Lidayel bade her good night, searching for himself a place to curl up and get rest. All the while he felt a growing power in his mind.
It was the dead of the night. Lidayel slept at the edge of the camp, his back turned on his comrades. His stirring mind woke him every half hour, the thoughts and memories of a past life visiting him like relentless dreams.
Something is definitely happening…
No forest, I could risk it…
Still lying on his side he stretched his arm out in front of him and snapped his fingers. Instantly a real flame sprang to life within his palm, sustaining itself from seemingly nothing. Its heat was caressing to Lidayel, yet he could make it hot enough to feel at home in a blacksmith’s oven. For many minutes he stared into the flame of his own design, faint memories forming and returning to him like a puzzle coming together.
Finally a name formed and it rolled of his tongue.
She did it, she unlocked my memories, or at least some of them.
‘Yarea,’ mouthed Lidayel, a cascade of emotions hitting him. ‘Yarea…’
His power and memories were returning, if only a fraction of them. He was a Summoner once more.
‘I’m back,’ whispered Lidayel, closing his fist and dowsing the flame.
Chapter 32
The Way Forward
At third hour of the next morning they gathered, their demeanour unhurried as they settled breakfast. It was the first time in some while that Cid felt relaxed, knowing that they were no longer in immediate peril. They were meandering for awhile, the intention of the parties growing into question.
‘Have you decided then?’ Cid asked the Valkyrie, deciding to bring things to a point.
Vanapha nodded, her face again hid by her light steel helm.
‘I would like to come with you; my warriors are to return home, our arms will not be granted to a man as questionable as Stelinger.’
‘We’d welcome the extra sword and company,’ said Cid with a smile, realizing he had been hoping the Valkyrie would stay.
Vanapha took time speaking with her sisters, the women looking nonplussed through it all. Cid was sure that between Vanapha’s decision to continue to Durandal and word of an unsecure war operation, that it was much too troubling for the already proud and suspicious Valkyries. At the end of it she bid farewell to her warriors, parting with them after giving clear instructions for their return.
‘I told them to avoid the Lanston army entirely so that they need not report on what happened. They will return to the Kingdom and take a ship from Fortreal back home,’ told Vanapha to Cid, her sisters already clearing out.
‘That is wise, Stelinger might react rashly if he discovers you failed his command,’ said Cid at Vanapha, looking at his party. ‘All right then, we’ll try to make a straight pass to Jacanta point, although we might have to oscillate between travelling down in the canyon, on the ridge, or in the forest if truly necessary. We may need to hide a lot and pacing ourselves will be crucial. We can’t let Lanston draw too close to us as we are still considered enemies, but nor can we exhaust ourselves. At Jacanta I hope to make timely contact with the Lanston army so that we can see our names cleared and the war won.’
His notion went uncontested.
Silently they travelled north, trekking and manoeuvring through the last remainder of the maze of crags. It was an up and down struggle to continue forward and occupied them enough to forego conversation. It took them an hour and then they breached into the smooth fold of the canyon again.
‘Let’s take a moment to discuss where we’re going and what our plans are,’ announced Lidayel.
‘All I know is that I’m going to snap Stelinger’s neck!’ said Brunick.
Cid shook his head ‘We don’t know whether he is a traitor Brunick, we can’t say for sure. We have to get to Jacanta point before making any assumptions.’
‘It’s time to accept it captain, Stelinger set us up,’ said Alex.
‘Archer here is right Cid, look at what he’s done so far; he specifically endangered Olum’s company because he knew you would not abandon them. Then he set loose the Valkyrie on us knowing you would be reluctant to fight your own Kingdom, and much less women for that matter. Oh, and let’s not forget that nice prostitute story he sold you back then; it was he that was wondering around that night, I saw him, and he saw you with Elmira, which was all the excuse he needed to assign you to Alparack’s veil where the ambush waited. He is exploiting your character Cid, just like he’s always done,’ said Brunick determinedly.
“Moral inclinations,” that’s what you called it right?’ said Cid.
‘Glad to know you’re listening,’ said Brunick.
‘I for one was talking about my wife,’ interrupted Lidayel flatly.
‘Oh, right,’ said Brunick.
‘What happened to her, where is she now?’ asked Vanapha comprehensively.
‘We suspect the Fallen has captured her,’ said Lidayel, his face darkening as though he was only just now reminded of the fact.
‘I think you’re mistaken on that,’ said Vanapha.
‘Mistaken on what?’
‘While I was with my sisters we came across several bandit groups, fleeing the canyon passes as the army marched. One group we encountered gave us some trouble, like they were intent on fighting us. When they realized who we are however they fled. They were a real cutthroat bunch, but they seemed to be traveling heavy and I was sure they had a woman tied to one of their horses. We only pursued them until they escaped to the north-western pass; they were undoubtedly heading for Durandal.’
‘That is another possibility,’ agreed Cid, ‘Durandal is well known for trafficking in women.’
‘And remember those men we saw in the forest, those killed by the Reavers!? Lidayel, your wife might not be with the Fallen after all!’ said Alex.
‘It is a comforting thought to be sure, but how can I be certain whether she is in Durandal or not?’ said Lidayel.
‘Magic?’ suggested Brunick, ‘you’re getting better at it now, right?’
Lidayel smiled. ‘I am not too proud on being instructed on magic by a Mason, but you do have a point Brunick, I should be able to locate Yarea’s position without trouble while I meditate.’
‘In the meanwhile we still have to figure out what Stelinger hopes to accomplish.’
‘We’ll see Alex, for now we keep it simple, we’ll get in the way of anything that would put the army at peril.’
After a quick lunch they mounted the canyon wall again, using a small trail to get up close to the forest. Down in the canyon itself they would have reached its deepest trench, where a stubborn portion of last season’s rain carpeted the dip with soft dried out mud cakes. Hence their reluctance to leave such obvious tracks they decided to travel topside once more.
As was usual it was Lidayel who first showed signs of fatigue, his breathing hard and his stride losing posture.
‘How are you holding up?’ asked Cid.
The Summoner gave Cid a smile, his face brave despite being pale and strained.
‘Better than you might think.’
They made camp early that night, the sun to keep its fiery eye on the landscape for an hour more. Brunick occupied himself at the forest edge, chopping some firewood, while Vanapha and Alex went in deeper to hunt. Cid stared out at the world, the canyon’s complexion soft and orange as all came to rest.
The forest was darker, the last of the daylight filtering weakly into the glades.
Alex followed Vanapha like a shadow, the Valkyrie’s steps swift through the forest trails, appreciating her silent footfalls. Yet moving as they did Alex found it impossible to track anything. Vanapha however could probably sense something up ahead. Alex didn’t say anything, but he was sullied by the affair. The Valkyrie’s abilities were to be respected, but it cast a tall shadow over Alex’s more traditional approach to tracking and archery.
Vanapha suddenly stopped, Alex halting right beside her.
&n
bsp; ‘On to something?’ asked Alex.
‘It’s more difficult to sight in here than you’d think, but I’ll have us a target soon,’ said Vanapha, her eyes peering into the reaches of the forest.
Alex nodded.
‘Why have you been looking at me like that?’ shot Vanapha.
‘Looking?’ asked Alex in surprise.
‘I can’t see everything, but I’ll always notice when someone is watching me,’ said Vanapha.
‘Hmm, guess it’s obvious really. You’re a woman and well… we don’t get to see much of your types in a battlefield,’ said Alex, trying to swing his embarrassment into humour. ‘Do I make you uncomfortable?’
‘Men ogle at me wherever I go, I'm always aware of it. You just look at me… different, why is that?’
Alex shrugged. ‘I’m a scout and a sharpshooter, I observe things more intensely. I guess it means I’ve got your back, you know, since your sisters are gone and all,’ he said, struggling to hide his uneasiness.
Vanapha ignored the remark and held up her finger to her lips, proceeding in a slow stride, and entering a dense corridor of trees as her sight alerted her of a target ahead.
Alex indicated to her quietly that he was going to veer to the right, actually determined to kill the prey himself. Detaching from Vanapha he realized he didn’t even know what kind of animal she’d seen. Alone now he ambled semi-circles around the trees as he moved closer, lifting his legs high to accommodate the protruding Biridian roots and then softly inserting his footing into niches of soft dirt, avoiding the crunch of forest debris. All the while his practiced eye scanned the forest floor, searching for the slightest indication of recent passage. Every few paces he would peer a deep straight line through the aisle of trees, standing still as he sought for signs of motion.
His hunter’s mind jumped and closed out everything else as he saw the buck, eager to get in close. He was rather certain this was the animal Vanapha sighted. Anxiously he hunkered, steadying himself and pulled swiftly. He had a clear shot, the buck grazing ignorantly a mere thirty yards away, its muzzle tucked in long strands of Sirrilar grass.
The arrow hit out of nowhere, striking on the side, instantly penetrating the lung. Alex released the tension on his string as the buck collapsed just after half a second’s attempt at escaping the wound. It was precisely the shot Alex would have made; only he still had his arrow. He walked forward, arriving at the animal the same time as Vanapha.
‘Great shot,’ supplied Alex, not sure whether there was any point in complementing the Valkyrie’s supernatural skill.
Alex hunched, removing the arrow and handing his bow to Vanapha so that he could shoulder the animal. With their dinner across Alex’s shoulders they walked to camp, the forest gloom intensifying.
‘What was that about having my back?’ asked Vanapha.
‘Well, I know you can take care of yourself, but it helps to have some cover in the thick of battle,’ said Alex.
‘I appreciate your intention, but your efforts will be better spent on protecting your friends. My Sights keep me safe, I don’t need cover, not really,’ said Vanapha, her pace quickening as they sought to escape the pitch black that was settling in the woods.
Alex, somewhat left behind, looked hard at Vanapha as she walked ahead.
‘Oh yes you do…’ murmured Alex under his breath, barely able to believe that only yesterday he had his bow trained on this woman.
Lidayel helped Brunick bring the wood to the campsite and they only waited minutes more for Alex and Vanapha to return with a buck, Alex bearing the creature across his shoulders. Cid had no doubt that Vanapha’s ability had sped the hunt considerably.
Brunick took what looked like quiet pride as he built a rather pointlessly big castle of wood. He then, as Cid knew he would, assigned Alex to the flint and tinder.
‘Allow me,’ said Lidayel. Alex halting his efforts as Lidayel approached.
Like a man sure of himself, Lidayel crushed something invisible in his right fist and then immediately directed his palm at the pile of wood.
A globule of fire escaped his hand, darting right into the hollow of the wood. There was instant puff of smoke from the cavities and the fire emerged like a fissure, quickly enveloping every inch of kindling.
‘Real fire this time?’ asked Alex with a grin.
Lidayel nodded, the smile on his face speaking of a man who was no longer lost.
‘You’ve gained control,’ said Cid in cheerful recognition.
‘More than that, with Claire’s help both my powers and memories are returning. It will only be a matter of time before I am my full self again.’
‘Hell yeah! Now we can march right up to Stelinger, punch him in the face, and ask him what in Greathir’s name he thinks he’s doing!’ said Brunick, punctuating his statement with a fist into his palm.
‘My powers will take awhile Brunick, but rest assured we’ll have someone answer for this mess soon enough,’ said Lidayel, stretching out his arms at the fire.
It was then as though Lidayel was puppeteering the fire, his hands’ subtle gestures moulding and sculpting the flames. The fire grew higher and then higher again, and for a moment Cid thought Lidayel was losing control. Lidayel brought his hands together at his chest and then motioned them like he was savouring the touch of silk.
The towering flame looked defiant to the Summoner’s inclination, but then slowly submitted as Lidayel’s power proceeded to shape its every outline. Like Alex had seen with the false fire, Lidayel now crafted a spectacular figure out of the blaze. Its features grew more obvious with every passing moment until they were all staring at a woman, encapsulated in the reds and yellows of the fire, the coals and embers forming the finer details.
Cid saw a look of bliss on Lidayel’s face.
‘Is this…?’
‘Yes, this is my wife, her name is Yarea,’ said Lidayel, holding the fiery phantom in place.
According to the figure Yarea was a petite woman, even more so than Elmira thought Cid. She had an open face and hair not even at shoulder length, with a slight stylish curl. She was in any case, a pretty damsel, as long as one were to trust this image Lidayel conjured.
Brunick whistled. ‘Gee, I guess you Summoner types can woo any kind of woman with your tricks.’
Lidayel laughed, more out of happiness of the moment than at Brunick’s comment. ‘Remember that she is a Summoner also Brunick, she has tricks of her own.’
Lidayel closed his eyes. Brunick started to say something but Cid hushed him, as he realized what the man was trying to do.
The party sat quietly and watched. To them it looked as though the Summoner was just relaxing. Lidayel’s mind however reached out far and wide, transcending its bodily confines. He could not envision sights like the Valkyrie could, rather, his magical sensitivity allowed him to pick up on anything with great energy or power. In theory, Yarea would be easy to track down.
He opened his eyes in frustration. ‘I might be getting something, but it’s nothing definitive and I have no inkling where it might come from.’
‘Let me help,’ said Vanapha, having thought about this. Without waiting for consent she reached out, touching Lidayel’s temple with two fingers.
For the second time Lidayel felt the eerie connection with a Valkyrie. Instead of trying to break through his memories though Lidayel was flooded with visions of the surrounding landscape. They grew so big and wide that he quickly became disoriented.
I’m seeing the world without eyes.
‘Focus now,’ said Vanapha aloud, her voice alien to Lidayel’s newfound perspective.
Taking heed, he tried to pick up on the trail of magic again. He found it, pulsing to the west. As though Vanapha knew she focused her Farsight in that direction. Lidayel’s power combined with the Valkyrie’s Farsight proved efficient and their shared vision sped on its prey like they were looking from the eyes of an eagle.
They found their target; to the north-west in the Drimdyar pas
s travelled a large group of bandits and it was clear to both Lidayel and Vanapha that the tied up woman with them was no common girl, her presence shining with magic.
They withdrew, the both of them somewhat flustered at the new combination of powers.
‘We found her,’ announced Vanapha.
Lidayel gathered himself. ‘She was drugged though; her mind and powers were faint and confused. I understand now. The bandits know full well she is a powerful mage. She would have killed them all by now if they didn’t keep her sedated.’
‘Well at least now you know. It’ll be much simpler to save her from Durandal than Northgarde right?’ said Brunick.
‘There is a problem though. Those bandits are clearly shrewd, if they know she is a mage they might still sell her off to Arumcas, she’ll fetch a much better price that way,’ said Cid.
‘I will find her though; they will not kill her. And whosoever be her captor will pay a price far worse than any weapon can inflict.’
‘Do you intend to stay with us then Summoner?’ asked Alex.
‘With my powers returning I can attempt to fight past all the Durandal sentries in the Drimdyar pass. It would however probably cost either my life or Yarea’s. I guess fate wants us to remain intact a while longer. You see, should Lanston win at Jacanta the Ghost pass will be cleared, and will be a much safer and subtler route to travel afterwards.’
Cid was thoughtful for a moment before he asked, ‘how strong are you in comparison to Arumcas? Will you be a match for him should the two of you meet in battle?’
Lidayel released his magical hold on the flames, the embers sinking and returning to what a campfire should look like.
‘I do not know, but I’d say he’s still much stronger than any Summoner the Kingdom has ever associated with, even stronger than Grandmaster Tabacher of Asheva. I say this for the simple reason that he is far older than any other Summoner I know and he has, to the best of my knowledge, never been made to forget.’
Remnant Pages Spearhead Page 24
