Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  Kel'ana holds onto Gelana's hand, and Kristieana begins to set her leg. Kristieana quickly puts it into place and Kel'ana screams again in pain. Kristieana then touches her with her glowing hands and soon Kel'ana starts to calm down.

  “Look,” Yentroc says as she points to the ground under Kel'ana's back. The snow beneath Kel’ana is red with blood.

  “We have to be very careful,” Kristieana says. She starts to dig at the snow under Kel'ana's right side where the blood seems to be coming from. She finally stops and says, “I see it, we are going to have to lift her straight up. Sven and Gelana, can you two get on either side of her and lift her?”

  “Of course,” Sven says.

  The two of them position themselves, and Kristieana says, “I am going to count, and on three I want you two to lift her up and move her over to the tent and lay her on her stomach.”

  Sven and Gelana both nod. Kristieana counts, “One, two, and lift.” Sven and Gelana lift Kel'ana up and she cries out in agony again. They quickly take her over to the orcnea tent and lie her down on the ground with her back facing up.

  “Look at that,” Ja'noa says pointing at the ground where Kel'ana had landed. A large jagged rock covered with blood remains where Kel'ana was just lying.

  Kel'ana now falls unconscious as Kristieana casts another healing spell. She lifts Kel'ana's clothing, and the wound is still there. “I don't think it worked,” Kristieana says now, sounding a bit nervous. “Yentroc, you have to try.”

  Yentroc kneels down next to Kel'ana and grasps her white crystal she received from Lunarus. Her hands glow white and this time the wound is affected. It begins to close right before their eyes. It is mostly healed not but a scar remains.

  Kristieana puts her ear up against Kel'ana's back and listens for a heartbeat. She says, “She is still alive, but we are going to have to keep her warm now that her spell is down.”

  “The tent is clear,” Ja'noa says looking inside, “and there is a fire inside.”

  “Good, let's get her inside,” Evelena says. “Is everyone else alright?”

  “My arm is hurt,” Rehma says.

  “You are just lucky you didn't get killed,” Evelena says angrily.

  “I had it under control,” Rehma replies.

  Evelena says, “I understand that you want to prove yourself in battle, but let me remind you that all the honor in world will not help you if you are dead.” Evelena hands her a red bead and adds, “The next time you rush off alone after I tell you to stop, you will be receiving a black bead instead.”

  Rehma looks down and says with a disgruntled tone, “I understand.”

  Kristieana walks over to Rehma and with glowing hands she touches her arm. She says, “There that should do it.”

  “Thanks,” Rehma replies. She shrugs her shoulder and moves her arm.

  Kristieana then turns to Sven and shoves him with both hands. She yells, “If I EVER see you standing around and doing nothing when one of us is in trouble, I will kill you myself! Do you understand me?”

  Gelana starts to pull Kristieana back as Sven replies, “Sven was ready to help.”

  “You stood by while she ran after that thing alone,” Kristieana says as Gelana stands between her and Sven.

  Sven explains, “There was no room on the ledge for—“

  “I don't want to hear your excuses,” Kristieana snaps. “You should have never let her face that by herself.”

  “Don't worry,” Sven says as he looks over to Rehma who drops her eyes, “Sven will make sure it does not happen again.”

  “Good,” Kristieana says, “see that it doesn't.”

  “It is getting dark,” Evelena says. “It looks like this tent is big enough for all of us and they have plenty of supplies. For a bunch of orcneas, they sure made a good shelter.”

  “What if more orcneas come?” Ja'noa asks.

  Evelena says, “Kristieana, can you scout the area out far enough to make sure nothing will reach us in the middle of the night?”

  “Sure,” she replies still somewhat angry. “It should be easy enough.”

  “Let's make sure these orcneas are truly dead and check them for anything useful,” Evelena says.

  Kristieana transforms into a giant eagle and flies off to scout the surroundings, as Ja'noa picks up Kel'ana's bow, Glacies, and then proceeds to make sure the orcneas are all dead.

  Rehma and Sven return to the ridge to gather the supplies left behind. Rehma says to him, “I am sorry Kristieana yelled at you. I know you only were only doing as I asked.”

  Sven laughs and says, “It's alright. Sven is used to women yelling at him. Kristieana does not like Sven anyway.”

  Rehma picks up the last backpack and asks, “You weren't going to just stand there and watch the ogre hit me were you?”

  “No,” he replies, “Sven would have protected you if needed, but you did good.”

  Rehma thinks for a bit and says, “It was really close. If the others had not helped...”

  “Then Sven would have,” he finishes.

  “Thanks,” Rehma says with a smile, “and I am sorry I yelled at you, too. You can help me any time.”

  Sven laughs and says, “That's good, because Sven is thinking if he does not, Kristieana will hurt him.”

  Inside the large tent, Kel'ana is lying on a fur still unconscious. Yentroc is sitting next to her. The tent has more than enough places to sleep with thick furs all around the central fire. There is plenty of wood along the sides, along with a few crates with some food.

  “It's almost like an outpost,” Evelena says.

  “Yes,” Lyra replies. “It looks like this place has been here a while. I guess Chance didn't get this far out.”

  “Well, the fur on the top is white and it does have some snow covering it as well,” Ja'noa says. “It is possible that from the air it is hard to see.”

  “True,” Evelena replies. “Whatever the reason, I am glad it is here.”

  Gelana enters the tent and says, “Look what I found.” Gelana holds out a silver pennant with a sapphire set in the middle. It is on a long leather string. She hands the necklace to Lyra.

  Lyra takes it from Gelana and can feel magic emanating from the pennant. “It's magical,” Lyra says as she looks closer at it. “That is easy to tell. It even has the Goblin Trade Company engraved on it. I wonder what it does.”

  Rehma and Sven walk in and Sven asks, “What are you talking about?”

  Lyra stands up and walks over to Sven and says, “Gelana found this. It is from the Goblin Trade Company and it is magical.” She hands him the necklace.

  “I found it on the shaman,” Gelana says. “We were wondering what it does.”

  Sven looks at it for a minute then says, “There is one way to find out.” He begins to put it around his neck.

  “Don't!” Lyra yells, but before she can stop him, Sven puts it on.

  Sven stands there for a second waiting as the others watch nervously. He then says, “Sven thinks he knows what it is.” He walks outside and stands in the cold. He takes off his fur cloak and removes his chest armor. He stands there for a few seconds and then takes the necklace off. He says, “Yes, Sven knows what it does. It protects you from the cold just like Kel'ana's spell.” Sven grabs his armor and cloak and comes back inside the tent.

  Just then Kristieana enters the tent as well. She says, “Well, I didn't see anything for miles. I would say that we are safe for the night.”

  “Good,” Evelena replies. She walks over to Kel'ana, and looking at her she adds, “Let's just hope we don't have to stay here for long.”

  Kel'ana moves, and as she does, she groans. Yentroc says, “Kel'ana, can you hear me?”

  She slowly opens her eyes. Still very weak, Kel'ana quietly says, “Yes...I can hear you.”

  Everyone smiles and gathers around her. Ja'noa says, “Kel'ana, guess what?”

  Kel'ana takes a deep breath then looks at her and replies, “What?”

  Ja'noa smiles and s
ays, “This time you dropped something.” She lays down Glacies next to Kel'ana.

  “Not fair,” Kel'ana replies with a smile.

  They all laugh for a bit and Sven says, “Alright, I am going to make us something to eat.”

  “Good,” Lyra says, “I am starving.”

  Sven says to Lyra, “Here, you should take this.” He hands her the necklace and adds, “Now, Sven will not have to keep you warm at night.”

  The others all stop and look at Lyra who takes the necklace. She looks at it for a moment then looks at Sven, and with a hint of sadness, says, “I am sorry, I didn't know I was burden to you.”

  He replies, “No, Sven did not mean it like that.”

  Lyra turns to the others and says, “If you all will excuse me, I need to go outside for a minute. I'll be back.”

  Lyra leaves the tent as Kristieana, Yentroc and Gelana stare at Sven. He looks back at them confused and asks, “What is wrong? Why you all look at Sven like that?”

  “Because you are an idiot,” says Gelana.

  Yentroc smiles and says, “Most men are.”

  “This is why the Amazons of the Silver Moon stay away from men,” Kristieana says.

  The girls laugh and Evelena says, “Alright, let's not be so hard on Sven. After all he did save you from falling, Yentroc, and let's not forget about the bridge.”

  “We probably wouldn't have made it this far without him,” Ja'noa adds.

  The smiles disappear from Gelana and Yentroc’s faces as they begin to feel guilt for having fun at their guide's expense. Kristieana says, “I'll give him credit for being a good guide, but when it comes to women, Sven, you are still an idiot.”

  Sven smiles as they laugh again. He begins to take food out of his backpack. The others gather around Kel'ana to talk as Yentroc walks over to Sven who is now putting some spices into a pot. She hands him a long thin leaf and says, “Put some of this into Kel'ana's food. It will help her with the pain.”

  Sven takes the leaf and says, “Sven will make sure he puts it in her bowl.”

  Yentroc stands there and watches him for a moment. “Thank you, Sven. I didn't know that you saved me from falling.”

  Sven stands up and replies, “It is not big deal. Sven is going to get some snow for stew.”

  He starts towards the tent door and Yentroc follows him and says, “Are you serious? You saw what that fall did to Kel'ana.” She follows Sven outside as he packs snow into the pot. “I could have been seriously hurt,” she says as Sven turns to go back into the tent, “or even worse.”

  Sven enters the tent and walks over to the fire. He places the pot next to the fire and says, “Don't worry about it. You healed Sven's shoulder when he was hurt. It is what good group does for each other.”

  “Well, thanks anyways,” she says. Yentroc looks over at the others who are still gathered around Kel'ana. “Would you like some advice?” she asks quietly.

  “If this is about Lyra,” he replies, “Sven is not an idiot. It’s just that...” Sven stops as Lyra enters the tent. Instead of sadness in her eyes she now seems angry. He turns to her and says, “Lyra, Sven is sorry if he made you feel like you were a burden.”

  Lyra walks up to Sven and says, “Thank you for the necklace, Sven, because right now I would rather freeze to death then sleep next to you another night.” She then storms away and joins the others leaving Sven standing there.

  Sven turns to Yentroc and says, “Sven is going to see if goat, orcneas were skinning is fresh.”

  Yentroc sighs and shakes her head. She leaves Sven to his cooking and returns to the others.

  Chapter 36

  Day 10

  Downpour

  On the front lines, King Arioch's army waits under pouring rain. It has been raining heavily all night. It is morning, and Arioch receives word that a messenger has arrived from the Monastery on Sapphire Lake. Hoping that it is good news he meets with him. The young Namos has been running for a day and half a nonstop. The potions and magical sandals have allowed him to complete this extraordinary feat.

  Arioch approaches the young man and asks, “You have a message for me?”

  “Yes, Sire,” Namos says as he bows his head and holds out the letter from Brother Edward.

  “Thank you,” Arioch says taking the letter. Namos steps back and waits for Arioch to read the message. Arioch reads the letter and becomes visibly angry. When he is done he clutches the letter crushing it and asks Namos, “How long ago was this sent?”

  “I left a day and half ago, Sire,” Namos answers.

  Arioch thinks for a moment. As he begins to calm himself he asks, “What is your name?”

  “Namos,” he answers.

  “Thank you, Namos,” Arioch replies “you may go.”

  Namos nervously states, “Sire, if I may be of some use to you, I would like to stay.”

  Arioch looks at him and asks, “What did you have in mind?”

  Namos says confidently, “I am a good healer, Sire.”

  Arioch smiles and says, “Very well.” He points to a large white tent off in the distance and says, “That is the tent where you will want to go. Report there and they will tell you what to do.”

  Namos smiles and replies, “Thank you, Sire.” Then he turns and runs off to the healing tent.

  Arioch enters his tent were A'ranah meditates. Two sisters of the Dri'el are at her sides. Arioch asks, “How are they doing?”

  A'ranah opens her eyes and says, “They are almost done.”

  “Good,” Arioch says. “The sooner Chance gets back the better.”

  Upriver from Northwind, Chance and a small group have worked throughout the night. They are gathered at the base of the rolling hills that lead into the mountains. There are deep canyon walls and valleys that the Northwind River runs through before passing the City of Northwind where the river then meets the eastern sea. Even further up river is a marshland and a small lake within the hills. This is the main source of water for the river.

  Chance along with three crossbowmen are watching out for orcneas as Finna and four other Amazons of the Silver Moon are concentrating on a spell. The five women form a circle and together have combined their magic to hold back most of the river's flow. With the torrential downpour ongoing the river still flows enough to keep the orcneas from crossing.

  The Amazons have built up a massive wall of water, and have nearly filled a narrow valley throughout the night.

  Chance says to Finna, “I think this should be enough.”

  “I hope so,” Finna replies. “I don't think the canyon can hold any more. If this doesn't take out the new bridge I don't know what we will do.”

  Suddenly, an arrow strikes Finna in the leg. She lets out a cry and falls to the ground. “Finna!” Chance yells. He looks up and sees four orcnea archers. They are standing on the river bank. The guards take aim at the orcneas as Chance casts a fireball. He throws it at one of the orcneas as the orcnea dives for cover. The orcneas hide behind trees. “We have company!” Chance yells to the women.

  The crossbowmen take positions and try to hit the orcneas. The orcneas and the men continue to shoot at each other as Chance helps Finna get to cover. The other Amazons take cover as they struggle to hold back the water.

  “Finna,” Chance says. “Are you alright?”

  Finna, gritting her teeth in pain, says, “I think so, can you get the arrow out?”

  Chance says, “Yes, I can get it.” He holds Finna's leg down and pulls the arrow straight out. He then casts a healing spell and repairs her wound. “There we are, as good as new.”

  Two of the orcneas are hit by the crossbowmen's bolts, while one of the orcneas manages to hit one of the men in the arm with an arrow.

  Chance and Finna can hear a large group of orcneas approaching. Chance calls out, “Everyone gather around!” The men fall back and the amazons join him as well. Chance says, “Finna, tell A'ranah to open a gate.” Then he turns to the others and says, “Get through the gate as soon as
it opens.”

  There is a crackle in the air and directly in front of them it appears as though a painting of the inside of Arioch's tent is standing before them as a magic gateway opens. Finna and the other Amazons stop holding back the water and instead they send it surging down the river before entering the porthole and appearing inside the Kings tent. The crossbowmen then go through the magic gate. Chance is the last one through and when he appears on the other side he says to A'ranah, “We are all through! Close it.” With that, the gate disappears.

  Chance rushes outside and takes flight in eagle form. He is careful not to approach Northwind too closely. He only flies high enough to watch the massive wall of water as it rushes down the river bed. The orcnea patrol that was closing in is washed away. The water crashes into the nearly complete bridge. Even though much of the water has disbursed, it is still proves to be too much for the wood structure. Like many of the orcneas, it, too, is washed away. Chance lands to relay the good news. Everyone cheers loudly with excitement. Perhaps they can hold the massive orcnea army at bay after all. Even outnumbered four to one the troops are now more confident than ever.

  The people continue to celebrate in the rain as Arioch approaches Chance and Finna. “Chance,” Arioch says as he reaches them, “I have something important to tell you.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Chance replies, “one moment please.” Chance turns to Finna and says, “Why don't you go get some rest. You and the others were up all night with that spell.”

  “What about you?” Finna asks.

  “I am used to not getting sleep,” he replies

  “If you say so. Come here, little brother,” She says as she gives Chance a hug. “Thank you for healing me.”

  “You're welcome,” Chance says. “I'll talk to you later.” Finna walks off to her tent as Chance turns to Arioch and asks, “What is it you need to tell me?”

  “It is about our children,” Arioch answers. “I have just received word from the Monastery that they are on their way to cross into the Northern territory.”

  “What?” Chance questions angrily. “I told them to come back after delivering the supplies to Troven.”