by David Wind
He worries for you, Areenna said silently.
I know, but he needs to understand we must do this.
Ecorah smiled. “Spoken like a true warrior.”
The conversation ended as two serving women brought their food. They ate silently and when they were finished, Ecorah cleared his throat. “I have a gift for you, Grandson.” With that, he pushed an old and faded rolled dar hide across the table to Mikaal.
Picking it up, Mikaal untied the strings holding the hide closed, and opened the leather to reveal a carved bone-handle knife.
Mikaal picked it up and tested its weight and balance, Ecorah said, “When I was your age, perhaps a year or two younger, I made this knife. The bone came from the foreleg of a rantor I hunted down after it attacked a farmer. The blade is of the finest metal and blessed by your grandmother. It has served me well and will do the same for you when you have need of it.”
Mikaal studied the knife for several seconds. “Thank you, Grandfather,” he said without mentioning the knife his father had given him three days before.
Pushing from the table, Ecorah stood. “And now I tend to my people. Come, Mikaal, join me like you did when you used to visit.”
Mikaal stood. “With pleasure.”
He paused to look at Areenna. “Do you—”
She shook her head. Go with your grandfather. “I will be fine. I need to speak with your grandmother.”
When Mikaal and Ecorah left the chamber, Queen Enna stood. “Let us go to my chambers.” The queen turned to one of the servers and said, “Notify the stable that Princess Areenna and I will be riding.”
“My Lady,” the young woman said with a slight bow of her head as she moved to the door.
Once in the queen’s antechamber, and alone, Enna stepped close to Areenna. “Kneel.”
Without question, Areenna went to her knees at the feet of Queen Enna, who placed both hands on Areenna’s head. A spark leapt from Enna’s hands and centered deep within Areenna’s mind. It grew strong and traveled to every part of her body, fading away a half minute later.
“Rise,” Enna said.
Standing, Areenna took a deep breath. “With what have you gifted me?”
“Divining and the ability to manipulate water is my gift. Powerful abilities when used correctly. Very few women can hold this ability. I sense such strength in you, Child.”
Areenna could not stop her laugh.
“Is this gift funny?” Enna asked, her eyes narrowing with puzzlement.
“No, My Lady, it was what you called me. Enaid calls me ‘child’ all the time. Child I only wish I could be again. My childhood is past.”
Enna raised her arm and cupped Areenna’s cheek. “You are so wrong. A woman you are, make no mistake, but a child as well. Your innocence is evidence of such.”
Areenna shook her head. “Of what innocence do you speak? I lost that at the Island.”
“You have become powerful Areenna, more so than I believe any suspect. I feel it. Yet I feel the other… the innocence as well. You may see it not, but shed it not, for it is a part of you.”
“I... I don’t understand,” she whispered. “What I have seen, what I have done. It is not possible to have any innocence.”
It is not something to dwell on; accept it as the part of you that makes you Areenna. Like a caress, Enna’s silent thought was soft, warm and gentle. “Come, there is not much time to teach you how to use this ability before you leave for the mountains.”
<><><>
The air was cold as they drew their kraals to a stop before a grove of trees. As soon as she saw the entwined wall of trees, she knew what they represented. Turning to Enna, she said, “Your Haven?”
Enna smiled and nodded. “Enaid?”
“She took me into hers.”
Nodding, Enna dismounted and tied her kraal to a sapling, turned to the trees and raised her palms toward them. When she lowered her hands she said, “You have invitation.” Without another word, she stepped into the trees and disappeared.
Dismounting, Areenna tied Hero to a different sapling. She walked up to the trees, envisioned herself stepping through the wall of tangled trees, and followed Enna in.
When she emerged on the other side, she was within a moderate size circle of trees. There was an ice-crusted pool, smaller than the pool within Enaid’s haven, shimmering with reflected sunlight. The ground was clear and green; the temperature within Enna’s Haven was much warmer than without.
“It is beautiful,” she said.
“Yes, even now in the cold, but when warm weather comes, it is truly magnificent. Look at the water and tell me what you sense.”
Areenna focused on the pond. It took only a heartbeat for her mind to flow into the water. The instant she did, her eyes snapped open. “It has the same source as Enaid’s haven, the same water as in Tolemac.” She turned to Enna. ”It comes from the high mountain at the far northern edge of Brumwall.”
“How do you know this so quickly? You…”
“Before I went to the Island, I was in the center courtyard of Tolemac’s keep. Somehow I melded with the water and traveled to its source.”
“Before you went to the Island?”
“Before,” Areenna confirmed.
Enna’s eyes reflected more than a little surprise. “How powerful are you?”
Areenna shrugged. “I don’t know. Enaid said I am more powerful than she, but I do not believe it to be so.”
“When we’re finished here, I want to know of all your abilities.”
“All I know of, of course.”
Then we begin. Look into the water, meld with it and create a fountain in the middle of the pond. A fountain of water.
She thought about a fountain, not the one at Tolemac; rather she pictured the one her father had carved himself for her mother. It was small, only a few feet tall, but intricately worked with figures of rantors and gorlons at each point of waterfall, as if the water sprang from between their legs.
The water bubbled and rose as she called it forth with her new ability. Soon the water took on the shape of the picture in her mind. It was hard to maintain the picture and to will the water to follow her commands, but after a few minutes the fountain blossomed and water poured from between the legs of the rantors and gorlons. She held it for another minute before releasing it, her strength drained.
Enna’s expression was one of disbelief. “I expected to see some water rise. What you did, I expected not.” Who are you Areenna? Who are you to command such strength and power?
Areenna sensed much in the thought, but held herself back when the Queen of Brumwall’s face changed from disbelief to scrutiny and Enna said, “We have much to do today. I will skip the manipulation. You know it already. Water has many uses; one of its unexpected uses is as a weapon. This is what we will concentrate on.”
She paused, took Areenna’s hand, and her closed eyes in thought. “First, find the underground path of the water feeding this pond. Search for it; seek its path beneath the ground. Join with me so I can show you….”
<><><>
Exhausted from Enna’s teachings, Areenna and Brumwall’s queen returned to the Apolis keep just after sundown. In the west, deep pink and purple bands chased each other beneath the horizon by the coming of night, while above and in the north, blackening clouds massed. They had spent the entire afternoon in training. In-between the bouts of work, she had explained her abilities to Mikaal’s grandmother.
When they reached the stables, two men raced out to take their kraals. As they started toward the keep, Areenna sensed the older queen’s fatigue and grasped her arm to give her support.
Before they reached the entrance to the keep, Mikaal came through the doorway. Areenna saw concern carved on his features as he walked toward them.
What?
A storm comes. Worry laced his thoughts. “It looks bad,” he said aloud.
The gathering clouds swarmed above in dark and menacingly thick strands. Too tired to have taken notice on the
ride back, she realized this was not a simple evening of clouded skies; rather, it was the foretelling of a massive storm.
At her side, Enna gazed in the same direction as Areenna and Mikaal. “You will not be leaving in the morning. While unexpected at this time of year, storms have come. This one will be bad. Has warning been issued?”
Mikaal nodded. “Men have been sent to the outlying areas. Prince Darb returned earlier with the news of the storm’s path. My uncle said it is a monstrous one and warned the King to have the people brought into Apolis.”
“Darb is home, good,” Enna said and stood straighter, somehow shrugging off the fatigue. “We must make preparation. Where is my husband?”
“He’s been working with his guardsmen, setting up the Great Hall with supplies for the people. They are just about finished.”
“Then we go there,” she decided and slipping from Areenna’s support, started inside.
Without another word, Queen Enna led the way to the Great Hall. She walked tall and straight, her tiredness cast off. When they entered the hall, they found it bustling with people. Long tables filled with platters of food and pitchers of wine and water were set against one wall.
There were already two dozen of Brumwall’s citizens in the hall, and another hundred or so would eventually arrive. The outlying region around Apolis consisted of vegetable and animal farms. Most of the farmers, especially the carna breeding farms, would not seek safety in Apolis; they would gather and tend their herds during the storm to protect them as much as possible. The King dispatched guardsmen from Apolis to help the farmers staying on their lands. The vegetable and fruit farmers would come to Apolis, as only a few farms grew winter produce. The farmers and tree harvesters who lived further out would have no choice but to fend for themselves.
“We’re done here,” Ecorah announced when they entered the Great Hall. “All that is left is for the rest of our people to arrive. We have a few hours before the storm strikes.”
“It is a harsh storm, Mother,” said Prince Darb, Enaid’s brother and the heir to Brumwall.
“Welcome home.” Queen Enna clasped Darb to her. “Your trip was fruitful?”
“It was, Mother. The rogue Free-Blades have returned to the outlands. They left many in the ground as they ran.”
“As it should be. We cannot allow them to roam Brumwall without response. Our losses?”
“Two, Mother. They fought well.”
“Make sure their families are told of this.”
“It has been done. Princess Areenna, it is good to see you.”
Areenna smiled at Darb. “And you, My Prince,” she said and yawned. “My pardon,” she whispered. “I am more tired than I realized.”
She caught Mikaal’s concerned thought and shook her head. I was training with your grandmother.
We’ll talk later, came Mikaal’s response.
“If all is done, we must get some food into Areenna before she can no longer stay upright,” Enna said.
“And you as well,” Areenna replied to the queen.
<><><>
The food did its job and Areenna was less tired. The meal had ended two hours earlier and at this point, the hall held many of Apolis’ outlying citizens. She had pleaded exhaustion shortly after dinner and had gone to her chamber. Now she stood on the parapet of the keep. She wore the rabt fur cloak and stood beneath the falling snow, which had started a short time before.
Watching the clouds blot out the stars, she realized the clouds were not moving in a single direction; they came from every direction and swirled together directly above Apolis.
The pattern was strange; one she had never seen before.
“Are you testing the warmth of the cloak?” Mikaal said from behind.
Turning, she found him a foot away. I did not sense you.
“You were concentrating on the sky. What bothers you?” he asked aloud.
“You know me well.”
“I know you as well as I know myself.” He reached a hand toward hers and she took it in his. As always, a tingle spread between them followed by a flow of warmth. “What is it?” he asked.
“Look at the clouds. Tell me what you see.”
His brow furrowed before he turned his eyes skyward. “I see storm clouds swirling, snow falling.”
Look closer.
He did as she asked and, a moment later said, “They come from all directions to spin above us. It is… wrong.”
Gaalrie’s cry broke his concentration. He turned toward the sound as the giant treygone descended madly toward them. Ice coated the bird’s wings, hampering its ability to fly.
Areenna released Mikaal’s hands and raised her arms toward the treygone. Join me!
It took no longer than an instant to join with her, and to feel the deep cold filling the treygone.
Areenna released a stream of energy toward Gaalrie, wrapping her aoutem with it, lending it the strength to fly to her. The energy formed a block around the giant bird, warming her just enough for the treygone to move her wings and keep flying. A half minute later, she landed in Areenna’s outstretched arms, the treygone’s weight almost knocking Areenna from her feet. She drew the giant bird close to her, accepting its weight and size without thought.
Pressing the treygone to her chest, she wrapped the cloak over her to add warmth. “I have never seen a treygone affected by the cold in this way.”
Mikaal lifted the cloak to look at Gaalrie. He reached out with his hand and stroked Gaalrie’s head. “Nor I.”
“This storm has a target,” Areenna realized.
Us, Mikaal shot back.
“She is tracking us,” Areenna whispered. I was stupid not to see it. “The feeling… the emptiness I showed you yesterday. It is the Black Witch’s magic.”
“I did not feel her presence in it,” Mikaal admitted. “I missed it.”
“Nor I. She found a way to hide it from us. But this storm is of her doing.”
“What can we do?” he asked. It was not a question of helplessness but one of action.
Areenna drew Gaalrie even tighter against her chest. The treygone’s body heat soon grew and she knew her aoutem would be fine. How can I stop this? What ability can fight a storm? What have you given me? she asked the eight of the Island. What?
“I have never heard of an ability to control the weather, but there must be a way,” Mikaal said.
Areenna thought about it. “She is not controlling the weather; she is using the air currents. Pushing them from every direction to us.”
“Can you fight that?”
“No, but she has to continually use her powers. She will tire.”
“Look at the amount of snow. I have never seen snow fall this fast.”
Areenna bent over the Balustrade. The snow was at least a foot high on the ground below, and in less than two hours. There has to be something. She shook her head in frustration. Anger boiled up within her, fueling the frustration. “Snow is water,” she whispered.
“Frozen water, yes,” Mikaal responded, wondering at the path she was taking.
“Take Gaalrie.” She extended the treygone to him. When he drew the bird beneath his cloak, Areenna turned back. Holding her hands palms down, she forced away her exhaustion and called forth her powers. The burning sensation in the pit of her body exploded instantly and power raced through her. She focused on the snow and as Enna had shown her earlier in the afternoon, began to call forth the gift the Queen of Brumwall placed within her. Watching the snow on the ground directly beneath her begin to whirl in circles, she directed it to form a column. She stopped the manipulation and watched the seven-foot column fall apart.
“There may be a way,” she told Mikaal after turning to him. It will be hard. I am tired. I need your strength. Yours and Charkas. Can you join with your aoutem?
Mikaal closed his eyes and reached out to Charka. An instant later, he tasted the grain his aoutem was eating. He closed off the taste of the food and opened his eyes. I am ready.
> She pushed to Gaalrie, who responded instantly. Her aoutem’s strength was returning rapidly and she knew Gaalrie would be of help. “I am not sure,” she began hesitantly, “but I believe I can manipulate the snow as if it was running water—push it back to the clouds even as it falls. Perhaps this will work…”
Areenna opened her mind and drew Mikaal in. His strength, combined with Charka’s, amplified within her. Her fatigue faded and she pushed her power higher. Deep inside, at the very core of what made her female, the power flowed strong and hot. She tilted her head toward the swirling center of the storm and raised her hands. An instant later, Gaalrie pulled free from Mikaal’s grip and jumped to Areenna, one taloned leg upon each shoulder.
Areenna released her powers, concentrating not on the clouds but on the falling snow. She drew on Mikaal, Charka, and Gaalrie as she fought the Black Sorceress. The snow continued to fall, but instead of reaching the ground, it swirled, reversed, and returned to the clouds. She stood tall, her arms outstretched, her concentration absolute as she fought the power above.
The battle went on, Areenna forcing the snow to remain aloft while the black one fought for the snow’s release. Midnight passed and the three on the parapet stood as one. Then something changed. A tentative search through the clouds directed downward at her. She blocked it quickly and it retreated. Holding her manipulation strong, she chased after it.
Areenna caught the stink of the Black Sorceress and followed the scent through the clouds, through the night and toward its origination. The scent trail ended abruptly and the emanation disappeared. A scream ripped through her mind, a cry of rage that rocked her badly. She fought it away. The clouds were shifting, changing, and a moment later began to drift slowly east.
The snow lessened as the clouds moved away, and Areenna knew the worst of the storm was over.
She turned to Mikaal and started to say something, but as she did, blackness curtained her mind, and she fell unconscious to the stone floor of the parapet. The last sound she heard was of Gaalrie’s loud cry.
CHAPTER 9