by Thomas Rath
He shrugged. “It is one of my gifts. They have not yet even reached the barrier. They have only just started moving toward the pass. If we hurry, we can reach the wall before they do.”
Braxton stared at the Chufa boy for a brief moment as if weighing a question in his mind before turning to the waiting guards. “You,” he said pointing at the one on the right, “Caras, go to the Shepherd’s Head Inn and muster old man Jack. Bring him back here and tell him to bring his battle gear. Jenk,” he continued speaking to the other, “find me Lieutenant Dogun.” Both guards saluted quickly before turning for the door.
As they left Bren and Kat suddenly appeared in their place, Kat watching the guards run off as they approached Thane and the Colonel. Bren nodded to Braxton, who just ignored him while turning back for his office but Bren seemed not to care.
“Thane,” he started, “we have searched for you. Have you forgotten that we were going to meet?” As he spoke, his eyes followed the colonel into his office to make certain he was out of earshot.
“I’m sorry,” Thane answered about to explain what was going on but Kat cut him off.
“Where are the guards running off to?”
“That is why we cannot meet. The horde moves toward the barrier. We are at war.”
Kat’s face paled slightly at the revelation. She and Bren had stayed in Haykon for that very reason, knowing that their talents would be needed here more than anywhere. And, they had to admit, to satisfy Bren’s fascination with Thane and Kat’s with Dor. But the idea of war had almost seemed like a fairytale to her. She had read about wars in storybooks and she had certainly seen her share of gruesome accidents, but now that it was upon them, she blanched at the thought. No longer did she feel the romantic feelings she got when hearing and reading of brave deeds and heroic escapes. Now her belly was full of the cold fire of fear that gripped almost all people when faced with the certainty of so much blood and death. Though determined to help in anyway possible, Kat suddenly had the strong desire to flee the city and run as far away as possible.
“Do either of you know where Dor or Tam are?” Thane’s voice broke through the fear that was trying to gain a hold in Kat’s heart and snapped her back to the necessities of the moment.
“I think I overheard them mention something about the stables and looking for you.”
“Good,” Thane said, turning towards Myles’ office. “That is just where they will need to be. Colonel! I need a writ to regain my weapons and borrow some for my friends.”
* * *
Thane caught up to them on their way back from the stables having not found him there. “Thane,” Tam smiled broadly, taking him into her arms for a quick hug hello. “We were just looking for you.” He hugged her back awkwardly, trying to settle the quick thumping of his heart at their being so close. “We thought we might solicit you to practice swords with us some more.”
Thane gently pushed her away. “There’s no more time for practice,” he said turning from her gaze and focusing on Dor. “They come. The war begins.”
Tam gasped slightly at the revelation but Dor’s face suddenly broke into a slight smile. “Good,” he said. “I’m tired of sitting around here just practicing and waiting. Finally, I’ll get the chance to see if what I’ve learned is sufficient.”
Thane stared at him for a moment, weighing what he’d just said. Anyone who’d actually seen the size of the foe they faced would blanch in terror at the thought that they were now moving against them, but he couldn’t help but return Dor’s smile and excitement. Too long had he been caged in this city. Too long had he and his friends been the victims. Finally they would be involved in their own destinies. Should they die then so be it. At least they would have a chance to do so on their own terms, fighting those who threatened to take away their freedoms and those of their people. He and Dor would finally realize their dream of being true protectors.
“We must hurry,” he said, grabbing them both and turning them back toward the stables. “I have a writ from the colonel to get my weapons back and to outfit you as well so we can make haste to the pass.”
It was obvious that word had not yet reached the gates and the stables that the war had begun. People and guards milled about the area as if it were merely a nice spring day to be enjoyed.
Thane entered the stable and quickly found his way to Chtey’s stall. Rubbing his friend’s neck, Chtey pranced nervously catching the scent of anxiety coming from him. “That’s right my friend,” he soothed, whispering into his ear. “Soon we ride.” Chtey answered with a snort and a whinny, prancing his feet, anxious to be free of his stall and running once again through the open plains.
A stable boy suddenly appeared offering his assistance, which Thane gratefully accepted. “Yes, Domis. I need you to bring me the man in charge of keeping weapons, right away.”
“The armorer?”
“Yes. I need my weapons and an outfit for my friend,” he pointed to Dor. “Tell him I have a writ from the colonel and that we need to leave immediately.”
Domis nodded, and raced from the stables after flashing the solute that he always gave Thane even though neither was part of the king’s military.
“What was that about?” Tam asked, her lessons in the common tongue still in their beginning stages. He flashed a look at Dor but Dor turned away, suddenly interested in a bug crawling up a nearby post. Thane sighed, sending his friend’s back a withering look. Tam caught the interaction and grabbed his arm. “What’s going on?”
Thane shook his head. “Nothing. I just sent him to get our weapons so we can be on our way.”
Dor turned back towards them, a look of incredulity, not masked quick enough to escape Tam’s attention, flashed on his face. “What was that? What are you two up to?” Neither of them answered. Tam looked back and forth between the two who were trying hard to avoid her gaze and then suddenly understanding registered on her face. “No!” she said heatedly, causing both boys to jump. “No. You’re not leaving me here. That is out of the question.”
“Tam, listen,” Thane tried, but she cut him off.
“You’re not doing this!” Her face was quickly turning red to match her rage. “When are you both going to finally admit that I’m not a helpless little girl? I can fight! I will fight. Of us all, I have the greatest reason to want to wet my blade in troll’s blood. And you can’t stop me.”
Thane tried again. “We’re not trying to, Tam. Listen to me.”
She crossed her arms glaring at him as tears of anger and frustration glistened in her eyes.
“You will fight.”
“Thane’s right,” Dor added, moving to place a hand on her shoulder but then pulled it away when she turned her glare onto him. “You will have plenty of opportunity to fight the trolls, and the orcs and goblins.”
“But?” She added for him.
Thane and Dor looked at each other for a brief moment as if deciding who would answer her. Thane lost. “But, right now we need you to stay here.”
“I knew it!” she bellowed. “How dare either one of you think to command me in what I can or cannot do. I am of age to make my own choices, and I choose to come with you.”
“Tam, please,” Thane said, raising his hands in appeal. “It’s not because we think you any less capable than we are.” He tried to smile and chuckle to ease the tension but failed in the attempt. “I still remember how close I almost came to losing my life under your knife when I had upset you. I know you are good with a blade.”
Dor tried to help. “And I remember you saving my life from that troll when you shot him threw.”
“But we need you here for a very important purpose,” Thane rushed on. Tam still didn’t look convinced. “Listen to me,” he said grabbing her hands and pulling them down away from her chest. “We need to use your gift.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “What gift?”
“Your ArVen Tane,” he answered soothingly.
“What does that have to do with anything?” s
he spat. “Do you need me to report the weather?” She sniffed the air. “I’d say a storm is coming, though some days out. There.”
Thane shook his head and smiled slightly. “I need you here so I can send back word about what is happening at the barrier.”
“What?”
“Tam, do you remember that time you thought you saw me in the window when you were still sick?”
Her face softened a bit as she remembered seeing him and thinking it was his spirit. “Yes. So?”
“So,” Thane smiled, “that was me. I can communicate with you using our ArVen Tane. That’s why we need you to stay here, so we can talk back and forth instantly instead of waiting for runners to go back and forth.”
She thought on his explanation for a moment. “But how am I to communicate with anyone here? I still can’t make much more than confused jumbles out of their tongue.”
“Jack,” Dor answered. “Jack speaks enough Chufa to be able to translate.”
“But won’t he be going to the wall with you?”
Thane shrugged. “Not anymore. You will have to convince him of it before he tries to leave. He must stay here with you to translate. It will gall him that we left him behind, and we very well may pay for it when we return, but he will see the wisdom in it. You must make him see the wisdom in it.”
Tam studied his face for a long moment, taking his words and processing them in her mind trying to find an arguing point where she would be allowed to go with them, but there was nothing. Thane was right. As much as she hated to stay while they went off to fight, she knew that in the larger scope their ability to communicate over the distance was the best weapon they may possess. Looking down, she finally just nodded.
Thane let go of her hands and Dor put his arm around her. “Listen, Tam,” Dor offered, “we would not ask this of you if it were not vital. And I fear that you will have more opportunity than you desire to cross weapons with the trolls.”
She gazed at him, a sudden pained look of concern flashing across her face. “Just promise that you will return,” she said softly, and then turned to Thane. “Both of you.”
Thane smiled but without feeling behind it. “I fear we may be back sooner than any expect.”
Just then Domis returned with the armorer in tow, whose expression revealed a foul mood at being pulled away from his business. He was a short, burly man with large arms and meaty hands. He had an extremely hairy bare chest that he covered with a dirty leather apron that reached to his knees covering most of his leather brown trousers. For such a hairy man his head was conspicuously free from even the slightest hint of peach fuzz.
“The boy here says you have a writ to be outfitted immediately,” the man snapped, his deep voice rumbling out of his chest.
Thane handed him the paper Braxton had written. The armorer grasped it in his large hands and read over it quickly before returning a suspicious glare to Thane. “He wants me to arm a Tjal-Dihn woman here in the city?” Thane just nodded his head. The armorer regarded Tam for a long moment suddenly making her feel somewhat self-conscious before he snorted, throwing up his hands and shaking his head. “The man’s insane, but I guess I have no choice.” Turning, he motioned to them to follow. “Come with me.”
* * *
Thane, Dor and Tam stood at the gates preparing to say good-bye. Thane had his Tjal blades back in their scabbards secured on his back and a bow with a quiver full of arrows at his side. Dor and Tam also had the same weapons on loan from the armorer with the expressed command that they be returned as soon as they were finished with them. Dor almost laughed at the pronouncement picturing the armorer searching the battlefield and prying cold steal from even colder dead hands. Chtey pranced anxiously, waiting impatiently for Thane to finally mount so they could be on their way. In contrast, the large black and white spotted mare that was given to Dor stood almost completely still as if bored with the whole idea of having to run. Dor was becoming a little skeptical as to whether his horse would suit his needs but Domis assured him that his horse was as fast as any.
None of the guards impeded their movements staying as far away from the trio as they could without actually turning and rushing away. Tam embraced Dor and then pushed up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Both Dor and Thane flushed.
“You be careful. And promise to come back.” Turning to Thane she did the same. Thane was a mix of emotions not wanting the feel of her lips to ever leave his cheek while, at the same time, wishing she’d just stopped her goodbyes with Dor.
“Make sure you find Jack right away,” he said while jumping onto Chtey’s back. “Remember, you need to get to him before he tries to leave the city.”
“I know,” she said, waving off his concern. “I’ll find him as soon as you two get out of here.”
Dor looked down from his mount, his face reflecting his concern. “Wait for us here, Tam. And pray that we do not return for many months.”
She smiled at him. “Whether it is months or days, you just make certain you both return. I will be waiting.”
“Make sure you are always where the wind can touch you,” Thane added. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to communicate with you.”
She just nodded, emotion clouding her face.
With a final solute, Dor and Thane turned their horses to the road and gave them a quick kick to the flanks. Their mounts shot forward in a sudden rush that almost unseated both of them while kicking up a cloud of dust as they raced toward their fate.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
They rode in silence pushing their mounts forward as hard as they dared so as not to tire them too quickly or cause injury. Neither horse seemed to mind the exercise, both enjoying the freedom from the stalls and the chance to be out in the open. Thane yearned to see what was happening beyond the wall and up the pass but was unsure about sending his spirit on the winds while his body was left to bounce around on a charging horse. He knew the movement of such a large number would be slow at best but felt a need to be there at the wall when they arrived. He also wanted to check on Jne’s progress and whether or not she was returning with help.
Dor was lost in his own thoughts amazed at all the changes he’d gone through and the things he’d seen and suffered in such a short time. He thought of Tam and his sudden change of how he felt about her. He resisted giving Thane a quick look as he thought of what his friend must be going through. Thane had been fairly convincing when he had tried to persuade him that he had no feelings for Tam but the way he’d been avoiding them and the way he reacted when she was around made his feelings all too obvious. Dor wasn’t sure what to do. He loved Tam, he could admit that to himself now, but he also loved Thane and their friendship. How would he feel should the situation be reversed? He did know how it felt. The day he woke to find Tam and Thane holding hands was a pain he was almost not able to bear. He couldn’t help glancing at his friend. Was he suffering that same pain even now?
The sun was quickly making its descent into the west behind the ominous Mogolths as the two raced on, brooding in their thoughts and keeping their own council. It was a sobering time. Both had seen combat before and both were anxious to do their part to see that their kin were kept safe even in such an indirect manner. But neither had fought orcs or goblins before. Nor had they faced so many. Dor could feel death was near as a sudden calm fell over him.
Thane suddenly pulled his horse up sending up great clods of dirt as Chtey dug in his hooves to bring them to an abrupt halt. Dor’s horse did not respond so fast but quickly slowed and then turned and raced back to his companion. Dor looked around, having seen this behavior in Thane before and knowing that it meant something was not as it should be. Thane said nothing but nodded slightly to his right toward the northwest. Dor maneuvered his horse just behind him, looking past his friend to see what was there without revealing his intent. The wind was pushing past them, coming out of the east and carrying their scent with it alerting the shadowed figure Dor now saw moving in the tall grass no more t
han a hundred yards ahead and partially to their right.
Thane was also aware of the wind and though he felt that whatever was waiting had already targeted them he didn’t want to make it any easier for their predator. Gelfin’s words suddenly echoed in his mind. You are an earth child. All you have to do is ask. Thane raised his head slightly, the wind kicking his hair forward from under his Dihne to play softly against his cheek. He wondered. He called out gently willing the air currents as he did when preparing to send out his spirit and then, instead of releasing himself onto them, he tried to direct the wind as he would were he riding through it. The airstream suddenly shifted direction, his hair blowing behind him now as it flowed toward them carrying their predator’s scent with it.
Dor’s horse made a soft call in its throat as it caught the scent and seemed to be speaking a warning to his rider. Thane willed his senses forward. Becoming one with the world around them, he suddenly felt the blades of grass reaching up for the sunlight, he was aware of the trail of ants ten feet ahead of them as they toiled to bring in a new spring harvest of food. He felt the beating of Dor’s heart and could hear him pulling out his bow and an arrow as if he were banging a gong. He winced at the sound but dug further, pushing ahead as he sought what lay in wait. The slithering of a snake invaded his senses but he quickly dismissed it as it disappeared down a hole searching for a meal. Then with a jolt he found it.
Dor watched his friend curiously sitting in perfect stillness as if lost in some strange trance. The arrow he’d pulled was nocked and ready to fire though it rested in his lap so as not to pose an immediate threat. What was Thane doing? What was out there? He was about to suggest they simply charge in with arrows flying when a funny smile suddenly broke across his friend’s face.
“Erl!” Thane exclaimed and then blinked as if suddenly returning to consciousness. Dor looked back to where the grass had waved slightly only moments before to find Erl’s large, white body bounding toward them. He laid a reassuring hand against his horse’s neck expecting it to shy away, but his battle bred steed held its ground. Chtey merely whinnied softly as if in greeting.