by A R Maloney
“It was all who would say?” The question came out as a sharp bark. Then I shook my head. I held a hand up and took a step back before looking hard at the fledgling who stood before me. I could see he had just come from a true battle.
Sighing, I rolled my shoulders, and waved him inside. “Forgive me. Please. Come and sit. Tell me who you are and what has happened to bring you to my door at this hour.” Closing the door behind him, I pointed for him to have a seat at my table.
I put on a pot of coffee… I’m fairly sure that sleep would have to wait at this point. “Coffee?” I didn’t wait for a response, merely moving two cups next to the percolator. I hoped he liked his black. I sliced some hard cheese and placed some grapes onto a platter. I’m going to eat, and from the looks of it, he probably has missed a meal or two. I may have a reputation with the troops as being a hard-ass, and perhaps I am at times; but it would never be said that I didn’t take care of my soldiers, and by the looks of it, this one needed a solid moment to sit and collect himself.
I made a show of moving with slow precision, speaking to him in a low, calm voice; finding that it in turn calmed myself. Initially, I was irate at being pulled from my bed when sleep had finally beckoned me. I longed for the comfort a few hours of unconsciousness would bring, especially after these several soul-wrenching hours past.
“I’m Ruaa of Company Aphos, sir.” The chair was creaking beneath him, he was rocking his body as he sat. His knee bobbed up and down. The young man literally could not sit still.
“We were on a training exercise; it was meant to be training.” He looked beyond me, towards the wall, shaking his head as he spoke. “Our company is headed to the badlands… well… we were meant to go soon. Now, there are so few of us left. Gods! It happened so fast.”
I tilted my head questioningly, gesturing for him to continue while I poured the coffee and placed the cups on the table. “It was Lluren. A party of five. We were in Dramheim. They shouldn’t have been there. We haven’t heard tell of any opposition there from anyone… for decades. It was a slaughter. We killed them, but not before most of my company had fallen.” His hands were shaking badly as he gripped the cup.
“Calm down, son. It’s good we were notified. I will see that we send more patrols to that area. Yet, why did you need to bring this to me when you could have notified any number of others?” I watched his hands and face, taking in every gesture.
Still shaking, he took a sip and set it down, warming his fingers on the sides of the mug.
“Something happened. Something none of us have ever seen… or even heard of before.” While he spoke, his head shook from side to side… as if he was still not believing what he’d seen.
I sat back in my chair and motioned for him to continue.
“One of our rangers, Nova. She fell in battle. I saw it myself. She was run clear thru. I watched one of our warriors remove the sword from her chest. She was confirmed dead by both our chanter and cleric—but minutes later… she was alive again. Her wounds were healed. Now, we have all heard of resurrection spells, and they are rare… but this was nothing like that.” His eyes glazed over as he spoke, detaching himself from the emotions that his body could not begin to hide.
“Ruaa, Tell me,” I tilted my head as I continued, “how did this differ? What did you see next?”
He shook his head and stood, pacing behind his chair as he tried to bring what he had seen to words. “Well, first off, she tried to attack one of our own. Then, she… well she was casting… like me. Like a magus. Rangers don’t carry the abilities that the magi do. And she was speaking in the old language, behaving as if she didn’t even know Ustenian.”
He had stopped pacing and was looking at me now. With every word he spoke, the mask of confusion on his face grew. “She didn’t recognize Gema—the chanter who she grew up with. She… she didn’t recognize any of us, sir. We tried to question her… but she said she would only speak to yourself and Mera. She said only you two could help her.” Dropping back into the chair, his body finally sagged. He rubbed at his head and let out several long deep breaths.
The young sentinel sat, calming himself. I could only imagine he was expecting to be reprimanded. I sat back in my chair, thinking over what had just been shared. “Thank you for this information, please, eat something.” How I wanted to just send him away and crawl back into my bed. I was just about to do that when he spoke again.
“She mentioned one more thing.” He paused a few moments before continuing. “She said something about a rose.”
My eyes snapped up to meet his. He couldn’t possibly know about this. “Are you certain?”
He nodded.
I poured myself another cup of coffee. “Thank you, fledgling. You’ve done well to tell me this. Please consider yourself a guest in our hall tonight if you would like. I am happy to extend this to you.”
“They will be carrying her there, to Mera. Our cleric thought she may not be well to teleport.”
“When would they expect to arrive?” A red glow lit the table between us now, I was sure my eyes were blazing with curiosity.
“Just less than two days, sir. They should arrive before tomorrow evening. I’ve already alerted Mera, as she was closer.” The young sentinel slumped back in the chair again, relieved to have relayed the messages successfully.
“Very well. You will stay here; we will travel there together tomorrow so you may rejoin your company.” I stood, motioning for the young magus to follow me as I opened the door. As we walked, we had talked of his fallen company, the brothers and sisters in arms which had been left on the field of battle. I assured him a patrol from my own company would be sent immediately to retrieve the dead.
I led him down the hall, pointing out the baths where he could get cleaned up and then showed him an unclaimed bed in one of our bunk rooms. “You will find clean clothing in the cabinets there.” I pointed across the room. “Take whatever you need. The mess is open at first light. This will give you passage through our halls if anyone should ask.” I pulled a small coin with our company emblem stamped on one side. It was my own, every person who was allowed in the hall must always carry one. Although it was a common source of amusement for everyone in our company to try to catch each other without the mark, I’m sure nobody would question me before I could make it to my room to replace it. Not tonight. “Sleep well, and I will find you tomorrow, Ruaa.”
He nodded, bowing slightly as he held a fist over his heart. “Thank you, General. Goodnight.”
I returned to my room and climbed into my bed once more. I was exhausted, but sleep eluded me until deep into the night. Who outside of my company would have known of the significance of the flower? Who would dare taunt me while I am mourning the loss of this woman… this friend? I wasn’t sure what she was. I finally managed to find sleep; dreams of retribution filled my head as I rested.
Chapter 13 - Espencheid’s Arms
~Eno~
I LEFT THE ROOM at a brisk walk. My mind had been running through the scenario over and over all morning. How could I keep this company safe? Would moving them to the Kauri be enough? Something felt off but I couldn’t put a finger on it.
Sonarim jogged beside me, keeping up. She had as much to lose as the ones who waited in that room. My gaze fell on her, my brave daughter, and I shuddered momentarily. What sort of risk would she be in? She, like Skye, was born with fair skin and light eyes, her sharp teeth the only clue of her mixed blood. If she was feeling stressed by the weight of the situation, she didn’t show it. I smiled as I looked at her. My brave girl… her mother would be so proud if she could see her now.
Droghel would be returning and Sonarim must not be here when he did. Although we had always kept the secret of her birth, claiming she was just another war orphan… the question persisted, always in the edges of my mind—could someone possibly know the truth? She rarely even called me Dad, better for those in the fortress anyway. If this was a well-known truth she most definitely would have
been stationed elsewhere.
“Eno?” Her voice was melodic, with the high pitch of a bell.
I looked to her and nodded, giving her permission to continue.
“I was thinking that perhaps I should accompany the group to Espencheid. It’s possible that he may wish to relay a message to Nabaru again. No, not possible, but probable. And I believe I can make that journey better than any other candidate we have available today.” Her voice was small but firm. She wasn’t really asking permission; more than anything, it was a formality towards my rank.
I stopped and turned to her, “Shhhh. We may discuss this in my office. Would you walk with me?”
She nodded and together we began to move again. Our first stop was the mess hall. I pulled two soldiers and gave them instructions to prepare field rations for a group of twenty and place them outside my office doors. I know that was much higher than the actual count of the group, but they would be there for a while, and this would help with rationing should plans not pan out. They rarely did.
Next, we collected a couple triage bags for them, as well as medicines for the wounded. Infection could still set in. Masio had yet to respond to the healing. His body was improving, but his mind… I worried for the cleric. Finally, I pulled together some camouflaged hammocks, not knowing how long they could stay in the arms of a Kauri comfortably.
On return to my office I gestured for Sonarim to enter. I closed the door behind us, locking it so we weren’t interrupted. “Are you sure?” I asked her, already knowing the answer.
“I’ve made the journey before, and my skills have grown. I can do this. Plus, I haven’t seen Mama in ages.” My daughter grasped my hand, holding it tight. Her wide eyes said it all. She would not be put off.
“Come with us to Espencheid.” I was nodding my head as I spoke, she broke out into a huge smile. “This doesn’t mean yes, not yet.” Even I didn’t believe myself.
“Okay!”
I watched as her eyes lit up with happiness and excitement. I released a deep breath and prayed silently that she would be okay.
“Let’s get this motley mess on the move.” I stood and held out my hand to pull her up from her chair, taking a moment to get a rare hug from her. Gods, she’s everything to me. The only thing that has made the distance from Mera tolerable. Together we left to join Company Damagus in the war room.
Niera and Andre had managed to pull everyone together. All belongings were piled onto tarps in the center of the room and had been bundled and tied together at the tops. The wounded were spread in a circle around the tarps, each had a few sentinels at their sides, ready to assist. I sent a couple of them to retrieve the food and the last items we had gathered. “Anyone still need a few minutes?” Expectant eyes met mine as I searched every face in the room.
“I believe we’re all ready.” Niera spoke quietly, moving to stand beside Dimitri. The cleric, Arisa, had taken a spot next to Masio and was readying for the transfer with a spell. She had begun whispering quietly and I watched for a moment, mesmerized by the soft healing glow coming from her hands.
“Right. Ansker, Sonarim will be directing the teleport. She can bring us to the base of the Kauri. Please, assist her in the casting of the teleport.” He nodded and moved to stand beside the petite magus.
As Sonarim spoke, her voice rang out. Loud and crisp, it filled the room making it seem difficult to believe it came from such a small person. Her hands were held wide and she grasped Ansker. Together they stood as close to the center of the group as possible. Hands and limbs were intertwined as everyone prepared for the move, eliminating any chance of leaving anyone behind as the spell was called out. Once again, the world shifted and turned crazily before depositing the group in the Great Espencheid forest.
As our surroundings became crisp and clear I looked around, ensuring the success of the passage of our group. There were moans of pain from a few of the injured sentinels, and a couple others who were holding their sides tightly and retching. It looks like more may have been injured than I had previously thought. I would direct Arisa to stay for the night to assist in reexaminations of Company Damagus.
“Right. Take a moment to get your bearings, I will speak to elder Espencheid.” I looked over the group. “Arisa, after you are certain that Masio is stable, help the ones who are having trouble from the port.” She nodded and I moved down the path. It had been a while since I’ve visited. It seemed that more and more often I had been stuck inside the gates of my own fortress. How much had I been missing by staying in there?
“I am here to beg the help of the elder Kauri Espencheid.” I called out, using profound formality.
Beside me the massive tree opened his eyes. I felt naked under his long gaze despite having known the Kauri for countless years. “Eno, how long has it been, old friend?”
“It seems like an eternity; I am sorry I have been so distant over the ages, my friend.” I bowed my head, placing my fist over my heart. “Elder Espencheid, I have a group here in great need of your protection. May they approach?”
“Of course, all of Eluna’s children are welcome in the arms of the Kauri.” On Espencheid’s response the sentinels began to approach, carrying the wounded carefully.
Creaks and groans could be heard as Espencheid produced several broad branches, pushing them out from his enormous trunk until the limbs had woven themselves into large platforms. “Make yourselves comfortable, young ones.” A soothing balm filled the air. Once all were safely within the platform of his branches, he began to lift us high up into the air. I peered over the edge, several feet up, as we rose higher and higher into the dense canopy.
“We’re missing one.” I did a second head count. “Where’s the new magus, Ansker?” Others began looking around for him as well until Sonarim spoke up.
“He said he needed to visit Charna in Plano before we possibly ended up on a watch list.” I nodded, that made sense.
“Let’s rest, we can let Espencheid pick our brains while we sleep. I will be leaving shortly to visit the house of Torres. I’ll see if I can get him to make an appearance occasionally. From what I understand, he was very fond of our sister Skye. He should be informed at the least.” As we all got settled in, something still niggled in the back of my mind. I shook off the feeling and closed my eyes.
“Rest now, you are safe here.” Espencheid lulled us all to sleep. While we rested, he would take in all of the various accounts of what had happened. The Ustenian general, the rose, Skye picking up the rose and being sent away to Savanna’s Western Gate along with Dimitri. The chaos of the company as it was attacked by their own peoples. The retreat. Dimitri’s release from bondage and the news of Skye’s death along with the loss of her wings. He would absorb all we had to offer.
Not quite two hours later I woke. It was late afternoon. I nudged Sonarim, waking her as well. Together we dropped down to a branch, moving apart from the others. We let Espencheid pull us away from Company Damagus. I prayed we were doing the right thing here.
When we had been moved several yards away Espencheid stopped. His eyes opened to gaze upon us. He spoke quietly, as quiet as the tree folk can. To the ones resting in his limbs above us his voice would sound like low creaks and pops. “You did well in bringing them to me. It is true, they are safest with the Kauri, none has ever dared to attack us. I do wonder… perhaps my brethren should be notified. It is time we began sharing our knowledge more continually. Younger, you have the desire to visit Nabaru?”
Sonarim nodded her head. “It’s a pull I am feeling deep inside. Not just to visit my mother, but I believe I am needed there.”
This caused my heart to speed up, I could nearly feel it trying to escape from my chest as she spoke. I turned to my girl, no, not a girl anymore. Sonarim is a woman, fully grown now. Years have passed since she was called fledgling. But still, the dangers… it was one thing for another to take this upon themselves, but this was my child. Grown or not, she would always be my child. I worried at my lip.
“Calm yourself, Eno.” The great tree chided me. “What she asks is quite appropriate. I would have suggested it myself had she not volunteered.”
Trust the gods. Trust the Kauri. I repeated the mantra in my head and nodded, all while biting my lip again.
The great tree gave a low creak of satisfaction. “It is what is needed. Hold out your hands, young Sonarim.”
I watched as thick sap formed in Espencheid’s left eye, quickly hardening and falling into the palms of her hands. She placed it into a pouch at her waist and lay the palm of one hand onto the course bark of Espencheid’s trunk. “I will keep it safe and deliver it to Nabaru. You can count on me, thank you, elder Espencheid.”
We sat in companionable silence as the great tree lowered us to the ground. “Be safe and give Mera my love.” I stood and embraced my daughter, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time I would lay eyes on her.
Sonarim hugged me tightly and nodded. “Love you, Dad.” She turned and bowed slightly to the Kauri then held her palms out and whispered the spell which would take her to Morland. No time for long goodbyes. The first rule each sentinel learns.
I stayed in place, watching as she was pulled from view. Espencheid’s eyes were heavy on me. “Trust in her. I feel a change on the breeze. Keep strong in your faith, Eno.”
My gaze moved to the Kauri for a moment, and then dropped to the soil at my feet. “Thank you, old friend. I am off to see Torres and Ian. It’s important to keep our allies informed.”
Chapter 14 - The Home of a Witch
~Skye~
I WAS UNSURE HOW many hours had passed since the last time I’d awoken. This time I was able to raise my head without the constant bucking and spinning of the world around me. I tried to stand, then realized I had been strapped onto the litter. Gema insisted I remain in place. Clarissa, ever-present by my side, helped keep me still; bringing me tranquility with a few whispered words. The others continued to eye me warily, though they did their best to keep us moving rapidly.