Jalaby's Journey

by Duane Alston

  Jalaby suddenly became wary and took a quick look around outside, scouring the hills for anything out-of-place. He was not sure where the feeling came from and didn't think he was really being watched but after the visit from the Mayor and his security chief, he wasn't going to take any chances. He clutched his stone but it revealed nothing. After the assurance of finding no one about, he used a handcart to transfer all the food into one of the barn's storage rooms. He had just closed the door and was wondering what to do next when his Uncle pulled his wagon up next to Jalaby just inside the barn. Jalaby's Uncle jumped down and pulled a tarp away from what was covered in back of the wagon. From the little Jalaby could see, he could not determine what was in the back because there was a further covering of oilcloth.

  “What's this?”

  “Well,” his Uncle was smiling broadly now. “It's more stuff for you to take.”

  “I'm not sure I can manage anything else Uncle; the pack animals are going to be carrying quite a load as it is.” Jalaby said discouragingly.

  “You'll be carrying these yourself young Jalaby and I hope you can handle them.” His Uncle was now quite serious and he removed the first oilcloth that was covering a set of partial body armor. There was breast, back, stomach and leg armor which was polished brass in color and shown brightly. There were small stones embedded to accent the lines and the name Jalaby Stebon was engraved just under the heart with the Stebon crest that Jalaby had seen on his Uncle's letterheads. “Hope it fits. It served me well during the Great War. I had it cleaned and re-engraved in time for me to picked it up today,” his Uncle finished as Jalaby rubbed a hand across the fine metal with an expression of bewilderment on his face. “Wait, there's more!”

  With that, his Uncle pulled back the final oilcloth and revealed a large sword and scabbard. “This sword has saved my life more times than I can count. It is made of the finest metal that seems to grow stronger with age. It will protect you Jalaby and I know no other way of doing so than to give you this sword.” With practiced hand his Uncle drew forth the sword which sparkled in the mid-afternoon light and eyed it intently before offering it to Jalaby.

  Jalaby took the sword and held it aloft, also captivated by the polished reflecting surface of the blade. “This is fantastic Uncle, I'm at a loss for words.” Jalaby brought his eyes away from the sword and faced his Uncle. “If I am successful on this journey it will be because of you and what you have given me and I don't mean these new possessions. It's what you have given me over the years in knowledge and guidance. I owe you a great deal Uncle.”

  “I also owe you a lot. It would have been a lonely life for me without you here on the farm and it's the least I can do, seeing how I won't need these anymore. They are yours now Jalaby. Use them well. Now, store these with the rest or your stuff and get on with whatever you were doing, I've got work to do as usual. You get enough supplies picked out? Let me know if you need anything.” Jalaby's Uncle ended with a slight catch in his voice and moved off toward the house without waiting for a reply. Jalaby, with both arms leaning on the wagon's tailgate, told himself that if he was just half the man his Uncle was, he would do well in this world.

  Jalaby move his new gear to the storage room and decided he'd better try on the armor in case it needed some alterations. The heavy armor was difficult to handle but he managed to get it on. As he stood with the heavy but dazzling armor on, he felt rather self-conscious. Such attire had not been worn for at least ten years and to wear it now out in public would probably bring about a great deal of laughter. Jalaby decided he would not wear the full armor until needed and could probably get away with wearing only the breast armor and sword for most of the time.

  Chapter 5

  In the evening Jalaby and his Uncle sat as usual. This time there were no stories, only silence as each remained deep in thought. Jalaby did not know what his Uncle was thinking about, but he was pondering whether Tom was right about talking with Vera. He supposed it could do no harm, but he thought he should get his Uncle's opinion on it.

  “Uncle, what do you think about Vera?”

  His Uncle slowly pulled his pipe from his mouth and after some obvious consideration, he spoke. “The Predictors are interesting folk. Some seem to be very good at telling the future but others are just out to make a little profit.” His uncle sucked a little more from his pipe tilting his head slightly up. After exhaling, he continued. “Vera seems to be the best of the lot. She is surprisingly accurate and there is no malice in her predictions, as there are with some of the others who just want you coming back. Are you considering getting a prediction from her?” Jalaby's Uncle continued to rock back and forth.

  “It was suggested.”

  “By who?” His Uncle shot the question back.

  “Oh, Tom. He thought it wouldn't hurt.” Jalaby sat back lazily starting to get rather sleepy.

  “There are strange wonders in the world Jalaby and it's good to check into all you run across. I think it might be a good idea to see if she knows anything. It may just be gossip she has picked up, but that would be useful as well. You know she only predicts at night. You'd have to go over there now,” his Uncle finished, also looking very sleepy.

  “Now!” Jalaby thought about how great it would be to get some sleep but at the same time, he was intrigued to think he might talk with a Predictor. He had always heard about and seen them around, but to actually have a prediction! That would be something. “You really think I should?”

  “Yes, you know where her old house is? I'll get some money, she's not cheap but I think it is worth it.” Jalaby's Uncle rose and headed to his room to get the money while Jalaby struggled to rise to his feet. His Uncle soon returned.

  “Here, also you'd better not take Willow, use the farm horse instead, so it will bring less notice.” To Jalaby, it felt like his Uncle practically shoved him out the door. This was the last thing Jalaby had in mind, a night ride to Vera the Predictor!

  Reluctantly Jalaby saddled Sunshine and slowly plodded towards Vera's dilapidated farmhouse that resided just beyond the farmland on the edge of the forest. If Jalaby hadn't been use to riding at night, he might have been quite spooked by the barely visible path under the low hanging branches of the trees. There was just enough moonlight to see the road, just the way it was when he practiced for the night run. Yearly, there was a competition for a long distance night run, which ran along the Crieton River, through a small portion of the forest and back into town. In order to compete each year, Jalaby spent many hours at night, running along the road near Vera's. He knew the route well.

  He soon arrived and riding around a large group of trees, he abruptly came in front of Vera's home. A soft yellow light came from each of the windows on the front of the house. Jalaby was always amazed that anyone lived here, because the house looked so abandoned. Since he had many times passed Vera's house in the daylight, he knew the paint had long since peeled off, leaving the exposed wood to be ravaged by the elements and many of the other outbuildings had already collapsed. As he tied up Sunshine and approached the door via the large front porch, he was disquieted by the creaking of the porch floorboards. Thinking he might break an ankle during the journey to the front door, Jalaby tried to step in line with where he thought the support beams might be, but the creaking remained a foreboding response. Making it to the door, he knocked purposely but louder that he expected, disturbing, even more, the silence of the night. Something flapped away in the night and he heard shuffling sounds and the muttering of a voice from within the house. The door slowly opened to reveal Vera.

  “What do you want? Oh, oh it's you Jalaby, come in, I've been expecting you. Yes, come on in.” Vera opened the door wider and beckoned Jalaby with a wrinkled hand.

  Jalaby didn't know what to think. What did she mean by saying that she had been expecting him. He only knew thirty minutes ago that he was coming. He entered a room that was crammed full of junk or treasures, depending on your point of view. There was barely enough room to wal
k as he made his way towards the fire and the two chairs next to a table. He glanced back to see Vera closing and bolting the door with several solid steel bolts. He stood ready to sit at the smaller of the two chairs and left the high-back rocker for Vera, because it looked like the chair she usually sat in, based on the various books strewn near it. Vera's appearance did not match the disheveled appearance of her house and was quite the opposite. She was fastidiously dressed in a royal blue full length dress with a white blouse that had a large collar which draped around her neck. What was somewhat disquieting, was that you could not see her feet, which gave you the impression that she simply floated across the room. She wore nothing on her head and her hair was made up in a tight bun with a large red stone pin holding it together. A similar broach was pinned near her heart.

  “Sit Master Jalaby, sit.” Vera said as she promptly sat first before inviting Jalaby to do so. “Come now, I expect you want a prediction. Let me see,” and Vera put her hand to her head as if hearing a voice from within. “You will be taking a long journey and the journey begins by crossing Crieton's Bridge,” she looked back expectantly.

  “What! How did you know?” Jalaby sat dumbfounded as Vera smiled.

  “Oh, I could say it was my mystic powers, but in the end it's just the local gossip I have been picking up. Honestly, I was just teasing you. I have heard that you seek to cross Crieton's Bridge and journey into the land of Crieton. Do you wish a prediction?” Vera's smile continued.

  Jalaby sat and looked at the old woman and was wondering why people thought that she could predict the future. In his mind he felt no one could, but in the end he said. “Why, yes, that is what I would like.”

  “You have something for me?” Vera put a wrinkled hand out and Jalaby dropped the purse of money down on her palm. Quickly bony fingers closed about it, sweeping it from sight in one fast movement, that had undoubtedly been practiced for years. There would be no chance to change your mind, once Vera had the purse, it was gone.

  Vera then sat back and slowly nodded. She then slowly tilted her head back against her high back rocker. Her breathing deepened and she spoke.

  “The journey begins in your heart Jalaby. The stone, your armor, your sword, and those around you can do little to help if you do not come to terms with who you are. At times your friends will be all that keep you going, trust their council, but make your own decisions. It is a distant land you seek and the mill might help. Trees will slow your journey, but look to them as friends, for they will shield you well. There will be riders that come for you, for they seek your power and a new fog war will begin if they have their way. The Fog Warriors have been silent for many years but their power is increasing and Crieton's relations control them. The Crieton Langmaster family holds the key to what has happened and what will happen. Find the reason for it all Jalaby and you will do much to end forever the threat that looms from across the Crieton Bridge.” Vera sat straight and looked into Jalaby's face, possibly checking for a reaction. “That is all Jalaby, you will have troubled times ahead of you.” Vera then rose to her feet.

  “Well, er, thank you.” Jalaby, sensing the obvious dismissal, also rose to his feet and followed Vera, as she led him to the door. He wanted to ask questions and probe Vera for any detail about the up coming journey, but he knew it would be in vain. He tried anyway.

  “Vera, what about crossing the bridge?”

  Vera cocked her head to the right as if in thought but with an amused smile on her face. “I can't tell you what to do son. I only predict. I see you on the other side, that is all I can say. Now good night, I am very tired this evening. Have a good journey son,” with that, Vera closed the door just after Jalaby went through.

  Jalaby stood momentarily on the front porch, glancing back at the closed door and becoming a little irritated. What exactly had he learned, practically nothing as far as he could tell. Something about a mill, something about trees, it's a long journey and that Crieton Langmaster is the key. Thinking about it, he knew all about the mill creature and undoubtedly she probably heard rumors from some of the river fishermen. Trees! Well it's obvious that trees provide cover. Crieton is the key! Big guess there, it is Crieton's Bridge, Crieton's war, and Crieton's Fog Warriors after all. That bit about that she had been expecting him, that's probably the first line she uses with everyone who appears at her door. No, the more he thought about it, he figured he'd been played for his purse. She's good, he would grant her that. Jalaby took a couple of steps and then another thought struck him. She mentioned the stone. How did she know about the stone? Jalaby shook his head and as Sunshine plodded towards home, he spun all that Vera had said around and around in his head but in the end, he felt he had gained little.

  The rest of the night contained no additional excitement and despite the visit with Vera, Jalaby slept better than he had in several nights. He awoke with new energy and decided today was the day that they would come up with a final plan.

  Jalaby spent the morning on his Uncle's wagon, making trips to both Tom's and Connel's farms to pick up the supplies they had gathered and took them to his barn for storage. He also made a final trip to Tom's to pick up the kacks. These he tied to the end of the wagon and led them to his Uncle's barn, where he placed them in stalls and fed them generously. He was grateful to find that they were as docile as Tom had said. With all those tasks completed, Jalaby felt they were finally in a position to do the final plan to cross Crieton's Bridge.

  Chapter 6

  It was nearing two o'clock and the wind had picked up from the east enough to blow the hat from his head. As he stooped to pick it up, Jalaby looked at the sky to the east and knew that this could mean the start of one of Bridgetown's typical thunderstorms. Out of all the communities in Onan, Bridgetown was known for the ferocity of the thunderstorms that came across Crieton River from the east. In the distance up the road, he could see Tom and Connel approaching. Jalaby had purposely positioned himself to view their approach and make sure that no one else was around to witness their meeting. He specifically was on the lookout for Sarah, although he knew she would have a hard time eavesdropping on this meeting. In his heart Jalaby knew she was very trustworthy and his real enemies at this point were the Mayor and any of the many security officials that scurried around after him.

  Satisfied that they were in the clear, as the two rode their horses near the barn, Jalaby opened it, waved them in and then closed the barn door behind him.

  “Welcome fellow travelers,” Jalaby said lightly. “Put your mounts next to my horse Willow.” Jalaby expectantly waited for a response, as each in turn took a look at Jalaby's stallion.

  “Wow!” said Tom. “He's quite a site. He's at least two hands higher than my horse, who is tall for a farm horse and powerfully built as well. I hope you can handle him.” Tom laughed because he knew Jalaby would take this as an offense against his ability to handle horses, but he was surprised by Jalaby's reply.

  “You are quite right. I haven't even had a chance to get use to him, not with all this packing and planning. I'll have to make a point after our meeting to take him across the fields. Well anyway, come on, let's step this way to the planning room,” and Jalaby led the way to one of the dozen small storage rooms in the barn, but this one Jalaby had prepared with some maps of the area, paper and pens. “This is the best I can come up with for a map. It's pretty good on this side of the river and as you know, when we find the creature at the old mill, it will give us a map to Stoneburst Settlement. What we need to concentrate on, is the bridge. Here is a map of that general area.”

  Everyone spent a few minutes figuring out where they were now located on the map and faced it in the proper direction.

  “I've checked out the security like you suggested,” said Connel. “As far as I can determine, they have only added one additional nighttime guard and he's only there from eight o'clock until four in the morning. Most of the security folk think that it's just a prank that you and the rest of us are doing just to stir up the
Mayor and his cronies. They are definitely not taking us seriously, but they will be on guard as usual and in general they do take preventing anyone from crossing the bridge very seriously. These are easy jobs they have and they don't want to lose them because someone crossed the river.”

  Great, Jalaby thought, now when we cross I'll be responsible for someone losing their livelihood.

  “OK, anyone got any ideas beyond setting a couple of hay bales on fire?” Jalaby ask and then search each face hopefully.

  “My Uncle Clancy's place would make a great final staging area since it is only a hundred yards from the bridge entrance. He usually has plenty of room and closes his business early, around five o'clock. He's pretty cool and won't mind if we use the place. I'll tell him it's for a meeting or something,” Tom finished looking from one to the other for agreement.

  “I think that's perfect,” said Jalaby. “Connel, that sound OK to you?”

  “Well I think that sets up the staging area fine, but I'm not convinced that we have a good plan for distracting the guards. If we go after midnight, the hay bale fire may distract one guard but not both. We will have to deal with him or her depending on who's on duty.” Connel finished by putting his hand to his chin and tilting his head to one side in thought, but then continued. “You know, Jim Braxton really thinks a lot of Sarah. He keeps asking her to dances but she won't go, even though his family is one of the wealthiest in Onan. All the other girls of Bridgetown would jump at the chance of seeing him. Anyway, I think if Tom would ask her, Sarah could act as a decoy to temporarily get him away from his post. I'll have to somehow let Jim know ahead of time so he can fix his schedule. I'll tell him Sarah wants to meet with him sometime after midnight tomorrow. She can then send a note to ask that he meet her behind Jenkin's store, it's just down from the bridge.”