Would the trainers remain loyal? Would they even be at the training camp? Would they give Gila lessons in defense? As her Chosen he had a duty to help her gain more confidence.
When the last of the men were breaking their fast, Timir went to the fire for a kettle of starflower tea. He ladled mugs and helped Gila pass them to the men. In the eyes of two, he saw awareness.
“Who?” the first man asked.
“Timir. Chosen of the Violet Jewel.”
“Where?” the second asked.
“The grounds of the wizards’ stronghold.”
The first man frowned. “They came for me. Riding their horses with the horns dyed red. Gave me a drink. My talent wasn’t strong enough for me to become one of them. I was left to tend the stock. How long have I been here? Was but seven and ten when they brought me here.”
Timir stared at the man’s head. His hair had streaks of gray. “I can’t say how long ago that was. The good news is the wizards have been destroyed.”
“That’s good.” The second man finished his tea. “They have much to answer for. When I refused to use my talent for ill, they did something to my head that made me forget my name and where I was.”
“Do you have places to go?” Gila asked.
“Been so long I’m not sure anyone would remember me.” Sorrow tinged the first man’s voice.
“You’ll be taken to Desert’s Edge, provided with clothes, coins and a horse,” Timir said.
The second man frowned. “What about the other men? Who will see to them?”
Timir wasn’t sure. Perhaps Valmir and Liara knew. “Come with me. I’ll take you to someone who will know. You can find the answers you need from them.”
“Do you think we can help with these other men?” the second one asked.
“You can see what Liara thinks,” Gila said.
As the men followed Timir from the tent, he counted the number who remained. Eleven and all but one were of middle age or older. What would happen to the men who failed to respond to the tea? Why had the youngest one not recovered his memories?
He saw the two to where Liara and Valcon were and explained their dilemma. Before he left, he informed the White Holder that he and Gila would leave in the morning. “There’s a place I want to take her.”
Liara looked up. “Has this anything to do with your prophecy?”
He nodded. “I hope so. Courage is one of the things we seek.”
“And your thread?”
“Maybe.”
“Then go with my blessing.” Liara turned to the two men who stood with Valmir. “Your help with the other men will be welcome. Go with Valmir to the stores and select clothes to last a few days.” She smiled. “You can take time deciding what you want to do. My Chosen will tell you about the choices.”
Timir walked away. He began to plan what additional supplies he and Gila would need to purchase for the journey to the training camp. They would travel to Quato and beyond. Maybe they would encounter Stilenta and Nalor. If he could convince the older couple to join them, Gila would feel safer. If not, he would persuade the trainers to help her.
In the morning, Timir picked up travel packs of enough food to see them to Desert’s Edge. He took two pouches of coins from the vast store the wizards had amassed. They would have to buy enough supplies in Desert’s Edge to last until they reached Quato. There they would need to purchase more.
He and Gila carried their packs to the meadow where the horned horses grazed. He selected a sturdy mare for Gila and a gelding for himself. After saddling the steeds and fastening their packs and blanket rolls behind the saddles, he cupped his hands to held Gila. Then he grabbed the horn and leaped onto his gelding and led the way to the tunnel into the cave entrance. “We’re off.”
“Where are we going?” Gila asked.
“To the training camp where I learned my skills. The trainers there can help thee learn to protect thyself and thus you will gain confidence.”
“Are thee sure I can learn?”
“Who can be sure of anything, but if thee don’t try something new, nothing will change.”
She nodded. “I know thee are right. Will the learning be difficult?”
Timir thought of his training days and how he had worked from dawn to dusk to learn the skills to become a Queen’s Guard. “Hard, yes, but once thee master them, thee will lose thy fear. Thee have a Jewel and a task. How can thee find the thread if thee cower in the shadows?”
“I know thee are right, but –“
He put his fingers to his lips. “No more hesitation. Ride with me. Think on this as an adventure. After thee learn what the trainers feel thee need to know, there is a place we should visit.”
“What kind of place?”
“An ancient circle of stones.”
She leaned forward. “There was one near my home, but the pillars had been shattered.”
“In this one, the stones stand. If this isn’t the right place, we’ll visit thy home.” He signaled his horse to leave the cave. Gila followed him through the forest to the road.
The moons had risen by the time they reached the inn at Desert’s Edge. Gila collapsed on the bed in their sleeping chamber. She refused Timir’s suggestion of a meal. He left her asleep and went to the common room. There, he learned they’d missed Stilenta and Nalor by a day. He also heard about the battle with the dire wolves and how Nalor had been injured by a fanged ape.
“So they went to Quato,” he said.
The innkeeper shook his head. “They went into the desert.”
Timir finished the roast fowl and dumplings. So he and Gila wouldn’t see Stilenta and Nalor in Quato. Gila would have no reason not to continue to the training camp. He returned to the room. The next day, they made their purchases and spent a second night at the inn.
For seven days they rode from dawn to dusk through a deserted countryside. Several times they passed boarded houses and once a tavern that had burned down.
When they reached the gates of Quato, Gila’s violet eyes filled with fear. “Do we have to stay here? There are so many people.”
Timir frowned. During the journey from Desert’s Edge, she had laughed and told him of her life before his mother’s death. Her spirits had been so light he’d almost forgotten her fear of strangers. He turned his head. “We need to spend a night at an inn so we can buy more supplies. Don’t fear. I’ll make sure thee are safe.”
“I’ll try to hide my feelings.”
Though her face bore no color and her eyes held no eagerness, she rode at his side. When they reached the market square, the shouts of the vendors caused her spine to stiffen. Timir found an inn and arranged for a room for the night. After leaving their packs inside, she followed him to the bathing rooms.
Gila opened the door on the woman’s side. “There’s no one here. I’ll be fine.”
“I could keep guard.”
She shook her head. “Just be quick. I will.”
Once they left the baths, they went to their room. Timir ordered a meal to be delivered and they ate. Soon Gila curled on the bed. When she fell into a deep sleep, he rose and went to the market for their supplies. Though he could have waited until morning, the sooner they could leave the more secure Gila would feel.
As he made his selections, he listened to the babble of conversations and winnowed the tidbits he felt were important. The black-robed wizards had vanished. A number of Guards had left with the wizards and few had returned.
Should he seek them? Would they look on him as a deserter? In a way, he was, but being the Chosen of a Holder had changed his status. He wasn’t sure what he could learn from any of the Queen’s Guards. They might try to stop him. Taking Gila to the trainers was essential and he wanted to keep their destination a secret.
The next morning, they set out. At dusk they reached the crossroads where one branch led to Pala and the other to the training camp. He noticed the tracks of a large party who had come from the camp’s direction. This group had passed thro
ugh this area several days before. Who and where, he wondered. Perhaps he would never know.
Five days later, they reached a village. Timir remembered the village tavern from his training days. If they stopped for a meal, someone might recognize him.
Gila pointed to the building. “We could stop there. Don’t seem to be many people around.”
He shook his head. “If we continue until disk to make camp, we can reach our destination by mid-afternoon tomorrow. We’ve traveled fewer kils today than I planned.”
“All right, we’ll go on.” She leaned forward. “Do thee really think these men will accept me for training? Aren’t all Queen’s Guards men?”
“They are but I can persuade them.”
“Are thee sure they’ll be at this camp?”
“Where would they go? They’ve been trainers for twenty years. The camp is their home.” He grinned. “If they’re gone we’ll use their equipment and I’ll be thy teacher.”
* * *
Gila stared at the low wall surrounding what Timir called the training camp. She studied the obstacle course. Were the various barriers, hedges and ditches for a horse and rider? What about the nets and ladders? The walls were unguarded and the gates open. A small house flanked by two long buildings faced the road.
Timir pointed. “Barracks are on the right. Stables on the left. Trainers live in the house.”
Smoke rose from the chimney of the two story stone cottage. Though larger than her childhood home, something about the house promised comfort and safety.
Timir halted in front of the house. He dismounted and tied his steed to the railing. She remained mounted and ready to flee if trouble erupted. Timir rapped on the door.
A man with graying hair opened the door. “Young Timir, welcome. Didn’t expect to see you. Heard you were part of the former queen’s escort.”
“I was and I’m a friend of the White Holder.” He waved to Gila. “Come and meet the trainers.”
She drew a deep breath and sensed nothing but curiosity and welcome. The man seemed kind.
“Why did you come?” the man asked. “If you’re recruiting for the queen, you’ll have to find some trainees. Our last group finished the course and left for Pala a tenday ago. No new recruits have been sent.”
Gila dismounted and went to Timir. “Are thee sure we’ll be safe here?”
Timir nodded. “Emer, this is Gila, Holder of the Violet Jewel. We need your help.”
“Then come in.” Emer moved aside “If you’ve a problem maybe we can help. You can tell us what’s happening in the land.” He led them to a sitting room.
Two other men sat on chairs near the fire. “Gila, this is Falar and Yagor,” Timir said.
Gila sank onto a sofa. Emer appeared with mugs of kaf. “Now, tell us about the help you need.”
Timir leaned against the mantle. “Gila needs to learn some fighting skills so she can protect herself.”
Emer frowned. “Why? Didn’t you say she holds a Jewel? That should give all the protection she needs.”
Gila studied her hands. “Timir thinks … thinks if I know how to defend myself I won’t be afraid all the time.”
“Good thinking,” Yagor said.
Timir nodded. “As you may have heard, the Black Jewel was destroyed. Also, the stronghold of the wizards lies in ruins and most of them are dead or powerless.”
Falar frowned. “Give us the story. Ten days ago, a wizard arrived and took the trainees away.”
“But the wizards were destroyed,” Gila said.
Emer shook his head. “Some seem to have survived.”
“I was with Gila when the Holders destroyed the wizard’s stronghold. We thought only the hidden ones remained but our companions feared a few had escaped.”
Yagor frowned. “The one who came here said the Jewels were gone and that they ruled. We weren’t arguing with them and told the trainees to go.”
“They lied,’ Gila said.
Emer nodded. “As we can see. We heard about the battle on the plain and the ending of the Black Jewel’s reign. These wizards seemed to believe they had captured one or more of the Holders and bent them to their use. Why didn’t the new queen order all the Guards to Pala so they could swear allegiance?”
“Maybe she didn’t know she had to,” Gila said.
“There wasn’t much time between one battle and the next,” Timir said. “We were in Pala about a lunar.”
Gila studied the three older men. Were they friends? Their gazes showed no trace of evil. “When the wizard ordered the Guards to leave, why didn’t you go?”
“I was ill,” Yagor said.
“He said I was too old,” Emer said.
Falar laughed. “I asked for proof of the Holders’ deaths.”
“And he let you live?” Timir asked.
Yagor shrugged. “He was in a hurry. Said he had other places to visit. Took him less than a day to persuade the others to change their allegiance. Then some of the young men wavered, so he ordered them all away.” A cough began and continued until he struggled for breath.
Timir looked at Gila. “I think we can help your cough. The Red Holder taught us a bit about medicinals.”
“Can you help my joints?” Emer asked.
“I think we can.” Gila rose. “I’ll make a potion for Yagor and a tea for you that should work.”
“I’d welcome what you can do.” Yagor smiled. “Timir, what kind of training do you think will do?”
“Strength, knives, bows, unarmed defense and riding.”
“I’ll need my pack.” Gila retreated to the kitchen.
“I’ll bring it and see to the horses.”
A short time later, Gila measured healal into a pan. When the tea had brewed, she added mintos to Yagor’s cup. Timir returned and began a soup. He saw bread and cheese and sliced them.
When the soup was ready they gathered at the table. The older men drank ale with their food. Gila and Timir had cider. “What now?” she asked.
“Your training will begin in the morning. Strength training is my area,” Falar said.
Yagor smiled. “For me the knife and the bow. Once you can defend yourself, you’ll gain confidence.” He gathered the dishes they had used. “The potion seems to have helped.”
“You’ll need to take it before every meal and at bedtime until the cough is gone.” She turned to Emer. “A cup of healal tea in the morning and at night will help your bones.”
Once the kitchen was clean, Falar showed Gila to a room on the second floor. She undressed and crawled into bed. Was what Timir and the trainers had said true? Would her fears vanish after she learned what they planned to teach her?
When she woke, she washed and dressed. She went downstairs and found Falar waiting. She gestured to the kitchen. “Kaf?”
He shook his head. “Later.” He led her outside to the area where she’d seen the nets and ladders. Before setting her to try the course, he led her through a series of exercises that left her gasping for breath. Then he told her to see how much of the course she could master.
Gila tried. She managed to make her way through the series of wooden rings set in the ground. She climbed the fence and landed on the other side. The ropes and nets defeated her. She sank to the ground.
Falar helped her to her feet. “Not bad for a first try. It’s off to the baths for you. Then you can break your fast.”
Gila wasn’t sure she wanted to do anything but return to bed. The day had barely begun and she felt as if she’d worked for hours. Falar took her to the barracks and showed her the baths. She found clothes and towels on a shelf.
The steaming pool eased the soreness of muscles she hadn’t known were part of her body. She moved to a pool where the water was warm and washed. After plunging into the icy pool, she felt energized. She dressed and joined Timir and the three older men.
Yagor led her outside where knives sat on a stone table. A series of targets faced her. He showed her each of the knives and demonstrated their
use. Over and over, he showed her how to attack and how to defend. Suddenly she realized the movements were like the steps of a dance. Though with each trial he disarmed her, each duel lasted longer.
Finally he lifted another blade and indicated a target. He tossed the blade. With a thud, the knife landed in the center of the circle. “Now you try. Once you master this distance I’ll move the target.” He placed a dozen blades on the table.
Gila tried. When she finally hit the target, she laughed. Only an outer circle, but she had accomplished something.
Yagor gathered the weapons. “Enough for today. Emer’s waiting in the barracks.”
He led her to a room where padded mats covered the floor. Emer grasped her hand and placed one foot behind hers. She landed on the floor.
“How did you do that?”
He helped her to her feet. Slowly, he broke the movement into segments. Once she mastered each part, he lunged, but she reacted too slowly and he remained on his feet. She didn’t.
“Do you really think I can learn?”
He nodded. “This is the Desert Rider’s style and is suited to those who are slight of stature.”
“I know two people from the desert. One is a Rider. Though he’s tall, he is slender.”
“When you see him again, he can help you learn more advanced moves. Now, try again.”
By the end of a tenday, Gila felt stronger. By the last days of the lunar, she had mastered the foot obstacle course. Timir and she rode their horses over the obstacle course until she felt sure she could escape trouble on her steed. She gained skill with the knives and learned how to shoot a bow. When she managed to upend Emer, her confidence soared.
As the second lunar reached the mid-point, the trainers held a small ceremony. “What you need is practice,” Emer said.
Gila turned to Timir. “Should we leave for Pala?”
“Without the thread?” he asked.
“But we have no idea what we seek or where to look.”
“Remember the prophecy and the circle I told thee about. I believe we should go there.”
Discovering the Jewels' Secret Page 6
