Night Calls the Raven (Book 2 of The Master of the Tane)

by Thomas Rath

“The boy is beginning to rouse,” she said in a tiny voice and then immediately backed out of the room.

  Jack jumped to his feet, knocking his chair over as he did so and almost sending himself to the floor. But before Myles even stood up, he had recovered and was through the door and across the hall to where Dor and Tam had been kept since he brought them in half dead seven days ago. He almost knocked Bren over as he crashed into the room barely missing the Healer with the door that certainly would have broken bones had it connected. Bren, like Kat, wore the long brown Healer robes that marked him as such. Though his hair was cut short like Kat’s, his was as black as midnight on a moonless night. He was huskier than Kat, filling his robes out a little better and had high cheekbones and large black eyes. He jumped aside as Jack rushed in and tripped over the chair that Jack had slept in for the past week. Bren and the chair crashed to the floor but Jack paid no mind as he rushed to Dor’s bedside. Dor was still very pale but his lips were not as blue as they had been. He was getting better but it was slow going. This was the first time since he was brought in that he had gained consciousness.

  Jack looked down at his friend. Placing a hand on his arm he whispered, “Dor, can you hear me?” His skin had warmed from the cold and clammy feel it had only days before; another good sign that he was beginning to recover. “Dor. It’s me, Jack.”

  Dor moaned slightly and moved his head around before going still again.

  Jack looked at Bren who was picking himself, and the chair, up off the floor. “Why won’t he wake?” he asked in a sterner voice than he meant. Although he still had his doubts about Healers, he did have to give them credit for saving his friends’ lives. By all accounts, Dor really should be dead.

  Kat moved over to the bed and placed a hand on his forehead. “He is still very weak from his wound and lack of nourishment. It may take a moment for him to find his way back to us. Keep talking to him. Help him find his way.”

  Jack gave her a quizzical look but did not question her. “Dor, it’s Jack. Wake up.”

  Dor moaned again this time turning his head towards Jack’s voice and leaving it there. His lips parted slightly and he mouthed something but no sound came out.

  The excitement in Jack’s voice was evident as he moved closer to his face trying to hear and understand what he was trying to say. “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you?”

  Dor’s nose curled slightly and his chest rose as he took in a deep breath. “I said,” he whispered slightly, “get away. Your breath reeks of last week’s dung heap.”

  Jack quickly put his hand up to his mouth and blew into it trying to catch a whiff of his own breath. Then his face curled into a huge grin and he threw his hands into the air. “He’s all right!” he exclaimed jumping up and turning to the Healers who only smiled slightly at him. “And his sense of smell is still very good.”

  “We will leave now and let you two alone while we go and fetch some food for him,” Bren said pointing at Dor and pushing the chair over to Jack so he could sit down.

  “If you need us,” Kat added as she opened the door, “we will be at the mess hall.” Braxton was putting the Healers up while they were there and feeding them since they were taking care of Jack’s friends. He would have paid them gold from his own pocket and put them up in the most expensive inn in town but they would not accept. That was their way. So he gave them each a cot, albeit in a room of their own away from the soldiers, and had them help themselves at the mess hall. It was the least he could do and the most they would accept.

  Jack just waved as he sat down and looked back at Dor. “How do you feel? Is it hard to talk? Maybe I should let you rest more, although your color is coming back. You must be starving. They’ll be back with some food soon. Does food sound good? Are you all right? Can you speak some more?”

  A thin smile split Dor’s lips but he kept his eyes closed as he took a deep breath. “I would,” he whispered, “if you would shut that jaw of yours for two seconds.”

  Jack opened his mouth to say something but shut it again and mumbled a simple, “Sorry.”

  Dor started to laugh but it quickly turned into a coughing fit that made him flinch with pain. Jack stood up wanting to help but had no idea how. The best he could manage was to stand there and look foolish.

  “Don’t make me laugh,” Dor gasped hoarsely. “It hurts too much.”

  “I didn’t mean to,” was all he could think to say. “How do you feel?”

  Dor stopped coughing and rested his head back on his pillow. “Like a pin cushion.”

  “Does the wound hurt much?”

  “Only when I move. Where are we?”

  Jack’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, yes. You wouldn’t know that would you. We’re in Haykon. I got to you just as that Dren loving goblin buried his dagger into your chest. I scarcely got you here in time.”

  “How?” Dor asked licking his dry lips. “I should be dead.”

  Jack nodded in agreement. “I know. Luckily there were two Healers here when I got you back. I don’t know what kind of sorcery they worked on you but it seems to have done what was needed.”

  Dor finally opened his eyes, but just slightly. “Healers?”

  “They’re a strange group that keeps to themselves. I have to say that I don’t trust ‘em much but they did it right by you.”

  Dor coughed again and moaned from the pain. “What about Tam?” he asked struggling to catch his breath.

  “Look for yourself,” he said, pointing behind him.

  Dor turned his head slowly and looked over at Tam in the other cot across the room. “Is she well?”

  “As far as I can tell, though I have to say that I haven’t really asked. I’ve been more worried about you.”

  Dor lay silent for a moment catching his breath and licking his lips. It was obvious he was exhausted and Jack was just about to suggest he get more rest when he asked, “And Thane?”

  His head dropped, as did his mood. He had been able to help Dor rescue Tam, which in and of itself was a miracle considering the number of trolls and goblins that had poured into the valley near Raven’s Eye peak, but with the injury Dor had sustained and the apparent shape Tam was in he had no choice but to abandon any efforts to find Thane and get the other two back to safety. And really, there was no way of knowing where he actually was. The dragon had flown in the direction of the Mogolths but that is all they knew. He could be anywhere by now. That is if he was still alive. They had no way to know.

  “Nothing,” was all he could say.

  Dor nodded once his face darkening with his own thoughts and doubts. “I’m tired,” he whispered.

  Jack knew that he must be exhausted but also knew that Dor needed to be alone for awhile to collect his thoughts about his missing friend. “The Healers will be back soon with some food,” he said while standing up. “You make sure you eat all of it. You won’t be up and around if you don’t get some food back into you.”

  Dor just nodded once his energy almost completely spent. He was tired, and thirsty. His stomach was quiet for the moment but his mouth was dry and his throat burned.

  Jack opened the door. “I’ll come back in a while to check on you.”

  Dor didn’t answer. He was too exhausted to even think of forcing a reply.

  The Healers did come as promised with a large pitcher of water and some warm soup. He was too tired to open his eyes and look at them but he did eat and drink everything they put to his mouth. He could almost feel the food moving through his body giving it strength but it wasn’t enough to revive him much. He needed more sleep and after he was through eating that’s exactly what he did.

  It was another two days before Dor was awake again long enough to do anything but eat and drink something before falling right back to sleep. Jack had wanted to talk to him but the Healers were more adamant now that he not be disturbed until he gained more strength. He was back from death’s door now but still had a ways to go before he was anywhere close to recovered.

  Br
en was changing the poultice and dressing on Dor’s chest when he woke up. His color was close to normal now and his body had reacted quickly and favorably to the food and drink the Healers had been forcing down him since the first time he regain consciousness. He may have even gained back a couple of pounds, fleshing him out a bit from the skin covered skeleton he had been only days before. The stubble on his head was starting to grow back now and itched fiercely in some places but he couldn’t quite get it with the Dihne Jack had tied on his head. He unconsciously reached to pull it off but stopped when he realized he wasn’t alone.

  Bren turned his head around and called to Kat who was checking on Tam. “He’s awake again.”

  Dor thought he caught a slight hint of excitement in Bren’s voice but couldn’t be sure. Kat and Bren had kept an emotional distance from him always ready with a spoonful of food or a drink of water when he woke. He never had a chance to even thank them. Every time he finished what food they practically shoved down his throat, he almost instantly went back to sleep. He figured they must have been drugging him to make sure he didn’t waste any energy on anything but getting better. But, whether that was the case or not he certainly felt much better today. Actually, he was rather surprised that Bren wasn’t shoving a spoonful of something into his mouth right then.

  Kat was suddenly by his side grabbing his hand. “How are you feeling today?”

  Dor looked at them both for really the first time and was suddenly overcome by a feeling that he knew them from somewhere. It wasn’t because they had been caring for him. He knew it wasn’t that. All the other times he had never really paid them much mind. In fact, he usually was too tired to even open his eyes. No, it was something different that itched at his brain. They were—familiar—that was the only way to explain it. “I’m much better today, thank you.”

  Bren and Kat smiled brightly at one another while Dor still tried to place them in his thoughts. “We are Kat and Bren,” Bren said pointing to his companion and then himself. “People call us Healers.”

  Dor eyed them both still puzzling them over. “So I have heard. My name is Dor.”

  “Is that your full name?” Kat asked anxiously still holding his hand.

  Dor suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with the way they were looking at him and talking to him. No wonder Jack didn’t trust them. They seemed like two nervous birds caught by the eyes of a serpent—wanting to fly away but too curious to escape. Or maybe they were the serpents and he was the bird. Jack had told him enough about the Tjal-Dihn, who he was supposed to be, to know that they had very long names. Was she testing him? “No, but like all Tjal-Dihn my name is much too long to repeat to you here. You can just call me, Dor.”

  Kat frowned and looked at Bren who just studied Dor as if trying to come to some decision. “You are no Tjal,” he finally said flatly.

  Dor suddenly felt that he was definitely the bird. “You doubt my origin?” he huffed feigning anger. “Had I my swords and the strength I would leave you in pieces on the floor.” The serpents were getting closer but he couldn’t say that he really felt threatened. They were both still so familiar. Were they trying to blackmail him somehow? He knew first hand how HuMans reacted to his kind, having spent who knew how many days trapped in one of their unearthly dungeons. He was not about to return to a cage. What were they after?

  Kat suddenly spoke, “KatSagnQen Eelo Sho Tonkonochir.”

  His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened considerably. He tried to hide his reaction thinking it may have been a trap but it was too late. Bren had been looking right at him, a smile beginning to play across his face. She had spoken Chufa. He tried to cover up his surprise by pretending a sudden shortness of breath but Bren’s smile only widened. “What…what kind of garbled noise is that?” he choked out, still trying to cover his shock.

  Kat looked at Bren. “I think you know,” Bren said, his smile now full.

  “I want you two to go now,” Dor tried. “I’m tired and want some rest.”

  Kat suddenly looked worried, like she had made a big mistake. “Wait,” she gasped. “Please. You have nothing to fear from us. Please. We know who you are. We saw your ears.”

  Dor’s hand pulled from Kat’s and reached to the Dihne on his head. “W-what do you mean? What are you talking about?” He was beginning to panic. They still did not seem his enemies but he would not give himself over to be treated like an animal again.

  “Bren,” Kat pleaded grabbing his arm in desperation. “We must tell him so he will trust us. Please. We have already said too much not to tell all. Please.”

  Bren stared at Dor for a long moment the serpent suddenly looking like the bird.

  Dor was still trying unsuccessfully to recover from Kat’s words. Jack knew the Chufa language. Maybe he had taught her. Maybe Jack taught her some things and told her it was Tjal just in case he said something in his sleep. But why then would they mention his ears and Bren deny he was Tjal? It was too late. He had slipped and was now at their mercy. He tensed. He didn’t think he could even stand up but he had to try and be ready to run should this suddenly turn sour.

  Bren’s voice suddenly broke through the tension. “BrenCheSagnVen Eelo Sho Tonkonochir. We are of your race.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Dor stared at Bren in wonder trying to absorb what he had just said. The Healers watched him, a mix of anxiety and uncertainty playing across Kat’s face while Bren just stared back at him, waiting. It wasn’t possible. No one had ever crossed the mountains and lived until he and Tam went searching for Thane. They couldn’t possibly be what Bren claimed. It was a trick. They were trying to trap him. His eyes narrowed slightly. They certainly didn’t look like Chufa though Bren might pass with a little better disguise. If they were really what they claimed, then where were their ears? Even their names were wrong having claimed two and three Tane instead of one. Only Thane had all five. His next thought was not a welcome one so he pushed it aside. Not even Thane carried the name of more than one Tane. It had to be a trap. He had to be careful with what he said.

  “And what race do you think I am?”

  Kat looked at Bren, obviously afraid but excited at the same time. Bren remained calm and calculating but Dor could see the sweat beading on his forehead. The roll of serpent and bird continued to switch back and forth. “There is only one known race that has ears like yours, Dor,” Bren retorted.

  He still felt off balance but could feel control returning quickly. “Really? Then if what you say is true, you could not possibly be as I am seeing as neither of you possess the same abnormality in your own ears as I do.”

  He thought he had revealed their trap with his simple logic but Bren only grinned giving him the feeling that he had become the bird again. “You are correct, Master Dor,” Bren replied and then bent down closer and turned his head to the side so he could see his ear. “Mine were cut off when I was born so as not to give away who and what I am.”

  He stared at the scars not believing what he was looking at. Could it be true? Were these really Chufa kin? He swallowed hard. The trap felt like it was closing but his mind was no longer convinced that these two were not what they said they were. “What about her?” he finally asked nodding his head towards Kat. “Where are her scars?”

  Kat’s face suddenly dropped. “My blood is not as pure. I was not born with the ears of our people. I am not as strong in the art either. Bren is the purest blood we’ve had for generations.”

  He felt himself being swayed. Looking at Bren’s face he could almost see in it any other Chufa, especially if he had the ears. But how could they have lived here for so long and not been discovered? His people were all but destroyed during the Great War. Only those who made it over the Shadow Mountains to the Ardath Forest survived. He wanted to believe them, he really did. He wanted to tell them everything and trust them but he was still not willing to risk a cage just for something he wanted to be true. He had to be certain they were Chufa and would not give him up to the HuMans. />
  “That’s a very interesting story Kat, but my ears are not a badge of greatness like you say Bren’s are. I was born different and for that reason I was cast out as a Tjal-Dihn and have been with Jack ever since.”

  Kat bit her lip and her eyes filled with fear. Dor was almost certain now he had convinced her he wasn’t what they thought. Bren continued to stare at him, the smile still present, but it seemed to wane. Doubt flickered in Bren’s eyes for a brief moment. He was the bird once again. Then it was gone.

  “And yours is also a good story, Master Dor, but a story all the same. We have been among the Tjal before. They do not cast out their own because of mere physical deformities. They are fiercely loyal to one another as should we be to each other. Let me ask you something. Do you remember how you received your injury?” He pointed to the pink scar on Dor’s chest.

  Dor eyed him suspiciously. What did that have to do with anything? “Of course. I got it from a goblin when I wasn’t looking. Buried his dagger right into my chest.”

  “Right. Now is that normally a fatal wound?”

  Dor could hear the dungeon doors closing in on him. He was the bird. “Maybe.”

  Kat watched Bren, the fear in her eyes suddenly replaced by hope. Bren kept his gaze level on Dor. “That is an interesting answer. It is the same that I would give but it is certainly not the answer your friend, Jack, would give. Nor is it the answer any other HuMan or Tjal-Dihn would give. A wound like yours would be considered deadly by anyone who did not understand some of the powers inherent in our shared race.”

  His heart was suddenly beating very fast. He had tried to be vague with his answers until he understood what Bren was getting at but in doing so he had given away too much. Anyone of the QenChe Tane could heal a wound like the one he had. And, in his case, that anyone had been Bren. Could they really be what they claimed? He was still unwilling to accept it. “That still proves nothing.”