by Chris Ward
‘And I too,’ Reigin replied whilst the others nodded in quiet agreement.
They ate early and enjoyed the fresh venison ably prepared by Gravyn who seemed to enjoy the cooking as much as anything he did. He worked without speaking and was totally focused on what he was about. Rema watched him working with some interest and realised that this was the mark of the man, and what gave him such great skill with the bow, an ability to exclude all things from his mind save those which were important at the time to complete the task. It makes you somewhat boring Gravyn, Rema thought, but you are a man who I would want beside me in battle. You would be so calm when all about is falling apart. At that moment Gravyn looked up and saw Rema watching him. He nodded without expression but Rema had a sudden impression that Gravyn knew what he was thinking and some bond grew between them. He nodded back but Gravyn continued with his preparations without any further reaction.
After the meal Rema was somewhat disturbed once more for Sylvion quite openly said to Reigin...
‘We will ride out together for there is some further remembering which we need to do, you and I.’ The invitation was clearly to Reigin alone and so it was that the two great rulers of the land mounted horses and left the camp and their other companions and rode out onto the Plains of Amrosi below Fellonshead. As they left, Andes leant over to Rema who was watching them depart, and whispered with a smile,
‘Of course you understand her mind so well Rema, so I do not suppose for a moment that this causes you any aching of the heart.’ At this Rema bit his lip so hard it bled, for the words were hard to his ear, not least because he suddenly realised something of the confusion which his great friend was going through. He did not look at Andes but spoke quietly into the gulf between them.
‘Indeed Andes she is far harder to comprehend than I thought.’
This admission brought no reply from Andes but Rema suddenly felt a huge strong hand upon his shoulder and the squeeze it delivered was greatly welcome. And Germayne saw it all and understood completely.
Sylvion and Reigin rode in silence. They were both greatly moved to be in each other’s company again, and that in itself was enough to bring deep emotions, but Sylvion could not pass by Fellonshead without tribute to those who fell in the great battle below the Vaudim, and Reigin too knew this was right.
‘I have not ever returned to this place,’ Sylvion said when once they were clear of the forest and riding slowly west toward the bulk of the Vaudim. The sun was low and the sky clear and all about seemed beautiful to both riders. They halted on a crest and looked down the gentle slope to where the valley started its climb to the Vaudim which stood as it had for ages past, its old volcanic slope a tangle of trees and vines and thornbushes. It was a place of death and it boldly proclaimed such to all who gazed upon it. They sat and looked and allowed the memories to come to them. Finally Sylvion spoke into the quiet evening air.
‘Do you remember the great charge of the Equin, Reigin?’ He nodded but allowed Sylvion to continue. ‘They were magnificent and broke the heart of Petros’ men.’
‘They paid a mighty price,’ Reign replied. ‘In the end not a single steed lived to return to their own.’
‘To Wildwood,’ Sylvion whispered. ‘I will visit there again one day.’
‘And Rema’s arrow, that mighty shot which landed at the feet of the king and showed him we were to be taken seriously.’ Reign nodded as this new memory came to him.
‘It was here Reigin that the Shadow Blade stole my mind,’ Sylvion said in a darker tone, ‘I killed many and the power of this Blade...’ and with an sudden flourish she took the sword from its scabbard and held it high where it glistened in the strong evening sunlight, ‘... it changed me here; I have never put it from me Reigin and it has changed my life forever.’ She breathed deeply and the Reigin knew she was close to tears.
‘You did what had to be done Sylvion. I do not judge you.’
‘I remember them all Reigin. I dream many things, and not just about that which we have spoken of this day. I see those I have slain, all of them and their terror and their loss. I see their eyes before I killed them for on this very Plain that is what I saw in each one I slew. I saw their eyes and read their mind. My nightmares are legend in the Palace in Ramos. They think I am quite mad by night, and they are right, for I cannot escape what we did here below the Vaudim.’
‘You saved Revelyn, Sylvion,’ Reigin said in a deep and warmly reassuring tone, ‘We all killed many men, but thanks be that the magic of the Vaudim allowed us to shorten the battle and lessen the slaughter or else you would perhaps have had many more to haunt you.’ Sylvion said nothing but nodded in agreement with the wisdom of his words.
‘And you have a choice Sylvion,’ Reigin said finally. Sylvion knew what he was about to say and her hand tightened on the hilt of the shadow Blade.
‘You can put the Blade away.’
Sylvion nodded gently but her knuckles were white with the force of her grip upon the steel. ‘And then I die,’ she whispered. And Reigin said nothing. They sat there on their steeds and looked over the field of battle and seemed to see the awful swarm of men and animals locked in deadly combat. The cries and screams of the doomed rang eerily in their heads, and they both shuddered.
After a time Reigin spoke to bring them back.
‘And what of this Rema who travels with you?’ It was the simplest of questions but Reigin was not prepared for Sylvion’s reaction. She turned to him and he saw her face now wet with tears.
‘I have told no one Reigin, for it could not be told before now, but I held close the Shadow Blade for more reason than doing good in Revelyn.’ She sobbed as her deepest truth rose to be set free. ‘I wanted him back Reigin, I thought by holding onto time with the Shadow Blade I might see him return. There was no sense to it, but my mind was not right. For more winters than I know I have waited, even when I knew he would never come.’ She sobbed quietly and turned back to look out over the sad plain of death before them. ‘And with each season he grew older with Serenna whilst I did not change as I should have, and when he died, even then I could not let it go for it was part of me.’ She shook her head. ‘I have been a miserable woman Reigin. They say I am a good Queen, but they do not know me, I am hidden from them, and if they did see me, who could see my heart when I am like this, but a young woman and it would seem with no knowledge of life beyond a handful of years.’ Reigin waited for Sylvion to calm a little before boldly speaking once more, with a formality which reached the trembling queen.
‘And so My Lady, my question remains. How goes it with this man who is the image of the one you lost?’ He saw the words hit Sylvion like a spear. She took a deep breath and forced composure where it seemed none might be.
‘It is an agony Reigin. He is Rema returned, in action and deed and so alike is he that now I cannot see the one I loved, for this new Rema fills my vision.’ Once more a silence existed between the two as many thoughts race through their minds.
‘But he is not Rema,’ Reign said firmly, and Sylvion shook her head.
‘No he is not, but I am weak at times and think, why not let this thing go where it will. I lost once for my hardness of heart, why not...’ but she could not finish and Reigin reached over and took her hand and for the longest time they sat together and let their thoughts consume them. It was Sylvion who finally broke the silence with a quiet laugh as she wiped tears from her face.
‘...and besides, now I have to save Revelyn all over again, so I cannot let myself be distracted by such a thing.’ And to her great surprise Reigin replied with words she did not expect.
‘Perhaps My Lady that was a mistake you should not repeat.’ Sylvion looked hard at Reigin and allowed herself some room to think upon his words.
‘I cannot.’ she said at last. ‘He is not Rema.’ Reigin nodded and she continued brusquely. ‘Come we will return to the others. We leave tomorrow, and Reigin I cannot do this without you.’
‘Of course My Lady. Reigin sai
d softly.
‘And do not call me that again,’ she said somewhat harshly as they rode. ‘I am not your lady.’
Nor any man it would seem, Reigin thought. And so they returned through the forest to Fellonshead to find Orcxyl had rejoined them with a stout horse for which he had paid no fee and would not explain beyond a few words as to where it has been obtained.
‘It was abandoned on a small farm, not far from here. I called to it and it came to me. I brought it here.’ And he would say no more.
They left Fellonshead at first light and made good progress towards the mighty Eastern Upthrust which was AlGiron. They skirted the forest by its edge where the going was easy through the northern most reaches of the Plains of Amrosi. Sylvion rode with Reigin in the lead, with Rema and Andes behind. Germayne seemed content to pair with Gravyn and Orcxyl as always took up the rear on his stout new mare which he rode easily without a saddle and in a manner which revealed this was not in the least unusual to him. By the noon they found the forest stretching across their path, with the mighty escarpment close by and so, turning a little north they entered the trees and drew ever closer to the mighty cliff-bound land which was the home of the Edenwhood. The going was no more difficult than on the plains for the trees were well spaced and the land only gently undulating. Low limbs were the main obstacle but they found it easy enough to find a pathway in whichever direction they desired. By nightfall they were tired for they had ridden hard almost without pause, but they found a good camp site on the banks of the Plenty River at its junction with a stream which plunged down from AlGiron to join it. The water was cold and strangely inviting. Rema and Andes bathed, and enjoyed the refreshing it offered. Germayne sat some distance off and watched them frolicking in the water like two children. She admired them for their simple joy and her eyes could not help but linger long upon the mighty form of Andes. He did not show it but he was aware of her gaze and it troubled him mightily. They were all asleep not long after the sun had set, and for the first time in days Andes did not go off alone and wondered why he felt so guilty, as if he had chosen not to visit Fryn, and that she would be waiting and would feel abandoned.
But it is not real he thought as sleep drew near. She does not know of this Diabule magic. It is just my weakness. Surely she does not know. But he could not rid himself of the feeling that he was wrong in this. Orcxyl was the last to fall asleep and his mind was also greatly troubled. He had not heard the conversations around thy campfire in Fellonshead in which so many matters were discussed, but still he was intrigued by the Edenwhood, Reigin who seemed completely trustworthy.
Why does he have anything to do with this White Queen? he thought. And then, I must not weaken in my resolve. Freya is to be honoured. I must keep on. He dreamt of her that night; of Freya and her awful death, and so he woke to the new day with a fresh anger.
That day as they rode along the southern banks of the Plenty River, under the shadow of the great cliffs of AlGiron, Andes found himself greatly enlivened by the proximity of the land above from which his blood had come. It was a partial mix, he knew, but his size showed that the Edenwhood blood was strong even after five generations, in fact he was larger than Reigin and in his heart he was sure he was faster and more able with the sword. This he believed with all the simple arrogance of his youth. But it was Rema who sensed the new danger which suddenly confronted them. And Orcxyl too could see it and came up on his stout mare in response to Rema’s call for a halt. None of the others knew what had come to their senses but they waited in puzzlement for Rema to show them.
‘Do you see them Orcxyl? ‘Rema whispered, and the Great Hunter nodded.
‘I have never seen such things but they are there sure enough.’ His words were only just audible to the others who looked about without seeing any creature. Reigin too was unable to discern any danger.
‘I see nothing Rema, what is it that confronts us?’
‘Wait here,’ was all Rema said and without a sound he and Orcxyl dismounted and with weapons ready walked twenty paces forward of where they had halted.
‘He jumps at shadows, surely,’ Gravyn said but none but Germayne heard his comment. The others searched the trees and bushes all around for any danger but all about were gentle oaks and elder and grassy leaf strewn swathe.
‘There are two Orcxyl, I see no more.’ Rema said calmly, ‘They are right above where we would pass. I’ll take the one on the right, can you take the other?’
‘Mine will be dead before it hits the ground,’ Orcxyl whispered, his eyes fast upon the deadly creature which he saw above them.
‘But not before mine,’ Rema grunted with equal concentration. ‘I will count three and then we fire. Aim just behind the head.’
‘My poison will work wherever I strike it,’ Orcxyl said.
‘One,’ Rema whispered and they both drew in unison. The group behind watched in puzzlement as though some strange pantomime was taking place, for they could see nothing at which to be alarmed.
‘Two,’ came the count, and then with ‘three!’ they let fly their arrows.
Suddenly the air was full of an awful screeching which none had heard before save Reigin, and he now suddenly knew what was before them.
‘Serpers!’ he called, ‘they are Serpers.’ And with his sword drawn he leapt from his horse and rushed to give aid, for once wounded the dreadful creature could now be seen. Rema’s arrows went true to their target, and so fast did he shoot that three were at their mark for one of Orcxyl’s, but the Great Hunter’s word was true enough, the deadly poison on the tip worked instantly and the great snake, a giant Serper crashed in writhing torment from its place of ambush. The other serper came down beside it and Reigin instantly severed the head of one and turned to do likewise to the other, only to find that Andes had got there before him. It was all over in the shortest time and there before them all lay the largest snakes any from the Lowlands had ever imagined.
‘They are Serpers,’ Reigin repeated. ‘They are rare enough in AlGiron but that is where they live and none has ever been heard of in the Lowlands. They are deadly for they cannot be seen by Edenwhood or any other mortals, save a few. Only when dying do they appear to human eyes, such is their ability to take the shade and texture of that which they rest on.’ He turned to Rema. ‘You also have this gift to see the invisible Serper, the only other I knew who could do so was your namesake.’ He paused before speaking to the other. ‘And Orcxyl your skill is clear; you too see what others cannot. Indeed you are one who has much to offer this land and this quest. Well done both of you.’
They measured the Serpers, and each lay more than a dozen paces in length and in thickness it was clear they might swallow a small horse with little difficulty.
‘Two in one place, and just where we were to pass,’ Sylvion said as she stood by the vicious severed head of one of the Serpers. ‘Does this not strike you as strange Reigin?’
‘They must have fallen when young from the heights above and by some fate survived. But two like this seems strange indeed.’
‘Something stalks us Reigin,’ Sylvion continued somewhat fearfully, and they all looked about them as though a sudden chill had cooled the air. ‘We have once more been faced with death most unexpected. It is too much to think it is by chance.’ And all agreed, but had no further word to explain it.
‘Come we ride on, but let us be wary of what we pass.’ Sylvion ordered.
‘I will ride with Orcxyl at the front,’ Rema said, for whatever is against us is surely concerned with you far more than we two.’ Sylvion went to protest by Reigin stopped her with such a strength of voice he could not be ignored.
‘Rema is right Sylvion. Let it be thus.’ And so they rode quickly on through the forest with a heightened sense of fear, wanting now to gain the coastal road and find the marks which would lead them to their goal. They crossed the Plenty River in the mid noon and rode on without stopping, but despite their rapid progress darkness closed upon them before their goal was reach
ed, and once more they camped in the open below a mighty oak which Rema checked carefully for any strange creatures. Sleep claimed them early for all were worn out with their riding. The night fire was but a pile of glowing coals when Germayne stirred briefly and noticed Andes rise silently and disappear into the shadows. She sighed and turned back to her sleep. Unseen, Orcxyl sat in the deep shadows with his back to the oak and thought deeply about his situation.
I am no different to the Serper or the Sabrecat which sought to kill this Queen. I slay them to save her for my arrow. He shook his head slowly in confusion. And it seems I am not alone in my quest. Indeed something seems to allow these things to happen. If this is sorcery, then am I a part of it? I claim justice, but what part does sorcery have with such a thing? And what is this journey about? She claims I am useful to her, and indeed I have saved her life twice with Rema’s aid. I have heard no talk about what this is all about. Has she deceived them all into some fell act?
The more he thought, the more questions rose which he could not answer, and once more he rested upon his vow to see Freya avenged. I understand this at least. But why do I not slay her now? He looked at the White Queen asleep upon the ground not ten paces distant. I do not know myself. I do not know why I hesitate.
And suddenly a voice deep in his head spoke into his confusion. You are wrong Orcxyl. It was loud enough to jolt him to his feet. Instinctively he looked around, but even as he did he knew it was not from without, but from within himself.
‘Then show me why I err,’ he whispered fervently into the dark not knowing why he would even speak thus.
Soon, came the clear reply, and the Great Hunter shook his head as if to release some possessive spirit. And then he slept, and it was a strange and peaceful slumber, and he saw Freya and walked with her and she was happy in a place he could not understand and yet he left her there quite easily when the morning sun shafted down upon him a long time later and brought him back to the others. And when he rose he knew he was changed. His anger was gone and his deep desire to kill the White Queen was replaced by an awful hollow longing which he did not understand. He looked at her once across the fire and she smiled at him so warmly that he felt a pang of utter confusion.
