Jalaby's Journey

by Duane Alston

  Jalaby's eyes felt quite heavy during his watch and was an indication of just how tired he was. He was just managing to stay awake and was quite thankful when Connel relieved him so that he could finally get some sleep for himself.

  In what seemed like seconds, Tom shook him awake and he knew it was time for the journey to begin. Jalaby rose without a word and Tom re-lit the four large lanterns so they could have enough light to put the saddles and packs back on. As quietly as they could, they all began to put on their armor but their inexperience showed as the occasional loud clang would break the silence of the night. They only hoped the double walls would keep the sound from emanating to the outside.

  Jalaby chose to only wear his breast plate armor and after he put it on and his sword was in position, he turned to see both Connel and Tom staring at him.

  “Wow Jalaby, that is quite impressive, it's beautiful,” said Tom without a hint of mirth.

  “Yeah,” was all Connel could say.

  “Thanks. It's a gift from my Uncle. It was his during the Great War. There's more armor to add to it but I don't think it is necessary tonight. You guys look well turned out too.” Jalaby looked at Connel and Tom who both also had breastplate armor and swords. The only difference was that their armor needed a good polishing and they hadn't bothered to shine them up. Jalaby knew if it wasn't for his Uncle, his would not be so striking.

  “OK, looks like we are about....” The loud banging of the main door, opening and slamming shut, broke the silence and cut off Jalaby's words. “What the...lights out!” Jalaby ordered and grabbed the closest lantern. They had turned off all but the last lantern when Sarah burst into the inner room, with her face flush from running.

  “They know! They'll be coming for you before one o'clock!” Sarah was extremely out of breath and couldn't say more and her words had little chance to sink in before Jalaby's anger erupted.

  “Sarah! What's the idea, I knew you'd butt in and ruin things. What did you do this time?” Jalaby knew he was being irrational but things were going wrong and she was the closest target.

  “Listen Jalaby Jerk, for your information, I had nothing to do with it. Jim told me that they would be having three people at the gate tonight and that the Mayor's security people plan to set a trap and spring it just before one o'clock. They know you are here.” Sarah stared at Jalaby and gave his new armor a once over.

  “Jim, your great friend Jim! Well you just go back to him and leave us to this. Tom, Connel, let's go. We'll have to leave now and forget our burning hay plan; it's our only chance. We'll deal with the extra guard,” and with that he mounted and road past Sarah as she stood by the door, he heard Tom from behind him.

  “Thanks Sarah, don't mind Jalaby, he's got things on his mind. I know you did what you could,” and he kissed his sister on the cheek, mounted and rode after Jalaby. Connel was just behind and instead of riding past Sarah he reached a hand down.

  “How about a ride to the bridge for your front row seat.” He saw her hesitate. “You might as well.” Sarah then reached up and swung herself lightly behind Connel. In a matter of minutes Connel caught up and saw Jalaby's and Tom's horses standing in front of Crieton's Bridge with two guards in front of them.

  Jim must have got cold feet thought Jalaby, as he got off Willow to confront the guards. The bridge was half covered in fog and was not very wide but the support structure, composed of black painted beams, towered above them disappearing into the fog. A large swing gate, that looked like it had never been used, was across the access to the bridge, with a torch on either side.

  “We mean no harm to you but we intend to go through.” Jalaby addressed the larger of the two. His name was Jack Spiret. Jalaby remembered besting him a few times, but he also remembered he had been quite good with a sword. Bill Ravens was behind Jack as usual and Jalaby knew he would pose no problem. He was a follower and unskilled in sword or arrow.

  “You are all under arrest. Put down your weapons. The Chief Taylor is on to you and he and the Mayor will be here in a minute, so don't you try anything.” Jack was obviously nervous and his hand gripped hard at his sword, an indication that he was ready for action and as if on cue, down the street came distant shouts and the sounds of people coming their way.

  Jalaby drew his sword, but before Jack could pull his sword, Sarah's yell brought both their faces to her.

  “Wait!” Sarah dismounted and moved between them, but instead of talking, she quickly pushed Jack backwards. The edge of the bridge was just behind his feet which caught them as he moved backwards and he tumbled, sliding down the slope to the water. She faced Bill. “OK, off with you Bill, get him out of the water. Got a rope?” Bill nodded affirmative but hesitated, to which Jalaby raised his sword menacingly and Bill ran to the guard shack. In seconds, he produced a rope and sent one end of it down the river bank to where Jack was now climbing out of the water.

  There was no time to watch the rescue, since people, probably numbering over a hundred, were now seen in the distance approaching rapidly. They must have first went to Clancy's but were now only a short distance away. Jalaby used his broad sword and cut the rope holding the swing gate and with some effort, he swung the gate opened.

  “Tom and Connel, lets move. Sarah you can't stay here, you're in this now,” and as Jalaby reached down, Sarah didn't hesitate and quickly swung up behind him. Then they all moved as briskly as the tag along kacks and a bridge covered with fog would allow. In seconds, Jalaby turned around but could no longer see two feet in front of his face.

  “All slow down. I'm not sure what's across this bridge, so let's take it very easy. No one will follow us, it's what's up ahead that matters.”

  So now begins our journey, thought Jalaby. It went a little different than expected, but with the help of his Uncle and his friends they had made it. He thought about the letter from his parents and the vague message from his mother about, “one of those who travels with you will be unique and different from the rest”, and then he thought of Sarah. She must be the one. She was certainly different. He wasn't sure how comfortable he was about having her on the journey, but he had to admit, she had warned them and she had seen to it that they got across before the security force arrived. He had no doubt that he could have bested Jack again, but there was no telling how much time it would have taken. He owed a lot to Sarah but he said nothing. The only gesture he made now, was to move his arm down and with his hand on top of Sarah's, he pushed her hand a little more firmly around his waist, to reassure himself that she was there, before regaining the reins. Sarah made no reply to the gesture and together they rode slowly through the fog, making their way into Crieton's Land.

  Chapter 8

  From the change of sound as the horse's hoofs went from the wood of the bridge to a gravel road, Jalaby knew they had arrived at the other side. Moments later, as they moved further from the bridge, to his surprise, they were clear of the fog. He speculated that it must be directly associated with the river and the change in temperature on this side of the river, which was quite a bit colder. It was dark, but there were many stars out and their vivid patterns speckled the sky. The night sky seemed much clearer on this side of the river but Jalaby thought that it was probably just his imagination.

  “Hold up a minute. Let's dismount and get some lanterns out before we fall off a cliff or something,” Jalaby shouted and dismounted Willow after Sarah. He could hear the noise of Tom or Connel searching for the lanterns, as well as the distant, now muffled, voices across the river. Just when Tom's voice started ranting about who had packed his pack, more light appeared to aid him in his efforts. The light was emanating from across the river and was growing in intensity

  “I don't believe it! I just don't believe it!” Jalaby cried.

  “What!” The startled reply of Tom and Connel was almost in unison.

  “They are burning the bridge. There is no way back now.” Jalaby was in disbelief. The fire's light reflected off their faces as they stood looking back
toward Bridgetown.

  “They'll have to rename the town now.” Tom's attempt at humor achieved no laughter and off in the distance they heard the Mayor shouting.

  “This will never happen again! This will never happen again!” The Mayor's voice echoed across the river.

  “Quick, there's no time, we need to get those lanterns lit and get away from this bridge before the fire startles the horses and we end up with no supplies and only our two feet to carry us,” Jalaby said urgently.

  “OK, at least I can see now.” Tom found one lantern and quickly lit it.

  Although the lantern didn't provide much light, it was enough. They led their horses away from the bridge and down what was once a road. It had road gravel but grass, weeds and the occasional small tree had grown over it.

  After about ten minutes, Connel said in a quiet voice, “Hey, you know I think there are buildings on either side of us.”

  “Hang on a minute.” They all stopped and Tom moved his lantern toward the side of the road. The dark shape then turned into a wooden building with a plank sidewalk in front.

  Jalaby thought that this must have been quite a town at one time. Bridgetown only put wood sidewalks in last year. It looked abandoned.

  “Get some more lanterns going. We need somewhere to spend the night and one of these buildings may give us some shelter. Tom, you and Connel take a look around while Sarah and I keep the animals together. If you can find a barn that would be perfect, but whatever big building you can find will have to do. I want our horses and kacks inside with us.”

  “It better be a big building, you ever smell kack poo!” Tom said as he lit a few more lanterns and Connel's unforced laughter eased the tension.

  Tom and Connel moved away and pushed open the door of a nearby building, inspected it, then slowly made their way down the street as Jalaby and Sarah stood silently looking in their direction.

  “Sorry you were drug into this. You, I mean.... it may be hard for your parents with both of you gone. That bridge, well I didn't expect that.” Jalaby spoke softly unsure of Sarah's mood.

  “Yes, I didn't expect the burning of the bridge either. I guess I thought if all else failed, I could slip back over the river if I had too. I mean if you absolutely didn't want me along.” Sarah let her voice trail off and they stood in silence once again.

  “Well there were reasons, but it doesn't matter, I wouldn't send you back into that hornets nest for any reason.” Jalaby said firmly.

  “Yeah,” laughed Sarah. “Did you hear the Mayor, he was in quite a mood. I hope he doesn't give any trouble to your Uncle and the others.”

  “Not a chance, my Uncle can handle him and twenty like him.” The pride in Jalaby's voice was strong.

  “You love him very much don't you Jalaby,” Sarah's voice was soft and the night breeze, although cold, brought a fresh scent to Jalaby.

  “Yes, I couldn't love him more even if he was my real Uncle,” after he finished Jalaby realized what he had said but could not take the words back. He could only hope Sarah didn't catch them.

  “Real Uncle, what do you mean Jalaby,” Sarah's voice was alert now and urgent for a response.

  Jalaby thought a minute before replying, “I can't say at the moment Sarah. There are some things I need to keep to myself for a while. When I can, I will tell you and the others, but for now, can you not mention this to them.”

  “Well, I suppose,” Sarah's voice now sounded like that of someone who was used to getting her own way and did not like not getting it. “But it's going to be a long journey and I hope you'll talk to me more than you have in the past or I'll scream.”

  “No, no, not that, I heard your scream on Golden Gap,” Jalaby laughed. “I'll try, honestly.”

  “OK,” was all Sarah said and they heard the muffled voice of Tom in the distance, shouting for them to join him up the street. Gathering up the reins of their animals, they slowly moved in Tom's direction.

  “The whole place is deserted and it looks like it has been this way for quite a while. We found a place that looks like it was a big tavern at one time. It should work for tonight's shelter. We also found a barn, but most of it fell down years ago, so that one won't do.” Tom said excitedly as he beckoned them toward Connel, who was positioned to one side of two large doors leading into a dilapidated building.

  They led the animals through the doors and as they entered, Jalaby was surprised to see exactly how large it was. The open space was as big as a large barn and towards the back there was an old beat up counter that extended almost the whole length of the place. There was also a large fireplace in the wall nearest them.

  “Hey, this is great, that side area over there should do well for the animals if we stack some of these broken chairs and other junk to make a barrier.” Jalaby pulled gently on the reins of Willow and his kack to move toward the side area. With very little conversation, they all started unloading the packs and saddles from the animals. Jalaby's horse Willow pricked his ears a little as if listening but then settled down and munched on the oats that Jalaby had put on a table. The kacks looked sleepy and moved very little after they were unburdened from their packs. Tom, Connel, and Sarah all began to stack old chairs, tables, and any wood they could find to make a corral to keep the animals in their designated area.

  “There,” cried Tom. “That'll keep that kack poo well away from us.”

  Everyone laughed and Jalaby felt that the atmosphere was much lighter, the way it was when they all went camping, but he realized that this was no camping trip and there was no going home, at least not yet.

  “I'll get a fire going, I'm glad no one cleared this place out when they left. They must have left in a hurry because there is plenty of wood for a fire and we can always burn some of the furniture if need be.” Jalaby commenced to inspect the chimney and seeing it clear, put some logs on and soon had a roaring fire going. “This wood is quite dry, I wonder if it has been here since the Great War.”

  “Sarah and I are going to set up over here,” Tom said. “I've got to protect her from you two young brutes and keep her honor safe.” Tom laughed, but Jalaby wondered if there was a bit of truth in his jest.

  “I think it more likely she will be protecting you from the bad guys before we're through,” said Jalaby, also with a laugh.

  Connel said little during this exchange and seemed to be in deep thought. Jalaby hoped he wasn't worried by their predicament. “Where are you going to bed down?” Jalaby asked.

  “Oh!” Connel seemed startled back to reality. “I guess I'll be over here next to the fire.” Connel finished and Jalaby moved closer to him.

  “You OK with everything? We are quite safe and we will get back,” Jalaby said.

  “Oh, yes I'm fine. I was just wondering what lies ahead, we've never been away from home and well, it's new for me,” Connel finished looking back at the others.

  “Well, at least we are not alone. I would have hated to make this trip alone, but I would have. For what it's worth, I can't think of anyone I would rather have on this trip than the three of you. I feel better because you are here. Thanks.” Jalaby finished formally and smiled.

  “Thanks yourself, and don't worry I'm not down yet; we've just started. I'll wait until something worst happens than the bad night of sleep that these accommodations will probably give me,” Connel laughed and moved toward the fire.

  “That's right, keep optimistic,” Jalaby laughed. “Listen everyone, I think we'd better set up a guard schedule. I know there is probably no need.....” Jalaby stopped in mid-sentence when he felt a slight tingle from the stone he wore around his neck. He clutched it in his hand, but it had ceased to vibrate.

  “What is it!” Connel was again at his side and Sarah and Tom were moving in his direction.

  Jalaby stood looking at them, as he presented the stone towards them for a look. “It's the Stone of Crieton. It was a gift from my parents and it is supposed to sense danger for the bearer. It seemed to vibrate a little and changed t
o a pale yellow color. I don't know how it will help us if I can't decipher how it works, but I think since it is only a slight vibration, the danger is probably pretty far off.”

  “When did you get it?” Sarah asked excitedly.

  “My Uncle gave it to me a few days ago. Maybe I was mistaken, you know how sometimes you think you feel something but you really don't. I'll keep and eye on it though and let you all know if it does anything.” An uncomfortable silence fell among them and Jalaby wondered if it was fear. He wasn't sure if someone or something was lurking just outside and as far as instructions on the use of the stone, he had nothing. Well he wasn't going to show any fear, so he promptly changed the subject.

  “Well, we need to keep watch. I'll take the first watch, Connel the second, Tom the third and Sarah the fourth. Keep standing during your watch or you'll fall asleep.” With that abrupt end, they all went back to making their beds. When they had finished, they put out all the lanterns except the one that Jalaby took to a far corner. Jalaby soon found a piece of wood to whittle and by the dim light of the fire, and his lantern, he began his watch.

  The night passed quietly and Sarah woke everyone at the break of day as the sun began to filter through the few windows.

  “Everyone up! Everyone up! It's a beautiful day,” she sang as she shook Tom's blanket and did the same for Connel and Jalaby.

  “How do you know it's a beautiful day, you can't see out the dirty windows,” whined Tom as he rolled from his covers with his red hair wildly pointing in all directions.

  The horses and kacks began to restlessly move about as everyone began to rise. Sarah opened the double doors to the outside and along with a cold blast of morning air, the sunlight filled the room. Jalaby looked around and smiled at the group busily going about the business of gathering up their sleeping gear and bundling it for the trip. He had been too busy yesterday to realize that he was truly happy and was no longer restless! This adventure was what he needed.