The Changing

by Jeremy Laszlo

  "How many Zoomba are there?" Sara asked.

  "Very much many," the chief answered.

  "Show me," Sara said, and as luck would have it the chief actually understood what she meant. However, his answer was much to her and Seth’s dismay.

  Leaning back as far as his little spine and neck would allow the tiny chief pointed one finger towards the stars in the sky and repeated his previous answer.

  "Very much many," he said again.

  "How nice of the dwarves," Seth muttered nonchalantly.

  "Dwarves not nice. Dwarves bring Zoomba!" the chief yelled at the man who apparently did not understand anything. At least the girl had some sense.

  "When do the Zoomba come?" Sara asked.

  "Zoomba come dark, we have war," the chief responded.

  "It is dark now, when will they come?" Sara tried again and this time the chief appeared to understand as well.

  Leaning back once more the chief looked to the stars, then removing what looked like a small pebble from his pocket he held the item up at arm’s length using the object to make a measurement or calculation from the stars before returning the item to where he retrieved it.

  "Zoomba come now. We go! If we not go Zoomba come hurt girls," the chief replied.

  "We will come too," Sara replied taking the chief's meaning. "We will help fight the Zoomba."

  "Hoomans welcome fight Zoomba," the chief said with a crooked grin. "Hoomans splat splat Zoomba!" he roared in his tiny little voice before beginning to laugh hysterically at his own jest, which neither Seth nor Sara understood, though it wasn't long before they got his meaning.

  Turning to face his small city, the miniature chief stuck his fingers in his mouth and issued forth a high-pitched whistle that made both Seth and Sara’s hair stand upon their necks. Within seconds several hundred of the mini-warriors came spewing out of the countless grass huts and more came rushing in from outside the small city. They quickly lined up into columns with practiced precision showing proof of the frequency of such a drill. A few seconds later the chief led the column of troops out of the city leaving Seth and Sara to trail behind at an abnormally slow pace. The distance to the so-called battleground was very nearly a mile by Seth’s judgment, and reaching the edge of the plains Seth looked out upon a land barren of life. He had seen this patch of earth from atop the pyramid just days ago as dust was swept up by the wind obscuring the land beyond. Here nothing lived. Neither shrub nor blade of grass protruded from the earth. The soil lay dry and bare except for the evidence of hundreds of nightly battles of the past. Huge insect carapaces littered the ground for as far as the eye could see. Some lay half encompassed by the earth, having filled with dust and beginning to settle into the ground, yet thousands of others lay scattered about like so many stones polished smooth by the wind.

  Finally Seth and Sara got the chief's earlier joke. Splat indeed; the enemies were bugs. They were huge by any standard for an insect, about the size of a house cat, but for the chief and his small people, these insects were akin to the size of a bear in comparison to an average human. So far as Seth could tell the Zoomba were some sort of cross between an ant and a crab. They had segmented bodies with a large, bulbous head with a maw consisting of two mandibles. They had three legs on each side of their body which would allow them to move easily in any direction. Most formidable however were the creature’s common attribute with a crab. From either side of the dead insects were arms at the end of which were pincers. Each seemed to have a dominant side, with one pincer being several times the size of the other. So even though Seth and Sara had the advantages of size and armor, if there were as many as the chief said there were, Seth was certain this battle would not be ended in a single night. Fortunately for Seth he would not have to wait long to find out.

  * * * * *

  Borrik took stock of the battlefield, racing as fast as his muscular legs would carry him around the giant. He had dozens of injured men, though most could move of their own volition. A few would need to be transported, and with the encounter they had just had, Borrik dared not leave any of them behind. Quickly the he gathered his thoughts and gave orders to his men and he watched as those orders were responded to immediately without question. Three dozen of his men raced back down the mountainside to collect tree boughs large enough to create litters while others went about tearing away what usable material they could from the corpse of the giant. As Borrik watched the progress of his troops, from the corner of his eye he glimpsed the two feline sisters darting through the shadows before disappearing once again into the mountain pass.

  Borrik was proud of his men. They were a fighting force unlike any other upon Thurr, and if they had not proved it at the battle with the black horde a week ago, they had certainly proved it now. Borrik imagined there were few alive on Thurr who could boast of winning a battle with a giant and be telling the truth, if there were any. Though there were none to witness the deeds of himself and his men, Borrik knew what they could accomplish, and because of this some of his shame from their acts only a few nights previous was set aside, easing the burden upon his soul.

  Nearly two hours passed as Borrik’s troops built the litters to bear their injured and dead. Lashing the victims into place Borrik gave the order to proceed down the dark mountain pass. The sisters, Borrik reminded himself, had a two-hour head start and were not impeded by carrying wounded troops. This in his mind Borrik took the lead himself and set a quick pace for his troops to match. The pass was not near as hard to negotiate as Borrik had imagined it would be. It had been trampled flat by the weight of the giant, and was plenty wide enough, allowing him to keep the pace he initially set. Borrik raced along the nearly smooth and level stone surface for an hour before he broke free of the great rock sides of the pass. Sniffing the air he caught the scent of the sisters who led the way. Giving his men a moment to catch up, and himself a moment to judge the lay of the land ahead, Borrik scanned the darkness for as far as his feral eyes could see in the gloom, looking for some sign of civilization that might give a clue to his master's whereabouts. Finding none Borrik stretched his leg muscles for a second in preparation to begin the run anew when he saw something that made the blood in his veins boil and his hair stand on end.

  Chapter 10

  Realization and Reunions

  Garret strode down the vacant corridor of the castle amazed as he always was to behold the building at night. Every wall was polished smooth as was every floor of the stone structure. Sconces hung regularly upon the walls with enchanted torches blazing silently but for an occasional sputter. Every nook and every cranny of the castle was cast in light even in the darkest of nights, and Garret could not help but wonder what deed it was that brought the inhabitants of the castle to illuminate it so brightly. As Garret rounded the corner to the staircase that would bring him to the stairs he needed to reach the third floor and Linaya’s chamber beyond, he was caught unaware and nearly collided with the magnificently beautiful woman herself.

  Wearing naught but a light linen nightgown covered by a silken robe Linaya was, even in her night clothes, a vision to behold. At this early hour of the morning most inhabitants of the castle were fast asleep. Those who weren’t were themselves members of the royal council and were now out attending to the arrangements for the king's parade and funeral. Yet here in the silent depths of night the lithe woman with her platinum hair braided loosely over her shoulder walked silently about the castle like a wraith formed of silk and beauty incarnate.

  Garret and Linaya both paused as they nearly collided rounding the same corner from opposite directions, and each stood looking the other over for an awkward moment, alone in the night. Neither of them wanted to stare, however each took their time to assess the other before finally their eyes met and Garret found himself caught up in the emerald depths of Linaya’s eyes once again, unable to speak.

  "Lord Garret, I had hoped that I might see you again tonight, but feared your meeting would run on late into the morning. I on
ly came down to find something to eat," Linaya stated, her voice coming like music to Garret’s ears.

  "Indeed m’lady, I was just on my way to see how you were doing. I fear that my duties to the council are not concluded, just postponed until after the parade and funeral," Garret replied. "Though I think you should probably be resting, I am glad to see that you are doing well and happy to hear that you have an appetite."

  "I am feeling better, though some might think me callous for it," Linaya said, pausing briefly to gauge Garret’s reaction. Seemingly satisfied she then continued. "I always knew it likely my father would die on the battlefield. Not that he loved war or killing, but he did love his men. It is not that he did not love me and mother too, of course he did, and he visited each of us often. We spent as much time as we were afforded together. It was simply that he felt the most at home I think, with the other knights. They shared a bond with my father that I and my mother never could. I don't know if it was because each of you are blessed by Gorandor and have the same faith, or the fact that as brothers of the sword you are sworn to each other’s lives, though the reason matters little, I imagine. As I said, for mother and I it was never if father died in battle it was when. Though I am saddened by the loss, I have been preparing myself for it my entire life I suppose, and I am sure that he died as he would have chosen to. I am sure he died with honor protecting the kingdom and all he loved here in Valdadore.” She said pausing briefly. “My mother is another notion entirely. I would have never expected her to take her own life, though I know her love and passion for my father knew no bounds. At first it hurt me, perhaps more than it should have and I was as angry as I was sad that she would leave me behind like this. Then I understood something. Mother did no less than what I would expect any woman to do who loves a man so deeply. Though sad, I find it romantic that she would chose to throw down her life to again rejoin my father to share their love for one another eternally. I could choose to mourn their loss, though they would not prefer it that way, I am sure. Instead I shall cherish their memory and know that each of them died for what they loved most and believed in. I can hold no hard feelings or sorrow for them, though I will miss them, but I realize now that they did not leave me here to face the world alone," Linaya said, her feelings pouring from her mouth in a flood and piercing Garret’s heart with their emotion.

  "What do you mean, they did not leave you alone?" Garret asked, thinking she meant all the others who would mourn her parents with her.

  "They left me you," Linaya said with a slight grin. "Father made you strong and taught you to fight against any foe. He led you to Gorandor to bring you untold might because he saw in you the honor of a protective soul. Mother adored your playful nature with your brother, and the way it was said that you too protected him. She also told me you were very handsome. So the way I see it is simply this. Mother approved of your character, and father honed it to perfection through his own skill and through his connection with Gorandor. They each left you to bear witness to their ends, so that you might be better prepared to take care of me and everyone else who requires protection in their time of need."

  "But what have I done to protect you or take care of you that would have you think of me so?" Garret asked both honored and confused. "I have done nothing to merit such an appraisal."

  "But you have, Garret. You gave me a shoulder to cry upon at the very moment I needed it most. You held me at the very moment I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps and let go of everything. You were a friend to me in a place I have no true friends, and when I was on my knees in grief, you were there to help me back to my feet," Linaya replied, wetness clouding her eyes.

  "I am glad that you look upon me as you do, Linaya. I hope that one day I can prove to myself to be all that you say I am. However, I have to remind you that it was I that brought you the news that led you to the moment you say was the lowest of your life," Garret replied.

  "Yes, you were the one to deliver the news, but had it been any other soldier, messenger, or even another council member, in my weakened state they would have sought a chance to take advantage of me. Look at me, Garret. Do you not think me beautiful?" Linaya questioned.

  "Yes," Garret confirmed.

  "Flawless?"

  "Yes."

  "Do you find me desirable?" Linaya continued.

  "Yes."

  "Yet you did not move to take advantage as any other man would have," Linaya stated. "Why is that?"

  Garret paused a moment, mulling the question over. It was true that just being in her presence made his body crave her. As he looked at her, each and every time, he found perfection. He did wish to have her and bed her, his body screamed with desire for her, yet just as she said, he had taken no move as to claim her as his own.

  "I guess it is because of what my mother and father taught me when I was still very young," Garret replied, pointing into his past at the only thing he imagined would make him any different from the rest of the men Linaya had encountered over the years.

  "And what is that?" Linaya asked truly curious.

  "You should never take that which you have not earned," Garret replied honestly.

  "I wish so many other parents had instilled such value in the men they reared," Linaya stated. "Would you like to know why you desire me?" she asked, and then continued without awaiting a response. "I am blessed by the goddess Tislynn, the goddess of beauty and attraction. I prayed for her blessing when I was very young so that I could be as beautiful as my mother, though I assure you the blessing has been more of a curse from the moment it was bestowed. It is unlike your blessing. I cannot simply turn it off; it is mine until the day I die, or until Tislynn thinks me unfit to have it. It seems to not have much of an effect on you Garret, and for that I think that someday I shall love you," Linaya said, a smile coming to her lips.

  Garret simply stood dumbstruck. He had heard that there were those blessed with such beauty that they were cruel to behold, for after seeing one of them you would never find another to be beautiful. But Linaya was more than her beauty, Garret concluded. She was a woman burdened by the gift of a god to the point she had become reclusive in her chamber, which also explained why she snuck out in the middle of the night to get something to eat when she was unlikely to run into anyone else in the kitchens. Garret did not imagine Linaya serious with her last statement, however, at least not in the way she had said it. She had already called Garret a friend, and as such it was with the title of friend that he felt he may one day be bestowed with her love. Regardless of their relationship, whether acquaintance, friend, or any other for that matter, Garret had sworn himself to look after her, and now more than ever he was determined to be the person she could count on when she needed someone.

  "Might I ask of you two favors, Linaya?" Garret asked.

  "That depends," Linaya responded a grin upon her lips again. Garret found pleasure in making the young woman smile.

  "Might I join you in the kitchen? I honestly cannot recall the last time I ate," Garret replied.

  "Absolutely, I should love to have some company as it is a very rare occurrence these days," Linaya answered. "And your second favor?"

  "Would you accompany me in the parade and funeral later this morning? I am to ride directly behind the cart that bears your parents and I think they should like you to be there," Garret asked hesitantly.

  "Indeed I think they would. I would be honored to join you, Lord Garret," Linaya said accentuating his title.

  "Just Garret please, I shall never grow used to the lord part," Garret chuckled.

  Garret and Linaya strode side by side quietly down the empty corridors of the castle, taking their time to reach the kitchens and speaking of their childhoods and various other memories. They spent the pre-dawn hours in the kitchen talking happily like old friends of subjects both amusing and serious. They joked about what an odd pair they made, and Garret made it his point to bring a smile to Linaya’s lips as often as he was able. After a few hours of smiles and laughter
, Garret walked Linaya back to her chamber so she could prepare herself for the parade and funeral, and Garret too left the castle to visit the knights' garrison to get ready as well.

  For the first time in entirely too long Garret found himself in a hot steaming tub of water and allowed himself to relax. He let his mind drift briefly, though not too long as to fall asleep. As his mind drifted he could not help but think of his parents, back when he was a child in his home in the sleepy village of Vineleaf. He wondered how his father fared without him and Seth to help with the chores, though he imagined James was well and made due with the help of the neighbors. Garret’s mind continued to drift to thoughts of Seth, his own twin, who had been missing now for near a week, though Garret could not be completely sure as all his days seemed to bleed one into the other as of late. Even though Seth was missing, Garret believed him to be alive. Although he could not imagine how his brother might have managed such a feat, he still believed it to be true, though wondered what kept his twin from returning. Perhaps Seth feared that the people hated him for the death of the king, or perhaps Sara had been lost and Seth was out there alone somewhere suffering in grief. Garret had no way of knowing. But be that as it may, decided to rouse himself. Garret washed his hair and face quickly, and drying off with an overly large towel, grabbed a bar of soap and a razor on his way to his personal quarters.

  Standing in front of the mirror that had been provided for him for exactly this purpose, Garret first set about trimming his hair, not a lot, but enough to keep it up off his shoulders. Due to a cowlick on the top of his head it was more of necessity that he keep it long than a matter of style. After he was satisfied he had not missed any stray clumps of hair, and that it was fairly even, Garret set about shaving away nearly two weeks of facial hair. The process was completed in short order, and Garret was satisfied that he had only drawn blood in a dozen or so different locations. Inspecting himself in a brief attempt at vanity, Garret was both amused and horrified to find that in the span of weeks it appeared he had aged several years. This he finally attributed to the dark circle around his eyes due to lack of sleep, and assured himself that once rested he would again be the strapping muscular man he had been a few short weeks ago.