He sighed, a longer sigh than any human could have created and they both saw a pure white plume leaving his perfect shaped mouth.
‘Who are you?’ Artride finally managed to ask, like she just woke up, and Tirsa rolled her eyes. He smiled kindly at her, showing his white almost catlike teeth. ‘My name is Kasching.’
‘And where exactly are we, Kasching?’
‘Right now; high above the Icemountains. Safe and sound from the eyes and ears of the “Dominator”, as we call her.’
‘Dominator, the sorceress? And we are truly in a cloud?’
‘Yes, something like that.’ He giggled, dropping to his knees in front of them; looking suddenly weary. ‘You have no idea what you have got yourself into. The best I can do is to blow you back to where you came from.’ And he made a hand gesture and demonstrated a soft blow like a hand kiss, making the space around them move.
‘No!’ Artride reached out and kneeled in the soft material in front of him at eyelevel. He glanced questionably at her, cocking his head to one side and nodded. ‘I am weary, and seeing you makes me remember things I do not wish to remember.’
‘Such as?’ she asked.
He blinked a couple of times and said, a little annoyed, ‘Your kind yes, and your ways, but most of all her.’
‘The … “Dominator”?’ Tirsa asked.
‘Hmm. She came here, young and pretty, but angry and bitter; like you, so very much like you.’
‘You know her personally?’ Artride asked.
‘I know of her. But no one does know her personally, no. We are the children of the wind and we listen to the voices, some can even hear thoughts and memories. We carry those messages further. We can go everywhere there is wild wind, the breath of Talamh.’ He looked proud when he said that, his thoughts miles away.
‘That sounds special, but please listen,’ Artride stated calmly. ‘I have heard she has a grip on your kind and that is awful, but just because we are human does not mean we are anything like her. I cannot deny the fact I’m human and a woman, but as far as I know that’s the only thing I have in common with the person you call, the Dominator. Until today I had never ever seen a Woodchild nor a Windchild and I do not hold that against you, do I?’
He looked her straight in the eyes for a long time without blinking, before he said solemnly, ‘There are many of us, like there are many of you, and still you don’t know us like we know you. But that is of no importance. We are the wind, you see, as much as you are the earth beneath your feet and the ocean. It’s inside of you. We are everything; we are air. We do not show ourselves, nor do we explain our work and lives to mortals; because you wouldn’t understand, like a fish wouldn’t understand the puzzling song of a blackbird.’
‘But I am curious,’ Artride said. ‘I want to know all about you and your kind, really.’
He smiled kindly. ‘I believe you do … really.’ He mocked her slightly and laughed, amused, showing his teeth again as he jumped up quickly, stretching himself and holding his arms up.
She glanced at Tirsa, who raised her eyebrows, feeling a little left out.
‘I have seen a Windchild before,’ Tirsa indicated dryly. ‘And he did explain to me somewhat about your kind.’
Kasching shrugged and came closer. ‘That is because we are Messengers and like to talk. Talk, talk, talk, that’s our job – and listening of course – and that must be in perfect balance. Some humans can hear us and are chosen.’ And he put a hand over his mouth as if to stop himself while he paced around.
‘Chosen?’ Tirsa asked. ‘Well, we need all the information we can get and most of all the location of Semper … eh the Dominator. Can you help?’
‘You say she cannot see nor hear us in here. Is that why you lifted us up?’ Artride asked gently.
‘To make you stop calling her, drawing attention to … us and our clouds.’
‘You mean there are more of you here?’ and Artride looked around, trying to find an opening to see beyond.
‘Everyone has their own cloud; their home and safe haven since the Dominator rules here; it is no longer safe to appear anywhere near the ground or even trees, for she is able to trick us and lure us away to our doom.’ He took a deep breath. It was actually easy to breathe in this cloud; humid but fresh.
‘We die within walls; for there is no wind to nurture and sustain us there. Sometimes we enter draughty buildings to gain or exchange information on a short term basis, but that should stay hidden from your ears. But as long as that creature, that… woman works her impure magic we cannot go to the surface safely at all. We cannot even gently touch the leaves to hear their memories, nor stroke the grass to hear the whisper of who has travelled there. Nor ride a morning fog. There is always the fear she will take us away; it affects our work and our lives. She has grown strong and is growing stronger still. No mortal was able to get a grip on us immortals before. We feel we are no longer free like the wind.’ And an immense sadness took over his whole face. It saddened both women deeply.
‘You are immortal?’ Artride asked incredulously.
He looked at her in a mysterious way when he answered. ‘What always moves is. Every soul is. The way you see us is the shape of our being, because a body would die eventually. Something that doesn’t move by itself, a shell, always does.’ And then he sang, ‘All things are living. All things are dancing in the rhythm of eternal harmony.’ And he smiled sweetly at her. ‘That’s from one of our songs.’
‘You are a spirit then?’ and Artride had an urge to touch him.
‘I am a Windchild,’ he answered as if that explained it. ‘You may touch me if you like. I am as solid as you are.’ He sounded light-hearted.
‘Don’t, Artride!’ Tirsa warned her nervously, and Artride as well as Kasching glanced suspiciously at her.
‘Why not, Tirsa? I want to.’
Like a spoilt brat she thinks she can do anything that crosses her mind! Tirsa suddenly thought bitterly.
‘Because Tirsa distrusts, Artride.’ He looked sadly at her. ‘Life has taught her that. Humans did.’ And he moved his athletic body to her in a gracious motion.
‘We were told to distrust anything here in Dochas to stay safe. We have a lot to risk,’ Tirsa explained, a little annoyed.
‘Just as you distrust us, Kasching.’
‘Yes well, I have to. For all I know you could end up like her. All humans have the potential.’
‘For what? Do evil? We are not malicious, if you look well enough you see we are not,’ Artride stated.
‘Everyone can turn out like her, even you. Good and bad are not as set in stone as you think.’
They stared blankly at him, speechless and that annoyed him.
‘Alright, what do you want me to do?’ he concluded hotly. ‘Take you to her cave and let her destroy you; like she did with many before you, mortal and immortal alike? It’s the same to her, but it’s not to me!’ and he raised the palms of his hands in a gesture of surrender.
‘You can take us to her?’ and she took a quick, hopeful look at Tirsa before waiting for an answer from Kasching.
‘You know I can. I told you I can go anywhere.’
‘Yes, I heard you, but that’s such great news!’
‘Is it?’ he asked cynically.
‘We have undertaken a lot to get here, now please help us further,’ Artride pleaded.
He sighed again.
‘Do you comprehend the importance of our mission?’
‘I try to, but then again that is not part of our task, fathoming the human mind, but perhaps you can understand the Dominator and help her stop, for we cannot. Or you’ll join her and she will be even more powerful.’ He shook his head. ‘You must realize the danger of your quest. It is a mere wonder you even made it this far. The ravine would have cost you another problem, though.’
‘Will you help us, Kasching? And do you think she can help us?’ Artride begged him.
‘I can take you to the entrance of the immense cave she dwel
ls within and I can warn you about her. She has to be very powerful if she can get a hold on us. Furthermore, from the start of her ruling here, we cannot even leave the boundaries of Dochas. Can you believe it? Boundaries for us – Windchildren, one with the wind? And you two need a simple spell for a curse that has a grip on humans? Sounds to me like a done deal.’
It was getting moist inside the cloud and their skin was covered with a thin layer of dew. Artride wiped her brow with the back of her hand.
‘We have already been warned about the dangers,’ she announced courteously. ‘But we would like to know what you know about this sorceress, please. She is our last hope.’
‘I do admire your courage,’ and he seemed to ponder at their request, glancing from Tirsa to Artride and back. ‘A queen and a knight; two people with a heroic quest.’ And they suddenly had the same unpleasant feeling as when Shanta was ‘reading’ them, as if he was looking right through them. Artride wasn’t so sure he did not fathom the human mind if he could do this. He circled around them and suddenly jumped up and came to sit beside the two women, gesturing them to sit too, which they did.
‘Alright. The details I have obtained can be trusted; to my ears comes only the truth. It is best to stay as far away from her as possible; for she is pure evil, ladies. She has no conscience, no compassion; no heart. She changes the very soul of nature; somehow, she goes in against it; how we do not know. We work with Mother Talamh and Father Sky. She came to our Magical Land to find it free with only wild animals and Silent Folk and as you know good magic. The land was protected to ward off humans; for we have seen what you have done to the rest of the planet. We call you the Takers for you give so little in return, or nothing at all.’ And he twisted his mouth in scorn, before he continued, ‘So … we noticed her entry, but somehow she was able to withstand our magic; harmless really, but before her always very effective. People found themselves walking back to where they came from; without any memory of our land. She, however, was different; petite, but full of wrath and mind gifted. Before we could even stop her or interfere she met with one of the gods. He took her into his keep and saw her potential and taught her some of his ancient magic. We tried to warn him, for we sensed her wickedness, but he was blind with passion and love for this woman and protected her. He was seriously misled and she turned against him after many years, using her gained powers for her own selfish reasons and ambitions. Too powerful she became and destructive for us all, and began to claim the land and everything in it. Setting her own boundaries and magical guards was part of that. We knew no real evil, not to this magnitude. Now we do.’
Tirsa swallowed hard and a moment of silence followed.
‘Eolas,’ Artride suddenly said and Kasching raised his eyebrows at that.
‘You have heard of him?’
‘I just remembered Roalda mentioned a vanished god; a god of wisdom and that Semper … er the sorceress, has something to do with that.’
‘Eolas, yes that’s right and furthermore, she asked us to kill her if possible,’ Tirsa added.
‘Well, Roalda is wise and knows what’s best.’
‘Have you ever seen the sorceress?’ Artride asked.
Kasching stared at her for a split second before answering. ‘Only at night-time does she come out of her cave; a time we rest. But, to answer your question, only when she got in three centuries ago I myself caught a brief glance of her. Ever since, I try to stay as far away as possible. You know, all our experiences are shared; so what I see, hear or even discuss with you now will come to the ears of my fellow kind. That is why we all know what she looked like, even when it perhaps wasn’t me personally who saw her. That very image is with all of us.’ He turned his face away and dreamily said, ‘That is why we all still dream of her.’
‘But how is she able to notice everything? Can she listen to the wind as well?’
Reluctantly he replied, glimpsing at Artride, ‘She must have found a way to do so. Perhaps a device, I do not know.’
‘Abducted or overpowered Windchildren, will they help her, against their will of course, but still?’ Tirsa asked.
‘No, even though she might have our cousins, Woodchildren, under her spell and they will have to obey, Windchildren cannot be of much help to her. Yes, we share information, but she cannot abduct one and gain information about you and recapture one. For she has to release us in order to obtain information, as of course there is no wild wind in a cave. There is no chance a captured Windchild will live long in a cave. We have lost too many already; none have come back, so we can only assume the worst.’
‘We had no idea,’ Tirsa shuddered. ‘If only I had known …’ I don’t know about Artride but I feel even more driven to take this Dominator’s life after we somehow obtain a counter spell!
He smiled kindly at her concern and noticed the drive and passion in her eyes. He knew it would keep her going until it was stilled. He had heard about Tirsa Lathabris of course, and only good stories.
‘We would have let you know.’ Looking surprised at Kasching she saw he was joking and she could not help but give a little smile.
‘So, shall I take you ladies for a ride?’
Artride nodded. ‘If there is nothing else to learn, I say yes. We have no time to waste!’
Kasching shook his head. ‘Hold on, it can be a little uncomfortable, I guess for a human.’
‘Will we black out again?’
‘That is possible.’
‘How long were we unconscious, anyway?’ Artride asked.
‘A couple of hours.’
‘Great!’
‘Don’t you people ever rest?’ he asked.
‘During this mission, not unless we really need to, no.’ she answered.
And the moisture got thicker around them, so they could no longer see. They heard his soothing, whispering voice assuring them, ‘Do not be afraid. Trust me.’ But that was hardly comforting for Artride; perhaps it was for Tirsa, but not for her.
CHAPTER 14
THE CAVE; OUT OF CONTROL
I see love, I can see passion
I feel danger, I feel obsession.
Don’t play games with the ones who love you
‘Cause I hear a voice who says:
I love you … I’ll kill you…
Loneliness, I feel loneliness in my room …
Enigma
The noise was deafening and the sight a blur, but they certainly were moving and faster than Tirsa ever imagined a cloud would, and she thought she knew clouds ...
So much for a ride! she grimly thought.
When they seemed to slow down, she could feel a cold slender hand grasping hers. Without seeing, she knew it was Artride. Reassuringly, she gently squeezed her hand.
Finally they could distinguish shapes. A landscape beneath them; auburn green mountains surrounded by the higher snow-capped ones, but they seemed to be heading for the lower ones.
Kasching had to be near somewhere; however, they did not see him, only felt his presence. Artride remembered his words, we are the wind. So perhaps that meant that they were cloud too. And thinking about wind and clouds, Windchildren, and the unclear substance of which they were made of, she noticed it stopped. But a cloud that stops, certainly will attract the attention of any sorceress, would it not?
And as if he had read her mind again, she heard Kasching answering all around her, ‘We did not stop drifting and we did not stop to change shape exactly; however, we did slow down. You have to jump now, to avoid unseeing eyes. Even if she knows we protect ourselves inside clouds, we would rather not attract attention. Go now.’
The two women exchanged a quick glance, now that they could see each other again, and Artride asked the last important question: ‘Where is this cave?’ searching for the Windchild.
He appeared again and pointed, ‘Do you see that pointed rock over there, left of the shadow of this cloud?’ he said in his metallic voice. Peering carefully they both nodded.
‘Underneath is the smal
l entrance to the cave; but be careful in there. No one has ever made it back. Good luck and I hope with all my heart to see you again. You may very well be our last hope, as well as your own.’
‘Thank you very much, Kasching. We will do all we can,’ Artride said a little shakily.
He nodded, looking sadly at her. ‘Katasha amanthi, Kasching.’ Tirsa thanked him in his language. ‘Kamantha Moroonthe, Tirsa, I wished we had met under different circumstances.’
When they were at the lowest point the cloud could get, Artride jumped, and Tirsa followed immediately after her.
‘You know what we forgot to ask him?’ Tirsa said a little ruffled from the ‘ride’. ‘Where we could find some food. I am starved.’
Artride chewed her lip. She peered around. ‘I suppose we won’t find anything here, especially not so near the cave.’ And she sighed, but sounded cheerful, ‘Well, we just have to strap our belts.’ And tapped her flat tummy. She was slender and rounded, but not overfed or fat as most Royalty in other countries, saturating themselves with good food.
I am used to days without proper food, but is she, as a queen?
‘We have no other choice I suppose,’ she commented worriedly, and began searching for the cave mouth.
‘Gee, Tirs, you forgot to mention Windchildren appeared so much like humans and so very mature! I mean Shanta was just a girl and I assumed … well –’
Tirsa glanced back at her, reading her face, which was transparent and still astonished.
‘Well, they do reach adulthood.’
‘Ah, I see,’ she dryly remarked, noticing the annoyance in her voice. She came over to her, helping her search.
A little while later they found the slab of granite leaning against a rocky hillside, marking an entrance to a tiny cave. It was a very dark vertical opening. Tirsa shoved a hand in, deeper until her whole arm disappeared and she felt the dropped temperature down there. She picked up a stone and let it drop in. They both heard it bouncing back against the rocks and rolling sideways inside, indicating it wouldn’t be vertical for long.
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