The Year of the Lumin

by Andrew Ryan Henke

  Ratt put his head in his hand and sighed, “Look, just drop it, okay?”

  The three sat together but did not make eye contact. Noir could never figure Ratt out and he wondered if he should even take him to Talik.

  The tension was broke by a conversation amongst the soldiers sitting nearby. One soldier had come up to the others. Noir recognized him as one of the men that Osarik spoke to often, presumably one of his knights though he did not wear the armor at the moment.

  The knight answered a soldier’s unheard question. “Yeah, they are supposed to start sparring in a few minutes.”

  “I heard some of them Azurite Knights were with us,” one of the sitting soldiers said. “We should go see what they can do. See if those rumors about them are real.”

  The rest of the soldiers seemed to agree with what he said. Another asked, “Where are they doin' it?”

  The Azurite Knight started to walk away and said, “To the southwest of camp.”

  The three watched as that group and other groups that had heard the same thing were getting up and walking away toward where they were told.

  Noir looked at the others. “Well, I guess it’s time.”

  Asiada stood up and said, “By the time we get our stuff ready and get the horses, most will probably be over there. Let’s go.”

  They each stood and walked to where the cart with their belongings and the horses were. Noir hated utilizing Osarik and his knights, but this time it was necessary. Noir pulled out the bag containing his meager belongings. It was mostly empty when he was wearing his armor. Ratt pulled out his bag as well, but Asiada drug out the third chest they had brought.

  Noir said quickly, “Hey, I thought you sold all that junk.”

  “No,” she answered as she lifted it out of the cart. “This is the one you were carrying.”

  Ratt talked sternly to her. “Asiada, this is not the time. Leave that here.”

  “Mind your own business. I will take care of it. You don’t have to worry about it at all.”

  Ratt pointed at her accusingly, “Look, if you slow us down at all, I’ll—“

  Noir interrupted him. “Ratt, cool it.” Ratt turned his gaze on Noir. “Let her do her thing; it won’t hurt anything.” Ratt still had his finger pointed aggressively at Asiada so Noir gently put his hand on his arm and lowered it. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Ratt made a low grunt and angrily walked to his horse. Noir said to Asiada, “What is in that chest Asiada, and don’t avoid the topic this time. Is it absolutely necessary?”

  “It’s supplies for Talik for when we get there.”

  Noir breathed hard and looked over his shoulder while thinking of what to say. “Asiada, we can’t have you peddling goods to them. This is stupid.”

  “I’m not peddling. This one’s a gift.” She took the chest to her horse and strapped it to the back.

  Noir looked up at the stars and shook his head. “Whatever. I hope this won’t be a problem.”

  Suddenly, a series of rapid clangs of metal rang out from the south. Soon loud cheers followed. Noir could sense large amounts of lux being utilized in that direction. He assumed the other two vigors were being used heavily from the Azurite Knights’ armor as well. The few soldiers who had remained now all stood and tried to see what was happening.

  Noir walked to the horses and said, “Well, that’s our cue.”

  ~~~

  The three met no resistance as they traveled north. Each walked ahead of their horse and held it by the reigns, which the soldiers frequently did to take care of their own mounts. They separated paths while still near the few soldiers who remained so they would not draw attention. Soon, with no soldiers in sight and the dark night and the hills hiding their escape, they rejoined each other and mounted their horses.

  Ratt, Noir, and Asiada rode their horses hard to the northeast toward the mountains and cliffs. The animals were sturdy and ran fast for a long time. The fast pace did not allow for much talking, so Noir's mind wandered. He thought about the conversation that they had had a short while earlier about Chiron’s slaves and how Tier treated its people. One of the lines of the Lumin Prophecies went through Noir’s mind.

  Freed will be the meek and oppressed upon the arrival of the Lumin. All will bask in equality and enlightenment. Beasts of the past will dwindle in the new light.

  The meek could be the Chiron slaves or the fearful people of Tier. Perhaps it was both. Noir certainly despised the fact that there were slaves. He couldn’t help himself from thinking that if he were the Lumin, he would want to free them.

  But Noir shook away the thought. “I can’t use three vigors. I don’t know what most of the prophecies mean. And a lot of it does not apply to me. Kings certainly are not humbled by me. I can’t be the Lumin.” Noir laughed to himself as he held onto the reigns of his galloping mount. “I need to stop letting Osarik plant his insane ideas in my head.”

  As sturdy as the horses were, within a little over an hour, it was obvious they needed a rest. They had come down from a sprint to a gallop, and then were at a mere canter.

  Asiada called to them and confirmed what Noir was thinking. “Unless we want to kill these horses, we should let them have a rest.”

  They allowed the animals to stop at the top of a hill and they dismounted. They each stretched and rubbed sore limbs as the horses panted heavily and stood together in a circle.

  Noir looked off toward the faint outline of the cliffs against the looming mountains. “Well,” Noir started, “It wouldn’t be more than another hour at that pace, but I don’t think the horses can do that much again. It’ll probably take another two or three to get there.” He looked at Ratt who was looking away into the distance. “Ratt, do you—“

  Ratt interrupted him, “Yes, I’m ready.”

  He walked to his horse and pulled off the heavy bag that held his armor. As he did, Noir said carefully, “Ratt, you’ve been acting a little strange, you know, whenever anyone mentions the armor. Are you okay?”

  Ratt did not look at him but pulled out each piece and laid it on the ground. Each piece was more open than the Azurite Knight’s armor. Its function was mostly with the enchants which made the armor’s physical defenses less important.

  “We already talked about it in the tower, remember?”

  Noir again tried to speak carefully, “Yes, I remember. I’m just concerned. Are you okay?”

  Ratt sighed as he started to put on the first pieces, starting with the gauntlets. “I don’t know.”

  Noir took a couple steps forward and said, “You don’t have to do this, okay?”

  Ratt put another piece into place and said with a frustrated tone, “No, I do. Let’s just get this over with.”

  “Okay.” Noir didn’t understand what was going on in Ratt’s mind. In the conversation they had in the tower, Ratt said he was afraid of the responsibility of becoming more than what he was. He hoped his friend would be fine.

  Ratt put on each piece, It clung to his body without the need of leather straps like normal armor. It went on over his cloth clothing. When each piece was in place, Ratt lifted the winged circlet, the piece that connected all of the other pieces to Ratt’s mind, and said, “Well, here we go.” He placed it on his head.

  After a moment, Asiada said, “Well?”

  Ratt said, “It’s odd. I’m aware of each piece of armor in my mind almost like they are other minds I can talk to.” He lifted his hand and looked at a gauntlet. Noir saw it glow yellow for a brief second. Ratt said, “Wow.”

  “Well, give it a go,” Noir said encouragingly. “Don’t take it too fast, though.”

  Ratt gave a huge impish smile and said, “Forget that!”

  Suddenly Ratt’s entire body glowed yellow to Noir’s eyes. With blinding speed, he knelt down, then jumped high into the air over their heads and over the resting horses. He landed on the opposite side of the hill before bursting into a blinding run. The faint bluish-green glow on the accents of his armor made str
eaks to their vision in the dark night. The blur went past a small tree and a loud crack echoed around the hills. The tree was split in two at the base of its trunk and it slowly started to fall to the ground. Before it hit, Ratt was suddenly in its path and he caught it.

  Asiada said with exasperation, “Lumin blind me, that boy’s gone nuts.” The horses stomped nervously behind them.

  Ratt went to a crouch at the full weight of the tree. Noir could see him grinning in the pale light. Then he thrust upward, sending the tree into the air toward Noir and Asiada. Axe in hand, Ratt leapt again after the tree. Two more loud cracks rang out and Ratt landed with his back turned a few feet away from the other two. The tree fell from the air in three pieces, its trunk cut in two more places. The glow of lux faded from Ratt.

  Asiada took a step back and said, “That was crazy!”

  Noir shook his head. “Maybe you’re the Lumin, Ratt. Jeez.”

  Ratt did not turn around, but he again raised a gauntlet and looked at it. He said flatly, “No. I am not the Lumin. I am something else.”

  He finally turned around. Noir got an odd feeling from the look in Ratt’s eyes. His light blond hair came over the top of the band around his head. Noir was having trouble thinking of what to say. All he could think of was, “Well, it’s that time, I guess.”

  “I should go.” Ratt said. “It shouldn’t take me long to find Talik.”

  Asiada said, “Be careful. Don’t over-exert yourself.”

  Noir said, “Yes, be careful. We'll be there in a few hours. Tell them we're coming and to look out for us. We still won’t know exactly where they are.”

  Ratt turned his back to them again and looked in the direction of the cliffs. “I will.” He paused. “Noir?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Good luck with things.”

  Noir thought that was an odd thing to say. “Thanks, but…” Ratt’s body and armor glowed yellow with lux again and he suddenly was gone from before them. Noir finished his sentence, “But I’m going to see you in just a few hours.”

  That which creates light spawns shadows. The closer light is, the larger the shadow.

  Chapter 46

  New Talik

  Asiada and Noir rested for a few more minutes. They gave Ratt’s horse a smack on the rear to get it running in the direction from which they had come, then remounted and rode down the other side of the hill. They did not push their horses too hard this time, confident that Ratt would get to Talik shortly. Asiada talked excitedly about the amazing display that they had just seen. However, Noir was less positive about it. He had seen the darkness in Ratt’s eyes, and the last thing he had said haunted him. It implied that they would not see each other in a while. Where would Ratt go if he was going to leave? Noir needed him for the upcoming battle. He certainly trusted Ratt to be near him more than he did the Azurite Knights.

  Between short bursts of running, Asiada and Noir rode side-by-side and she talked about many things. She talked about her father’s inn, what Chiron was like as she was growing up, and about what they had experienced. Noir felt less talkative, though. The upcoming battle weighed heavily on his mind. He chalked up Asiada’s chattiness to it being her way of dealing with her nerves. He would rather ponder his plans on his own to make sure nothing was forgotten.

  After about two hours of riding, the cliffs loomed near. Noir was glad when he saw two horses approach from in front of them. They slowed their horses to a walk as they came near.

  A man’s voice called out to them. “Life without freedom is death!”

  Noir recognized it as Talik’s creed. He was glad to hear it. “Life without freedom is death!” Noir repeated back gladly.

  As they drew close, the leather hawk armor that the men wore was familiar, though their faces were not. One of them said, “Luxin Noir. And I assume you are Lady Asiada. It is good to see you.”

  “And you,” Noir said. “Did Ratt relay the message about the coming forces?”

  “Your friend in the armor came a short while ago and told us of your arrival. However, we had already received word of the coming armies a week ago. Captain Grandel waits for an audience with you both to discuss these and other matters.”

  Noir was confused. “Last I heard Elrid was captain.”

  The other man said, “Well, we have a lot to explain on the way. Come, friends. We will guide you to Talik.”

  The four rode side-by-side over the last few hills before the cliffs. The ground was now mostly rocky. As they rode, the two explained what had happened with Kit, Illaus, and everything else. Noir knew Grandel should not have left Kit alive. He knew the man would not simply go away. He had seen and heard the intense hatred that the man had for Grandel.

  In the end, Elrid had encouraged Grandel to reclaim his title as Captain. At first he refused, but with the encouragement of the entire town, he accepted. Though now the men felt it mattered little with the coming onslaught that awaited them.

  It did not take long for them to reach the town. As they climbed the slope leading up between two ridges in the cliffs, Noir finally saw the newly constructed Talik. A low clay brick outline curved along its outer barrier to the world. It was merely waist high and would serve as no defense for the upcoming armies. There were around two dozen erected houses made of wood, clay, and stones. Around two dozen more tents surrounded the structures. The two Talik scouts guided them toward one slightly larger clay structure in the back.

  As they entered the city, Noir saw many faces that he recognized, though he did not know them well. Most faces were downcast and gloomy until they met Noir’s gaze, though they brightened little.

  The two Talik scouts dismounted in front of the larger structure so Noir and Asiada did as well. Apparently word had somehow already gotten out that they had arrived because Luxin Adeel and Captain Grandel exited the structure and walked toward them. Grandel was once again in his leather armor with the red and yellow armband. Adeel wore her Luxin armor and had her hair in multiple braids as normal. Noir noticed that Grandel looked different. Somehow his features seemed imperfect, as if mixed with someone else's. The scouts had mentioned Kit changing Grandel's appearance. However, Noir was certain it was him when he spoke.

  “Luxin Noir!” Grandel called out as he walked toward him.

  Noir responded, “Grandel. I’m glad to see you are well, all things considered.” They met and shook hands. Asiada had not yet come forward. She was fumbling with something on her horse. Noir ignored her and said, “I'm sorry to hear about Kit. Is Adeel changing your--”

  Grandel interrupted him. “It's a long story for another time.” He seemed a bit uneasy about the topic.

  Adeel looked at Noir and smiled, “You've changed since I last saw you too. You look like you're actually from this planet now.” She gave him a small bow, so Noir returned it.

  Carrying the third and final trunk, Asiada stepped forward respectfully to Grandel and said, “Captain Grandel, sir. I have heard about the drought in northern Chiron and I bring you supplies for your town.” She placed the trunk on the ground before him then reached down with a key and unlocked it. She lifted the lid. The inside was piled to the top with grain. Asiada spoke with the tone and perfection of a noblewoman. “Sir, I fear it may be a bit late, but once it is baked into bread, this should be enough grain to feed your town for at least a week. Consider this a gift from my father and me and accept it with our blessings.”

  Grandel bowed deep to her and then stood with a large smile. Noir was surprised when he said humbly, “Daughter of Chiron. Talik is deeply blessed with your gift. We are in your debt. Merchants have been too scared to come here once word got out of our location.” He paused and looked at Adeel. “However, I doubt we will have the week to make use of your gift.” Noir was impressed by Asiada's generosity and poise.

  He motioned them in toward the building. “Come, we have much to discuss. Cairn and Elrid are inside now.”

  They followed Grandel inside. The structure housed two rooms conn
ected by a short hall. They followed Grandel into the left room. Elrid, Cairn, and a few other soldiers that Noir recognized sat on tree stumps around a crudely-made table. Maps and pages full of tally marks were spread out before them. Oddly, a fledgling hawk was on a perch in the corner. Noir didn't ask about it. Also, as Noir had feared, Ratt was not there.

  Elrid and Cairn stood as they entered. “Welcome back, Luxin Noir.”

  “Thank you, Elrid. It is good to see you again.”

  Grandel sat and motioned the others to do the same. “Now,” he started, “We must hear all you know. Time is short.”

  Asiada sat next to Noir. “They are a mere day’s ride from Talik,” Noir said. “Their numbers, as much as I heard, were near nine hundred.”

  Cairn struck his fist on the table and Grandel looked saddened. “These are ill tidings.”

  Elrid said simply, “We have no chance. Our numbers are barely over a hundred who are able to fight.”

  Grandel closed his eyes and shook his head. “This is true. The only thing we can hope for is that the Tierians and Chiron fight each other first.”

  Noir looked at the men with confusion. “Why don’t you run? Evacuate everyone.”

  Cairn responded, “We can’t do that.”

  Noir said, “Why? There are only two hundred or so, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Get them away from here.”

  Grandel grunted and looked sternly at Noir. “Luxin Noir, your concerns are appreciated, however I would hope you would respect my judgment by now. If we evacuated the women and children by themselves, they would be defenseless. Both armies will no doubt have scouts out tracking our movements. They would be captured before a day’s end. If we all evacuated, we would be tracked and forced to defend ourselves without our preparations or knowledge of the land.” Grandel nodded. “We must stay here and defend ourselves.” He paused and looked toward the ceiling. “And die for our ideals if that is what will be.”