Midnight Quest

by Honor Raconteur

  The crystal made scraping noises as it slid over the ground and up the hillside, leaving deep furrows in its wake. No one had any doubt as to how heavy the thing must be. Still, no sign of exertion could be detected on Jewel’s face. She had a faint smile curving her mouth, cheeks a little rosy from the cool breeze, but no sweat dewed her skin.

  All around them, the people of the city walked up and down exclaiming to each other about the sight. Sarvell saw quite a few people crying, from either relief or some other emotion, he couldn’t always tell.

  “There are a lot of people about,” Jewel observed, her words lilting up as if in a question.

  “Yes, they’re quite excited,” he responded. “Some of them are even crying, they’re so happy.”

  Her smile widened a bit at that news. “Well, after centuries of facing the Daath, I don’t blame them.” The smile faltered a bit. “I’m not dragging the crystal over any of the planted ledges, am I?”

  “No, you’re fine.”

  “Oh good. I was afraid that in their mood they wouldn’t correct me if I did.”

  She had a point. In this exultant air, people would have likely thought that the price of the crystal being back in its proper place was cheap if they only had to replant a few rows.

  From the city gate, Rialt came jogging down, a slightly downward tilt to his mouth. “Lass, we will no be able to put the crystal properly in place today.”

  Jewel stopped dead in her tracks, mouth open in dismay. “What?”

  “The crystal shrine has been left to itself these past two hundred years,” he explained unhappily. “It be nigh caved in on itself. We will have to tear it down and clear it away afore you can put that in place.”

  Well. That certainly would delay things. Sarvell eyed the crystal’s size and couldn’t imagine where to put it in the crowded city. “So do you know where we can park this in the meantime?”

  “Eh, I asked the city council and they swore by the time Jewel reached the top, they would have a place.” He reached out and patted Jewel on the shoulder with what he no doubt thought was a gentle tap, but made her knees buckle a little. “Do no worry. When I left, there were people snatchin’ up all sorts of tools and cheerfully hacking away at the shrine. Ella swore she would no rest until it was ready. I would lay odds it will be clear afore sunrise.”

  She straightened her shoulders and gave a determined nod. “It can wait a day more. I’ll move it again when the area is clear. But they’ll have to build something around it, which might be difficult.”

  “Not as difficult as hauling that thing would have been,” Sarvell pointed out. He felt like laughing for some reason at her concern. These people didn’t know how to quit—that determination had been engrained in them for centuries. It was why the Daath had never managed to conquer them. Building something around a crystal would no doubt be a lark to them.

  Jewel started walking once more, her hand flat against the crystal’s surface. It followed her up like some sort of well-trained dog, coming to heel at its master’s side. Sarvell stayed focused on guiding Jewel up the mismatched steps, keeping her clear of the planted rows.

  By the time they reached the top of the hill and the city gate, a tall, rather burly man from the city council stood waiting for them. Sarvell suspected him to be a relative of Rialt’s somehow—the prominent nose and pitch-black eyes were something of a giveaway.

  He walked directly to her, clasping a work-worn hand on her shoulder in greeting. “Priestess, I be Broeske Axheimer, City Manager.”

  Jewel released the crystal, letting it come to a grinding halt, and reached out to return the greeting. Being so short, she couldn’t grip his shoulder but instead settled for his upper chest. “I am Jewel Jomadd. I am pleased to meet you, Broeske Axheimer.”

  “And I you, Priestess. We have found a good place to put the crystal tonight. I have come to guide you to it.” He leaned in closer to add in a confidential tone, “It can be moved to its proper place tomorrow morning. My word on it.”

  A sparkling smile lit up her expression. “I have no doubt of that, sir.”

  He gave her a reassuring pat before stepping back. “This way.”

  The only clear space in the city turned out to be in the center courtyard not a stone’s throw from the shrine. She stopped near the fountain, head tilted as if intently listening to her surroundings. “Sarvell, how much room is left?”

  Sarvell turned his head all around, estimating. From what he could see, the crystal cleared hitting any of the shops or businesses, but only just enough for people to squeak past. “Not much. People can move about and get around it, but it’s a bit tight.”

  She nodded, unsurprised. “I thought as much.” Without a word, she turned to face the crystal directly and put both hands against it. Then, to the astonishment of everyone that watched her, she levered the crystal upright, walking and pushing forward until the crystal sat up on its base.

  It settled with a deep thud and slight scraping sound, but did not wobble or show any signs of instability. Jewel stepped back and brushed her hands together, satisfied. “There, that should help. Do I need to move it closer to the fountain?”

  Sarvell swallowed, forcing himself not to either gibber or gape unintelligently. “Ah, no, that gives everyone enough room.”

  “Good.” She turned, seeking. “Master Axheimer?”

  Broeske Axheimer had to tear his eyes away from the crystal and shake himself back into the present before responding. “Yes, Priestess?”

  “Would you make sure my personal thanks are conveyed to everyone that helped today?” she requested with transparent sincerity. “I would have been lost without their support.”

  A new wave of astonishment washed over the man’s face, his bushy eyebrows nearly touching his hairline. The fact was, everything done today had been to Ramath’s benefit and not her own. There was no reason for her to thank anyone for anything. He stumbled a moment, lost as to the appropriate response. “I will do so, Priestess.”

  “Thank you.” Jewel, unable to see his expression, could not detect anything from his gruff tone.

  “Priestess, I must ask, when can you put the barrier back up?”

  A shadow passed over her face. “The barrier is up, I assure you. But this crystal cannot join in and strengthen that barrier yet. You see, all of the crystals must be in alignment before their power can be restored. Until the other three are also in their proper place, I cannot do anything to the barrier.”

  That had clearly not been the answer Axheimer hoped for. He slumped in on himself in disappointment. “I see.”

  “It shouldn’t take long, though,” she consoled him. “After all, this one didn’t take any time at all to find! I can feel them clearly when I get close enough. You shall not pass another winter fearing the Daath, I can give you my word on that.”

  Her words brought him out of his disappointment and he straightened again, hope burning in his eyes. “Those are good words. We will bide and pray for your success.”

  “While they work,” Rialt jerked a thumb to indicate the people happily hacking at the building, bits of masonry and wood flying in every direction, “we best prepare to go.”

  “Go?” Axheimer protested. “You only just came!”

  “Eh, and did you no hear the woman when she said we have others to find?” Rialt responded in exasperation, giving the older man a pointed look. “We have only one task left here, and that be to drag the crystal into the proper place. Jewel can do that in a snap.”

  Jewel’s head canted a little to the side as she followed the conversation, nodding here and there. “A very good point, Rialt. I see no reason to stay after the crystal is moved. We might as well put our time to good use and start traveling on to Bryn.”

  Sarvell turned sharply towards her, eyes flared wide in surprise. “Bryn?! I thought surely we’d go to Jordia next.”

  “No, Bryn.” She said this with such confidence that Sarvell felt foolish questioning her. Her mouth curved up
in an enigmatic smile. With that expression, he half expected some profound, spiritual reason for this decision. What came out of her mouth was, “I’d rather travel south until the weather warms up. Wouldn’t you?”

  ~*~*~*~

  The Denzbane citizens were good to their word. When Jewel went to the square the next morning, the shrine had been completely torn down and removed. Only an empty lot remained, swept clean and ready for the crystal once more. She moved the crystal without pomp or ceremony, Sarvell on one side and Rialt on the other calling out directions. Their help turned out to be almost superfluous. She could sense when the crystal settled into exactly the right spot—it felt as perfect as a key inserted into a lock.

  The hardest part of the morning had nothing to do with moving the crystal but in trying to leave the city. They all wanted her to go, that wasn’t the issue. The sooner she found the crystals and charged them, the better. Everyone understood that. No, the problem was everyone wanted to help speed her on the way. Jewel couldn’t go five steps without being stopped and some package of food, or medicine, or some other traveling supply thrust into her hands. While she felt warmed by the gesture, the amount in her arms quickly became ridiculous. Jewel felt trapped—she had no idea how to politely turn people down in this culture. She didn’t want to offend anyone, but she couldn’t possibly accept all of this either.

  Rialt, bless him, stepped to her rescue and in his usual blunt manner shooed people off. While he dealt with the people, Sarvell snuck up behind her and towed her to a waiting horse. By the time she had been handed up into the saddle with Sarvell mounted behind her, Rialt had packed a few of the bundles onto his stallion and joined them.

  Sarvell clicked at his horse, starting them off at a slow walk. Jewel could feel the press of people’s hands against her legs, brushing against her as they moved through a crowd of people. She heard a multitude of voices of all ages call out to her, with good wishes and thanks. She waved all around, calling back with a wide smile on her face.

  Her face muscles were aching by the time they left the crowd behind them. She took a deep breath of cool spring air, smelled the vegetation of the farms, and knew they had passed the city limits.

  “It’s a shame we have to leave so quickly,” she said to Sarvell, smile dimming for a moment. “I’ve never felt so welcome anywhere in my life. I would like to stay for a day more.”

  “I have no doubt, Jewel, that you’ll be welcome anytime,” he responded with a reassuring hug around her waist. “In fact, Rialt was rumbling last night that he won’t allow you to live in Belthain after this. He said it’s too dangerous. I think he has every intention to keep you here in Ramath after the crystals are restored.”

  Her? Live in Ramath? Could she even do that? After all, she was Thornock’s priestess…

  “Now, do no be stealing my thunder, man.” Rialt’s deep voice came from her right side, hooves clipping sharply against the stone road as the stallion caught up to their pace. “I said I would talk to her about it properly.”

  “And I told you that it wouldn’t work,” Sarvell answered in a tone that clearly said he didn’t like repeating himself. “She lived in Belthain for a reason. She has to be in the center to control the barrier.”

  “You do realize, don’t you, that I don’t have to be at the central crystal to operate the barrier? Any crystal will do.”

  Sarvell’s head snapped to her so quickly that she could actually hear vertebrae pop. “What?!”

  She could almost hear the wheels turning in Rialt’s head. “Then, you can live in Ramath and protect the whole country?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted frankly. “I am, after all, called to be Thornock’s priestess. But since I’m the only high priestess in existence right now…well, I’m not sure if I’m locked into staying in Thornock.”

  A deep chuckle rumbled out of his chest. “Sounds like wiggle room to me.”

  “Now wait a minute,” Sarvell sounded startled by this abrupt agreement. “Rialt, what makes you think that she’s going to live in Ramath?”

  “What are you on about?” Rialt responded irritably.

  “Jewel,” Sarvell’s voice vibrated with forced patience, “Ramath is not your only choice. In fact, I was hoping to talk you into living in Bryn. We have just as much barrier trouble as Ramath, only my leaders usually buy our way out of trouble instead of being stubborn and fighting like the Ramath do. You’d be very welcome among my clan.”

  Jewel regarded this offer in frank amazement. Never had she imagined that either of these men would want to keep her with them. It was certainly heartwarming, but at the same time Jewel was strongly put in mind of two bandy roosters in the same hen yard. Instead of trying to choose between them, she thought it wiser to side-step the issue.

  “Thank you, Sarvell. Both of you do realize, I hope, that the choice isn’t really up to me? Elahandra dictates where I need to be.”

  “If herself says in Belthain, we will be having words,” Rialt growled in warning.

  “I’ll help you argue the point,” Sarvell promised in a corresponding growl. “We’re not leaving you alone again. You should be properly guarded.”

  Why did she not doubt that they both would go toe to toe with a goddess…? Jewel decided it was safer to change the subject. “So how long does it take for us to reach Bryn?”

  “We’ll cross into Bryn’s borders in four days or so,” Sarvell answered. “And you’re not changing the subject that easily, Jewel. Why do you not have guards? Traditionally, there are guards specifically to protect the high priestess.”

  “The Red Guard, yes,” she said on a sigh. “I only met the Ihan and Nihan once. Warlord Huero said that I didn’t need them in Belthain, and I was to call the Guard only when I left Belthain’s walls. Only I wasn’t ever allowed out of the castle,” she added bitterly. “I had no way to call them.”

  “You do wonder why no one in the guard was nabbed by Elahandra to come rescue you.” Sarvell’s voice was deeper than usual, heavy with suspicion. “I wonder if they were bought off by Huero?”

  “I’ve often suspected it,” Jewel admitted morosely.

  “Not all.” Everyone jumped a little when Elahandra’s voice suddenly sounded in their minds. “Jewel, there is one man that is truly trustworthy. He was sent far from you, and so could not reach you in time, hence why I called Sarvell and Rialt. However, this young man is coming even now to help you.”

  “We do no need the help,” Rialt stated flatly.

  “Rialt,” Elahandra’s voice was gently chiding, “this young man swore in all honor to protect Jewel. Would you leave him forsworn?”

  “Wait.” Jewel’s head started spinning. “The traditional oath of the guard swears them to the office of priestess. Are you saying that he swore directly to me instead?”

  “Yes. He is like you are, Jewel; he is the best and brightest of my children. All three of you will be very glad to have him once you know him. Oh, and gentlemen, in regards to where my priestess abides?” Her voice became very tart. “You have no say in the matter.”

  “Now wait just a—” Rialt started angrily, only to choke himself off when the goddess’s presence abruptly disappeared. He snarled out between clenched teeth, “It had best no be Belthain.”

  “Jewel.” Sarvell sounded a little strangled. “Does your goddess always pop in and out like this?”

  “All the time,” Jewel drawled, well able to gauge how unbalanced Sarvell felt just by his voice. “You get used to it.”

  Rialt heaved a sigh. “And I thought it bad enough when the wee lass did it. Now I will have a pair of voices bouncing around inside my head.”

  Chapter Nine

  There comes a time in a man’s life when it’s tempting to disregard courtesy and start knocking heads together. Chizeld had just about reached that point.

  Chizeld had been awoken in the dead of night by an irate goddess only to be informed that High Priestess was in imminent danger. Elahandra had issued assurances that hel
p had been called—although it was unsettling that help had been called from men outside of Guard—and so Chizeld didn’t need to worry about reaching Priestess immediately. Just needed to reach Jomadd quickly to protect Priestess while Jomadd completed a task.

  What task, hadn’t thought to ask until Elahandra had disappeared in a flash of light.

  Tired, worried, and ill-prepared for a midnight departure, Chizeld had hastily thrown together some supplies, saddled a horse, and left immediately for Belthain. No doubt there’d be trouble with superiors over that, but technically, Elahandra did outrank everyone.

  After a week solid of traveling, Chizeld arrived in Belthain ragged around the edges. Barely breached the city’s gates when rumors flew about Priestess being abducted from the castle. While glad of the escape from the castle—and therefore the sword hanging overhead—Chizeld had to wonder: abducted by who? Intended rescuers? Some other party with nefarious intentions?

  Even more worried now, Chizeld found a small temple to stop in and knelt in prayer, fervently asking Elahandra for reassurance. Elahandra responded with, “She’s fine. Go to Ramath.”

  The curt words lacked certain sympathy for the armsman’s taut nerves.

  Chizeld left immediately, traveling through Wexel, heading straight for the first major city in Ramath—Denzbane. By switching horses at every hostel, the three day trip had been done in two.

  Elahandra’s answer hadn’t given a precise direction. However, Order protocol stated that a high priestess had to visit both the temple of the clan’s god—which would be Juven in this case—and the nearest Temple of Elahandra before having the necessary permission to work in that clan’s territory. Chizeld’s memory was a little fuzzy on the finer details, but according to memory, only a handful of cities boasted a Temple of Elahandra. The first one within range was situated in Denzbane. Chizeld had a personal bet going that Priestess had stopped there first. If that truly were the case, then someone in that Temple would surely know the girl’s whereabouts.