Discovering the Jewels' Secret

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  Timir finished loading the third of the pack horses and turned to study his companions. The three trainers were mounted and waited for Gila. Timir glanced toward the barn. Where was she?

  Moments later, she appeared with a basket. “The last of the eggs.” She placed the straw-padded basket in one of the panniers. Her eyes glittered with excitement. Timir grinned. Gone was his shy companion. During the sojourn at the camp, her lessons with the trainers had given her confidence.

  He mounted his horse and led the way from the grounds. The trainers followed. Each man led one of the pack horses. With some hunting as they traveled, Timir believed they had enough supplies to last until they reached Pala.

  When the walls were in the distance, Gila moved to ride beside him. “I know we must go to Pala. Can we take the road that leads through Quato?”

  “Why?”

  “There’s something brewing. A troubling in the air that I can’t quite grasp.”

  He turned to look at her. “What ever this brewing involves, the wizards who ordered the Guards to follow them. We must see where they’re headed and find a way to alert Liara.”

  “We could find help in Quato. Maybe Disa and Brader have returned and Stilenta and Nalor may have left the desert and traveled to that town.”

  “Those are possibilities, but I don’t think we should all go,” Timir said. “Thee and two of the trainers can camp at the crossroads while I go there. I’ll see if I can locate Stilenta’s villa and learn where she and Nalor have gone.”

  Gila shook her head. “We can go to Pala the other way.”

  “That way’s longer. We might not reach Pala in time.”

  Her lips drew into a firm line. “I want to go to Quato.”

  “We need to act with caution. The three wizards we encountered can’t be the only ones who want to capture a Holder, her Jewel and the scroll.”

  Gila sighed. “I know thee are right. I just hate this uneasy feeling. When we make camp, we can ask the trainers for their suggestions.”

  Timir urged his horse ahead. Would she continue arguing until he gave in to her ideas? Maybe he should left her as a timid soul.

  Late that afternoon, they reached the village where he’d refused to stop at the tavern when they were on their way to the camp. He frowned. What had happened here? The road showed signs of a large party of mounted men. The windows of most of the houses were shuttered and the streets were deserted. The curtains at one window moved. They were being watched. Why? He raised a hand to halt his companions. “I’ll visit the tavern. Something’s wrong here.”

  Gila drew closer. “I sense fear and anger in the air. Be careful.”

  Timir dismounted and handed her the reins of his horse. “Be ready to flee if I dash out.”

  Yagor moved to Timir’s side. “Are you sure you should go alone?”

  “I’ll be less of a threat.”

  “Go, but holler if you find trouble.”

  Timir pushed the tavern door open. Deserted was his first thought. What had happened? Then he saw the elderly woman behind the bar. “Good woman, where are all the village’s men?” Other times when he’d and his fellow trainees had come to the tavern, this was the time the men had gathered.

  “Gone or in hiding. You’d best take care or you’ll join them.”

  “Why?”

  “The wizards may come back.”

  “Wizards?”

  “They come with some guards. Took most of the able men and boys. Said trouble had come to Pala since the Queen died. Said men was needed to fight her murderers.”

  “How long ago were they here?”

  “Half a tenday.”

  “How many wizards?”

  She leaned on the bar. “Saw two black robes but there was another who kept in the shadows. Wizards said they was the rulers now the queen was dead.”

  Timir straightened. “They lied. The Queen’s alive and holds the White Jewel. She lives in Pala.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I was present during the battle on the plain and saw the triumph of the White Jewel. Was anyone hurt by these men?”

  She shook her head. “Happened too fast.”

  Timir flipped her a coin. “For your information. Another thing. The Queen’s Guards have left their training camp. There are sacks of grain and some other things they had left there. You can send someone to fetch them.” He walked to the door. “If we find your men we’ll try to free them.”

  “Will you tell the Queen about the drought?”

  “I will.”

  When Timir remounted, he related the woman’s story. “Could this be the same group who came to the camp?”

  Emer shook his head. “Don’t see how. Was only one wizard with the ones we saw.”

  “We need to be cautious,” Falar said.

  Gila prodded her horse. “We must hurry to Pala. Liara needs to know about this army and about the plight of the people.”

  Yagor nodded. “We may not be able to get ahead of these men.”

  Timir moved into the lead. “If not, we’ll follow. Do you think the wizards intend to attack Quato?”

  Emer shook his head. “Why Quato? Pala is where the Queen will be found. With the White Jewel under their control, there would be little trouble elsewhere.”

  Timir nodded. The older man was right. Was following the army the wizards had gathered the best choice?

  At dusk, they made camp. The trainers set snares and cleaned the wild bantas they had shot as they traveled. Gila made a large pot of kaf as well as a smaller one of herbal tea. Timir patrolled the area. He noted the signs left by a large party.

  As they gathered around the fire, Timir leaned forward. What will we do if we encounter this large band or another such one?”

  Falar frowned. “Pray we can avoid them. Should they recognize Gila, they will try to capture her.”

  Emer divided the birds and pulled baked tubers from the coals. “Many Guards are loyal to the land. A number distrust the wizards. If the three of us can reach those we trust, we can draw some away.”

  Timir lifted his mug. “Until we reach the place where the road divides, we won’t know how these men intend to travel to Pala. When we know, we can make plans.”

  * * *

  As Gila listened to the men, she felt as though she knew nothing. Why had she believed the wizards had lost their power when the stronghold had been destroyed? So many of the wizards she’d cared for had lost their talents. She had wanted to believe every wizard of Earda had been at the lair when the Jewels had united to destroy the stronghold. She had pushed aside the things her friends had said about the hidden wizards.

  Maybe she should have left the stronghold, and like her mother, found a place to hide. Timir had persuaded her to follow him. Even after they had fought the three wizards, she hadn’t been willing to admit more of the evil men lived.

  Why would the Queen’s Guards rebel? From what the trainers had said until the men swore allegiance they could follow who they pleased. Had Liara know? If the Guards intended to march on Pala, how could she and Timir reach the palace with their thread? She needed to learn more about these Guards.

  With a yawn, she finished her meal and walked to her blanket roll. Something at the edge of her mind nagged and she couldn’t fall asleep. After turning from side to side with no success at taming her thoughts, she rose and went to the fire. She filled a mug with herbal tea and settled with her back against the tree. What jabbed at her thoughts? She opened the inner path. When she heard a voice, she nearly dropped the mug. Who?

  Disa.

  Excitement bubbled inside. Where are you?

  Quato.

  Is Brader with you? A plan began to form.

  Yes. Stilenta and Nalor, too. We have our threads.

  So do I. There is trouble brewing.

  What do you mean?

  Gila told her what she had learned about the wizards and how they were gathering the Queen’s Guards to march on Pala. They’re still a threat t
o the land. I thought their powers were gone. I’d forgotten the hidden wizards.

  Wizards are like rats and cower in their holes preferring to attack in a group.

  Timir and I killed three when they tried to take my thread.

  Good for you. I killed one on the island.

  There are five of us. Timir took me to a place where I learned how to defend myself. Yagor, Falar and Emer are the trainers for the Guards.

  We must join forces. Where are you?

  Gila smiled. Heading toward the crossroads to Pala or Quato.

  We’ll meet you there.

  When?

  Give us three or four days.

  We’ll wait. Gila drank the tea. She looked up and saw Timir leave his blankets.

  He crouched beside her. “Why are you still awake?”

  “I couldn’t sleep. Something was nagging. Then I heard Disa on the inner path. This is what we decided.” She told him about the four and where they would meet.

  “Joining forces with them is a good idea.” He rose. “Let me relieve Emer and tell him your news.”

  Gila rinsed her mug and went to her blankets.

  In the morning as they gathered around the fire to break their fast, Gila told the trainers about the two Holders and their Chosen. “I think we should wait for them.”

  Yagor nodded. “The Yellow and Blue Holders. Having three of you will make our travel safer.”

  “Did you use your Jewel to speak to them?” Falar asked.

  Gila shook her head. “Lajin and his twin showed us the inner path when we went to destroy the wizards’ stronghold. We’re talking in our heads.”

  “How do you know you spoke to this Disa?” Emer asked.

  “People’s mind voices sound just like their speaking voices.” she said.

  Three days later, they reached the crossroads. They set their camp away from the road in a cluster of hardwoods and firs. Yagor studied the ground. “There was a large group of riders and men on foot who recently passed this way.”

  “How long ago?” Timir asked.

  Falar bent to examine the horse droppings. “Two groups. Four days ago for the first and less than a day for the second. Second group came from Quato.”

  “The Holders?” Gila asked.

  He shook his head. “Must have been twenty or more in the group.”

  Yagor nodded. “Both groups need to camp somewhere. I’d estimate there to be about seventy in both groups.”

  Gila closed her eyes to see if she could sense anything on the wind. “Are they Queen’s Guards or a Peddler’s caravan?”

  “Guards. The walkers could be the men from the village,” Emer said.

  Timir followed the hoof marks for a time. “So they’re headed toward Pala.”

  “How many Guards are there?” Gila asked. “I don’t mean in these groups. I mean in Pala.”

  “Several thousand,” Emer said. “More aren’t needed. Since Earda is an island and we have no known enemies. There are several hundred stationed in Pala. A hundred or so in Quato and the same in Thanis. The rest are in scattered posts.”

  Timir nodded. “Several hundred perished during the battle on the plain and at the stronghold. We buried a lot in a common grave at the wizards’ lair. Some also deserted.”

  Falar rose. “I think the three of us should scout and see how many they have collected.”

  Gila sucked in a breath. “Are you sure you should leave us? What if more come and find us? What if they take you prisoner?”

  Emer grinned. “We’ll be careful. Give us two or three days. If we’re not back by then, we’ll have joined the band to learn their plans.”

  Yagor clapped Timir’s shoulder. “We can leave messages. Do you remember the scouting codes?”

  “Yes.”

  Gila hugged the three older men. “Stay safe and return soon.”

  * * *

  Brader reached the crossroads and tied his horse near the watering trough. Cautiously, he made his way to where he’d seen a thin spiral of smoke. If night hadn’t fallen, he might not have noticed the signs that others camped nearby.

  Though Disa had told him of her conversation with Gila, he needed to be sure this wasn’t a trap. Disa had said Gila and her party would wait three or four days. Six had passed.

  With stealth he eased around the trees. He saw Gila seated beside a fire. Was she alone? Where were her companions? Disa had mentioned Timir and three Guards.

  A moment later, he was taken from behind. Brader froze. An arm crossed his throat and something pressed into his back. “Who are you?” The deep voice held an eerie tone.

  “A traveler.”

  “Friend or foe?”

  “Brader.”

  The arm moved away. “Where are your companions?” Timir asked. “I thought you were four.”

  “We are. I came ahead to scout. We’ve spent six days evading small groups of Guards.”

  “These groups joined here a few days ago.”

  Brader turned to face his friend. “Not all. Some of the men took to the woods as though they knew their destination.” Brader clasped Timir’s hand. “Where are the three Guards who travel with your party?”

  “They left to track those parties who met at the crossroads. We expect them to return soon.” Timir gestured. “Come to the fire.”

  “Do you trust these men?”

  Timir laughed. “They are trainers for the Guards. A tenday or so ago, their camp was visited by a wizard. He took the trainees away but felt the trainers were too old to join their army. The three know most of the Guards and can sort out the ones who would like to oppose the wizards. They taught Gila how to defend herself. Come and see how changed she is.”

  Brader followed Timir to the fire. Gila rose. When Brader saw the knife in her hand, he gasped. Her fluid rise from sitting to standing made him grin. “So you’re a warrior now.”

  She shook her head. “I can defend myself without using my Jewel. Where are the others?”

  “Camped on the other side of the crossroads. I came ahead to scout. I’ll bring them in the morning.”

  “I’ll add to the meal.” She handed him a mug of kaf.

  Once Brader finished the drink, he returned to his friends. After passing the news, he crawled into his blankets and slept. In the morning, he rose at dawn, downed a mug of kaf and helped pack the horses,

  When he and his friends reached the other camp, the three older men had returned. Gila and Timir made the introductions and gestured to the steaming kettles of ryn porridge and kaf.

  Once all had served themselves, Gila looked at the older men. “Tell us what you learned.”

  Emer put his mug on the ground. “They were camped where we thought they might be. They’ll leave there soon. I counted enough tents to shelter two hundred and there were several groups camped in the open.”

  “There are at least eight wizards,” Yagor said. “There may be others who don’t wear robes.”

  Falar leaned forward. “I saw a group of fifteen who kept apart from the others. Two of them I know have no liking for the wizards. I left signs for them and they followed them to release the men and boys from the village.”

  “Did you have a hand in freeing them?” Brader asked.

  Emer laughed. “No need. They saw an opportunity and left.”

  “With the wizards following them?” Nalor asked.

  “They weren’t missed,” Yagor said. “The camp is disorganized. “Someone cut their bonds and in a quarrel over supplies, they ran.”

  “Were you seen?” Brader asked.

  “No.”

  Timir grinned. “I’m glad they escaped. What should we do about this army the wizards are forming?”

  Yagor refilled his bowl and drizzled honey over the porridge. “Nothing until they’re closer to Pala. The men we trust will leave messages about their plans.”

  “And if one of the enemy catches them doing this?” Stilenta asked.

  Emer stretched. “The beauty of our plan is that the
messages they leave will be thought of as orders for any who follow.”

  “Can you change these messages to false ones?” Nalor asked.

  Timir laughed. “If there’s a need, we can and will.”

  Brader frowned. “Are you sure that’s a good idea. If there are other wizards following the main party, they might discover the truth.”

  Gila collected the dishes. “We need to do everything we can to thwart the black robes.”

  “We could choose the other route,” Stilenta said. “This we could avoid this army.”

  “And arrive too late to keep them from attacking Pala.’ Brader said.

  Disa rose. “He’s right. We need to follow them and find a way to discover how many of these Guards will stand behind Liara.”

  Emer paused near the horses. “Some of the Guards were treated unfairly by the Holder of the Black. To them, that means the Queen no matter what Jewel she holds.”

  “Could these men who don’t favor the wizards accept a promise from three Holders that justice will be done?” Gila asked.

  “I believe so.”

  Brader glanced around the circle. “Then we’ll follow and find a way to stop them before they reach Pala.” He rose and went to help the others load the pack horses.

  * * *

  For a tenday, they traveled behind the ever-enlarging band of Guards. Nalor estimated the number neared four hundred. The trainers had spoken to more than fifty of the men. They reported a large number of the band could choose either side in the battle to come. If the wizards were defeated, Liara would have a chance to rule as Queen.

  They rode into a town where there had been a large post and a prison. Nalor asked questions of the few Guards who remained. He rejoined his party. “The wizards gained seventy here. The commandant ordered them to follow the wizards. Why would he do that?”

  Disa laughed. “If he was the one I met, he was a fool. Let me tell you how I rescued Andalor from the prison.” By the time she finished the story, everyone laughed.