Spirit Followers

by Lydia Redwine

  “Ah, and I see you have come to us last,” Tyron said, glancing at her necklace. She swallowed, not sure what to say. “We welcome you.” He did not point, but Cam knew who he was referring to when he said, “This is my son and my eldest.”

  The younger man dipped his head, hands behind his back and lips twitching into a smile his father did not bear. “Kane.” Cam grinned.

  “I am here for training as well,” Fiera said. Tyron turned as she explained her situation.

  “Two of you? If you have not yet been made aware, your realm and ours are not known for constant quarreling. But I must warn you, training here is quite different. You will be required to undergo tedious mental and physical training. As for the common tour of the realm, you may conduct that yourselves.” Tyron stared held Cam and Fiera’s gazes, unblinking. “It is settled then. It is apparent you are in need of rest.” Tyron’s eyes were softer now, and Cam could see he was kind underneath his stone-like appearance.

  They followed after the Cinis Lumen leader and his young son through the only opening in the side of the volcanic walls. Cam's vision clouded before it was met with blurred blackness and glimmering reds and then flashes of silver in the firelight. Clanging metal, hammers on stone, crackling fire, splashing water, treading feet and mixtures of hundreds of voices at various tones pounded her drums. The clamorous chaos of integrity and courage placed a rush in her veins. She was energy infused in a smoldering underground. Warm air, metal, leather, sweat, fire, and water combined, creating a taste of unified engineering. These sensations bombarded Cam as they became enveloped in Tyron's world.

  Cam began to perceive the particulars of the place. She glimpsed a silver lake mirroring firelight, weapons, the cavern overhead, and roaming persons. Cast over the lake was built an expansive bridge of rope and wood which led to an enormous slab of stone, jutting from the wall of the underground world. Upon this stone, was built an enormous castle which appeared to have been dipped in the blackest of ink. Though its coloring was like raven’s wing, it nearly blinded Cam, for the firelight allowed it to glimmer mercilessly. The castle’s head was adorned with pointed towers like sharpened blades. Great bonfires were built in numerous sections, filling the vicinity with smoldering heat.

  Cam glanced towards Fiera. Her sister’s face was still grim, but her eyes were alight for the first time in days.

  Cam awoke late in the day on a small bed in a cavern that seemed

  as if it were even smaller. Her head was heavy and body stiff, but the clamor that even these walls of stone could not diffuse was calling to her. And she had time to kill before meeting Fiera and Caleb to eat. Not that she knew their whereabouts now. She chose not to wear her necklace and clad herself in dark clothing so as not to draw attention to herself. But her lack of weaponry was enough. Eyes slid in her direction but slid away just as quickly.

  The citizens of Cinis Lumen were people like Cam had never seen before. All of them, including the women, were clad in dark clothing and carried an assortment of weapons. Some of the women had their hair cut off just below their ears and many bore rings through their skin as well as glimmering rocks pierced through their facial features. Cam saw ink painted on many of the people. She did not doubt why her parents disliked the realm any longer. This place was so diverging from home in almost every aspect. The only similarity is that all those in Cinis Lumen were colored bronze and black as were those in Medulla.

  Cam, with her complexion a light brown, still felt pale among these people. The place smelled of lake water and burning wood. She knew Silva and Kazbek would frown upon so much wood burning.

  Cam heard her name called and glanced through the crowd of people towards the caller. A tall figure with a glistening black ponytail waved to her. Cam recognized her at once. “Lia!”

  “Cam!” Lia, with long strides, rushed towards the one she had addressed.

  “Lia, what are you doing here?” Lia embraced Cam before answering. Her eyes were gleaming with her familiar excitement.

  “I decided to visit home for a little while. I’m glad you’re here. When did you arrive?”

  “This morning. We slept for most of the day.”

  “How were your travels?”

  Cam almost responded that they were fine, the usual response when people asked such a question, but that would be a lie. Terra’s face flickered through her mind, and her smile faded. “I am afraid it is quite a long story.”

  “Ihave time. I will takeyou to myown chambers if youlike.” Cam nodded and Lia led her across the bridge they were standing on to an excluded cavern. The cavern was round and surrounded by black rock walls. There was a pool in the center of the cavern lit by torches in thewalls. “Thesearethebathingcaverns for women,” Lia said as they wound through several passages. They passed several more pools before Lia pushed aside a curtain and they stepped into a simple yet comfortable looking room.

  Lia plopped into a chair beside her hearth. Cam began to relate all that had occurred between fleeing Gnosi and Terra's demise while Lia used needle and thread to construct a cape. Lia listened wide-eyed, interrupting now and then with questions.

  “You must tell Tyron,” she said solemnly.

  Cam nodded. “I was hoping to see him at the evening meal, but he hasn’t invited me to dine with him.”

  “Only his children dine with him and even that is rare. Most citizens eat every meal in the Great Hall which is just inside the castle. You will not see Tyron there.”

  Lia smiled and stood up stretching her lanky form. Cam joined her as they headed towards the castle. The bridge, though not very sturdy in appearance, felt firm beneath Cam’s boots.

  As Lia swung into the firelight at the end of the bridge, Cam glimpsed ink drawn on her neck.

  “What’s the drawing on your neck?” she asked.

  Lia’s shoulders tensed, but she shrugged nonchalantly. “Something I had done long ago.” She let her hair down to conceal it, but Cam was able to catch the figure beneath another flicker of light. The dove was elegant with a curving tail. Cam stared after Lia as she entered the castle.

  “Is she acting as my friendto trapme? Ordoes she noteven know?” Cam thought that perhaps Lia was no longer a Spirit Follower. Perhaps like Caleb, she was separated from those people. Even so, Cam was wary whenever Lia’s hand rested at the dagger on her side.

  The Great Hall was bustling like a market when Cam and Lia entered. Men, women, and children of all ages hurried about, carrying plates piled high with meat and other delicious smelling food. The room was alive with chatter, boisterous laughter, and echoing shouts. Cam joined Lia in line. They piled their plates high. Cam’s eyes trailed the room in search of Fiera. She was sitting far off in the crowd among Caleb and the young man she knew as Tyron’s son. She found herself looking for Terra and a pang of sorrow suddenly penetrated into her heart when she remembered she would never see her again. As if to distract herself, Cam made a beeline for the table, determined to enjoy her first evening in Cinis Lumen.

  Cam ate quickly and left the crowded table after giving Fiera a

  meaningful glance. “I need to find Tyron.” Kane sat beside Fiera. He was laughing. Lia was laughing even more. Fiera was grinning. Caleb was sitting in silence. Fiera glanced between the two young men, questions hanging in the air. Caleb did as little as glance at the realm heir. He did not speak to him. And Kane, in all of his own enthusiasm, did not speak to Caleb.

  “Kane.” A voice drifted from behind them. A small girl of seven years stood, hands crossed over her chest. A cross expression was etched into her face. She scowled at her brother.

  “Go away Khatara,” Kane said, pushing her from him. “Aw, come on Kane let her stay. Come here Khatara,” Lia

  said. The girl was obviously Kane’s sister and Princess Khatara as they called her, of Cinis Lumen. “So you’ve never even been to our realm before deciding to join?” asked as heleaned forward on thebench. “May I call youFi?”

  “We don’t normally call her
Fi,” Caleb remarked.

  His face grew red when Fiera replied, “That’sfine. Mysisters call me Fi. And yes I’ve never been here until today, but I always knew that this is where I belong.”

  “Hopefully it is,” Kane said, thumping her on the back. “Guess I’ll see you at training tomorrow.”

  “You train?”

  “When did that happen?” Caleb asked.

  “Since Fi arrived,” Kane replied, winking. He walked away as Fiera suppressed a smile.

  “I wish Kane would stop running off. I never know where to find him,” Khatara complained as she rose to follow her brother.

  “She follows him like a shadow,” Lia told Fiera and Caleb as she finished the last of her meal.

  “Clearly,” Fiera laughed. She felt better now.

  “You should get some rest Fi, before tomorrow. Cam should too.”

  Fiera nodded in reply and left the table without a glance at Caleb.

  Camaria found Tyron tracing the hilt of a sword in the halls

  outside of the great dining room. She approached him silently. “It was my grandfather’s,” he said, holding it towards the light of a candle. Tyron handled it with ease. She guessed that the weight of the blade was found in a past she did not know. Or would soon learn.

  “It’s beautiful,” Cam returned quietly, politely. But perhaps being polite wasn’t going to be advantageous here. This was not Heiron of Imber Fel.

  “I know you didn’t come here to watch me hold a sword. To interrupt me, perhaps, but not to watch me. What is it?” Cam hesitated for a moment, wondering how to tell Tyron about the revolt.

  “I am not here for just training. I came to warn your people about of a planned revolt.”

  “I know.”

  Cam started. Had word already reached him?

  “You are one with purpose. You have been itching to tell me since we were first acquainted. No one comes here like you, with that look in your eyejust to earn a jewel.” Sheconsidered his words, lips parted but soon closing. “What is this warning you bring?”

  Cam drew in a preparatory breath before saying, “When I was in Gnosi, I received news from a trusted friend that Apollyon, their leader, has plans on revolting to overtake Mirabelle.”

  “And you wish us to battle, to protect those made victims in this revolt?” Cam nodded, knowing well enough that she didn’t come here merely to warn the Tyron and his people. His army was essential. She had read stories, and Grandfather had spoken of them as being vital in the battles against the Shadow Bearer. Tyron stared once again at the sword thoughtfully. He laid it back into its ruby lined box and slipped his gaze back to Cam.

  She was still thinking of her own Grandfather. And the Shadow Bearers. “Leverage.” She added, “There is also proof that the Shadow Bearers have aligned with Apollyon.” She received exactly the reaction she anticipated.

  “Shadow Bearers?” A sudden look of alarm crossed Tyron’s disposition. “How do you know this?”

  “We were attacked in Imber Fel. There were at least six of them.”

  “And why should my people defend the rest of Mirabelle if the Realms have been divided for years? They have seldom come to our aid, so why should we help them by the word of one person?”

  “Be-because itit’s the right thing to do,” Cam stammered.

  “Is that all you have to say? Let us determine what is right for our people. I know what is best for our realm, our people and at present that is not to battle for the others when they may turn their backs on us when Apollyon is conquered.”

  Cam felt her insides boiling as he turned and disappeared down the dimly lit hallway. Convincing the Cinis Lumen seemed far more important because their brave warriors were needed in order to defeat Apollyon and whatever army he may have. Cam stood in the hallway motionless, feeling hopelessness seeping its way inside her.

  “I have not seen the cavern of magic in Cinis Lumen with my own eyes, but Cassia related to me and Shael all she knew of her homeland. She told us stories of her friends, her family, her training, the warriors, and of the magic. Ash and stars as they call them. The ash comes from beneath the volcano, and the stars fall from the heavens. Together they are a fused magic that enhances the senses when consumed. Cassia gave me a sample. Cinis Lumen has made me feel more alive.”

  -From the writings of Daniel Adriel on his travels in Mirabelle, written during the Third Age.

  Twenty-Four

  “Myname is Barak. I am your head trainer.” The man was burly

  with muscles the size of large rocks. His booming voice echoed through the expansive cavern set aside for the sole purpose of training. Cam stood in a line, her back against the wall between two other young trainees. She peered down the line of twenty-one other young soldiers-in-training, to catch a glimpse of Fiera who stood near the end between a shorter girl with hair an unnatural shade of red and a tall, broad boy who looked nervous out of his mind.

  Her fellow combatants, with the exception of Fiera, had begun almost three weeks ago in what Cinis Lumen called training season which lasted a month for a proficient student. Others trained until the supervisors were convinced they could be fit for battle the next instant.

  The training season as Lia had explained it to Cam, consisted of stages in which they were taught physical fighting, proper use of weapons, mental awareness, emotional stability, and strategic war methods. The physical part of training had already begun, and Cam perceived that she and Fiera were behind, but at least they didn’t have to worry about competing in hand-to- hand combat with their peers.

  Training was held in the second most expansive cavern in the realm. Towering above her in a circular manner, were balconies laden with weaponry. The trainees stood on a sandy floor opposite a row of wooden targets painted black and red. These targets hung from thin chains from the wall.

  The doors to the cavern swung open to reveal Lia clad in black and laden with knives, daggers, and other weaponry Cam could not name. Both she and Fiera peered around those standing in line to view her. She approached Barak with a swish of her ponytail. Cam noticed that she wore a high collar to cover the tattoo on her neck. Lia remained silent as she crossed her arms and trailed her eyes over each individual student.

  “Today we are joinedby two latecomers,” Barak announced, peering with eyes of steel at Cam and Fiera. “Stage one consists of collecting all knowledge of our weaponry.” He nodded towards Lia. “She will tell you all you need to know. Before we begin, however, we will review the values our realm holds.”

  A girl with short, dark blue hair answered before being asked. “Bravery and courage.”

  “What do we not allow?”

  The same girl replied, “Cowardice and weakness.”

  “You will follow all of our rules and do as we say. If you are not familiar with our rules, youwilllearn themquickly.” Hepaused, looking each one of the trainees in turn.

  “I’m in for a few intense weeks,” Cam thought, almost groaning. Each of the students was then tossed a bow and three arrows each and ordered to stand before targets. All except Fiera and Cam.

  “Shoot at the target, three times each, one by one,” Barak demanded. He beckoned for Cam and Fiera to step forward. When they had approached him he said gruffly, “Lia will take you through the primary stage where you will become familiar with all our weaponry. When you have finished, you will display your talent in archery.”

  Lia flashed them a smile and led them towards the other end of the cavern to where a slab of wood was set with various weapons and armor. Cam's eyes scanned the various arrows made with metal tips, dipped in poison, with strong, leather strings and hard wooden lengths. She saw the many daggers, knives, and swords of all shapes and sizes. Lia's hand moved over all these in a hasty gesture as she explained. "The blades are and arrows are used mainly for battle. We do carry daggers and knives on special missions. For single combat…" Lia held up a staff made of iron with a hardened knob. "We use these or spears. It is rare that one of us w
ill use a staff. They are difficult to wield but very deadly when used properly. Only a select few place themselves in further training to attain the skill."

  “What of these missions? What is used for them?” Fiera queried.

  “These missions consist of assassinations, spying ventures, and other such tasks. Although we do not often have these missions anymore, we still train for them. We prepare ourselves with smaller blades which are easier to conceal and poisons.”

  “From Imber Fel?” Cam inquired. Lia nodded as she whisked a small vile from the inside a fingerless glove worn over her palm and wrist. “Our gloves have inside folds which store vials of poison. We also conceal them in our boots, collars, belts, really anywhere it can stay closed and unseen. The poisons are best for heists and quietness necessary for particular tasks.” Lia waved a hand over the displayed weaponry. “Our minds, our magic, and our alliance with the Lumen birds are what aid us in successful most.”

  “Are the birds servants of Tyron?” Fiera asked.

  Lia shook her head. “Only allies. They are not even friends for that matter. But they have sworn an oath to one another’s community to protect. If the Lumen Birds were ever in danger, we would provide protection for them.” She paused and brushed her hand over a set of daggers. “I prefer the daggers over any other weapon. I like spears as well.” Lia folded her arms and sat on the edge of the table. “You must learn to use every weapon except for the staff. Which do you favor most now?”

  “Bow and arrows,” Fiera replied immediately.

  “I don’t see a slingshot,” Cam mused.

  Lia’s left brow rose. “Slingshot? We do not practice those here. Did you learn to use one at home?”

  Cam shook her head. "Gnosi actually. I prefer it over any other, but I am willing to learn the use of these." She patted a bulge in her trouser pocket and waved her hand over the display of weaponry.