The Panids' Children_The Panids of Koa

by Lee M Eason

  “Unfortunately no. Spies sent to Ildra have come across information relating to Halleck of Nebessa.”

  “Halleck!” Gwen was surprised to hear the name. “We weren’t even sure he was still alive.”

  “We have no solid evidence,” he warned, “but it appears that Halleck is either being held by Segat, or willingly helping him.”

  “I’d doubt both normally but nothing surprises me anymore, the world has been turned upside down. Could they give you any idea what he’s doing, why he’s there, or even where exactly he is?”

  “Very little. The information was gleaned unintentionally and even then it is unsubstantiated.”

  Gwen sat forward. “If there’s one person left alive on the continent who could create an Elemental, like the one that attacked Amar, it would be him. Out of the original Panids he was by far the strongest Summoner.”

  Gattick nodded. “If he is there, willingly or not, he must be removed from Segat’s hands. Our spies are currently engaged in locating his exact whereabouts.”

  “What did you have in mind?” Gwen sat back in her chair again, her mind racing with the implications of this news and what it would mean for Kellim to hear it.

  “We are hard pressed and our numbers are critically diminished. Beyond Mia Sara I have struggled to find anyone with the ability and necessary talents to attempt a… let’s call it a rescue. Both you and your brother are needed here in Amaria so I wondered if Kara would accompany her. A Changer is ideally suited to the task. I am aware, of course, that the two don’t exactly get on.”

  Gwen snorted. “Like fire and oil. However, Kara doesn’t like sitting around and I know she’s getting restless,” she shrugged. “But whether she’d work alongside Mia Sara…”

  “Exactly. You will have observed by now, I’m sure, that Mia Sara and I don’t always see eye to eye,” the Chancellor continued rather dryly. “She will not agree to this because I have asked but she will accept that the success of such a mission is vital to our Order and because of that will consent to go. I trust you will be able to come up with a way of persuading Kara or even tricking her into this.”

  “I’ll jump straight to tricking!”

  ***

  News of Halleck’s location eventually arrived and in the end Kara and Mia Sara had both reluctantly agreed to travel together to Ildra. Carrick and Gwen had said an emotional goodbye to Kara before she left on board a newly built sky ship. A sleek design built for speed that would get them across The Ugarmas Dip in a fraction of the time. The Pass was too closely watched by Ildran forces, which left The Dip as the only crossing into Ildran occupied Urukish. From there Kara and Mia Sara would make their way north into Ildra itself.

  Sometime after their departure news of the thaw in the highlands of Amaria signalled the start of Gwen and Carrick’s own journey, north beyond Calk, to meet with Kellim and The Panids’ Children. Their ship was also new but much bigger, far larger in fact than any other sky ship built since The Field’s Cap. Amarian ingenuity had developed a more efficient field engine that allowed something more sizeable to sail the skies. Despite Carrick and Gwen’s initial misgivings the ship had proved to be safe and stable during the journey.

  A mixture of fascination and alarm had swept through the crew when they caught their first glimpse of The Children but several threats from the Captain had them refocused on their work. The ship was navigated as far west and east as was possible into mountain ranges on the very edge of Amarian territory. The ship was landed, a rare event in itself, in a small valley. The North and West Amarian Mountain ranges towered above them providing spectacular surroundings for this most unusual of meetings.

  The day was bright and clear. A sharp blue sky contrasted with the white snow on the mountains. Carrick and Gwen eagerly stepped down the gang plank as crew worked to secure the ship and prepare it for its new passengers. Both waved as they got a clear view of Kellim. Despite the remarkable sight of the beings he stood with, both noted the staff that leaned in the crook of his arm. They recognised The Beholder from her description but had no idea who the others were. One was tall, slim and resembled a man. He wore a long cloak with the hood up against the cold. Two others were exact copies of The Three, having the same height, heavy build and features. Their presence was disconcerting. The fifth member of the group was identical to the creature Kara had transformed herself into. It sat gnawing intently at a huge paw and then lowered it, watching as Carrick and Gwen approached. Clearly The Panids had followed a set of common rules for their creations.

  “It’s good to see you,” Kellim greeted coming forward to hug Gwen and Carrick in turn. “You both look well.”

  “You look tired,” Carrick noted with concern.

  “The transportation distances we’ve covered were most taxing. You on the other hand have clearly journeyed here in style. It’s been a long time since the skies have seen a ship of that size,” he gestured behind them before turning. “But I’m forgetting my manners. Allow me to introduce Maga.”

  Gwen and Carrick both shook her hand.

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” her gravelly voice hinted at the unease she felt in full view of so many people. They both made a point of not staring even though their fascination must have shown in some way.

  “Of course,” Maga noted mildly. “You have not met any of our kind before.”

  “I’m sorry my brother and I don’t mean to stare,” Gwen explained somewhat embarrassed.

  “An apology was not needed. This is new for all of us. This is The Journeyman,” Maga introduced the tall, cloaked figure.

  “I am glad to meet you,” he lowered his hood and they could see a face that was not unlike their own, however his eyes caught the attention of both. Their intensity and colour was startling. “I identify myself as The Journeyman but am also happy to be called Lors.” They shook hands.

  “These are The Twins,” she continued, gesturing towards the eight-foot figures who stepped forward. Gwen and Carrick’s hands disappeared in theirs as they shook them.

  “It is an honour to help the friends of Kellim,” the first Twin said. The voice was deep but articulate, not matching the heavyset frame of its owner. “My sister and I are eager to work with you.” The other Twin only nodded in agreement. Despite being identified as a sister Gwen and Carrick could discern no characteristics that would support a gender difference. Carrick wondered if The Children chose a gender to identify with.

  Maga gestured to the last of The Children who spoke before she did.

  “I am The Hunter,” the words were a mixture of controlled growl and half yawn. It didn’t offer a paw.

  “We, Amaria thank you for your help,” Carrick said. “I don’t wish to rush you but the captain is in a hurry to be in the air again. The ship is very vulnerable on the ground. I think he’d be happy if you would board as soon as possible.

  “Is now soon enough for him?” Lors asked.

  “Now is good,” Carrick replied signalling to the captain. A second much larger cargo plank was pushed out from the deck and The Children headed for it, taking their leave of Maga and Kellim.

  “We’ll board and travel with you for a short way if the captain is eager to be off,” Kellim offered. “It would be good to spend a little time together before we have to part again.”

  Once everyone was on board the captain wasted no time getting the ship airborne. The Children were made comfortable in cabins or specially prepared areas in the cargo hold and each seemed content with the arrangements. The Twins came up on deck offering their help. At first the crew weren’t quite sure how to respond or even decide what to do with them. But once The Twins effortlessly completed a job, that normally took six, barriers quickly broke down and they were soon working together. The Hunter slept, preferring the peace of its quarters and Lors introduced himself to the captain interested in the ship and its operation. Despite his initial reservations the captain was soon engrossed in conversation.

  Carrick, Gwen, Kel
lim and Maga, at the invitation of the captain, were sat in his quarters at a large wooden table where he held his meetings, plotted their course and ate with his chief officers. Carrick was sat on the edge of the table eager to hear Kellim’s news and have his questions answered.

  “The crew are coping surprisingly well with their new passengers,” Maga noted.

  “They were handpicked for this journey. But you’ll probably find that most of the south are open minded enough to judge people after they get to know them and not before,” Carrick replied.

  “Even when they clearly aren’t people?” Maga questioned.

  “A hundred years is a long time. I think we’ve come a long way in leaving the mistakes of the past behind.”

  “That is good. Perhaps things have changed for the better.”

  Carrick smiled, Maga was clearly wary of people and had formed her opinions on past experiences. Kellim had, on occasion, hinted of his shame at their treatment. It was clearly an unresolved issue for both sides. Her life would be an interesting story to hear, Carrick thought but now was clearly not the time to ask about it.

  “I’ve missed you both,” Kellim said.

  “Same here,” Gwen smiled.

  “Bryn and Jac pass on their greetings.”

  “How’s Jac?” Carrick asked.

  “Much improved. There’s even a return of, what I assume you could call, his sense of humour.”

  “Good,” Gwen laughed. “I’ve missed that. Are they on their way to Naddier yet?”

  “Yes. Lors and I transported them as far as we could and they should have been able to make good progress since then. Spring has returned early to Lont. Thankfully at a time when we most needed it to.”

  “Have you been able to speak with Jenna, Aaron and Lewen?” Gwen continued.

  “Only just. The link to Durnin was difficult to make and it took the help of several Adepts for him to maintain it for the shortest of times. Suffice it to say they are well.”

  “We’ve missed them,” Gwen said looking up at her brother an edge of regret in her voice.

  “There’ll be plenty of time,” Carrick soothed, resting his hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “What news could you get from Durnin?”

  “Naddier is slowly rebuilding. The damage was considerable and sadly several lives were lost. However, the Order is resolute and heavily involved in Hallorn’s defence. The king brought the country quickly and decisively to a war footing. Beyond this there is little good news. Sancir did not completely fall. Hallorn has been able to push back Segat’s forces and liberate a narrow band of the country’s western provinces.”

  “But not the capital?” Carrick asked.

  Kellim shook his head. “We fear the king and queen are both dead and there’s no word of Fenton. Segat’s forces are massive and heavily aided by The Ildran Order. For the time being Cian holds but only because of Perin’s support. Hallorn’s resources are being taxed.”

  They spent time relating the events of the past months and as they talked Maga seemed to become more comfortable in their company and contributed more to the conversation. An hour had passed and their conversation was coming to a close. The captain had allowed the ship to drift along at a slower pace so that Kellim and Maga would not be carried too far south.

  “Any news of Naicarn?” Carrick asked finally.

  Maga frowned, slightly irritated at not being able to give a clear answer. “He parted company with The Children and travelled unaccompanied to Coth. I say unaccompanied but cannot shake the feeling that this is somehow inaccurate.” She held up her hands in exasperation. “The thought is beginning to preoccupy me and nags for an answer.”

  “Could someone hide themselves completely from you?” Gwen asked.

  “It is unlikely but not impossible,” Maga mused. “But experience has taught me not to ignore such feelings.”

  Kellim looked out of the row of windows to his right. “The sun is beginning to set. It’s time we went,” he added with some reluctance.

  A member of the crew was sent to ask Lors to join them.

  Minutes later Carrick and Kellim arrived on deck. Carrick took the more private moment to pass on word of Halleck, fearing The Panid would be shocked or even upset by the news. His response was moderate but Carrick could see the renewed hope in his eyes.

  “Forgive my caution,” Kellim apologised. “Maga became aware of this possibility but isn’t able to sense him. There are some possible explanations for this but more questions. I can’t let such news take hold and distract me from what’s ahead of us.” He sat down on a crate with a heavy sigh. “Meg, Ollce and I searched for months after The Great War and in the years that followed chased many rumours.” he looked up at Carrick. “The Great War didn’t have the singular ending that Attrius’s epic re-telling suggests. Many of the stories, to use his phrasing, reached their conclusions some years after The Great War. Others, it seems are still unfolding and have yet to be resolved.”

  “It must be difficult. An uncertain past is a difficult place from which to assess the present and speculate about the future,” Carrick sympathised.

  “Indeed,” Kellim agreed. “It makes decisions difficult and there is a temptation to over think things.”

  “So, where will you head next?”

  “I am certain that by now Naicarn has, or is very close to discovering the location of The Field’s Cap. I want to confirm this and then head back to the Rons Sea in case Bryn and Jac should need to contact me.”

  “You don’t need me to say take care but I will, if only for my own peace of mind.”

  Kellim smiled, “I will my friend.”

  At this point the others began assembling on deck and hasty goodbyes were said.

  Gwen kissed Kellim on the cheek. “If you do get the chance to speak with the others, tell them we are thinking about them.”

  “I will,” he promised and not wanting to draw out the painful process of saying goodbye he turned to Lors. “If you’d be so kind.”

  The Journeyman closed his eyes, bending his will to the task. Gwen and Carrick felt the clamber of locations crowd in and were surprised how easily he selected a single point from the innumerable possibilities. “I have it,” Lors said with some satisfaction. Now they felt the change in his mind, as he collapsed the space between. But this was no small jump and both quickly realised the distance involved. His will gathered the field energy to a powerful peek. “Sending,” he announced and Kellim and Maga were gone.

  ***

  Kellim, along with the support of Lors, had jumped Bryn and Jac several times to a point clear of the most southerly mountains of Kersel. After saying their goodbyes, the men headed west, taking a route that ran parallel to the River Gort’s lonely eastern branch, leaving the southern arm to continue its journey to join with the River Oren far to the south. Their route criss-crossed the Sancir and Kersel border but kept them under cover of the Kersel forest. The immense canopy of roof trees and greencombs stretched from the east and the border with Neath, spanned Kersel and then dipped south and east to follow the great curve of the Rons Sea, crossing the border into Hallorn only to finish at the Gillern Archipelago and The Bay of Naddier, a total distance of some two thousand miles. The first leg of the journey had been a cautious one as they’d spotted Ildran troops scouting and hunting for food in the uninhabited lands of Kersel’s southern boundary.

  “They’ve gone,” Jac whispered slowly releasing the tension on his bow and replacing the arrow in the quiver he carried across his back.

  “Then why are we whispering?” Bryn asked quietly.

  “I don’t know,” Jac whispered back.

  Bryn stepped forward from the tree he was flattened against and walked over to Jac. “I could do without this. It’s slowing us down.”

  “We’re going to have to get used to it.” Jac slung his bow over his shoulder his eyes still on the trail. “I reckon we’ve another two weeks of it before we can cross completely into Sancir. Unless The Ki
ng manages to push his armies further west and meet us.”

  “Let’s hope he does. Kellim said he’d sent word for them to watch out for us.”

  “As long as they can tell the difference between us and spies. I don’t want an arrow in me before they realise who it is,” Jac said dryly.

  “No guarantees there, you always look shifty. It would be an easy mistake to make,” Bryn’s breath steamed in the early spring air.

  “Shifty! You’re calling me shifty. Can I remind you of a certain visit to Pidone five years ago?”

  “Come on then let’s get going,” Bryn groaned. He was never allowed to forget ‘Pidone five years ago’. Not by Carrick, not by Gwen and not by Jac.

  They headed off following the many foresters’ paths that criss-crossed the area. This one had clearly not been used for some time so roots and pillow bush had encroached on its edges.

  “You know what I’m going to do when we get back?” Jac said thoughtfully as they walked.

  Bryn snorted. “I can probably guess.”

  “A bath,” Jac answered pointedly “A proper bath. Hot water and a shave,” he scratched absently at the beard he’d grown since leaving Lont.

  “Yeh,” Bryn laughed. “I remember those things. A long soak and a good meal would be welcome. Though I might keep the beard. Kinda classy don’t you think?” Jac only looked. “Hmm,” Bryn muttered. He looked around at the trees that seemed to have surrounded them for so long. “I miss wide-open spaces. Actually I miss the sea.” He corrected. “It’ll be good to walk the cliffs and see the coast again.”

  “Do you still keep that hut going, the one on the beach?”

  “Yep, though I’ve not been for well over two years. Don’t know what state it’ll be in now. We should go and check it out sometime. Stay, do some fishing, drink some beer… now that’s something I’ve definitely missed. My own beer.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Jac agreed remembering the last stay. “We were with your sister and Gwen, weren’t we?”

  “Err,” Bryn thought, “think so. Didn’t you and sis find that wreck a couple of miles up from the hut?”