The Portals of Tartae- the Land With the Two Moons

by Marcia Soligo

  As soon as they stopped, everyone sat down and ate silently, resting from the long hours on the back of a horse. After a while, Alegra and Kirk started to discuss some battle techniques and got up to try them. Even when extremely tired, those two were restless. They seemed to have trouble keeping still for more than a couple of minutes. Olivia was getting more tired just seeing them practice; to her, it seemed almost painful. But one could tell that they were not in their best shape. Their once fast moves were now slower, and their response time from each attack was taking much longer.

  Alavro quickly fell into a nap under a tree, slightly snoring and breathing very loudly. He was enjoying the fresh shadow of the oak, and everyone was almost jealous that he could manage to sleep so easily. Alavro would take a quick but powerful nap on pretty much all their stops, and later wake up refreshed and recharged.

  Cordella had been feeding the horses at each stop they made. She also gave them some kind of magical elixir called tourmaline potion that would make them stronger and more relaxed so they could bear the heavy journey. And they were doing well. Actually, they were the only ones that seemed able to keep up with Belenos and Orion.

  “Olivia,” called Cordella, who was still feeding the horses under some trees, quite far away from the rest of the group. “I think it’s time for us to have a tonic too. We must have our strength when we get to Lars, and right now we are all as worn out as a pair of old and used leather boots. We are also almost through our food provisions. I need you to get the ingredients for the elixir. We need allandrio leaves, lazuli nectar, artemisia branches, and chamomile flowers.”

  “Of course, Cordella. And can I find everything here?”

  “Yes. All the plants that exist in Tartae exist here in the Ancient Forest. No exceptions. Please, don’t go alone. The forest is well protected, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful ...”

  Olivia nodded and went back to where the group was resting. Thanks to Emma and to some books in Belenos' library, Olivia now knew how to find all the herbs they needed for the elixir, but she didn’t recognize this particular combination of ingredients, even though she had learned how to make tonics herself. After some lessons, she was even able to brew a tonic for better sleep, for visions in dreams and to heal small wounds. Probably, some elixirs required more skills than the ones she had, or a longer period of study.

  Olivia grabbed a small white linen bag from her backpack and two small glass bottles so she could collect the lazuli nectar. It felt good to be useful and do something other than just ride through unknown places for hours and hours.

  “Trev, can you help me get some herbs?” asked Olivia. She was now tying the linen bag to the same belt on which she carried her sword. Trevor said yes and got up at once.

  “What do you need?” asked the boy, getting his bow and arrow.

  “I think I can help you. And I don’t believe you two should be walking around by yourselves. May I join you?” said Belenos with his always-solemn tone before Olivia could even answer Trevor’s previous question.

  “I’m going too. We need more food, and I can find some fruits and mushrooms, I’m sure.” Bran got up in an instant and joined the group.

  “Come back soon. The weather is changing, and I feel the rain coming,” warned Cordella.

  The group walked through the Ancient Forest, and Olivia explained to the others what she was looking for. In order to find everything they needed, they separated and spread out in the woods, but they would always keep an eye on each other. Even Bran, who was looking for food instead of herbs, was always in sight. He was currently looking for things that could be eaten without the need for cooking, and a fire of course.

  After a while, they reached a small forest clearing that had a number of trees lying on the ground. Trees that had fallen down at some point in time and were now being enveloped by other plants. This place resembled the ruins of some lost city, the remains of an ancient time that passed and left only vestiges of itself, vestiges that nature was now reclaiming. The energy of that clearing was strong, pure, and there was something epic about it. Everything vibrated around Olivia. All of those plants were trying to tell a story, an unintelligible story to the beings that weren’t part of the forest, a silent poetry. Before stepping into the forest clearing, they all stopped and contemplated the place. There were branches everywhere, and somehow the forest was being born again. The branches were covered in flowers, grass, clover, moss, and mushrooms. All was becoming green, glistening with life.

  “What is this place?” asked Trevor, more to himself than the others.

  “We’re in Rtirsoo. This is where Tartae started to fall when Miniso Lor tried to dominate the Portals,” answered Belenos, looking around. His eyes were a bit watery, his voice was soft, and he said the words slowly and contemplatively. “This clearing was opened many years ago. Much before you and I. Tartae was changing. Her trees, Her life was fading away and giving room to evil things, which I don’t dare to talk about in here. The Ancient Forest is strong and protective. We are here, and we are safe because the forest knows the Clan; she recognizes you two. Rtirsoo teaches us that little by little, nature will take back what’s Hers.”

  “I’m glad that we’re about to close the Portals forever,” said Trevor, looking around and pondering the mess that had been caused by that pursuit of power.

  “I don’t know if what will happen to Tartae after we destroy the Portals will be much different from this, Trevor.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked. It was the first time Belenos had said something about this directly to Trevor.

  “I really don’t know, Trevor. Nature has created the Portals, and I feel that destroying them could be a serious mistake. I don’t know what our futures will hold without the Portals.”

  “But if you think something bad might happen, why don’t you do something?” asked Trevor.

  “There’s not much else I can do. I tried discussing this with the Clan, and it didn’t help. And I truly believe that at this point, stopping Lars and trying to destroy the Portals is a priority. It is the best solution. I can only hope that our future isn’t a disaster. It would be sad that all of these efforts be for nothing.” Belenos was still admiring the forest around him, filled with pain. It seemed that he felt that future happening, that he could foresee an ending to all of this that was much different from what the Clan was hoping for. “I’m here,” he continued after a brief pause. “I believe in this mission. I wasn’t planning on being part of it, but here I am, and we will make it. Let’s move on.” Belenos walked away from the clearing and bowed as he left that place.

  “My dad always told me that we must respect this place. We shouldn’t harvest anything here,” added Bran. “Come on, I think I saw some fruits over there.”

  They all bowed lightly as they left the forest clearing. A cold wind blew and brought with it some even darker clouds. The rain was coming, as Cordella had warned them.

  Olivia and Trevor got a little behind. They started to look for more artemisia leaves on the edge of the forest clearing.

  “Olie,” whispered Trevor, doing his best not to be heard by the others. “What do you think about this? About what Belenos was talking about before?”

  “I honestly don’t know what to think, Trev. Did you notice his eyes? I told you about this. His heart is not in the destruction of the Portals, and he doesn’t seem to think that the future of Tartae will be a good one without them. I don’t know what to think ...”

  “I don’t agree with Belenos. I believe there’s nothing to be afraid of. Cordella and Alavro have been studying the Portals for years. They know what they’re doing. And last time I checked, Belenos wasn’t even a Guardian.”

  “But he protects the Portals any way he can. And he protects us too. Or have you forgotten about Strage? Belenos is all about the natural circle of things, the powers of nature. He can’t accept this violation, and I understand this must be hard. Must be conflicting.”

  “I
don’t know ... Do you really think we can trust him?” asked Trevor. His eyes were full of doubt, and his hands shook.

  “Trevor, Cordella told us that she would trust her life to Belenos. He’s here, isn’t he? He saved us.” Olivia had a serious look on her face. She couldn’t understand how Trevor could doubt Belenos, who had helped them until now. “I guess we have what we need. Let’s head back,” said Olivia, putting an end to Trevor’s questions and walking toward the others. “Bran, did you get what you want?”

  “Yes, let’s go back.”

  “Very well. Let’s head this way. Follow me,” said Belenos, guiding them in the camp’s direction.

  They followed Belenos through the path of dust and plants for a while, until they all could sense the weather shifting. Suddenly, the day became night, as if a dark shadow had taken over the sky at once. Rain started to fall, and the raindrops were getting bigger and heavier quickly. The rain became a storm. The wind was so strong now that it made the simple act of walking something that required a lot of strength. The powerful blasts broke some of the small branches over their heads, and the water fell so aggressively from the sky that it became almost impossible to see the path in front of them. The weather conditions made the path more and more challenging.

  “STAY CLOSE!” yelled Belenos.

  They kept walking as fast as they could, fighting the frigid conditions and looking forward to joining the others so they could find shelter. Resuming the journey was impossible with these conditions, so they would have to wait at least for a while.

  As they kept going, the rain grew worse, and the raindrops were now so large that they were hurting their skin. A white cloud formed in front of the group, making it harder to see the path they needed to follow. Olivia wanted to stop and wait. She could hardly see anything around her; her eyes could barely stay open under that rain. But at the same time, she just wanted to get back to the camp safely with the others. The mud made their way even harder, and the water was now up to her ankles.

  Without any warning, Olivia was pulled back abruptly, a colossal tree crashed down right where she had been just a second ago. There was a loud noise followed by a splash of mud. Olivia looked back and saw that Bran was the one who had pulled her away. She squeezed his hand tightly in a silent thank-you, and then she found Trevor’s desperate gaze. He was petrified in terror.

  “Where is Belenos?” asked Trevor.

  “He was in front of us. The tree fell down between us and him,” answered Bran.

  “Did you see if he got hurt?” There was despair in Olivia’s voice. The tree was immense.

  “Don’t worry, Olie. He’s okay. I’m sure he’s on the other side, still waiting for us. Come on.” Bran started to climb over the tree. The thing was so big and its trunk so wide that it created a wall of sorts.

  The three of them managed to jump over the tree, but they couldn’t find Belenos. They yelled his name as loudly as they could, but in the torrential rain, it was impossible to hear anything other than themselves and the water. They couldn’t hear an answer, and they didn’t even know if Belenos was yelling back.

  The rain, the wind, and the mud finally won. They walked and walked in the direction that they believed the camp was, but they got nowhere.

  “I think we should stop and find shelter,” said Bran, looking around for something he recognized in the forest.

  “NO! What if we get lost, Bran? What if they think that something happened to us? WE MUST GO ON!” insisted Olivia. She was deeply disturbed by what was happening. Her legs shook. She looked around and couldn’t recognize a thing. The rain made her more desperate.

  “Olie, I agree with Bran. We should wait for a while. They will wait for us. They’re okay.”

  “But we could get lost! It’s better if we keep going now,” said Olivia.

  “Olie … we’re already lost,” sighed Trevor.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  A Cabin in the Woods

  Olivia, Trevor, and Bran took shelter inside a small cave. They stayed there in complete silence until the rain wasn’t so intense anymore, which took an hour at least. They didn’t know where they were, or even where the rest of the group would be by now, and they were worried about what could have happened to them, to Belenos.

  “I just hope that Belenos isn’t hurt.” Trevor broke the silence as soon as the rain and the wind weren’t so strong anymore.

  “He isn’t. I can feel it,” asserted Olivia. Bran peered at her with a puzzled look, and he seemed quite disturbed by her affirmation.

  “You can feel it?” asked Trevor, sounding confused.

  “I can’t explain ... But I’m sure he’s okay. I’m pretty sure now that everyone is okay. We’re just … lost.” She took a pause and got up to her feet. “What are we going to do now?”

  “We’ll get back and join the others. I’m sure we can find our way,” concluded Trevor.

  “No,” interrupted Bran. “We will go on our own way now.”

  “WHAT?” Olivia and Trevor protested.

  “We have agreed not to come back if we got lost. We will stick to the plan and keep moving forward. The others will do the same and we’ll meet eventually along the way,” said Bran resolutely.

  “We didn’t agree on anything like that, Bran. We don’t know the way to the Tria Plains. How are we supposed to follow a path we don’t know?” said Olivia.

  “Olie, trust me. This is what we have been doing on our journeys since the beginning. We probably forgot to tell you this. And think about it, it wouldn’t be the first time we forget to tell you two something important.”

  “He has a point, Olie. If there’s something that everyone here always seem to forget, it’s to tell us small details that make all the difference,” said Trevor sarcastically. “How are we supposed to keep going without our horses? We still have some days of travel ahead of us.”

  “We’ll walk. Let’s keep heading to the Tria Plains and try to find the path the Clan chose for our quest. Hopefully, we’ll encounter them at some point before we get to where Lars is hiding.”

  “Trevor, what about your medallion? You can use it to send a message to Alegra,” reminded Olivia, a glimpse of hope growing in her heart.

  “It’s in my bag, Olie. I only brought my bow and arrows with me. And I was lucky I did so.”

  “We will make it, guys. We have been through things like this before, and we managed to get out of it just fine, trust me. We’re all together, and we have each other,” said Bran, putting his hand lightly on Olivia’s arm. “We’d better go.”

  “And do you know the way?” asked Olivia, still unsure if that was the best decision for the now-small group.

  “Like the back of my hand,” answered Bran, smiling.

  “I just hope you know the back of your hand very well,” concluded Trevor, getting up and leaving the cave.

  Olivia and Trevor started to follow Bran, who actually seemed to know where he was going, and that made Olivia and Trevor a little calmer. Even now that the rain had completely stopped, their wet clothes and the muddy ground made their path much harder than it had been before. And they were walking fast, almost running through the woods.

  The afternoon was coming to an end. They had spent too much time getting lost and that made their way even more complicated, but they couldn’t stop. Every break would take them further away from the rest of the group. They didn’t know how long they would walk or if they would really be able to find the rest of the group, but giving up wasn’t an option. At least Olivia felt in her heart that everybody was well. She was only hoping that they were following the plan and that no one was left behind looking for them in that muddy, thick forest.

  They walked non-stop for hours. Since the others would be riding horses, they should avoid wasting time and getting too far behind the rest. Obviously–and hopefully–the group would be going slower than the usual, but that would still be faster than them. It would mean nothing getting to the Tria Plains without Olivia and Tr
evor. Nothing could be done about the Portals without them.

  Bran now felt responsible for Olivia and Trevor, more than ever before. It was possible to see the pressure he was putting on himself. He frowned the entire time while he was running, and his whole body seemed rigid with the responsibilities he was now carrying on his shoulders.

  They had a long way ahead of them. And it would be a hard and sad way too. Olivia, Bran, and Trevor didn’t want to talk and felt as though all of the muscles in their bodies were tense. As the night came, making the already dark day even darker, there also came a mist that rose quickly and spread between the trees. All the things the night brought with itself seemed to be an invitation to nightmares that want to become true, to unknown creatures that wished to follow them in the shadows. In the dark of the night, the Ancient Forest was still making even the simplest things frightening.

  When the night was high, they finally stopped to sleep. Their clothes were still quite wet, and so was the forest floor, which made sleeping very difficult. Olivia caught herself looking at an owl with deep red eyes that was resting on a branch right above where she was lying, hooting incessantly. The owl’s hypnotic gaze and the soothing noise finally made Olivia fall asleep, as though she were hypnotized into her dreams.

  ***

  Olivia woke with something cold dripping on her right hand. The sun had risen and apparently, they had slept too much. For days they had been waking up before the sun. She checked her hand, trying to figure out what had awakened her, and saw some water drops that didn’t dissolve. Like very resistant, almost solid dewdrops.

  “Trevor, Bran, we need to go.” Olivia tried to wake the two boys up.

  Bran and Trevor looked tired. Their night of sleep seemed to have been as bad as Olivia’s. The huge, deep, dark circles under their eyes were the biggest proof of that. The clothes they wore were still damp from the previous day, and it took Olivia a while and some complaints from her friends to remember that she could do something about it. She had learned some spells to manipulate the air element and was able to conjure a warm breeze, which dried their clothes and made their journey less awful.