[Prologue] [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5]
CHAPTER ONE
Before the first pale streaks of first rise touched the
wall, four travelers and a giant cat passed through the
gates. Quasta began to shimmer when first rays of light
touched its towers. Watching the city fade, the four heard
a whispered voice.
"May Canthjia and the Supreme One watch over thee till
next we meet." Talbor, though anxious to return to his
father's house, pulled on the reins of his beast. Twisting
in the saddle, he asked Casaron, "What do we do now? We've
been through too much to just go our separate ways now."
Casaron, now beside the big man, bowed slightly. Since
witnessing their marriage, the Maji's conduct and speech had
become formal when talking to either him or Iritha. "As
Crown Prince of Eastern Auxnurs, you and your bride must
return to your father's house. My responsibilities, as does
my Protector's lie elsewhere. For now we shall travel
together. However, worry not, our destinies are
intertwined. I believe our path shall pass many times
before our life forces are called." Casaron glanced at the
distant forest and frowned. "Before reaching the Abbey of
Sensouls we shall see what takes place."
Rubbing his temples, Talbor sighed. "Casaron before
you knew my bloodline, we ate, slept and fought together. I
would like to believe we are still traveling companions. I
know this might be impossible when we are at an abbey or any
settlement surrounding Folista. But for now can you forget
who and what my father is?"
Casaron glanced at Girmer. She nodded slightly. Her
vague movement reminded him it was her duty to protect and
advise. Before his rebirth everything had been simple. He
used his calling to do as he pleased. Though the world was
changing, Users were still held in awe. Now he could no
longer use his training to get what he wanted. Since the
light from the exploding vile touched him and caused his
powers to nearly fully awaken. Because of this, everything
had changed. Sometimes he feared the power he now held.
What if he used his powers to protect Talbor or Iritha? In
doing so, would he violate his vows? If he violated these
vows would he jeopardize his and Girmer's life forces?
Things had been a lot easier before that cursed dream and
his rebirth. Shaking his head, he tried focus on the
problems around him.
Talbor studied Casaron for a moment then cleared his
throat. "Casaron, are you alright?"
Casaron's eyes shifted back to Talbor. He nodded.
"Your request has merit. When one tries too hard to keep
protocol the results can be disastrous while through unknown
lands."
While Casaron and Talbor were talking Iritha pulled a
parchment copy of the map she had hastily drawn in Mansdraw
from one of the many pouches hanging from her saddle.
Searching the parchment with her finger, she bit her bottom
lip. "I don't see no place called Sensouls. Where's it
at?"
Talbor, hearing her, cleared his throat to remind her
of her bloodline and the class she married into.
"Ops. Sometimes there just ain't no other way ta say
what ya gotta say." She cocked her head and gave a sheepish
smile. "Where's this abbey?"
Casaron gazed past the grasslands. "Our destiny lies
on the other side of the Randar Forest one rise past the
edge of the desert for which it was named." Recalling the
vision that still plagued he, he lowered his voice. "The
abbey, however is another matter."
Talbor gazed past the forest. He shifted his weight.
Concerned, he had hoped to avoid the fanatics that lived at
that abbey. The big man wondered if he should warn Casaron
of their beliefs or not. Letting out a quite whistle, he
decided to remain quite for now. After all he had heard
only rumors of their sadistic practices. For now it was
best to remain silent until the truth was unknown.
Casaron returned his attention to Talbor. "As Antheas
once said, 'beware of what remains unseen.'" Both men tried
to ignore what they suspected lay beyond the forest.
The former User, sensing Talbor's mistrust of the abbey,
gave him something else to think about. "Sometimes if one
changes too quickly, they lose their edge. Did you not wed
your bride with full knowledge not only of her heritage, but
the past she was forced to live?" Leaving Talbor to think,
Casaron kicked his mount in the flanks and motioned to
Girmer it was time to continue.
Girmer signaled Star Danc to travel ahead. The giant
cat would flush out any creature believing those traveling
might make an easy meal. Though normally the short tender
blades of grass that brought forth by new life would be
unable to conceal anything, the Aszian knew and didn't trust
hunchens. She knew they were capable of almost mortal kind
intelligence.
Near mid-rise, Talbor reached in a grease stained bag
hanging from his saddle. He took several strips of jerked
meat from it. Keeping a few strips, he handed the remainder
to Iritha motioning for her to take some and pass the rest
to Casaron and Girmer.
Iritha gave him a dirty look and stopped her beast.
Dismounting, she exaggerated a stretch. "Well the beasts
got ta eat too. An' we can use a little rest."
Talbor shook his head and swung his leg over his
beast's neck and slid to the ground. Girmer and Casaron
followed his example. The Aszian warrior gave a quick
glance in Star Danc's direction The black cat abruptly
turned and lied near the grazing the beasts when he heard
his mistress' mental command. From their saddle pouches
they found a variety of traveling grain cakes and dried
fruit.
Iritha started coughing. She grabbed a flask of water
and muffled between gulps, "How old is this stuff. These
cakes are stale and taste like the third void. An' this
fruit's as hard as rocks."
Casaron muffled a laugh. "Remember where and what
Quasta is. You know as well as I, the High One had little
time to prepare these supplies."
"Ya mean this stuff could be...."
"The age of our supplies cannot be determined."
Girmer grabbed the water bag from her. Their age may
not be determined, but I will wager these rations are older
than even Fen-Rod."
* * * *
With moon rise approaching, Talbor gave the order to
make camp. The scenery slowly changed. Grassland gave way
to sparsely wooded landscape of oaknut and blue elm. Near
the tree line, Girmer noticed the droppings of several small
brush dear. Realizing their need for protein, she grabbed
her bow and mentally ordered Star Danc to remain with the
Maji. Although the High One provided them with both riding
and pack beasts along with ample supplies, their traveling
rations consisted mostly of stale grain cakes and dried
fruit both of questionable age.
She turned to Talbor. "With all these tracks it should
be easy to find something." She paused, remembering a
similar conversation over a cycle ago. Smiling she added,
"Unless you wish to try your luck with that sword of yours."
Talbor chuckled recalling the same conversation. "I
don't think the wildlife around here will willingly crawl on
my sword, or wait for me to skew it. Besides it was decided
some time ago that you are the better hunter."
The sparsely wooded area offered the wildlife little
protection against an experienced hunter. Keeping down
wind, Girmer watched and waited for a small two point buck
to come into range. Within seconds, she set her bow and
released the deadly missile. The arrow flew through the
underbrush, embedding its tip in the buck's breastbone. The
buck started to leap but wavered. Its legs buckled and it
crumpled to the ground. Grimer had solved their immediate
need for meat. Too bad there wouldn't be time to dry the
excess meat. Since the meat couldn't be preserve Star Danc
would get his fill, and scavengers what remained.
In the growing shadows, Girmer pulled her boot knife
and slit the small buck from diaphragm to groin. She, like
any skilled hunter knew wild game had to be gutted and
bled. If not, unseen creatures could breed. Since these
creatures were too small to be seen, there was no known way
to completely destroy them. Sometimes these creatures
survived even in fully cooked meat. Unclean meat could
caused illness accompany a high fever and the loss of body
fluids. It was a fact that the loss of a life force was
uncommon if mortal kind consumed unclean meat.
Careful not to puncher the long coils of intestine, she
remove the entrails. Hesitating, she put the heart, liver
and other edible organs in the empty chest cavity. She tied
the hind legs then the fore legs together with thin strips
of rawhide. Without struggling, she lifted small buck to
her shoulders. With the carcass across her shoulders, she
headed back.
Emerging from the woods, Girmer entered a cold dark
camp. "Where is the fire? I thought it was understood, I
would hunt," The ebony skinned woman glanced at Iritha.
"she would cook." Girmer glared at Talbor, knowing the cold
camp, and Iritha's lack of help was his doing. Her voice
drown out the sounds of moon rise creatures. "There are no
servants here. As long as we travel together, we will
continue as before. Do you understand me?" Dropping the
carcass at Talbor's feet she added, "I have provided my
skills. Someone else will butcher and cook it. I did not
escape the wreckage of the Silver Dust to be enslave now."
Casaron raised two fingers and shook his head. Without
speaking he told her her point had been made. Girmer glared
once more at the big man before walking to the hobbled
beasts. Casaron watched as Girmer started brushing her
beast before squatting in front of Talbor. He lowered his
voice as not to be overheard. "Remember what you said
earlier? Each of us have responsibilities. However, out
here we have to work together. As much as you may not like
it, Girmer is correct. Though you are the Crown Prince of
Auxnurs and Iritha is your bride, I am Maji and Girmer is my
Protector. There can be no slaves or servants. What would
you do if it were just you and Iritha. Starve?"
Casaron's eyes shifted around the darkening camp. "For
now, we must do to do what under normal circumstances others
might think is beneath us. Remember who we were before
defeating Ucenda's forces. We are the same now. Or must
appear to be as long as we are in the wilderness. For your
own safety and that of your bride, your bloodline must
remain with us. You have come far since leaving your
father's house. I do not believe you with to return to your
past. That part which was arrogant, vain, not to mention a
suitor of untold women. You now have a first wife and a
future empire to think of. That which once was can never be
again. Until you are once again in the safety of your
father's lands, Iritha's former husband could easily have
you assassinated, and no one would know. Understand?"
Talbor shrugged slightly. "But she has so much to
learn and remember."
Casaron patted him on the shoulder. "Worry not, there
will be time for her to know that is necessary. All that
she once knew will in time return. However, now there is a
need for hot food and rest."
Talbor gave a weak smile of submission before standing.
"You can't hide what you are, even if you wanted to. But
that's why you've got Girmer. Until we reach my father's
house and someone decides they're my royal advisor, I'll
take your advise. Until then, or you say differently, those
we come in contact with will assume you are a personal
advisor."
"Though a Maji is not generally asked to perform the
task of royal advisor, at this time, it is wiser if I too do
not reveal all that I or my Protector are."
He studied Casaron's red hair with a silver streak at
each temple and his silver crescent shaped pupils. "With
your hair and eyes no one would be foolish enough to
question your council." He quickly added to himself, With
Girmer around, they'd be a fool's mark if they did."
Dusting off his breeches, Talbor gave Girmer a mock
bow before telling Casaron loud enough for everyone to hear,
"I'll gather the wood if you start the fire. I guess Iritha
can make something out of what we have. Girmer is right,
Iritha's one third void of a cook." Talbor paused, cleared
his throat and said half to himself, "I think her speech is
starting to affect me."
Iritha, hearing suppressed a giggle and headed for the
pack beast and their cooking utensils. With fire light
dancing in the darkening land, Iritha filled two small pots
with water. In one she put the last of the tea Fen-Rod had
given her. She dropped a half a dozen grain cakes and
several handfuls of stone hard, dried berries in the other
pot. In the boiling water, the cakes began to dissolve and
the fruit rehydrated creating a thick fruity porridge. The
only thing she could do with the venison was salt and skewer
it between the pots of bubbling liquid. She wished there
was some type of seasoning to put on it. Within an hour
sizzling fat dripping from the small flank filled the air
with mouth watering aroma.
Iritha waited for everyone to finish before she dusted
off her hands, stood, and announced to both men, "I
cooked," She nodded to Girmer, "she hunted. Who's gonna
cleaned up?" Before either man could speak, Iritha gave
Girmer a quick jerked of her head signaling her to follow.
Once out of hearing distance, Iritha glanced at Girmer.
"As they said, everybody's got ta do their part. An' as
fer as I'm concerned findin' wood an' makin' a fire ain't a
fair part."
Girmer shifted her eyes to the big cat. Star Danc was
gnawing on a hind quarter. The cat lowered his ears and
rumbled a low growl. The big cat stopped and glanced at the
two men. Though appearing to enjoy his meal, Star Danc was
aware of everything around him. Girmer knew the cat was
capable of charging any aggressor within seconds.
"I agree, but come first cock's crow we will be
expected to clean up and help ready to travel. Females are
at a definite disadvantage in this land."
"Well, maybe we'll put a scare in 'em." Iritha bit her
bottom lip and frowned. She needed to talk to Girmer but
didn't know how to approach the Aszian with her problem.
She glanced in the men's direction. "Well, ah, I guess I
had better start talkin' the way Talbor wants me ta."
"Iritha, a word of advice. Let your speech change
gradually. If you change too rapidly, the very things he
wed you for will be lost." Girmer lightly touched Iritha on
the forehead with her index finger. "All you once knew is
still here."
"But he is my lord and master. I have ta do as he
says."
Girmer grasped the thin woman by her shoulders. Barely
able to contain the rage building inside her, she whispered,
"He is your husband, your mate, your companion, nothing
else. Your marriage promise was to obey him, not to commit
adultery or take a lover. There was nothing said about
being his mindless slave or a silent fool's mark."
"But we haven't. . . ."
"So. Perhaps one who will rule half the known content
wants something more than dirt, stone and grass for a
marriage bed Besides have you though, because he is the
Crown Prince there might be some type of formal ceremony
before or during your marriage
"I'm trying too hard, huh?"
"Yes." Girmer glanced back at the men. "Though I
doubt either of them will allow anything to happen to the
remainder of our meal, we had better get back and help clean
up. It's getting late."
Returning to the light of the camp, Iritha noticed
either Talbor or Casaron put their provisions away. The
two men motioned to the women. It was time to make plans
for their moon rise rest.
Talbor, drinking the last of the tea told the others,
"Since there hasn't been any signs of other travelers, I
think the cat can stand watch." Glancing at Casaron's
staff, he continued. "Wild creatures can sense mystic
powers. With you staff fully charged, it will discourage
any unwanted creatures."
Girmer nodded, ordering Star Danc to guard the camp.
Casaron pushed his staff near the fire pit. The staff gave
off an almost invisable glow indicating it was fully
charged. Between the Death Cat, and the staff everyone
could sleep.
With their provisions close to the fire, they crawled
into their sleeping rolls. For several minutes watched high
clouds move across the star filled sky. He wondered what
his family would think of Iritha. Perhaps her honesty and
bluntness was what his father's house needed. Maybe Casaron
was right. Maybe he was asking Iritha to forget too much
too fast. Watching Iritha sleep he wished a consummation
ceremony could be performed before reaching Folista.
Without the ceremony, their maggiage could end before it
began. Kissing Iritha on the cheek, he rolled over and
closed his eyes.
When sleep came, he first dreamed of ancient creatures
of flight engaged in battle with mortal kind suspended with
hot air. A second dream warned him of inquisitorals and
enslaved prisoners. Moaning softly, the dreams left. A
restful sleep took their place.
P>
[Prologue] [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5]
