Minzkala

by Amy E Hix

  “Perhaps we should send Zarathustria in again once we get to Sapir,” the King suggested.

  Stheta thought about her little talk with Cyrow earlier that day, “How about Alusia? Zarathustria worked with her tonight and said she’s doing very well. And poor Zara has done nothing but run the road since she got here.”

  The King looked pleased to hear of the young Enchantress’ progress, “Very well, if you and Zarathustria think she can do the job, send her once we join the others.

  “There is just one more thing to discuss now. After the war with the Legion, there will be some changes. Already, the others are planning to return to Celestra. I will be going there, too, once the Legion is no longer a threat to the people of Gael. Both of you, as well and Pinky and Kelara, will remain in Gael to become the eyes and ears of the Ancients in the land.”

  The King then reached into a small wooden jewelry box sitting on the table. He pulled out two pendants with a clasp that allowed them to be attached to just about anything. Zaaid and Stheta could see there were two more left in the box.

  “These will allow us to communicate once we are separated. I will be able to hear you once you call my name. In addition, you will hear me as if I were standing next to you. Do not hesitate to open communication with me, even if it’s just to say hello from time to time.”

  He continued to discuss a few more changes with them, but Zaaid and Stheta seemed to drift off into their own thoughts. It would be hard to say good-bye to the King.

  Zaaid had grown up under the King’s rule, after his grandfather had come to the city following the Caliginian War. And Stheta had been brought in as soon as Turk was old enough to take care of himself. They knew Pinky and Kelara would be just as devastated. They would all miss King Naethan dearly.

  Nevertheless, there was a purpose in everything, and they knew this. After the discussion, they all retired for the evening. The morning would be full of final preparations and a long journey to the Highlands. There, they would meet the warriors of Rhalas, hopefully with the Luminomes, and head out together to Aheb’an.

  Twenty-Three

  The Luminomes

  Turk

  After the attack of the sea serpent, and after we were far from the area, our ships continued to trudge through the waters, moving closer to the land and the mountains to our right. The Sun was sinking behind the horizon as the Captain kept us steered toward the coordinates we were given.

  Pinky and Kelara were with our team and were answering all the questions my friends had about King Naethan, Minzkala and the Ancients.

  Once again, they made attempts at lightening our spirits before the hefty weight of war set in. They knew, as my mother had explained to me, that the spirit of enjoyment must remain for hope to thrive, but they also knew that such an attempt was only good in its rightful timing. There were times when such attempts were not so good. Such was the case with the class leaders currently.

  My mother told me how they had tried to comfort people who weren’t ready before, people who were deeply grieving or who had not experienced life in Minzkala. Somehow, hearing that lost loved ones were not truly dead did very little to relieve the Maralunians of their sadness.

  So, the Ancients had decided it was better to let the people work through their grief. It made them stronger to gain hope back in their own time instead of having someone hand it to them in a simple statement. In time, the reassurance was given, and in time, the people of Maralune realized everything would be all right.

  As we journeyed onward, the sides of the mountains began to step down steeply into the waters, making it hard to find a place for any ship or dinghy to dock and unload. Even if it were possible to get out onto one of the rocky bases, it was almost impossible to climb up.

  The ridgeline towered over us like a giant wall, with very few signs of life; though in one small area, I saw a few seals on the rocks diving in and out of the water.

  Aurala stood on the side of the ship away from the rest of us, taking in the view. Now that Alkrin was gone, Pinky would be the one to turn to for advice. Pinky had spent some time with Aurala specifically, letting her know she would not go without someone to guide her in what lie ahead.

  The sky was growing dark over the Northern Gaemic Ocean when we veered to the right abruptly, heading straight into the mountain side it seemed. We got to here we could inspect the enormous crack in the wall we would be entering. It made a triangular shape in the rock and appeared to sink into a large space of darkness. Once again, the skylights of the night were just enough to guide us onward.

  As we slowly made our way into the cavern, complete darkness fell upon us. We traveled the deep tunnel for quite a while. The lights from the decks illuminated a short distance around the ships.

  I couldn’t see the ceiling of the cavern anymore, only darkness. The sounds of the ships passing through the waters began to create echoes and I determined that we were now inside a very large dome.

  When the keel began to drag the bottom of the ocean’s floor, Captain Kellerson told us to get the smaller boats ready. Pinky sent out firelight in all directions until one of them landed on a dry surface and began to burn. As the flame fell, I could see a wall and a small portion of land.

  He sent another in the same direction. This time, it highlighted a path of some sort up the side of the rocky wall. When he saw the path, Captain Kellerson ordered our team to head to the landmass and scope out the area. Pinky and Kelara were to go with us.

  Instead of using one of the boats, Winge lifted us off the ground so we could walk across the water to the firelight. With lanterns to light our way, we walked around a bit until we found the path we had seen.

  Solecreation, Alysias, and Jaerra readied their weapons just in case we met anything that presented a conflict with our mission. We walked up the path, almost in single file, with Solecreation first, then Pinky, then the others; shuffling the fighters among the spellcasters. Jaerra was last in line, with me just before her to allow her the range to fire her bow and me the ability to see everyone who might need healing.

  The path led into a tunnel and seemed to incline further into the caverns. After walking in a bit, we found more passages and decided this was the way we should go.

  Winge saved the rest of us a trip back to the ship by taking Solecreation back to Captain Kellerson while we waited on the shore.

  With the information, Captain Kellerson began to order the other warriors to make their way to the shoreline. There were only six groups without an Illusionist that needed to make use of the dinghies.

  Captain Kellerson, Pinky and Kelara, and our whole team led the group of warriors from Rhalas deeper inside the caverns. Occasionally we would stop while Solecreation and a few others scouted the paths to make sure we were going the right way.

  At times, we could tell by the air that flowed through the tunnels which paths led further in. And in some cases, the echo effect indicated we would run into a dead end soon, warning us against choosing a particular path.

  Except for the occasional group of bats hanging from the ceilings, we found very little alive in the caverns. Most of what we saw was old mining equipment pieces: deteriorating mining picks, wheeled-barrels for carrying the loads, and some lanterns covered in cobwebs, the glass on them fogged by the dust that lie on the surface.

  When the incline beneath our feet began to level out, we felt sure we were approaching the height of the Highlands on the other side of the mountains.

  Around the corner, I heard skittering tiny feet, like those of mice or rats. A louder noise startled Solecreation for a moment. He carefully inched his way to where the path turned, his back against the wall.

  He peered around the corner and found a brown rat perched on a barrel. Moments later we thought for sure we had seen light coming from the exit to the tunnel, and keeping in mind the presence of the Luminomes, Solecreation commanded us to ke
ep an eye out.

  The main tunnel was large enough for three men to walk side by side. We began to travel through a corridor of sorts, with more tunnels branching off to the sides. Captain Kellerson decided we should continue in the larger walkway until something prevented us from going any further.

  The tunnel spilled out into a large cavern area, full of more corridors the size of the one from which we had entered. There were more on the ledge of a second and third level high above us. All along the edges were what appeared to be rounded stalagmites or some other darkened structures rising from the ground, about three-feet in height. The area was also full of mining tools and piles of leftover materials near the corners of the walls, but these looked freshly used.

  The cavern was large enough to hold all of us, like a giant arena. We stopped and began to replenish ourselves and rest while Captain Kellerson, Pinky and Kelara stepped off to the side to discuss which direction we should take.

  Without any notice, the cavern suddenly filled with a bright light, emanating from all directions around us. It was like stepping into the middle of a fire, the heat of the light intensifying. I covered my eyes, unable to open them.

  “Get on your knees!” I heard Captain Kellerson yell. He wanted to show the Luminomes we meant no harm and ordered us to fall to a humbled position in the middle of the large room.

  We started pulling out our Skadowan glasses and put them on. I looked up around the edges of the room to find that the three-foot outlines were people. Brown cloaks at their feet led me to believe they had been previously hiding in them. There were perhaps eighty to a hundred-thousand Nomes around us.

  They covered every tunnel, including the one we had taken to get there. With spears and mining picks in their hands, the Luminomes wore open-chested, sleeveless vests and tattered leggings. The light from them was like nothing I had ever experienced. The heat, starving the room of air, began to make it very hard to breath.

  “North-winds blow,” Natasul’s words brought forth a rush of cooler air that relieved those of us around him. The other Spirit Healers took his lead and called for the north winds to come near their own areas.

  We all remained in our kneeling positions, glancing around at the people. Some had a hand ready to draw a sword in case the Luminomes started to attack.

  Instead of attacking, however, a smaller group of Luminomes began to approach. Captain Kellerson stood to his feet. He motioned for Pinky to stand with him, so they might see another person who closely resembled their kind.

  They looked so much like Pinky. I had expected them to be…different.

  As they drew closer, the small group began to drop some of their light. Several layers beneath the skin, I could now tell the lightsource was a very integrated part of their being.

  They stopped several yards away from Captain Kellerson and Pinky and stood still, looking around at all of us. They noticed we were not moving as to fight, and this seemed to ease them somewhat.

  “King Naethan has sent us. We need your help,” Pinky said slowly and articulately, not knowing if they spoke the same language.

  The Luminome in the middle said, “Come…you two only.”

  Captain Kellerson and Pinky followed the Luminomes back through the crowds of lighted people and through a corridor on the far end. They led them into a room and out of sight.

  Kelara motioned for us all to sit as soon as Kellerson and Pinky were led out of sight. The other Luminomes standing around began to let down some of the light they emitted, but still stood on guard.

  In the room, Captain Kellerson first attempted to sit on a chair, but decided he would be more comfortable on the floor, for the chair was far too small for him. The Luminome in charge was distinguished in appearance, more like a civilized Nome. He wore more clothing than the others, for he was surrounded by lighted guards at all times and didn’t need to give off as much light himself.

  “My name is Darian. The others have elected me to represent them in times such as these,” he paused so that the two outsiders could give him the same courtesy.

  “I am Pinky, and this is Captain Kellerson. We are from the lands of Maralune.” It seemed more natural for Pinky to be the one who spoke for them.

  “It is good to make your acquaintance. You said something about needing our help.”

  “Yes. I am a member of King Naethan’s Court and have brought these Maralunians to fight an evil that is plaguing our lands. Our intentions are to knock out any power they hold over the good and honorable people in the lands. Recently, we were made aware that the Digvi’jan Warlords, possibly known to you as the Caliginos, have decided to move their base camp back to the Highlands here. They want to use the Highlands as a battleground. When we learned of their plans to heavily subdue us from the valley that enters the Highlands, the King decided we should make our way through these caverns. He has told us about your people, and we know you are much like ourselves. It is an honor to meet you and would be an even bigger honor to have whatever aid you might offer us. To have you fight beside us would bring our ultimate gratitude.”

  Darian was thinking about what Pinky had said. “In the history of our people, we know of the Caliginos. King Naethan was a mythical knight, rumored to have saved many slaves long ago. I am fascinated to find he does indeed exist and in wonder that he is still alive after all these years. I will talk with our leaders to see what they have to say. In the meantime, you and your warriors may eat with us and stay as long as you wish.”

  “That will be until morning, for we must head out at that time to meet the King. Thank you for your generosity.” Then Pinky and Captain Kellerson returned to the room with the warriors.

  Captain Kellerson told us what to expect for the night. Darian had the Luminomes prepare a feast for us. Banquet tables were brought in, but without chairs, as we would find it hard to use them. Instead, we sat on the floor near the tables to eat.

  Solecreation sent us out to assist the Luminomes. I went with a small group to gather food for the banquet. We followed the corridors and climbed a set of stairs until I grew tired.

  The Luminomes had a garden area on the ledge of one of the mountains. The area was well out of sight from the land below and had fresh fruits and vegetables growing in it.

  When we got back, those of us from Rhalas shared breads and cheeses with them in return, seeing the delight they had in discovering the rare delicacies. Some of the Luminomes sat with us while we ate. Though they seemed primitive in appearance, their speech indicated they were highly intelligent.

  The leaders of the Luminomes excused themselves early to discuss all that Pinky had suggested. They returned rather quickly, considering the hefty weight of any decision they made. I was sure it was a sign that they would say no.

  But Darian smiled as he walked toward Pinky and told him, “They have agreed. We will help you in battle. Our lightsource will be an asset for your nighttime fights. We have little to offer you, except our numbers. But we have long desired to rid this land of Killian and his Orcs, and we are honored to become a part of your forces.”

  Being well after midnight, we didn’t waste too much time asking to be led to our sleeping quarters. The Luminomes remained, however, working on their own preparations for battle.

  A few of the warriors with blacksmithing skills stayed with them a while, showing them various techniques on creating weapons. Everything needed was already here in the mines.

  Our sleeping rooms were cramped once we all piled into them, but we were weary from the journey by sea and had no problems falling asleep on the cold cave floors. The noises in the distance through the corridors created a rhythmic sound. As I drifted off, I had visions of what I might expect from the day to come, from seeing King Naethan and my mother, from watching the Luminomes in battle, and hopefully, from a final victory over the Legion.

  The next morning, Solecreation was awakened by the passing
lighted figures in the hallways. The Luminomes were already preparing for the day, and from all he knew, they had not slept at all that night.

  He did not wake the others lying near him but made his way to the main cavern they had been in the night before. There he found Captain Kellerson soaking coffee granules from a cheesecloth sack into a cup of hot water. Solecreation decided to do the same.

  “Morning,” he greeted the Captain.

  “Yes, it is,” the Captain replied, still waking up, “You guys sleep all right?”

  “Sure, you?”

  “I couldn’t really sleep.”

  Solecreation knew Captain Kellerson had a lot on his mind. Leading the forces for King Ederich had proven to be a very challenging job. And losing the other warriors the previous day weighed his mind.

  Solecreation had a similar problem falling asleep, and he was just leading one small team. By the time his own eyes had closed, he could hear the light snores of the warriors around him.

  They sat on the floor next to one of the tables, drinking the coffee and looking around the place. The Luminomes had put together enough battle supplies for eighty-thousand.

  Excluding the women and children, there were about that many who had been standing around the large cavern when they met the lighted Nomes. Before their cups were emptied, they were joined by Pinky and Kelara, who greeted them and sat at the table.

  The other warriors began to arrive, making their way in one by one, not wishing to disturb their teammates just yet. Sometimes in a group of two or three entered together. They had their morning provisions as they watched the Luminomes gear up.

  Obviously studying the warriors from Rhalas quite well, the Luminomes had thought of every detail, including holsters for their swords, supply bags and cloaks. And everything had been made in one night, leaving the warriors completely in awe of this new people.