by Duane Alston
“Ask him something about who he is, where he comes from and can he lead us through the Woodland Forest to the foothills of the Neteos Mountains?” Asked Jalaby.
After a few noises from our new guest, Talisbon spoke.
“His name is Constanto and he is a member of the Olandie people who have lived in the Woodland Forest since time began. He said he could lead us, but was evasive, saying he may lead but not just yet. He also said something a bit peculiar or my dialect skills are falling short. He asked if you, Jalaby, were feeling hot.”
Talisbon now turned with raised eyebrows towards Jalaby.
Jalaby started to answer but Sarah was on him in a second, checking his temperature with her hand on his brow and looking at his face.
“He's burning up! Jalaby why didn't you say something? Talisbon it's obvious Constanto knows something about this, so find out now!” Sarah finished hotly which made Tom and Connel look at her with some respect and then they all faced Talisbon expectantly.
Talisbon did as she had requested and after much animated discussion said, “It has to do with the bushes Jalaby landed on, what Constanto calls Moonstone and they are highly poisonous.”
“Does he know how to help him?” Sarah's voice was more calm now but there was a commanding edge to her request and Talisbon nodded and spoke briefly to the creature.
“Yes, he says there is a plant they use to help with this type of poisoning, but the place where it grows is many hours from here,” Talisbon finished and sat down heavily as if emphasizing the futility.
“OK Talisbon, you and I are going with Constanto while Tom and Connel take care of Jalaby.” Sarah finished expecting rebuttal from someone but received none. We'll be back as quick as we can. In the meantime, give him the Jera root mixture I am going to prepare and leave with you. Two spoons every two hours and plenty of water, both drinking and on his head for cooling him off.”
“Come on my little horned Constanto, we've got some harvesting to do.” Sarah finished and stared directly at Constanto, who in turn cocked his head to the right as if trying to understand.
Talisbon provided the interpretation but rather than looking helpful, the creature started waving his arms and making a loud guttural noise. Talisbon looked perplexed but then seemed to understand.
“He's worried or rather more than worried, he's frightened about what he calls Screechers. If you are out after dark apparently these Screechers come out to hunt and they hunt anything. As long as you have light from a torch or anything else, they may not bother you,” Talisbon finished and cupped his chin in thought.
“Doesn't matter, we need that plant mixture for Jalaby. Tom, get a couple of lanterns for us to take and plenty of fuel. Light some additional ones for the campsite,” said Sarah sounding quite determined.
“OK sis, but maybe I or Connel should go since we...,” but Sarah cut him off.
“Look Tom, I know you are worried for me but I need to see these plants for myself if I am to use them to help Jalaby. I'll be back soon enough, besides,” and Sarah smiled, “you taught me how to use the sword as well as anyone.”
Tom nodded and uncharacteristically gave Sarah a hug.
“Now knock of the mush,” said Tom and started digging through the packs for lanterns and fuel.
Jalaby all this time had drifted to sleep and Connel tended his fever with wet towels.
“OK Talisbon, tell our friend that we have light and we need to get to those poison killing plants as soon as possible,” with that she turned and started digging through her pack to get what she needed for what she hoped would be a quick trip. Talisbon relayed Sarah's words to Constanto who now seemed more calm, but with all the hair on his face it was difficult to say for sure.
They decided they would go on foot, since according to Talisbon, it may be necessary to leave the roadway and it would not be a good idea to leave horses unattended with these things called Screechers around. Sarah made one more check on Jalaby, patted Connel's shoulder and hugged Tom before they headed down the road with their new found friend Constanto leading the way.
Chapter 19
“Talisbon, talk to Constanto and find out what these Screechers look like. I would like to be somewhat prepared if we run across one.” Sarah's voice was uneven due to the sword that bounced against her leg and the backpack she carried that held her crossbow, two lanterns, lantern fuel and other items. It wasn't uncomfortable yet, but Sarah knew later its weight would slow her down.
“OK, I'll see what I can do, but he's calm now so I hate to stir him up,” Talisbon then began to talk to Constanto.
“He said they look like a shadow; they have dark coloring except for their yellow eyes. Their bodies are proportional to humans in many respects but they have a large reptilian head with a massive set of teeth below a hooked beak. They are also bird-like in that they have feathers, wings and talons.” Constanto began talking again and then Talisbon continued. “He says he saw a dead one once in the daylight and that is why he can be so detailed.”
“OK, reassure him again and let's get the lanterns out, it's getting dark.” Sarah quickly got one of her lanterns lit and it seemed to immediately cheer up Constanto, because he jumped up and down doing a little dance.
“OK he's happy, let's move it, we need to get it and get back before Jalaby gets worse.” Sarah brushed back her hair and motioned Constanto to lead the way, which he did.
It was dark and what little light the lanterns provided, showed that the forest and road had changed very little. The lantern's yellow light dimly lit the road and cast a slight glow to either side, creating their shadows that danced on the trees that lined the road. Suddenly a screech that seemed more akin to a scream, filled the air and they froze.
“I take it that was a Screecher,” Sarah stated calmly and Talisbon just grunted in reply. Constanto on the other hand bolted and before either Talisbon or Sarah could react, he was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh no!” Sarah's voice took on all the despair she was feeling. “Talisbon did you get anything else out of him before he left. Which direction to go? Anything?”
“The only thing he said was that an unusual tree marked the turnoff. It was the shape of a horse's head, but after that, I don't know.” Talisbon held the lantern high as if trying to look as far down the road as possible. “I am profoundly disappointed, I really thought he would stick by us. That Screecher must have really unnerved him.”
“It didn't help my nerves either. Well let's keep going, perhaps we can find the turnoff and hope that Constanto finds the courage to come back,” but as Sarah finished, Constanto appeared before them and after a split second of confusion, Sarah knew he had been there all along. Using his special ability, he had blended into the surroundings such that they could no longer see him. He began to talk quietly to Talisbon.
“He said he would not leave. It was his fault that the tall one, which is what he calls Jalaby, was hurt.” Talisbon's smile was evident despite the dim light.
Sarah too could not help but smile and they moved on with the warm glow of the lanterns providing light and they hoped security from things that hunt in the night.
They made good progress and Talisbon relayed from Constanto, that they would be leaving the main road soon. In another quarter of an hour they had arrived at the turn off. Constanto let them know that in another thirty minutes they should have the plants they needed for Jalaby.
It was at that point that the distant sporadic screeching that they had been hearing and ignoring for the last hour, began to concentrate and become louder in one direction, behind them.
“They are coming!” Sarah's whisper was loud enough to make Talisbon Jump.
“Get the lights together and tell Constanto to do his camouflage thing, if that will save him.” Sarah pulled her sword at the same time she lit the other lantern, while Talisbon stood quietly holding a small dagger. It was a cool night and at that moment it felt too quiet, but this lasted only a minute and then the Screechers were t
here. They first appeared as shadows against the backdrop of the trees and flew all about them.
It was an awful racket and it was all Sarah could do to not cover her ears. They circled above them, coming closer and closer. Finally, one got too close and Sarah pivoted with a smashing blow that cut it in half, causing a loud screech of death. With that blow, the others momentarily moved the circle out a bit, but they were still there. They were like transparent shadows but their yellow eyes were bright points that were always looking in their direction.
“We can't just stay here and I've had just about enough of these Screechers,” Sarah shouted and got into her backpack and brought out her small crossbow.
“Looks too small, what are you going to do?” Talisbon asked Sarah, but kept his eyes and lantern moving about him.
“Well, we've seen that they have no stomach for a fight when one of their kind is lost, so maybe we need to find the breaking point, when they will decide that it's not worth it,” said Sarah as she loaded the crossbow and set a dozen arrows next to her. “OK, I don't think Constanto will be much help, especially since we can't see him, so between you and me, we need to lure a few Screechers in close so I can use the crossbow. I believe if we wound or kill a couple, then they may back off for good.”
“I guess we have no choice since our fuel won't last forever,” said Talisbon as he filled his second lantern, just in case the first one gave out.
“OK, to get them to come in we'll need to turn the lights out but be ready to turn them on as soon as we think they are close. I think the best way is to use a blanket to cover the lanterns and remove it when they get close.” Sarah's speech was rushed but her voice was steady.
They quickly got the lanterns ready with the blanket in position. With the lanterns covered, it was pitch black and for some reason the Screechers no longer made their hideous noise. It became deathly quiet. They both stood and listened to the ever increasing sound of Screecher wings as they got closer and closer, until Sarah actually felt either the wind or the gentle touch of a feather.
“Now! Show the light!” She shouted.
As quickly as she could, Sarah immediately got three shots off with the crossbow before the Screechers again moved out of range, but Sarah noted that they had two less companions.
“Got a couple and maybe scratched a third, a little,” Sarah said calmly.
They used the method a second and a third time with diminishing results but always getting at least one. It was on the fourth run that Sarah noted less Screechers in the attack and finally after the fifth they were gone, undoubtedly in search of easier prey.
“That was intense. Hey, glad to see Constanto has reappeared,” Sarah said now smiling and looking in the direction where she had previously just seen bushes.
“Good job! We'd better hurry in order to get back in time to help Jalaby,” Talisbon said, grabbed his lanterns and mumbled a few words to Constanto, who immediately headed down a small path that turned off the main road.
Sarah, brought back to reality by Talisbon's words, put a determined look on her face and headed down with them.
It didn't take them long, but the path was not easy for Talisbon or Sarah. It was obviously made for three feet high creatures like Constanto. It was narrow and occasionally they had to crawl through tunnel like openings in the trees and bushes. When Constanto had indicated to Talisbon that they had arrived, Sarah saw nothing that distinguished this spot for any other along the path, but Constanto began collecting the red leaves of a certain plant.
“Constanto says just the red leaves. The plants will have red, brown and green leaves so we need to be careful.” Talisbon said as he picked some red leaves by lantern light.
Sarah knew what to do and quickly began to harvest. She knew from relayed discussions with Constanto that she would be preparing a tincture for Jalaby to drink and also to rub on the area that was exposed to the poison.
To Sarah's relief, the journey back was routine. The Screechers could be heard but only in the distance. “I think they learned a lesson Talisbon. No trouble and we are almost back.”
“I'm glad of that,” said Talisbon wearily. The trek seemed to have taken its toll and Sarah noticed the tiredness in his movements as they walked into camp.
“About time! Er, I mean welcome back.” Tom's voice began loudly, as he jumped to his feet, but it ended in a reduced volume, calmly trying show that he was not in the least bit anxious. Sarah knew from a glance, that it was either concern for her or worse, concern for Jalaby.
“How's Jalaby?” Not waiting for an answer, she moved quickly to him. “Has he been awake at all?”
No one was quick to answer, but finally Connel spoke.
“Not much time awake and he does feel hotter. We have been trying to cool him down the best we can. You got the medicine?”
“I'll have to make it first, so I'd better get at it and it will probably take an hour, maybe less. I'll use the pot you already have on the fire. Talisbon bring all the leaves we have collected and we'll both chop them up to save time.”
About forty minutes later they were done cooking the leaves. Sarah then filtered the liquid through one of her handkerchiefs.
“What a stinky way to cure a person,” Tom said waving his hand in front of his nose.
“Well I'm not sure I made it correctly. Talisbon, ask Constanto if it looks right?” Sarah handed the cup to Talisbon, who in turn showed it to Constanto who inspected it, smelled it and took a small sip.
“Constanto says it's good and it is supposed to smell that way.” Talisbon handed the drink back and rested against a large boulder trying not to look the way he felt, dead tired.
“OK, let's wake him up and get this down him,” said Sarah and she took the mixture to Jalaby.
With Connel's help they woke Jalaby, propped him up against a stump and coaxed him into drinking the medicine.
“Constanto said three cups a day for five days will do it,” Talisbon said, recalling the previous conversation he had with him.
“Connel and Tom, you're going to have to give it to him today. It's almost morning and we all three are dead tired. I don't know about them, but I can't keep my eyes open any longer.” Before either of them could answer, she moved to her pallet, laid down and promptly fell to sleep.
The day was calm with Sarah sleeping all day and Jalaby being fed medicine about every six hours by either Tom or Connel. By evening it was evident that Jalaby was getting better.
The best they could tell by what light filtered through the trees, it was early evening when Sarah finally awoke to go straight to Jalaby, knelt next to him where he was propped up on one elbow and felt his forehead as he smiled up at her. She smiled back.
“Glad you're feeling better. You know your temperature is almost back to normal but you have to keep drinking the medicine for at least five days.”
With that news Jalaby groaned and his smile disappeared.
“You're not going to be kissing my sister anytime soon either with that stinky medicine breath,” said Tom.
Jalaby turned a little red but kept his eyes on Sarah for her response. Sarah just smile and said, “Oh, it's not really that bad.” She then kissed Jalaby on the cheek and went to see if there was any food left in the pot on the fire. Jalaby just smiled at Tom and leaned back with his arms folded behind his head.
“I see I'm going to have my work cut out for me keeping you two apart. Don't worry, I'm up to the job as Chaperon but seriously Jalaby, I'm glad to have you back. My sister was worried to the point of biting my and Connel's heads off at least once an hour.” Tom then went over and shook Jalaby's hand.
“Sorry I've slowed us down but I'm hoping that running into Constanto will see us through this forest a lot quicker,” Jalaby said and once again laid back down to rest.
“Get some sleep man. We'll keep everything safe until you are better,” Tom said but he thought Jalaby may have already been asleep when he said it.
As the days went by, Jalaby
grew stronger and the group learned a great deal from Constanto. Tom, Connel and Talisbon were constantly asking Constanto to teach them everything about the forest that he could. Especially about food. Jalaby figured that was Tom's focus. On the other hand, Sarah spent much of her time with Jalaby, making sure he took the medicine at the right time, but more often just to keep him company.
Chapter 20
It was the evening of the third day of Jalaby's recovery and he felt a cold crisp wind on his face. It was a reminder that winter would soon be upon them and he wondered how the Woodland Forest would be. If either snow or freezing rain were the norm for this forest, then it would make their journey both miserable and dangerous.
It was dark and the campfire produced a low light, such that you could just barely distinguish the features of those awake. Connel was on guard on the road above with lantern in hand to avoid the Screechers and Tom had taken the opportunity to get some sleep before his turn. Talisbon, Jalaby could see, was nodding off near the fire. He was not quite asleep but getting there and Constanto was nowhere to be seen as usual.
Sarah move gently and sat down next to Jalaby, who was sitting up and not sleepy, having spent most of the day asleep.
“I thought you'd be asleep,” Sarah said as she felt Jalaby's brow. “Pretty normal now. That medicine is really doing the trick, but that wind is pretty cold.” As if to emphasize the point, Sarah snuggled closer and as she sat she pulled some of Jalaby's blanket over her.
“Hey let's not be a blanket hog, I'm cold too.” Then more seriously Jalaby added, “I'm a bit concerned about getting through this forest before the mean part of winter hits us.”
