Chapter 2

Thane and Jne entered the camp amidst chaos. At first glance it might appear that everyone had gone mad as they seemed to run about without purpose, but Thane and Jne knew better. The camp was preparing to move. At Jack’s earlier command, everyone was picking up what tents, bedding, and cooking utensils they had and were preparing for a final push towards Calandra and the relative safety it provided—for the moment. The pace had been slow and wearisome even in the face of the danger that lurked behind as a constant threat to their survival. Still, moving such numbers who were not trained and organized or used to such exertions was a challenge in the best of circumstances. The people were tired and hungry and many had let the icy hand of despair find place around their hearts where it slowly robbed them of any hope. All that many of them had known was left behind in ruin to the horde of trolls and goblins that had destroyed their city and killed so many of their friends and family members. The feeling of despair was a thick cloud over the camp that fell as a choking mist snuffing out on any spark of optimism.

Dismounting so as not to trample any in the crowded mass, Thane and Jne lead their horses as quickly as possible through the throng seeking any who would know Jack’s or Ranse’s whereabouts. Their going was slow and hampered due to the people having huddled together like frightened chicks who were now trying to gather their few belongings and move out. Gone was the stigma and fear that was generally associated with the Tjal-Dihn and would have normally opened a large swath before them. That fear had been replaced with the apathy of those who have given themselves over to the inevitability of death.

Thane tried to avoid the eyes of the people on every side as he passed them feeling stifled by their looks of defeat. He would not give up as he knew Jne would not either. As long as he had one breath still within him he would fight to protect as many of these people as he possibly could. The irony of it all was lost on him. The very people who had tried to annihilate his own race years ago were now left at his mercy and protection. That didn’t matter to him. Saving them from their enemy was all that occupied his mind now and the twinge of guilt that, though unwarranted, was nevertheless always present and pressing that he could have done more. But there was so much that was out of his immediate control. He did not rule or lead except for that that was given him by those in authority. Still, the disease of failure and doubt was a constant threat to his own strength of will; one he knew could easily consume him if given enough place in his heart and mind.

He caught the blank stare of a small child hoisted onto its mother’s back as she busied herself with the task of packing what little they had. It held him briefly in place as he searched for the light that seemed to shine in every child’s eyes but found none. Snuffed out by seeing too much that no one in a lifetime should have to witness. He felt despair’s cold sickness coming to life within him hungrily feeding on his emotions and trying to gain sway over his heart. Unbidden thoughts raged within his mind gaining strength as his eyes remained locked on the empty, blank stare of the child. You can’t beat them. You will never win. You are all doomed. All of these people will die. That child is fodder to feed the belly of a hungry young troll. Thane felt his eyes blur as the hopelessness threatened to overwhelm him.

“Why do you wait, Ghar of the Chufa?” Jne asked, touching his arm and suddenly pulling him back from the brink of despair.

Thane looked at her as if he didn’t know her, his thoughts still slightly clouded.

“Thane!” another voiced called drawing their attention. It was Tam pushing her way through the crowd. Thane’s look of loss quickly melted into a half smile as he raised his hand in recognition. Jne scowled slightly. “What news?” she asked when she reached them.

Thane glanced back to where the child had been but its mother had already gathered their things and had moved on and disappeared into the crowd. “They move,” he finally said, keeping his voice low so that only Tam could hear. “They have left Calandra and are pushing on toward us.”

Tam’s face darkened. “Will we make it to Calandra in time?”

Thane looked away to where he and Jne had come and slowly nodded. “Yes. The dragons do not come for us but have been unleashed on the others. We will make the city gates, but no others will follow us.”

Tam’s eyes watered at the implications of his words. There was too much death and suffering. Too many were paying for the mistakes and arrogance of the few.

“Where is Jack,” Thane asked before she could control her emotions enough to speak further. She could only point behind her. Thane nodded, understanding her inability to speak and started to move in the direction she had indicated. But Tam grabbed his arm and pulled him in close so that their eyes met. A tear suddenly let loose from her lid and made a track down her dirty face.

“We must speak, you and I, soon, before we reach the city. I will seek you out at the end of the column.” Thane let out a sigh and nodded slightly. He knew what this was about. He had been avoiding it for as long as he could but knew that sooner or later he would have to confront her and lie about his feelings for her. He could not have her no matter what their hearts told them. He had hoped to save Tam this added grief and even now would flee and not add to her sorrow, but it was time. Better to make the wound a clean swift cut that it might heal than to allow it to fester further. It was for the best. She should not be left to hope for him.

Turning away, he pressed into the crowd followed closely by Tam and Jne whose scowling face was enough to break through the dark infesting the hearts of those around them and move them away at their approach. Thane quickly found Jack in discussion with Colonel Myles Braxton who had been Haykon’s leader when it fell. He also recognized the young Waseeni boy, Teek, who, with his giant bird, had saved his life only days before. He was somewhat surprised to find Domis nowhere in sight. Domis, a young HuMan, had been a stable boy and sometimes runner for Colonel Braxton in Haykon. Since the city’s fall, he seemed never to leave Jack’s side finding, he supposed, comfort in the man who had been instrumental in saving his life. Thane had also been a part of his rescue but he didn’t blame the boy for avoiding one who claimed to be a Tjal-Dihn.

“We should be there by sunset tomorrow,” Jack was saying when Thane finally reached him. Seeing the young Chufa he turned and asked, “What news?”

“They come,” Thane replied without embellishment.

“We should have time,” Braxton quickly added as if to pacify the fears of those nearby and listening.

“We have time,” Thane confirmed. “They sent the dragon out first to herd back those who were on the road.” A thick silence fell over the group at the revelation. Everyone knew who “those” were and they also knew that herded was the proper word. They were to be used to feed Zadok’s army, strengthening it for the attack on Calandra. “We also passed a group of men headed toward Haykon. We attempted to warn them but they refused to even acknowledge us.”

“Prissley,” Jack spat. “No, you would not have been viewed as worthy to hear his voice.” Thane cocked an eye in question but Jack waved him off. “No matter, he of all people deserves what awaits him there.”

Thane just nodded. “Though we have time, the sooner we move the better. No one is truly safe with dragons still flying about.”

“But we have you, Master Thane,” a small voice broke in from behind him. Thane turned and found Domis had joined the group. “You can stop the dragons, can’t you Master Thane? You can kill them with your powerful touch.”

Thane’s expression fell. If only that were true. Yes, he had killed two dragons so far. The first one had almost caused his own death twice, first from the use of his Tane and second when he woke up in a Tjal camp not knowing who he was and desperate enough to ask for the Tjal adoption ceremony; certain death in and of itself. Luckily, where his Tane had almost killed him the first time, the second time it saved his life. The other dragon he killed had also been thanks to his Tane but he had been touching it when he killed it. By all rights he should have died from that experience also but here he still stood. “It is not that simple friend Domis,” he said, the strain heavy in his voice. “One does not just walk up to a dragon and ask to touch it.”

“Can they not be pierced by arrows?” Teek asked timidly, still unsure of himself around such men of valor as he saw them.

Thane shook his head. “You might as well try and pierce a blade of steel my young…” but he didn’t finish his sentence. “Pierce a blade of steel,” he repeated in a half whisper. “That’s it!”

“What?” Jack asked, somewhat encouraged by Thane’s sudden change in attitude.

“Dax,” A voice said, drawing all eyes to Dor who had come up unnoticed and was now standing next to Tam.

Thane nodded. “Dax!”

“What is a dax?” the colonel asked.

“DaxSagn,” Thane corrected. “DaxSagn is one of our people.”

“Can he kill the dragons from far?” Domis asked.

“No,” Thane shook his head. “But he has an arrow that can.”

“What fool talk is this?” Jack asked, his demeanor one of irritation but his voice revealing a glimmer of hope. Zadok’s army was still larger than they could possibly hold off alone, but it was certain death with his dragons flying around. If they could defeat the dragons, it might just give them the edge they needed to defeat the rest of the army.

“DaxSagn,” Dor answered, “or Dax, as we call him, has an arrow that can pierce steel.”

“That’s impossible,” Braxton chided. “You would have to be right on top of the beast to even have a chance at penetrating its skin, and that not likely.”

“I agree,” Dor continued, “with a normal arrow but Dax has no normal arrow. His it is rumored comes from the heart of a YeiyeiloBaneesh tree.”

“A yeilo what?”

“They were the sacred trees of our people that were destroyed when…” Dor paused for a brief moment before continuing, “…that are no more. Dax has the only known surviving arrow, and it can pierce steel from a distance. Thane and I have seen it.”

“Then we must have this arrow,” Braxton said.

Thane looked at Jack whose face had suddenly become unreadable. Thane knew they needed Dax’s arrow but he also knew what it would mean to try and get it. Was he ready to return and face his people again? A people who never trusted him and who, in the case of some, plotted his death? Asking for his people’s most treasured possession to use in a war to save HuMans was not going to bide well with the Chufa—that is, if they believed him at all. It was an impossible chance, but he also knew that they were without any other viable options. He couldn’t count on luck to drop him on top of another dragon again, and without an anchor tree to lend its power, he could not attempt another kill using his QenChe Tane.

All eyes had fallen to him waiting for a response. It was madness, but there were no other options. He felt the weight of the entire HuMan race suddenly pressing down on him. “I’ll go,” he finally said.

“You know he won’t give it up,” Dor said.

Thane stared at his friend. He felt Dor was right, but he still had to try.

“But how will you get there and back in time?” Jack asked.

Thane turned to Teek. “Master Teek, do you think your bird friend might offer me a ride once more?”

Teek shuffled nervously under the gaze of all those around. “I don’t know,” he shrugged. “She does as she pleases mostly.”

“Then I will just have to ask her,” Thane said.

Braxton chuckled at the notion but was alone in his doubt. All the others knew that there was more to Thane and his abilities than even he possibly knew. “Best ask her for two,” Jne interjected.

“Three,” Dor and Tam added in unison.

“Now wait,” Thane said turning to his friends. “Even if she can hold that many, there is no reason for you all to go. Dax will either give me the arrow or he won’t. Having the rest of you along will not change that, especially you, Jne.” Jne’s face turned red but Thane kept talking. “Our people will shoot you full of arrows before you could even speak because you are a HuMan.”

Jne spat. “Do not place me with the dung of the field, Ghar of the Chufa. Being Jinghar does not mean I will be insulted by you.”

“What does she mean dung?” Braxton asked, his own color growing more pink.

Jack placed a hand on his friend’s arm. “Let it go.”

“It is not that,” Thane said. “I do not call you HuMan, but my people will not know the difference. All they will see is a person that is not like them, that fits the description of what they think HuMans are and they will kill you without question.

“It doesn’t matter,” she argued. “I go where you go. That is what Jinghar means.”

Thane gave up, knowing it was easier to talk Zadok into taking his army away than it was to convince her to stay behind. But Dor and Tam were something else entirely. “You two may go, but only if you agree to stay.”

“Really?” Tam huffed.

Dor cut her off. “I am not your Jinghar or whatever it is Jne is to you. I will come and go as I please with or without your permission. We are friends, Thane, and you need me this time. Maybe you are forgetting what brought us all here in the first place. I’m not so sure that you won’t be shot on sight either.”

Braxton shot a questioning look at Jack, but his friend just shook his head slightly while Teek and Domis were all eyes and ears enjoying every bit of the exchange.

“I don’t plan to just walk into camp and let them shoot me, Dor,” Thane replied rather calmly.

“Really, then I assume you have some sort of plan?” Tam put in.

Thane shrugged. “Well, no, not yet, but…”

“Then you’ll need our help,” Dor interjected, cutting him off.

Thane shook his head and muttered something under his breath. “We still don’t know if Teek’s bird can even carry all of us.”

“Her name’s Tchee,” Teek suddenly added.

“Right,” Thane said. “Tchee.”

“Well then,” Jne interjected, “you’d better hurry and ask so we can be on our way.”

Thane threw up his hands. He couldn’t believe this. It was like he was still home and being bullied by PocMar and his friends. He looked to Jack for support, but his friend wisely stayed out of this argument. To him it wasn’t important who went on this mission as long as they brought back this arrow they had spoke of and that it really did work as they said. He had to admit that it was a little hard to take in and believe, but in desperate times like they found themselves, all options became viable.

Thane turned to Teek. “Where is your large friend, Tchee?”

Teek rolled his shoulders up to his ears. “I don’t know. She comes and goes as she pleases.”

“Then in the mean time let us cease our idleness here and help get these people to the city where they can be better cared for,” Braxton said.

“You will let me know when she returns then?” Thane asked Teek.

“Yes sir, Master Thane. I will at that and right away.”

Thane smiled. “Thank you, Teek, and please stop calling me Master. Just Thane will do nicely.” It bothered him when people made a fuss about him. He was not used to such positive attention and since he started receiving it he decided that he almost preferred the opposite. He didn’t want anyone thinking he was more than he was or that he felt better than any other person doing all in their power to protect those in need. It was especially strange hearing such praise from someone like Teek who was, after all, close to his own age.

Their course of action decided, the group began to disperse in different directions. “You will let me know when you plan to leave,” Jack said to Thane in a tone that made it hard to decipher as to whether it was a request or a command. Thane just nodded that he would and then turned to make his own way through the crowd that, as a whole, was beginning to move east toward the distant city when he was stopped by someone grabbing his arm. It was Tam. She smiled at him and he felt his heart almost stop. “Can I walk with you a minute and talk?”

Thane looked for Dor but only caught sight of his back as he walked away from them. Jne was still at his side though, as she always was, and the look on her face would have frozen boiling water. “I really should help with moving the camp,” he tried lamely to protest, but Tam would not be deterred. Although she was smiling, he recognized that stubborn look in her eyes that told him that short of death he was not going to change her mind.

Grabbing his arm more firmly, she just moved him away from Jne and quickly said to the Tjal woman, “You won’t mind if I borrow him for a moment.” It was not a question and Thane could see the daggers shooting from Jne’s eyes. But, she did not verbally protest and Thane was led away like a lamb to the slaughter—at least that was how he felt. In all actuality, it was Tam who was to be the sacrificial lamb. He just hoped he had the ability to let her down easily and that the time spent away from him and with Dor would make it easier for her. She deserved to be happy. If he could have just one wish it would be that Tam could live a life of joy and happiness even though he knew that that meant a life without him.

“I really wish you and Dor would reconsider,” he said, trying to change the subject he knew was coming before Tam got a chance to start it. “I mean, on the one hand, yes, I would rather you both went back home where it is still safe—for the moment. But, I know that that is not your intention. I appreciate your help, I really do, and all the concern…”

Tam pressed her fingers to his lips to stop his talking. “Thane, we have already gone over that and you know my mind and that of Dor. We will not be veered from our course and I think you know that. I have more pressing matters to speak with you, matters that affect just you and me.”

Thane’s stomach tightened. There was no getting around it now. His heart ached for her, for the pain he knew she would feel. But there was no getting around it. He hoped that she would not hate him for it, but there was nothing he could do. No matter the love he felt for her they shared the same Tane and that eliminated their every being able to be together. It was not something they could ignore. Though it killed him he could do nothing to change it.

“Thane, you know that I…”

“Wait,” Thane said holding up a hand to stop her.

“No, Thane,” she continued, shaking her head. “Please, let me get this out and then you can speak all that you want.”

Thane stopped and looked away to the river to the west. It was spring and all of the trees were in flower, some with white pedals, and others with red and gold. The grass was getting thick and green and was sprinkled with wildflowers that lent a clean, pleasant scent to the air. It was a beautiful morning. One cherished by those in love as they basked in the light of their love and what appeared to be nature’s blessing on it. He looked to the sky as a cloud suddenly blocked out the sun and he couldn’t help but feel that it was all a reflection of his life and love for Tam.

“I love you,” she said, but instead of warming him they were like the steel of a knife to his heart. “I have always loved you, Thane,” She continued. “Since I can remember I have always felt that you were someone special.” Tam chuckled through sudden tears that began to form in her eyes. “I know that I had an interesting way of showing it, but I was unsure how you would treat me should you know how I really felt. Anyway, the day that I woke in Haykon and found you sitting there by my bed watching over me was, in a strange way, the best day of my life—and,” she added softly, “the worst.”

Thane gave her a confused look at her last statement. “Worst?”

Tam smiled slightly and then wiped at the tears that had begun to fall down her cheek. “Yes, worst. Best because you were there, you were with me, you cared about what happened to me but also worst because you were there and that you cared about me.”

Thane’s look turned to one of concern. “Are you well, Tam? You make no sense.”

“Just let me finish,” she huffed, more angry at herself than anything for the way she was not getting across what she so desperately needed to. “Finally, after all the years we’ve been together I finally saw the same love in your eyes as I always felt in my own heart.”

It was too much for him. “Tam, wait.”

“No,” she said, pounding a fist on his chest. “No, please,” she continued, her voice softer as she stood straighter as if gaining the courage she needed to continue. “I have always loved you, Thane, but I also have always known that we could never be together.”

Her last words hit him hard. He suddenly felt nauseated as his head seemed to spin.

“When I saw that same love in your eyes at first I rejoiced in it. I really think it was what finally got me through those difficult first days and weeks in Haykon after you healed me. But then I realized that I was living a lie and that in the end it would only lead to heartache and pain.”

Thane couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All this time he’d been avoiding her for the very reasons she was telling him right now. All along he was afraid to tell her the very same words thinking it was going to be too painful for her to accept and here she was telling them to him, and he was surprised by how much they hurt. He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off.

“There’s one last thing I must tell you and I hope that it will not create a void between us but since Dor and I left the Ardath and came looking for you I have felt a bond begin to develop between us. At first it was something I fought. I didn’t want it to happen but the more time we spent together the stronger it grew. And after you cured me of my addiction and Dor has been with me ever since, I think that he feels the same way. I think we love each other, Thane, Dor and me. I’ve been trying to tell you for a long time now but with everything that has been happening and, I admit, with my fear of how it might hurt you, I have not been able to speak of it to you as I wanted and as you deserve.” She reached out and grabbed his hand. “I’m so sorry, Thane. I really am. Can you ever forgive us? Can you ever give us your blessing and be happy for us?”

Thane looked at her long fingers that seemed to fit in his hand so perfectly. His stomach was a knot and his breath seemed to be more difficult to take. It hurt. It hurt greater than anything he’d ever imagined. He felt the anger building in his heart but quickly pushed it away. He had no right to feel rage or hatred. These were his two greatest friends. He’d known all along that he could never have her. What she had just said to him was the talk he had been avoiding giving to her. All this time he thought it was to save her feelings and not to cause her any added pain, but now he realized, and he fully admitted to himself that his delay had not been to save her, but to save him. And now the cut was made, precisely and cleanly. He only hoped that the healing would come just as quick.

He caught the sudden change in her demeanor as she let her hand slip from his and her expression changed to one of concern as he realized that he had not responded to her question. Using all the strength he could muster, Thane pressed a broad smile on his face and Tam’s expression immediately softened. “Of course you have my blessing, Tam. What kind of friend would I be not to find joy in the love of my two greatest friends?” What type of friend indeed. He was happy for them but he also knew that there was pain and jealousy mixed in with those feelings that he feared would never completely fade. This next act he knew would be the most difficult. As with Dor, he hoped he could be convincing enough. “I do love you, Tam, but as a special friend, as a sister. And I am sorry that you misunderstood my feelings for you. With almost losing you to the dranlok we were all very concerned and I am sorry if my actions caused you to worry and be pained in the least.”

He watched her face closely and almost thought he caught the slightest disappointment but couldn’t be sure when a bright smile suddenly filled her countenance. “Oh, Thane,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him in close. “I am so relieved.”

Thane hugged her back not wanting to ever let go but knowing he could not linger lest she suspect his words did not match the feelings of his heart. Reluctantly pulling away, he smiled down at her, his heart breaking once more. It was almost more than he could take. “Now that that has been cleared up,” he said, straining to keep his eyes and face smiling and free from his true feelings, “I must get back to helping move this camp to safety. Give Dor my heartfelt congratulations if I do not see him first.”

Tam smiled back at him. “I will, Thane.”

Without another word, Thane marched passed her back to Jne who was waiting for him, a murderous scowl on her face.

Tam watched him go for a brief moment before turning her back and brushing away the tear that suddenly escaped.