by P. L. Smith
"Please make yourselves comfortable. Are you hungry? Baego, my friend, some of our guests might wish to have some apples as well. Oh bother. You've soiled the entire bowl. Really Baego we must work on your manners. Never mind..."
The old man got up and pulled a basket that was brimming with more bright red apples from a shelf. He reached out offering the bowl to Jak first.
"Care for an apple young lady? You must both be starving after your journey."
Jak's eyes grew wide at the sight of the shiny, red apples. She took one, hesitated, and then took another. The old man laughed.
"Don't be shy. Lethan what about you? Oh, I'm sorry. Not exactly proper fare for a Lycan. Still I'm afraid I'm without meat, as I'm a vegetarian."
"A what?" asked Lethan.
"A veget... uh, I don't eat meat. Much the same as the deer or our friend the Yali here. In my years I have become a lover of all life, and prefer not to take it for my sustenance. Still it's no excuse for being a bad host. I apologize. If you like, I can see about catching some fish?"
Lethan, a bit flabbergasted, reached for the bowl.
"An apple would be just fine."
"Ah, very good."
Jak managed to get out a few words between bites of apple.
"How do you... know our names?"
"Excellent question my dear, one that I will answer in due time. I think first though, I should start at the beginning... no that would take too long. Then again, if I don't you'll just be confused. No, I'll have to start at the start, so to speak."
Riley sat quietly, as if gathering his thoughts. After a long pause, he sat up straight in his chair and his eyes glistened with excitement.
"A long, long time ago, the world was a much different place. Which is ridiculous to say, because time makes all things different. In fact, there was a time when this world was much the same as it is now, cycles you see? But then there was a period of exponential growth, cataclysmic change, innovation, and experimentation. Never to my knowledge, has so much been discovered about the universe than in those couple of centuries... uh, do you know what I am?"
Jak and Lethan both hesitated for moment looking at each other.
"You're a Maji," said Jak.
"Ah. And what is a Maji?"
"Well... you know majick. You can light caves without torches and talk to me in my dreams when there is an entire range of mountains between us. You..."
"I must say I am flattered, but I am no Maji. At least not in the sense you think. I am merely an archive, a being kept alive to hopefully keep mistakes from being repeated. My majick is merely a product of the old world inventions. Well, except for my appearing in your dream. That was my doing. You see thoughts are not limited to inside your head. In fact, they are waves that are sent out just like ripples in a pond. Just as sound travels, so do thoughts, except that you cannot hear thoughts with your ears. You see them with your imagination. Ever had a picture suddenly appear in your head, and you had no idea what it was or where it came from? You picked up someone's or something's thoughts, just a sliver mind you. I have simply had ample time over the years to hone my skills and exercise my imagination."
"So you're saying anyone can do that?" asked Lethan.
"Oh yes. With a little practice... and a little help, it can be done. The ability to see places, events, communicate, and... even influence. It's all possible."
"What do you mean influence?" said Jak.
"Well..."
The old man cleared his throat.
"...much the same way I appeared to you in your dream and convinced you to come all this way. Perhaps a bit more subtle at times."
"So making people do things without them knowing it?"
"In a way... yes."
"Seems wrong to me," said Jak.
"Perhaps. But it is very necessary."
"Why?"
"Because there are stronger forces at work that want very different things than you and I, forces that are bent on claiming this world as their own."
"The Firejacks?" asked Jak.
"Among others. In fact, that is why you are here. You see the Firejacks are using technologies far beyond their capabilities. Someone or something is helping them. I have tried many times to penetrate the queen's mind to find out, but something very strong is blocking me, and the few times I did manage to pierce through, all I saw was a mass of darkness and confusion."
The old man's eyes glazed over in memory and Jak shivered.
"And what does this have to do with us?" said Lethan.
"Ah. I was coming to that. The Firejacks will kill everyone and everything."
Lethan and Jak sat waiting. A hint of a smile appeared on the old man's lips.
"Their numbers are too great, and with the weapons on top of that, well... they are unstoppable. Man, beast, dog, nothing will be able to beat them back. They will keep coming until they have eradicated every last one of us, unless you stop them. I have watched you two for quite some time now. Quite the interesting duo, you make. I chose you, because I believe you both have the heart to do what needs to be done."
"And that is?" asked Jak.
"Find my bomb."
Lethan and Jak both looked at each other, then back to the old man.
"Your what?" they responded in unison.
"My bomb. It's a weapon, of a type. An ancient technology. But it was designed to kill many things all at once. I believe it is the only way you are going to be able to stop the queen, and kill the Firejacks and whatever is helping them."
"That sounds great, but where do we find this bomb?" asked Lethan.
"That is the difficult part. The bomb has been hidden away for a long time. Never mind how I came to possess it, but I have kept it for just this reason. As I said, history repeats itself in cycles. As of now, the world is in regrowth, just a new hatchling, cracking at its egg, ready to mature and grow again. However, the queen and her Firejacks are capable of stopping that, throwing us back a thousand or more years."
"But the Bible says Mo-Na created the Yumans just four hundred years ago," said Jak.
"Mo-Na may have created us, but it was much longer than four hundred years ago, much, much longer. In fact, the world has been through similar cycles many, many times."
"So what happened to your bomb?" questioned Lethan.
"It was stolen. You see, I can't leave my mountain home for very long periods of time. I have to return in order to keep myself alive, which is why I cannot look for the bomb myself. It's called cell regeneration, another ancient technology, but it works well, and it has allowed me to witness much and learn... I'm sorry, I'm digressing. Anyway, on one occasion when I ventured back out from the mountains, I checked on my little sleeping thunderbolt and found that it was gone. Taken. I searched for it for some time, but eventually had to return. I did manage to see a glimpse in the mind of who took it. He took it far to the east, far enough that I was unable to find him a second time. However, I did get a few flashes of what the thief actually looked like. I saw feline paws, and I saw feathers."
"No," said Lethan.
"What?" asked Jak.
"Griffins?"
"I believe so," answered Riley.
"But I thought Dagan said they were all dead?"
"That was the common belief, my dear. None have been seen in over a century or more. But I am quite sure of what I saw."
"Even if it was, why would a Griffin want your bomb?" asked Lethan.
"It is my hypothesis that he did not know what it was. The bomb is a very intricate and delicate item. But he could have taken it simply because it looked pretty."
"So we're supposed to just head east and hope we stumble upon a Griffin and your bomb?" asked Jak.
"Precisely. I wouldn't have picked you two if I didn't think you could do it. Believe me when I say that this is the only way to stop the queen and save your people. I don't see that you have much of a choice."
The old man held their gaze for a long moment.
Lethan drew i
n a deep breath.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked.
"I think he's right. We don't really have much of a choice."
Lethan shook his head and smiled at the uncanny strength Jak continued to possess.
"All right, Riley, we're in. Just tell us the easiest way off this mountain."
The old man slapped his hands together and smiled widely.
"Excellent! And don't worry the front door is much more accommodating than the back. I cannot believe Baego took you across that retched cliff. Some people are not as at home as you are with perching on the edge of a cliff, Baego!"
The Yali looked up from his nearly empty bowl of apple scraps and chomped noisily, looking as though he had no idea what anyone was talking about.
"Sometimes I think I'd have more stimulating conversation with a rock, I swear. Oh, and don't get in a hurry about taking leave on your great journey just yet, my friends. You'll stay and rest up and leave in the morning, I insist."
"You won't hear me complain about that and neither will my feet," said Lethan reaching down and rubbing at his tender bandaged feet.
"Good, and if your body is needing more than just rest, I can oblige. I can heal nearly anything you put in front of me."
"No, I'm fine. I just need some..."
"His feet are in bad shape. Raw, bleeding, and probably frost bitten," said Jak cutting him off.
"Oh dear. Well I better take a look."
Lethan scowled at Jak, who grinned back widely.
****
"There we are. Good as new!" said Riley.
Lethan cautiously pulled his feet away from the round apparatus, pulsing with blue light. Riley moved something on the object, and the light disappeared, and the low humming silenced. Lethan curled his toes in as he turned, sitting up on the bed, and put his feet back on the floor. Surprisingly his feet felt fine. No pain, no numbness. He reached down and lifted one foot to his knee and examined his pads. It was like they had never even been hurt in the first place.
"If that's not majick, I don't know what is."
"No, not majick. Simply a product of the power of the mind. True innovation."
"What are all these things?" asked Jak, pointing to a row of shiny, intricate items lined up along the shelf.
"Those are... well, too time consuming to explain in detail, but to put it down to its simplest form, they are things that build other things and things that calculate numbers, infinitely large and difficult numbers."
"Makes sense. I hated doing simple numbers in school. Something that could do them for you would be nice. Is that water in this one?"
"Uh, yes, well... it's coolant. It is used to keep my machines from getting overheated."
"So do they sweat?"
"No, but strangely enough, they do get hot when they work, just as we do."
"Fascinating," said Jak, peering deep inside one of his machines.
"Isn't it?! I haven't been able to talk to someone who finds innovation interesting in quite some time. Baego prefers to talk of food for the most part. Although, he has undoubtedly been a loyal companion."
Lethan had only been half listening, still pushing and prodding at his foot with his fingers. His head popped up suddenly.
"Speaking of food, where did you get those apples? We've got to be a long ways from any apple groves, up here in the mountains."
"On the contrary, Lethan. Come along. It is time for the tour. I think you will both enjoy this.”
They entered a tunnel, still lit but not nearly as bright. Lethan and Jak could both feel the tunnel angling downward. They could also feel a steady rush of warm air blowing in their faces.
Lethan grew more and more tense the further they descended into the earth. Lycans were never ones for being underground.
After a while, they reached a point where the tunnel seemed to level off. Lethan was sweating heavily. There was a white light at what looked like the end of the tunnel.
"Mind your eyes now and watch your step. It's very bright," said Riley.
The old man walked through the entryway bathed in the light. He held his hand above his brow shading his eyes, so Jak and Lethan did same. The intensity of the heat coming through the doorway was staggering.
Through squinted eyes, they followed the old man down a set of steps. Jak stared at the steps and had to stop. The skill of the craftsmen was unbelievable. The steps were truly perfect.
"Riley?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Did you carve these steps? They are amazing."
"Hmm? Oh no, no."
The old man laughed.
"These were not carved. They were poured. A mixture of water, sand, and limestone powder. Once it dries, it gets as hard as stone and can be poured into nearly any shape you want. I was not the craftsman, however. These were here long before I found this place."
Jak knelt down and felt the sandy texture of the steps in disbelief. The old man reached the bottom and stretched out his arms, lifting them up.
"Behold my sanctuary!"
Lethan and Jak slowly removed their hands from their brows and allowed their eyes to take in the full spectrum of the light within the cavern.
Their eyes lay upon a sight their minds refused to believe. Stretched out before them was a forest of trees and plants, all heavily burdened with fruit. As their eyes filtered out the harsh light, they looked upward to the ceiling. They realized there were no glowing orbs; the light was coming from one source, too bright to look at.
Lethan was hit with a wave of nausea as the realization struck home that he was looking at the sky, yet not the sky. There was something between them and the blue beyond. Lethan thought it was like being underwater and looking up towards the sun.
"It is a dome. A round building of glass. It keeps the air inside warm enough that this will all grow year around. Quite breathtaking isn't it? I love it in here."
"We're inside a building?"
Jak had never imagined a structure so big could exist.
"That's correct, young lady."
Jak walked to the edge and reached out and touched the clear wall, seeing the snow and ice covered landscape beyond.
"Have you ever seen glass, my dear?"
"Yes. They have it, or at least they did, in a few of the houses in Stonesweat. But this is nothing like what they had," she said, her eyes following the contour of the dome until her neck craned back as far as it would go. She lost her balance and nearly fell. Riley reached out and steadied her.
"Careful, my dear," he said, smiling.
Lethan had not moved. He was still staring straight up at where the sky should be.
"It doesn't feel right. This shouldn't be here. These things shouldn't be able to grow here. I don't like it," said Lethan.
"That's understandable, my Lycan friend. I can imagine how foreign this must all feel for both of you. Come let's sit beside the pond. It will calm your nerves, and then if you like you can try your hand at fishing. Although, it shouldn't take much. The fat trout haven't had a predator to deal with in a century! You could probably just scoop them out of the water without even a fight I'll bet!"
****
"Steward? We have fighters unaccounted for."
Dagan was fishing a slimy chunk of Firejack out from between his hooves with a stick when the Elapi spoke.
"What? What do you mean unaccounted for? Are they dead?"
The stag shook his head.
"No, sir. Well, we don't know. They're... missing."
"Maybe they retreated back to Mountainhold?"
"No, sir. I don't think so, sir. Many of them were seen fighting near the end of the skirmish," said the Elapi.
"Well they can't have just disappeared."
Dagan pushed past and worked his way to the battlefield. It was a sea of bodies painted with red and orange blood. Groups of men and foresters were working their way through, searching for survivors.
"You lot, who's all missing?" asked Dagan.
A Centaur spoke up.
"Borax and Gayvus of Calypso's legion."
"Anyone else?"
This time a Yali spoke.
"Trevador of the Yalis."
Dagan scratched his head.
"Anyone else?"
"Tiny."
Dagan turned and faced the blond youth, Awney, as he worked his way through the bodies trying to reach him.
"Tiny? What was he doing fighting? He was supposed to be working the forges."
"I know. But he was determined to help with the fight. Didn't even make himself armor," said Awney.
"And he's gone too, you say?"
Awney nodded.
"He'd be hard to miss."
"Yes, I suppose he would," agreed Dagan.
"...ook ...em."
Dagan and Awney both turned and found the source of the voice. The man was barely alive. By the way his jaw lay slack, Dagan knew it was broken.
"What's that you say?" said Dagan, as he and Awney squatted down next to the man.
"Ey... took... dem."
"The Firejacks took them?" asked Awney.
The man gave a slight painful nod.
"Why the hell would they take them?"
"I dunno, but probably the same reason they took me. Come on then brother. Let's get you some help."
Dagan tried to scoop his hands underneath the wounded man, but he cried out in pain.
"...eave me... roken... back."
"All right, easy now. We'll build you a stretcher and get you back to the lake, where you can heal up," said Dagan.
"No..."
The man started a fit of coughing, and a spray of blood coated his lips. The coughing intensified, and the man struggled to breathe. Dagan and Awney watched helplessly as the man choked on his last few breaths.
A moment passed, and Dagan's fingers slowly closed the man's eyes.
"Your pain is gone, follow Mo-Na home now brother."
Awney sniffed and wiped at his tearing eyes.
"You all right boy?"
Awney nodded.
"You ever seen a battle before?"
He shook his head.
"Yeah. It ain't a pretty sight. But it's one we're going to see a lot more of. Come on, then. Let's go get Tiny and the others, before the Queen has a chance to do whatever it is she's planning."