“Two young ones. They and two of the healers left. Fire began not too long after they left.”
Mara looked at Lajin. Before he spoke, she shook her head. “We’d better tell the cart drivers where to take the men.” She strode to the door.
Lajin caught her arm. “No need for that. I saw several healers walk to the cart. I’m ready for a meal. Innkeeper, what do you recommend?”
“You have a choice of banta and creamed tubers or roast bovine with spiced vegetables. Barley soup to start, followed by greens and briarberry pie to finish.”
Mara laughed. “An order of each and we’ll share. After days and days of stew, the food sounds wonderful.”
As they lingered over kaf and pie, two of the villagers stopped at their table. One pointed at Lajin. “Told you ‘twasn’t him. Other one was taller and beefier.”
Mara stared at the man. “Which way did the other men take out of town?”
“Why should I tell you?”
She cupped the Green Jewel. “We need to find him. He’s a troublemaker.”
“That’s the truth.” The man grimaced. “Was full of himself. Stayed at the healers but come here most nights to drink. Had a liking for tragon.”
“Boasted about being special.” The second man laughed. “I, Tomon, spilled from his tongue every couple words. Black robes tried to force him to leave with them. Pulled his knife on them. One of the wizards tore off his robes and stayed.”
“What did that one look like?” Lajin asked.
“Hair the color of fire,” the first man said. “Not tall. Went off with I, Tomon. Figure they had something to do with the fire.”
Lajin turned to Mara. “Had to be Beder.”
Mara nodded. “Which way did they go? We need to find and stop them from making more trouble.”
“They rode toward the wizards’ place.”
* * *
Lajin watched the men walk away. They had confirmed the things Mara had told him about Tomon’s character. Lajin knew Beder was also a bully. The union of such a pair portended disaster. Could Tomon control the firestarter or would they come to blows? A frown furrowed Lajin’s brow. Would Beder allow anyone to guide his actions?
He grasped Mara’s hand. “So my aunts are with them.”
“Seems they are.”
“We must follow them. Though they took the road toward the stronghold, they didn’t come there. At the crossroads ahead, one road leads to my village as well as to Pala.”
“How can we know which road they took?”
“There is a village along the way. Surely someone saw them and maybe heard about their choice.”
Mara rose. “In the morning, we can purchase supplies. They’re several days ahead of us.” She reached for his hand. “Have thee tried to reach Jindera?”
“I have and spoke to her.”
“That’s good. When I try, all I hear is buzzing.”
He walked with her to the stairs where the rooms were located. “That tells us something.”
She nodded. “I heard her and Corin where we were camped last night.”
“And that was five or six hours from the stronghold.” He opened the door of their room. “I’m off to the baths and to bed. My home is four or five days travel. Maybe longer.”
In the morning, they made their purchases. Three days later, they spent the night in the village Lajin had vague memories of visiting. There they learned of a quarrel between one of the women and the other three about where to go. Beder had won by making threats.
Lajin nodded. Sounded like what he knew about the firestarter.
When they reached the crossroads, they found signs of Beder’s passing. Several trees bore charred branches. They also found a pile of burned bones.
“Whose?” Lajin wondered if the party of four had encountered someone who had threatened them.
Mara crouched beside the remains. “A horned horse and a woman. What do thee suppose happened?”
“Had to be Beder.” Lajin swallowed a rush of acid. “He’s never harmed a person before. Now he’s killed. The danger he presents is greater. We have to stop him.”
Mara nodded. “Can thee tell if the others travel with him?”
Lajin studied the ground. “Looks that way.” He walked along the road and studied the ground. He had no experience at trailing anyone but the tracks seemed to head toward the village. “My home isn’t far. We need to find Beder.”
She walked to her horse. “And when we find him maybe he can tell us where Tomon and his companion went and which woman he killed.”
When they reached the village, they noticed several houses where the thatch had been singed. “They’ve been here,” Lajin said. “At least Beder has.” He led the way past the houses to the village square. The three elders stood near the watering trough and the tavern’s grazing ground. Lajin dismounted and tied his horse to a hitching post. He approached the trio. “Greetings.”
The oldest of the three turned. “Lajin, so you also escaped the wizards. Beder has come with tales of their power and how they sent him to rule the village.”
“He lied. The stronghold of the wizards has been destroyed and many wizards are dead or powerless. What happened to his companions?”
“They’re gone.”
The balding elder cleared his throat. “He quarreled with them and they rode away.” His brow wrinkled. “Toward the garden. He sent a burst of fire after them.”
“Did he hit them?”
The third elder stroked his graying beard. “Missed. Hit the side of the village hall.”
“Are they still at the garden?”
The oldest elder shook his head. “Heard their horses as they passed during the night. Rose and saw them ride away from the village.”
Mara grasped Lajin’s arms. “Maybe Beder knows where they are.”
“Where is Beder?” Lajin asked.
The balding man pointed to the tavern. “In there. Said the place was his. Said he’d burn the village if we don’t give him all he wants.”
“Just what is that?” Mara asked.
“Changes from day to day,” the bearded elder said. “Asked for all the girls past five and ten years to be his servants. Snatched Audin’s oldest sister. Heard her screaming last night.”
The oldest elder scowled. “Gave us until sundown to give him everything he demands.”
Lajin glanced at the tavern. “You can’t give in to his demands. If you do, he’ll ask for more. Let me and my companion speak to him.”
“Would you have the village burn?”
“We can prevent that.”
The elders took several steps toward the tavern. “You’ll only bring more trouble.”
Mara displayed the Green Jewel. “I believe he’ll talk to me. I am Mara and Lajin is my Chosen.”
The balding man clapped Lajin’s shoulder. “You move in high company, young man. Will you and your Holder care for the Garden?”
Lajin shrugged. “Mara and I have duties to perform first. One of those is seeing Beder neutralized.”
Mara pulled him aside. “Can you call Beder?”
“I think so.” Lajin clasped her hand and they walked to the tavern. A dozen yards from the door, they paused. “Beder, come out. We must talk.” A jet of flame shot from the doorway and landed just feet from where they stood.
“Go away, Lajin. I need no wizards interfering. This is my village. You’ll take no more boys from here. They’re mine.”
“I’m no wizard. The stronghold has been destroyed. Didn’t you hear about the battle when you stayed with the healers in Desert’s Edge?”
A second gout of fire followed and nearly reached them. Mara cupped her Jewel. A ray shot from the depths and diverted the flame. “Do you dare defy a Jewel Holder and her Chosen?”
“Why not? Can you produce fire?”
“My Jewel has other uses. Though I can’t make flames, I can block yours. I have questions and need answers.”
“I’ll tell you nothing. Laji
n, take her away or I’ll burn you both.”
Lajin grasped Mara’s shoulders. Was challenging Beder the right choice?
* * *
Mara stared into the Green Jewel. What now? How could she use her gem to counter Beder’s talent? Disa called fire from the sun with the Yellow. With the Blue, Stilenta controlled water. The Green held elements of both. Mara sought to send green rays toward the tavern where Beder lurked. What happened surprised her. A translucent shield formed to protect Lajin and her. The predominating color was green. As she watched yellow and blue joined and separated in a continuous flow.
“Where are your companions?” she asked.
“Gone,” Beder called. “I had no desire to share my place with them.”
“Who died at the crossroads?”
Beder’s laughter held a trace of madness. “Tomon’s mother. She made him angry. She wanted him to return to the desert and seize control of the Blue Clan. He believes he has a greater destiny. He thinks he’s the awaited one. He’s not. I am. Today I control the village. Soon I’ll go to Pala and control the land. No one can stop me.”
“Why did you kill Tomon’s mother?”
“She called me a fool and him an ingrate. He ordered me to shut her mouth. I did more and proved I’m stronger than he is.”
“Where did Tomon and his aunt go?”
He didn’t answer. He sent a barrage of flames toward her. They hit the shield and vanished. Gradually the range of the flames shortened. Did that mean he had exhausted himself? If so, he could be subdued. He vanished from the doorway.
Mara turned her head. “Lajin, leave me. I’ll hold the shield to divert his attention. Maybe if thee can get behind him and knock him out, he’ll lose his talent.”
“How?”
If he’s unconscious I can build a shield around him. He’ll fight and drain his power until there’s none left.”
“Are thee sure this will work?”
“Yes. He uses his own energy to send fire. If he’s behind a barrier, he won’t be able to replace what he’s used.”
“I pray thee are right.” Lajin stepped away from her.
She wasn’t sure how long he would take to enter the tavern. She would hold the barrier until Lajin managed to strike Beder.
Beder appeared in the doorway. A spurt of fire hit the shield and was absorbed. Mara moved a step toward and then another. Her arms trembled. As the shield captured the flames, it grew heavier. How much longer could she hold?
Beder staggered into the open. He fell and sprawled on the ground. Flames engulfed his clothes. He screamed. The piercing sound faltered and died as the fire guttered.
Mara rushed to the tavern. “Lajin,” she called. Had she been responsible for his death?
“Here. I never reached him.”
She turned and looked where Beder had fallen. Nothing but a dark stain on the earth remained. She clasped Lajin’s hands. “What will we do now? He never told us where Tomon went.”
“We’ll go to the Garden. We know they went there. Maybe they left something to tell us their direction.”
Mara released her hold on the gem. “Do thee think they found the thread we seek?”
“I hope not.” He put his arm around her shoulders.
The elders walked toward them. The men bowed to Mara. “Holder, how can we reward you?”
“There is nothing I need,” Mara said. “He was a danger and had to be stopped.”
“Where is he?” The balding man’s brow wrinkled.
“Dead. By sending the flames in such a steady pattern, he used his energy and consumed himself.”
The oldest elder frowned. “Will you and Lajin tend to the Garden? There are things to be done there and we haven’t the knowledge.”
“We will visit the Garden and see of there’s anything urgent,” Mara said.
“Queen Liara of the White has asked us to come to Pala,” Lajin said.
“Does she really intend to form a council to rule the land?” the bearded elder asked. “That is the rumor we heard.”
“I believe she does,” Lajin said.
“And will this council be chosen from the Guildmasters?” the oldest asked.
“We never spoke of her plans,” Mara said. “I know she left the Guildmasters in charge when she left Pala to deal with the brotherhood.”
The balding elder snorted. “And where will that leave us?”
“I don’t know but we’ll gladly take your concerns to her,” Mara said. “If you will give us a list of your suggestions and your fears, after we visit the garden, we’ll return and carry the word to her.”
“Then we will prepare one for you.” The three men walked to the village hall.
As Mara and Lajin went for their horses, the tavern owner called to them. “Holder, Lajin, would you like a meal before you leave. I’ll gladly serve you.”
Mara met Lajin’s gaze. “I am hungry. Using the Jewel and holding the shield depleted my energy.”
He nodded. “Jaker, we’ll be honored.” He followed the tavern owner inside. Mara stopped at the watering trough and washed her face before joining Lajin.
Before long a hearty meal was placed on the table. A soup flavored with scallions and topped with cheese, slices of spiced bovine and antel with brown gravy were served with tubers and green and yellow vegetables. The meal ended with pastries and cream pudding.
Mara laughed when she saw the sweets. “We won’t be able to move.”
The tavern owner refilled their mugs with cider. “My way of saying thank you. Without your help, I’d have no tavern.”
Mara cradled her mug. Beder’s death had left some questions unanswered. Where was Tomon? She glanced at Lajin and sent a message on the inner path. Let us leave.
He scraped the pudding bowl. “Ready to ride to the Garden.” He pushed his chair back.
“Yes.” Mara shook the tavern owner’s hand. “Thank you for the wonderful meal.”
“Come back when you finish at the Garden.”
“We will.” Lajin ushered Mara outside.
Their horned horses had been saddled and fed. They loaded their packs and blanket rolls and set off. Before long, they reached the Garden. “I remember how far this seemed from the village when I had to walk. Will we find what we seek here? If not, I have no idea of where to go next.”
Mara dismounted and stared at the house. “Beder’s work?”
“Jindera said so.”
Mara peered inside. “With a new roof and some work on the second floor, people could live here.” She walked past the house and found the grave.
Lajin trailed her. He knelt. “I remember digging a grave for my mother. They came. The wizards. Something happened and I can’t remember. Corin said he buried my uncle and bade him to remain until the ones who had harmed him were dead. Perhaps he’s at peace now.”
“And thy mother?”
“Jindera and I were with her when she died. She wanted me to run. I didn’t and I’m glad. Though danger came because I was taken to the wizards’ lair, we were able to fight them.” He rose and brushed his hands on his breeches.
Mara pointed. “What’s that building back there?”
“The storage house. My parents kept the herbs, spices and medicinals there and it’s where she and Jindera preserved them.” He glanced at the sky. “Looks like rain. We can sleep there.”
“Maybe that’s where we’ll find the thread.”
They rode the horses on a path through the multitude of herbal beds. At the small house, they unsaddled and cared for the steeds. Lajin took them to the fenced yard where several antels and silk sheep grazed.
Mara carried the rest of their things inside. She inhaled and savored the many scents. After she lit a lantern, she saw the disorder and wondered what had happened.
Lajin sneezed. “Looks like my aunt and Tomon have been here.”
Mara lit a second lantern that hung on a hook near the back wall. She bent and picked up several sacks. “Where do they go?”
<
br /> Lajin lifted several more and carried them to the pile along one side wall of the room. The sound of a light rain pattered on the roof. “Jindera and I used to nap here while our parents worked.” He yawned.
Mara smiled. “I’m tired, too. Between the fight with Beder and the meal, I can’t keep my eyes open.”
“I say we finish tomorrow.” He piled the rest of the scattered sacks. “Our beds.”
In the morning, Lajin returned to the storage house with a hat filled with eggs. He started a fire outside and they cooked and ate.
“We need to make some order here,” she said.
“I’ll start with the shelves. Thee can work at the table.”
As Mara reached the table, her Jewel grew warm against her skin. She set about sorting the mortars, pestles and other tools. Surely they had nothing to do with the thread. She turned to Lajin. “Are there hidden drawers in the table?”
“I don’t think so. I spent little time in here. Jindera helped our mother. My talent was more useful in the garden plots.”
Mara ran her hands over the smooth surface of the table. When she touched the right rear corner, she yelped.
“What’s wrong?” Lajin asked.
“The wood is hot.” She studied the surface and found no breaks. She got to her knees, then sat and slid beneath the table. She felt the under surface and felt nothing. The hiding place had to be here somewhere. She ran her hand down the right rear support and found nothing. Her hands pressed against the floor where she found a small imperfection. She pressed down and an opening appeared. When she searched inside, she found a metal cylinder and a piece of parchment.
“What are thee doing?” Lajin asked.
Mara slid from beneath the table. “I found these.”
Lajin took the paper from her. He lifted the lantern from the hook and crouched beside her.
“What does it say?” Mara asked.
Lajin held the paper closer to the light. “I took the scroll and its case. They never noticed it was gone. The scroll was secreted by healers who belonged to the Inner Circle many years ago. Even now, they plot with the wizards to rule the land. There is no trust between the groups. How fortunate for Earda that the Inner Circle shrinks every year. Old women die and the younger ones, except for my sister, turn away from the plots. There are but five or six members still alive. The scroll tells how Jewels can be made or unmade.”
Discovering the Jewels' Secret Page 9
