The Master's Chair (The Chronicles of Terah)

by Morgan, Mackenzie

  They left packing Karl’s new wagon until Sunday morning. After breakfast, Karl and Darrell anchored the individual cases around the sides of the new wagon, and then loaded the rest of the furniture, farming tools, and kitchen supplies. Bales of hay and bags of oats were stuffed in every spare corner and piled on top of furniture and tools. Finally, by the middle of Sunday afternoon, everything was ready. Joan and Ashni fixed some sandwiches and everyone gathered in the dining room for a snack.

  “I’ve got something in my room that I want to show you. Be back in a few minutes,” Steve said as soon as he finished eating.

  By the time Steve returned, the table had been cleared. He laid a stack of paper on the table and said, “Ashni, I’ve drawn a few sketches over the past couple of months that I’d like to give you and your family so you’ll have something to remember us by.” Steve spread the pictures out on the table. There were sketches of Joan and Ashni seated at their spinning wheels, in the kitchen, and out in the meadow with the llamas. He had sketched Theresa and Sari in the forest, by the herb garden, and in the workroom. There were sketches of Darrell and Macin practicing hand-to-hand combat, sparring with swords, and doing target practice with long bows. He had sketched Karl and Blalick surrounded by wood and tools, with the horses, and walking along the crest of Wildcat Mountain. There were sketches of Tyree in the sitting room with some of the Tellurians, outside with Blalick and Ashni, and in Steve’s room working on the model of the castle. Steve also had several sketches of Glendymere, one by himself, one in flight over the canyon, one with Kevin and Chris, and even one as he slept in his chamber.

  While everyone was looking at those sketches, Steve walked over to Sari and handed her three sketches of Luci. One showed the condor perched on her rock in her cave, a second was of Luci perched outside on the edge of the cliff, and the third was of her in flight against a background of mountains and sky.

  “Thank you for letting me go up to Luci’s cave with you, “Steve said quietly.

  Sari’s face lit up as she looked at the pictures. She turned to Steve, hugged him, and said, “This is the best present ever. Thank you.”

  As Sari turned to show Theresa the pictures, Steve stepped over to Ashni and handed his last sketch to her. Sari was in the foreground seated on her rock in Luci’s cave, playing her flute. Off to the side, Luci was perched on her rock with her beak extended in song. Ashni’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at the sketch.

  “It is beautiful,” she whispered. Then in a slightly stronger voice she added, “Steve, I can not tell you how much this sketch means to me. I do not know what to say.”

  “I enjoyed doing it and this is my way of saying thank you for everything you and your family have done for us,” Steve replied.

  “Steve, I want copies of some of these. Did you make any for us?” Joan asked as she kept going through the sketches.

  Steve nodded. “I’ve got about that many sketches, maybe a few more, in my room for Tyree to bring when he comes. I’ve already packed them up with my journal.”

  “Why are you giving them to Tyree to bring to Milhaven?” Theresa asked. “I’m sure we can find room for them.”

  “I thought it might be best not to have anything with us that connects us to this area,” Steve answered.

  Karl nodded. “We don’t know who or what we may run into.”

  “Just as long as Tyree doesn’t forget them,” Joan said. “I’d hate for one of you to have to ride all the way back out here to pick them up.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  A little while later, while the men were checking the wagons to make sure that everything was tied down and ready for travel, Ashni and Sari helped Joan and Theresa finish up dinner. After Joan set the table and dished up the food, Ashni asked Sari if she was ready to go. When Joan objected, Ashni pointed out that Glendymere wasn’t expected until after midnight, so the Tellurians had time to eat and get about six hours of sleep if they didn’t waste any time sitting around putting off saying good-bye.

  “I don’t know how to say good-bye,” Joan said through her tears.

  “Then do not. We will see each other again. I am sure of it,” Ashni said as she clasped the human woman’s hand. She had never developed so much affection for a human before, and she was sure that her life was going to feel quite empty for a while.

  Meanwhile, Sari couldn’t say a thing to Theresa. All she could do was hold her and cry. Finally Theresa gently pushed Sari back, wiped her eyes, and said, “Go on now. This isn’t going to get any easier. Here, I fixed some tea for you and your mother. Take this with you and think of us when you drink it.”

  “Teri is right, Sari. Come along. It is time to go. They need to get some rest.” Ashni picked up the pictures, put her arm around her daughter, and gently led her out of the dining room.

  A few minutes later, the men came back in. Seeing his wife in tears, Karl put his arm around her and said, “Come on. Let’s eat dinner and get some rest. There’s no telling when we’ll get the chance to sleep in a comfortable bed again.”

  After dinner, everyone headed off to the bedrooms to try to get a nap before leaving. Kevin got up a little earlier than the others so that he could float the wagons down to the cave entrance without anyone else around. When he reached the wagons, he found that Ashni and Sari had loaded the wagon seats with bags of sandwiches, a wide variety of cookies, and a couple of cakes. Some of Kevin’s favorite strawberry preserves were sitting on Theresa’s wagon seat, right next to a big bag of chocolate chip cookies that were obviously intended for Chris. Draped over each of the wagon seats were heavy wool lap blankets for the wagon drivers.

  By midnight Kevin had the wagons moved out to the clearing in front of the cave, ready to carry north to Blalick’s camp. He was standing in front of the wagons looking at the heavy black sky when he felt rather than saw a shadow move across the clouds. A couple of minutes later, Glendymere settled in the snow beside him.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “If you mean have we packed, the answer is yes. If you’re asking if we’re really ready to leave this valley, the answer’s a resounding no.”

  “Ah, but this is what it’s all been about, getting you ready to move on. Now that the time is here, I have to admit I’ll hate to see all of you go. I’ve come to rather enjoy having you around,” Glendymere said. “Are the others about ready?”

  Kevin nodded. “They’re all up. They’re having coffee in the kitchen.”

  “Good. Then shall we take the wagons?”

  “I guess so.”

  “I’ll take two. You bring the third. Then just follow me.”

  “Maybe I should let them know that we’re going.”

  “I already have. I also asked if anyone had any last minute things to throw on board. No one did, so I guess the wagons are ready. Let’s go,” Glendymere said as he and two of the wagons lifted straight up. Kevin took the last wagon and followed.

  It took them about an hour to get to Blalick’s camp with the wagons. When they got there Blalick was standing next to the campfire and Macin was with the horses in a small clearing about a quarter of a mile away. After the wagons were spread out in a circle around the campfire, Kevin and Glendymere headed back to Rainbow Valley.

  When they were about fifteen minutes out, Glendymere let Chris know that they would be landing in a few minutes and as soon as Glendymere and Kevin touched down, the others came out of the cave entrance, ready to go. Although Kevin had gotten used to seeing them in long hair and beards, seeing them in their padded sweaters and long cloaks gave him a quick chuckle. They all seemed to have gained about thirty pounds since last night.

  While the others climbed on Glendymere’s back, Chris joined Kevin and handed him his sweater and cloak so that he could put them on before they headed north. “Are you sure you can support me for that long a flight?” Chris asked Kevin quietly. “I could squeeze up there with the others.”

  “There’s no need to crowd them any more than they’re alrea
dy crowded. Relax. I just carried a loaded wagon up there without any problems. I won’t let you fall,” Kevin whispered back.

  “Of course he won’t let you fall, and if he does, I’ll catch you,” Glendymere answered Chris privately. “It’s good for the others to see that you have faith in his abilities, so, like he said, relax.”

  When they landed near the campsite, Blalick and Macin greeted them with hot coffee. While they were drinking their coffee, Kevin mentioned that Ashni had left surprises on the wagon seats. After everyone inspected the blankets and the bags of goodies, they asked Blalick to tell Ashni that she had their undying gratitude.

  Blalick laughed and said, “From what she told me, she is planning to send out some supplies every couple of weeks while you are on the road.”

  “How?” Joan asked.

  “Well, I do not think she has mentioned it to Glendymere yet, but she is planning to use him as a delivery man,” Blalick said, grinning.

  “Humph! We’ll have to see about that. Every couple of weeks you said? What does the woman think I am? I have better things to do than run fresh bread out to this crew!”

  “He will do it,” Blalick laughed, “or else he can live with her.”

  Glendymere addressed Kevin privately, “I had planned to drop in on you once in a while during your journey just to make sure things were going all right. I don’t guess it would harm anything for me to bring you a package or two while I’m at it. Any special requests?”

  “No,” Kevin answered mentally. “But I’m glad to hear you say that you’ll be around some. I was afraid I wouldn’t see you again for a really long time. I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me.”

  “The only thanks I want is for you to survive,” Glendymere said. Then after a couple of minutes he added, “And I think I’m going to need your help next year. Something Duane and I talked about. But there’s plenty of time to think about that later.”

  “You can’t say that and then drop it. What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing right now. I just might have to ask you for a favor next fall. Don’t know yet. Have to see how things play out.”

  “Yeah, like seeing if I survive.”

  “That, and other things,” Glendymere said. Then Glendymere addressed Blalick privately. “The time has come for us to take off, Blalick. I’d like to be back home before daybreak. Would you get those medallions please?”

  “Before we leave, I have something for each of you,” Glendymere said to the whole group. Then Blalick handed each of the Tellurians a medallion on a gold chain.

  Glendymere explained that most crystals on Terah had the power to enhance certain character traits if those traits were already present. Then he spoke to each person privately, explaining the significance of the stones in his or her medallion.

  “Kevin, each master presents a medallion to his apprentice when he’s ready to strike out on his own. The red opal is the sorcerer’s stone. It enhances your magical energies and helps you focus. Every practicing sorcerer wears one, but not always where it can be seen. I would suggest that you wear it inside your tunic until you take your place in Milhaven. The blue sodalite is to keep you balanced and ease your fears. It will help you look to the heart of the problems you will face and find solutions.” As Kevin hung the medallion around his neck, the red opal began to glow with an inner fire. “That light reflects your own fire. It will burn brightly as long as there is breath in your body, and will fade out when the life force within you is extinguished.”

  “Chris, you are a loyal and sensible companion. The sapphire will protect you against evil, especially evil magic, and will enhance your ability to think through situations and see the broader picture. The topaz will help you find your path in life and handle life’s headaches with creativity and humor without losing sight of your goals.”

  “Steve, you have the wisdom to guide and the experience to know that guidance is not always appreciated. The lapis lazuli enhances your clarity of vision and serves as an aid in presenting your views. The amethyst will heal your heart and let you open yourself to new friendships and love.”

  “Karl, the bloodstone is the soldier’s stone. It enhances your endurance and vitality in defending what’s right. The blue lace agate is the stone of the diplomat. It will help you hear what isn’t said, to distinguish fact from conjecture, to make wise decisions, and to present clear arguments.”

  “Darrell, the tiger’s eye is a warrior’s stone. It fosters the courage to face your fears, the energy to carry on the good fight, and it will bring you luck on the battlefield. The citrine provides protection against the influences of evil, both on and off the battlefield, and will help you maintain a tight control over your emotions when you’re up against an enemy.”

  “Theresa, my dear, you already wear the medallion of the Sisterhood. But the medallion that I present to you now has no connection with your role as a healer. The rose quartz is a mother’s stone. It enhances your fertility and aligns your emotional, mental, and spiritual energies. The pink moonstone will help you conquer your anxieties and will increase your confidence and creativity in handling the different forces in your life.”

  “Joan, you wear many hats, and you wear them well. The green jasper will settle your mind, ease your worries, and bring you joy and happiness, while the red jasper will help you develop a high sensitivity to good and evil, as well as honesty and deception, and to recognize each, no matter how well it is disguised.”

  After each of the Tellurians had thanked Glendymere and hung the medallions around their necks, Glendymere nodded to Blalick and Macin. Blalick shook hands with all of the Tellurians and bid them a safe and fruitful journey. Then he grasped Karl’s hand again, held it for a few moments, and without saying anything else, took his place on Glendymere’s back.

  Macin shook hands with everyone except Darrell. When he came to Darrell, he reached for his hand, but ended in a bear hug. As the two men slapped each other on the back, each of them felt the sting of tears. Darrell stepped back, shook Macin’s hand, and nodded towards Glendymere. As soon as Macin was settled on Glendymere’s back, the dragon soared into the black sky.

  No one stood around watching the dark shadow disappear into the night for more than a couple of minutes; too many things had to be done. Kevin, Karl, and Steve hitched the horses to the wagons, Joan tied the spare team behind her wagon, Darrell and Chris saddled the others, and Theresa packed the coffee pot and mugs and doused the fire. By daybreak, the wagons were ready to roll.

  Chapter 46

  Back on the Road

  Although it was quite cold, they were lucky with the weather for the first few days. They had bright sunshine with very little wind during the day, and while the inns and stables that they stayed in at night were not exactly warm, they were bearable.

  The Tellurians quickly stepped into their roles as rugged self-sufficient loners who were accustomed to hardships. Their attitude while they were in town was totally different from the friendly enthusiasm of the minstrels they had portrayed nine months earlier. Karl and Darrell handled the business for the group while the others hung back, almost shyly. When they went into the taverns for dinner, they found a couple of tables off in a corner and stayed to themselves. After dinner, the men usually sat in the tavern, drinking scog and talking amongst themselves, while Theresa and Joan went to their room. Kevin and Chris slept in a room next to theirs, and the others rented a section of the loft in the stables.

  Early Thursday morning, clouds began to move in, accompanied by a cold north wind. They stopped for a quick lunch soon after they crossed the southbound road that had taken them to Abernon the previous May.

  “We were at this point only a couple of days after the bandits attacked us,” Karl said.

  “I was just thinking about that,” Darrell said. “It seems like it was years ago in one way, and like yesterday in another.”

  Theresa nodded. “Sometimes it’s almost like the last eight months didn
’t even happen.”

  “Well, some things have changed,” Joan said as she held her hand out to catch a snowflake slowly meandering its way towards the ground. “It wasn’t snowing the last time we were here.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Karl said as he looked at the sky. “Let’s get ready to move on. I want to reach the next town before those clouds decide to really let loose.”

  As Theresa climbed back up on her wagon seat, she sighed, and said, “I’m glad we’re finally on our way to Milhaven. I can’t stop thinking about how nice it’s going to be to have my own chapel one day, and then the next minute, I feel guilty about being excited. I feel like I should be miserable that we had to leave the giants and Glendymere.”

  “Don’t feel guilty for being who you are,” Darrell said. “I had a sociology professor who said that the world is made up of two types of people, those who embrace change and move on, and those who fight it tooth and nail. I think all of us must be the first type. It may seem a little cold at times, but if you weren’t the type who could move on, Paul wouldn’t have chosen you for this little adventure in the first place, and you’d be back on Earth, married to your banker.”

  “Ugh! You’re probably right.” Theresa grimaced as she flicked the reins and pulled her wagon out behind Steve’s. “But I still feel like a heel for being happy.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  The snow covered the ground with a thin blanket of white, but it wasn’t enough to cause any travel problems, and by the weekend, the weather had warmed up enough to melt it all away. By Tuesday morning, the ground was dry again. When they stopped for lunch, Karl suggested stocking up on a few supplies, finding a good campsite, and staying put for a couple of nights.