Sam opened his other eye, both going wide. “Rindu, that was…that was a wonderful analogy. That one is a definite keeper.”
The Zouy’s lips twitched into a momentary smile. Well, it was a very good analogy.
I agree, Skitter pushed into his mind. Even I know that most of his parables are difficult to understand or are just plain crude.
Enough from you for right now. I have to concentrate. On nothing.
“I understand,” Sam said aloud to Rindu. Closing his eyes again, he regulated his breathing and brought himself to the edge of going into a trance.
Sam felt his world swirl, threatening nausea, but then it snapped into focus in his mind. He was standing on something, but inky darkness surrounded him and he could see nothing, no matter which way he looked.
Suddenly, his world swirled again. Feeling disoriented and dizzy, he clenched his muscles and waited for the feeling to subside. Soon, it settled and Sam could see a soft glow coming from his left side. Turning, he watched as a thick rope of light pulsed and gyrated. Not knowing exactly how he did it, he moved toward the rope. His feet didn’t move and he had no other sense of motion other than the rope of light getting larger and brighter. He wondered if he was really moving toward it or he was causing it to move toward him.
As the size of the glowing object increased, Sam changed his mind about what it looked like. It wasn’t a rope, but a pillar of some kind. Except that pillars didn’t twist and move like this one did. The gentle green glow was brighter, but not bright enough to hurt his eyes, even after being in the total darkness just a moment before.
Tentatively, Sam reached out and tried to touch the object, which was now big enough that it dwarfed him. His hand passed through. Oddly, though his hand passed through without him feeling anything with his sense of touch, he did feel something in his body react to the object, a peace or calmness that pervaded his entire body. He still wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it was alluring.
Taking a breath—if he could actually take a breath in this place within his mind, a place in which he really had no body—he stepped inside the pillar. His vision was flooded with light so that he couldn’t see for a moment. While it drowned out everything else in his vision, it still didn’t hurt his eyes. Maybe it was because he didn’t really have eyes in this place.
When the moment passed and he could see again, he saw himself sitting there in front of him, Rindu facing him and both men breathing rhythmically. He saw a soft glow coming from himself, though it was a yellow-white glow in contrast with the background of soft green. Rindu also glowed, but much more brightly.
The men were not the most interesting part, however. As he looked around, Sam could see that other things glowed as well. Small animals scurrying around in the bushes faintly glowed. Nearby trees and vegetation were also nascent. It was surprising to Sam that much of the foliage glowed a little more brightly than the animals. He saw Dr. Walt and Nalia off to the side, chatting, the former glowing gently and the latter more powerfully. As he looked at her, she stopped, cocked her head, and then looked directly at him. Not him seated on the ground, but him who was watching. He moved several feet away and watched as her head swiveled to follow him. Then, shaking her head slightly, she resumed her conversation with the doctor.
The most interesting thing of all, though, was only revealed when Sam looked more carefully. When he looked deeper, beyond the individual illuminations of each of the living things around him, he saw faint lines. Concentrating on them, they resolved. He was seeing lines of energy criss-crossing in front of him and as far as he could look in all directions. Ley lines. Though they were all straight, they also seemed to curve around the area in which his body sat. It was like the optical illusion he had seen once, made completely of straight lines that nevertheless seemed to curve.
As he studied them more carefully, he realized that the area around them was a convergence point of many sets of lines, all mingling and coming into perfect harmony. He wondered if that was what caused the feeling of balance he had felt.
Motion just ahead and to his right made Sam look toward that direction. As he did, he saw Rindu’s eyes snap open and look directly at him. Then the world lurched and Sam felt like he was falling.
With a start, Sam landed roughly in his body. At least, that was what it felt like. He opened his eyes and had to purposely adjust his vision until he could focus on Rindu’s face, not two feet in front of him. The Zouy had his little smirk/smile on his face.
“Ah, I see that you have seen,” he said.
Sam, still disoriented, only nodded.
“You saw the ley lines? The convergence?”
Sam cleared his throat. “I did. What is this place? Why did I see that? I never did before.”
“This place is a vortex, a meeting of the ley lines. The simple reason you have not seen it before is that you had not developed your sensitivity to the extent necessary to do so. Soon, you will be able to see ley lines without the khulim.”
“I saw all living things glowing, but the glow of the trees was more powerful than most of the animals. Why is that?”
The Zouy regarded him. “Why do you think?”
Sam ran his fingers through his hair. I really need a haircut. “I don’t know. Is it because they’re naturally more in balance, at peace?”
“Very good. Yes, there is great power in trees and plants. They are unhindered by conscious thought and so are more fully able to stay in balance with the universal rohw. Animals, thinking of eating or not being eaten, are more distracted. Trees may become concerned if they do not have water, but they do not worry overmuch.”
“Not overmuch? Are you saying that they think or worry at all?”
“Oh, they sense things and think to a certain extent, but theirs is a different type of thought and sense. Suffice it to say that all living things use the rohw to one degree or another and all are worthy of life and respect. We will discuss it more another time. For now, Dr. Walt has been generous and patient and it would be good if we acquiesced to his desires and move on to Greenfeld.”
“Thank you, Master Rindu. That was…enlightening.”
“As I promised it would be.”
While checking the packs strapped to the rakkeben, Sam glanced sideways at Nalia, catching her looking at him quizzically. He thought he got the sense she was looking quizzically, anyway, though with the mask firmly in place, he couldn’t be sure. She gave him a little wave as she mounted her rakkeban. He wondered at his friend once again. Had she actually seen his incorporeal form? Just when he thought he had finally figured her out, she surprised him again. Smiling at her, he waved back, got on Shonyb, and headed off toward Greenfeld.
Chapter 36
As they topped another small hill, Sam got his first real look at the town of Greenfeld. It was unlike any of the other groups of structures he had seen so far in this world. The houses were loosely scattered and most had small plots of farmed land around them. It looked like the small farms had been shaken in a giant cup and rolled out along the countryside. On the hills or between them, the community spread leisurely throughout the area, which was a valley sheltered in the cradle of high mountains to the east and lower, but still formidable, mountains on all other sides.
The houses themselves were interesting as well. Because of the plentiful source of lumber, no doubt, all the houses he could see were made of wood. They were mostly of the A-frame variety, with sharply pitched roofs that made Sam think that they had heavy snows during the winter. The wide homes looked comfortable and homey, especially with the chimney smoke drifting up from half of them and swirling softly into the sky. It was what Sam would have expected the town to look like, for some reason. It just seemed to reflect the peace he felt from the area. He decided he liked Greenfeld.
Dr. Walt came up beside him. “Do you like this area, Sam?”
“Yes, very much so. It is comfortable here.”
“I always thought so. I have been here several times. In fact,
I stayed here for several months whilst excavating some ruins just off to the west there.” He pointed toward a cleft in between two mountains. Then, he pointed East toward the larger mountains. “That mountain range is called the Greenclaw Range, for obvious reasons.” Sam noticed that the mountains were sharp and slightly curved, like claws. “That range extends all the way up into what is Washington State in our world. But then again, I suppose you know that if you are familiar with geography in Telani.”
“It’s beautiful here, like in our world, but I think it’s even more beautiful here than home because there are no freeways or cars or any of the ugly buildings that can mar the landscape. These buildings seem to be part of the area, not just there in defiance of the land.”
“Aptly put, my boy. Rustic and beautiful. Exactly.”
They reached the outskirts of town and Sam saw that there were other, more functional buildings lining the main street. The roofs were still sharply pitched, but the buildings were more closely spaced and not as wide as the farmhouses. Many were three stories tall, no doubt to take advantage of the prime space in the town proper. “Dr. Walt, why did we bring the rakkeben into town this time when we have left them outside of town with the other places we have visited?”
Rindu answered for the doctor. “Rakkeben are a more common sight further north. There is a large community not too far north of here, at Wolf’s Run, and there is a breeding industry between here and there. For those with the money, and the disposition which allows the rakkeben to choose them, it is not unheard of for others to bond mounts.”
Nalia dismounted and stepped up to Sam. “And with the heart of the Sapsyra at Marybador not too many miles to the Northeast, most people here have probably seen riders at one time or another, though the Sapsyra are no more.” That last part was said as barely a whisper, as if she had run out of breath to form the words.
Before Sam could respond, Rindu took up Nalia’s hand and squeezed it consolingly. “The Sapsyra will never be gone as long as you remain, Iba. With the Sapsyra as with the Zouyim, we carry the honor of our people. They shall rise again.”
Nalia visibly relaxed. “It will be so, father. It will be so.”
As they prepared to enter the provisioner’s shop, Sam noticed for the first time groups of men clustered further down the street. Because the shop was one of the first buildings they came to, they had not, as yet, passed by any of the groups. The men looked suspiciously like soldiers, though they were dressed in disparate styles. He was not happy to see that they had been noticed by one of the groups, the evident leader of which was stomping his way toward them.
Sam nudged Rindu with his elbow and jerked his head toward the quickly approaching man. Rindu whispered something to Dr. Walt, whose face suddenly went pale. “Do not speak,” Rindu told Sam. “With your accent, we will get even more undesired attention than we have already received.”
The man ground to a halt in front of them, four other men just behind him, all with weapons that had seen obvious use. They moved and handled them with the familiarity of men who had spent time with those weapons. Yes, definitely soldiers.
“What is your business here?” the man demanded, squaring his body in front of Rindu and Dr. Walt.
Calmly, softly, Rindu answered, “Our business is our own, as yours is your own. It is not polite to meddle in others’ affairs.”
Face turning red, the man spat, “I am in charge of the forces here in this town. Everything is my business. Maybe you’re some kind of trouble maker. We deal harshly with trouble makers.”
Rindu’s calm face and penetrating gaze settled on the man, making him inadvertently back up half a step. “We were unaware that ‘forces’ have taken over Greenfeld. My apologies. We are simply here to buy provisions and move on.”
The man, recovering and standing up straighter, looked more confident. “The Gray Man’s Protective Forces are now in control of this and many other cities and towns. We are consolidating everyone for a common defense against the groups of bandits that are becoming more powerful and numerous.”
“I see. I have been in the south and have not heard of such things.”
“Well, you will. Where are you heading that you need provisions?”
“We are heading toward Medit, exploring for ruins. My friend here is a scholar,” he pointed toward Dr. Walt, “who studies old civilizations. And we at times find items that can be sold.”
The man looked at him disdainfully. “Psht. Treasure hunters. Better to become a soldier. You look capable enough. Interested in some real work? Wanna join the Gray Man’s forces?”
“No, thank you. We enjoy our work.”
“Fine. Get your provisions and leave. If you cause any trouble, you will be sorry.” With that, the man nodded to his underlings and the group moved off down the street.
Dr. Walt watched them leave. “I didn’t know that it was so bad here. Obviously the Gray Man is moving to take over. We can expect that if his forces are controlling towns here, he will have already established control north of here. We must be very careful. This group didn’t know of us, but perhaps those closer to the Gray Fortress will. Let’s get our supplies and leave quickly.”
After selecting traveling foodstuffs as well as a few thick cloaks that were available for fighting the colder weather to the north, and haggling with the proprietor on the price, Dr. Walt dropped several large iron squares into the man’s hand. He immediately brought them to his scale, weighed them, and then nodded to the old man. “Thank ye kindly, folks. Good travels to ya. Be careful if you go north through the wolves’ territory. Them’s dangerous lands.”
Within minutes, the party was packed and riding out of the northern section of the town. As they left, Sam looked back over his shoulder and saw the man who had harassed them. He was standing in the street and watching them as they left. He had a curious look on his face. Sam hoped he forgot about them and didn’t cause any trouble. They didn’t need trouble coming up on them from behind. It was enough that they were riding toward trouble.
Chapter 37
Nalia was distracted. She tried to focus, but it was always hard for her to keep her mind off things in this area, so close to where she had lived. Looking off toward the east as they left Greenfeld, she searched the mountains for signs of her home, the former headquarters of the Sapsyra. Marybador. It was impossible, of course, for her to see where the compound was because it had been safely nestled in a valley on the other side of the Greenclaw Range. Still, she could feel her home tugging at her.
She had come into Greenfeld often back when she lived in Marybador, when she was on her way to or from somewhere else. The road/path that passed from north to south across the entire western seaboard passed through Greenfeld so she had been there many times. The reminders of her previous home left her heart feeling abraded and raw.
Oh mother. I miss you so much. Why do things happen as they do? She was glad the mask covered her face because she was sure that anyone seeing her would instantly know her weakness, her pain. Even now, she saw Sam looking at her, noticing something in her movements. She bent over her rakkeban and patted his head, speaking softly to him. After Sam averted his gaze, she straightened up, promising herself that she would not show any outward signs of the pain her memories brought her.
As she rode, her mind kept filling with snatches of conversation from previous trips. A peculiarly shaped tree would remind her of a funny story her traveling companion had told her. A rock formation reminded her of the time she played hide-and-seek with her father when she was young and they were traveling. A bird wheeling in flight above a stand of trees reminded her of her mother presenting her with a large hawk’s feather she found on the road. So many memories, so many people. All gone now. She let out a little sigh.
Those times were past. She had her mission and she had her honor to be concerned about. She would do her duty and repay the Gray Man for all that had done, make recompense for all he had stolen from her. And she would help Sam.
Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she felt the ghost of a smile tug at her lips. He was something else, this one. She still had not figured out exactly what else, but he was different from anyone she had ever met. She had known it from the start, but had hidden behind her anger and sadness and would not let it penetrate her shields.
He had torn down her shields with his kindness and compassion and his commitment to what he believed in. She dared to hope that they would both survive this mad quest so she could learn more about him.
But that was not what she should be thinking about. The mission was all. Old memories, new memories, thoughts of the future, they were meaningless. Mother, were you ever so weak as I, even as a child? I think not. I am a failure as a daughter and as a Sapsyr. Oh, that you could forgive me my weakness and ineptitude. Even as I embark on the most important thing I have ever done, I distract myself with trivialities.
“Are you well, Iba?” her father’s voice shocked her out of her reverie.
Clearing her throat of the heavy feeling her emotional thoughts created, she answered, “Yes, father. I am merely…distracted.”
“Ah, yes. You have traveled this area much, many times with me. There are many memories here to assault you. We are not so far from what we called home.”
“It is so. I am weak and distracted.”
Directing his rakkeban closer to her, he put his arm around her shoulders. “No, Iba, never that. You bear much for one so young. Do not despair. After we have done that which we have committed ourselves to do, we can create good memories to replace the bad. No, not replace. Complement. Your memories, they are all of them you, and they all have made you who you are today. You are an amazing warrior, an amazing daughter, and an amazing person. Your mother would be so proud of how you have grown. I am so proud of who you have become. Please do not forget that.” Leaning in, he lightly kissed the top of her masked head and then moved off to allow her time to herself.
Harmonic Magic Series Boxed Set Page 25