"Would that be so awful?" Considering how both rulers have persecuted the Sojourners, and how they had deliberately hidden the truth, revised history and thrown their people into darkness, it seemed this might prove a fitting fate.
"As a father hath compassion for his son, so have I for all of my children. I would not that any of them should perish. But they must seek truth, not the lies of Malakandor, who, above all else, is a devourer, a cunning deceiver."
"Would it not be better for the Sojourners?"
"Nay. For Malakandor will once again raise up a new generation that knows nothing of the sins of their ancestors. And their wickedness and iniquities would surpass those of their fathers."
"What can be done then? Their armies are great..."
"They shall be united, Render."
He blinked and gazed upon the vision: both armies clashing, fierce warriors on both sides falling. "Impossible."
"You and Ahndien shall make it come to pass."
This stopped all the questions floating in his mind. "How can this be?"
"Not only shalt thou prevent their demise, thou shalt do far greater things than thy mind can conceive. Together shalt thou vanquish the forces of Malakandor, the might of whose own army far exceeds that of both Kingdoms."
The thought of confronting even one army was enough to make Render's stomach clench. "But what can the two of us possibly do, alone?"
At this the blazing white sphere swelled, as though taking a deep breath. "Thou art not alone. All shall come to pass, but not by thy own strength. By mine. Look into the valley, Render. What seeth thou?"
"I do not know."
Warm and paternal, Valhandra's light enveloped him. "Behold, the last battleground of the Sojourners prior to the exile. Look closer still."
By his mere will, and without any strain of the eye, the valley's ground became enlarged in his sight. "I see...desolation. Barren land."
"Thou seeth the surface, presently. But henceforce thou must see beneath, within. Behold, the final battleground of the Sojourners, who once reigned in justice and truth, who defended truth to the end."
Render had wondered why this place, which seemed nothing but red dirt and sand, devoid of any markers, held any significance these days. How could it have ever been anything but a wasteland?
"This, my son, is where Malakandor wishes to destroy both armies. To desecrate hallowed ground with blood betrayed, as he had ten generations ago. But thou shalt thwart his plan."
"Forgive my ignorance, Sire. But how?"
"Unto thee, all shall be revealed. Yet at the appointed time."
He knew not what Valhandra meant. But a thought, some unspeakable words were planted in his heart. And though superficially he could not discern their meaning, in his spirit Render knew that what mattered was the will of their author. Not only did the name of Valhandra have power, His words did as well.
To Render, those words which he was commanded to speak—at the appointed time seemed sharp as a double-edged broadsword, cutting through flesh, bone, straight to the soul.
"Speak the words I have placed within thee. And you shall see my glory."
"Sire, I am afraid. Ahndien, Greifer, Branson and I. We are few."
"Fear not. Only believe."
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Only believe.
And with that final exhortation, the light burst into countless shards which spread and grew so bright Render could not open his eyes. And yet, rather than frighten him, it caused him to gasp in delight.
Now enveloped completely in what he could only describe as pure joy, the surge from that burst infused his entire being. A tingling sensation coursed through his blood as he shut his eyes and yielded to it.
Once again, time as he understood it stood still. Only, he sensed motion. Not the kind of motion one feels when running, falling, or riding upon a horse. Whatever it was, it caused his head to grow light. Like a warm blanket, golden sleep fell upon him and for the first time in his life, Render felt something he'd never felt before.
Peace.
It was the sound of Branson, shouting with confused excitement that woke Render from what felt like a long slumber. Considering where he found himself when he opened his eyes, his back and neck should have ached frightfully. But they did not.
He sat up and found Ahndien lying across from him, deep asleep. From a quick glance through the snow frosted branches, he perceived a sphere-like cloud, glowing and rising up from Handara's peak.
Valhandra.
"Well? Are you going to just sit there, or are you going to help me down?" It was Branson calling out, but from where, it was unclear.
"What? Where?" Render shook Ahndien's shoulder and she stirred slightly.
"Oh..." The Tianese girl who earlier had almost killed him blinked and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her voice and entire demeanor had changed. "How did we get here?"
"Wake up, you two!" Branson called out again.
This jarred Ahndien. She sat up, rubbed her eyes again and called out. "Where are you, Branson?" Both Render and she peered around the black barks of the trees and the edges of the rocks. Surely in the open area beyond the thicket, if he was there, Branson would appear clearly by contrast with the snow-covered ground.
But he did not.
"Up....HERE!"
A ball of snow came hurtling down and splattered over a fallen tree trunk. Render gazed up in the direction from where it flew. "How did you get up there?"
Crouched low and seated up at the very top branches of a Yuccah Pine, Branson waved at them, shaking snow off the branches beneath his feet. "I don't...you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Both Render and Ahndien stepped over to Branson's tree. Render could not help but let out a laugh. "We've got all day to listen."
"Get me down from here, now!"
To Ahndien, with a mischievous grin: "I suppose you could burn the tree down and—"
"No! No!" Branson said. "Not a good idea!"
"Well, I still would like to know how you got up there." Render shaded his eyes and looked straight up to the top. "It must be thirty feet up. Don't tell me you climbed."
"I didn't climb. Will you please hurry up!"
"Oh come now," Ahndien called out, clearly amused. "Tell us! Hurry, because I have such a story to tell you about what just happened to me."
"As do I," said Render. "How did we all get here? Weren't we—?"
"If I tell you how I got up here, will you do something to help me down?" Branson called."
Seeing him up there helpless as a kitten was too precious an opportunity to squander. But after a slight pause, he finally relented. "Yes, then. Tell us and I'll help you down."
With a deep sigh, Branson said, "I leapt."
At the same time, Ahndien and Render both said, "You leapt?"
"How's that possible?" she said.
"Honestly, I don't know. Render, you said you'd help me down. Now make good on your word!"
Render folded his arms across his chest.
"Please?"
"Well all right, but we all must exchange stories about what happened just before we got here." Without a second thought, Render reached one hand up and before he realized what was happening, flew straight up towards Branson.
The lad's eyes grew wide. "Render, how did you...?"
"I don't know." He reached out and took Branson by the arm with surprising ease and tucked him under his arm like a bundle of kindling. "It feels like something I could always do."
Flying down proved more amusing than up because of the way Branson screamed like a little girl, his hands covering his eyes. "We're going to die!" Stopped and hovering mere inches from the ground, Render simply could not resist. "Well, if you are not happy with my service..." He held him away and let go of Branson.
Eyes still covered, he shrieked, not realizing how close to the ground he already was. "No!"
Branson came down with a gentle bump in the thick snow. With all four limbs splayed across the gr
ound, he writhed and grabbed and gasped. When he opened his eyes, he glared up at a laughing Render. "I don't appreciate that!"
"Consider that repayment for the way you've been from the start." He held out a hand to help him up. At first Branson hesitated. But eventually, a smile cracked across his face and he took it.
For the next hour, Render, Branson, and Ahndien shared their stories. Render first explained how he had met Valhandra. But for some reason, he could not recall all that he had seen and heard.
"All I know is that I am supposed to—"
"Unite two kingdoms which have been mortal enemies for centuries." Ahndien grabbed Render's hand and gazed straight into his eyes. "He told me the same."
"What did you see?" Render's entire body grew warmer, despite the cold air and snow. And it was not coming from her fiery abilities. It came from within. Thankfully, the redness of cheek that must surely be apparent now could easily be attributed to the cold.
"Many things. I saw my past. I saw a great battle. And I saw..." Ahndien turned away.
"What did you see?"
"Yes, do tell us," Branson said.
But she put her hand to her lips and shook her head. Her eyes glistened. A stray tear fell to the ground and a tiny cloud of steam rose up from the tiny crater in the snow it created. "I am not to speak of these things. He has commanded me not to say a word to anyone."
"Do we win the battle?" Render desperately wanted to know.
"I did not see that far."
"Do we fight alone?"
"Again, I did not—"
"Will anyone come to our—"
"Either I saw nothing or I am forbidden to speak about it!" Her tears became angry and at the same time sad. "Don't you understand? Valhandra has not given us evidence. It is not for us to question, but to obey."
Branson muttered something.
"What was that?" Render said.
"And to believe." He looked up and suddenly, wisdom enshrouded his face. A wisdom beyond his tender age. "It is not for us to question, but to obey and believe. That's what He told me as well."
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
From where he stood, Render could only surmise that they were now far from the Sojourners Assembly Hall. Ahead in the distance, the dry brush swayed, the golden sand shifted across the vast expanse of the barren wasteland, the winds of which groaned painfully in the valley below.
"What is this place?" Branson said, standing on Render's left and gazing at down at the desolate valley.
On Render's right, Ahndien answered. "The final battleground of the Sojourners. This is where the last generation of Sojourners made their stand."
"But how did we get here?" Branson wanted to know. "It was at least three day's journey."
"By His command," Render said, not even sure how he knew it, but it was true. "We are to go down into the valley. And find the ancient shrine."
Branson shuddered visibly. "Oh, it's dreadful down there. Just look at all those bones!"
Beneath the surface of the sand, there were countless ridges and ripples. Upon a more careful look, Render saw. Dried bones, skulls, rib cages. "Yes, I see."
"It is called the Burial Grounds of the Sojourners," Ahndien said, also gazing down into the wide expanse at the foot of the Handaras.
"I see no graves," Branson complained. "Just a bunch of old, dry bones beneath the surface of the sand! It gives me a chill just thinking about being down there."
"I don't much care for it myself," said Render. "But we must go. It is by His command."
Just then, in the form of a black cat, Greifer scampered into their midst, dashed though a thicket and behind a tree. A moment later she emerged tall and beautiful, robed in black, her glistening ebony locks flowing over her shoulders. "Valhandra be praised, I have found thee."
Render's heart leapt. "But, where have you been?"
"Why, searching for thee, of course."
Ahndien went over to the elegant lady, touched her sleeve. "How long has it been?"
"From the moment I returned to the Assembly Hall to find you all gone? Three days. And three nights have I sought thee by thy scent."
Branson laughed. "I thought you were a cat. Not a dog."
"A panther's nose is far superior." She stepped over to Render, put a warm hand softly on his face, and tilted her head as she gazed into his eyes. "By thy countenance, I can see. Thou hast changed."
Her touch warmed him to the soul. "Changed?"
"Thine eyes testify to it."
"To what?"
"Thou hast been called. By Valhandra."
"How did you know?"
"I know the look, the glowing of the countenance. It was once common for princes when they came of age and calling. In thine spirit hath He revealed thy destiny. Young friends, pray tell me what you saw."
Render explained all he had been shown. Ahndien and Branson did as well, but it became clear that Valhandra had revealed much more to Render than the other two. "How are we to defeat an immortal army, much less unite two warring people?"
"I do not know. But if Valhandra hath so ordained it, you shall prosper indeed." Griefer inclined her head, and kissed the top of his. "And whatever be thy lot, I shall ne'er leave thy side."
If ever he had imagined what it would have been like to have a mother, this sense of security, her complete belief in and support for him, this far outshone any such notion.
Ahndien took hold of his hand. "Nor shall I."
Branson grabbed his shoulder and gave it a brisk shake and squeeze. "I'm with you too."
"Then on to the Ancient Shrine of Valhandra," Greifer said to Render. "Indeed you are ready."
At that moment—and he wished it would last forever—Render felt certain that together, they could overcome any adversary, any force, natural or spiritual. And he knew what he must do next.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
“Render..." A distinct warble infused Branson's voice as he stood at the edge of the precipice overlooking the valley. "I think you should see this."
"What is it?" Render stared in the direction in which Branson pointed but did not know what he was talking about. "I don't see—"
"There!" Ahndien pointed sharply. "In between those two peaks!"
Well into the distance and coming from the East, a black column of smoke rose into the air. It moved toward the valley. Render took a deep breath, then let it out, the tension in his chest palpable. "Ahndien, what do you make of it?"
"I've seen this before. It’s the Tianese Imperial troops."
"How far?"
"They'll probably set up camp in the mountains tonight and set their warriors in position."
Branson cleared his throat nervously. "For what?"
"That." Render saw it as they spoke. He turned to the West, where dark clouds cast a black shadow over the woods on the edge of the desert and pointed it out. "Those lights flickering, a long string of them. Torches. Troops. Horsemen. By my estimation, there must be at least ten legions. If I've learned anything about Torian strategy, they must believe they can take the high ground before the Tianese reach Handara."
"Do they not know the tactics of their opponent?" Greifer hissed and began to transform again.
Branson jumped back. "Would you stop doing that. It's getting to be more than my nerves can handle!" The black cat leapt up onto Branson's shoulder, then over to Render's.
"What will we do?" Ahndien said. "It'll take us till tomorrow to get to the Shrine. We'll never get there in time."
"Not on foot, we won't." Render gazed down the cliff, down to the thousands of dry bones, then it caught his eye. A small door frame carved into the limestone by the hills. The Ancient Shrine of Valhandra. "But if we fly..."
"Fly?" Branson and Ahndien said at the same time.
Greifer jumped from Render's shoulder down into his arms. She then squeezed into the opening of his vest where she rested tight and secure. Render smiled, put his arms out and wrapped them both around his friends. "Do you believe?"
> "Are you mad?" Branson cried.
"Render, let go!"
An unprecedented boldness surged through him. A strength that had been instilled by the words of Valhandra—the same unknowable words which he must later invoke to bring about the help needed to defeat the forces of Malakandor. Render tightened his grip on Ahndien and Branson and leaned over the precipice. Out of fear, they held onto him all the more tightly. "I said, do you believe?"
"Render...!"
Before either of them could answer, yes or no, Render pulled them with him.
Straight over the cliff.
CHAPTER SEVENTY
After a few seconds of screaming and squirming, Branson went limp. It made it a bit more difficult to hold him under one arm while Render flew over the mountain range. But for some reason his arms felt stronger during flight, and it made holding him and Ahndien easier than he would have imagined.
"Render, I...This is remarkable!" Ahndien hugged him tighter as they soared over the snow covered treetops, making a circular descent.
He tilted his head down and found her gazing at him with an expression of awe and anxiety.
// I WON'T LET GO, AHNDIEN. DON'T BE AFRAID //
// I'M NOT //
She smiled and pressed her face against his chest, perhaps to hide her face from the chilling wind, perhaps for another reason. It didn't matter much right now. He was flying. And it felt like something he'd always known he could do.
Greifer remained still in his vest, though her claws gripped through his shirt. He could sense her confidence in him. If he weren't so enraptured with this experience, he might have found it odd. But this was freedom. Freedom beyond anything he'd dreamed of all his life as a slave.
"You'd better put us down soon," said Branson. "I think I'm going to be ill."
Render let out a chuckle, as did Ahndien. Their eyes met.
For some reason, though she smiled, a poignant expression filled her eyes. Until now, the strongest emotion they'd ever displayed was anger. But this sadness, mixed with something else, something that seemed to establish a connection between them, made her even more beautiful than Render had bothered to notice.
Once We Were Kings (Young Adult Fantasy) (The Sojourner Saga) Page 23