Their horses were led around, saddled and ready to go. They each checked the girths and position of the underpadding but all was well. Krissi, on the roofpeak, stood and stretched her wings. The guard posse hadn’t seen her up there as she’d been lying so still. Fear crossed their faces as they regarded a creature from childhood legends and they looked with new respect upon Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle. After they’d secured their bags to their saddles and mounted, all the three travellers could do was follow the guard. Conversation was discouraged and it was a long day’s riding. The road had deteriorated but not much and the country they rode through was mainly wooded, deciduous forest in the main with scattered evergreens. It went on and on and Arwhon started to realise just how big Cheshwon was. They were glad to arrive at yet another inn just as the sun was setting.
They fell into a routine. Each morning their surly guard was once again waiting for them but became a little better mannered as the days passed. Eventually they came to a fiord and made their way carefully down to where a large ferry plied back and forth. The guard leader turned to them and indicated the stretch of water.
“Bukse. Like Namse. We have to cross.”
When the ferry arrived, they all fitted on and soon were on the other side of the water. They made their way up a steep track and found, once they reached the top, there was one of the ubiquitous handy inns which they made use of.
Two days later, the guard leader told them they would be starting their passage through the mountains. The leader now rode ahead with half his men, the rest of the guard bringing up the rear. The road they were on climbed and then climbed some more. The forest changed from deciduous trees to evergreen pines and a carpet of needles lay deep on each side of the road. It was a quiet and enjoyable ride with the scent of the pines permeating the air and the views from this elevation revealing league after league of virgin forest spreading out in all directions.
After a short lunch break they rode onward. Suddenly the lead guard fell from his saddle, there were yells as other guards fell and a flare as an arrow hit Arwhon’s wards, the shaft turned to ash and the steel head a molten blob falling to the ground. More arrows flew, only a couple actually hitting his wards and Arwhon realised they were not the targets. The dead guards littering the ground were. He pulled Duran up and signalled to the others, who halted beside him. Looking back over his shoulder he saw an injured guard struggle to his feet but to no avail, a green clad shape ran out of the trees and struck with a short spear, running the man through the chest and killing him instantly. He looked ahead to see that any guards left alive were also being finished off in a similar fashion, with no mercy being spared. So, their attackers were not after him or Shiri or Cringle. Arwhon replied to Krissi’s insistent yammering in his head with a picture of her staying aloft. Meanwhile the bodies of the guards were being dragged off the road as a figure in plate armour rode out from under the trees followed by a scrawny figure on foot, dressed in animal skins, pouches hanging from around its neck. They came to a stop in front of the trio. Arwhon realised the rider in armour was a woman, around fortyish or so, streaks of grey in her unbound hair. Her Cheshwon features broke into a smile as she turned her gaze onto Cringle.
“Well met nephew.”
Arwhon was surprised but as he looked over at Cringle, he realised his own surprise was minimal compared to the expressions running across Cringle’s face. He’d never seen the man so nonplussed.
“Nephew! Who are you? I don’t have an aunt.”
“Oh yes you do laddie. I’m Nyaka, full sister to your father, Tarsega and half sister to that bastard Kenjida and by that I mean he’s the son of a concubine, we don’t share the same mother.”
Cringle sat Vixen, quiet for a moment or two as his brain worked overtime, trying to put the pieces together.
“But that means, by rights, you should be Queen of Southern Cheshwon. Not Kenjida.”
“Glad to see you inherited some of the family brains nephew. Now tell your friends they’d best follow me off the road and into the hills. They don’t have to but I bet they’re on their way to an execution. Theirs. Kenjida will have arranged it with Furoshiko.”
Arwhon understood enough of the conversation to know what was happening. He replied in broken Cheshwon.
“We follow you.”
Nyaka’s face broke into a good-natured grin at Arwhon’s studied attempt to reply in her own language and wheeled her horse around. The barefoot figure, clad in skins, grasped the stirrup leather and they set off. In among the trees, past the dead bodies of their guard, they came across a mounted group of green clad men and women, ready to ride, most clutching the reins of a dead guardsman’s horse. Two of them, very similar looking, fell in behind Nyaka. In short order, all of them were travelling along narrow trails through the forest, sometimes traversing hillsides and following game trails wherever possible. It was wild country, vast and covered with forest. It was impossible to talk as they were riding in single file, so each rode alone with their thoughts. Later in the afternoon, as the sun was dwindling, they arrived at a clearing surrounded by a ring of tall trees. In it was a large camp with many more of the green clad people evident. Some came to take the spare horses from the burdened riders while others came to stand and wait quietly. This was a disciplined camp but everyone still appeared happy and relaxed, all dressed warmly against the chill of the evening.
Nyaka dismounted, as did the two behind her and handed her horse’s reins to a waiting man before coming to stand in front of the three travellers who remained ahorse. She noticed Arwhon and Shiri’s eyes for the first time and addressed them.
“I know not where you’re from but it doesn’t matter. If you’re with Cringle, you must be trustworthy people. I want you to know that you can also trust me and I mean you no harm. I didn’t want my nephew riding into a trap. He may look like he comes from Cheshwon but he doesn’t yet know our ways or who to trust and not to trust. Believe me, there are many undercurrents to our society and a smile is not necessarily to be believed, nor for that manner anyone who says they have your best interests at heart. Please dismount. Your horses will be cared for.”
Just as she said that Krissi landed beside Arwhon, coming straight down through a space in the trees. Alarm spread and bows were drawn, even some arrows unleashed but they were incinerated immediately by Arwhon’s wards. Nyaka had stepped back when Krissi landed and the two young men who followed her had jumped in front to protect her. Nyaka now stood with her head tilted to one side, observing Krissi avidly before holding up her arm and shouting loudly.
“Cease firing. This is no threat but a creature from legend, rarely seen but often talked of. Go about your duties, prepare, we’ll have much to do soon.”
Nyaka regarded Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle for a moment before addressing them.
“I see I have underestimated your resources but no matter, Furoshiko would still have killed you. He has a Shaman who would best your magic and crossbow bolts are hard to fight with just a sword. Get down and follow me please.”
They dismounted and handed their reins to waiting green clad men. Duran was a little worried but Arwhon sent calming thoughts to him as Shiri no doubt did to Rancid. Nyaka led them to the edge of the clearing and the entrance to a large tent, partially hidden between the trees. The two young men brought up the rear, staying a few paces behind Krissi. There was a guard each side of the door. Nyaka entered and they followed, Krissi too, not to be sent away this time. Inside was a wonder to them. Sumptuous rugs, bright lanterns and colourful hangings made the space inside seem almost palatial. She took in their expressions.
“I’m a Princess who should have been Queen, I deserve a few luxuries. Sit.”
They took seats on the cushions pointed out to them as the two young men sat, one each side of her.
“These are my twin sons, Chenko and Zoran.”
Although each bowed as his name was mentioned, Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle could not tell them apart, they were so alike.
> “Furoshiko sent assassins to murder their father, soon after they were born. Another reason why I carefully protect myself.”
Soon fingerbowls were brought and after their hands were clean, food was produced. Plate after plate of sumptuous fare made Arwhon wonder how it was all managed in what appeared to be just a camp. Too hungry to talk while they were eating, they applied themselves to the meal until eventually they’d had enough and sat back, replete. It was only then that Arwhon noticed the figure clad in skins, sitting on the floor at the rear of the tent. Nyaka noticed where Arwhon was looking.
“That’s Zin, he’s my shaman, pledged himself to serve me forever if I became his patron. He has great magic, different from yours and quite deadly. It’s a toss up whether he or Furoshiko’s shaman is the stronger. One day we may find out. I’m lucky he came to me.”
“Can you trust him?” Arwhon asked, Cringle translating for him. “Given how your society is smiles and backstabbing.”
Nyaka smiled at Arwhon’s earnestness.
“We have shared ‘aromandak’ the drink of truth made from toadstools and our minds have been linked. I trust him. Now nephew, I expect you’d like some explanations.”
Cringle nodded.
“Translate for your friends please,” Nyaka told him before she began her story.
“When your father rode north to rescue your mother, Yletta, I went with him. I suppose I should have remained at court but I was tired of having to behave and wanted to observe how real negotiations were conducted, so I went along too. Being a bit of a tomboy, I shocked everyone by riding a horse rather than travelling in the palanquin as a Princess should but it saved my life. North of here, where the mountains give way to plains, Furoshiko was waiting for us. He attacked without warning and his men fell on our troops and all who accompanied us. Remember Cringle, Tarsega, your father, was King. No one expected such a rebellion or the numbers behind it. We were overwhelmed. The palanquin was shot full of crossbow bolts and I would have been killed if I was in it that day. I saw Tarsega fall, mortally wounded and I ran away. Luckily I galloped back the way we had come and with twenty or so of our men made it into the forest. I just kept riding down a track which become narrower and steeper and we outdistanced and eventually lost our pursuit.”
Nyaka reached for her cup and took a sip of wine. Cringle, Arwhon and Shiri had been hanging on every word and soon the story was picked up again.
“We stayed to get revenge some day and formed the resistance. Able men and women came to join us. Those Furoshiko had dispossessed. Among them was a young noble of good birth. Nature being what it is he became my husband and the twins were born. Furoshiko heard of it and sent an assassin. It was after that Zin came to me. He’d been the apprentice of Furoshiko’s shaman, Geng. She’d taken him on because of the raw strength he exhibited in his magic at such a young age, but once Zin learned what had really transpired, his honour wouldn’t allow him to stay in the employ of a traitor and cold blooded murderer. Zin had been told by Geng that Kenjida had originally written to Furoshiko and offered him the northern part of Cheshwon if he killed Tarsega and me. My own bastard brother ordered our killings so he could rule half the country. I couldn’t go back; Kenjida would have had me killed. That’s what he planned for you nephew, death at the hands of Furoshiko, a man I have vowed to kill.”
Cringle looked saddened and made a resolve.
“We can help you Nyaka, the three of us have great magic at our disposal. We rid the countries to the west of evil Q’Herindam magic. We have Power.”
“I heard about that nephew but you have to understand, some Shamans have great ability and you may be overcome.”
Arwhon laughed.
“It would take more than a Shaman to defeat us.”
Cringle translated for him automatically although he didn’t have to, they had been in Cheshwon long enough for all of them to understand the language now.
“Think so?” Nyaka replied and made a small hand sign.
Suddenly Arwhon found he was in a world where everything was slowed right down, he felt as if he were trying to swim through honey. His defensive wards flared, or so he thought but it was merely flickering light with no Power behind it. He looked over to the corner where Zin sat quietly, he appeared to have a glowing aura and there was a look of intense concentration on his face while his mouth moved rhythmically, chanting, although no sound came through to Arwhon. He slowly turned his head to see Shiri looking shocked, her mouth moving slowly but no sound coming out. Arwhon retreated inward and pulled up his core values, the essence of his Firemagic, which he directed at Zin. The edge of the man’s animal skins smouldered as Arwhon applied his Firemagic but nothing more than that and still the shaman didn’t move. Nyaka signalled again and Arwhon felt his world return to normal although his magic still lacked Power. The Shaman had stopped chanting. Nyaka addressed them.
“Shaman magic allows them to control your brain, alter your reality and drain your Power from you. Then you’re vulnerable to attack or suggestion. You cannot fight Furoshiko on your own. I want to have Yletta back as much as you do Cringle and I’ve been a thorn in Furoshiko’s side for the last eighteen years but I’m still no closer to getting her back. We need a plan but that’s for tomorrow. You need your rest now.”
They were led to a tent of their own where they found their belongings piled in the middle of it and three mattresses, large woven bags filled with pine needles, waiting for them.
It was soon morning.
Breakfast was brought to them and they sat around glumly discussing the events of the previous night. It was a shock to learn that the powerful magic they possessed could be so easily rendered useless by a Shaman.
“I wonder what other types of magic there are in the world.” Arwhon pondered. “Maybe we should be more careful about letting strangers know we have magic. Even our defensive wards could tip off those with the ability to see them.”
“That Shaman didn’t even seem to be struggling and there were three of us that he quieted,” Cringle opined.
Shiri looked from one to the other.
“Maybe we should try and talk with Zin, see if he knows a way he can help us combat this type of magic. If we’re to rescue Yletta, we’ll need to work together to succeed, especially if Furoshiko’s shaman is more powerful than Zin.”
They finished breakfast and left the tent to find Nyaka. Arwhon, in the lead, almost tripped over Zin who was sitting cross-legged in front of the entry waiting for them, his arm over Krissi’s shoulder as she lay relaxed beside him. Zin rose lithely and bowed before he spoke.
“Good morning. I apologise for the difficulty I caused you yesterday but Nyaka thought you needed to know what you were up against. I had no idea you were such powerful Mages. In fact I very nearly lost control of the Power which would have resulted in my instant death.”
Zin bowed again and kept his head lowered. Arwhon replied.
“We thank you Zin. Without that demonstration, we would have walked into a trap of our own making. We presumed too much in our use of magic, mostly my fault, I knew the Dwarf magic was different and should have realised a country the size of Cheshwon could also have developed its own style of magic.”
Zin looked up and studied each of their faces closely.
“I see no evil in you, only good. I would like to show you how to stop your Power being drained if you would like me to.”
Arwhon stepped back and lifted the tent flap, motioning with his hand for Zin to enter.
“I can think of no better thing to do right now, Zin. If you don’t mind.”
Zin entered the tent and sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor. Arwhon, Shiri and Cringle sat in a semi circle opposite him. Zin took one of the pouches from around his neck and opened it to tip the contents onto his hand. A piece of glowing stone fell out into his palm, its soft blue light illuminating the inside of the tent. Zin held it up and looked at them.
“This is what amplifies a shaman’s magic. It is
the only reason I could overcome you. Without it, I have the magic to slow you down and maybe control your actions but with it, I can siphon off your Power. I know not where it goes, none do but if this stone is used to siphon Power from one without magic, that person will die.”
Zin held out the stone to Shiri, who took it gingerly.
“I want you all to examine this object, physically and with your magic. See what you can learn of it before I tell you more.”
Shiri had no idea why Zin had handed her the stone first. Was it because she had Earthmagic or was it because she was the one sitting directly in front of him? No matter. She turned her concentration onto the object in her palm. Now that she looked more closely she saw it pulsed slowly, the blue light waxing and waning ever so slightly. She opened her Earthmagic and immediately felt her Power draining into the stone. She struggled internally and by reducing the Power going into her magic, she managed to reduce the speed at which it left her. So, the stone took whatever it found. Feeling a little depleted, Shiri reached out her hand and touched Arwhon. She felt Power rush into her and was glad he could do that for her. Once more she turned her concentration onto the stone and used her magic lightly with little Power behind it. It was like gazing down into a well. At the bottom of the well, Power shimmered. So much Power she had trouble believing what she saw. Was the Power in the stone or was it linked to elsewhere? She broke the connection and looked up to find Arwhon and Cringle observing her worriedly. She smiled.
“It’s wonderful. A well of Power. So much Power and in such a small object. If you look into it, damp your magic right down so you are hardly using any Power to do so. The more Power you use, the more it takes.” She looked at Zin. “Can you utilize the Power in this stone?”
Zin shook his head.
“These stones are rare and the one place they are found in Cheshwon is guarded by the warrior monks at the Shaman Temple. No one is allowed to go there and even shamans are only allowed to go to the temple itself, not to the hallowed grounds. Each stone is slightly different but generally, they strengthen our ability to control others and if directed, take Power. Each shaman bonds with the stone which finds him. It’s strange but when we are deemed ready and learned enough in our teachings, our initiation takes place in the Shaman Temple. We’re presented to the Head Monk who then takes each initiate into a room which is littered with these stones. Only one stone lights up while the rest remain inactive. That is the stone which has chosen us. If no stone lights up, that initiate never becomes a true shaman. Some of the stones are more powerful than others.”
Were of the Drakon Page 19