No one said a word after that. That didn’t keep Darr’s mind from racing. How could the son of a king be traipsing through the woods rather than ruling his nation? Furthermore, why did they refer to Gyrot Dery as if he were dead? Darr had heard stories of the Dwarf king, a peacekeeper known across Ictar. News of his death would’ve traveled fast.
“We’ll be protected here for the night,” Feywen said. “We should all get some sleep.”
One by one, with the exception of Nidic Waq, they rolled themselves into their blankets. The cave provided no room to stretch out, so they were forced to lean up against the rough rock walls. Jinn and Conra fell asleep easily enough. Lacdur and Feywen also managed to get comfortable. Darr sat awake for several minutes before Erec leaned into him.
“How are you doing, little brother?” Erec whispered into his ear.
Darr shrugged. “I’ll be all right. What do you think of all this?”
“I think we should be careful in this forest. I wouldn’t want to fight those Seekers again.”
Darr smiled to himself. Erec didn’t back down from fights. It appeared he’d learned a bit of caution. “What do you think of Feywen?” the Summoner asked.
“He seems like he knows what he’s doing,” Erec replied. “Lacdur as well, but if he keeps talking to me like I’m a child, I might have to show him I’m not one.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Darr whispered. “He looks like he could crush a bear.”
Erec snorted. “We’ll see.” He scuffed his boot against the ground before saying anything more. “I want you to know, I believe you now. Even after seeing the Ovid, I really didn’t think there were Seekers. I thought they were only a ghost story.”
“Don’t worry about it,” the Summoner said and meant it.
Darr sensed relief coming from Erec, but the feeling didn’t come from his instincts or the spirits. For a moment, he was a part of Erec’s Light, feeling his exact emotions. Darr concentrated on his breathing and broke off the connection. He wanted to explore the sensation, but it felt too intrusive. He needed to exercise caution in the Currents, otherwise he’d unleash another elemental on his friends.
They shifted their bodies away from each other and wrapped up in their blankets. Darr smiled to himself, thinking it wasn’t such a bad idea having Erec along after all.
* * * *
Morning came, and with it, stiff joints and cranky demeanors from the members of the little company. Feywen and Lacdur were gone, probably off scouting for the journey ahead. Nidic Waq was absent as well, but his disappearance wasn’t surprising. The Summoner and his companions stretched out their limbs and moved around the small cave, but no one was willing to go outside.
When the Dwarves returned, Feywen announced they’d found no trace of the Seekers. When Darr asked if they’d seen Nidic Waq, he received only blank stares.
Feywen took a seat near Lacdur, giving Darr the opportunity to see the Dwarves closely for the first time. Tall and lean, Feywen’s build matched Erec’s, his eyes cobalt blue shining out through the smoothness of his face. With a lighter tone skin color, Darr thought he might look unusual for a Dwarf, but he admitted he hadn’t seen many Dwarves. Lacdur had more common Dwarf features--compact, but heavyset body, and skin so dark it almost looked like charcoal. Intense hazel eyes peered out from his face, making him look more animal than man. The Dwarves weren’t unusual looking, but Darr found them fascinating.
Nidic Waq appeared in the opening of the cave a few minutes later, his tall form blocking the daylight beyond.
“The way south is clear,” the prophet announced. “No Seekers will threaten us today.” He waited for a nod from Feywen before stepping back out into the Triker.
“How can he know for sure?” Jinn asked in a whisper, but Darr shook his head.
Lacdur, though he didn’t seem to be listening, answered Jinn’s question. “The Seekers don’t often show themselves in daylight,” he grumbled. “The summoning that brings them here is tied to darkness. Even in these trees, the Seekers won’t appear until dusk at the earliest.”
Feywen finished his breakfast and jumped to his feet. “We leave at once,” he announced. “The journey to the Crossroads will take us almost three days, and the light goes quickly within these trees. We’ll be traveling all day, with one stop to rest. We must reach another safe haven like this one by nightfall, and Lacdur knows of one, but it’s a great distance from here.”
He looked from face to face, waiting from a nod of understanding from each of them. “Let’s depart then,” was all Feywen said.
The Triker Forest enfolded them. The branches overhead created an impenetrable barrier, allowing only small threads of brightness down on their path. The forest dipped and rose as they traveled, gentle folds in the terrain, but everything looked the same. Not to Lacdur, it seemed, who led unswervingly even though a trail wasn’t visible.
Around noon, Lacdur brought them to a halt in a small clearing with a natural spring at its center. They gathered around the water, sitting on rocks while eating their lunch, letting the sun warm their faces. Nidic Waq kept his tall frame hidden in the shadows of the forest.
Their lunch was nearing completion when Lacdur announced, “You Reintols have got quick feet. We’re making excellent progress today.”
Feywen cleared his throat. “Since we have a little time,” he said, “I am a Dwarf prince, the only son of the Dwarf King, Gyrot Dery. Over the summer, my father was killed. This has been a closely guarded secret for the last few months, and until recently, it wasn’t public information.”
“But why?” Conra asked, his voice distressed.
Feywen furrowed his brow. “Growing concerned about the threat of the Soul Seekers, the three kings of Ictar--Ariel Forn, Lendor Terwin, and my father--met secretly to discuss the threat. After much debate, they decided to travel to the Tower Castle and seek out the guardian Archon, Caeranol.”
“I thought the Tower Castle was only a fairytale,” Erec said. Darr cast a glance at Nidic Waq who scowled in anger.
Feywen didn’t appear bothered by the question. “That is precisely what I thought at first. From the accounts I received, the kings took a ship and sailed to the lone island holding the Tower Castle. They found the island covered in miles of thorny brush, but inside they found a perfect garden, tended and infused with life. At its center was the castle.”
Images flashed through Darr’s mind, reminding him of his dream of the two arguing men. He’d seen a tower surrounded by gardens surrounded by thorns.
“Inside the castle,” Feywen continued, “they were met by Caeranol himself, for only within its walls was he able to appear to them. He showed them many things about the Seekers and the Devoid, and the Chosen of the Light. The Chosen would be found, but until then, they’d have to hold against the tide of Seekers. He warned that if the Elven city of Exed fell, the Devoid would free itself. The kings were instructed to do everything possible to keep the Seekers occupied while he searched for the Chosen.”
Feywen settled his gaze on Darr. “Caeranol told the kings he would find someone to aid them, a boy who would find the Chosen of the Light and restore the Sephirs.”
Shaken, Darr looked over at Nidic Waq. The prophet gazed back. Distrust welled up inside Darr, and he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t think you were prepared,” Nidic Waq answered, his face bowed deep within his cowl. “It was hard enough convincing you of the importance of restoring the Sephirs. I couldn’t fathom your disbelief had I told you of your connection to the Chosen.”
Darr shook his head, letting the sting of betrayal sink in. Nidic Waq had offered him a way out of Tyfor, and he took the chance to leave. Perhaps the real betrayal came from himself.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Darr,” Feywen said after a moment. “They were told to trust in Caeranol and bestow on him their faith that his covenant would be fulfilled.”
Feywen let the tension ease for a moment. “The
kings left the Tower Castle, but outside they were attacked by Soul Seekers. At the end of the fight, my father’s broken body was among the fallen. When I returned to Jakova with my father’s body, the Dwarf Elder Council quickly decided his death would have to be kept secret for fear of spreading panic. My father’s body would lie in state, and the people would be told he was ill.”
Feywen eased forward and sighed. “I did not agree with this tactic, but until I was crowned, the council was in charge of the affairs of the state. So Lacdur and I left Jakova in order to better understand our enemy. When we departed, the council judged me unfit for kingship, and by leaving Jakova, I had forfeit the monarchy. Some time after, my father’s death was quietly disclosed and the council took leadership of the Dwarves.”
Conra shook his head and said, “I can’t believe they did that to you.”
Lacdur grunted, almost a laugh. “The Dwarf Elder Council has been looking for an excuse to dissolve the monarchy for years. They prefer a democratic approach. ‘Aos--some democracy. The council is nothing more than a bunch of old men who think they know what’s best for everyone else.”
“With the Seekers getting so close, how are they going to protect Jakova?” Jinn asked, concern highlighting her features.
Feywen shook his head. “I really don’t know. Brenan Jase is Chief Councilman, providing leadership in place of my father. He’s a good man, but he led the arguments allowing the council to dissolve the monarchy. While I believe he made the decision with the intention of helping the Dwarf people, Jase may have made the move for reasons I cannot fathom.”
“He’s a snake,” Lacdur grumbled, but Feywen didn’t respond.
“Regardless, Jase leads my people now,” Feywen continued. “I’ve talked with him several times since Lacdur and I left. He knows almost as much as I do about the Seekers, but I don’t think he puts that information to good use. He’s trying to ignore the dangers we face, but he’s keeping in contact with the Elves and the Cortazians. He knows what happened to my father, and I doubt Jase would disobey one of his final wishes.”
Feywen Dery, the once-prince of the Dwarves, Darr thought. What kind of man was he to stick to his principles though it meant losing his place among the Dwarf nation? It made him a man of discipline and integrity, but sheathed in iron.
“We had better be leaving,” Nidic Waq announced from within the shadows of the trees.
Lacdur jumped to his feet, complaining about how long they’d been resting. The other members of the company gathered their things, falling into line behind Lacdur. Jinn came up beside Darr and patted him on the shoulder.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Darr didn’t want to answer. “Just thinking things through.”
“Well don’t think too hard,” Jinn said. “What Nidic Waq did wouldn’t have changed things, would it?”
Jinn gave his shoulder a quick tight squeeze. A gesture of support. Jinn followed after Erec into the trees, reminding Darr of how much he admired her for her optimism. He didn’t think he would’ve been as brave had Nidic Waq told him everything about his quest on their first meeting.
* * * *
An hour before sunset, Lacdur led the company into a gorge carved between a line of twisted cedar, their shelter for the evening. So long as they stayed low and quiet, they wouldn’t be found by any wandering Soul Seekers. They had more space than the cave from the night before, but that didn’t make them any more comfortable. Tree roots stuck out of the soil all around them, and the air in the gorge was damp and cold.
The company settled down and attempted to get comfortable. Lacdur and Feywen offered to share the watch during the night. Erec offered to help, but Lacdur silenced him. He had no experience detecting the Seekers. To Darr’s surprise, Erec rolled into his blankets without further comment.
Darr wrapped up in his blanket and his eyes grew heavy. Someone’s fingers brushed lightly on his shoulder. The black shape of Nidic Waq rose over him, though he knew who it was from the touch alone.
“Come with me, Darr,” the prophet whispered and turned away.
Darr wouldn’t ignore him outright even though he wanted to. He’d have to deal with his anger another way. Darr crept after the prophet’s swaying black shape. They walked to the far side of the gorge, a spot partially illuminated by a filament of moonlight. Nidic Waq took a seat on a moss-covered log and motioned Darr to sit beside him.
“I wanted to talk with you before we travel any further south,” Nidic Waq said in a hushed voice. “After tomorrow, the Seekers will be at hunt where the shadows of the forest run deepest. We must be on our guard, if we’re to avoid them.”
Darr started to speak, but Nidic Waq interrupted him. “I want to apologize. I never intended to deceive you, but certain things had to be kept secret if you were going to listen to what I had to tell you. It seems I’m manipulating you, however I take the actions I must because you’re a necessary component in all of this.”
Darr nodded as if to agree, though he was reluctant to accept the prophet’s methods for getting what he wanted.
“The reason I’ve brought you out here tonight is to check on your progress with your summoning. You undoubtedly have questions and concerns, and I want to be able to help you while I can.”
“I want to know why summoning is ineffective against the Soul Seekers,” Darr said without hesitation.
Nidic Waq leaned closer before answering. “The Seekers are made from the Light. The Light is a primal force, bestowing both life and death. From this force, the Devoid creates the Soul Seekers, beings with no rational thought that can be easily directed.”
Nidic Waq eased himself closer. “Because the Seekers are an extension of the Light bonded to the Devoid, they can cause interference in the Currents. This is why you feel so cold when they’re around. This feeling carries into the Currents as well, creating disruptions that will prevent you from calling out to the Archons. Worse, these disruptions could leave you stunned in the physical world. Now, this doesn’t mean a rush of fire or rending of earth won’t consume them, but until you become more disciplined, you would be wise to avoid the Currents.”
“You said the Seekers could disrupt a summoning,” Darr said. “Why were you able to summon fire against them when we first entered the forest?”
Nidic Waq’s face was hidden when he answered. “I did not summon fire. I summoned the Light to aid me, balancing the Seekers’ essence of death with life.”
“But how’s that possible?” Darr asked.
“It’s possible for anyone who’s able to travel the Currents,” Nidic Waq replied. “It’s possible even for you, one who can walk in both worlds.”
The power of life and death. Cold sickness swept through Darr at the thought.
“The Light is rarely given up willingly from the spirits,” Nidic Waq continued, “which is the only way it can be effective. You could steal the Light from the Currents, like the Devoid, but you risk damaging both your body and soul.”
“I don’t want that kind of power,” Darr said, his voice swelled with distress. “The summonings I performed in Stern and outside Oasis were rooted in power I can understand. But the power of life and death...”
“It will become necessary for you to understand, if you ever hope to survive the Soul Seekers and complete your quest.” Nidic Waq’s features were stern. “You’ll undoubtedly face the Seekers again. Without the proper defenses, you’ll be shattered both in body and spirit.”
Darr forced his fear aside. “Go on,” he said, prepared to listen.
“In order to summon the Light, you must remember there’s nothing physical about the Currents,” Nidic Waq said. “Your strength is determined by the strength of your spirit, by your courage and your wisdom of what you know to be true.”
“How am I supposed to prevent my fear from overtaking me in front of the Soul Seekers?” Darr asked. “You’re talking about erasing my instincts, about forgetting the rules of the physical world, rules I have kn
own all my life.”
Nidic Waq shook his head. “I haven’t told you to forget anything. Instead, open your mind and realize there is another world overlapping this one, a world that reflects your own Light. In the physical world, your strength is determined by others. In the Currents, you’re strength comes from yourself.”
Nidic Waq rose from the log they were seated on and looked down at him. “This is the knowledge you must accept in order to improve your skills. Only through examination of your own spirit will you be able to master the power required to see you through to the end.” The prophet leaned down. “You have the heart to accomplish this. You wouldn’t have been selected otherwise.”
The prophet turned and marched back to the camp, leaving a void in the space before Darr. Had he just been reprimanded, or did Nidic Waq merely stir his inner fire? Either way, Darr was certain he could do as he’d been told.
On his next voyage into the Currents, he wouldn’t be so easily swayed by his perceptions. He would master his fear with the true strength of his Light.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Though the Ancients had long departed the world, some remnants of their power remained. A few among the races could listen to the Currents in the same way the Ancients once had. Caeranol found he could still reach into the physical world. These few individuals became known as Spirit Summoners.”
~From A Current History of Ictar, as told by Nidic Waq
For two more days and nights, the small company made their way through the Triker Forest as a steady rain soaked them through. Darr wasn’t used to such miserable conditions, and the weather reflected his mood.
On the morning of their third day, the rain turned to drizzle before fading away, but the company remained in poor spirits. No one had slept well in several days. Everyone needed a change of clothes or a fire to dry out the clothes they had. Darr’s heart dropped when Lacdur advised they wouldn’t make it to the Crossroads before nightfall. Likely they wouldn’t reach the village until late morning the next day.
The Children of the Light: Book 1: Spirit Summoner Page 21
