Reena picked up the tale and told of the destruction of the lair and all they had discovered about the wizards’ plans for the land. “We thought our battles had ended. Then an elderly Healer arrived and gave each pair a prophecy.”
Macker frowned. “Why aren’t you in Pala helping the White Holder heal the land?”
“We have to solve the prophecy and find some thread that will reveal the Jewels’ secret and end the tyranny.” Reena sighed. “That’s why Andalor and I are on the road.”
“There’s little but empty land for kils beyond the manor,” Macker said. “Then you reach the desolate plains and the Screaming Hills. You’ll find no more than rocks and weeds.”
Andalor refilled his mug. “The hills no longer scream. Following the battle, the plains were restored. The hills are our destination.”
Reena finished her drink. “Liara found the White Jewel in the Screaming Hills. I believe what we must find is hidden there. When all the Holders find theirs, we’ll know what must be done.”
“And after that?”
Andalor reached for Reena’s hand. “Return to Pala and learn the fate of the Jewels and their Holders. There are many people in the land who have talents. They must not be afraid of using them or be forced to follow people like the wizards.”
Macker rose. “Your tales are exciting and bring hope for the land. Will you stay a few days?”
Andalor shook his head. “We must leave in the morning, but we’ll leave our pack horse and most of our things here so we can make haste. On our return, we’ll visit again.”
Macker smiled. “I’ll look forward to the day.” He rose. “Today has been long and filled with excitement. I’ll bid you good night.”
* * *
Reena lifted the last piece of egg-dipped friend bread and sighed. The taste of cimon and honey brought memories of the days at the manor. “You did remember all my favorites.” She drained the mug and rose to hug him. “We’ll see you in a tenday or so. Maybe you can come to Pala with us.”
He shook his head. “I’ve had enough excitement to last the rest of my life. I’ve no desire to play a role in the rule of Pala.”
“I’ll worry about you. What if another band of ruffians invade?”
“I’ll hire some armsmen.” He walked with her to the front door. Andalor waited at the steps with the horses.
Reena hugged Macker and accepted his help onto the steed. As she and Andalor rode down the lane to the road, she turned and waved. “I wish we could have stayed.”
“We’ll return,” Andalor said.
“He said he’d hire armsmen. Do you think he will?”
“If not, we’ll do it for him.”
Four days later, Reena felt the Orange Jewel begin to warm. Tension grew like a gathering storm. By riding late each day, they had reached the plain where the Black Jewel had been destroyed. The change in the area astonished her. Her blindness had kept her from seeing what had occurred. Where there had been nothing but stunted trees and clumps of wiry grass scattered among the rocks and barren stretches of earth, lush grass grew. Trees that should have taken years to grow had matured in less than a season. The green stretched to touch the towering cliffs. Floral scents filled the air. Flitters, their wings the colors of the Jewels, flew from flower to flower with their brilliant wings awhirl.
Andalor clasped her hand. “Amazing. So changed from the first awakening.”
Reena looked at the cliffs towering against the sky. From here they seemed impossible to climb. “Are thee sure there’s a way to reach the heights?”
“There are several trails. None of the others had any trouble climbing down.” He prodded his horse into a trot. Reena followed. At the base of the cliff, he slowed his pace and pointed out two trails before choosing a third. “This is the one I used.”
By the time they led the horses up the narrow trail with Reena using the Orange Jewel as a control, the sun had reached the western horizon. Water bubbled from a spring. While Andalor gathered firewood, Reena cared for the horses. She sprinkled grain on the ground and used a collapsible leather pail for water. Once the fire heated water, she made kaf. Andalor melted cheese on rounds of flatbread and added pieces of water-soaked dried banta.
He offered her one of the flatbreads. “If we had a third pan, I could have melted the cheese for us to dip the remainder of the bread Macker gave us.”
“Where did thee learn that?”
“From Disa.”
Reena swallowed the bite she’d taken. “I remember how angry I was when I learned thee traveled with her.”
He nodded. “I was aware of thy anger.”
“She’s now my friend. Things are so different these days.” Reena sipped her kaf.
He brushed his fingers over her hand. “They are. Thee have friends and are loved.”
She smiled at the warmth his words brought. “Where do we go when we break camp?”
“North. An hour or two should see us to the spring where I found Valmir. The hills are quiet so there’s no sound to draw us. The trees and brush are so thick we’ll have to lead the horses.”
Once they finished their meal, Reena lay on her blankets and listened to the sounds of the night. What would they find in the cave? If there had been something hidden besides the White Jewel, why hadn’t Liara found it? The prophecy spoke of a thread and something more. Just what did that mean?
In the morning she prepared ryn flour cakes with dried fruit. Once they ate, Andalor buried the fire. They set out leading the horses. The path wound through the dense growth. Reena wondered what had made the hills scream and why they had fallen silent when Liara had removed the White. Would they cry again when she and Andalor entered the cave?
When they approached the spring, Andalor hobbled the horses in the meadow beyond the spring. Again, Reena used her Jewel to set a command to prevent the steeds from wandering. She stared at the dark mouth of the cave. When Andalor returned, she took his hand.
“Are thee ready?”
She swallowed. “Yes.” Though her hand trembled in his, she had to enter the darkness and find the treasure she and Andalor needed to complete their quest. She lifted her gem from beneath her tunic.
Beyond the opening, the cave was small. She frowned. Then she saw a shadowed tunnel. A ray of orange light lit the narrow passage. Andalor moved to stand behind her with his hands on her shoulders. At first, her steps were slow over the uneven surface of the floor.
In the distance she saw a pool of light. When she reached the end of the tunnel, she gasped. Sunlight streamed through three openings in the dome of a second much larger cave. One of the openings was circular and the other two were crescent shapes. Flashes of multi-colored light made her eyes water.
“Mother Sun and Sisters Moon,” Andalor said.
Reena stared at the three openings and then looked down. A huge hollow rock had split into three pieces. The center glistened with a rainbow of colors. Was this the source of the Jewels? She stood enthralled. Beside her, Andalor was silent. Only the sound of their breathing could be heard.
The sun reached mid-day and the entire cavern filled with light. Reena gasped. A heap of bones lay beneath a niche in the cavern wall. A metal tube jutted from the small opening. “Andalor, could that be what we seek?” she asked.
He nodded. “It’s a scroll case.”
“And the bones?”
“Maybe those of the person who hid the scroll.”
He stepped past her and reached the ledge where the scroll case lay. “Come here. Around the bend is another room.” He opened the scroll case and handed her the scroll. “Is this the thread?”
Reena unrolled and read the words. “I believe so.” She peered beyond him. Her Jewel blazed with light and she saw the circle of six pillars around a seventh. She moved closer. Jewels of seven colors from the lightest shade to the darkest had been embedded in the stone.
Andalor touched her arm. “We have what we came for so we can leave.”
She shook her
head. “Come here. There was more to our prophecy and I think these columns hold the answer.”
“Do thee plan to remove more of the crystals so all who have talents will have one?”
She didn’t answer, just moved closer to the circle. The embedded gems must be destroyed, but how? She walked between the red and orange column and turned. On this side the gems shaded from dark to light. “I see the truth.”
“And that is?”
“Each of the gems can be corrupted or cleansed. So White becomes Black and Black changes to White. Even the other gems can darken to near ebon. This proves what Disa fears.”
“What do thee mean?” Andalor asked.
“The Jewels judge the actions of the Holders to force the change. When I used the gem to control the animals, the orange deepened.” She held her Jewel against the one of the same shade on the pillar. “See. When I was able to see again, this Jewel was this color.”
He nodded. “So using the Jewel is wrong?”
“Or right.” She tapped the scroll case. “This contains part of the way to end the process.” She looked at the bones scattered around the cavern and the alcove. “I wonder who these people were.”
“We may never know. Are thee sure the Jewels should be destroyed?”
“That may be the best option. When I controlled the horse to save thee and the cat to help Macker, the Jewel decided that was wrong and darkened.” She straightened and stepped back. Her foot hit one of the bones and she nearly fell. As she grabbed the pillar to keep her balance, she knocked the top gem from the column of Orange Jewels. An acrid aroma arose and an eerie sound hurt her ears.
Andalor pulled her against his chest. “Careful.”
The pillars in the circle began to shake. The one with the orange gems toppled and struck the red. Gems popped from their settings and struck the central column. A noxious vapor poured from the shattered gems. Reena tugged on Andalor’s hands. “Run. I’ve smelled that odor before.”
He hurried after her. “When?”
“The crystals Lajin and Mara found.” As she ran down the tunnel, her Jewel cast a broad band of light. Shadows flickered on the dark walls. Before long, she gasped for breath. The odor seemed to follow them. “The scroll.”
“Have it.”
The ground beneath her feet began to shake. Acid rose in her throat. She swallowed to keep the contents of her stomach contained. She burst into the small cave. Andalor grasped her hand and pulled her into the open and across the meadow to where the horses waited.
Reena turned. Gouts of smoke jetted into the air. The horses screamed in terror. Andalor grabbed the reins. Reena stared into her Jewel and sought to control the steeds. She had nearly calmed them when the earth shook and their frantic plunging began anew. She added her weight to the reins.
A loud eruption of sound deafened her. The small cave imploded. Rocks thudded against the ground. The sound ceased. The earth stilled. The horses shuddered and stood with their heads hung low. Reena stared at the place where the caves had been and saw mounds of rock. “Gone.”
“And we should leave,” he said.
She tugged on her horses’ reins. “After a stop at Macker's for our things, we must make haste to Pala.”
Chapter Seven
The White Jewel
Seven Jewels and seven threads. Find them, twine them and bind them into a braid to discover how to unlock the secret of the Jewels. What was Black becomes White and White changes to Black. Sometimes destruction is the path to end a cycle of tyranny. To the White is given control of the Jewels of Earda. The Black also has this power. Choose power given or power lost. The palace is your destination and where you meet your fate. Seek what was hidden in days long ago. To do this, you must face a place you fear.
Liara watched Valmir stride down the steps from the forecourt of the wizards’ stronghold. “Do thee think we’ve discovered all their secrets?” she asked.
He shrugged. “The men and I have found nothing but blocked passages. Any further search is dangerous. When the tunnel Mara and Lajin found collapsed, the entire rear portion of the building fell. If any wizards hid there, they’re dead.”
“Then it’s time for us to leave. We’ve been here over a lunar and are the last to leave.” She waved to the four Queen’s Guards who appeared on the steps. “Time to pack up and go.”
“How do you thee plan to prevent the other wizards from seeking this place and finding secrets they hid?”
“Thee will see.”
They followed the four Guards to the nearly deserted camp. She and Valmir helped them pack the remainder of the wizards treasury in leather sacks. With this done, they loaded four pack horses and prepared to leave. Each of the Guards led one of the animals. Valmir turned to Liara. “All set.”
Liara mounted her steed and signaled for the others to go first. The troop rode down the lane past the garden and the empty pasture. Just before she entered the tunnel to the cave exit, she turned and called on the power of the Jewel to destroy the stronghold. The stones of the building fell and sent a cloud of dust into the air. Flames spread along the grass of the pasture and sped toward the herbal garden.
She prodded her horse and entered the tunnel. When they emerged, she shouted for the others to speed down the widened path through the forest. She rode after them, turned and aimed the white light at the dark cave entrance. A crackling sound filled the air. “Hurry.” She hastened after the others.
Dark clouds of smoke filled the air. Loud booming noises made her ears ring. She turned her head and saw the cave had become a heap of rubble. “Done.” She slipped the Jewel beneath her tunic.
When she joined the others at the road, Valmir rode at her side. “Which way?”
“Both roads lead to Pala,” one of the Guards said.
“They do, but we need to go to Desert’s Edge first. We need supplies and there may be more of the injured who are ready to travel. We’ll return this way.”
Valmir frowned. “Why not travel to Quato?”
“Because of what we carry. I want to see the treasury reach Pala where it’s needed.”
“But we’ll be retracing our steps.”
She laughed. “Better to retrace and use a road with few taverns and inns. What we carry will tempt anyone who knows. Bandits often make village taverns their haunts or they gather in large towns like Quato and watch the travelers.”
“I see.” Valmir rode ahead to tell the Guards of their plans.
By riding hard and eating the midday meal in the saddle, they reached Desert’s Edge at dusk. The sacks were stored in the inn’s safe room. Valmir took Liara’s horse to the stable while she carried their packs and blankets to a sleeping chamber. The Guards walked to the village hall and returned to the inn with the news of four comrades who were fit to ride. In the morning, they would swear allegiance to Liara and Valmir.
When Valmir joined her, she told him the news. “There’s no charge for the room. The extra horses from the stronghold have more than paid our way. After the remaining men from the stronghold have their pick, he plans to sell most of them at the animal market in Quato. Wanted to know if we would wait a few days and travel with his men.”
“What did thee tell him?”
“That we have to leave tomorrow.”
“Did anyone hear thy conversation?”
Liara frowned. “I don’t think so. Why?”
Valmir clasped her hand. “Do thee trust this innkeeper?”
“Our friends did and he helped them.”
“What about our supplies?”
“The Guards plan to purchase what we need in the morning. Let us go downstairs for a late meal.” Liara led the way and a short time later, they attacked a savory meal. When she relaxed over kaf and a sweet, she grinned. “Eating what we haven’t cooked is a treat.”
He pointed to the honey-covered pastry filled with nuts and datis. “And this is the best.” He leaned back. “What do thee think our prophecy means?”
“We won�
��t learn until we reach Pala.” She sighed. “I fear we won’t find our thread before the other Holders and Chosen arrive.”
He rested his fork on the plate. “We can’t wait until then. We must start our search as soon as we reach Pala.”
Liara refilled her mug. “I don’t like the palace. The very stones are shadowed.”
“Do thee think the Black is responsible?”
“Perhaps.” She leaned toward him. “I wonder how the others fare.”
“Have thee tried the inner path?”
She nodded. “And heard nothing.”
“Me either. Hopefully in another lunar or so we’ll be together. Do thee know if there are any histories in Pala?”
“Histories? I suppose there could be some in the library in the palace. The only book I had was the Lore of the Jewels and I’m not convinced the book contained more than myths.”
He made a face. “So we search the dusty tomes.”
Liara chuckled. “Not us. The record keeper should know some scribes who would be glad of the work.” She rested her elbows on the table. “I never wanted to be queen but I must keep the White Jewel until a way is found so I can set it aside.”
Valmir clasped her hands. “Thee will still be queen.”
“I know. I fear Disa is right about the Jewels.”
“How is it possible for the Jewels to control the Holder?”
Liara held her gem on her palm and allowed the candlelight to illuminate the surface. Was the Jewel as clear as it had been when she’d found it in the cave? Did the clarity matter? The secret of the gems had to be learned and she feared her quest would have her exploring all the gloomy rooms of the palace.
She finished the sweet and went to the bathing room. As she washed in the steaming water, she considered what might await her in Pala. Had the Council of Guildmasters done their duty? Would the other Holders arrive with their threads? Could the hidden wizards be found and neutralized? What about the Inner Circle of the Healers? For a moment she wondered if the problems would ever end.
Discovering the Jewels' Secret Page 14
