Baruun hesitated a moment. “Does he know?”
She flashed a glance at Jason, then looked back at the ground at Baruun’s feet and shook her head.
Jason wondered why Bothan wouldn’t know he’d used Lenai. Or were they talking about something else? The way she’d looked at him. Was there something about Bothan that he didn’t know? He would have to ask her about it sometime. Before he could give it any more thought, Baruun walked over to him.
Baruun bowed his head. “Jason Bennett, I have seen what you did for Lenai. I extend my thanks to you as well. While Loremaster Reyga protected her from bodily harm, you restored her soul. Ask a boon of me, and if it is within my power, I will gladly grant it.”
Jason looked at Reyga, unsure how to respond. Before Reyga could say anything, Baruun went on.
“However, before we discuss such things…" He turned to the clearing. “Shani ko rin!” Suddenly, they were surrounded by dozens of Shanthi, as the hidden watchers ended their concealment. “Hear me,” he said. “These men are welcome here. Prepare a feast, for tonight we will show them the hospitality of the Shanthi.”
Around the clearing, the Shanthi bowed to the three visitors, crossing their fingers in front of their faces as they did. Then they scattered in various directions.
Baruun turned back to the three. “Be welcome in our telosh. Please, come to my home, where you may rest before the feast.”
Jason looked at Reyga. Reyga bowed to Baruun once more. “You honor us beyond words, Baruun. In truth, the hospitality of the Shanthi would gladden any heart. However, we come on a mission of some urgency, and would speak with you of our need.”
“I understand. Speak, and I will hear you.”
Quickly, Reyga told Baruun of the recent events. Baruun’s face darkened as he heard of the Shanthi spies in Lore’s Haven. Reyga finished by summing up the situation with the Haven forces and Bothan’s ultimatum.
“So you see, Baruun, we have come seeking your aid. In less than a sixday, we must face an army it would appear we have little hope of defeating. Emissaries have been sent out in the hopes of garnering more forces. We have come to you. I believe Jason would agree that, if he could ask one boon of you, it would be that you and your people would stand with us against Bodann.” Jason nodded as Reyga finished.
Baruun looked at them for a long moment without answering. Then he shook his head. “What you ask, I am unable to grant. As the leader of my people, I could order this, but I will not.” He looked at Reyga. “Loremaster Reyga, you, perhaps more than any other outsider, should understand this.”
“I do,” Reyga sighed. “But I must confess, I had hoped for a different answer.”
“I know,” Baruun said, “and I wish I could give you the answer you seek. But the mistrust among my people towards humans runs deep. As their leader, I must respect those feelings.” He looked back and forth from Jason to Reyga. “I will pass your words along to my people. I will also tell them of what you both have done for Lenai. Perhaps some will feel that such deeds are worthy of their aid,” he placed his hands on Jason’s and Reyga’s shoulders, “as I do. Whether my people choose to aid you or no, I will be there. But you must stay for the feast tonight. After that, you may return, or you may stay with us for the night and return in the morning.”
“Baruun,” Reyga said, “you honor us greatly, but we—”
“Loremaster Reyga,” Baruun interrupted with a twinkle in his eye, “surely you would not have my people believe you refused their hospitality?”
Reyga hesitated. “Ah…what I meant to say, Baruun,” he said at length, “was that we might lose ourselves in such hospitality and forget our reason for coming.”
Baruun grinned. “Well said. You have my word. We will see that you do not forget your purpose.”
~~~
Jason stared at the forest from his window at Lore’s Haven. It had been three days since the visit to Lenai’s telosh and they still hadn’t seen or heard any sign of the Shanthi. A contingent of Yellowtooth, the race that Jason had originally thought of as werewolves in the marketplace in Drey’s Glenn, had arrived two days ago. They agreed to join the Haven forces only with the assurance that they would not be taking orders from any Ferrin. More human, Dokal, and Ferrin fighters had arrived as well, but even with the additional forces, they were still badly outnumbered.
The amphibious F’aar sent word that, since the battle would be in the arid Scorched Plains, they would be unable to take part. Instead, they sent loads of materials for weapons and armor, as well as food for provisions.
The disparity between the two armies wasn’t all that had Jason worried. The battle was tomorrow, and he still didn’t know how to use his power. He didn’t see how he could be so important if he couldn’t do anything. He hadn’t had any more memories, and Nyala and Crin had both been conspicuously silent over the last few days. Had revealing what he had to the Circle made them angry with him? Or had it changed things some other way? He hoped he hadn’t gotten Nyala in trouble with the other Altered.
When they’d returned to the keep the day after the feast, the war preparations were in full swing. Between sessions of the Circle, Lenai showed him what the saiken were doing to make sure the Haven forces had the arms and supplies they would need.
“The Orders work together making weapons and armor, and laying up any supplies the Circle thinks we might need,” she’d said.
As they walked the plateau behind the keep, he saw groups of saiken handling various tasks, with the Rodinn scurrying back and forth on numerous errands. Chipmunks serving as gophers, he couldn’t help but think with a touch of amusement. He used his vision so he would know what Orders he was seeing. In one group, saiken from the Emerald Order used their power to accelerate the growth of plants, while Amber students guided the growth into perfectly straight stalks.
“Here they are making shafts for arrows,” Lenai told him. “In other parts of Teleria, members of the Ruby Order use their abilities to find the metal ore needed for the Obsidian craftsmen to create weapons and armor. Emerald students will also grow crops when necessary, with members of Topaz ensuring the fields receive adequate rainfall. Amethyst students train hawks for surveillance, horses and charnoths for battle, and also create any leather goods that may be needed.”
As Jason went over the things he’d seen, a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. When he opened the door, he saw Lenai standing outside.
“Would you like to see more of our preparations before this morning’s meeting?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said. “What will we see today?”
“I thought you might be interested in watching the Obsidian Order crafting the armor and weapons. Then, after the meeting…" She stopped, her face taking on a distant expression. Then her eyes widened.
“Come!” She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the corridor.
“Where are we going?” he asked, trying to keep up with her insistent grip.
“Baruun has arrived,” she said. She wouldn’t tell him anything else in spite of his persistent questioning. After numerous turns and a couple of staircases, Lenai opened a door and they walked out onto the wall of the keep. The sudden openness and height gave him a moment of vertigo until his senses adjusted.
A short distance out on the wall, Jason saw Baruun. The Shanthi leader turned as they approached.
“Ah, Jason Bennett, good. I was hoping Lenai would sense my presence and bring you. I have requested that Loremaster Reyga and your High One join us as well. Come.” He turned and began walking along the wall toward the front of the keep.
As they neared the front gate, Jason saw Reyga and Tal coming from the other direction. When they met, Reyga bowed. “Baruun, it is good to see you again. May I present Tal Vardyn, Pearl Loremaster and High One of the Circle of Nine.” He turned to the High One. “High One, I give you Baruun, the leader of the Shanthi.”
Baruun inclined his head. “If Loremaster Reyga is any example of your influence, High One, then it is
an honor to meet you.”
Tal bowed in return. “The honor is mine, Baruun. You are most gracious. Be welcome in Lore’s Haven, where all who seek truth, knowledge, and wisdom are welcome.”
“Thank you, High One. In truth, at times it can be difficult to be a Shanthi. At other times, such as now, I cannot conceive of being anything else.” He looked at Reyga, and then at Jason. “Loremaster Reyga, Jason Bennett, for what you have done for Lenai, we are in your debt.” He waved his arm toward the road leading to the front gate. “Behold how the Shanthi repay.” He turned to the road and shouted, “Shani ko rin!”
The gate Warders jumped back in surprise as wave after wave of armed Shanthi warriors suddenly appeared on the road. The column extended down the road as more and more warriors became visible. Jason watched, slack-jawed, as the ranks of Shanthi grew until it disappeared around a bend in the path. He heard Reyga and Tal gasp in surprise. He looked at Lenai. Her eyes were shining as she watched the warriors appear.
Baruun turned back to them with a triumphant smile. “High One, Loremaster Reyga, Jason Bennett, behold the deadliest warriors in all of Teleria. We are at your service.”
Landscar
The two armies faced each other from opposite ends of Landscar, a jagged arc of rocky hills at the edge of the Riftlands. Shimmering waves of heat rose from the cracked earth, and the sun was not yet at its zenith. Jason, Seryn, and a number of students from the Diamond Order sat atop a hill behind the Haven forces. Gatlor was with them, surveying the battlefield from horseback. In the distance, they could see the seething mass of Bothan’s army. Behind the enemy, past the other end of Landscar, the air was discolored and turbulent, with occasional flashes. The Riftlands.
“His army has grown,” Gatlor said. He sounded like he was observing the weather.
Jason wondered how he could sound so calm. From what he could see, Bothan’s army was well over twice as large as the Haven forces, and that didn’t take into account the races that Reyga said would be hidden. Reyga had also told him they didn’t understand why the races were working together. At this point it didn’t really matter.
Gatlor turned in his saddle. “Jason Bennett, if I may suggest, now might be a good time to remember what the Altered taught you.”
“I wish I could.” He’d been trying to dredge up any little scrap of the time he’d spent with Nyala. Sometimes he felt like he was on the verge of remembering something, then it would slip away, leaving him grasping at the thought like trying to catch smoke on a breeze. The sick feeling he had in the pit of his stomach when he saw the size of Bothan’s army wasn’t helping either. He knew there was no way the Haven forces could win without help of some kind.
“I’ve tried,” he said. “There’s nothing.”
“Well,” Gatlor turned back to the battlefield, “try to remember something before we are all dead.”
Oh good, no pressure, he thought with a grimace.
Gatlor glanced over his shoulder at him. “Stay here. You should be safe with Loremaster Seryn and the other saiken, at least for a while.” Then he turned and spurred his horse toward the army waiting below.
He watched Gatlor gallop down the hill. Nyala! he shouted inside his head. No answer. He closed his eyes tightly, bouncing his clenched fist against his leg as he struggled to remember something, anything, that might help them.
“Peace, Jason,” Seryn said. “I do not believe Nyala would have shown you what she did only to allow you to fail when you are most needed.”
He knew she was trying to encourage him, but the word ‘fail’ echoed loudly in his mind. He’d come to understand that the people of Lore’s Haven, and of most of Teleria, were good people. The last thing he wanted to do was sit on the top of this hill and watch thousands of them die, especially if somewhere inside of him was the power to prevent it.
He saw Gatlor reach the front of the army. The warrior shouted something that he couldn’t make out. Then the Haven forces began a slow march toward the enemy.
*****
Bothan grinned. He was standing on a hill behind his army overlooking the battlefield. If this was the best they could come up with, he would be home in time for a good meal. Or perhaps he would eat in the dining hall at Lore’s Haven. He laughed as he pictured the shocked expressions at the keep when he and his forces marched through the blasted-open gates. This land would soon be his.
“You are amused, Bodann?”
“Aye, Lord Regor, I am. I was thinking of how different the world will be once it is ruled properly and overseen by you, as it should be.”
“I am not a fool, Bodann,” Regor said. “I know you only think of me as a means to an end. For now, I will allow you that illusion, for you are useful to me. But when this day is done, make no mistake, you will rule Teleria, but I will rule you.”
They would see about that. He could play act as well as anyone. The young pup had been completely taken in until he’d found the dagger “Chon” had used to kill his father. Even then, the little fool hadn’t figured out that he had been the one to do the deed, rather than that pathetic Loremaster. Oh yes, he would bow and scrape to Regor’s face, but when the Shadow Lord was not around, he would run things his way.
“Meaning no offense, my lord, but you have me wrong,” he protested. “I look forward to the day when you and the other Altered return to rule Teleria as gods. I will be your strongest supporter and most willing servant!”
“Of course you will,” Regor said. “Just remember. I reward my servants according to their service.” Then the Shadow Lord vanished.
He turned his attention back to the battlefield. He saw Gatlor raise his sword and then the Haven army began slowly moving forward. With a thought, he commanded his own forces to advance as well. As he watched the two armies close on each other, a messenger ran up the hill.
“We have found the Far Planer, my lord,” the man said.
“And?”
“He is on the hill behind the enemy.”
He peered across the battlefield. He could just make out a small group of specks on the hillside behind the Haven force. If the boy was still sitting there, with the two armies about to attack each other, it could only mean one thing.
“He still hasn’t learned how to use his power,” he chuckled.
“Do you want us to kill him?”
He shook his head. “No. Let him watch and learn what it means to refuse me. Afterwards, we shall see.”
*****
Tal gripped his staff tightly as they moved toward Bodann’s army. Although he had hoped otherwise, inside he had always known this day would come, ever since Bodann had been expelled from Lore’s Haven.
At that time, Tal served as Loremaster Rake’s apprentice in the Pearl Order. Bodann had been Loremaster Madin’s apprentice in the Amethyst Order, and was on the verge of being confirmed as the next Amethyst Loremaster once Madin stepped down. He had been one of the most talented students in the history of Lore’s Haven, and could easily have mastered any of several disciplines. The fact that he was a Far Planer made this even more astonishing, as no Far Planer before had ever shown any abilities with dimsai.
When the Circle became aware of Bodann’s beliefs, they confronted him. Bodann brushed aside their protests, insisting that knowledge was a weapon, not a gift. He argued that it should only be given to those who pledged their loyalty to the Circle. The Loremasters tried numerous times to convince him otherwise, but he was stubbornly insistent that he was right.
After several very vocal meetings, the Circle decided that the only solution was to banish Bodann from Lore’s Haven. If there had been a way to remove his power from him, they would have. Unfortunately, that was not possible. Delani had been chosen to serve as the next Amethyst Loremaster in his stead.
Now they faced him and his forces, with the fate of Teleria hanging in the balance. He didn’t know how Bodann had managed to unite the different races, but with his Amethyst training and power, if anyone could do it, it would be him.
If Regor decided to show up as well, the battle might not last very long.
His thoughts turned to Jason Bennett. The young man still did not know how to use his power. Tal had no doubts that he had power, simply because he was able to see dimsai auras, something no one else in Teleria was able to do. He was further convinced by the attention Jason had been receiving from Regor and Nyala. Regor definitely considered Jason to be a threat, while Nyala obviously felt Jason was Teleria’s only hope.
He did not understand why Nyala had chosen to shroud Jason’s memories. If the boy had been able to use his powers earlier, they might not be here now. Then it occurred to him that if Jason had use of his powers when he thought the Circle had betrayed him, they might not be here now either, but for an entirely different reason. He sighed in frustration. They would simply have to trust in Nyala’s wisdom and hope that Jason remembered what he had been taught before it was too late.
*****
Gatlor surveyed the creatures as the distance between the armies dwindled. From here, he could make out humans, Trellin, and Manarachs, the latter standing head and shoulders above the others. Baruun, walking nearby, assured him that, although there was a small number of rishna kel in Bodann’s army, none were close enough to be an immediate threat. He knew somewhere underground the Grithor would be found as well. The High One and several members of the Circle rode nearby, along with a number of saiken from their Orders. The rest of the saiken were scattered among the Haven forces.
“What are your thoughts?” Calador asked, walking beside him. Even on foot, the Dokal warrior was at eye level with him on his horse. Seerka walked on the other side of Calador. His eyes were forward, but his ears betrayed that he was listening closely for Gatlor’s response. He did not answer at first. Many things were running through his mind, not all of which he felt he should share.
As a warrior, he did not believe that any situation was completely hopeless, but the one in which they now found themselves was as likely a candidate as any. Nor did he believe this would be a long, drawn out war. They had mustered all of the forces they could. If they lost today, there was little hope of gathering more for another try. At least not anytime soon. This one battle could decide the fate of Teleria, and unless something unexpected happened, the future of Teleria did not look good.
From a Far Land Page 29
