by Kyle West
“I apologize for the way I smell,” I said, my cheeks flushing. “We got into a bit of a scuffle.”
Isaru arched an eyebrow at my word choice.
“I…see,” the man said. “That you have made it through the Forest of Mazes is a miracle in and of itself. Might I ask how?” The man quickly shook his head, changing his mind. “Forgive me. I’m sure you’re quite fatigued, and…are you uninjured?”
“Surprisingly, yeah,” I said. “We had help,” I added. “Our guide parted ways with us just today.”
“Your guide?” The man’s brow furrowed in thought. “Who?”
I shook my head. “A strange-looking man who handles a blade well. Why do you ask?”
“Strange,” the man said. “We had a young woman come here, near death about a month ago, after finding a way through the Forest of Mazes. Before we could ask much more, after having fed and healed her, she was gone in the night. Until her, we had believed that none could pass through that place, but to hear that you have, as well as your guide…perhaps our efforts at restoring the reversion are working, even if you did get into a bit of a scuffle, as you put it.” The man shook his head. “I do ramble on. I can see that you are tired, and no doubt hungry. This place you have found is called Auberin, and we have the sacred privilege of being the last bastion of the Elekai in the north – that is, now that Invia has fallen. We are a small community, called the Watchers of the North, if you did not already know, appointed by the Samalite High Council to hold the line against the Northern Reversion. Our amenities are few, here, but we will give you what we can. A warm meal, a soft bed, and hot baths.”
My ears certainly perked up at that one. “That is more than I could ever hope for.”
“We are most thankful…” Isaru said. “Forgive me, but I don’t believe I’ve asked for your name.”
“Ah,” the man said. “It was my mistake. I was so curious about you that I completely forgot myself. My name is Brother Skandes, Twelfth Watcher of the North, and for now, that introduction will have to do. I will take you to our Elder, who will be most interested in speaking to you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
WE FOLLOWED SKANDES DOWN THE wooden walkway through the thick treetops. We didn’t pass anyone in the minute or so it took to arrive at a large domed structure, made from wood and supported by thick boughs of several trees. In the distance I could see two other similar structures, but they didn’t look to be as large. A thin column of smoke filtered from a large chimney in the back.
This building must have been the main gathering for the people who lived in Auberin. The doorway was tall and wide, and nothing but a curtain separated it from the outside. Through the partly translucent curtain, I could see that the inside was well-lit.
Skandes partitioned the curtain, motioning for Isaru and me to enter. Isaru went first, and I followed after. We were greeted by a large hall filled with the aroma of cooking meat in a large fireplace in the back, the source of the smoke I had seen outside. There were about a dozen men, almost all of them either old or middle-aged, bearded and dressed similarly to Skandes in long, flowing robes. Several long tables took up the center of the hall, where meals were likely taken, while opposite of the kitchen was an area filled with wooden chairs and stools centered in front of another fireplace. This far north, and especially in the lofty heights of the trees, the winters were probably very cold.
The Watchers looked up from their quiet conversations at our entrance, the only sign of their surprise a slight widening of their eyes and a lifting of their brows. The hall went quiet, save for the crackle of flames and the clatter of pots and pans as the cooks continued preparing the evening meal, so focused that they didn’t notice our entry.
Skandes broke the silence. “We have visitors, brethren. This is Elek and Alara, travelers who seek rest and sanctum for the evening.”
The men looked at us curiously, without saying a word. Something told me these Watchers were not much for conversation. As with Skandes, their faces had a solemn quality that bespoke years of quiet reflection and study. Scholars and Sages among the Seekers had similar dispositions, although I didn’t think these men were in the same class as Seekers. Despite their age, their features were honed and their hands withered from use. These men might have been scholars, but it was clear that they were also men of physical discipline.
“You are welcome here, if Brother Skandes saw fit to admit you,” one of the men said, who seemed the oldest of the bunch. “I am Elder Enrei, First Watcher of Auberin.” He turned to the men sitting in the wooden chairs beside him. “Let us see that they get settled into beds for the night, that their clothes are washed, and that warm water is drawn for a bath. Never let it be said that Auberin Watch is lacking in hospitality.”
The men moved to do as directed. Skandes himself led us to the far side of the room, opposite of the hearth, where a staircase curved along the wall to a second level. He led us upstairs into what appeared to be a dormitory. Several rows of bunks filled almost the entirety of the floor, perhaps fifty in all. All were neatly made, and there was no sign they had ever been used, such was their orderliness. The only sign of habitation of each bed were the small articles – a pair of boots here, a nightcap there, or perhaps a small chest poking out slightly into one the aisles.
Skandes led us to the far side of the room, to a pair of bunks that seemed particularly empty. “These will suffice. If you have a change of clothes, I suggest you change now, that we might get to washing your old ones.”
“This is all we have,” Isaru said.
“I see,” Skandes said. “It’s no matter; we have extra clothes you can both wear.”
“We are very grateful,” I said.
Skandes nodded. “We do not carry many items for women here, and that includes clothing. Auberin is maintained as more of a barracks rather than a town. If you stay here, I can bring you clean robes, such as we wear. I would offer you baths now, but it will take time to draw and heat the water, and dinner will be served far earlier than that, but I promise, baths shall be had. At the very least, we can get you in clean clothes, even if they might not fit perfectly.”
“We appreciate it, Skandes,” Isaru said.
He cleared his throat. “I will return shortly. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable. Dinner tonight shall be roast pheasant and potatoes, and plenty of it.”
That was like music to my ears.
Skandes left us alone, and Isaru and I sat on a nearby bed. Just sitting there, in the clean dormitory, made me aware of how smelly we both were.
We just sat like that, in complete silence. I resisted the urge to lie down and sleep, which was all I really wanted to do, but I didn’t want to be rude, especially when these Watchers were doing so much to help us.
Skandes returned shortly with the aforementioned robes. He left again, insisting that I go to the other side of the room to change, where several rows of bunks would shelter me from Isaru. It wasn’t of much concern to me, or Isaru for that matter, but perhaps these Watchers seemed to be sticklers for modesty and I didn’t want to offend them.
Skandes went downstairs and I changed quickly. My clothing was disgusting and I didn’t really want to touch it again. I was wondering if anyone would frown upon me burning it in the hearth down below, but I pushed that thought away, since it was a bit extreme. I was just thankful I wouldn’t have to do the washing, and tried not to think of other people handling my clothes.
I waited for a moment, until I was sure Isaru was done, and went to rejoin him. I looked at him and it was as if we were back in the Sanctum with these robes on. They were brown instead of the initiate’s gray, but the resemblance was uncanny. The clean robes helped a bit, but it didn’t do much for our overall disheveled appearance.
Skandes returned soon after. “Just leave it there; you needn’t think of your clothing until tomorrow morning, and it will be as good as new. Now, however, dinner is ready.”
He didn’t need to say anything
more. We followed him downstairs into the hall, where the Watchers had gathered a long table set with food. The smell nearly drove me crazy, and if there were no such thing as manners, I would have run to that table and started stuffing my face within two seconds. Two seats near the end had been left open, so Isaru and I sat there and waited to be served.
Skandes himself filled our plates with generous cuts of meat, coupled with a cooked medley of carrots, potato, and onion, and a hot loaf of bread with butter to share between the two of us. It took all of my self-control to wait until everyone else had been served. When they did, though, I ate quickly and there was little I could do to slow down. I noticed the Watchers casting us glances, and until now, I didn’t realize how hungry I truly was. Even with the food we had found, we had both dropped a lot of weight. Within minutes my plate was empty and the bones picked clean.
Thankfully, one of the nearby Watchers encouraged a second helping, so Isaru and I filled our plates anew and began to eat again, this time a bit more slowly. The other Watchers spoke quietly, but I wasn’t paying attention to their conversation.
When the second plate was empty, I finally stopped. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten so much.
It was then that I noticed that the Watchers were looking at us, and the majority of them were finished with their meals. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much.
“Brother Marl,” Elder Enrei said to a man across from him. “See that warm water is drawn for our guests for washing. Best go get started on that now.”
Brother Marl stood, placed a hand over his heart, and left the hall.
Elder Enrei turned back to us. Enrei was an old man, and like many of the Seekers of the Sanctum, he wore a long beard, gray with tinges of brown, and had piercing blue eyes set into his wrinkled face. There was no ornament in his robe to differentiate him as Elder, though he gave off an aura of command.
“Brothers, see to your duties. I would talk to our guests alone.”
The brothers moved swiftly to clean the dishes and table while Elder Enrei indicated that we should follow him to a set of chairs placed before the large fireplace opposite the kitchen. After he sat, Isaru and I followed suit.
“Brother Skandes tells me you passed through the Forest of Mazes.”
He left it at that, hoping for further elaboration.
“We barely survived,” Isaru said. “A man named Hasar helped us.”
“Hasar.”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“I haven’t heard the name, but I only know one person who has passed through the Forest. As you may or may not know, it is the source of a reversion. The Forest Reversion, it is called. It is against it that we fight, and no Elekai can pass that forest. It is hostile to all that is Elekai.” He looked at us both intently. “How, then, did you pass it? And for what reason?”
Though the Elder was looking at me, I decided to let Isaru do the explaining.
“We cannot state the reason why we did,” Isaru said. “Forgive us for that, Elder, but we are bound by secrecy. Chances are, I could tell you without anything bad happening, and yet, I don’t want to take that chance.”
The Elder’s eyes widened slightly, but that was the only sign of his surprise. “Is that so? Well, I won’t press for details. If what you say is true, then I think whoever would threaten us would find the Watchers of the North no easy meat. Tell only that which you may, then. It is the Forest I am most curious about, because so very few of us have entered it, and those who have…”
Elder Enrei left it there.
“We guessed it was a reversion, because there was an emptiness trying to cross it,” I said. “We made it only because of the help of Hasar, who left us earlier today. We came from the west, over the Dagger Peaks, and it didn’t take long for the forest to change. The trees began to block out the sun, and they were so thick that we were forced down a single path that only led us deeper into the maze.”
Elder Enrei nodded. “Yes, we are aware of that fact. Even if one follows the same trail with no deviations, he can return to find the trail leading to an altogether different place. It is said there is no right way out, and because of this maze, it is impossible to find the source of the reversion, and as such, we cannot heal it. We can only treat the symptoms. We have drawn the line at the river, and nothing on this side is affected by blight, and if it is, we quickly remedy it. The other side of the river, however, is dangerous. We do what we can there, but once we go too far east, there is very little we can do without risking our lives.”
“This Hasar seemed to know the way,” Isaru said. “He said he’d traveled through it before, and seemed to even know where your village was.”
“I don’t know this Hasar,” Enrei said. “Though about a month ago, a girl passed through the Forest, but before we could ask her how, she was gone.”
“Did she give a name?” I asked.
Enrei shook his head. “She did, in fact, give a name, but I know it to be false. She had Gifts, like us, so much so I believed she was Elekai. But it felt…different. There was a falseness to it that I have never felt in all my years. That is how I think she passed the Forest, because in a sense, she was a part of it.”
“Maybe it’s the same for this Hasar” Isaru said. “Indeed, his abilities seem extraordinary, but I sensed he wasn’t Elekai, either.”
“There is much to this that we don’t yet know,” Elder Enrei said. “But the reversions are becoming more powerful. This has been especially true in recent years, and short-staffed as we are, it is becoming ever more difficult to keep them in check.” He gave a tired sigh. “We are the most Gifted among the Samalites, so much so that we were kept from being trained at the Sanctum by the High Council. We Watchers form our own Order. However, so few are born with Gifts today. The youngest of us is Skandes, and he will be turning forty-two this summer.”
“The Fading” I said.
Elder Enrei nodded. “I see you know something of this. I sense that you are both strong in your connections to the Xenofold. Perhaps you are Sanctum-trained, but you are far too young to be Seekers. Apprentices, perhaps. Were you sent north with a message, or perhaps to investigate the northern reversions? A task more suited to a team of Seekers rather than young ones, but it has been so long since we have heard from our brethren in the south. I often think that they have forgotten us up here.”
I didn’t want to admit that that was true. In the Sanctum, I was aware that many Samalites lived in the Northern Wild, but beyond that, I knew almost nothing, other than the fact that Isa was from the Northern Wild.
“We have had our own reversion recently,” Isaru said. “The largest ever recorded in the central Wild.”
Enrei nodded at that. “That was dealt with admirably. The Sages of the Sanctum are almost as adept as we when it comes to xenogrowth.” It was a bold claim, but Enrei said it without any pretense or doubt. “What they have in numbers, we make up for in skill and practice. Even so…we are barely holding on here.”
“Why don’t you ask the Seekers for help?” I asked.
Enrei blinked. This question seemed to surprise him more than anything else we had thus far said. “We have. Repeatedly. But our letters fall on deaf ears. We get responses, yes, but much later than we would like, all promising that our needs are being considered. Not so much as an investigation has been mounted, and if the Seekers were to put their weight behind us, it might bring the plight of the north to the attention of southern courts, who enjoy their security so long as they don’t have to think about it.”
There was a bitter edge to the Elder’s words. It was a terrible thing to fight a battle, but it was far worse to fight that battle alone without it ever being acknowledged.
“If we ever return to the Sanctum, we will personally deliver news about your need,” Isaru said.
“If you return?” Enrei frowned. “Gods know why you would come from the west rather than the south, but if the Sanctum isn’t even willing to send a pair of apprentices…�
� He shook his head. “We will make do, such as we can. Such as we always have. But Auberin can only do so much. I fear…”
Elder Enrei trailed off, never completing his sentence. He seemed lost in unpleasant thoughts.
“Skandes mentioned that Invi are free to stay here, but so few come now. I…heard of what happened at Invia several years back. My mother was Invi, and was raised in Invia before she married my father. What happened to them? Skandes made it seem as if there are few left.”
Elder Enrei sighed. “Yes, you have their look. A sad tale, that. What you’ve told me is curious, because the Invi have very little contact with the outside world, with the exception of the Samalite holds. And even that is limited. But you don’t speak like a Samalite. In fact, you have the accent of a Havener.”
The Elder said nothing more, but his tone indicated he wanted an explanation.
“My mother is dead, and has been for eight years,” Isaru said. His voice was steady and calm, but underneath I could still hear the pain. “She married my father, who is a rich man. She would tell me stories of Invia and her people, of the Oracle at Dreamlake and the wonder of the groves her people maintained, where they communed with the Xenofold and even tamed wild dragons. It made me always want to visit, because such things are unknown in the south. My mother, when she became sick, died far away from her home. She…might have been healed, had she been allowed to go home.”
“I am truly sorry for your loss.”
The Elder gave no sign of knowing who Isaru truly was, even if he had gotten plenty of clues.
“It was long ago, but I would like to know as much as I can about her. For that, I would like to find what is left of the Invi – or perhaps, if you know anything, you might tell me.”
Elder Enrei nodded. “It is not common for the Invi to marry into any tribe more distant than the Samalites, so the fact that your mother married into the Annajen tells me exactly who she was. More than that, it tells me exactly who you are.”
