Hand of Fire (The Master of the Tane)

by Rath, Thomas

  Glad for his discovery, but feeling a dolt for taking so long to figure it out, Thane gathered the strength of the winds in an all out effort to force back the opposition blocking his way. Like the shot of an arrow, he sent himself screaming towards the mountain pass gathering more speed with his approach and finally smashed into the opposing wind, nullifying its force with his own. Suddenly left without resistance, he was hurled deep into the pass leaving Tam’s presence far behind before he could regain control over the air’s driving force and slow his forward momentum to a complete stop.

  He couldn’t hold back the shiver that raced through his core exhilarating and terrifying him all at once. Taking in his surroundings, he noticed that just ahead, not fifty yards distance, the pass curved to the left leaving a solid, smooth wall of mountain that reached up hundreds of feet as if trying to close out the moonlit sky. He wondered what might have happened had he failed to stop in time and run into the side of the mountain pass. Another shiver raced through him and he decided quickly to leave such speculation for another time.

  Turning about, he moved slowly toward the column of trolls he had left far behind. His sense of Tam had lessened considerably which shocked him even more with the realization of just how far he’d actually flown into the pass. It was mind boggling to think of the amount of wind power he was able to harness. How was it possible?

  It was then that he noticed the slightest change touching his outer consciousness giving him the distinct feeling of another presence. The wind suddenly shifted, as if sucked away, and then it pressed back into him. Something passed through him, chilling him completely, as if death itself had ascended from the abyss to devour his soul. With it came a feeling of recognition mingled with venomous loathing, which took Thane’s breath almost completely away.

  Before he had a chance to ponder what it all meant, the cold hatred returned and began separating the threads of life giving air that kept him afloat. Thane grabbed desperately for more air, calling it to him in great gusts, as he felt himself begin to unravel. He called again and again, pulling more wind and trying to break free but every strand he caught hold of was instantly unraveled and sent howling down the mountain pass.

  A cyclone quickly formed as wind currents coiled around and then unraveled from Thane’s incorporeal body sending him and his attacker twisting in a whirlwind of dirt and rocks that were sucked up from the mountain floor. Thane felt as if he were being pulled apart in a myriad of directions as the debris shot through him disrupting his control and toppling him over in the increasing gusts. He tried to gather back what was being torn away hoping to reverse the currents and stop the twister but his sense of direction was too distorted as he was thrown about on the cycling windstorm.

  An icicle of cold emotion abruptly pierced his mind with an explosion of pain as he felt something suddenly invade his thoughts. He felt words forming that were not his own and the distinct impression of a smile was clearly evident. How can this be, Gelfin? You are no longer.

  Thane tried to form a reply of denial but all his concentration was locked on the wind in a desperate scramble to keep his essence from being torn apart. The probing thoughts of the wraith dug mercilessly deeper, tearing into Thane’s inner mind, ripping through chambers holding his most painful and private memories leaving them exposed and vulnerable. All his thoughts of worthlessness and self hate surfaced in an instant sending his resolve fluttering away on the retreating wind as he began to give in to the welcomed numbness promised in death.

  A sudden feeling of surprise radiated from the wraith born emotions that had penetrated his mind, shocking his whole system as the cold hate abruptly retreated releasing him from its grasp. The backlash of wind gripped Thane in an explosive mass of power that catapulted him end over end into the night sky high above the valley floor. Frantically deflating tremendous amounts of air, Thane slowly gained control of his ascent and then flew his spirit in full retreat away from the mountains and back towards camp. His mind was an eruption of pain and fear that confused all of his thoughts save for the primal and instinctive need for survival. Like a drowning man reaching for the surface, he stretched to attain his body and become whole again.

  The wraith just watched with poorly concealed amusement. That’s right boy. Run away for now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Thane jerked awake and sprang to his feet instantly regretting the quick movement as his head pounded cadence with the spinning world around him. Falling back to his knees, he tried to steady himself and the earth beneath him in an effort to keep his stomach from turning with it. His whole body ached, from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. Even his hair seemed to hurt. When was he going to learn to let his curse die within him?

  What was that thing that attacked me? He tried to concentrate on the events of the night and bring his thoughts into focus but it was like being waist deep in mud and trying to run. Tam!

  “Are you all right?”

  Thane jolted at the sound of Jack’s voice paying instantly for the movement as nausea grappled with his stomach. Leaning forward, he rested his head on the ground fighting desperately to gain control.

  “You look terrible, Thane, what’s wrong?”

  Thane lifted a weak hand and waved Jack off. “I’m fine, really,” he managed to croak out. “We have to get going. The trolls are past Haykon...heading into the mountains.”

  Jack grabbed Thane’s shoulders and pulled him back. “Haykon has fallen? How do you know that?”

  Thane let out an acid tasting burp as he tried to force all of the Jack’s he was seeing back together into one. “Haykon still stands, the trolls passed it by.”

  “That’s impossible,” Jack returned shaking Thane mercilessly. “Trolls would never pass up a fight like that. You must be mistaken.”

  The taste of bile filled Thane’s mouth as a last warning to stop moving or suffer the consequences. He swallowed bitterly while beads of sweat broke out onto his forehead. “I’m not mistaken, Jack...I saw it...And if you don’t quit...bouncing me around...you’re going to see...last night’s...dinner.”

  Jack leaned back quickly releasing Thane’s shoulders and allowing his head to drop onto the grass. “What is wrong with you, Thane? And what do you mean you saw it?”

  Thane rolled onto his side trying to ignore his body’s screams and the constant pounding in his head. Breathing deeply, he finally settled his stomach back into his gut where it grumbled disagreeably. “You know Jack, ArVen. Tam’s Tane.”

  “Yes, I remember that but I don’t remember you mentioning anything about seeing with it.”

  Thane forced a chuckle. “Is that what I said? I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well. I meant, you know, that she told me, on the wind.” Thane turned his face back to the ground in mock queasiness so as not to have to look Jack in the eyes.

  “What is wrong with you anyway?”

  Thane turned his face back relieved that the direction of the conversation had changed. “I don’t know. Must have been something I ate.” Jack lent an arm as Thane gently pushed himself up into a sitting position. “I’ll be all right, really. We need to get going now, though. If those trolls burrow down into those mountains, we may never find Tam again.”

  Jack turned and looked to the west and the mountain range looming on the horizon. “I wouldn’t worry about that, Thane.”

  Thane stood up with effort trying to ignore the pain that shot through him. “Why do you say that?” he asked, following Jack’s gaze.

  “Those are the Mogolth Mountains.”

  “So?”

  Jack turned back to him, lines of worry etched across his bearded face. “Trolls are frightened of the Mogolths. They normally wouldn’t come within twenty miles of it.”

  “So why then are they going into them?”

  Jack turned a worried scowl back to the mountains beyond. “I don’t know. But, I intend to find out.” Jerking around he suddenly spat “Are you well enough to ride?”

  Thane nodde
d weakly trying to convince himself that he actually was.

  “Good. If we ride hard, we should reach Haykon by nightfall. Then we can find out more about what is going on.”

  Thane passed on the morning meal busying himself instead with gathering the horses and loading them up to leave. His body still ached all over making movement difficult and uncomfortable but not impossible. Luckily, the nausea had subsided completely taking the dizziness with it. That didn’t stop his head from pounding like a drum though. Jack settled on a couple of hard biscuits from his pack and washed them down with cold water from a nearby stream before filling their water pouches and lending Thane a hand.

  Thane tried unsuccessfully to trap the groans that escaped his mouth when Jack helped him into his saddle.

  “Are you sure you can ride?”

  Thane only nodded afraid of what might come out were he to speak.

  Jack shook his head but said nothing and then easily jumped up onto the back of his own horse while still holding the reins of the third.

  Suddenly, Thane grabbed his arm. “Did you hear that?”

  Jack looked around quickly. “What?”

  “Like a yell.” Thane pointed behind them. “Over there.”

  Jack strained to pick up any unusual sound but was only greeted by the brush of the wind past his ears. Just then, a faint shout rang out far off in the direction Thane had indicated accompanied by two small, dark images moving quickly through the grass towards them.

  “Erl?”

  Jack squinted his eyes trying to coerce them to see as far as Thane’s.

  “It is Erl,” Thane confirmed. “But what’s he chasing after?”

  Jack glanced at him with a perturbed look. “Got me. I can’t even make out which one is Erl from this distance.” Jack shrugged. “He’s probably just catching his breakfast. He’ll catch up later. Come on, let’s get going.”

  Thane kept staring as another shout touched his ears. “Wait a minute. It’s...can it be?”

  “Can it be what?” Jack insisted growing irritated.

  “DOR!” Thane suddenly yelled causing his horse to shy back.

  “Dor?” Jack swung his head back in the direction of the two approaching figures. Sure enough, Dor came flying through the grass yelling and screaming, his arms flailing in the air while Erl trotted behind nipping at his heals. Before Jack could say anything, Thane had his horse at a dead run quickly closing the gap between them.

  “Dor!” Thane cried.

  “Get this thing away from me!” he cried in return. Paying the two Chufa boys no further attention, Erl continued on past and into Jack’s waiting arms.

  “I thought you weren’t coming back,” Thane said lightly suddenly avoiding his gaze.

  “What?” Dor flushed. “Why, of course I was. I just wanted to get a good look at the woods once more. When I came back, you had already left. I tracked you until about a mile back when that huge ball of teeth and fur found me and started chasing me.”

  Thane looked at his friend knowingly. Searching his eyes, he could see none of the mistrust or anger that had been there two nights previous. Only the devious twinkle that was Dor’s personality mingled with a slight hint of sadness remained. Thane sighed in relief. “Well, I’m glad you found us.” Quickly looking down his mood changed in a breath. “Dor, I’m...”

  “No, Thane,” he interrupted. “I’m sorry.”

  Thane’s face split into a grin and all the inner pain seemed to melt away into a huge smile. “You should have seen yourself,” he chuckled, “with Erl chasing behind you like that and you running and yelling like a girl.”

  Dor took on an indignant look of mock anger. “Why, that thing almost ate me!”

  Thane laughed heartily and was quickly joined by Dor.

  Jack and Erl trotted up and abruptly ended their moment of mirth. Dor eyed the HuMan carefully locking his dark eyes suspiciously upon the sword on his hip and the wolg at his side. Jack stood silent under the scrutiny waiting for Dor to make up his mind while Erl just flopped to the ground, as if bored with the whole thing, and started licking the blood from his jowls that was left over from breakfast.

  Thane suddenly felt his head spinning again, threatening to close in on him, when he realized he was holding his breath. Forcing himself to exhale, he also remained silent and still, knowing that this was between his two friends. He realized that nothing he could say or do would change anything between them. It was up to Dor. Only he could bridge the gap.

  After long moments of silence, Dor’s face softened into a smile. “Eelo Geenok Kusheeno.”

  Thane stepped up quickly. “That means I’m sorry.”

  “I know what it means,” Jack interrupted with a scowl not taking his eyes off of Dor. “Don’t you think I pay attention when you teach me that heathen language of yours?”

  Thane closed his mouth with a snap.

  “Lan Cho Cheelo CheeloNok No Cho PoShono Chee Deyneeshi Jhikir,” Jack responded before turning to Thane with a satisfied grin. “Which means, ‘Let the dreams of the night vanish with the sun’.

  Thane’s mouth dropped open.

  “I told you I listened.”

  Thane’s hanging jaw quickly curled into a grin. Such a statement to the Chufa meant that all that may have happened before was like a dream, which is forgotten when one wakes to a bright new day. Dor’s smile widened as he clasped Jack’s outstretched hand, the HuMan way of forgiving and forgetting.

  “Now that that has been settled,” Jack said, a serious and urgent edge touching his voice, “we’d better get going.”

  Thane only nodded. Retrieving Dor’s mount from Jack, he quickly explained what he had discovered while his Chufa friend climbed ungracefully onto the horse’s back. When Dor pressed for how they knew such things, Thane spoke quickly trusting that Jack would not be able to understand their language at such speeds. “One of Jack’s men reported it to us.”

  Sensing they were finished, Jack turned his horse about and all three kicked their mounts into a quick run across the open prairie toward the looming Mogolth Mountains. Dor was at first clumsy with his horse but seemed to settled into riding the great beast a lot quicker than Thane had.

  The terrain didn’t change through the morning remaining an open grassland with an occasional rise and completely carpeted with tiny yellow flowers. Thane was struck by the beauty of it all. The cascading wind brushing through his long, black hair seemed to take with it the pain in his head while relaxing his muscles and relieving some of the aching that had overwhelmed him earlier.

  As the sun approached its peak in a cloudless sky, the riders overtook a road that turned with them heading almost due west. “This is the road from Calandra to Haykon,” Jack supplied. “The Corrin River intersects it not too much further ahead. We’ll stop there for a quick meal.” Thane nodded and then translated for Dor.

  “I’ll be glad to get off of this Mother cursed beast and back onto my own feet,” Dor added.

  Before Thane could reply, Jack burst into a deep, rumbling laugh and in almost perfect Chufa replied, “I’m sure your horse feels the same way.”

  Thane stared at him in shocked amazement. He has been paying attention.

  Just after the sun reached its zenith in the clear, blue sky the riders came to a narrow bridge spanning the high runoff waters of the Corrin River. The bridge was just barely wide enough for one horse drawn cart to cross to the other side. The river was not very wide at this point, being so close to the mountains that fed it. Wild flowers, in a sweep of rainbow colors crowded the edges while clumps of willow trees stood back stretching their roots to drink the life giving waters. A gust of wind swept down from the north out of the snowcapped mountains forcing the three riders to pull up their cloaks against the chill.

  Jack took the horses down near the river for a drink while Thane and Dor unloaded a meager lunch of roots and hard cheese. “I’m glad you decided to come back, Dor,” Thane said quietly, keeping his eyes secured to the cheese he was
cutting.

  Dor plopped unceremoniously down beside him and grabbed a piece. “What,” Dor replied with a chuckle, “and let you go out and have all the adventure yourself? This is what we’ve been yearning for since we were a mere four cycles.”

  Thane looked up and smiled weakly at his friend. “I only wish that Tam wasn’t involved like she is. I never really thought about it before.”

  “About what?”

  “What being a Protector really means.”

  Dor grabbed another piece of cheese and wrapped it around a radish. “What are you talking about?”

  “The need for Protectors means that someone is at risk; that their lives are in danger. I’ve always wanted to be a Protector because of the excitement and glory of it. There really isn’t any of that when someone you care about is in danger.”

  Dor swallowed with a grimace. “You’re right Thane, but that doesn’t take away the necessity of having Protectors. That’s like wishing for the stars to quit shining. Without us, our loved ones would die for sure. With us, they have a chance at happy lives.”

  Thane put away his knife and bit into a piece of cheese without really tasting it. “I know you’re right, but it doesn’t make it any easier on Tam.”

  Dor looked at his friend knowingly. “Don’t do this to yourself, Thane. It’s not right. You can’t keep blaming yourself for anything and everything that goes wrong in this world. Tam and I are out here because we care about you. Now, you and I are here because we care about Tam. We’ll get her back. Now, whether you want to help or not is up to you, but you aren’t going to do us any good trying to carry everyone’s problems around on your shoulders. Tam’s life can’t afford the luxury of such distractions. We do the best we can with what we have and what we’ve learned and then leave the rest in the care of TehraMae.”