The King, Andra and the Holy Mother watched as the last of the wagon was filled and then Arn spoke to his brother.
“We lived our lives apart when we were together,” he said softly, “and now that we are close you must go, but I will think of you often”.
Hearing this made the Prince smile, “you are a great King and I am proud to call you brother”. And with that they hugged.
Egmar also felt a great stirring in her heart for she cared for Kela and was saddened to see her being made an Outcast.
“You once called me Enor”; she told the young Handmaiden, “I hope you will again”.
Kela’s eyes were filled with tears as she heard the kind words of her Holy Mother, “pray for me” she said softly. And then they also held each other in a warm embrace.
As they passed through the great gates of the Fortress and disappeared into the Forest they could not know that someday Outlanders far and wide would know the name of Anais and say that he was the greatest of all Sun Gazers. And that his wisdom averted many wars and saved the lives of countless Nomads and at his side was the woman called Kela who cared for the sick and who’s devotion to Isarie was second to none. Together they wandered all the lands of Gorn and gathered a following that became one of the strongest tribes of the Outlands.
The tribe of the Almadra left the forests of Caltarine and journeyed to the West until they came to the Place of Dreams; there they made their camp near the great red stone that marked the place where the children had been laid to rest. It was a sad time for many for they remembered the ones that had died and so the Elders placed sweet smelling field flowers on their graves and the children who did not die said prayers to their womb brothers and sisters.
That night the campfires burned brightly and smoke from the Washa’s raised high into the darkened sky. Songs were heard and many stories were told of their time with the Norgonie, and riding their Whiptails the King and Moonbud rode some distance from the camp for they wished to be alone. Now they held each other in their naked arms and looked up at the moons of Gorn. And as Andra saw the tiny orb that bore her name she asked a question of her mate.
“Do you think we will be remembered?”
The King thought for a moment then answered her question. “People are remembered for many things, for doing evil and for good, it is not that we are remembered but how our story is told that will matter”.
It seemed a perfect answer to her question and reaffirmed the love that she bore in her heart for her mate. “I know that I will never forget you,” she said with a smile and then she pulled him to her and they embraced.
That night seemed to never end for their passion was great and it seemed that all troubles had been cast out and only contentment remained. Again and again they held each other and each time they did it seemed to be filled with more ecstasy then the last. And when the morning suns began to raise into the sky the King rose up and put on his armor and before Andra could do the same he spoke to her.
“I must go,” he said softly.
At first the Selcarie girl thought that he was simply going to return to the camp and make sure that all was in readiness to travel but when she looked into his eyes she knew that it was something more.
He is going away, she thought.
And because of their mind link she knew that it was true, so she asked the same question that the King had asked the Handmaiden.
“Why?”
Arn did not speak as he adjusted the last of his armor and took up his ax, then he turned to her.
“As a King I am called upon to pass judgement on my people, those that break our laws are made to suffer as did Thorm and Teal when they walked the path of pain. But when I break our laws who shall hold judgement over me?”
The King paused as he picked up his helmet and placed it over his head.
“Now I have broken the laws, I promised my life to the Gods if they let you live when you were lying in our tent. I promised to always be a strong King to my tribe but I left them to search for you in the Forbidden City, a true King would put his people first. And last of all I promised to always love you and yet I laid with another in my arms and it was her face that filled my heart, now I must answer for those broken vows, now I must suffer korath enargo, I must travel my path of pain.
The last words of her mate cut her like a knife and tears began to rise up in her eyes.
“So I pass judgement on myself and say that I shall be an Outcast and wander the Wastelands alone, and when I die I will not sit beside you in the Golden Hall of Isarie and my name will not be written in her book”.
And then he moved to his mate and kissed her one last time.
“Remember me” he said softly, and he turned and mounted his Whiptail and digging his spurs into its flanks he rode off into the morning light.
Andra could have risen and rode off after him but she knew that it would prove useless, he had made up his mind and she would not be able to break it. So she watched him go and then sat and cried again and again until the twin suns were high in the sky. Then knowing that her child would need her she returned to the camp of the Almadra and the life that was waiting for her.
As for Arn he guided his Whiptail to a small rise that looked down on the camp of his people, there he could see the great Holy Wagon and all the tents that held those that once called him King. He saw them gathering up their belongings and making ready for the days journey and he wished with all his heart that he were going with them.
But he had been an Outcast before and that was for just a single broken law so he knew that his punishment must be more.
A price to pay he told his mind.
And so he reached into his belt and took out a small flower with markings that resembled a skull,
The Death Shadow of the Norgonie.
When he had returned to the crystal pool to retrieve the seashell for Ishea he also picked the poisonous plant for he had already made up his mind to leave his tribe and the woman he loved for seeing her reminded him of his betrayal. And it was a pain that he could no longer tolerate. Now with one last look at his world he took the delicate flower and put it into his mouth.
Soon all memory of his past life would vanish from his mind and be replaced with a dark world that would know only torment and vengeance, but who can say if that world was any less painful than the one that he left behind?
Chapter 50.
The Search.
The Outlands of Gorn can hold a multitude of Nomads and not a trace of their comings and goings will mark the land. The odds of finding a lone rider in that vast expanse are astronomical to say the least. But the power of love far exceeds the mathematics of defeat.
From the Mindlock of Oshismarie Inastro Sistashion.
When the Almadra learned of the Kings judgement they were greatly saddened but they knew that they could not change what had happened so they did what they had to do and made ready to depart the Place of Dreams. Kuno once again took command of the tribe and they obeyed his orders as they would their Kings.
Andra wish to begin her search for she could not let her mate wander alone in the Outlands. But she knew that she could not pass through the Belt of Isarie alone for the massive gates needed the strength of the entire tribe to open. So she waited until the Nomads traveled beyond the barrier then she announced to the tribe that she was leaving and hearing this Osh volunteered to accompany her and not wanting to leave his father Endo joined him. This meant that the Sandjar would also go with the Off-world girl and that set well with the Nomads for they did not fully trust the newly freed Scavengers and would be more content if they went their own way.
But there were some warriors who were not content to let their King wander in the Outlands and they took an oath to travel with the mate of their leader and protect her with their lives. Andra would also have the wisdom of two Touchtenders for they would be needed to care for the injured and do what they could for the strange child.
Egmar would be staying with her people
but she could not turn her back on the mate of her son so as they were about to depart she approached Andra bearing something in her hands. The Holy Mother wore a traveling robe of bright red and with her was two Handmaidens and several Thungodra, and as Andra adjusted the saddle strap on her Whiptail she turned to see Egmar drawing near.
“I have brought you a gift” Egmar said and handed a small bundle to the girl. Andra took it and after uncovering the red dyed cloth surrounding it she held up a beautifully fashioned stature of the Goddess. Its golden surface shone brightly in the morning light and it felt warm to the touch. Andra marveled at its beauty for a moment then smiled.
“I will treasure it always,” she said.
The Holy Mother bent forwards and kissed her softly, “find my son and bring him back to me”, and with one last look she departed.
And so began the long search, Andra led the seekers out of the lands of the Norgonie and through the Belt of Isarie then down the great canyon of the Arabus birds, out passed the Womb of Isarie and into the Outlands. She followed her heart for she could no longer feel the thoughts of her lover and this troubled her greatly. The caravan traveled up to the Skull of Balmor then continued North till they came to the place where the Finger of Solus once stood. And all the while they asked those they met if they had seen a Waste Wanderer riding alone but they all said that they had seen nothing. The days continued and soon the wind began to cool and many said that it was time that they should end their seeking and return to the tribe. But Andra would not listen and continued looking for the one she loved.
And as they traveled the strange child began to change for she grew at an astounding rate and soon resembled a second cycle girl. Andra named her Niana after her mother for she knew that she had a loving heart and would bring kindness to those around her. She was tall and slim and delicate in features but she still shunned the sunlight and her skin remained the color of fresh Rimar milk, her long thin hair was light in color and had a tinge of green running through it. She only ventured out from her wagon in the dark of night, and refused to take the Touchtenders or a warrior with her. She would wander alone under the stars and even though it was a very dangerous thing to do she seemed not to care and always returned unharmed before dawn. Endo took great interest in the unusual girl and many times he questioned her about her beginnings and her genetic makeup but she only smiled at him and replied in cryptic words that had no real meaning to the Callaxion.
Andra cared a great deal for her daughter and taught her all that she knew of survival and now and then she would walk with her in the evenings and they would talk. Now as the night moons shown bright in the clear sky they walked to the top of a small rise and stood looking up at the stars, Andra pointed to one that rose just above the horizon.
“That is the star that once gave life to my world” she said.
“I know” Niana replied, “I know your world and those that once dwelled upon it, I see the farm where you grew up and the green fields outside your window. I see the face of your brother Simon and I feel the love that you had for him. I can hear your mother’s voice and the warmth of her arms around me, I understand it all and I know that you love me”.
Andra had told some of her past life but she never spoke of her brother or the home where she grew up.
“How do you know all this?”
Her daughter smiled at her, “I know many things that you cannot and although you are my womb mother I have another and she calls to me and someday I must go to her”.
Hearing that there would come a time when they would part brought sadness into the heart of Moonbud, but then she realized that all daughters must someday go out into the world and knowing that she had a wise and strong child brought her contentment.
“I love you,” she said.
“And I love you” replied the girl.
There are many embraces, those that come with partings and those that are made with a return, but there are none as warm as a Mothers arms.
Along with the Child there were others that grew for the Sandjar were quickly learning the ways of the Outlands and now wished to go their own way. Endo could see that the time had come to lead his people on their own journey and so when they made camp for the night he went to the wagon of his father. He found the Old man busily writing on a fresh parchment of Rimar hide and waiting for his perfectly spiced Hagar soup to finish cooking. His traveling robe was a bit dirty and all about him were jumbles of artifacts and other strange objects that were enough to keep his busy mind occupied for several lifetimes. The young Sandjar shook his large head for although he kept close to his father he spent most of his time with Rawna in their Karrack and therefor was not around to tidy up after the Old man.
“Hello father” he said as he moved to the burning Washa and leaned close to smell the boiling soup, “I think you may have added to much Ulon spice this time” he commented.
Osh finished what he was writing then looked up at his son, “so tell me, was I correct about the information regarding the mating practices of the Sandjar?” he asked offhandedly.
Endo shook is head then sat down next to the Callaxion, “I can confirm with great pleasure that the general information was correct but you left out the certain details and they do make a great difference. But I can now say with pride that I have performed adequately and that soon you will become a Grandfather.”
Hearing his son reply with such precision filled Osh with pride but not as much as hearing that his son was going to become a father, “this calls for a celebration, pour us two bowls of soup while I fill cups with Po”.
Endo followed the instructions of his father and ladled out two large bowls of the warm concoction, and then they both sat down and began to eat the rich soup. After taking a mouthful the green skinned boy swallowed then turned to his father.
“I was wrong” he said with a smile, “the spices are perfect”.
“Yes they are” replied the old man looking into the eyes of his son with love, “everything is perfect”.
Around the neck of Osh hung the medallion that had open the God Machine and other portals of the Overlords and knowing that someday it might open more doorways into knowledge the Callaxion wore it with pride.
They sat and talked long into the night and when the suns rose they bid farewell to each other, and after Endo gathered his people and made sure that all was ready he helped his pregnant mate into their wagon. Then as he was about to join her he heard a voice behind him.
“Son?” it said, and turning he saw his mother standing beside him, she wore her gleaming armor and with the horned helmet upon her head she seemed like a Goddess of war. “Be careful where you go, and make sure you stay clear of Earthshakers and unknown warriors” she said with a worried look upon her face, “and always keep lookouts posted at night and watch the skies for Sundroppers during the day. Oh and one more thing...” she stopped herself for she knew that she sounded like her mother, so she just reached out and took her boy into her arms, “just remember that I love you”.
Endo held his mother for a time and although it was not a practice of the Sandjar he leaned over and kissed her on her cheek, “I will always remember”. Then he climbed into the wagon and taking up the reins he signaled for his people to follow him and obeying their Coraw they left the camp of the Nomads and ventured into the unknown.
The days grew colder for the long warm summer was coming to an end, but still Andra would not give up and leading the way they moved across the Sirolian Plains making sure to stay well clear of Earth Shakers. They hunted for Rimar and gathered Eul when needed and all the while they continued to ask if anyone had seen a lone warrior with the bearing of a King. But they only heard stories of a demon mounted on a Whiptail that was killing anyone in his path and dealing out death to those that challenged him and knowing this Moonbud prayed that her mate would not meet with this monster.
More days passed and the seekers ventured into the lands of the Talsonar but they stayed well clear of the dest
royed pyramid city for it was now the place were vile creatures dwelled. And around it were dozens of Dropships telling Andra that more orphans would be coming and someday the broken city would be powerful again.
Now a cold wind blew over the land for Gorn was slowly moving away from the Great star and beginning its journey into the outer reaches of its orbit. Soon the snow would begin and with that the Hagars would be moving down from the North to destroy all in their path and bring death and destruction to the Outlands.
But again Andra would not be swayed from her path so they entered the Pass of Moke that would lead them to the open expanse of Darmock and there they saw the great herds of Rimar fattening themselves for the long winter to come. And likewise the Trofar began to grow their long fur coats that would shield them from the bitter cold and the plating on the Whiptails thickened so that they too could carry their riders. And as they drew closer to the Eye of Isarie they heard more tales of the lone warrior and the terrible things that he inflicted on those that were unlucky enough to meet him. Some said that he was surely a demon from the Pit of Marloon for he killed both men and women and did not spare even the young. Many warriors rode out to find him vowing revenge for those loved ones that he killed but none of them were ever seen again.
And as the sky grew dimmer and the wind began to howl like the cry of a Screecher Andra began to think that she would never find her lost mate and that she would live the rest of her life alone. And as she grew weary she would ride ahead of the warriors and let her mind speak to her.
You have a daughter now that needs you. She heard her mind say, but still she felt that she could not live without the man she loved so she urged her Whiptail forward and as she moved over a hilltop she saw a lone figure some distance away. At first she thought it was an Outrider from some other tribe but something told her that this was not a harmless Nomad looking for Rimar. So she signaled the column to stop and they waited as the rider drew closer, and as always the warriors drew around Moonbud and gripped their weapons should they be needed. And as the figure rode nearer they could see that it was indeed an Outlander but not knowing if it was friend or foe they kept their eyes upon him and waited for the call to attack.
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