by Nicole Burr
All at once the noises grew drastically louder as they exited the confines of the forest and entered a great open field. Even though the clearing was immense, the towering Trees gave shade to much of the area and Esra immediately understood why it was called Shadow Glenn. Surrounding the open space were houses carved into the massive Trees, smoke rising from chimneys jutting out from the side of the dwellings. Everything was a variation of brown or green, a hundred different shades. Spiral staircases wound around the outside of the Yanquor Trees, and it took a moment for Esra to realize that they were not structures affixed to the side of the bark, as Human staircases were built, but actually a part of the Tree, carved seamlessly into the wood. Triangular lanterns made of a substance that resembled paper were scattered all over the clearing, casting a soft white glow.
In the center of the glade were round, open structures with fern covered canopies, a natural variation on Human blacksmith shops. The shelters were used for various purposes; some appeared to be stands for traders and merchants, while others were open aired taverns, with tree stump chairs and tables. A group of Unni gathered in one of the taverns gaped unabashed at the intruders, one holding a mug suspended a few inches from his open mouth, frozen in place.
In a large structure to the left, children were sitting quietly, watching a grown Unni give some type of lesson using a large wooden board with stones. Esra noticed that all of the canopies were covered in a soft netting which hung to the ground, perhaps to keep out Insects. And each side of the shelters had a roll of fabric tied to the fern covered roofs, protection that could be let down when Wind or Rain decided to appear.
One of the scouts must have gone earlier to the Glenn to tell news of the visitors, for there was already a crowd of Unni men, women, and children gathering near the Tree line. Some of them looked angry, others curious, and some of the smallest children were dancing with excitement over the strange intrusion upon their normal Unni life.
The Unni children were much smaller than their parents but relatively large compared to Human children. They did not yet have their horns and the soft hair covering their bodies was not yet darkened. The strange yellow eyes and Lion-like face was more endearing rather than intimidating on the small ones. A man caught Esra’s eye and spit at the ground with vehemence. She closed her eyes, wishing she had learned the magick of invisibility during her stealth training with Nadia.
The scout commander cleared a way through the crowd and towards the center of the clearing where a large Fire was burning. Waiting there were hoards of Unni warriors with their weapons ready, glaring at the oncoming trespassers. Esra unconsciously drew near to the Unni that had saved her from falling and he turned his head to give her a puzzled look. I hope they’re not planning on eating us, she thought anxiously, then scolded herself for being so silly.
The crowd swarmed around the area to get a better look as the intruders approached. Behind the Fire was a raised wooden stage with an elaborately carved chair in its center, and sitting upon the chair was the most frightening thing Esra had ever witnessed. Even her nightmares about Zakai couldn’t compare. His chest was as broad as three Humans, his hair thick and dark. Multiple scars covered his body, leaving jagged patches of skin where no hair would grow. A long braided beard hung down from his chin and his horns were longer than most of the other Unni, with notches covering almost every inch. The flail that Esra had dreamed about hung at his side, the huge spiked ball swinging tauntingly in his powerful grip.
As if he wasn’t menacing enough, the eight foot tall figure stood up on the platform. All the other Unni froze in place, and there was a pulling tightness in Esra’s chest. Her throat was so dry it felt swollen and raw. Willing her heavy legs to move closer, they stopped only a few feet away from the Unni-se, causing Esra to crane her neck upwards to take in the Beast in front of her.
A wave of dizziness swept over Esra, who thought very seriously that she was about to faint. Wiping her clammy forehead with the back of her trembling hand, she hoped the helpful Unni would catch her again if she did fall. There had been brief periods during their journey from the Stronghold that Esra had been able to maintain a sense of optimism at her first test. Looking at the monstrosity before her, she now seriously doubted her powers of persuasion. The only hope left in Esra’s mind was that the Unni-se would take pity on her weak soul and let them leave with their lives.
XXVIII
Zakai said nothing as he returned to his seat, looking down at them with a mixture of scorn and disbelief. The hot breath leaving his flared nostrils was the only movement on an otherwise still face. Esra’s friends stood beside her unwaveringly and she turned to them for encouragement. Unable to catch anyone’s gaze, she closed her eyes briefly before turning back to the Unni-se. The rough sound of his voice was so loud and deep that Esra thought she could feel her bones vibrating from within her chest.
“Humans of the Jade Gardens, what is yer business here? Speak quickly, fer I am a busy man.”
At this Baelin took a step forward and bowed low, gesturing to the Assembly beside him. “Fearless Unni-se, we come te ye and yer people in peace. This is Arland, Keeper of Charm, Nadia, Keeper of Stealth, Fynn, Keeper of Earth, and Esra, daughter of the Great Keepers of War and Destiny. And I am Baelin, Keeper of Arms and Esra, and yer long lost nephew.”
Growls swept through the crowd as shouts of anger and suspicion punctured the air.
“Silence!” Zakai snarled, raising his flail slightly. An uncomfortable stillness settled over everyone as they awaited their chief’s next move. He cocked his head towards Baelin and gave a slight nod, allowing him to continue. Baelin turned to Esra, indicating that it was her turn to speak.
She tried to swallow but her throat was too dry. Racking her brain, she tried to remember all of the things she had prepared to convince the master of the forest that he was needed at the Stronghold. But her forehead felt clammy and she shivered violently as a bead of sweat trickled down the center of her spine. Esra could not remember the last time she felt such dread. Not even after being kidnapped by the Elites or waiting to meet her birth parents for the first time. It was as if she were never more aware of her body, every twitch of every muscle felt intensified.
She wished vehemently that her grandparents were with her. Sudden memories of the farm where Esra grew up flooded through her. She saw Lara and Mr. Sturik, their newly adopted daughter, Muriel Menthy and all the people in her town of Sorley. She thought of the people of Kiran Brae who were terrified and mourning and now being forced to work for the very souls that had killed their friends and family. The mothers whose babies had been torn from their pleading arms. If they could endure Tallen’s treachery thus far, then surely she could think of something to say. Esra stepped forward and tried to hold her head up, although she could not stop the slight waver in her voice.
“Great Chief, we come to ask yer help. Tallen and his army of Elites are taking over the great cities of LeVara as we speak. Kiran Brae has been captured and Mahesh and Hals Arün will soon fall under his grasp. The Keepers wish to hold a War Council in little more than a fortnight with all representatives in attendance. We request yer presence so that the races may once again come together in order to defeat the evil that plagues our lands.”
Shouts rose again in the crowd and this time Zakai did not try to silence them. “What makes ye think that the business of Humans is of any concern te my people? The unity that once existed has died long ago and fer good reason.”
Flustered, Esra felt her face redden. Her Assembly had caused no trouble, not shown any aggression or hatred. The least he could do is be civil to them. They were rude and unwelcoming, and she felt a twinge of annoyance. “This may be the business of Humans now, but not fer long. Do ye think that Tallen will stop when every Human is under his rule? He is a wicked man and the threat is much greater than ye think.”
“Don’t talk te me as if I was naive of Tallen’s abilities,” Zakai snarled. “Perhaps he will try te war with us, perh
aps not. I only wish he would be so stupid. Either way I don’t see how we can trust a Human or the Council again after all this time. Ye are foolish te come here and hope fer such things.”
Esra felt her face grow even hotter with aggravation. Instead of being frightened by his words she was very quickly becoming infuriated. She had felt the same way towards his people, the fearful apprehension, but she was working past it. Why couldn’t he? “But that was hundreds of years ago! Are ye really so intolerant? There was a time when all the peoples came together in peace and sharing. When the Unni-se was married to a Human and that was respected. Don’t forget that ye had a brother that was half Human. Besides, when did the Unni turn down the opportunity fer vengeance? Even if he chose not to come here, which isn’t very likely, Tallen and his ancestors have already killed many of yer people.”
Zakai leaned towards her with his yellow eyes narrowed. “Many people here believe it was the Humans who lead my people te slaughter, trying te rescue a woman who bewitched our chief. If ye Humans consider yerself so informed and skillful, why do ye need the help of the Unni?”
“That’s ridiculous, and it’s exactly what Tallen wants ye to think. We need yer help because Tallen has already succeeded in conquering one of our great cities and in turning non-magickal Humans into sorcerers. He has an army of Elites as despicable as him who will stop at nothing to infect this land. He has found a way to make himself live far beyond the limits of Human age. He kills innocent men, women, and children who oppose him, and those left alive are made to do his bidding. Although the Keepers are strong, we cannot take the chance of fighting him by ourselves. We are LeVara’s only hope. We must defeat him or the entire Kingdom will fall. I thought that ye were defenders of free people, the greatest warriors of our time. Perhaps I was mistaken.”
Protests bellowed through the crowd as the Unni-se cocked his head at Esra. She could not read the emotion on his face as he raised his hand for silence. He turned and sat down in his chair, tugging at the long beard on his chin. After a long moment, he spoke with a voice so deep and soft that Esra had to lean forward to hear him.
“I believe in the skills and hearts of my people, know that they are the fiercest warriors. I also believe ye are right when ye say that he will not stop at a few cities. Tallen aims to conquer everything, that much is plain. Even from the shelter of the forest we have gained much knowledge of what is occurring in LeVara. It is true that the Unni desire revenge. But there are still many of my people who will not easily forget all the blood that was spilt in the name of Humans so many years ago. As such, I will give ye an opportunity te prove yer worthiness, Esra daughter of Great Keepers. I had heard rumors that there was a child, so now ye must live up te yer heritage. ”
A stunned silence hung over the crowd as the Unni-se stood and announced to Esra in a thunderous voice, “The Valkor people te the south of Fira Nadim are persistent enemies who war with us at every opportunity. We have recently captured a scout and brought him te Shadow Glenn. Ye will duel with this man te the death. And if ye win, I will come with ye te the Stronghold.”
XXIX
Shouts of opposition and agreement rung in Esra’s ears as she stood in shock before the Unni-se. Duel to the death? This can’t be right. She was supposed to convince him with her wise words, not her two weeks’ worth of battle training. Baelin hastily stepped forward with a pained look.
“Great Chief, Esra has only begun her training a few short weeks ago. She is not yet an official Keeper nor trained fer battle. Let me fight in her stead.”
“No,” Zakai stood, gesturing to his guards nearby. “She must fight herself or ye will have no chance of leaving with my company. And may I also make it clear that no magick shall be used te aid or protect her, or the duel is forfeit. The daughter of Great Keepers must prove on her own that ye deserve our allegiance once more.”
Esra’s eyes darted around in panic as she felt herself being pulled away from her friends and towards what appeared to be a sparring ground. Baelin pushed his way through the throngs of warriors to her side. “Ye don’t have te fight, Esra.”
Every inch of her body begged her to agree. Let them be dragged out of the forest and sent home empty handed. It was not worth her life. It was absurd to think that she could stand a chance against any weathered warrior, especially a Valkor. This was no sparring practice with a wooden sword. She knew from her studies with Cane that the Valkor were a people who lived for the thrill of battle, even if there was no purpose for it.
“But this is my first test,” she tried shakily to convince herself. “Nor and Cane believe in me, so do my parents. There must be a reason I’ve come to this point. If only I could win, as faint as that chance is, it might change everything.”
“Esra, please,” Baelin pleaded. “Let me try and speak with him again.”
“No,” Esra said to her own surprise as she tried to swallow the lump that was quickly growing in her throat. “I will fight.”
“But…” Baelin began to argue, quickly realizing from the look on her face that her mind was already made up. “Alright, well remember what we taught ye. Stay on yer toes and anticipate his movements. Fight smarter and ye needn’t be stronger or bigger than him te win.”
Esra nodded nervously. She suddenly realized that in order to stay alive she would have to kill someone else. She had never injured someone on purpose, let alone ended a life. Even trapping Animals for food made her feel guilty. Trying to ignore that part of the bargain, she turned to the Unni who brought her Baelin’s handcrafted sword and shield. The buckler seemed so small now, she wondered how she had ever used it to protect herself. The sword, its incandescent hues reflecting in the Sun, felt familiar in her hands as she swung it twice to remind herself that she indeed knew of its form.
An Unni with greatly shortened horns appeared in front of her with outstretched hands, offering her a helmet. A large orange stone hung from a leather string around his neck, swinging towards her as he leaned down. She reached for the armor with gratitude. Although Baelin had worked on various pieces of her armor before leaving for Fira Nadim, it was nowhere near complete. The others had brought theirs along, but when she had tried on a few pieces it felt more uncomfortable and distracting than anything else. Baelin told her that sometimes armor was like that, made for a specific person, and no one else could grow truly accustomed to it.
Touching the cold metal of the helmet, she was jolted with a memory of Yarmon, the young Keeper of Foresight she had met just before their departure from the Stronghold. He had warned her about this.
Esra tentatively took the helmet into her hands as the warrior smiled at her with smug satisfaction and stalked away. She motioned to Baelin, who once again pushed his way through the hordes of people to her side.
“Good, ye’ve got a helmet at least.”
“I can’t wear it.”
“Why not?”
She gestured to the Unni who was quickly disappearing from sight. “Yarmon warned me about a bad man who would offer me a helmet. He said not to wear it.”
Baelin rubbed his chin thoughtfully and shrugged. “I hate te see ye fight without one, but I trust Yarmon. He’s young but his powers are strong. Very well. I will see if I can find ye another.”
“No thanks. I’ve been fighting without one so far, it would just be a distraction to change now. I won’t be able to see.”
“Alright,” he conceded reluctantly. “Just remember te use yer shield and stay low.”
The crowd continued to pack into a circle around the practice ring, the Unni men, women and children roaring and stomping in anticipation. Baelin took the rejected helmet and went to stand by the other Keepers, who looked equally worried. Esra gave them a forced smile, more for herself she knew than anyone else.
Across the sparring ground, which was roughly fifty feet in diameter, appeared a pale, strange looking man. His face and bare chest were covered with a red and white paint and he wore only a short tattered rag, covering from his wa
ist to the top of his thighs. He was completely bald and appeared to be twice Esra’s age. Although he was older, the long muscles in his lean frame were hardened, and as they untied his hands he snarled towards her with malice. There were only a few broken teeth remaining in his mouth. What was I thinking? Maybe I can still say no.
Before she had the chance to change her mind, the Unni-se approached the center of the practice field to announce the start of the contest. “My people will bear witness te this duel and the honor of my word. If the Valkor from the south wins, he will be allowed free and no further harm shall come te him. If Esra of the Stronghold wins, I will journey with her and the other Keepers te the Jade Gardens fer a War Council.”
Cheers rang out as the Valkor grabbed the sword that was offered to him, refused the shield, and sunk low in preparation of the duel. Esra bent her knees and assumed the defensive stance that she had been practicing, buckler held in front of her, sword poised at the ready behind her.
“Let the battle begin!” Zakai roared.
The Valkor slinked slyly around the circle, waving his sword at her tauntingly. Swinging the blade easily around his shoulders, Esra noticed with disappointment how comfortable he seemed to be with his weapon. She tried to remember that she too felt at ease now with her sword, and swung it in a reciprocal display. They both stared at each other for a long moment, neither willing to make the first move. Finally the Valkor lunged forward and stabbed at her forward leg as Esra deflected the blow with her shield. He swung from the right and she countered him with her sword, their weapons singing with the impact. He continued towards her, unaffected by her defensive maneuvers. Left, right, right, she counted in her head as she anticipated his attacks. She watched his movements as if they were in slow motion, the sound of metal humming in her ears.