“Valuable?” I questioned.
“Without limit,” came the reply.
I could feel the grin exploding onto my face as I pictured wealth without limit in my mind's eye.
“I see…its all starting to make sense now,” I mused “You want my staff so you can use it to summon up this…Bane Demon with.”
Jaramel offered up the staff as I moved to take it from his hands.
“I was checking its compatibility with the Soul Crystal when you arrived. I would not have taken it from you without your consent,” he added sincerely.
I looked at the intricate wooden staff in my hands with a new light. “Immeasurable wealth, without limit”…I liked the sound of that!
“And is it compatible?” I questioned.
“It is,” nodded Jaramel, “if master Luka had this, and the Soul Crystal, I am sure he could hold sway over the Demon for an almost indefinite amount of time.”
“Indefinite,” repeated Baram as he joined the conversation now with both eyes wide-open.
“Well, your master Luka seemed pretty sure he could handle this Demon without the aid of my staff,” I returned, “and besides he doesn’t even know that I possess this staff of Baros.”
“That is because you probably did not bring it within his presence, it seems to be able to shield its worth unless you actually hold it,” suggested Jaramel “and yes, master Luka is indeed very powerful, probably the most powerful wizard alive in all of Kantaria. But even with the rod of control that he possesses, I fear for his safety.”
“His safety,” asked Baram confused, “but if he is as powerful as you say he is…”
Jaramel nodded as he lowered his head. “As with Nicadimus once before. If the Bane Demon should be released from its bonds to this world, it will ravage the land until it has had its fill before returning to the Dark Plain, the very last thing it will do will be to take the life of the one who summoned it in the most horrific way.”
Jaramel turned to me once more. “But if we had your staff, we could…”
I held up my hand to silence his words.
“But why did you not tell me all this before?” I asked, stunned.
Jaramel shrugged, “I was afraid that if you found out how much the staff was really worth then you would have never given it up. I thought maybe that if you did not know its real value, then there still might be a chance…I mean…”
“I know what you mean,” I angered, “You think me careless enough only to consider the value of my coin…. Well, you’d be right!” I turned my back to them and walked a few steps away to gather my thoughts. “Coin, young master Jaramel, is happiness to me. It buys me food for my belly and provides me with a warm bed on a cold winter’s night. It makes women love me, and men envy me. It keeps my sword arm sharp, and my armour well tendered, these are the things Master Jaramel, that are important to me!” I looked down at the Glowball staff I held in my hands. This short, almost ordinary looking staff was every item that I had ever wanted to find. I had my journey’s end, right here in the palm of my hands. The immeasurable amount of wealth that I had always dreamed of, and they wanted me just to hand it over! I had given some thought that if I ever made it through this mission, I would take passage on one of the many sea-going ships that sail out of the southern port of Nashmere. But with this! I could just as well buy a ship…my own fleet of ships!
It was Jaramel’s voice that brought me back from my fantasies.
“I have gold,” he said weakly, “if I am not mistaken it’s a little over a hundred pieces. I know it’s not a lot compared to the value of the staff, but it is yours when we return to Ranak-Lore…that is, if you would only part with it.”
I said nothing. With my back to them, I ran my fingers lovingly over the textured wood of Baros’ rod of control. There was a part of me that knew what the right thing to do was, but there was also so much more of me that wanted to keep the staff for myself. The images of Taragon the sea Captain disappeared from my mind’s eye as I turned and threw my treasure to Jaramel with a heavy sigh and even heavier heart. The young mage hastily caught my unexpected throw before looking up. His face clearly visible in the light of day was full of bewilderment.
“Keep the staff, and your gold,” I insisted, “it matters not.”
Walking past him I knelt near to the fire in order to prepare the forest boar I had killed, but as I knelt, I caught a glimpse of Baram grinning stupidly at me from the corner of my eye.
“And you can stop that Baram Oakengood!” I demanded.
Baram nodded fondly but continued to grin as he stretched out upon the grass and relaxed. Luckily for me, no one saw the small smile spread across my lips as I set about preparing our meal.
The pig was succulent and delicious, and between the three of us we had eaten it almost to its bones, Baram had hardly finished eating his last mouthful before he had risen to his feet and had collected our horses ready for the off. With tired limbs and aching muscles, I once again straddled Storm, once ready we all headed across open country bearing south. The evening sun was upon us now emitting long fingers of red light that stretched out far across the grassy fields before us, and, as with the last two days, it would not be long before Jaramel once again took the lead to guide our way in the oncoming darkness. Between us, we had decided it best to stay clear of the roads whenever we could, preferring instead to travel overland wherever the terrain permitted. After all that we had been through to recover the Crystal, it would be such a shame to suddenly lose it.
As we had travelled over northern Kantaria, it was easy to see why they regarded us with envious eyes. Unlike the fertile farming fields to be found that took up whole regions of southern Kantaria, here, it seemed, they only had small clusters of suitable land on which to grow their crops. Mind you they did have a lot to contend with. What with the unfertile soil and the heavy mountainous region far to the north, the Deadlands, and the fiery demon’s domain to the northeast. It was hardly surprising to see most of the greenery of this land restricted to the central region. Indeed, according to Jantar’s map, most of the villages and towns were centrally placed. Many of the markings upon the parchment were drawn inland close to one of the river tributaries that divided the land into three. But for now I was content enough to stay to the more eastern edge we now traversed, I had no yearnings of sightseeing trips, at least not on this outing. As the night began to take hold around us, Jaramel moved forwards to take the lead, whilst I cheered myself by thinking about the soothing waters that the Floating Swan would have to offer upon my return.
We had been following Jaramel for close on two hours now, the last hour of which was travelled by a small road that led through an extensive dark forest. We rode in single file, with nothing to aid my sight except for what little light the crescent moon offered. Baram was ahead of me, and it was all I could do just to keep track of his shadowy bulk as he rode at pace through the twisting turning leaf covered road, just as he, in turn, tried not to lose sight of our all-seeing, guiding mage. I had just ridden around one particularly sharp unexpected bend and was in mind to speed forwards and explain to Jaramel that we all did not share his familiarity with the darkness when I felt a sudden impulse to look behind me. The last time I had such an urge was when I had ridden through the Guardian Grove with Captain Salford. I turned and looked behind, and hoped in doing so that I would not witness again what I had the misfortune to behold once before.
Thankfully, this time there was no hideous thing in silent pursuit, I did not believe there would be, it did not have the same feeling of fear associated with it as before. But I did discover something equally as worrying.
Illuminated in the featureless black, about a half a mile behind us was a bright light and it was moving! It took me seconds to recognise the glow of torches on the road behind us. Urging Storm forwards, I rode at speed until I was able to inform Baram of the situation.
“What should we do?” asked the weaponsmith as he turned to look behind.
/> “We must get off the road,” I insisted, “I’ll inform Jaramel.”
A little further ahead and I found our apprentice friend oblivious to anything other than that which was happening in front of him.
“Jaramel!” I called, “someone approaches from along the road.” The apprentice instinctively turned his head to look behind. “Find us a place to leave it,” I urged.
Jaramel leant forward in his saddle and scanned the darkness ahead.
“Slow now,” he called suddenly, “a bend approaches which slopes gently to the trees.” Raising my hand I made a gesture to Baram to show that we were slowing, and he must have seen it as he came gently beside us as we arrived at the turn.
“Dismount!” I ordered.
As my feet touched the ground, I looked back along the road just in time to see the torchlight emerge from around a far off bend.
“Quickly, into the trees,” I urged.
Jaramel led the way. I followed next, whilst Baram…I turned around. The big man was still standing by the roadside, desperately trying to convince Anvil to enter the forest.
“Baram!” I called, “this is no time to be fooling around!”
“Tell that to this blasted horse!” came his infuriated reply, as he tried once again to urge the beast to move.
“Infernal animal!” I muttered as I passed my own reins to Jaramel and advanced towards Baram with sword drawn.
“Surely you’re not going to…” said the weaponsmith worriedly at my approach.
Raising my palm, I walked to Anvil’s flanks and struck the horse hard on its rear using the flat of my sword. Its reaction was immediate, and with a displeasing whine, it jerked forwards into the trees.
“Keep near to Udos,” I called after, hoping the calming nature of Jaramel’s steed might somehow influence Baram’s. Another glancing look back along the road and I could now make out the figures of men sitting astride their horses as they galloped towards us. But how many there were? It was as yet impossible to say.
With one last look, I too disappeared into the trees, only to find my companions waiting for me a mere twelve paces beyond the tree line! After several harsh words, I convinced them to move at least another twenty paces, as the light from the approaching torches would cast their influence this far alone!
After reaching a satisfactory spot, we turned to hear the sound of many approaching horses, just as the light I had seen snaked its way along the edge of the trees.
“Malikans!” gasped Baram as a column of tall, dark skinned warriors rode into view. I quickly estimated there to be at least sixty in number. Each of the island tribesmen carried a shield upon their arm, and from this distance appeared lightly armoured. Malikans had always had a feared reputation of being swift in battle, avoiding direct confrontation wherever possible, their preferred way of attack was a series of smaller, quicker skirmishes that were designed to wear down the spirit as well as the body of their enemies, and of course what they did to their prisoners was legendary.
“Reinforcements?” I guessed aloud whilst staring at the dark skinned warriors on the road ahead.
The double column of men were all following four others at the head of the troop, and these were lighting the way with the huge flaming torches that they held. It was then when I noticed one other…
I did not see him properly at first, and only managed to catch glimpses of a red cloak flashing between the torchbearers, but there was some sort of leader riding at the head of the men.
The column had almost passed us when it started to slow…then it stopped!
What was happening? Had we been spotted? We were certainly clear of the torches glare! I looked perplexed across to my comrades on to discover Jaramel kneeling upon the earth, with his hands wrapped into a strange formation that I had seen only once before.
“It’s him!” strained the mage through gritted teeth.
“Who?” asked Baram in response.
Two specks of red light turned their attention towards us in the darkness.
“The wizard…” replied Jaramel with great anxiety, “the one from the mountain passageway…”
Damn! I turned back to the road to see that the four torch carrying horsemen had now lined themselves up along the forest’s edge, they sat motionless upon their mounts, no doubt waiting for further instructions from the red robed wizard that lingered amongst them.
“Can he sense you?” I asked alarmed.
“Cannot… keep this up….” replied Jaramel with a great force of will, “Soul Crystal too powerful…unable to mask…both our presence…” with an exhale of breath, and his hands outstretched before him, Jaramel fell forwards to the earth.
“Ahh, there you are…” said a cold sounding voice from the tree line. “You may as well come out of there wizard,” continued the voice, “or do I have to send my men in after you?”
“Baram!” I urged, “help him to his feet, we must head deeper into this forest.”
As Baram helped Jaramel to rise, the cold sounding voice rang out again.
“Why does the lap dog of Luka still hide from me?” I turned back to the road to see that the procession of warriors remained unmoving, all waited patiently, except for a lone red cloaked figure sitting astride a white stallion that moved slowly along the line of his men, head turned to the trees. Even if this new wizard could sense us, he appeared to be lacking Jaramel’s eyes.
“Yes I know who you are,” stated the man, “and I say to you, if you will not face me, then you will flee from me! Go ahead...try as you might to find your way to your precious south, it matters not to me anymore, for the Great Divide has fallen, and we march for the head of your bastard master!”
“FALLEN!” gasped Baram.
Baram immediately turned towards me.
“Taragon…Kendra…I…” Baram stuttered in frustration.
“You will not help her here on this night old friend,” I said in comfort “you’ve seen the walls of Ranak-Lore, she’s in the safest possible place.”
I looked to Jaramel who was staring directly at the road.
“Jaramel,” I called. The apprentice wizard remained unmoving. I could only imagine the hate he must have been directing.
“There is nothing we can do this night,” I walked over to place a comforting hand upon the frail wizard’s shoulder, “save your anger for another day. I’m sure your paths are destined to cross again.” I glanced at the defiant, red-robed figure sitting boldly by the roadside, “and when they do,” I added. “I just may just help you dispose of him.” Jaramel looked up to see my grin, before slowly agreeing with a nod of the head.
“Look they’re leaving…” stated Baram.
Sure enough, the line of soldiers was once again moving off along the road, the torch bearers back in their positions, as was their leader.
“Should we wait a while to rejoin the road?” asked Baram.
I shook my head. “No, they will set up an ambush a little further down the road.”
“How do you know this?” asked Jaramel.
I shrugged my shoulders, “It’s what I would do, but I suggest we head deeper into this forest and then head south under its protection. Let’s just hope we are not exchanging one evil for another.”
With that, we turned our backs to the road and headed deeper into the night.
After an hour of stumbling around in the darkness, and being forced to listen to Baram’s third curse in as many minutes, I decided that enough was enough and reached for my Glowball staff. It was mere seconds later when I realised that the reason I could not find it, was because it was no longer mine, and instead now resided in the care of Jaramel.
“Jaramel,” I called from my place at the rear of our group, “I think we are far enough away from the road now to warrant a little light from the Glowball staff wouldn’t you say?” Baram stopped abruptly in front of me, almost causing me to walk straight into the back of him as Jaramel halted our progress.
“Of course,” came the apprenti
ce’s familiar voice from the darkness moments before the three of us were bathed in the ghostly glow of my once most prized and immeasurably valuable possession.
“Ahh that ‘s better,” sighed Baram, “at least now I can see my feet!”
“Then let us get our bearings for a few minutes,” I suggested, as I reached for Jantar’s map.
“Good idea,” said Baram as he lowered himself to rest against a fallen tree.
A few quiet moments passed while I studied the map. I had not realised it before, but I had never paid much attention to the level of detail that was recorded along its eastern side. I suppose the main reason for this was that I had never intended using this route for our return, but it did not take me long to find our position south-east of the central area, and to the tree, symbols signifying the forest where we currently stood. What I did discover though was that these tree symbols continued to a place not far from Hillstone Pass itself. If these markings were accurate and considering Jantar they had no reason not to be, then this would mean we could use the cover of this forest all the way to Hillstone pass! At last, a little luck in our favour. I rolled the map back up with slightly more enthusiasm than when I had unrolled it, just as Baram reminded me that there was one other who knew exactly where we were.
“Who do you think that was back on the road anyway?” asked Baram to Jaramel with a bemusing look. Jaramel, however, seemed preoccupied elsewhere as he ignored the comment and continued to stroke Udos’s neck. That was until Baram pressed again. “He certainly appeared to know you Jaramel.”
Jaramel stopped his caressing and nodded a hooded head.
“He knows me from my magic signature that he must have sensed before.”
“Magical signature?” I asked. Jaramel nodded.
“To one belonging to the arts, it is as easily recognisable as a friend’s face,” said Jaramel, “each wizard and magic user has a unique aura that relates specifically to them. Once you have felt it, you do not forget it the next time you meet.”
“Oh, you mean like that magical radiance that you talked about before,” enquired Baram.
Taragon Stein: The Search For The Soul Crystal Page 38