by Bob Blink
Cheurt stood after changing, leaving the discarded Earth clothing for Kalnd to pack away for their next trip.
“Your staff master,” Kalnd said from behind him.
Cheurt turned and accepted the jinga wood walking stick from his underling. While it held no magical abilities, it somehow helped him focus his own powers, and he felt more complete with it in his hand. His real staff, the one with great power, Farsight, was carefully stored back at his residence.
“By the Dragons!” he exclaimed. “I’m starting to feel like myself again. Now, how about some real food?”
He knew his followers had brought with them many of his favorites, struggling over the harsh trails to do so. He wasn’t concerned for their efforts. A little adversity gave them perspective, and he had certainly suffered enough the past weeks himself.
Morning saw the troop breaking camp early and heading down the trail to their next way point. The first day would be a short one, relatively speaking, and would give him a chance to adapt again. It had been some time since he’d had to walk so far in such wild terrain. Besides, while he felt far better, he was still worn down from the past few weeks and especially the rough trip through the Nexus.
“How have our efforts been going?” he asked Ryltas as the two of them walked along a short distance behind the others. He’d had time to work off some of the breakfast; he’d eaten a bit more than prudent, and his leg muscles were starting to work through their initial reluctance for the uphill trek.
Ryltas frowned. “There have been setbacks. The manufacturing of the ‘long guns’ has gone well, but the resulting weapons have shown a perplexing tendency to explode when fired. We have lost a number of the soldiers selected for initial testing. I am concerned that we haven’t properly learned how to manufacture steel with the necessary strength to contain the explosive.”
Cheurt waved his hand dismissing the concern. Common soldiers were expendable, and of no consequence. The ones chosen for the testing had no special skills, and were therefore not a significant loss.
“I think I know the problem. Sorting through the information on Earth to find what is relevant is a tiresome process. There are many types of powders, and I learned these older type weapons used a simpler, less explosive type of powder. That is good for us because it is far easier to make. The formula for the propellant I brought last time requires a more modern type of steel. It is much stronger, but currently beyond our technology. It is something to strive for in the future.”
Ryltas nodded. So the fault was Cheurt’s, although Ryltas would never make such an accusation. He had wondered if there was something wrong with the instructions they had received, because it has been fairly straight-forward to create both the weapons and the powders.
“What of the noxious gases?”
“I am uncertain how useful they will ultimately be,” Ryltas said. “Twice we have had mishaps at the factory, with a loss of workers. We had to relocate one factory because the people in the village were afraid to go back to work after so many died. It is also a difficult weapon to use on the battlefield. We lack a good system to safely release it on the enemy. Sudden shifts in the wind can be disastrous. We did have one very effective deployment. A group of scouts were able to locate the canisters around a field we knew the enemy would try and take the following day. After our people pulled back, a group of war wizards were able to release the gases remotely, which caused major losses among the enemy.”
“Perhaps we can pursue that approach,” Cheurt observed. “It will only take a few such successes to spread fear among the enemy.”
“Have you learned of other technology we can adapt to our needs?” Ryltas asked.
“Earth has a wealth of ideas that would serve us well. It is frustrating to be unable to use so many because of the technological limitations, not understanding how to ferret out the proper information, and especially the cursed limits on how much can be carried through the Nexus. I have been learning how to operate in that world, but it has been slow going.”
Ryltas knew not to press Cheurt at this time. He would share what he had learned after they returned to Ale’ald, or perhaps later this evening after they had made camp again. Sometimes Cheurt became talkative at such times. Until then, he would bide his time.
Cheurt stood on the small knoll just above the campground they had departed only minutes before. He looked back in that direction, but at the hills beyond rather than the place they had stayed just below. There was something out there; he was sure of it. The feeling was not derived from any of his power driven talents, rather it was an instinct, something that he had learned to pay attention to in the past, triggered by the persistent nagging in the back of his mind. This morning it wasn’t so strong. He suspected he should take his men back and check it out, but knew the chances were slim they would find anything, and if not it would create concern and doubt in some of their minds. Perhaps it was one of the elusive creatures of old which his men implied were more active than usual this time out.
He started to turn away, then turned back with a hint of a smile. He reached for the twisting fields of power that had been all but absent for so long. He reached far back into his memory to bring forth a spell he had stumbled across some years earlier when he was still seeking the location of the lost Nexus that allowed him to travel between worlds. It was a very old spell, and the damaged document had been incomplete, making him have to guess at parts, but he thought he had correctly assembled the complete pattern. There had never been an opportunity to test it, and real testing would have significant risks. Drawing deeply from the magical power fields, he drew so much his followers gasped in awe. They were always surprised by the extent of his skill and his ability to draw so strongly of the power. All but Ryltas that is, and even he didn’t realize Cheurt’s full ability. He restrained a hidden smile. They would be shocked if they knew this was a mere fraction of what he could do if needed. Finally he released the spell directed back in the direction they had come. Maybe it would accomplish nothing, but just maybe, if there were someone back there, they would soon encounter more than they had bargained for. He had nothing to lose by his action, as they were soon to be away from this place.
He turned to Toran, who had approached with concern. “It is nothing my friend,” he said and clasped the man on the shoulder. “I just needed to feel the sweetness of the power again after so long. I would not want to draw so much where it might be noticed.”
Toran smiled nervously, but they turned together and began the long trek back to civilization.
Chapter 5
Randy had slept extremely well, with absolutely no ill effects from the meal of local food he had consumed the previous night, and it had taken a bit of prodding from Asari to get him awake and moving a bit before sunup. It was his own fault Randy realized. He was the one who wanted to have a look at the wizards before they departed. Asari had been quite willing to simply let them go. Since Randy and Asari wouldn’t be following them out of the area, this was the only chance he would have to verify in his own mind that Cheurt was indeed the same man he had seen back on Earth and had been attempting to subdue. By the time the two of them completed the hike back to the camp where Cheurt had arrived and then made their way back here, it would be late enough staying another night in the enclosure seemed to make sense. The delay was warranted in Randy’s mind because he really wanted to see where Cheurt had arrived; the place his band of wizards repeatedly returned to and which seemed to be the only place that allowed the trip back to his own home on Earth. The decision meant they would be at least a day behind the others for the trip out, but that was probably to their benefit as well. It would eliminate any chance of their being seen, and Asari had already told him there was nothing to learn by watching them on the trip out. He had done so numerous times already.
There had been some awkwardness when the two were getting ready, which centered around the Karonabark. Despite the progress they had made, Asari preferred he remained under the
limiting influence of the “bark”, at least until the other wizards were well away. He was a bit reluctant to bring the matter up, a bit uncertain of Randy’s reaction to the request. The funny thing was Randy wanted to take the “bark”, having already clandestinely verified his talent had returned by moving a couple of objects that Asari hadn’t seen. Now he wanted to know if the technique to suppress the drug’s effect would work as well. That meant he had to take more of the drug, but didn’t want to seem “anxious” to do so, which certainly would have made the other curious. In the end, he had made a bit of an issue about this being the last time, and held his hand out for the little brown “raisin”, which he promptly swallowed ending the discussion. He decided he would give it an hour or so, and when an opportunity presented itself, he’d see if he could still function with the power.
They slipped out of the enclosure, and with Asari leading the way they made their way to an observation point where they could get a good look at the wizards camp, one Asari had used before and more protected than the one Randy had used briefly the previous day. By the time they slipped into place, the sun was coming over the horizon, providing sufficient early morning light to see down into the camp. Asari unnecessarily indicated the need to be quiet, and slipped down on his stomach beneath one of the trees, indicating Randy should do the same. The morning preparations for departure were well underway, with fires already steaming and out, and each of the wizards working expertly to pack away their belongings for the imminent departure. It was good they had arrived when they had, as it seemed the wizards had only been waiting for first light to break camp. Randy counted quickly, locating six of the men. One was missing.
“I don’t see him,” whispered Asari.
So Asari had already concluded the missing man was Cheurt. Well, he had studied the men for days as he watched them each night as they made their way into the forest to the pickup point. Randy reached under his shirt and slipped the Leupold binoculars out and lifted them up to his eyes. The magnified view of the camp sprang into view, and after a bit of adjustment a crisp image allowed him to study each of the men in turn. They were all in their early thirties he estimated after scanning all six carefully, but none was the man he sought.
A hand touched his shoulder and a husky whisper said, ‘There.”
Pulling the binoculars from his eyes, Randy looked to see where Asari’s arm was pointing. He shifted his gaze in the indicated direction and saw the seventh man making his way towards the others from a stand of trees. Quickly he brought the glasses to his eyes, and there suddenly was the man that had been a dilemma for these past months. Now he was certain. Cheurt was the man he wanted.
There was no need to see more. Randy let the binoculars slip from his eyes, and he quietly rolled over on his back and closed his eyes. After a moment he absently slipped the glasses from around his neck and handed them over to the boy, who quickly mimicked his earlier actions and brought them to his eyes.
“By the Dragons,” hissed the boy quietly when the magnified image steadied and he could see clearly through the glasses. He pulled them from his eyes and stared at Randy for a moment, then quickly returned to scanning the men in the grove below. He continued to watch, moving between the men, but spending the most time focused on Cheurt. He watched as they picked up their burdens, and started down the trail. Cheurt grabbed a long staff that had been propped against a log near the fire and followed along, surrounded by several of his disciples.
They had been about to move away from their hiding spot, when the group of wizards paused on the small hill just above the camp. Cheurt seemed to scan the forest, almost as if he could see them. It seemed he was about to leave when he abruptly turned back. Moments later he seemed to shimmer, a slight bluish glow barely visible surrounding his whole body. It lasted only seconds, then abruptly faded away. Cheurt turned and headed away talking to the most senior of his men.
“Did you see that?” whispered Asari after the wizards had moved around the next bend.
“And felt it,” Randy agreed. “What did he do?”
“You shouldn’t have been able to feel it,” Asari said suspiciously. “Not having taken so much of the root just a short time ago.”
So now he knew he was able to defeat the root, Randy thought. “Well, I could. I don’t know why, but it seemed whatever he did took a great deal of effort. Couldn’t you tell?”
“Perhaps because he is such a powerful wizard,” Asari said, unwilling to consider that Randy could have somehow avoided the normal doping effects of the root. “A wizard must tap the well of power deeply for a non wizard to be able to see anything at all. I am surprised I could tell and I would like very much to know what he just did with so much of the power. That is something he has not done in all the times I have followed them, and I can’t help but wonder what is different this time.”
“Wait a minute,” Randy said suddenly realizing something. “You are acting as if it is unexpected for you to have been aware he was using the power. The other day you said you were a …a, a something, and could tell if I tried to use the power.”
Asari blushed lightly and grinned. “There are such people. They give the wizards much trouble. Sadly, I am not a sensitor. I lied.”
“You lied,” Randy said simply. “Of course, you realize it didn’t matter. I didn’t know what you were saying anyway.”
‘It could have mattered if you were what I feared at the time. Whatever, it no longer matters.”
After a bit he handed back the binoculars. “You have wondrous tools,” he said simply. “I have never seen the like of them anywhere.”
Then he looked sharply at Randy. “It is him, isn’t it? Cheurt is the man you are seeking.”
Randy nodded. “Yes, there is no question. We have issues with the same man. Maybe together we can find what he is up to and how to stop him.”
The walk back to the enclosure was made in silence, each of them focused on their own thoughts. The forest had come alive as the sun rose, and birds and many of the “squirrels” were out making the most of the morning. The sky was clear, the sun was up, and only the very lightest of breezes disturbed the leaves as they walked along.
As preparations were made to begin their own planned hike, the darkness that had descended upon them by the wizard’s actions dissipated, and before long they were on their way back towards the camp where their enemy had arrived two nights before. Asari was ecstatic with the gift Randy had made of the binoculars, and had mastered the various adjustments he had been shown, raising them to peer at the various animals they spotted as the journey continued.
While Asari was busy with his new toy, Randy had been trying to learn more about this world, and through a series of questions had ferreted out the local calendar. Much as Earth’s moon did back home, Gaea’s larger moon played a significant role in the way the locals viewed their year. The larger moon, Serine, went through its cycle of phases in forty days, which established the length of their month. This time was divided into quarters, making each of the local weeks ten days long, rather than the seven days he was familiar with.
Asari had explained there were ten months, each forty-two days long, except for Urudar, which being the Dragon month deserved to be longer, and had 44 days. That meant their year was 424 days long, so even with the shorter day compared to home, it took their planet a bit longer to circle its sun than the Earth. It also meant they had a bit more than forty-two weeks to the year. It was going to take Randy a bit of time to get it all straight in his mind.
The local numbering system appeared to be based on the hexadecimal system rather than the easier to use base ten, and as a result they had divided the day into sixteen equal periods, or hours as he preferred to think of them. Given the rough measurements he had made, that meant each was roughly eighty-two minutes long, with nominally eight daylight and eight nighttime hours, although at this time of the year the lighted period of each day was a bit longer than the darkened period. Each of the hours was further divi
ded into eight discrete divisions. As near as he could figure from the information he had pulled out of Asari, the equivalents to watches here, had only a single hand, which moved between these tick marks to show the time.
His watch, that Asari had found confusing the previous day, would to be of little use for general time keeping here. He had already slipped it off his wrist and into his pack. The battery would last for more than a year, and it could still serve as a measurement tool should he need it as such, but the constant slippage of the day alone was enough to make it more of an annoyance than asset.
One puzzle settled, he considered again their retracing of yesterday’s trail. Clearly Asari had wondered what he hoped to find, and while Randy suspected he would learn little, he couldn’t bring himself to pass up the opportunity. Foolishly he considered the possibility that the way home might be as simple as finding the spot that Cheurt used to make his transitions between worlds. He knew it couldn’t be that easy or some of the wizard’s team would have made the jump with him.
The day remained pleasant, and they made good time as they walked along. There had been no time for breakfast, and after an hour or so, Randy slipped the pack off his back while continuing to walk along side Asari, and fished out one of the two chocolate bars he had left. Waving it in Asari’s direction after getting his attention, he received the same wrinkled nose reaction he’d gotten the previous night when he’d offered some to the boy. He’d taken a look and a smell, and declined the opportunity. Something about the smell didn’t sit well with him. It was just as well, Randy decided. He only had a little, and the last thing he needed was for the only person who could keep him alive and lead him out of here to come down with some kind of allergic reaction to the chocolate or the nuts in it. As he took a bite, he saw the boy dig out one of the small speckled white balls he carried in his own pack and pop it into his mouth. Asari had explained these were a compressed combination of several grains and dried meat, and were held together by the stickiness of a pulpy plant that also added a bit of tartness. They were extremely nourishing, easy to make, and lasted almost indefinitely.
