The Caravan Road

by Jeffrey Quyle

“The girl knows her cities,” Pierre affectionately patted her head. “What do you know about the cities?”

  “I come from the other side of the mountains,” Alec explained. “I’ve heard of the Twenty Cities. On the journey here I was told there were five special cities that had something special about them. But that’s about all I recollect,” he admitted.

  “The legends say that great people came out of the mountains a long time ago, before there were many people at all in the land of the Twenty Cities, before we had the cities at all,” Pierre explained. “These great people had powers that let them do extraordinary things, like hold the rain away,” he raised his hand towards the sky.

  “Many of the great ones moved on. They continued to travel west, and were lost to our history. But five of their tribes left substantial settlements here, each one a colony of people who all had the same special talent, and who were tired of moving,” Pierre continued his story.

  “They settled among the people who were already here, simple people, and they developed a relationship. The Old Ones offered their talents to help the city and the area around, and the people took care of them. Their cities became glamorous and beautiful, and in some cases productive as well. They grew faster than the other cities in the region, and people started to move to them. And over the thousands of years, they have always had Old Ones, who have held up their covenant, and provided the great things that make the Five Cities the most splendid places in the world to live,” Pierre finished his story. “There are so many people now and so much traffic and trade that other cities grew from the overflow of the wealth of the Five, and we ended up with the Twenty we all know today.”

  “So the city we’re going to tonight, Yangchoo, has a class of rulers who have the power to make light?” Alec asked.

  “Yes. Although they are not necessarily the rulers of the city, nor do the Old Ones rule any of the Five. There are princes and republics and patriarchs and dukes who rule the cities, but the Old Ones live in their great houses, and they work their magics, and if they wanted something to happen, the rulers or the people of the city would make it so, be sure,” Pierre replied.

  “I may go on from Yangchoo to Exbury,” Alec drew out Pierre. “Is it one of the Five as well?”

  “That’s where we’re going! That’s where papa lives,” Reena exclaimed.

  “Are you going to go see your papa?” Alec asked the girl with a smile.

  “Yes!” she answered emphatically. “And then I’ll live with him in a big house. But then I won’t live with grandda anymore, and that makes me sad.”

  “We are going on to Exbury,” Pierre confirmed. “My son has gotten a very good job there, and he’s sent for Reena to come live with him now. He’s taking my treasure away,” the old man said gently with a smile at his granddaughter. “But it will be good for her to grow up and live with her father. And I hope she’ll invite me to come visit her in her new house.”

  “Yes, grandda, I will. Maybe I can have a horse there like Profile, and we can go riding,” she returned the smile, and Pierre gave her a gently poke in her ribs that made her giggle and squirm.

  You love little girls, don’t you? Andi asked. You’ve had children.

  I do, Alec agreed. Reena reminds me of Valera, my first daughter with Jeswyne. Are we disturbing you with our conversation?

  No, it’s soothing. Your spirit is gentle because of the little girl, and it makes me feel better, Andi told him. Can you tell me what happened to me? I remember something, but I don’t know what.

  We were taking Kane and Jody through the crowd to the palace, and an assassin shot an arrow at Kane, Alec told her. You jumped from your saddle and grabbed the arrow in midair, then fell to the ground and passed out.

  I remember! Andi said.

  And you felt a burning pain on your forearm momentarily when you did that; I felt it from you, Alec told her. That was your ingenaire mark emblazing itself on your skin; look at the inside of your right forearm.

  Oh! It’s beautiful, she gasped. I really caught a flying arrow!

  Yes, Alec agreed. And then you passed out. That’s part of the reaction to using your powers for the first time, especially when you haven’t had the training. That’s what your body is reacting to now; you’re weak, and have a headache.

  Oh Alec, how long will this last? Andi asked.

  You’ll feel the pain for a day or two, and then you’ll feel better, Alec explained.

  And I’ll be able to fight the way you do? Andi asked gleefully.

  With training, Alec agreed. But not against me, he added with mock sternness, drawing a snort. I went through a long training process when I first gained my powers, he explained. I will help you learn, he told her making her groan.

  Training with you as my teacher? she asked mournfully.

  Alec smiled at her reaction. I think that the way you call upon my memories and talents will make training you relatively easy. It actually seems very unfair when I think about all that I had to go through!

  Andi laughed aloud, and both Pierre and Reena looked above their heads, startled by the noise. “Where did that come from?” Pierre asked.

  Alec shook his head with a smile, concluding there was no reason to keep Andi’s presence a secret. “I have a friend who’s been traveling with us. Her name is Andi, and she’s been resting. She just laughed aloud.”

  “You have an invisible friend?” Reena asked.

  “She’s not always invisible,” Alec explained. “She was hurt this morning and needed to rest, so I let her lie down while we traveled, and I thought some people would think it a strange sight if they saw a woman asleep in the air behind me. Would your grandda have let you ride on Profile if he knew I had a strange sleeping woman floating after me? She’s chasing me, you know,” he teased.

  “Hey!” Andi protested, “I can hear you, you know. I am not strange, and I am not chasing you, exactly,” she asserted.

  “May we see this marvelous angelic voice that floats on the air?” Pierre asked.

  Alec shrugged. “Do you want to see her Reena? I don’t want you to be scared,” he said to the girl in a mock whisper. “Are you afraid of warts and scars? Have you ever seen someone before with three eyes and snakes for hair?”

  I’m going to punch you in both your eyes if you keep that up!” Andi protested loudly. “I may not be your Bethany, but I’m not a crone!”

  Alec dissolved the shield of invisibility that had kept Andi from the sight of others, and she suddenly blinked into existence above the family pair directly below. She was lying on her stomach in the midair looking down at her traveling companions.

  “She’s beautiful!” Reena exclaimed. “Like a fairy princess.”

  “I would have taken up the offer to ride with you sooner if I had known such an enchanting beauty was part of your party,” Pierre gallantly said.

  Andi smirked and stuck her tongue out at Alec.

  “You two are very nice to make her feel good,” Alec laughed, drawing a mild oath from Andi.

  “When I feel better, I’ll make you feel like a mudworm that’s been trampled by cattle!” she promised.

  “Since you’re awake,” Alec said, and he lowered her airy conveyance down to eye level with the others, “why don’t you join us?”

  “Would you like to ride over here with me?” Andi asked Reena, patted the air beside her.

  “Yes, oh yes, grandda, yes!” Reena was giddy at the prospect.

  “She’ll be safe,” Alec assured Pierre, who turned to him with a questioning expression, “but I think I’ll have to make them both invisible then. We’re causing some confusion for the others on the highway,” he explained, having seen one cart almost go off the road as its driver’s head twisted away from the road ahead to look at the extraordinary scene that passed.

  Pierre carefully helped Reena stand in the saddle, and Andi stretched out her arms to accept the girl, who fearlessly stepped towards the pretty fairy princess. “Sit right here,” Andi instruc
ted, and Reena plopped down.

  “Look at me grandda! I can fly!” the girl was in raptures of delight, her arms spread like bird wings. Flapping madly.

  “I’m going to make them invisible now,” Alec repeated his warning to Pierre. “They’ll still be right there beside you, but you won’t see them, and neither will anyone else. Then we’ll only look strange because we’re staying dry in the rain, but once it turns dark, others won’t even see that.”

  With that the woman and the girl disappeared from view.

  “Reena, are you there?” Pierre asked.

  “I’m right here grandda,” the little girl’s voice answered.

  “So truly extraordinary!” Pierre exclaimed. “You can manipulate gravity and light. You’re greater than an Old One. You’ll be the toast of the town!”

  “I’m not seeking fame,” Alec said hastily. “I just hope to meet someone, and then go on my way.”

  “But you don’t know where?” Pierre asked shrewdly.

  “Not precisely,” Alec agreed. “I’ve been told their itinerary, and I hope to intercept them in one of these cities.”

  “This is perhaps not a friendly meeting?” Pierre questioned him.

  “Perhaps not,” Alec answered shortly.

  Good for you, Andi said. You can keep a secret or two can’t you? Of course I found that out already, didn’t I? You don’t have many secrets from me any longer!

  Shush, Alec said simply, as he focused on Pierre.

  “Let me propose that we travel together to Exbury,” the man suggested. “We’re traveling in that direction; I’ve appreciated the kind assistance you’ve given us, and the company is very enjoyable.

  “Once we arrive at Exbury, my son should be able to help you find these travelers you’re looking for. Spencer is the seneschal for the prince of Exbury. He should have access to police reports and similar information, if that will help you.”

  Alec considered the offer, tempted by the opportunity to travel fast and have a greater chance to get ahead of the ingenairii kidnappers, and then lie in wait for them to arrive in Exbury.

  “Thank you,” Alec said. “I accept your offer.”

  They traveled on, and the sky overhead grew darker as they rode, until only the western horizon remained lit from the red glow of the setting sun. The rain tapered off and Alec lifted the protection he had provided, then when it grew dim, he released his light powers.

  They rode on, and the glow in the west changed from red to a warm yellow.

  “Puzzled? That’s the glow from Yangchoo,” Pierre told Alec. “The street lights make the city a beacon at night.”

  “How long until we get there?” Alec asked. He stopped and dismounted, then let Andi and Reena float gently to the ground.

  “Perhaps another hour,” Pierre estimated. “With the rain all day there isn’t much traffic clogging up the road.” Alec rummaged through the packs on the spare horse, and pulled out some travel bread, which he offered around to the others. A few minutes later they remounted the horses, Andi riding behind Alec, and Reena in front of her grandfather again.

  Do you feel okay? Alec asked.

  No, Andi admitted, but I feel better when I touch you.

  We’ll be in the city soon, and then we can go to bed, Alec assured her.

  Normally, I’d be pleased to hear you say that, but tonight, I have a headache, Andi answered, and Alec felt the smile in her weary voice.

  I didn’t have any idea that you would become a Warrior, Alec told her. I’ve never had anyone adopt that power from me before.

  Maybe it’s a reflection of something within me, Andi said.

  Yeah, your personality, Alec said with a laugh.

  Andi burst out laughing aloud. “Touche!” she said, then poked him in the ribs.

  “What are you laughing at?” Reena asked.

  “Something Alec said,” Andi answered.

  “Can you two talk to each other without speaking?” Pierre asked.

  “We can,” Alec admitted. “We have a very close bond.”

  “Are there other things you can do?” Pierre asked.

  “Yes,” Alec answered, “but none that we need to talk about.

  “What do you know about Yangchoo? Where should we stay this evening?” Alec asked, the glow of the town growing brighter as they approached.

  “For all the good fortune you have shared with us, we can return the favor,” Pierre spoke. He reached inside his damp coat and pulled out an envelope, then pulled a letter from within. “This is a pass from my son, providing us with the hospitality of the guildhall in Yangchoo, a courtesy the leaders of the Five Cities provide to each other. We’ll be able to stay in the guild palace tonight.

  “The Old Ones who travel among the Five Cities can stay in such places, if they don’t stay with other families of the Old Ones,” he explained.

  Before long they were at the gates of the city, and Pierre’s pass provided immediate passage through the gate and directions to the palace in the center of town.

  They rode along the beautiful city boulevards, buildings and trees and features all outlined with dramatic colored lights that kept Alec and Andi looking upward and around at the sights. We never thought to use Light ingenairii is such an artistic manner in the Dominion. We used them to light hallways and meeting rooms, he told Andi.

  And to sneak into the girl’s rooms invisibly? Andi asked impishly.

  That’s what I heard. I didn’t have that power myself at the time, Alec replied.

  “There’s our destination,” Pierre pointed. Reena clapped in delight, at the palace in the center of a large open circle in the center of town. The palace had multiple towers, of different heights and designs, and each was lit in a different color or pattern of colors, creating a busy and breathtaking spectacle unlike anything Alec had ever seen.

  The circle around the palace was clogged with sightseers, people who had come to Yangchoo just to see the light displays. The three horses worked slowly across the current of traffic and came to the gate, where Pierre’s letter provided them with entry into the courtyard.

  “I’ll tend to the horses, if you’ll go secure rooms for us,” Alec told Pierre. “Would you like to go and rest in your room, or do you need to wait for me to help you up?” he asked Andi.

  “I’ll wait inside for you,” Andi told him, and she walked inside with Pierre and Reena, while Alec helped the stable hand place the horses in their stalls and provide them with oats for a good meal, showing his appreciation for their long day’s work carrying passengers between the cities.

  When he finished up he tipped the boy attending the animals, then grabbed the bags and carried them in over his shoulder, down a hall that led to an elegant dining room and a hostess at a desk. He saw Andi wearily slumped in a wingback chair and went over to her. “I’ve got our room key,” Andi told him, opening one eye to look at him.

  Alec dumped the baggage on the ground next to Andi. “I’ll be back in a moment,” he promised, then went to the hostess. “Can you arrange to have a large bathing tub and a supply of hot water sent up to our room?” he asked.

  “There’s plumbing in the room, sir,” the girl said sweetly.

  She thinks you’re a rube from the country, Andi told him with a laugh.

  She’s right, Alec agreed.

  “Thank you,” he said simply to the girl, then placed his bags in Andi’s lap and lifted her in his arms, to carry her up the marble staircase. She closed her eyes, and leaned her head on his shoulder, relaxed and comfortable in his grasp.

  “We’re on the third floor,” she told him when they arrived at the top of the long staircase, and smiled with impish sympathy as he groaned. Alec took the next set of stairs at a slower pace, and followed the directions Andi repeated that she had received from the woman at the desk.

  “I told her we wanted privacy,” Andi told Alec when he reached the far end of the hall, at a room that was isolated from most of its neighbors.

  He put her down
to open the door, then led her in to an elegant suite. Alec helped Andi to the bed, where she flopped back onto the mattress and sighed in contentment. Alec let her and went into the wet room, where he turned on hot water and started to fill the large tub. When he returned to the bedroom he knelt by Andi and pulled her boots off her feet, then her woolen stockings.

  “That feels wonderful,” she told him dreamily, but her eyes open in surprise a moment later when she felt him unbuckling her trousers.

  “I want to Alec, but I can’t tonight,” she protested.

  I’m going to give you a bath and soak you in a hot tub, Alec told her gently. Regardless of what either of us might want to do, I’ve experienced what you’re going through now, and I know how you feel.

  He tugged her pants off, then sat her up and pulled her blouse away, and placed her on a cushion of air that floated her to the tub, and let her slide slowly into the steaming water.

  “Lean forward,” Alec told her.

  “This is heavenly, my lord,” Andi said, as Alec used a cloth to scrub and massage her neck and back for several minutes, and then he laid her back against the tub and let her slide further down into the water. The ingenaire mark on her arm seemed alive even when seen through the water, glinting and flashing its colors as the water above it slowly circulated.

  They sat together for several minutes, Andi gently sleeping, Alec watching her and contemplating the options the future presented. He needed to move with speed for the next day or two to get to Exbury and wait for the arrival of the ingenairii. He needed to figure out how to set Kriste free, and return her to Jasel in Woven.

  After that, he could focus on Andi, and her Warrior training. If their spiritual connection continued, he suspected that the training would be enormously easier and faster than his training had been. And after that, he didn’t know what to do.

  He was intrigued by the notion that there were ingenairii somewhere close enough to reach the Twenty Cities. Was he within reach of the Dominion, he wondered. Could he go home?

  It wouldn’t really be home for him anymore, he knew, but it appealed to him more than a return to Avonellene appealed, he discovered as he analyzed himself.