…” Kai let his voice fade.
He
had no idea what to do. They were lost and basically blind. The landscape seemed to be designed to push them off course. He felt infuriated. His pulse quickened. Were the Guardians this difficult on others who tried to complete their Conhaspriga? He let out a heavy sigh and clenched his fists. He felt his insides boil with fury. Then he felt Rayna’s hand touch his knee. His breathing steadied, and he relaxed, softened by her reassuring smile.
She lowered her head next to Smoke’s ear. She gazed at the delicate ferns and holly bushes. “We must change our perspective,” she said quietly. “We are thinking too small. When I practice gleaning at home, I am limited to the palace and a small portion of the city. But Kai, when you focus, you can reach well outside the city.”
He thought about her words and nodded in agreement. “You’re right, I have been thinking small. The Lumens cannot blot out the whole world. Nor do they need to. They only need to hide the way east, closer to Katori. Back at the second waterfall, I sensed Shane and Philip’s departure. But they were going west. Down the mountain. We need to be more strategic.” He paused. “The Katori use their gifts against us, effecting our surroundings, but they cannot change us. Nor can they change the nature of everything around us.”
Kai closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The world around him fell silent as he sank deep into his inner self. Strength bubbled within his core. Raw power. Quietly focused within, he felt the threads of energy, the fabric of life that connected him to the world—and, more importantly, to the things around him.
He reached out with his mind. Nothing. Blackness surrounded everything. Concentrating on the emptiness, he felt a drain on the energy. Rayna’s light seemed to be muted, pushed deep inside of her. In his mind, he ventured further west from their present location. He reached out, searching for life. A white light bloomed and assaulted his senses. It was as if all the light from this area had been shoveled away like snow from a path. He pushed farther, and the energy subsided of its own accord. Iridescent light emanated within the plant life, animals, and river.