by Roy C. Booth
“Which is why you were so confident about tying me up earlier?” she asked, somewhat amused.
“Yes,” said Theran, his smile broadening. “I was told you were very astute.”
Iriana brushed away the compliment. “I think that is a great idea, to head for the coastline.”
An unconvinced, “Hmm,” was his only reply.
“I love the ocean. The open sea would be refreshing compared to all of this time I have spent hiding in that cave all these years, mostly by myself, with only the birds and the odd lizard to keep me company.”
“I see.”
“Plus, at sea, we should encounter more clouds that I may be able to call out to. The odds of that are far better than in this near desolate wilderness.” Her voice was filled with longing, and she was sure Theran could hear it.
Theran shook his head. “No. We are not going to the sea. That is too predictable. They would be on us before we raised anchor.”
Iriana scratched her head. “So where are we going?”
“To the Wizard Circle, atop the Hill of Summoning, where the last of the non-Dreanu wizards from this continent meet. We will stay there until they arrive. I am not sure how long it will take, but we will have to wait it out the best we can. I have a tent and some other provisions so we will have shelter and other enmities.” Theran glanced around. “They could meet at any time, so we must be ready for them, but also prepared to wait as long as needed.”
“My mother told me wizards are evil and manipulative, and to avoid them at all costs. You are claiming to have no intent to harm me, but instead want to deliver me unto mine enemies. I am puzzled and confused.” She remembered the horror stories her mother told her about how most wizards used their powers selfishly and ruthlessly for their own personal gains, and only a scant few ever used their powers for others and the greater good.
“Your immediate enemies are the Dreanu. They want to either control you or kill you. And if you cannot call clouds, they will kill you. I promised my father I would protect you by any means I could, and see that you made it to safety so you could fully harness your powers for the greater good. Our world needs you. I will not let some greedy amoral wizards kill you. My armor and weapons are crafted with magic they cannot overcome, and I am aware of some of their tricks and tactics, and can counter them. You are safe with me.” He reached out his hand, took hers, and they were on their way.
They went around the surrounding area several times, often crossing over their own tracks. It took a moment to register he was trying to confuse any trackers with this tactic, for she knew the Dreanu were some of the best at doing so. Once they were clear of the mountain and the paths he made, he pulled her close, whispering into her ear.
“I will run north until I hit the tree line. You sprint west until you hit the tree line. When you get there, stay there; I am going to make some more false trails before I come and get you. It will take a little time, but the distraction is needed, or we will not make it very far.”
She nodded, and sprinted straight for the tree line. When she was close to her waiting point, she turned to see if Theran had made it. He was nowhere to be seen. Her breath came back to her quickly, and she felt exhilarated to be away from her cave.
She waited, patiently at first, but as the time dragged on, she was ready to jog back to the city and inform Kennai of what was going on. She felt obligated to save Kennai, who had saved and hidden her so many times. She decided to count to thirty, and if Theran didn’t show himself, she was going to make a dash toward the city. She reached thirty, readied herself, then started to dart forward.
Just before she cleared the tree line, a strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her back into the covering. Her breath took a moment to return to her lungs. A scream tried to release itself from her mouth, but the sight of Theran covered in dirt and blood took her voice away.
Before she could speak, he pulled her deeper into the woods. They headed west, just as she had run before, but she knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Why would she have run west if they were heading west? Could she really trust this young man who was not much older than herself? Theran stopped at a creek just before daylight. “Drink, hurry,” he indicated for her to use the cup he handed her.
Once sated, she returned to him with a full cup, offering it to him. He sipped quickly and then returned the cup to his pack. He pulled out a piece of dry meat and some bread, split it with her. They ate in silence.
“What happened?” she finally asked. “Why are you covered in blood?”
Theran smiled. “I was trying to lay a false trap, and a tree cat attacked me.”
“A tree cat?”
“Aye, a full grown male from what I could tell, nearly my size.”
“Oh!”
“I gave a fight, and almost killed it, but eventually it gave up on me, thank Kuros. I figured mine and its blood and torn clothes, plus the signs of struggle, will first make them think I might be dead. At least at first. Next, they’ll see we ran different directions, and they will figure we were trying to fool them. They will probably waste a day going south and east. In the meantime, we head west to the wizards and the Hill of Summoning.”
“You trust them at all?” Iriana asked, curious.
“I trust them to fear the Dreanu enough to protect us. I trust them to spare you because your skill is so needed and valuable. As for me, they might very well kill me on sight.”
“So why go there?” It seemed foolish to her for him to put his life in jeopardy just for a promise made to his father. He didn’t know her at all, and he owed her nothing. From his words, it was very dangerous for him even to approach the wizards.
Theran stared off into the distance. “Because I promised my father I would. My word is my bond, as a son, as a warrior, and as a man.”
Iriana lowered her head. “I understand promises. Clearly, I do. I have some of my own to fill.” Still, her promises had yet to put her directly into harm’s way, until then.
They stood quiet and motionless for quite some time. Finally, he sat next to the creek and she joined him, filling up their water skins. “We have a good day ahead of them. They will expect me to follow my training, sleep during the day and travel at night. Once they realize I have tricked them, they will expect me to change to travel at day. Which is why we must travel at night, and we must keep switching it up, so they never figure out our pattern.”
“Dreanu are confusing.” She thought for a moment of how much effort was involved in escaping from these warrior hunters.
“We are different, which is why we are feared.” His tone was solemn, almost respectful, but with a taste of hatred. “People in general fear those that are not like themselves.”
“You are feared because you try to control everything, and kill whatever you can’t,” Iriana said, smugly. “Or understand.”
“That, too.” Theran chuckled, and Iriana joined in with her laughter. An underlying tension had finally been broken, and both young adventurers were relieved by that. After they had composed themselves…
“What if I don’t trust you?” Iriana asked, and she waited for an answer.
“Well—” he started.
“Well, you shouldn’t trust him. He is a Dreanu, after all.”
The voice came from behind them!
Both stood, daggers at the ready and stared at the man who appeared out of the thicket. His white robes, staff with a precious gem on the top, and his grayish hair gave him away. Before them stood a wizard.
Theran placed his knife back in his belt. “Put away the dagger, Iriana. He is a wizard, he could kill us both in an instant if he wanted. Not much our defense can do against him.”
“I thought you said your armor and weapons could defeat a wizard?” she whispered, hoping the robed man before them didn’t catch her words.
“Ahem. If he got the better of me, by catching me completely unaware, yes, the Dreanu could. But seeing how I snuck up on you—never.” The wizard passed them he
ading to the creek. He leaned down and scooped water with his hand to his mouth and drank. “So, may I ask what are you two doing in this part of the forest?”
“I am Theran, and my business is my own. She is of no concern to you, wizard.” He spoke his name as if many knew it, hoping it might frighten off the stranger before them. Also, he knew the wizard could defeat him, but didn’t want to appear weak or unsure in front of Iriana.
The wizard eyed them for a moment, then stood. “I am Jihan, and I am searching for someone who was last seen in this area. Unless you reveal to me who you are, and what you are doing here, there will be great consequences. I cannot allow you two to interfere with my mission.”
There was a pause.
“I have heard of you,” said Theran, finally. “The name Jihan is that of a good wizard, one of the Order of Six.”
“And what else do you know? Pray tell, young man.” Jihan appeared amused by Theran’s statement.
“That precious time is being wasted answering your questions. I am taking her to the Wizard’s Circle so you and your order can protect her from the Dreanu. The Dreanu would kill her if they found her.”
“And who are you?” Jihan asked, staring directly at Iriana.
“I am Iriana, the last Cloud Caller.”
Jihan sighed. He reached down for another drink of water, drank it, and gave a soft cough. “We must travel quickly. She will not be safe until we reach the Wizard’s Circle, other wizards of my order are already gathering there as I ask my,” he cleared his throat, “‘time wasting’ questions.” He turned to Theran. “If your brethren are hunting her now, they will spare no cost at finding her.”
“There are three armies in the area the scouts can summon to help with the capture as well,” said Theran. “She is that important to their plans.”
Jihan sighed. “Well, now, that’s very problematic, isn’t it? I am not a combat mage, by any stretch or means, my talents lie in transmutation and minor enchantments. I do not think I can easily withstand an army, no matter how small, let alone three.”
“I see,” said Theran.
“We better be off, then,” said Jihan. And off he went, leading the two young people back to the Hill of Summoning and the Wizard’s Circle.
Theran grabbed Iriana by the arm and followed the wizard who traveled well into the day without stopping. His pace wasn’t quick, his strides were not long, but his gait was steady, and gave no time for his two followers to lag behind. Once the night closed in, Jihan stopped at a towering moss tree and cast a spell for the limbs to conceal them, a living lean-to. After they settled in, Jihan started to cross examine Iriana.
“Child, where is your mother?” he asked. His tone was filled with worry, but the way he said “mother” made her feel that he knew her somehow. Jihan watched her eyes, as he awaited her response.
“Dead.” Iriana didn’t want to say anything more to the strange wizard, she still didn’t trust him. She lowered her eyes, noting he was trying to read them.
“How?”
“How about, none of your damned business?” Iriana fired back. “I have no idea who you are, or why you are trying to help us, or even if we can trust you.”
Before she could abuse him further, Jihan cut her short, offering an explanation. “I am Jihan, the youngest member of the Order of Six, again a gifted transmuter who also dabbles with minor enchantments. I am currently the last free transmuter, mind you; so believe me when I say I understand your loss. Truly. Second, I knew your mother long ago, and I was searching for her when I came upon you two. The lack of rains throughout the land has almost become legend, seeing as many can’t remember the last good steady rain. And last, I plan to take you to the Wizard’s Circle in order to protect you. No matter the fear the world has for the dread Dreanu, they dare not march on our lands, especially against wizards and a Cloud Caller. Our responses will be quick, precise, and quite lethal.”
“Why would the Dreanu, or anyone else for that matter, fear me?” Iriana asked, knowing that she wasn’t dangerous to one Dreanu, let alone several armies of them.
Jihan leaned back and gave a soft knowing chuckle. “Storms. Your gift can not only bring, soothing life-giving water, it can also bring storms, lightning, tornadoes–the unfettered fury of Nature herself. You could use those as terrifying weapons against lesser beings, possibly even subjugate them.” Jihan took a drink from his waterskin then offered it to the other two. “You alone could probably defeat the army they raised to find you. At least I think you could, but the other wizards of my order would be nice to have working in tandem with you, just in case you falter in battle due to inexperience and whatnot. Now, if they manage to marshal three armies against us as our young Dreanu scout has suggested—”
Iriana lowered her head. “Sorry to disappoint you, but my powers are absent. They’ve been waning for years. I cannot call upon the clouds.”
“So you are not the Cloud Caller?” Jihan asked, now somewhat annoyed, an owlish eyebrow raised.
“I am the last one, my mother was one, but so far, I have been unable to call a single cloud.” She stood, hopeless and frustrated.
“Hm.” Jihan made the noise in a questioning manner.
“Yes,” she said, confirming what she had just said.
“Try now, let me see,” the wizard instructed.
“W-what?” she asked.
Jihan rose up from the ground, leaning upon his staff. There was an odd glint in his eyes. “Yes, show me how your magic works. Display your powers.”
“I … I …” she stuttered.
“Do it, Iriana,” said Theran, who had chosen to remain silent for most of the day. “Perhaps he can help you somehow?”
“Oh-okay.” She was consigned to try, at least.
“Splendid,” said Jihan. His intense gaze felt like it bore right through her.
Theran watched closely as Iriana clenched her fists, strained her focus on the sky, and sang. Jihan watched her, then peered toward the sky, and then back to her. He waited for several minutes hoping to see cloud formation, or cloud movement. But nothing happened.
“There. See. I’m a failure.” Her mood went from unsure to completely pessimistic.
“Hm,” was the wizard’s only reply, again.
Theran stepped forward. “Iriana, I—”
“I think I’ve got it,” interrupted Jihan. “Please, allow me.”
He strode over to her, placed his staff on the ground, and then put his arm around her, holding her firm and tight. “Try again. However, this time reach for the clouds, use your hands and try to pull them in with your gestures and song. Feel the power well within you, and pretend you can pull them in with voice and hands. Focus at the task at hand. Clear all other thoughts and doubts from your mind. Have faith that this will work and do not question yourself. Do you understand?”
She nodded, opened her hands and reached for the sky. Just before she started singing, Jihan clasped his hand around her forearm.
“Do not think for a moment you are going to fail. I have faith in you, Theran has faith in you. Clear any thought of failure from your mind. Instead of being Iriana, think you are your mother, and the long line of Cloud Callers that she represents. You are a link in a very glorious chain of Cloud Callers–all of whom have passed their knowledge and wisdom down to their daughters for generations–even before the Sarpandian Chronicles and the First Empire. Honor her memory, feel her presence within you. Feel the connection. Put all fears and doubts behind you. You are now going to call a rain cloud.”
Iriana nodded, and then shook her head to clear her mind. She took a deep breath then extended her hands skyward.
Palms open, elbows bent, she reached for the clouds this time instead of the sky, supplicating them. Her voice came, clearer than before and the words flew out of her mouth naturally instead of being forced.
“That’s it, now, feel it.” Jihan encouraged.
Theran felt the air cool, and the wind pick up. He spun around, feeling
the air change, and seeing moisture build in the area around them. The temperature started to drop around them and he felt the change.
“Yes, that’s it,” whispered Jihan. “That’s it.”
Iriana sang with hope, passion–and most importantly–confidence. Theran and Jihan watched in amazement. They were so entranced by her, neither could cast their gazes skyward to see the rumbling clouds overhead.
The rain that fell on their heads was proof enough of her success.
All three played in the rain, running around making whooping noises. Tears of joy were washed away by the intense rainfall. Iriana kept singing, and the rains kept coming. Amazed at her new power, she sang to the cloud asking for thunder and lightning. Just as she asked, the clouds she had called produced a streak of flashing light in the sky, followed by a rocketing boom. She had created a storm. All the years of failure were starting to lose their baring over her.
Theran stopped their rejoicing. “We must go.”
“Go? Now? Can you not see what I have done?” Iriana was in such a joyous mood, her smile had begun to hurt her cheeks, turning her entire sharp featured face red.
“Yes, you have just alerted the Dreanu of which direction we traveled. They will be on us in no time.” Theran grabbed his stuff. “End the rain so we can try to get away.”
She stood there with a clueless expression. “End it? How?”
Jihan laughed and grabbed the girl’s arm. “Theran is right, we must be off. And there is no time for you to learn to dispel this at the moment. Maybe later, when you have more time and protection, and—”
A trumpet blared, piercing the air, followed by a succession of other synchronized blasted notes. Once the trumpets ended, the screams of many men could be heard. These were screams of fear or panic, but those of war and death.
Theran gasped. He noticed the movement in the trees beyond them. He heard the footsteps and battle calls. He saw trees swaying in the distance. Theran knew exactly what was about to happen, but the fear settled his resolve. “An army is descending upon our position.”
