Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia)

by Lister, Dionne

  "I said sit! I feel fine, and you look dreadfully tired. Young people don't have the stamina of us oldies." Bronwyn ignored her aunt’s cheekiness, and, as she didn't have the strength to argue, chose a soft, grassy spot, dropping to the ground with a thud. How could her aunt not be tired? It seemed impossible. Maybe she had used some kind of magic.

  Bronwyn closed her eyes and within a very short time was drifting off to sleep. Her foray into dreamland was cut short by her aunt's raised voice approaching the clearing. "I’ve been aware of you since we started. Why have you been following us? Answer me!"

  Who could have been following them? Bronwyn couldn't believe they had been in danger, and she hadn't even realized. Bronwyn obviously couldn't survive without her aunt's protection; her confidence in her ability to become a realmist was diminishing. She focused her attention from where her aunt's voice emanated and was astounded to see her aunt dragging her best friend by the ear, Flux leading the way.

  She jumped up and ran over to them, aches and pains forgotten. "Corrille!" She firmly embraced her friend who was still attached to her aunt. After a few moments, Avruellen reluctantly released the reddened appendage. Bronwyn let go of Corrille and spoke to her, one excited word running into the next. "What are you doing here? Have you really been following us the whole time? I'm so stupid. I didn't even realise." Corrille looked torn between being happy to see her friend and ashamed at having been caught following them.

  Avruellen stepped between the girls, arms folded in front of her chest. Her voice was low and demanding. As far as Bronwyn could tell, her friend was in real trouble. "Yes, Corrille, do tell us what you're doing here." Avruellen managed to growl the words, causing both girls to back away. The colour drained from Corrille’s face, and before she could answer, she fainted. Bronwyn rushed over to help her friend, but Avruellen came between them, giving her niece a look which forbade her to come any closer. Avruellen turned toward her prisoner. Bronwyn watched, powerless, as the realmist loomed over the unconscious girl. For the first time in her life, she was truly afraid of what her aunt would do.

  6

  As Blayke and Arcon made their way down the mountain, the weather improved from a gusty blizzard to just gusty and freezing; at least visibility had improved. There were times during the first two days that Blayke wondered if they would become lost and freeze to death. Arcon was very wise and claimed to know these mountains like the back of his hand, however that was little consolation to Blayke when they had not been able to see one foot in front of themselves the whole time. If they ever reached their destination, it would be due to Arcon's creatura, Phantom the white owl, as he had been flying through the canopy and correcting Arcon if he veered off course.

  They were four days from the cave. By afternoon they would reach a small mining town at the base of the mountains. Blayke was looking forward to a warm dinner that he could eat without gloves on, and a comfortable bed. The snow on the ground was thinning as they neared the town, but it was still bitterly cold. Neither man had bathed whilst they were in the mountains, so they were quite fragrant. Blayke, who was usually clean-shaven, had grown a beard and was frequently scratching at it. Ice engulfed both men’s facial hair, freezing fingers that reached toward their chests.

  What little warmth the sun provided was fading as it slipped behind the mountains at their backs. Arcon walked faster—Blayke wasn’t the only one who didn't want to spend another night in the cold. Before too long, the men could see the shadowed outline of the few stone buildings that made up the town. The almost-invisible path they were taking materialised into a rough and narrow track, which led toward the town’s inn. The inn was easy to find, as it was the only two-story building. They didn't bother with names up here, so the sign hanging out front just said "Inn".

  Two donkeys were tied up in the yard, and someone had thrown woolen blankets over their backs. It wasn't that miners were particularly caring, but if your donkey died, you would have to spend a lot of time and money getting another one. The alternative for the miner was to do all the back-breaking work himself. The two men wiped muddy feet on a threadbare hessian mat, fare-welled Phantom until morning and went inside.

  As they entered the hazy inn Blayke’s eyes watered. The time in the mountains had been full of fresh air. This place was stale and stuffy, the smoke eliciting coughs from both men. Countless miners had left the odour of their overworked, under-washed bodies; the putrid stench leeched out of the timber.

  The only two customers were the donkeys’ owners. Blayke sat at a table near the open fire and removed his gloves, holding his hands as close to the flames as was safe, whilst Arcon approached the innkeeper to see about beer and lodgings. The innkeeper was a short, chubby man with an outrageously wrinkled face and large, flat nose. He smiled at Arcon's request. "Sit yoursen at that thar table and I'll bring youse the beers youse are wantin."

  "Thank you, good sir," Arcon replied when he worked out what the man had said. When he reached the table he was smiling.

  "What's so funny?"

  "I shouldn't laugh, but the innkeeper has a rather original way of speaking. Quite quaint actually." The beer arrived.

  "If youse are intrested in dinner, tonight we have a hearty soup of meat, veggies, and fresh-baked bread. Elsie's thar best cook thar is, this side of the mountains." Arcon answered in the affirmative, however wasn't game to ask what kind of meat was in the soup.

  Dinner arrived promptly, and Arcon licked his lips at the smell. Blayke wasted no time in shoveling down what was on his plate and asking for seconds. "This sure beats your cooking. No offence." Arcon raised an eyebrow but said nothing, as he could admit, at least to himself, that the lad had a point. Any meals he prepared were basic, usually barbecued over an open fire, no condiments added, and sometimes burnt. Oh well, he couldn't be expected to be good at everything could he?

  When Blayke had polished off his second plate, the innkeeper returned to clear the table. "Told youse she's the best cook thar is."

  Blayke nodded vigorously. "What do you have in the way of dessert?"

  "You can't still be hungry?" Arcon was continually amazed at Blayke's ability to eat huge amounts of food and still be hungry. He was lean, and Arcon had no idea where it all went.

  "What do you expect? We've practically been starving since we've been up here. I have a lot of lost meals to make up for." Blayke turned to the innkeeper, ignoring Arcon's bemused face. "So, good sir, what do you recommend?"

  The innkeeper smiled, delighted to have such an eager customer. "Jus this mornen Elsie baked a sweet bread with custd inside. Damn delicious if yer ask me."

  "Sounds just fine, good innkeeper. May I have two helpings please?" Blayke looked at Arcon, daring him to say anything.

  Arcon shook his head. "I'll have another glass of ale." The innkeeper gave them a small bow and rushed off.

  When they had finished Arcon stood up. "I suggest we go to bed now. We have an early start tomorrow."

  Blayke stood. He was tired from their long trek over the past few days. He was, however, hoping they could have spent a couple of days relaxing before continuing on whatever quest Agmunsten had set for them. Arcon hadn’t volunteered any information about what they were to do; he could be particularly stubborn when it suited him. "Why can't we stay here and just rest for a couple of days?"

  "Why would I want to do that? I don't want to sit around and watch you get fat. We have more important things to do."

  "When do I get to find out? I think it's only fair that if I'm expected to come along and help I at least know what it is I'm getting myself into." Blayke folded his arms across his chest in a futile attempt at looking stern.

  "I'll tell you some of it tomorrow when we're on the road." He leant across so his face was near Blayke's and whispered, "Too many ears around here." Blayke looked at the two miners, doubtful they could pose any threat, but obediently followed Arcon upstairs.

  The room was sparsely decorated, containing two single beds which, on i
nspection, were clean and compared to the cave where they had spent the past few months, very comfortable. Both men fell asleep almost as soon as their heads sunk into their pillows. Tomorrow would herald the beginning of a long journey. Arcon knew what they had to do and thought it almost impossible, but they had to try. He knew the consequences if they failed. By the time the morning sun’s first weak rays made a futile attempt to melt the ice covering their window, they were ready to depart.

  The sun rose on the two men as they made their way down the main street of the ramshackle town. Arcon stopped and turned to Blayke. "We have a huge task ahead of us, lad, but if anyone can do it, we can." With that, Arcon slapped Blayke on the back and resumed walking. He whistled a tune as he led Blayke out of town.

  They stopped for a brief lunch of fresh bread and cold bacon bought from the Inn. Blayke was wondering how long it would take for Arcon to tell him where they were headed, as his patience was disappearing by the mouthful. By the time they finished lunch, Blayke's patience had disappeared.

  Arcon rose. "Come on. We’d best be getting on with it." He turned, and after a few steps realised Blayke was not following. He turned his head. "Didn't you hear me, lad? Let’s go."

  Blayke didn’t rise. "Not until you tell me where we’re going and what we have to do. I'm sick of following you all over the place for no reason. I'm tired, I’m cold, and I’m sick of not being in one place long enough to have any friends. I'm not moving until you tell me what I want to know."

  Arcon sized up Blayke's resolve. "We don't have time to muck around. Can't you just trust me?"

  "No."

  Arcon sighed. "All right. I'll explain it as we walk. Come on."

  It was an effort to keep the smile off his face, but he had finally gotten his way, a rare occurrence. "OK then. But if you don't tell me, I'll go back to that town and have a little holiday." He had to jog to reach Arcon, who was already walking away.

  Arcon flourished his hand, creating an intricate symbol in the air, too fast for Blayke to see what he had done. "It's a warding against eavesdropping. Now, as you should have already gathered, what we’re looking for is extremely important. If we don't find it, all we hold dear on this planet will disappear forever, and even if we do find it, there’s still a chance we’ll fail. So, you can see, I don't want anyone, and I mean anyone, finding out what we're doing. If I tell you what we’re looking for, I’m taking a huge risk. Our enemies will stop at nothing to defeat us, and this information will help them enormously. If they know that you have useful information, your life will be in even greater danger than it already is. How would you feel about being kidnapped and tortured for the information then killed when you’ve outlived your usefulness?" Arcon hoped his point was getting through. Everything he said was true, and he had enough to worry about without piling anything else onto his donkey, so to speak. He would tell Blayke if he had to, for without his cooperation fighting the Gormons, finding what they were looking for would be irrelevant.

  The young realmist thought through this information. Arcon’s words were definitely to the point, and now Blayke wasn't so sure he still wanted to know. Was he willing to risk his life, and the lives of everyone on the planet, because his curiosity was insatiable? Unsure of his own strength of mind in defending a secret under torture, he answered. "I guess I don't have to know right now. At least I know we’re looking for something. But how will I know if I find it?"

  "We'll be together for the whole journey so I doubt you’ll see anything I don't." Arcon was relieved he had gotten off so lightly and made an effort not to sigh.

  Blayke still wanted a little more information. "Can you at least tell me where we're going?"

  "Southwest for now, but I don't actually know where we’ll find what we’re looking for. We could end up anywhere. Firstly, I want to go and see an old friend who may be able to help point us in the right direction."

  "Where does this friend live?"

  "Ellesmere. It’s across the border in Wyrden. At the speed we walk it should take about three weeks."

  "Three weeks! I'm not walking for three weeks. Bloody hell. Can't we get horses? Why do we always have to do everything the hard way?" Blayke pouted.

  Arcon thought about it. "My friend won't be there until a couple of days before I plan to arrive so there's no point getting there too early."

  "No point? Of course there is. We can get there early and have a rest for a change, maybe a few warm meals, comfortable beds etcetera, etcetera."

  "The walk will do you good. It's character-building you know." Arcon had that glint in his eye. "No more arguments, Blayke. I've already made up my mind. You should save your breath; you're going to need it." He had a large grin on his face. Despite the enormity of the task in front of them, it was good to be free and on the road again.

  Arcon repeated the gestures of before with a small movement at the end, which negated the ward. Some spells and wards could be seen in the Second Realm. Spells had their own pattern which lit up next to the symbol of the realmist who made them. This might draw unwanted attention. Magic wasn’t always the answer.

  The early morning sky had been clear, however, dark, aggressive clouds were streaming rapidly toward them from the south. Their stop for lunch lasted barely long enough for them to swallow their food. Neither man wanted to be caught outside when the rain started. Arcon estimated they had until early afternoon to find shelter, so they walked even faster.

  Premature night descended as the savage storm-front reached them. The only refuge was a lone barn in the distance. Arcon made a run for it, and Blayke followed. A lightning flash lit up the sky, shortly followed by its deafening crack of thunder. Rain cascaded, stabbing naked faces with shards of near-frozen water. Both men were puffing furiously when they reached the barn. They went in and closed the door. As they stood and looked around, puddles formed around their feet from their water-laden clothes.

  There was just enough light to make out that they were inside a storage facility filled with sheep and cattle feed. The large bundles of straw gave off a sweet yet sour odour, their gradual decomposition warming the air.

  "Whoo hooo hooo." Phantom had found a comfortable perch in the rafters.

  "You got here before the rain, hey?" Arcon looked up at his companion, who was almost invisible in the fading light.

  Shame you can't fly Arcon, else you'd be dry too. The laughter in the owl's mind voice held a note of superiority. Arcon shook his head.

  "What did he say?" Blayke knew they had been speaking. It happened all the time, and while frustrating, he had learned to ignore it to some degree. Still, it was no fun being left out all the time.

  "Nothing important, as usual. He was just pointing out an interesting fact that I’m sure we wouldn't have realised had he not used his vast intelligence to impart it. We, being pathetic humans, can't fly and that’s why we’re wet right now." Arcon's sarcasm wasn't lost on Blayke.

  "He's fairly rude for an owl, isn't he?" Blayke joined in the game.

  "No, I think they are generally a rude and condescending bunch." A noise so soft it was barely audible over the rain emanated from the ground next to Arcon's shoe. "Little bugger tried to poo on me. Ha. The genius missed." Arcon moved away from beneath the bird.

  "Whoo, whoo, whoo." The owl's laughter reached their ears.

  Blayke walked around the barn. It was clean and he could hear only intermittent dripping. There were plenty of places they could sleep, and if they left early in the morning, no one would know they had been there. They each fashioned a pile of hay to sit on. Dinner consisted of the last of the bacon, bread, and a carrot each. The only food they had left were a couple of apples. They would have to buy provisions in the next town they came across, which, with a bit of luck, would be in time for lunch tomorrow.

  As they finished their early dinner, the light deserted the barn. It was too dark to see anything other than during the occasional burst of lightning, which flickered light into every corner. Both men were t
ired. They rearranged their bundles of straw into beds. "Good night." Arcon yawned.

  "Good night." Blayke hoped he would fall asleep quickly. He wanted to escape his not-quite-satisfied belly and the discomfort of wet clothes. However, the sound of heavy rain pounding on the roof ensured it was a while before he finally fell asleep.

  In the early hours of the morning the vigorous flutter of wings awakened both men. Phantom had been swooping around the barn, then flapping madly to return to the rafters. Blayke sat up. He couldn't see anything in the dark but strained his ears. Arcon's annoyed voice came through the darkness, "Go back to sleep, Phantom's probably after a mouse." Blayke lay back down and was soon asleep.

  During the night, the storm continued its assault toward the north, leaving a muddy, battered landscape behind. Early-morning light snuck through small cracks between the timbers and woke the barn’s occupants. Blayke stood and brushed himself down. He felt a weight in his pocket that hadn't been there before. He put his hand in, immediately jerking it out at the shock of finding something unexpected. Gingerly replacing his hand, he felt a soft, warm body. Widening the pocket open he was surprised to see a sleeping creature; a brown and white rat. That must have been what Phantom was chasing the night before. Poor thing. Blayke would leave him here after Phantom left the barn.

  They each had a pack that contained a water bottle, apple, and spare socks. As they left the barn, Blayke placed the rat gently in a dark corner under the straw. The rat looked up at him as if in thanks. "See you, little buddy. A bit of advice: stay away from owls." Blayke laughed at himself for talking to a rat, then joined Arcon outside. "Where to today?"

  "We should reach a village about lunch-time. We'll eat there and buy any supplies we can. Hopefully they’ll be well stocked; a lot of miners would go through there on their way to the mountains."

  The road before them was saturated. The surface sucked at their feet and gripped every footstep. Each breath was visible in the cold morning air. The slight breeze was enough to turn their wet clothes into suits of torture. Both men shivered, hands and feet already numbing, so they walked fast, hoping they would soon warm up.