by Lee M Eason
The final leg of their approach hadn't gone unnoticed and so Malik and Jenna came out to meet them well before they reached the farm. Malik was a tall broad man, typically Ildran in appearance with his dark eyes and olive skin, fashionably sporting an Ildran earring and multiple toe rings. He was a farmer who had worked hard, with his wife Zia, to make their holding a success. There was no pretence about him and he was as generous as he was good-humoured. He stood waving under the shade of a tree as Jenna, unable to wait any longer, braved the heat and ran to meet them. Lewen waved back equally excited as the young woman headed towards them. One of Zia’s daughters must have loaned her a dress. She wore the loose fitting garment well on her slim frame and had adopted the Ildran women’s taste for intricate gold leaf skin patterns. As she ran she struggled with the hand printed material for an instant as it threatened to trip her up. She was still waving with her other hand, her face lit up by a smile and those blue eyes that had dazzled him from the moment they’d met.
She hugged them all warmly. “I'm so relieved,” she said enthusiastically, a little out of breath as she stepped back to look at them. “It feels like you’ve been gone for ages. The farm’s been really busy. We’ve had so much to do, you won’t recognise the place,” she gushed. “And I have so many questions to ask.”
“So much happened,” Lewen replied. “I’ll tell you on the way. You’ve cut your hair,” he said suddenly noticing it was much shorter.
Jenna blushed slightly. “Do you think it looks alright? I mean it’s not too short. It kept getting in the way and I got sick of it. And the sun’s made it go really blonde. It’s not too light is it?”
“It’s great,” Lewen said brightly, flattered by her concern that he liked it. Jenna beamed and took his arm and the two were quickly lost in conversation.
Malik looked at the other two, a knowing smile on his face. “A warm welcome my friends.” Malik grasped each firmly by the hand, his accent heavy as he spoke Koan, the common language. “We are all much relieved to see your safe return. Jenna has been especially anxious. Lewen is a lucky boy to have such a pretty girl so clearly interested in him.”
“Try telling him that,” Jac commented.
Putting a large arm around Kellim’s shoulders Malik led them back to his settlement. “Zia is eager to hear your news and has hot drinks and your favourite biscuits ready as we speak. There is clean water and clothes, good beds and the food. Let me tell you about the food she has prepared. You have never seen the like of it and the smells, such aromas. I am amazed you could not smell them as soon as you entered the valley. I am indeed the luckiest of men to have a wife so beautiful, so intelligent and with such skills.” He stopped and turned to look at them all. “And of course my family is complete again.”
The room was full of chatter, a dozen conversations mingled in an air of ease and good humour. Zia’s beautiful hand woven rugs covered the floor they sat on and oil lamps decorated the plain walls with a warm glow. Jenna had eaten her fill of the delicious spicy food and was chewing on what, she had promised herself, would be a final piece of bread. At last she’d been able to enjoy a meal now that Kellim, Jac and Lewen had returned. For a short while she had taken simple pleasure in the company and the evening but as always her thoughts turned back to her brother and she longed for news of him. Though Kellim had done his best to reassure her, she still couldn't help but worry and hope that he was safe again and with Carrick and Gwen. Had they managed to catch up with the slavers? Would they have rescued him? Was he unhurt? She stopped the trail of thought, knowing full well she would imagine the worst and tie her stomach in knots. Instead she deliberately focused her mind on the room and its occupants. Malik and his wife, their mutual respect and the life they had carved together was both touching and enviable. The corner stones of a family, a life she had never known. Though, Kellim, Jac and Lewen had become a kind of family.
She watched as Kellim chatted with those around him and how they listened and hung on his every word. The man was such a mystery, among the last of the Panids he was a link to a distant and very different time. She wondered at the things he had done and seen in his life and at the secrets he kept deep inside. She knew something of the Panids and The Lantriums. The Great War was a source of many stories, its heroes, heroines, the notorious Four, the terrible battles and great victories.
Her imagination wandered, her talent subconsciously lifting images from the minds of the people around. She drifted through memories, emotion, images and then at the very edges something else, a huddle of whispers. She jumped suddenly aware of Kellim looking at her but then he too was distracted, looking sharply at the window above. He got up quickly and at first she thought he was coming over, had he heard the whispers? She knew her habit of dipping into the minds around her was rude but she couldn’t help it. It just sort of happened and it was all so interesting. But he walked straight past and left the room, clearly intent on something else. Her eyes met Jac’s who had also registered his sudden departure. Jac winked reassuringly and looked back to his food. She had a slightly better view of Kellim and watched him head for the back door. What was that all about? She wasn’t overly concerned, always feeling safe in his presence. What would it have been like to have a grandfather like him, wise, quietly confident and watchful of those about him? Nothing like the image he often portrayed as the harmless, slightly distracted old man. She had seen right through that pretty early on. There was a lot to Kellim, a lot she’d love to know. The odd accent always hinted at something different. A tantalizing remnant of a time long passed. Then there was Jac. She reckoned he was four maybe five years older. She knew he was from Cian, tall, brown haired, brown eyed and handsome. He’d do for an older brother. In her village her girlfriends had been immensely jealous and Jenna had made the most of the status his occasional visits, with Carrick and Gwen, had brought. She watched him a little longer. He was in the room and not - all at the same time. She had noticed he was often like that, withdrawn and moody. Something had happened several months ago, that much she had gleaned. Something none of them had come to terms with and in a demonstration of uncharacteristic restraint, she had not pried.
Then there was Lewen. She was glad he’d shaved off the straggly beard he’d grown in the past weeks and approved of his whim to let Zia cut his brown hair very short. The heat here meant most Ildran men wore their hair like that or even shaved it off. She’d liked his easy-going nature from the start, his willingness to try new things. His quiet confidence and honesty made him easy company. She found herself wanting to know more and more about him and spent an increasing amount of time with him. He was always glad to see her and often sought her out when they weren’t busy. He made her feel valued. It was a good feeling. His ready smile and blue eyes put flutters in her stomach. But despite all of this Jenna was confused by her feelings for him and not a little scared. Still feeling vulnerable from the trauma and upheaval of recent events her instincts told her that friendship was by far the safest and most sensible option and that a friend was what she needed right now. Anyway she was assuming a lot! She chided herself. Did he even feel the same way about her, was she just a friend or the sister he'd never had or...? She became exasperated. Stop over thinking things girl.
On the other side of the room Lewen looked up as if somehow sensing she was watching him. His warm smile lifted her spirits. He leaned back, jokingly patting his stomach and puffing out his cheeks, she laughed and then ruefully acknowledged the still warm chunk of bread she held, before stuffing it into her mouth. At that moment everyone in the room looked up as one of Malik's sons announced the arrival of dessert and the gathering made appropriate noises of delight and pleasure as a small procession of dishes entered the room.
Outside in the shadows surrounding the house, tall pointed ears listened to the muffled conversations that drifted out into the chill night and a keen intellect tentatively probed the very edges of the minds inside.
“Why did...”
The man
-sized creature spun round in sudden alarm hackles raised, razor claws extended. Kellim stepped out into Issa’s soft radiance seeming somehow unreal in the cool half-light of Koa’s largest moon. The creature took a step back and glanced warily about it for others.
Kellim held up his hand. “I apologise The Faithful. It wasn’t my intention to startle you.”
“The Faithful was listening, listening very hard and quietly. It is good to hear Kellim of Naddier’s accent a reminder of a different time,” it replied by way of an explanation for its reaction. As it spoke it clicked the tips of its taloned fingers together, a mannerism peculiar to The Faithful when it felt uncomfortable.
“You didn’t announce yourself in the pass,” Kellim continued. “I had been aware of your presence for some time?”
“The Faithful followed from much earlier," it announced proudly and finally straightened, allowing its arms to settle to its sides in a stance Kellim recognised as a sign of respect. He quickly altered his own posture, out of practise with The Faithful's peculiarities. “You were not followed far after the fort. The Faithful assumed to help but this was not needed. You jumped away. The Faithful followed. You jumped again and The Faithful followed. Not easy.” The monster was clearly proud of this. “The Faithful did not seek to announce itself as it was better, more helpful to watch from a distance,” it explained through a smile of needle sharp teeth.
“Then I thank you for your help. I had no idea you were in the Ugasi. Our paths have not crossed in a long time.” Kellim relaxed his will, reducing his link to the field. The creature, like many of its kind, adopted unusual names. Signalling a need to associate, distance or even elevate themselves from their creators in an effort to fashion an identity of their own. An identity completely belonging to them but at the same time, quite sadly Kellim found, only exposing their inner needs and desires. All of his dealings with their kind were edged with unease and a sense of guilt. Their creation, the war and what had followed troubled him deeply, even now, decades later they reminded him too much of the failings of his own kind.
“Accident. The Faithful was wandering in that area not looking for you. There are others with you. Two men I do not know and the girl. She is special. You do not know this.” The Faithful announced this with some satisfaction and was content with Kellim’s reaction.
“The girl was not with us at the fortress and canyon. How did you know about her?”
“The Faithful sensed it. Traces around you and the other two, faintest traces. She attracted attention not you. You were a happy coincidence. You are pleased to see me. This I also know.”
Kellim smiled. “And as always you are right.” The Faithful’s words about Jenna had peaked his interest. “You said she is special. How? In what way?”
“The Faithful does not know this yet,” it said folding its arms to mimic Kellim with a snort. “The Faithful wishes to be of more help but is unable.”
“Indeed,” Kellim reassured. “You’ve opened my mind to ideas I have been too distracted to see. I’m very grateful. Will you not come in and join us? Malik would be honoured. Your kind are held in high esteem in this part of Ildra.”
“That is good. It is good that they remember. Most of my kind are gone. But it would not be right to come in. Not now that there is a task. The Faithful must learn more about the girl and will seek The Beholder.”
Yet another name from the distant past, Kellim thought. Many memories resurfaced bringing images, emotions both chilling and exhilarating. For a while Kellim was lost amongst them.
The Faithful's eyes widened. “Yes,” it gasped. “A long time. Such power. A great sacrifice, a bird that can no longer soar.”
“You read me too well but I still have wings and can glide on the lesser currents.”
“The Faithful does this too. But perhaps The Panid Kellim is able to do more than just glide.” The Faithful watched the old man for a sign that his insight had caught the Panid off guard. Kellim merely smiled.
“Secrets, secrets. Always secrets,” it said awkwardly raising its hands and clicking the very tips of its talons together.
“It’s good to see you,” Kellim spoke. “I have at times missed your counsel and insight.”
At this The Faithful bowed graciously by way of ending the conversation and began to turn, signalling its eagerness to be on its way.
“Will you find me or may I look for you once I’m free to do so?”
“The Faithful will find you,” it said abruptly, having considered the conversation ended. Time was now being wasted with unnecessary questions.
Kellim inclined his head realising his error in etiquette. The Faithful was already walking into the shadows. Kellim stood there for some time watching as the lone figure gradually faded into the night. The Panids’ Children were abroad in the world again. Kellim was both excited and disturbed by this, echoes from the long silent past returning to trouble him. How many of them were still alive after all this time?
The farm, as always, woke early. The air was cool and a light mist hung over the fields as livestock drank at tranquil watering pools. Malik and eight members of his family had been out for hours working the fields. Lewen and Jenna had joined them, glad to be of help. Kellim had promised to look at two of Malik’s animals and had just finished coaxing a ligament to heal faster by reasserting its original formfield. He left the stables wiping his hands, shirtsleeves rolled up and looking quite at home. Jac and Malik’s two oldest sons had been working on repairs to out buildings. They hurried to complete the job before the sun rose and its heat made such tasks impossible. The men hefted the last roof truss into place as the sun began to leave the confines of the horizon. Securing the beam into its bracket and hammering wooden pins they jumped down off the walls and laughing and pushing raced to the farm’s small lake. Brood birds scattered in all directions, clothes were quickly discarded and the fresh water provided a welcome reward for their efforts and a chance to let off steam.
Jac closed his eyes enjoying the cool water as it seeped into aching muscles unaware of the passage of time he let it wash over him. He drifted, the stillness of the morning keeping his thoughts light and untroubled for once. Finally heading for the shore he realised his clothes had been taken. Up at the house the two brothers were laughing and waving them in the air.
“Jac,” Malik greeted diplomatically trying to behave as if nothing were out of place. “I see you have finished the repairs on the barn and made a fine job of it.” He looked up to the house, raising his voice. “You are a good influence on my lay about sons!” His words were not wasted and they shuffled rather shame faced into the house. “Come, it is time for breakfast,” Malik continued wishing the large group behind him would go.
They in turn stood fascinated by Malik’s attempts to carry out this conversation, wondering just how long he could keep it up. Two of the girls cupped hands over their mouths trying not to giggle, Jenna was trying not to look and the others were trying not to burst. Jac, for his part, was trying not to move his hands.
“What?” Malik finally demanded of the sniggering crowd. “Have you never seen a naked man before?”
“Not like him,” blurted one of the girls before every one erupted into laughter. Laughing at his own expense Jac inadvertently lifted his hands to sudden shrieks.
Breakfast was set under the shade of a huge breadvine. The food was hot and delicious. Plates and bowls criss-crossed their way up and down the table as people helped themselves to the food and passed it on to the next. Amidst the clatter of plates and cutlery conversation was about the morning’s work and what needed to be done before the full heat of the day.
After the meal was eaten new tasks were handed out and the workers departed. Kellim sat with Malik and Zia feeling settled and at ease.
“Has the unrest found its way this far north?” Kellim asked.
Malik rested his hands on his stomach. “Even Segat cannot shout this far, my friend and there are few here who would strain to listen even if
he could. Some have left to seek glory and we will miss their hands come the harvest. But that is all.”
“Many in the south are listening,” Kellim warned. “I’d hate to see that change here in the north. You and your descendants have been a much-valued constant in my life. I worry.” Kellim was concerned for the safety of Malik and his family. If it were in any way possible, he would have stayed on the farm till the threat of war faded.
Malik nodded. “We are one country built from many nations and our heritage has never left us, my friend. But the blood of southern Ildrans is mingled with that of the Urukish and they have lost sight of that heritage. True Ildrans do not understand Segat. He speaks with an Urukish heart and mind. The UruIldrans keep themselves to the magnificent cities of the south. Here in the north we will continue to be a feature of this land, remember our heritage and welcome you as part of our family.” He smiled and then looked more mischievous. “Of course I do not say this because your visit has brought strong and much needed hands.”
Kellim chuckled. “We’ve all been glad to help and glad of this place.”
“But now I am thinking you will be moving on.” Malik had noticed the unconscious signs the old man displayed when he was preparing mentally to leave.
“I’m afraid so,” Kellim exhaled heavily and sat up. “As much as it pains me to say, tomorrow will be our last day here. We need to rendezvous with Carrick and Gwen and get Jenna and her brother Aaron to Naddier before the autumn.” He could see Malik’s disappointment as his suspicions were confirmed. “You know I’ve always considered this home and would stay much longer if I could. Jenna and Jac in particular need rest and I can think of nowhere better.”