“Where are you leading us?” asked Justin.
“To someone who can help. If she is willing. You can decide what to do next from there,” replied Ora. “It is not much farther.” She directed this last comment to Lucy. Ora knew she was exhausted. Sure enough, another half hour or so later, a voice came out of the mists.
“Ora, what are you doing here?” asked a soft, female voice to their right. “Why have you brought strangers?”
“They are strangers to you, but not to me. We are in need of rest in safety for the night. Will you shelter us?” asked Ora. Lucy thought the cadence sounded odd. Was it some kind of code?
“For tonight, you and those you vouch for will be safe in my home. Come.”
They continued to follow Ora though they saw no signs of the owner of the female voice. Lucy wondered how Ora knew where they were going and if it was really safe. She trusted Ora, but she needed reassurance.
“Is she safe?” Lucy whispered to Ora.
“No, of course not. Nothing in the mists is. I thought we established that.”
“But?”
“She is an assassin. She is absolutely lethal. She has offered us shelter for one night. She will not kill us while we are guests.”
“Once we leave?” wondered Lucy.
“You are fair game,” Ora answered, confirming Lucy’s worst fears. “We have been friends a long time, if you can have friends in the mists.”
They climbed up a steep incline, saw an opening in the rock wall, and entered a cave. The entrance was pitch black. They twisted one way, then the other, and back again until they entered a well-lit cavern. It was not very big and seemed crowded with them in it. The walls were lined with weapons, which Gavin looked at appreciatively. Over the fire, three large rabbits turned on spits. A small table, with two chairs, had fresh bread and cheese laid out on it. A blanket hung over an opening in the back wall. Next to the fire, stood a woman. Lucy could not guess her age. Her hair was short and silver, her gray eyes deep, but her face was smooth. She had a slight build, taller than Lucy, and moved with an easy grace that implied muscles. No movement was wasted. She was dressed in leather and had a least ten daggers attached to various parts of her clothing. Those were the ones Lucy could see. How many more were concealed?
“You expected us?” asked Ora with a smile, motioning to the three rabbits.
“Not everyone needs to be an Oracle to know company is coming,” she shrugged. “I do not have plates for everyone. I do not have company often. You will have to make do.”
Taran smiled and brought out their bowls from his packs. She smiled at Taran and removed a rabbit from the fire.
“I am Wisp,” she said as she sliced a chunk of rabbit into a bowl.
“Like a small girl? A wisp of a girl?” asked Gavin.
“Like a cloud,” replied Wisp. “A small piece moving so quickly you wonder if it even existed.”
Gavin nodded. They introduced themselves, sat down with their bowls, and began to eat. Finally, Justin broke the silence.
“Have we done what we were meant to do here?” he asked Ora. “Can we go back across the mountains?”
“Yes, tomorrow you should go back and warn your friends,” affirmed Ora.
“Do we know enough?” asked Gavin. “Should we travel closer and see for ourselves?”
“Absolutely not. What more do you want to know?” asked Taran. “A Shadow Weaver is gathering an army of nightmares. Obviously, he doesn’t intend to stay in the mists with it. I don’t think we need any more information. Lucy can farsee the army and track it to know when it moves against us. As long as Lucy doesn’t try to have any visual contact with the Shadow Weaver, she should be okay. Right now, we need to warn Joss. Then, we need to unite the people of Kinowenn. You can bet the Elves and Dwarves will want to hear something from us first hand. That’s if Allar and Kinda managed to convince them there is a problem.”
“You are going to battle against a Shadow Weaver?” asked Wisp.
“Apparently,” said Gavin. “You want in?”
“Not at this time,” replied Wisp, carefully.
“Now, we just wander back over the mountains?” asked Gavin. “I’ll admit we are done here, but the mists in the mountains hold their own dangers. With whatever the Shadow Weaver sent after us on our trail, the danger increases exponentially. Then, assuming my geography is correct, traveling straight east should put us directly in Skelt territory. I’m not eager to renew an acquaintance with Skelt. If they have a list of people to kill on sight, I’m pretty sure we are on that list.”
“I can help you through the mountains. There are secret paths known only to a few. After that, you are on your own,” announced Wisp.
“Thank you,” said Justin, surprised.
“I was heading that way in a few days,” shrugged Wisp. “Tomorrow will work just as well.”
“Ora? Will you be joining us?” asked Lucy.
“No, my journey with you is done for now. We will meet again.”
They tried to argue with her, convince her to continue on with them. They enjoyed her company and her information. However, Ora was insistent and finally they gave up. Everyone felt sad Ora would not be joining them but glad they had a plan for the next few days. Lucy was looking forward to leaving the mists behind her. She longed to be able to see more than twenty feet in front of her.
Gavin turned his attention to Wisp’s many weapons and began asking questions about them. Taran noticed a wooden flute in the corner as well. He interrupted Gavin long enough to get permission to play it. Taran’s soft music made a relaxing counterpoint to the crackling of the fire. Ora stared transfixed as he played.
“He’s good,” Lucy said to Justin. They were sitting on the floor next to each other, backs against the wall. “Where did he learn to play?”
“We spent some time living with the Elves. He learned there.”
“Can you play, too?”
“No, I had no interest in music. I spent most of my time learning every method of healing they were willing to teach me. Music is pretty, but even then I knew my interests might lead me or my companions into dangerous situations. Healing education seemed more necessary at the time. Perhaps now that I know how to heal, I might be more interested in learning an instrument,” answered Justin.
“Why did you leave the Elves?” asked Lucy, curiously.
“Family politics,” Justin shrugged and ran his fingers through his red hair. “I have nothing against the Elves. They treated us well enough, but it was apparent we were different. Many of them considered us outsiders, and time was not going to change that. I had better things to do than prove myself to a group of people who would always consider me substandard.”
“I was looking forward to meeting more Elves. Now I’m not so sure,” said Lucy apprehensively.
“I wouldn’t worry about that. I think you will enjoy meeting them. As long as you don’t plan to be treated like an Elf, you should have fun visiting,” Justin shrugged again.
Lucy could tell Justin was uncomfortable with the subject so she switched it to something possibly more pressing, though perhaps not less stressful. She snuggled closer to Justin and laid her head on his shoulder. She was tired, and Taran’s music was soothing.
“What is a Shadow Weaver? We started moving immediately after we saw him in the water and no one ever explained. What are we up against?” asked Lucy.
“No one knows for sure where they came from originally. Were they born or created? Have they always been here? There are more myths and legends surrounding them than Ishalla and Corealanna put together. They are very dangerous, very powerful, and very hard to kill. They are made of shadow. They can become part of shadows, move in shadows, and use shadows to do their bidding. They are darkness; they are evil. They feed off fear, nightmares, suspicion, and dread. I’ve never dealt with one before.”
“How many are there?” wondered Lucy with a shiver.
“I don’t know. I also don’t know how or if
they can reproduce. I have no idea how many may be involved in the upcoming invasion of Kinowenn, and I absolutely don’t want you farseeing to find out,” said Justin in a voice that did not encourage further discussion of the subject.
“Have they come over the mountains before?”
“Usually they stay in the mists or, I guess, they go farther west, north, or south with their ambitions. There are old stories that they came over the mountains once before, thousands of years ago. The stories are mostly told to frighten children. ‘Stay in your beds for if you leave them the Shadow Weaver may grab you from the shadows underneath and take you to his lair.’ Or, ‘Don’t go looking for shadows in the woods, the Shadow Weavers may be lurking there.’ I don’t know how accurate those stories are. I don’t know how many Shadow Weavers were involved. All the stories agree they were defeated and sent back to the mists.
“Typically the stories involved heroes and mythical objects. Each race has their own heroes and magical objects, of course. There is the magical quiver of the Elf Glendivora the Great. Her quiver never emptied of magical arrows of light that pierced and killed anything that came out of the mists. The mighty ax of Hurstlor. He was a Giant whose glittering ax could cleave the heads off demons by the dozen. The mace of Aclovar the Dwarf. It was forged of light by Islar, the Dwarven Smith of legend. She added spells, long forgotten, that aided Aclovar’s unparalleled fighting skills and strength. Islar also forged a helm of battle for the bear leader Kaast that would repel dark magic. The Horn of Mastamar was said to summon magical aid from the very sky above. The stories all vary slightly depending on who is telling them.”
“I wonder what really happened?” mused Lucy. “What was the magical aid that came from the sky? Were the objects really magical or did their powers grow over time? Where are the weapons now? Are they still magical or did the spells wear off? If mages were involved in the battle, could they have done what we did in Lerramorre only on a larger scale?”
“Those are all good questions I don’t know the answers to. I’ve never given the Shadow Weaver tales much study. I was always drawn more to myths involving Kleth than the Horn of Mastamar. We should talk to the Elves after this. They will need to know what is coming. They may also have records of how the Shadow Weavers were defeated before and how we can do it again. They may know if any of those weapons still exist and where they might be.”
“Or, it might give them time to replicate some of the weapons or create new ones. We should think about that, too,” said Lucy.
“Good point,” agreed Justin.
“We know we will be contending with Shadow magic and demons. Are certain spells more effective against them? Are there gems that can be added to weapons to enhance their strength against darkness? What kills a Harpy? What kills a Ghoul? Are Minotaurs immune to concussions from blunt objects? What can we learn and make in the time we have?” asked Lucy.
“One thing at a time,” laughed Justin. “First, we need to get out of the mists. Then, we need to see the Elves. After that, we can strategize. We will need to prepare a battle plan for our allies and another plan to convince others to join us. We don’t know where things stand. A status report from Maya would be very useful right now,” said Justin.
“We should come up with a magical way to communicate with Maya. I guess we should have worked on that dream communication thing,” said Lucy.
“There are always more things to do than time to do them in. Often, when there is time, there is no reason for certain things. I don’t usually walk around thinking up solutions to problems that aren’t there,” smiled Justin.
Lucy smiled back and closed her eyes. She leaned her head on Justin’s shoulder. The sweet sounds of Taran’s flute washed over her. The song he played was both mournful and soothing. After such a harrowing day, it felt good to feel safe, if only for a moment. In the space between notes of music and crackles of fire, she fell asleep. Her dreams were filled with fear and shadows.
Chapter 16
Lucy awoke early. She was wrapped in a blanket with Justin in the same place she had fallen asleep the night before. She was cold, her muscles ached, her neck had a crick in it, and she had a headache. She stood up to stretch. She stoked the dying embers and added another log to the fire. The brief stretch didn’t seem enough. So, she worked her way through a complete set of Orin’s stretches and flexibility exercises. She felt better after that, but her head still ached. She took a sip from her water-skin and ate some travel bread. That helped, too. Slowly, the others started to stir. They ate a quick, cold breakfast and began to pack.
“Are you sure you won’t come with us?” Lucy asked Ora one last time.
“I do not care for the way you are going, but it is the best way to go. Remember that. Try not to use magic until you are back on the other side of the mountains. Bad things may happen if you do. I am needed elsewhere for now. We will meet again. That I know for certain. You are special. Stay balanced; think things through. Your reactions can keep you alive, but reacting to rather than controlling the situation could harm others around you,” Ora hugged her.
Lucy hugged her back and picked up her pack. She watched as Ora held a whispered conversation with Taran. She wondered what that was about. She hadn’t paid attention to Ora’s other interactions within the group. Now that she thought about it, when Ora wasn’t with her, she was mostly with Taran. Lucy wondered how old Ora really was and what she really looked like. Was the vulnerable little girl she appeared to be real or an illusion meant to earn their trust? So many questions she hadn’t thought to ask. Ora had said there would be a next time. She would have to make a list of questions for that meeting.
Lucy was going to miss Ora. Wisp was slightly intimidating, and Lucy wasn’t sure what to make of her. To Lucy, the words ‘assassin’ and ‘friend’ didn’t necessarily belong in the same sentence. She also wasn’t sure about the other group dynamics. She could tell by the way Gavin looked at Wisp that he was definitely interested in her. Or, at least he admired the way Wisp wore black leather. She didn’t think Gavin getting involved with Wisp was a good idea. Playing with fire, as they say. Lucy felt she should talk him out of it, but she also didn’t want to be the one to do it. Where was Maya when you needed her? She could have looked at Gavin and said ‘no’ in a way that would have been properly discouraging, and he wouldn’t have resented her for it. Lucy felt she didn’t have that kind of power or authority. Lucy took a deep breath, shouldered her pack, and walked towards the mouth of the cave.
“Where are you going?” asked Wisp.
“Out? Over the mountains?” Lucy was confused.
“No. The safest way to the other side of the mountains is through them, not over them.”
“Through them?” wondered Lucy. “There are caves and tunnels all the way?”
“Not completely, but most of the journey can be done underground. It is the best way to go,” Wisp shrugged apologetically assessing Lucy’s apprehension.
Lucy sighed. She sensed she was not going to like this. Ora gave her a reassuring smile.
“Trust me,” Ora whispered to Lucy, “Even if you do not trust her.”
Lucy gave a small nod and turned to follow Wisp. They walked behind a blanket to a larger cave that appeared to be the area Wisp used as a bedroom. There were chests that probably held clothes, a bed, another fireplace, and another substantial collection of weapons on the walls. To the left was another blanket that led to a series of large and airy caves. Some light filtered down through openings. They were able to move carefully, without torches. Lucy began to think she had over reacted. Then, instead of taking any of the larger lead offs, Wisp faced a narrow fissure in the wall.
“It’s not too long. A few hundred yards, no more. Keep moving, and we’ll be out before you know it,” Wisp’s soft voice tried to reassure them.
Wisp pulled a moonstone out of her vest, lit it, and led the way. The fissure was large enough for Lucy to walk straight in with the edges brushing her shoulders, but G
avin had to step sideways. It was dark. Lucy was able to see the faint glow of the moonstone ahead of her. It helped and gave her hope, but it was still too dark. Lucy didn’t like the closeness of the walls. She felt trapped and vulnerable. There was no room to fight. There was barely room to walk and breathe. Lucy kept moving.
She tried not to think about how close the walls were and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Whenever she was stressed or tired, concentrating on something simple and accomplishable, like continuing to walk, helped. Stopping and complaining certainly wasn’t going to get her out of the caves but one step followed by another would. Lucy began to count her steps as a way to pass the time and avoid thinking about the tight space. As Wisp said, it went by quicker than Lucy expected. At 536 steps, she breathed a sigh of relief as the walls opened around her. Not as large as Lucy would have liked, but big enough to breathe freely again. She stretched her shoulders, releasing tension.
They continued walking, following this section of tunnel, for some time. Wisp’s moonstone provided enough light for them to avoid tripping, but not much more than that. They reached a point where they had to climb. Lucy did not like the idea of climbing in the dark. She would have preferred to use magic but remembered Ora’s warning. Instead, she strapped on her harness, reached up, and searched by feel for her first handhold. It took her the longest to climb up to Wisp. She still wasn’t the best at climbing and the cave rock was hard and jagged. She could feel bruises forming on her knees and her hands were skinned. Justin looked at her hands when he got to the top. He kissed one hand, but grimaced apologetically and bandaged them instead of healing them.
“Ora said I shouldn’t use magic. Did she mean you couldn’t use it to heal either?” Lucy wondered. She was used to having Justin’s healing ability to rely on.
Ravs Are Rarely Wrong: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol III Page 11