by B A Fleming
“Yes, thank you,” acknowledged Casperi with a smile. Aryz Coun turned and nodded to an awaiting servant who rushed off to fetch fruits and wine. When she returned, she and another laid out the bowl, wine and a glass on the table.
“Please, two more glasses,” requested Casperi, translated by Temar. “I have need of your wisdom my guards,” he added as the Imuhagh guards looked on, disgusted that these criminals would be invited to join their master in the small feast.
The three then spoke in the kingdom tongue, Temar subtly reminding himself and Aryz Coun that they must keep in character at all times for even when they thought that they weren’t being watched, they would be. Some of the information that had been obtained pointed them directly to Masterstone, the large market town in the Morean Empire. As Queen Emba had previously explained, it was most likely that in this town they would be able to locate dwarves who may know of a path through the Har-Koln and back into the valley.
“I feel the Queen grows anxious of our ongoing leisure,”
observed Temar.
“I as well,” offered Aryz Coun.
“I have been thinking the same but I wanted to see what would occur today. As no word has come from Queen Emba this morning, I will seek another audience with her now and then we will depart in the evening,” decided Casperi.
“Only time to cross the Dearthlands is by day. A royal guard could protect us for part of journey, but do not expect them saddle for more than few hours,” surmised Aryz Coun. “I know the Dearthlands, and my name may have more there than within these walls. Dearthlands dangerous lands for all who travel them.”
Casperi signaled to a waiting servant. “Please ask if I may have an audience with Queen Emba,” requested Casperi through Temar. The servant left the room as the three kept talking. “Whilst we wait upon her highness’ reply may you two check our supplies to make sure we have all that is needed. I will visit the gardens to distract their attention a while.”
With this Casperi rose, stretched, and left the room. The guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do. After a few moments of whispers and hand signals one followed after, to be joined by another outside of the room. The other remained, whilst the fourth guard outside the door left it open.
Casperi wandered the gardens and considered how amazing the variety and color of the plants were, considering the dry environment. It had not rained since he entered Imuhagh lands, nor did it look like it would. A beautiful young woman sat a distance away, down a small path, and as the prince passed she signaled for him to come over.
“Young Prince, may you join me?” she asked. Casperi looked at her, genuinely surprised.
“You speak my tongue?” he replied.
“My father was a student of Master Shang. He taught me some of your words.” She looked at him and then down again. The girl was beautiful, demure, and richly dressed in a fine pink cloth with gold bangles, earrings, nose rings and necklace.
She had full lips, intricately manicured eyebrows, soft eyes, and long, flow jet black hair. Her skin was slightly lighter than her guards.
“I am Princess Sureia. Daughter to the Queen,” she introduced herself, standing briefly and slightly bowing.
“We are one and the same, Prince Casperi,” she added with a smile.
“We are one and the same,” he replied, bowing, standing five paces from her now.
Her guards looked on and she mentioned something to them, waving her hand. Less than a minute later a servant appeared with a cushion that she placed on the seat two paces from the princess. She indicated for Casperi to sit.
“What do you seek of us young Prince?” she asked with a slight smile.
“I’m not sure Princess. Hospitality, guidance. These lands are foreign to me.”
“And yet you travel with two criminals who know these lands better than most.”
“You know of my companions?” queried Casperi.
“Only by reputation. I hear things,” she looked away slightly and then turned back to him. “As many do.”
Sureia considered him for a few moments.
“You are in far more danger here than you would surmise young Prince. My mother is still yet to decide if you are a threat or an ally. She rules because of her ability to define between the two.”
Aryz Coun and Temar arrived in the garden almost an hour later. Casperi was just finishing his conversation with Princess Sureia, who was walking away as they approached.
“We leave you alone for five minutes Prince Casperi,” joked Aryz Coun. Casperi smiled back at them.
A servant approached the Princess.
“The queen has requested an audience immediately my lord,” bowed Sureia, being more formal and more aware of the presence of watching eyes.
“Then we shall attend to her,” he replied.
Chapter 18
Queen Emba laid leisurely upon the day bed, surrounded by pillows. She was attractive and took care of herself, and although now in her middle years, she was still a beauty that captured the attention of men around her.
Her black panther, Isy, licked its lips and flicked its tail. Three muscular men sat eating at a small table in the back corner of her reception room. They seemed to be of much higher status than the guards and servants that stood awaiting instruction.
Casperi was introduced to the Queen as his companions were prevented from entering the chamber, now standing outside, looking patiently away across the vast courtyard.
“We are one and the same, Prince Casperi,” smiled Queen Emba.
“We are one and the same,” he replied, bowing, standing five paces from her.
“I see that you have met my daughter, young prince.”
He said nothing and remained still.
“You would no doubt know by now that I have eyes and ears everywhere.”
“Of course, my Queen. I would expect nothing less.”
“My daughter likes you, but her taste in mates has been less than respectable in the past,” she looked him up and down and then across to the three men who watched on. “But such matters would need to await until next time we meet, Prince Casperi.”
He nodded.
“You are now ready to continue your journey, but I have a small request of you. This moment, these days, have been an opportunity to build a relationship between our two realms, that I have chosen not to pursue. I ask that you be open to this opportunity next time we meet. Understand that this is for many reasons, some of which I will share with you now.
Hardular is a secretive realm that we have had only limited dealings with in the past.
I have consulted with my Ori who sees a future of prosperity with you. Orisas, my high priestess, warns of deception in your journey to come. Nothing will appear as you believe it to be, as many will seek to seduce you to be a tool in their own schemes.
My last advice may come with an element of surprise, for even Orisas could see clarity in her dreams from the moment my Sandscrapers found you.”
She stopped, taking a breath, caressing the big cat that looked at her as if they we connected.
“Your companions will be your armor Prince Casperi. They were always meant to accompany you in this journey. It has been foretold that Esu and Oya will visit upon you, and your companions and will guide you in this influence.”
She glanced towards a nearby guard who stepped forward towards Casperi. He recognized the signal and bowed to Queen Emba.
“I look forward to the next time we meet, my Queen.”
She smiled back to him as she watched him leave.
*****
Soze hacked at a sapling until it had formed a short staff. He then returned to the camp and presented it to Daak.
“This will do fine for now. Thank you, my friend,” responded Daak in courtesy as he examined his new walking stick.
He stood up with the help of Gameard, leaning against the staff as he rose. Standing almost on one foot, he banged the wood against the ground. “It’s got good strength,” h
e observed, and began to meander a quiet lap around the camp site. His limp was obvious, but now, at least, the progress would be slightly faster.
Daak had fallen badly an hour before when a rock had given way underfoot. Although it would have been easier to follow the road created by the invading Ice Gols, the party had decided to remain in the treacherous deep forest that held a rocky path. It ran within a mile of the Ice Gols trail. They had all agreed that it would be better to remain undetected for as long as possible, for they knew that they would be quickly closing in on the horde.
The dark forest held its own challenges. The path itself was extremely rocky and uneven, and hidden beneath a thick canopy. It had formed from rocks being wedged between others and dirt and leaves gathering in the crags and crevices over the years. The local fauna had learnt how to navigate it and the path was slowly created over time. With the onset of winter, every step was a potential fall and Daak had finally succumbed to its treacherous nature.
They had first crossed a steep hillside trail to reach the deep forest wherein one false step could have lead to a fall to their death. Curran, the most experienced woodsman of the party, could scantly see a few paces in front of him, and he knew that a divergence of even a few steps from the trail and could lead the whole party to their doom.
The gloomy winter landscape could also easily hide aggressors close by. They were heading down to the high open rice fields at the top of the Meadow Lands but for now the path was a treacherous maze.
Soze considered the scene as he slowly moved down the path, with one eye of each footstep in front of him, and the other on the dark shadows that seemed to lurk behind every boulder, every outcrop, or bunch of trees.
“The forest is full of strange shapes and fearful sounds,” observed Edgar, still looking around, although not on scouting duty.
“Seems like people either have not enough imagination, or maybe too much,” laughed Gameard in reply.
“Anyone who ventures more than a league into those lands could be never seen again, and the deep wood has ghosts and evil lurking deep inside that even the Grangol will not enter,” added Veer. “I think the boy is right old friend, it is to be feared.”
It didn’t take long for Veers’ words to come true for within twenty minutes of recommencing their walk a small Squamate appeared from a branch above Thais. She turned, surprised by the animal that licked its lips at her less than two feet from her head. She instantly fired a blast.
The creature froze as the mist enveloped it.
First it was stunned by the coldness and then in a matter of seconds its small limbs were rendered solid with ice. It screamed in pain and then the noise turned to a gargle as its face and open mouth and tongue froze. Its long body fell limp across the branches. Gameard, standing behind her laughed, his sword half drawn.
“The beast should have picked an easier target,” he gestured, slapping Thais on the back, although gently, enough for her to shoot him a grim look.
A days’ march further down the valley, Lord Yidvag walked with an arrogance around his troops. He snarled at them, confident with his power. He knew that with his guards stationed as such, he was out of bow shot of any potential threat in this forest. They had made their way down through the Grangols and the deep forest. The first human settlement had been reached and easily defeated. Some had fled, but most had been chopped down where they stood. Their houses now provided ample fire wood and their cattle a fine meal for the victors.
*****
A seemingly endless expanse of off white greeted the three travelers in the morning. Casperi looked to the south across a desert of sand, to the north-east was an almost barren, rocky terrain, with a wall of cliffs and mountains running behind, across almost to the horizon north-west of the city walls. The world seemed to drop off in the distance to the east although rocky outcrops could vaguely be seen in the haze. As expected, a royal guard of scorpion riders had been offered, and Werta Yullita had specially requested to lead them.
“I must know why you have chosen to lead us out into the Dearthlands, Werta,” asked Casperi as they rode along the traders’ road beside the river towards Amadghor.
“I have a sense of you, my lord, and wish to bestow my blessing with you and your journey,” he spoke proudly.
“And to make sure I am well away from your city,” added Temar.
“You have escaped the executioner again Temar Bolyl.
I am sure you will not be so lucky in the future,” suggested Werta.
“My lord,” Werta whispered. “Be aware that others follow and have ill tidings for your journey,” he mentioned as if scanning the horizon around them. “The Empire of Morean falls below the Pass of Kaouar,” he announced for the other soldiers to hear. “We shall see you only to the first stop of rest as then we will return to our stations. Be aware that the Dearthlands hold no friends, sometimes not even amongst us.”
Casperi, Aryz Coun, and Temar all looked across at each other. Although not entirely unexpected, not hearing Wertas’ warning to Casperi, the others seemed surprised by this statement.
Sometime later the three men watched the Sandscrapers disappear into the distance.
“Who are Esu and Oya?” asked Casperi casually. Both his companions took deep breaths as they turned to continue their journey.
The wind blew across the dunes whipping up gusts of sand that filled every crevice and every pore of an unprotected body. Casperi had lost his head covering for a few brief moments and then spent ten minutes digging the sand out of his ears and nose when they stopped to rest in a sheltered spot, sometime later. His face was dirty, sand blown and worn, with his mouth dry and parched from endless hours of riding. He softly massaged his aching legs, as the camels were shaped differently to horses, and therefore wore on different leg muscles slightly higher than normal.
The sand had made his biscuits crunch between his teeth moreso than usual, and the icy coldness of the days didn’t help detract from the emptiness of the landscape. Although Casperi and his travelers had come down from the Erg Adagh, they were still in high plains that ran between one level of mountains and another. The desolate scenery added no comfort to their journey. Nights especially were bitterly cold as the blankets that they had secured earlier in their journey were still very handy both for protecting them from the harsh midday sun and the icy winds in the darkness.
It would be a five-day trek across the Dearthlands to the Pass of Kaouar, through the Aïr Mountains. Two days across the rolling hills as the sand thinned to a more stoney terrain nearing the outpost town of Fachi.
Fachi was an oasis, surrounded by the Dearthlands, and the final remnants of dunes. A thriving little town, it had formed since the traders started sneaking up from the Morean Empire. The Erh of Bilma unofficially ruled this area of the Imuhagh Dominion, maintaining a limited sense of order, and occasionally executing a slaver or thief that took more than was considered fair.
Apart from water, dates, and salt, Fachi produced no supplies, and depended entirely upon trade of merchandise with passing caravans. The original town had been frequently raided by slavers and other Bedouins in its past, and had now been built within high fortifications from unusable salt blocks. To the south the road continued to Amadghor along the river, and to the east the road crossed a rocky path to the Pass of Kaouar.
The door opened and Aryz Coun stood in front of his companions seeing a tubby, middle-aged woman standing at the open entryway. She bowed, with a purple colored tagelmust around her shoulders, mostly covering a large gold necklace than seemed to match the gold rings and bracelets that she wore. Her gold ear and nose rings add to the perception of her wealth.
“May blessings be with you,” she said, bowing to them.
“May blessings be with you as well,” replied Aryz Coun. “Do you have hospitality for an old friend?”
“You have been kind to me over the years Aryz Coun, both in business and loyalty. My door is always open to you.”
She looked
past him at his friends.
“You travel with varied companions,” she observed as the men moved in. The woman glanced each way outside before closing and locking the door, following her guests into the main reception room.
“Guerta Homs, may I present my friends, Temar Bolyl and Prince Casperi of the Upper Valley.”
“Your highness, I have heard word of your visit to the Imuhagh. It is an honor for you to visit my most humble abode,” she gestured to Casperi, bowing with as much
grace as he could muster.
“Temar Bolyl,” she continued. “Your reputation precedes you, and I do hope that you would be equally familiar with my name,” she added with a much small bow.
Temar and Casperi looked at each other and Temar indicated that the prince should answer first. She took Casperis’ hands in hers as she stood in front of him.
“I am more a humble man than a highness, Guerta Homs,” he indicated, holding the woman’s hands within his. “I too am honored if you would guest us for the evening,” she added, all interpreted by Aryz Coun.
Guerta turned, slapped her hands, and a young boy, around the age of nine, came running from a side room. Guerta yelled instructions and the boy scampered off. Two young women could be seen running around in backrooms preparing accommodations and food. Several minutes later one of the women entered the room with a bowl of soup, bread and a small amount of cheese.
“Cheese is very rare here,” whispered Aryz Coun to Casperi as Guerta indicated for him to sit at the table laid out before him. Guerta, Aryz Coun and Temar stood several steps away cordially standing. Casperi indicated for his companions to join him and they both subtlety declined.
The boy appeared at the doorway of the reception room.
“Your bath has been prepared, your highness,” indicated Guerta with a smile.
As Casperi was led away Guerta turned to Temar. Two large men made their presence known from a back room.
“I find myself in a bit of a dilemma with you Temar Bolyl, as I have many loyal and trusted old friends that would seek to have you killed, and at a price that proves more than handsome to me.”