They watched as both probes raced to the planet below. The moment they hit the atmosphere they lost partial contact, returning seconds later with the ground approaching dramatically fast, both opened side air-brakes and reduced their rate of descent. The first probe that was directly above the forest started to show extreme readings; all of them fluctuated wildly: from position and height, to radiation and atmosphere content levels. A moment later the screen cut out and went completely dark. The second probe curved around, coming in lower. It approached from the easterly direction that both planes took; constantly recording as the forest grew before it. The probe experienced the exact same phenomena before it too lost contact. Arnahell’s figure came back to view, her face intent on the screen trying to understand the numbers.
‘What happened?’ Hanniver stared at the Astronaut dumbfounded.
‘It appears the probes failed,’ her face showed concern and deep thought. ‘I could send another two, but I’m sure combined with the data you’ve already provided, the outcome will be no different.’
‘What does it mean?’ Williams jumped in. He held no love for the Astronauts, as he held no love for anything that was different from what he perceived as right, but he did hold a grudging respect for them.
‘It appears that there is something in the forest that’s causing electronic and photonic failure. Nothing with modern circuitry will work there.’
‘We have to see if there are any survivors!’ Hanniver blurted.
‘The natives won’t let us anywhere near that place,’ Shayne reminded them.
‘We can’t just leave them!’
‘We also have to know what caused this,’ Williams answered. ‘We need to know what is out there!’
‘What about the radiation?’ Omar came in, worried about the wild readings.
‘Probably just something messing with the system,’ Hanniver explained. ‘There’re people who live in that forest. If it’s dangerous it would have to be prolonged exposure.’
‘We can send a ground team,’ Williams said, ‘with no electronics. We could request access to retrieve information and look for survivors.’
‘No one will allow that,’ Shayne shook his head. ‘This isn’t the Wayel-Éaa. This is the sacred lands.’
‘They might let us in if you’re the one fronting the team!’ the air vice-marshal pointed to Shayne, hope upon his face as he turned to the general. ‘They’ll let him!’
Hendingson looked uncertain, ‘And how are we to communicate? No radios, no lasers, no computers. Whoever goes in there will go in blind, with no hope of rescue if something goes wrong.’
‘We’ll send the SB soldiers,’ Williams pointed to Shayne but the Hendingson laughed.
‘We don’t train them to go on suicide missions!’
‘Then, what’re we supposed to do? Just leave them there? Ignore this as if nothing has happened?’
‘The air vice-marshal’s right,’ Hanniver stepped in, ‘we have to at least try.’
‘I guess the king is the one to call upon then,’ The general sighed. They all agreed and requested an emergency meeting with the royal.
They all gathered into one of the meeting rooms. There was no formality but they did have to wait for the board members to arrive. The Trade and Foreign Ministers were not present; they both left after the tournament and were on their way to other cities. Shayne glanced across at the Afradian who revealed no hint of their meeting earlier that morning. Finally, after the last members were accounted for the king was sent for, his guards were dismissed as he entered, with only the two guards who were present were allowed to remain.
‘Why do you call such a meeting at such an hour?’ the UeVarda said as he sat in his seat. He was alert and very concerned. Shayne rose, he looked again at the Afradian, somehow they knew this had happened. He turned back at the king.
‘We have lost two of our hoverplanes, the falá’arah. They crashed.’
‘I thought you said they were safe and unlikely to do so.’
‘Normally that is true,’ Shayne replied, ‘but something interfered with their machinery, and they were unable to work. They fell in, or near Endaran.’ The board erupted in outrage.
Fal’galanmír banged her hand on the table as she rose from her seat, ‘Why were they in Endaran? You were strictly forbidden to be there!’
‘They were not heading to Endaran. They were well and truly over it. I see how this might appear to you, but civilian flying machines often travel high above others lands. This does not constitute as breaking the treaty. They never intended to land, but to move over or around.
‘Why were they flying over it?’
‘Our information tells us that they were travelling along the border from Isradia. They had trouble and we lost contact.’
‘And the other machine,’ Dun’karter softly asked, ‘was it with the first?’
‘No, the second was sent to try and find the first,’ Shayne confessed, the board again reverberated with displeasure. ‘They were not there to land either; they were flying over the area where the other one was last seen. They were to take overhead images to try and located them.’
‘And it failed too?’ the UeVarda showed no emotion.
‘Yes,’ Shayne nodded. ‘We believe there is something in the forest that affects our machines. Making them shut down. We are requesting to send a party; on foot, to try and retrieve any possible survivors.’
‘There are no survivors,’ Malakite responded. His eyes watched Shayne from behind the metal mask. Shayne felt a sinking feeling at the Afradian’s words.
‘We can’t know that!’ Hanniver spoke up with a droid conveying his words.
‘All who enter the forest are never seen again,’ UeShádarn Tal’dorfin answered grimly.
‘And if they fell out of the sky, as you say?’ Dun’karter added.
‘There’s always hope,’ Williams added, ‘and we need to know what happened to our ships! We need to learn why.’
‘Why?’ Tellin’marda said. Her head turned in displeasure at the Earthmen as she looked upon them. ‘Because you incurred the wrath of the Kéaran is why. No soul is to enter the forest; it has been the decree since the death of the high lord Markees. And you flouted that law. You rode over it as if it did not matter. As if you believe your gods are greater than ours! You are worse than the Jahaarans!’
‘Tellin’marda!’ the Imperial Commander growled; her Lionish voice fierce. ‘That is enough!’ She turned to Shayne. ‘Though she speaks ignorantly she may also speak truth. You seek to gain permission to travel to the sacred land?’ she looked horrified at the humans before her. ‘I think you live so intently in your world that you are blind to ours.’
‘Still it is forbidden for any of the children of the Kéaran to venture in,’ Tal’dorfin reminded them.
‘We’re aware of this,’ Hanniver softly spoke. ‘No one is more saddened and ashamed than us, but our intentions were not of deceit. It’s our way and our custom to try and find our missing, whether that means they’re dead or not.’
‘Even if that custom means that those you send in will surely die?’ Dun’karter looked sadly upon the humans. ‘I say it is best to leave this matter alone. Go home Hama Ta’Orians and grieve the loss of your kin.’ Hanniver frowned, the despair clear upon his face, but he rose from his seat, looking upon the Chancellors and the king he then quoted as best he could.
‘“One day an outsider will come to the land of Endaran, for it has been foreseen, he will come in chains and leave boundless. He will be drawn and he will be tested and he will survive.”’ The other Earthmen looked oddly at the Brigadier as he quoted a native text. The board members also watched him in shock except for Malakite, who smiled faintly at the star-rank officer. Hanniver remained standing, waiting a reply but they all remained silent.
Níurthan rose and he turned to his king, ‘Ho da Afrada ala Hama luf dueneko,’ the board all expressed shock towards the monk, their horror clear except for Fagin’daulor who di
d not know the Language of Kings, though from the reactions he guessed what the Afradian said.
The king looked across at Malakite, his expression thoughtful. He then turned to the Earthmen, ‘Very well, Afra’hama may enter the forest, but him alone.’
‘You can’t do that!’ Williams jumped up, Hendingson gestured for him to sit down.
‘This requires a party. We would expect ten people to go,’ he said in a flat voice to the UeVarda.
‘They will die,’ the king dryly replied. ‘Even if the Kéaran allows you to live, the lions do not control the children. I can send word to Isradia and Nakáda who protect the borders, but even if they agree, which I am not sure they would, you would still face the Aniskins and they will not befriend you. Is that a risk you will take?’ The Earthmen shifted uneasily.
The general signalled for the droid to stop translating and he turned to his men.
‘We must know what happened,’ Williams said.
‘What if they’re right?’ Hanniver asked. ‘We won’t be able to take any androids, nor will the soldiers be able to suit up in the battle gear.’
‘Let the party take the rifles,’ Williams said. ‘We have emergency automatic triggers.’ A few others argued including Rae.
The general raised his hand to silence them and turned back to the board. ‘If we send ten people will you allow them to take our weapons to protect ourselves?’ the board murmured amongst themselves for a while in indecision. ‘One could not take a city let alone an entire nation, with a dozen guns,’ the general tried to convince them. After a while the UeVarda nodded.
‘You may take your weapons,’ Fa’galanmír answered, ‘but if you use these things then we will not be responsible for any action that Dífrun takes against you.’
‘It seems that a rather unsettling compromise has been decided,’ The UeVarda stated. ‘I think that some of our people should accompany you as messengers to both Isradia and Nakáda, for we cannot reach them before you set out.’
‘Agreed,’ The general grimly nodded. ‘We’ll call for two more transporters. You select your messengers and as soon as possible we’ll set out.’
***
They had three military hoverplanes at the palace grounds. Six Starborn and two Special Forces soldiers were flown to Karmoníth, along with the old style weapons. A couple of assistant androids brought out carbon-polymer plated armour, with a strange symbol painted upon the chest plates. Shayne stopped them, grabbing a piece.
‘What is this?’ He glared at the machine.
‘The native king ordered it,’ the robot said. ‘They say it is your name in the native tongue.’ Shayne pushed the plate back into the robot’s hands and continued on with his duties.
A few native students affiliated with Isradia and Bohaníde were also flown in and were briefed about the situation: first by the Earthmen on their way and finally by the Board of Stewards. They were not happy but they complied due to their loyalty to Kérith-Árim. Níurthan also ordered some high ranking scholars from those nations to help and he brought in Kíe’arathorne to accompany Shayne to their drop-off point. The scene was tense and people went about their tasks with quiet obedience.
Kíe’arathorne came to Shayne when he was practically alone. ‘Please heed my words, Afra’hama, my friend, for today I shall be Kíe’athraden, the wise. Stay away from the mist.’ Shayne half nodded to the young journeyman and continued on but the lionman stopped him, his face hard. ‘I am serious, stay away from that place.’
‘I thought it was a part of your prophecy, to go through this trial?’
‘A prophecy is a dangerous thing, Afra’hama, it is the prediction of one’s life, and is not something someone should seek out. How many people in times past have believed that a word was spoken about them? And how many people have tread the tale spoken of only to find their doom? You do not seek out the words of the prophets Afra’hama, they seek you out.’
‘I’m glad you finally doubt my position in your faith.’ With that he walked off. When the time came to depart the UeVarda and the priest performed a blessing before they boarded the vehicles. Shayne strapped himself in the transporter, accompanied by the other party members including Lieutenant Rae Wong. She firmly insisted upon attending as she already had more experience in the wilds than any of the other military medics.
They separated from the other transporters over Nakáda and continued on straight towards Endaran, while in the air the search party geared up in their armour; the white markings a bright contrast to the camouflaged plating. The expedition came to a stop in the Magor-Missabain, several kilometres before the first recordings of the fluctuations, and everyone stepped off into the cursed fields. Clarkes Moon could be seen over the dividing mountain range, lower in the sky from the time meridian of Kérith-Árim. The low angle created an optical illusion that made it look larger than it really was.
Standing in the grasslands was eerie with the forest before them. Kíe’arathrone cautiously got out after the others; he looked terrified and did not try to hide it. The general and the air-vice marshal also came out to bid them farewell. The SB soldiers set about unloading the weapons and backpacks, while Shayne, Rae and the two Special Force officers listened to a second briefing.
‘Remember, the map shows the area distribution for both crash sites,’ the general called out, his voice raised slightly over the engines. ‘There’s a chance that they could be in the plains, though the Oxford hasn’t found anything. Look anyway. Only go into the forest as a last resort.’
‘Yes Sir.’ The commanding Special Force Officer Captain Javier saluted.
‘Record and send as much data as you possibly can. We’ll monitor you until it cuts out.’
The air vice-marshal turned to Shayne with a cunning smile, ‘This is your time to shine, Starborn — or die, you know, whichever comes first.’ They then backed off.
The party grabbed their packs and began to head towards the forest.
Kíe’arathorne broke from the star officers and ran after the party, ‘Please, Afra’hama, you cannot go that way,’ Kíe’arathorne pleaded. He grabbed Shayne by the arm and forced the human to look at him. Fear and concern imprinted on his face. ‘Please, Afra’hama, please I beg you.’ Shayne gently placed his hand upon the journeyman’s and lifted it from his arm. Kíe’arathorne looked down at his feet; tears welled up in his eyes. Shayne was not sure how to comfort the creature so he placed his hand upon his shoulder in friendship. The scholar sobbed as the human let go and started walking. The young lionman then fell to his knees in anguish.
The air vice-marshal came over to him and gently grabbed his shoulder, ‘Come now, we have to go.’ Kíe’arathorne looked up at the retreating figures, his face grew serious and a determination set upon him. He stood up and cried out to them.
‘I will wait for you, Afra’hama. I will await your return.’ He then turned to the hoverplane, where Williams gently encouraged him into the craft. As they departed Kíe’arathorne watched their fading figures, a deep fear and anxiety grew within him and he could not help but grieve. There he sang the song of Markees, though his helmet communicator was off and his voice was drowned out by the whirling raw of the engines for anyone else to hear.
Woe to the Children of the World,
for tonight they lost a mighty lord.
Markees the fairest of all,
tonight and forever we will mourn.
Great was the king of all.
Great Markees of what was once a bright world,
to you animals will forever mourn.
Ta’Orian will always remember your law.
Fa’Orian will forever call you Lord.
Great was the King of all.
To this world sadness comes,
and to the Kéaran you have gone.
With golden wings you will roam,
still the lord of what we call home.
Great is the King of All;
mighty Markees of the World.
They walked onw
ards in single file with Captain Javier leading the team. The Starborns walked behind them with their rifles in hand while the other four carried various instruments including tracking devices. Shayne had his wristcom open, it was connected to the Oxford and they relayed the data from all the hand held devices directly to the Astronauts. The grass plains were calm, but occasionally the wind would rise and whip around them as if it was trying to ward them off before settling back down.
‘It’s so quiet,’ Rae commented as she looked around the open ground.
‘What is this place?’ the other officer, Lieutenant Jameson asked in an almost whisper.
‘The Magor-Missabain,’ Shayne answered. He then looked up at them from his device and translated the name into English, ‘the fields of sorrow.’
‘I don’t like it.’ Rae shivered. ‘The sooner we’re in Endaran the better.’
‘Except for the whole “you’ll die” thing,’ Javier joked with a faint Spanish accent.
When they were a few kilometres from the forest border their instruments started malfunctioning, surprising the captain. They were well past the point where they predicted the fluctuations to begin. He was sceptical from the start and he had become increasingly confident that it was all coincidence until then. All of their instruments ranged wildly as they continued on. When they stopped moving the fluctuations slowed but the readings were never true. Jameson maintained radio contact despite the communications became increasingly difficult to understand.
Standing stones became visible as the forest border drew near. The monoliths were stretched out along the perimeter, made up of various sizes and many leaning in strange angles as the years took their toll. A few hundred metres from the border, right near one of the stones their instruments failed. The closest monolith was an ominous thing, leaning slightly to the side; it had been carved with an angry demonic face, warning any wanderer of the forest beyond. They studied it with mild amusement, but Shayne could not help but feel a creeping sensation along his spine.
The Book of Ominiue: Starborn Page 41