“How did they do it? What did they do to her?” He forced the words out through clenched teeth.
Juid shook his head. “All I know is that they put a filthy claw on her head and then what looked like white mist drifted out of her while red mist seeped from his hand and surrounded her. It then seemed to flow into her before she collapsed. I thought she was dead lying there so still, but then a while later I saw her get up, except it was not really her anymore.” Malion turned and stalked a few paces away, standing with his back rigid.
“So how did you manage to escape into the cellar?” Alathaya’s voice drifted in softly.
Juid looked at her without seeing her. “After what they had done to Karina, everyone was running, trying to hide. We had been watching through the window there,” he gestured vaguely to the house, “when we saw what happened, we knew we had to get out of sight. I called whoever I could see to come with me and we climbed down into the cellar. Mind, it was just in time when we closed the hatch. We could hear them searching through the house. Throwing things around, making the most awful noises. Screeching and screaming. We sat frozen with fear. I was convinced they would find us, but thank thunder we remained unseen. Eventually the noise died down, but we were too scared to come out and have a look. We waited what must have been hours before deciding to go out.” He smiled humourlessly. “Of, course you can imagine what happened. The door did not budge. We pushed with all our might.” He shook his head. “We gave up with that after a while. Strangely, we did hear some noises afterward. At first, we thought they had come back for us, but I do not think so. I thought I heard two people talking once. The one asked where they were supposed to go and the other had said Magiana…”
“Magtisanya, Juid.” The same woman as before corrected him.
“That was it; they had to go to Magtisanya. I have never heard of this place, but they sounded like they knew it.” He had a thumb pointing over his back as though he was showing the way.
“It was the ones that had been Twisted. They were still here when we arrived, but ran off at the sight of us,” I said.
He nodded as if I had simply confirmed what he had suspected. “What will you do now?” I asked it of the group as a whole, looking at them in turn, but they looked at Juid for the answer.
He shrugged. “We rebuild. What else can we do? This is still our home. I still hope some may have escaped as well and will return. We will be here when they do.” I admired his hope, though I could not help but feel it was in vain.
Markai had been sitting quietly listening to the conversation. She had hidden herself from the villagers to avoid giving them another fright. We should follow these new Twisted Ones. Magtisanya is from the tongue of your ancestors. It means mighty gathering. I think he may be preparing. I knew it made sense, but I also knew we had to find the final two Alliance members and perhaps Dhillion as well. I had not told Trissa yet of my suspicions of her brother. I did not want to raise her hopes.
Without having to tell her, she knew my reason for hesitation. I will ask a brother or sister to go for us. They can tell me if they find this place, leaving us free to find them.
I nodded and she went.
Not only did I have to deny my first instinct, which was to stay to help these people rebuild their village, but also I had to argue that point with Alathaya. “If we had not spent so much time in Eranidin, then perhaps we could have stayed a while longer to help, but as it stands…”
She huffed in frustration. “But we could not have left them, just as we cannot simply leave these people.”
And so on it continued until I finally snapped at her. “Alathaya, there are bigger things at work here than simply one village,” I held my hand up to stop her from interrupting, “and you know that. If we fail at what we must do, this village will be the norm. We are leaving at first light and that is the end of it.”
She crossed her arms, brows pulled together in an angry frown, but said no more.
We spent the next while cleaning up one of the houses while, Zira, whose house it was, made us all soup and freshly baked bread. Most of the survivors ate, but sat staring into nothing. I wondered how well they would cope with rebuilding. Would their lives ever be the same again?
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
No one wanted to stay alone that night so we made a large makeshift bed on the floor in Zira’s house and took turns keeping watch within our group, but we let the rest of them sleep. When Alathaya came to wake me up for my watch, I was surprised when she sat up with me. “I worry about them. About how they will fare once we go and leave them. They all still look so scared, so…lost.” She echoed my thoughts.
I sighed heavily. “I know me too, but we can’t stay.”
I expected her to start arguing again and was relieved when she nodded. “I know. Of course, you are right. Any idea where we go from here?”
I winced. The dreaded question rears its ugly head again. “I am not sure. I am hoping that perhaps Markai may find some information.” Markai appeared striding towards us as if my words had summoned her – and perhaps they had. Alathaya smiled at her approach. I was relieved. Finally, they were starting to get used to her. She sat down across from me, now looming so high that I had to crane my neck to look at her. In response, she lay down.
My brother is tracking the scentless cubs. There are many of them. They travel slow, but follow a sure path.
I smiled gratefully. “Thank you Markai, may the sun light the smooth roads for him.”
Alathaya looked at me perplexed. I explained what had passed between Markai and me. Her brows lifted at the mention of Magtisanya. “One of the tales we guard is of the gathering of power. We believe it was about five thousand years ago when Rakadamon gathered his army in his first attempt to take earth. He called together his forces, the Dark Children and the Twisted Ones and orchestrated his attacks.”
Excitement lit up her whole face making her look radiant. “If we can get there in time, before he sends his forces out, we have them all together; even the Dark Master himself will be there. That is our opportunity to strike!”
She was right. “I agree. If we allow him to send them out, they will spread havoc before they can be stopped.” This – if it turned out to be correct – was a massive step forward. It would mean having a solid plan of action. If only I did not feel so woefully ill prepared!
“Now more than ever, we must hurry to find our last members and I would like to find Trissa’s brother,” I stated.
She frowned at me. “She has told me of her brother and kind as your heart is, I do not think that can be all there is to it, so why do you want to find him?”
Clearly, she did not miss a trick, not that I was going to keep my reason secret. “Markai thinks they have the same biological parents and if that is the case that might mean that he also has a Talent. We will need all the help that we can get.”
She clapped her hands together, beaming a smile at me. “Why have you not told Trissa? She would be happier than a foxfly in flight!”
I could not help but smile at her beautiful enthusiasm for someone else. “What happens if we do not find him? Or worse, something happens and we cannot even go looking? She would be crushed all over again.”
Her smile did not fade. “Fine, fair point, but oh, how wonderful would it be! This is the best news since all this started!” She gave me a tight hug, which made my heart jump into my throat while butterflies erupted in my stomach.
She leaned back, still holding my shoulders. “Now I can go get some sleep. Good night Kade.” She walked away before I had enough sense back to say anything.
Markai was purring. “What, no needling me about my cool and calm composure with women?”
She lifted her head off her paws. I do not know what you are talking about. But I could swear I saw a little smile on her face.
“Any more information about the last two members?” I asked, but with little hope.
She stretched lazily. Oh, have I not said? You must have b
een busy with something else. Quiniewa believes she has located one of them. We need to travel to the city of Sinsai to the south.
I laughed with relief. “You have been holding out on me.” She looked at me with big innocent eyes.
When I woke Malion to take his watch, I knew I would be able to find some rest, reassured that when I woke up I would know exactly where we were heading.
CHAPTER 14 – South
We left the next morning soon after first light. Alathaya was still clearly upset at having to leave them, but fortunately did not present any further argument. Malion stared longingly at the place where Karina had disappeared into the woods. To me it spoke of his character that he did not try to follow her again. I had not told him that we were following these unfortunate villagers to wherever they were meant to go. What would be the point? Even if we found her again, it would not be her.
Juid sent young Ghird and Feras with us. I had asked him where we would likely be able to find some supplies for our journey when he decided that they also needed supplies. They were to accompany us as far as Krogha and then would come back here.
We arrived there two days after setting off. The road had been blessedly uneventful. Ghird and Feras had also taken a turn standing watch at night, but they insisted on doing it together. It made me wonder again, how well these people would cope with rebuilding their town.
We only spent one night in Krogha. It was a bland little town where the most interesting feature was the fountain in the middle of the town square. It was a statue of two wolves sitting on their haunches and howling. Water spouted from their mouths. Looking at the rest of the town, I wondered at where they had come upon such an artefact.
We set off the next morning and travelled along the south road. Malion had a vague idea of where Sinsai was, but he was not sure how long it would take to reach it. His best guess was five to six days.
After three days of peaceful travelling, the illusion of calm was shattered. Markai came to me while we were sitting around the fire. We have had bad tidings. Evil is afoot and hunting. There are reports of four more towns having been attacked. One was more the size of a city. Hundreds if not thousands have been murdered. This is a sign that he is gaining power and truly coming out from hiding. This must raise fear in us. Not because of cowardice, but because it would be foolish not to fear what may come. Fear provokes us. It makes you either run or fight. You must make haste. If we arrive at Magtisanya too late it would mean devastation and destruction, not only for Medirea but also for all lands beyond. I did not know of the lands beyond that she spoke of, but then I was sure there was much that I was not aware of.
I relayed to everyone what Markai had said and the next morning we set off before dawn. We travelled four more longs days, setting off before dawn and travelling until well after dusk. I knew we were making good time, but I was still relieved when we saw Sinsai coming into view. Malion had been there once before and he confirmed that this was it.
Tall buildings lined the street with some going as high as three storeys. I had never seen such high buildings and I gaped openly as we stood in the shadow of one of them. Alathaya laughed a tinkling laugh at my astonishment. “Have you never been off the farm then Kadin?” My scowl only made her laugh more. A few of the buildings had very peculiar windows, painted with various scenes. Some were of simple animals; others were of battle scenes and others of divine powers. I thought they were beautiful. We went into the Queen Larissa Inn. Apparently, it was named after a Queen who ruled in this area many hundreds of years ago. The windows depicted various images of a regal, if rotund, woman. Despite her round cheeks, she had a severe look and ice in her eyes, eyes that seemed to follow me wherever I went in the room.
After making our arrangements with the portly innkeeper, we sat down in the common room. I walked in and immediately a woman sitting in the corner of the room with her back to us caught my eye. I would recognise her anywhere, even from behind. I walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Aliana?”
She jumped when my hand touched her shoulder and for a second I feared I had been wrong. Then, she turned and a huge smile blossomed on her face. She had a beautiful deep red flower in her hair. She clapped her hands together delightedly and jumping up, gave me a hug. “Kadin, I cannot believe I meet you here, of all places.”
Her eyes looked over my shoulder and saw the rest of the party. “Brant!” Her eyes lit as she saw him and she rushed over to hug him as well.
I had not thought of Aliana in a long while, but suddenly I became aware of my jealous stare. Guiltily I looked over at Alathaya, felt relief that she appeared not have noticed and then felt guilty for having felt relieved. Women certainly did strange things to me.
Brant introduced her to everyone. It was clear how he felt about her. He did not take his eyes from her. Courteously, he even pulled out her chair and bought drinks and food for her. It all became a bit exaggerated, to my enormous irritation. “So, Aliana, how did you end up in this part of the world?”
She smiled softly and spoke in a small voice as if shy, making everyone around the table lean in closer to hear what she was saying. “I was apprenticed to Mistress Freida.” She looked over at the rest of the group and added, “The seamstress in Predaki. She can be such a dragoon.” She blushed prettily at being so forthright. “According to Mistress Freida, the best quality of cloth is to be had right here in Sinsai. She claims that in some old language the name ‘Sinsai’ means sensual and refers to the silk that they trade here. Be that as it may, she sent me to come and procure the material for some dresses that we have on order from a foreign Lady. When I asked her why she was sending me, as opposed to some runner boy, she insisted it was for my own learning. Personally, I think she simply wanted to be rid of me for a while, but truthfully I did not mind.” She giggled. “Kadin, I told you before how I would love to travel so really this has been quite the adventure for me.”
Looking around the table, her eyes settled on Brant and again she smiled sweetly. “How did you all come to meet and what have you been up to since you left home? It feels like such a long time since I have seen you both.”
Brant looked at me, eyebrows raised. His face asked how much we dared tell. “We have simply decided to travel a while. We met everyone here at various stages of our journey and they decided to join us.”
She gave half a nod, her face perplexed as if she expected more, which I supposed, she probably did. When we did not say any more, she asked, “And where do you go from here?”
I shrugged as casually as I could. “We think there may be someone here in Sinsai that may want to travel with us.” I looked over at Malion as I spoke and nodded my head ever so slightly at him. “Malion knows him. After that, we will see which way the wind blows.”
She smiled delightedly at that. “That all sounds so adventurous. I wish I could come with you.” For a heart stopping moment, I thought she was going to ask to do just that. “Unfortunately, I do not think Mistress Freida would look lightly upon me disappearing from her service and not bothering to deliver the silk.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked over to Trissa and Alathaya with envious eyes. “I do not know how you have managed to shirk your responsibilities and your mothers’ tongues to be here with them, but I do envy you.”
I could tell they both bristled at that. “As a matter of fact, I do not have a mother and as for these responsibilities you speak of, I disregard that as I was practically a slave when Seran found me.” Trissa’s tone was cutting.
Aliana’s eyes stretched to the size of plates and her mouth formed a small ‘o’ of horror. “I do apologise. I certainly did not mean to cause you any offence.”
I looked at Trissa sternly, but spoke to Aliana. “I am sure she realises, as any sensible person would, that you are unaware of her situation and did not mean anything disrespectful.” Trissa had the grace to blush, but stubbornly did not apologise.
I decided it was best to simply c
hange the topic. “How long have you been here? How long are you staying?”
She shrugged, her mouth still a bit tight. “I arrived here a couple of days ago. Mistress Freida had sent a pigeon to the silk merchant before I left and arranged a meeting for me. I will be seeing him tomorrow afternoon. I expect that if the meeting goes well I will be on my way once more back home.”
“Surely you have not travelled all this way alone, though? The road can be a dangerous place these days.” When she looked at me questioningly, I continued. “During our travels we have heard tales of whole towns being attacked and sacked.”
She brightened. “Oh, that. Yes, we have heard the rumours as well, but the Kichwa assured us that he has it on good authority that the rumours were wild exaggerations and that it is more than likely only one group of bandits. Even so, he did send Breen with me. He mostly likes to hang around with the stable boys here.” Her voice dropped conspiratorially. “I think those boys are playing betting games back there in the dim stables. I heard them talking of something called knucklebones, and you know what, I do believe they actually use bones to play this game.” She sounded scandalised.
She politely asked everyone various questions about where they grew up and how they came to meet me, pointedly skipping over Trissa. I was nervous for the answers to the latter question, but it seemed they all had caught on to the idea of evading the truth tonight. We spoke of small things for the rest of the evening and I was pleased to see the earlier tension evaporate.
We eventually went off to bed. I was grateful for the wash water that had been brought up to my room, but it was rather cramped with barely enough space in front of the basin to wash. Feeling refreshed, I sat down on the bed and was pleasantly surprised at how soft it was. Voices came drifting into my room. I stopped to listen and could make out both Trissa and Alathaya. I realised there was a small crack in the wall near to the floor. Curious, I dropped to my knees and put my ear to the crack.
Book of Remembrance: The Forgotten Gods: Book One Page 27
