Yagor shook his head. “What bothers me is the amount of supplies they found here. They now have several wagons filled with dried food and a herd of mixed animals.”
“With the livestock, they’ll travel more slowly,” Timir said. “And they’re less likely to raid the farms.”
“Is there a way to get ahead of them?” Nalor asked. “We’re about four days behind but we’ll make up that time before long.”
Emer shook his head. “We’ll be into the mountains in a day or two so that’s doubtful. We need to assess our supplies. There won’t be places for us to make purchases soon.”
At the village where Disa had recovered from the attack of the fanged apes, the Holders visited the Healer’s House and replenished their store of medicinals. When they returned to camp, they told them about the deaths of the last members of the Inner Circle.
“How was the news passed?” Nalor asked.
Disa looked at her companions. “We didn’t ask.”
“Do you suppose they use the inner path?” Nalor turned the meat on a spit.
“Perhaps,” Stilenta said. “Though they mentioned the death had happened a lunar of so ago.”
Nalor added wood to the fire. “The trainers purchased two antels and are smoking most of the meat.”
Disa took tubers from one of the baskets and put them in the coals. “Should someone speak to the Guards who don’t want to follow the wizards? They could leave the others before we reach the mountain pass.”
Emer shook his head. “We’ll wait until they’re near Pala. If there are any problems before then, some of the wizards might vanish and hide.
Nalor nodded. “We’re about a tenday from Pala.”
Falar reached for a mug. “The presence of the Holders must be kept secret. If the wizards learn of their presence, they will attempt to capture the women.”
Though Nalor wished they could confront the wizards sooner, he knew even if they added a hundred or so Guards, they couldn’t win. He wasn’t sure what they could do here or even in Pala.
Another tenday of travel brought the army of Guards to less than a day’s journey from Pala. Nalor halted near a copse and waited for the three Holders. “We should make camp here. The trainers are ready to infiltrate the army and bring out those who don’t want to follow the wizards.”
“Are we safe here?” Stilenta asked.
“My Jewel remains cool,” Gila said.
“Perhaps we should camp in the trees,” Disa said.
The trainers dismounted. “We’ll leave soon,” Emer said.
Yagor halted beside him. “Timir will come with us. I know this area. To be safe make your camp beyond the trees. There’s a hill that will overlook the army’s camp.”
“We’ll bring the men we can trust to make their camp here,” Falar said.
“Shouldn’t Brader and I come with you?” Nalor asked.
“Not a good move,” Timir said.
“What if there are spies among them?” Brader asked.
Gila held her Jewel in her hands. “With this, I can tell when a person is lying.”
Disa nodded. “So can Stilenta and I.”
Stilenta reached for her steed’s reins. “If we must, we can use the Jewels to prevent a betrayal.”
Gila mounted her steed. “We have a way to fight these men. We control wind, rain and power from the sun.”
Nalor chuckled. “You have changed from the timid girl I first met.”
Timir waved a hand. “The trainers worked her hard. Since she can defend herself without depending on the Violet, she has no reason to remain fearful.”
Nalor grabbed the reins of his horse and two of the pack horses. “I wonder how the others fare.”
Disa looked up. “Though we’re near Pala, I’ve been unable to reach anyone.”
“The inner path has noise but no words,” Stilenta said. “Perhaps one has to have an appointed time for this to work.”
Gila frowned. “I don’t think that’s true. I wasn’t seeking anyone when I heard Disa. Quato was further away than Pala is now. There’s an odd aura in the air. It’s as though something has happened to block our hearing.”
“Do you mean among the gathered Guards?” Nalor asked.
“I don’t know. Could be something the wizards have done or something in Pala.”
Timir pressed Gila’s hands. “We’re about to begin our spy run.”
Nalor walked apart with the four men. “We’ll set our camp. I’ll check to see how close the hill is to where the Guards are camped.”
Emer nodded. “A good idea. Once we’ve gathered the men we believe haven’t fallen for the wizards’ promises, we’ll bring them here. If the Holders stand in the grove, can they read the men from there?”
Though Nalor wanted to follow the quartet, he knew his presence would present the danger of discovery. Some of the Queen’s Guards may have been among those he had fought while he’d led the rebels.
Once the four rode around a bend in the road, he joined Brader and the Holders in taking the pack horses through the woods. Once they reached the other side, they set the camp near the bottom of the hill. A stream flowed from the summit and bordered the grove. When all was in order, he climbed the hill and spied on the enemy.
He joined the others at a small fire. “I saw the army. They’ve made camp and won’t move tonight.”
“Tomorrow?” Stilenta asked.
“We’ll know when the others arrive.
As the sun moved to the west, Timir slipped through the trees. We’ve brought a hundred and fifty men. There may be others who favor the queen, but we couldn’t reach them. A number of those who came have injuries.”
“Was there no one to provide care?” Nalor asked.
“What kind of injuries?” Disa asked.
“Cuts, bruises, a broken bone or two. Some of the wounds are infected.”
Nalor took Stilenta’s hands. “Time to test them and maybe help.” He led the way into the copse.
* * *
Stilenta finished treating the last of the wounded and rose. Didn’t the Queen’s Guards have anyone trained to provide care? She frowned. How could they? All Healers were women and all Guards were men. What happened to men like Corin who had a talent for healing? She knew the answer and didn’t like it. Those men would be prime candidates for the wizards.
Disa and Gila joined her. "I’ve done all I can,” Gila said.
“So have I,” Disa said.
One of the Guards approached. “You’re wanted at the fire.”
Stilenta slowly made her way to where her Chosen waited. Too often this evening she had used her Jewel to energize the water she’d used to clean the wounds. Nalor handed her a mug of tea heavily sweetened with honey. She sat on the ground and cradled the mug in her hands.
“I wish Jindera had been with us,” Disa said. “So many of the wounds had gone sour forcing me to use my jewel to burn the bad tissue away.”
Gila sipped her tea. “One of the men I treated said the wizards have gathered all the Guards who have even a trace of talent into a group. These men were forced to bow to the wizards and take a vow.”
“Has anyone tried the inner path?” Stilenta asked.
“Brader and I touched Liara for an instant,” Disa said. “The others are in Pala.”
Stilenta finished the tea. Brader and Timir joined the trainers. What other news did they have? When the five men reached the fire, she knew the news was bad.
Timir crouched near them. “The last of the men we could reach have arrived. They crept away after the wizards entered their tent. Though we now number two hundred, there are more than five hundred who follow the wizards. I don’t see how we can attack them and win.”
Falar dipped a mug of kaf. “They intend to storm Pala tomorrow. Though they haven’t heard from the hidden wizards, they are sure those of theirs inside the town will incite the people to rebel.”
Stilenta straightened. “Surely the people will honor Liara and the White
Jewel.”
“When there’s an army at the gates, the people will be afraid,” Brader said. “They will listen to the ones who shout the loudest.”
Emer nodded. “One of the men heard a wizard say there was one who had access to the palace and who would see the Queen ended in the hands of the wizards.”
“They intend to turn all the Jewels to Black,” Yagor said.
Stilenta grasped Gila’s and Disa’s hands. From their expressions she knew they shared her fears. Her Jewel was a darker shade of blue than it had been since she’d cleansed the wells on the desert. “This is a fear we all share.”
Disa nodded. “We must act. We can’t allow an army to invade Pala and force Liara to use the White against the rest of us.”
“We’ll do what we must.” Gila rose. “I think the three of us with our Chosens’ help must be the ones to stop these men.”
“When?” Disa asked.
“At dawn.” Stilenta motioned to the trainers. “You will take charge of these men. At dawn the three Holders and their Chosen will act. Be prepared to follow.”
“What will you do?” Emer asked.
“Raise a storm,” Gila said.
“When should we mount out attack?” Yagor asked.
“If matters go as we plan, there will be no need for a battle,” Disa said.
Stilenta clasped Nalor’s hand. “When the storm ends, your men must surround the survivors and make them prisoners. Once this is done, we’ll ride to Pala.”
“Good luck,” Falar said.
As they walked through the grove, Stilenta fought to abolish her fear. Would raising a storm push the Jewels she and the other two held past redemption?
* * *
Disa felt a touch on her shoulder and opened her eyes to see Brader. She gathered her clothing and left the tent. A glance at the sky showed the darkness had lightened and soon the sun would rise. Before long, she and her companions were going to thwart the wizards’ attack on Pala.
After a quick wash at the stream, she dressed and went to the fire. Nalor, Timir and Brader ate ryn porridge. She looked at the kettle and shook her head. Brader handed her a mug. The aroma of chokla brought a smile. She sipped and sighed.
Brader chuckled. “I thought you’d like a treat. Porridge?”
She shook her head. “My stomach’s jumping, but this will calm the edginess.” She noticed her fellow Holders held mugs and sipped slowly. Did their unease match hers?
As the edge of the sun appeared, Brader rose and held out his hand. She got to her feet. As they started up the hill, she tightened her grip on his hand. Would this plan to stop the wizards and the army they had gathered work?
Gila and Timir walked on her left with Stilenta and Nalor on the right. The closer they drew to the summit, the more Disa’s muscles tightened.
Brader drew closer. “Put thy fears away. Thee will do what needs to be done. I’ll support thee with all my strength.”
Disa sucked in a deep breath. “I know thee will.” She wished she could believe no harm would result from the storm they planned to raise. She closed her mind to her fears and counted the steps. At twenty, she reached the crest. She turned to Stilenta. “How will we call this storm?”
Stilenta freed her gem. “First, Gila will use the winds to draw the clouds. You will pull heat from the sun to form lightning and I’ll wring the water from the clouds.”
Gila cupped her gem and held it at eye level. “I call the winds to bring the storm.”
Disa swallowed. She could match Gila’s courage. As the sun rose over the horizon, she held her gem high and drew power into the Yellow. She moved closer to the edge of the summit and scanned the plain. The gathered Guards had formed ranks with the horsemen in front and the marchers in rows behind. A group of men in black robes faced the troops. They raised their arms and seemed to be shouting.
Brader placed his hands on her shoulders. “All I have is thine. We dare not let them march.”
She lowered her arm. The Jewel felt heavy. She held it at eye level. The sky darkened as gray clouds rolled to hover above the plain. The winds howled. “Now,” she cried.
Lightning crackled and sliced across the sky. Great bolts struck the ground and knocked the wizards flat. Sheets of water driven by the wind swept over the army. The wind held the voices Disa had heard in the Screaming Hills. Horses squealed, reared and bolted sending their riders flying. The marchers surged forward and fell on the wizards.
“Done.” Disa cradled the gem and released the last of the garnered power. The lightning vanished. As the clouds parted and the winds died, the sun brightened. Disa reached for Stilenta’s and Gila’s hands. They sank to the ground.
Brader stooped behind her. “We’re going to tell the trainers to send the men to make the Guards prisoners.”
“We’ll join you soon.” She released her friends’ hands and stared at the Jewel. The color had darkened.
“Mine, too,” Stilenta said.
“And mine as well.” Gila pushed to her feet. “I don’t see why when we acted for the good of the land.”
“There were deaths,” Disa said. “Come we must see what we can do to help the fallen.”
Stilenta walked between them. “We did what we had to do.”
Disa nodded. “We must ride to Pala. We must learn what can be done to end the tyranny of the Jewels.”
* * *
Liara joined Valmir, the three Holders and their Chosen in the small dining room to break her fast. She piled her plate with ryn cakes, preserves and rashers of shoat. Three days had passed since the healing in the prison and the confrontation with the Guildmaster of the Peddlers. This morning, she felt physically strong but emotionally edgy. As she ate, she listened to the chatter around her. Their questions echoed the ones she had. Where were the other Holders? The time grew short before they would pass the day the Jewels could be destroyed. Would another year see the gems corrupted?
She cradled the mug of kaf and thought about the visits to be made and the new Guilds to be formed. Until the Jewels had lost their power, she couldn’t take steps to change the way Earda was run.
A rapping sounded at the door. A Guard entered. “There are reports of a large mob of men outside town. We’ve ordered the gates closed. Wizards have been spotted with this army.”
Liara’s mug thudded on the table. Valmir dashed from the room. She ran after him and raced up the stairs of the tower. The Holders and their Chosen crowded onto the uppermost level behind them. Her sides ached and her head pounded.
The sky beyond the walls of the town darkened and blotted out the sun. Liara looked up and was surprised to see the sun shone over Pala. What was happening?
Thunder rumbled. Lightning cracked. Rain poured from the clouds. In the distance, the howl of the wind brought to mind the screams of the hills where she’d found the White Jewel.
“This is no normal storm,” Reena said.
“Do you suppose this is of the wizards’ making?” Corin asked.
Jindera shook her head. “Wind, rain, lightning. The storm rises from the Jewels.”
With a final clap of thunder, the storm ended. The clouds scattered. The sun brightened and the wind died.
Come, Liara sent on the inner path. Hurry. Time grows short.
Would the other Holders hear? Then she realized the voices of the three with her had risen on the inner path to unite with hers. Would their friends arrive in time. Though the sun hadn’t reached mid-morning, they had until midday to form their plans. She led the way from the tower.
A short time later, A Guard ran down the hall. “There are riders racing toward the gates. What are your orders?”
Valmir signaled another of the men. “Have horses saddled for us.”
By the time Liara and her party reached the gates, they could see the approaching riders. She waved and shouted. Six riders galloped ahead of three others. “Follow us to the palace.
As they rode through the market square, the people gathered and cheere
d. In the courtyard of the palace, they dismounted and a babble of sound erupted. Three older men were greeted by the Guards.
Liara drew Gila, Disa and Stilenta aside. “Was the storm yours?”
Gila nodded. “We did what was needed.”
“Why?” Valmir asked.
“There were ten or so wizards driving an army of Guards here.” Timir motioned to the older men. “Emer, Falar and Yagor, this is Liara, the Holder of the White. These men were my teachers and have no liking for the wizards. They found others of like mind among the army and drew them together. These men watch the others.”
Liara frowned. “You say the army was made up of Guards. Why would they rebel?”
“They believed the lies the wizards told,” one of the older men said. “A few were treated badly by the Queen in the past.”
Gila joined the group. “These men taught me to defend myself. They came to swear allegiance.”
Liara accepted the pledges of the three men. “I give you charge of the men who tried to rebel. Tomorrow bring them in small groups to give their vows. Healers will be sent to tend any who have injuries.”
“What of the ones who refuse to give oath?”
“Take them to the prison where they will have a chance to think about their decision.” She turned to Valmir. “Have the eight who rode with us from the stronghold help these three and arrange for places in the barracks.”
Valmir nodded. “The barracks will be full.”
The Guard Liara had spoken to laughed. “There is room for a short stay and we can still use tents. Did these men desert their posts?”
Timir nodded. “Many did.”
“Then the patrols should be broken up, but while they’re here, they can learn about the new guilds we are forming.”
Once the Guards were gone, Liara led her friends inside. She sent the steward for a second breakfast and showed her friends to chambers and the baths.
As they ate, they took turns relating their adventures and how they had found their threads. Liara listened with interest as Reena spoke about the cavern where she and Andalor had seen the crystal studded columns and of the destruction of the cavern.
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