by AS Hamilton
The unforeseen consequences were harder to accept. More than once, Ko-rayen had intervened to a dangerous degree when she was being questioned by Abbarane loyalists. That Ko-rayen was ever-faithful to Colnba, despite the senior mage's service to Keldon, was no surprise. It was Colnba who had helped the twins get their apprenticeship with House of Debanikay despite the disapproval of their mother, who also headed House of Ko-renti. A move that also made Colnba, and subsequently Ko-rayen and Ko-kelle-rai, very unpopular with Tooriana, who headed House of Toorian. Defying a house's leader was not a common event.
After that, whenever Toormeena approached her mother for permission to send Ko-rayen's mother a courtship request, it was always turned down. She did not want her daughter being influenced by those who not only defied their parents, but also the leader of their house. Yet later her mother would come to appreciate Ko-rayen's devotion to her daughter.
Toormeena often wondered about her true motivation for shoving her mother down the hidden tunnel first. Was it because she knew Ko-rayen would break from his brother's influence and side with Colnba? Did she do it to be closer to him? Or had the dread that filled her when she thought of her mother being in Keldon's hands spurred her to close the hidden door and give Keldon a reason to stop searching?
For most of the war, Ko-rayen had been firmly by Ko-kelle-rai's side, fighting Abbarane. And then… Then, Nisari had been captured… When Colnba and Ko-rayen returned with her, they were furious, both about Nisari's treatment and something else, some event or detail that only the high-ranked mages and leaders knew about. Whatever it was, it had triggered their change in alliance.
Though neither jenishae or shaen-duura had occurred, her attraction to Ko-rayen had been instant and reciprocated. Accepting that neither mother was willing to approve a courtship, they had taken the path of friendship. It was pointless trying to lie to parents with talent, so friendship was as close as their culture allowed. Both mothers were aware of their children's desire to court, but never spoke of it directly. Equally, they were frustrated by their children's refusal to court others, no matter the benefits the mothers saw in the matches they put forth.
Despite all the tension their friendship caused, both children were glad to know that their mothers were safe. Tooriana had gone with the main group of refugees to an undisclosed location near the dwarven lands. The dwarven nation to the south of the At-hara Desert was generally ruled by a monarch, but had been in a state of stasis after their last queen had died and the search for the legitimate heir started. The care-taker council, who ran the country in such times had given the elvan permission to settle on any of a number of islands and some districts on the mainland, but would not guarantee protection if Abbarane decided to track them down. Ko-rayen's mother was with Ko-kelle-rai, somewhere south, waiting for the Saviour to call them to arms while they trained rebels for a war that had no date.
'My father died at Sal-Cirus though, I regret such a loss to my mother and grieve deeply still.'
Ko-rayen had been standing behind her for some time, sharing her view out the balcony window as well as her thoughts. As Toormeena thought of Ko-rayen's mother and brother, the Ko-renti mage had thought of his father. He had stopped a hand's-breadth from her, but, as he spoke, he moved closer, shifting her to lean on him so he supported her weight and eased the pain building along her left hip and back.
Ko-rayen said that if she thought of him for long enough, he would sense it, and when he could, he would come to her. His voice was a deep murmur, 'You have not slept?'
'I had a vision.'
'Tell me,' he urged gently.
Shaking her head, Toormeena started to tremble. 'I cannot,' she whispered.
Ko-rayen knew, then, that her vision concerned him. As he leaned his cheek against hers, he realised that tears wet her cheeks. Comfort was all he could give her.
Seers were very superstitious when it came to visions. They had set rules about when they should or should not speak of a vision and whether that silence or voice affected the final outcome. As a mage, visions were tools. You looked at the range of paths a decision might take you along, you assessed your options, you made an informed decision, and you accepted the consequences. They did it all the time.
Seers had the visions come to them. They did not often choose them, and, just as often, they did not understand them. A seer put in a lot of research to determine how a vision came about. Colnba wanted to do this with The Prophecy. House of Toorian had, so far, prevented him.
Toormeena turned and buried her face in his neck. Ko-rayen could feel her let go of the distress, just as Tooriana had taught her to do. Acknowledge the emotion, she would say, feel it, then let it go. It was not always easy, and it required a well-trained, disciplined, and strong mind.
Toormeena looked up at him. 'You trust me, I know. Is it unconditional, Ko-rayen?'
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing, it was difficult to make such a commitment. He knew it had to do with whatever vision she had just witnessed. But his loyalty to Colnba and Nisari was solid and Toormeena knew this too. Yet, Ko-rayen also trusted that Toormeena would not intentionally put him in a position that would conflict with his loyalty despite the friction it caused between them.
'I lay my fate in your hands and bend knee in servitude of your will.'
Closing her eyes, Toormeena received the solemn statement with some relief. To hear him say it was not to resolve her fears, for his words would still be tested.
'When you are met by the bird of prey, you must, Ko-rayen, you must, give way. No matter the costs or the consequences. I cannot reveal why—'
Cradling her head in his hands, Ko-rayen kissed her forehead. 'You are a seer, ena e-yen sa,' my cherished one, 'you can never reveal the whys. I will heed your words.'
Sliding his hands to her shoulders, he leaned his forehead against hers. Still, the tension of fear and anxiety remained in her. 'You are exhausted, you need to rest. Will you drink a remedy to help you sleep if I prepare it?'
She hesitated over the answer. Her instinct said the vision would occur soon. A part of her wanted to remain awake so she could monitor him, such as she could with her limited skills. Another part of her knew that the stress would be an unnecessary burden, and she could do nothing more. Was it cowardice or wisdom to seek refuge in the absolute unconsciousness of Ko-rayen's sleep elixir?
Nodding slowly, Toormeena said, 'I will.'
Without consciously registering it, Toormeena found herself lifted and carried to the bed, tucked in, given a drink and then slipping gently into the promised sleep. She vaguely remembered Ko-rayen sitting next to her for a time, and a promise he would ensure she was not disturbed. She only hoped that when she woke, he would still be alive.
Day 4 – Morning
North Kenar Woods
(near Orchard Pass)
Sariah dropped down onto a soft patch of grass, while Kaydyr took up a position in a tree where she could view the camp. Finally, enough food had been gathered. They were blessed enough to have found berry bushes in a small ravine not far from the camp, and Kaydyr had spotted peri-peri and dern trees. Both fruit trees were known to grow wild in forests, but still she thanked Fate for the gift. She had even managed to catch some wild hens. With their left-over supplies and water not far off, they would be fine until Riqu arrived.
It was warm enough now, but they still had to dig out the shelters before night fell. The huge papinuq trees in the area would make the task a little easier, all they had to do was deepen the hollows beneath the giant roots and build the excavated dirt into a wall extending part-way around the opening to keep the wind out.
Everyone was settled now, most of the refugees were asleep, huddled together up against the trunk of a papinuq. A few moved about, getting water or eating some fruit. Sariah considered those sleeping, Brynn had placed Sentary with them when they first started settling in. But she could not see him, now.
Sariah rose, intending to walk over and find him, she did not wa
nt to disturb him, but after all these turns she would not mind just checking on him. Just then, as Kaydyr looked about the camp, she saw Brynn point her out to an elvan with red-gold hair that had ebony shimmering in its depths. It spoke of an elvan with Ko-renti heritage, and when he turned brilliant red-gold eyes in her direction, she knew it was Sentary. He saw her at the same time and both crossed the clearing to embrace.
Her brother had many of the Ko-renti traits of their mother, but his hair and eyes favoured their father, an empath and farmer. A sharp knot of grief tugged at Sariah as she buried her face in her brother's neck; she missed her family so much. To reclaim a brother once thought dead was solace unsought, but thoroughly welcome.
'Sentary! I meant to seek you out earlier, I have just been so caught up...'
'It's alright,' he consoled her. 'After all these turns and under all this dirt... ' He stepped back and took in her uncovered features. 'Sariah, you are blind!' he gasped, upon realising that she could not see him. His voice was hoarse and, for a moment, he looked speechless. Then he considered her height, a smile slowly turning into a broad grin.
'By the realms! You are taller than me,' he exclaimed, 'I feel like a dwarven!'
Sariah laughed and relaxed. She had been worried he would become overly distressed at her condition. But then she remembered that even when they were young, Sentary had always been perceptive; a trait that came from their father. Realising that Sariah would be embarrassed and ashamed of overt concern, Sentary chose to not focus on her blindness.
'It does not do you justice to call you little sister any more. And a fenjo too!' he exclaimed referring armour she wore, which was also once worn by the justice keepers of the elvan lands before they were conquered. 'I can only imagine the courage you must have,' he said, his voice filled with pride.
'You show greater courage and strength in surviving the trials of slavery,' she replied, gesturing for him to sit with her.
'How do you move like that? How have you managed such a difficult feat as becoming a warrior? Has the loss been recent?'
Sariah raised a hand to forestall further questions. 'It happened when they attacked us and took you. I have my foster father, Riqu, to thank for providing me with a companion hawk. My friend Kaydyr,' she said gesturing to Kaydyr in the tree above. 'I can see through Kaydyr's eyes. So I am long-used to my condition and do not consider it a hindrance. I am more amazed that I am sitting here with you. Until Pasika saw you in Haranti four moons ago, I thought no one else survived the raid. These last few sennats I was convinced I would never find you. I am almost certain that I am dreaming,' Sariah took both of Sentary's hands, and smiled. 'But you feel real enough.'
Sentary squeezed her hands. 'You think you're dreaming! Do you know how impossible it seemed when I first saw you when you gathered us to escape? I thought I was seeing someone who looked like you because I believed your spirit was with our parents,' He shook his head. 'That Fate has brought us together, that you are actually alive...'
Sariah leaned her forehead against his, just as they had done when they were young and would speak, mind to mind, of their dreams and adventures. But no thoughts passed between them, just shared gratitude and relief.
When Sariah eventually pulled back, her expression of regret confused him.
'I am sorry that this reunion will be so short,' she said with sadness and some hesitancy. At Sentary's questioning look, she gestured towards Brynn. 'You have met Brynn.'
Sentary nodded.
'Brynn diverted from his own mission to help me find you. Indeed, I would never have found you without him. I think I should go with him. He has almost been caught already and I think it would be unwise for him to go alone. It was not an easy decision, but I know you will be safe, especially after Riqu comes.'
Sentary considered Brynn for a long moment, and then said, 'I understand, seeca, you need not feel any guilt. He has given twenty souls freedom none of them ever hoped for, as did you. If it is the price for my freedom, then I cannot begrudge it,' he added with a sad smile. 'I am just as disappointed at our parting,' the smile became a grin, 'but I am certain I will find ways for you to make it up to me later.'
The jibe did its trick, earning a chuckle from Sariah.
'Besides,' Sentary added a little mischievously, 'this is not the first time my little sister plays the guardian. Although the turns have blurred the edges from my memory, I still remember when we were playing, somehow, you always ended up being the fenjo commander organising the rescue of the people trapped in the avalanche...' Sentary leaned back and, with a mock frown, added, 'I always seemed to do well just to acquire the position of a minor deputy.'
Sariah looked about to object, then she paused and gave in to another chuckle. 'You speak the truth.' More seriously, she said, 'I guess I have wanted to be a member of the fenjo all my life.'
'Aye, and you have achieved that honour. When I think of all the slaves, their lives, my life; abused, starved, oppressed. If you can help to put a stop to it, then you should take every chance you can to do it.'
Sariah gave her brother an admiring look. When they were children, Sentary was always there to give her assurance, even when he was more afraid than his sister, and after losing him in the raid, she had aspired to be as strong as her brother. She wanted to give others the same feeling of protection that he gave her.
'I know many do not believe much ground can be gained against Abbarane without the Saviour. But like the mage who adopted me, I do not believe we should resign ourselves to a life of ill-treatment before the Saviour walks his path,' Sariah replied, appreciating her brother's understanding.
Her statement prompted Sentary to ask, 'There was a rumour, in Venshui, that the Saviour has actually stepped forth. Have you heard of it, Sariah? Is there news of the Saviour?'
'I have heard the rumours, too, but ever have they been about,' she answered, looking at Brynn thoughtfully through Kaydyr. Sariah shrugged. 'There is no way to tell if this rumour has more credence than the others. I am sorry, Sentary, I cannot confirm your hopes.'
Kaydyr's gaze was still focused on Brynn, but Sariah did not speak her next thoughts aloud. Riqu had spoken of a group of rebels who had removed themselves from active fighting to train a new generation of mages. In addition to learning to use their talent, they were taught to fight, strategise, interrogate, withstand torture, infiltrate Abbarane ranks... everything they needed to aid the Saviour. It made her wonder if Brynn was one of those specially trained to aid the Saviour. If he was, then surely his being out here, on a mission, was confirmation of the Saviour's presence.
'As slaves, we are not allowed to speak of The Prophecy,' Sentary said in a lowered voice, as if afraid his old masters might somehow hear him. 'Yet we hear of him. War, Abbarane loyalists whisper. He is elvan war. And they fear him.'
The worn features of her brother made him seem greyer than her memories of him, the starvation, no doubt, contributed to that, but his eyes were bright as he hope lightened them. Sariah smiled at that, at the hope in him. She turned to Sentary as a thought occurred to her. 'Mayhap it is not 'war' they should fear. Peace will end their reign.'
Day 4 – Early Afternoon
Mehani Woods
(near Dyri Meadows)
Nathan slipped off his horse to examine the trail. There were no marks. Yet, two farmers claimed they saw a rider travelling this way. Even if it was not their elvan, a rider, any rider, would have left tracks. They also thought they saw another animal with him, a large one, but it had been hidden by the horse. Such a beast would leave tracks.
'Still nothing, milord?'
Nathan looked up at the tracker who had appeared silently at his side. 'Too much nothing, Cohen. How do we even know this is the right elvan?'
'I believe it is, milord. No ordinary traveller would be this hard to find. No one has seen him up close, not even men, who by rights, should have walked right by him. How many elvan have the ability to conceal themselves so?'
Nathan consider
ed the open, honest face and guileless brown eyes. The man looked every inch the farmer, from the earth-brown hair to the sun-browned skin. And yet, Cohen had proved to be quite a canny tracker. Nathan nodded in agreement. 'He uses talent.'
'Do you think he is the Saviour himself, milord?'
'We cannot be sure,' Nathan shook his head slowly. 'If he is the Saviour, why does he not use more talent?' the Thane pondered, more to himself than the tracker next to him. 'He uses a little, yes, but the real Saviour should be able to do much more. I think he is a messenger, perhaps, or a decoy... Regardless, my instincts tell me that this rider will know who the Saviour is and where to find him.'
Cohen gave the Thane a quick nod. Nathan knew the tracker understood about instincts. He would use them all the time in his work.
'You said these shepherds saw too?'
'Aye, milord, but the tale is the same — a brown-haired rider passed through here the evening afore on a grey or white horse. Another animal was with him, they thought it was a tan pony, but when I asked for detail, they said all they saw was a light-brown animal hidden by the horse and they could not be certain what it was.'
'What did you do with them?'
'I was just wanting to ask that, milord,' the tracker jerked his head towards the back of the group where two shepherds nervously fidgeted. They kept their heads down, not daring to look at the man who controlled their future.
'Do you think they have revealed all they know?'
'They're too frightened to keep secrets, milord. Simple, human men, milord.'