by Daniel White
At the top of the road they unhitched the cart from the horses, led them to the shade of the stables and generously fed and watered them. They then proceeded into the house to find it cool and quiet. The rest of the family were still outdoors. Aldrick was willing to be patient. His questions could wait until the evening. Besides, there was much to be done in the meantime. Fences needed mending, tracks needed maintenance, wood needed cutting and arrows needed crafting. He chose to make arrows as it was the job that would stress his shoulder the least. Although it was a fairly simple task, given the parts were purchased in bulk from a trader in Rain, he enjoyed crafting each arrow with loving attention, particularly when it came to fletching. By carefully trimming the pheasant feathers, the accuracy of a long-distance shot was increased by a significant amount.
The sun was setting when Aldrick finished. He had crafted twenty-three arrows, claiming ten for his own quiver. The encounter with the ka-zchen had inspired him to put more time and effort into archery. Braem had made a target for him and Kaal to practice on a few years earlier which he planned to put to good use. He seldom hit the centre mark.
Aldrick heard Phelvara and Bree making their way inside through the back door and went to them. “Hello you two, how did the day treat you?”
Phelvara smiled at him. “Well, thank you. We have been very busy.” She began to help Bree take off a dress which had been dirtied in the garden. “How was the market? Did you fair well?”
“Yes, we should have coin enough for the month.”
“Lovely, though we ought to be saving for the winter now.”
“That’s a good idea… you don’t happen to know where Braem is, do you?” he asked.
Phelvara did not reply immediately. The brightness in her face drained away. She appeared wary—reluctant to speak. The expression reminded Aldrick of the state she had been in for much of last night after learning of the ka-zchen’s brand.
“Your father is away for a few days, visiting Jon,” she said finally, avoiding Aldrick’s eye.
This came as a surprise. Jon was an old family friend who had not visited the farm for a number of years now. He resided deep in the Midland Ranges, far more isolated than they were here. Aldrick held many fond memories of Jon. He had once visited regularly, bringing with him enthralling news and tales even more wondrous than Braem’s. Many were difficult to believe. Indeed, they made everyday life feel rather mundane. It was odd that Braem would travel so far to see the old man after such a long period without sharing words.
“He’s gone to Jon’s? Why?”
Phelvara shrugged. “He was just a little concerned about that ka-zchen, that’s all. He thinks Jon will know more about it.” She glanced up at him with a forced smile that offered little reassurance.
“About it or about who sent it?” he asked pressingly, hoping for a more elaborate explanation. It was a mistake.
Phelvara sighed irritably. “Ask no more of it. If there is something to know Braem will bring the news when he returns. Until then let us forget all about that ghastly beast. It’s dead.”
He let it go, but knew there was more to this story. Phelvara would not have let Braem travel so far on such short notice unless it had been very important, and what insights could Jon offer? As far as he remembered, Jon wasn’t someone whom his parents considered a guiding figure. Braem had often referred to him as a ‘wild old dog’.
Again Aldrick was left to mull over such things in his own head. He sensed things were in the process of changing somehow. For better or for worse, he did not know. Only time would tell.
When he fell asleep that night he was met by dreams not of the ka-zchen or the enveloping mystery, but of the astonishingly beautiful woman he had met at the market that day. Télia was her name. Télia.
3
THE WIELDER’S AERA
It was near closing time. She sat at a small table as close as possible to the open fire. Cold and loneliness harried her. She was irritable. She didn’t want to be here. Had she been in Galdrem at the time the contract became available they might have hired someone with more experience, someone who knew these parts. It was solely because she happened to be nearby that she was assigned the job. Having to be so far from home wasn’t what annoyed her though. In fact, she loved travel, but this time the details were given to her on too short notice and had been exceptionally vague: ‘Make haste to Rain and be aera to the young wielder Aedimon. Reinforcements to follow’. Supposedly this wielder was in imminent danger.
Rain had proved to be a busy place and she had found no one of, nor anyone who knew of the name Aedimon in the village. It hadn’t been until today that she had sensed the close presence of a wielder, a very powerful one. In the market place he had been—a young man, near her age. His name was Aldrick. He had appeared to be completely unaware of the fact he was a wielder at all. It was a curious thing. Never had she met one so oblivious to it. In the north, wielders were proud and often arrogant, but Aldrick… he was nice, kind hearted. It had been a breath of fresh air and she felt rather inclined to keep knowledge of his powers from him, at least for the time being. There was little doubt in her mind that he was the wielder she was assigned to protect; he just wasn’t known locally by the name Aedimon. The chance of there being another young wielder this far south was decidedly slim. Outside of the capital province they were few and far between.
While talking with him she had noticed that he sported an injury, and more alarmingly, he had the faint scent of ka-zchen upon him. After learning from him where he lived, she had hastily bought a map of the province and found the exact location of his farm. It was important she venture there tonight. She must ensure the ka-zchen posed no ongoing threat and discover who its master was. If she knew the enemy, she could hunt them. With any luck the reinforcements would find her soon. They were likely pitted against a very dangerous adversary.
When the last few patrons had left the tavern, Télia went upstairs to her room. She put on her coat and cloak, then equipped herself with her crossbow and a number of light daggers that she had stowed under the bed. Fortunately, her window was at the rear of the tavern just above the roof of the ground floor and was an ideal passage for one intending to exit in secret. She had been trained to take such precautions. An aera could never be too careful.
Once on the ground, she made her way from shadow to shadow to the stables where her horse awaited.
“Hello De’ama,” she whispered softly. “We ride tonight.”
De’ama shifted excitedly, but soundlessly. As an aera’s horse she too had been taught to move with stealth when necessary. Télia led her down back streets all the way to the village gates before mounting. In the north, the full face of Solemn graced the sky, bathing the surrounding countryside in pale blue light. After glancing back to be sure they had not been followed, she patted De’ama gently on the neck and they were on their way.
In less than half an hour they arrived at the farm’s entrance. She dismounted, offered De’ama words of comfort, then began to make her way up the slope. Because there were livestock in many of the lower fields that might stir in her presence, Télia stole toward the edge of the forest. Here, she found a rocky, dried-up stream bed that provided her with a sheltered path upwards. Soon enough she was nearing the farmhouse. She climbed out of the stream where she was able and peered around. A small bridge lay ahead of her that offered passage to the fields beside the house. She stopped and thought for a moment. She did not want to get too close and risk waking anyone inside, nor did she wish to leave evidence of her presence. So, she continued past the bridge and up the edge of an arching cliff which separated the farm from the mountain forest. Beneath a blanket of trees she found a suitable vantage point to examine the area below.
There was a foul whiff on the air—the scent of ka-zchen. One was very close. She readied her crossbow and lowered her figure to the ground. For a while she didn’t move, only listened. The creature couldn’t be in the forest, otherwise it would make noise. She l
ooked down upon the farmhouse and surrounding fields. There was no movement there either. She was about to turn her gaze when she noticed fresh tracks in the field nearest her. They led her eyes to a black mound at the base of the cliff. It was the ka-zchen! It was… dead. She let out a small gasp. Dead? Maybe Aldrick was aware that he was a wielder after all; how else had it met such a fate? Eager to investigate the creature’s corpse she made her way to it, treading with less caution than before.
Solemn’s light made the animal’s features easily distinguishable. She sought only to locate its brand. Soon enough a glint of blue caught her eye. It was a drathen butterfly. Fear stole her. This was far worse than she had anticipated. Aldrick was in grave danger!
“Don’t move.”
Télia was already more alarmed than she had been in a long time. The voice behind her did not heighten this. Accepting she was compromised, she calmly placed her crossbow on the ground, raised her hands and turned around. A tall young man with dark hair stood ahead of her, an armed bow ready in his hands. She recognised him.
“You’re the girl from the market, aren’t you?” he asked sharply.
“Yes I am. And you, you are Aldrick’s brother?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Yes… tell me why you are here. Are you here for him? Did you send that thing to kill him?” He nodded toward the ka-zchen.
“Yes. Yes I am here for Aldrick. I am here to protect him. I did not send the ka-zchen.”
He looked taken aback. “Protect him? From whom?”
“From someone very bad.” She had not the time for this conversation. “Look, I must speak with your brother. Will you trust in me to meet with him in the morning? The hour is already late tonight.”
He stepped closer.
“How do you know who hunts Aldrick? Tell me!” he demanded fiercely.
“The brand. I know from its brand,” she hissed.
“Why do they want him dead?”
“Now is not the time. You and Aldrick will meet with me at the entrance to your farm at sunrise tomorrow,” she stated bluntly.
Aldrick’s brother looked irritated but his decision was wise.
“Very well,” he said, lowering his bow and taking another step forward. “But know that if you bring harm to my family, I will have your life.”
“You have my word.” Télia picked her crossbow back up. “Remember—tomorrow, at sunrise.”
She left him standing there and made to retrace her steps down the streambed. Her mind was humming. Selayna? How was it possible? Hadn’t she died many years ago? Télia knew now why it was so important she protect Aldrick, why reinforcements were being sent—word of Seleyna’s return had reached Galdrem. The Synod was responsive to her manoeuvres. Why was Aldrick a target though? Télia thought hard upon this. The name Aedimon… it suddenly felt familiar. Why? No answers came to her. There were many pieces to this puzzle and she could not fit them together herself. She needed somewhere safe that she could take Aldrick and search for the answers they now both sought. She knew exactly where to go—where she had originally been going—to the wielder Jon’s.
4
BE WARY OF THE SHADOWS
“Get up. Aldrick, get up.”
It was still dark.
He groaned and squinted up at a flaming torch above his bed. Kaal was holding it. “What?”
“I said get up. We have an appointment with your lady friend.”
He rubbed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“That girl from the market—she was here last night. She wants to speak with you. Get up.”
“Télia.” Aldrick stood immediately. “Where is she?” he asked, dressing hurriedly.
“We are meeting her down the hill at sunrise. Bring your bow.”
“Kaal, she was here?”
“Yes, after midnight. I thought I heard something so I went out and found her by the ka-zchen. Aldrick, she knows who sent it.”
Kaal proceeded to tell him everything Télia had said. He listened intently. How was she involved in all this? Maybe she could answer the many questions he had. Either way he was eager to speak with her again. Even just seeing her would make this a fine day.
The sun had yet to dawn when they reached the bottom of their road. There was a chill in the air and mist hung low. They waited anxiously on their side of the fence. Kaal’s bow was armed. He feared Télia planned to ambush them. Aldrick dismissed this, but knew he ought to be watchful nonetheless. His bow was at his side.
While the sun’s first light spilt over the horizon the sound of hooves grew louder upon the road to Rain. Télia appeared astride a beautiful black mare. She was hooded, as she had been yesterday at the market. Aldrick now supposed their encounter had been no coincidence.
“Hello again,” she said, drawing to a halt at the opposite side of the fence.
He smiled. “Hello. I hear you want to speak with me?”
She returned the smile only briefly. She looked anxious. Kaal was keeping his distance, watching her through narrowed eyes.
“I am sure your brother has already told you much from last night?” she asked, glancing at him.
“He did. He said you know who hunts me?”
“I do. Her name is Selayna. She is a most wicked wielder.”
“Wielder? What do you mean?”
“I mean that… well, I suppose I mean she is a witch.”
“Witch…” Aldrick repeated under his breath. “Why does she want me dead?”
“That is a question to which I do not have an answer. What concerns me is that you may still be in danger. Aldrick, it is not safe for you here.”
“Why is this your concern? Why do you want to protect me?”
“It is my duty.”
“So you are a bodyguard?”
“Of sorts, yes.” Télia’s words were hurried. “Aldrick, I can take you to a safer place where someone more knowledgeable than I may be able to shed light on all this.”
She wanted him to leave with her? It was a bold thought.
“Where is this place?” Aldrick asked curiously. “Who is this person?”
“Deep in the Midland Ranges. A trusted wielder resides there.”
“What is his name…?”
“Jon.”
He and Kaal stared at each other.
“Jon? Jon is our friend. He is no wielder,” said Kaal self-assuredly.
Télia raised her eyebrows.
“You know him?” she asked. “Interesting… well, I can assure you with confidence—he is a wielder.”
Kaal shook his head adamantly. “No, no he isn’t! He is a harmless old man.”
“Wielder!” insisted Télia. “They are out there you know, and much closer than you may think.” She shot Aldrick a sly but unreadable glance.
His head was ready to explode. She wanted to take him to safety—protect him from some evil wielder who wished him dead. And Jon, Jon was also a wielder? Was that why Braem had left to see him? None of it made any sense.
“What if I just stayed here?” he asked, overwhelmed.
“Then you would eventually be hunted down and killed. More enemies will come, Aldrick. You must come with me now. It ensures the safety of your family too.”
Télia’s words were wise, he supposed. He wanted no harm to befall his family because of him, and he ached for answers to an ever-mounting number of questions. At Jon’s he might finally have these.
He turned to Kaal. “I should go.”
Kaal was fuming. “You want to leave with her? But none of this should be our problem! We can handle ourselves here and let people like her and Jon sort this out.” He was searching for excuses.
“But I need to know the truth. I have to go!” Aldrick blurted.
“Aldrick, we must leave as soon as possible,” Télia said with urgency. “I am ready. You should prepare yourself now. It will take us two days to reach the ranges and there may be danger along the way. Your family should seek shelter in Rain in the meantime. They will be safe
there, though they should remain watchful. I recommend your brother stay with them.”
He turned to Kaal and looked him over. “Will you stay with Bree and Phelvara until Braem returns?”
“I suppose I could do that,” Kaal muttered reluctantly.
Aldrick looked back at Télia. “Well, I guess I’ll go and prepare for the journey.”
“Meet me here when you are ready, Aldrick,” she said as he and Kaal made to leave. “Don’t be long.”
They walked back up their road in silence. All the while Aldrick could sense Kaal’s ill mood. He probably wanted to leave with him, or perhaps he was just worried. He had every right to be.
When they entered the house they found Phelvara arisen and sipping tea in her gown by the embers of last night’s fire. She looked up at them as they approached. “Hello boys, you are up early… is something wrong?” She had noticed the anxious expressions upon their faces.
Aldrick took her hand. “Mother, there is little time to explain. The ka-zchen was hunting me. There is a woman here to protect me. She says I will be safer at Jon’s. I’m going to go there with her. You must leave here too, in case more danger comes. Will you move to Rain for a few days and await Braem’s return? I know this is all crazy, but it is important that we all be careful.” He took a breath.
She looked upon him in bewilderment. “Oh Aldrick, if you say this is the best thing then I have to believe you. We will go to Rain, as you ask. And you,” she touched his cheek with a gentle hand, “you pursue the answers you rightfully seek.”