by Derek Palmer
""How come... you look so...""
For the first time in a while, I looked down at myself. I have to admit that I probably looked quite filthy. There was some old blood mixed with dirt, some more dirt, and now some new blood on the top of everything. Not my blood, except some on my left hand.
""Oh that - I don't even notice the smell myself, anymore. I guess I could use a bath and some clean clothes.""
""Can you... are you able to walk? Mylaela would like to see you.""
I was able to walk - once Shalana had helped me to stand. I still had some problems figuring all this out. I knew that I had made my promise to Shalana and Leilatha, but for a while I had had some serious doubts about my ability to stay alive. Now would be the perfect time to push my grand plan - if my mushy head just would co-operate.
""How's Leilatha? Is she safe...?""
""Yes, she arrived some time ago, and managed to deliver your message. I was afraid that once you were alone, you might try something stupid, something like...""
I grimaced.
""Something like what just happened, she's trying to say. Stian, can you tell me what you did? Even these Ugly People do not usually act this stupid.""
I guess Mylaela had taken pity on me, because she had walked down to the trail to meet me. I looked at her and then at all the dead Ugly People on the trail. Stupid, yes. The chase had been a stupid thing to do.
""I really have no idea. It probably was the next to last time I ambushed them and pushed them with some magic in addition to some arrows. I'm not sure what I did, I just wanted to counter something that they did, which was urging them forward. Can't you question some of them?""
Mylaela shook her head.
""They attacked us like they had been cursed, and I'm afraid there's nobody alive anymore. Once the others heard what had happened at the hut near the border they didn't feel very merciful, either.""
Then she became very serious.
""I heard about your special skills - so, can you assure us that there's no second group coming through the forests somewhere?""
I closed my eyes for a moment before shaking my head.
""Right now I'm not in a shape to tell much, but I'm almost certain that there at least isn't any group trying to sneak up close. Of course, there is that group of wounded and few others that were left behind. I'm worried about the girls at the hut, since they really aren't in shape to defend themselves.""
""Just how many those Ugly People were left behind?""
""I don't really know, some twenty, maybe - but some of them were wounded and I had a feeling that they used those left behind as a source of power for this group. I have no idea how that is possible.""
I might have been tired but not too tired to be careful with Mylaela, since I was sure that she would have noticed if I had tried to lie. Besides, I had no energy left to even try that. I knew that something like that could be done but I had no idea how it was done - so I didn't lie. I noticed how her eyes flashed when I explained what I thought had happened, and that alone convinced me that I had been right.
""Trust me, Stian, we'll take care of those girls if possible. I hate to ask you this, but are you in a shape to ride back and warn us when we approach that group? We have your horse with us.""
A part of me wanted to scream and protest, but I could understand her reasoning. If that group had guards, they could easily harm us. Going through the forest would in turn make the trip very slow and tiresome. I forced out a smile.
""I admit that I could use some sleep and some food, but I can understand your reasoning. Maybe I should wash myself a bit, since even if Luna tolerates the smell of blood she doesn't like it.""
It turned out that my actions had earned me some pampering. I was given some food and fresh water, the wounds in my left arm were taken care of as two women I didn't know cleaned me with some washcloths after first taking away my clothes. Then I had a possibility to rest between two blankets. I probably was asleep as soon as I put my head down.
""Stian, wake up. We need to get going.""
I was almost sure that I had just fallen asleep, but the sun was already clearly visible in the eastern sky which mean that I had been sleeping for some time. Still, I couldn't help groaning.
""I hate to rush you, but we're short of time for several reasons if we want to help the women on the hut. The faster we get there, the better.""
""I'm okay and ready to go.""
""We have something prepared that you can eat while riding.""
I quickly dressed in my somewhat cleaner clothes before picking up my backpack and the last crossbow I had been carrying. Someone had brought some new arrows for it. Mylaela smiled to me when I picked them up.
""Using their own arrows against them was pure genius. In case some of them make it back to their own valley they'll tell that they were betrayed by some of their own.""
""I had no intention to let them know that a human is living with you.""
""We'll probably speak more about that once this mission is finished.""
We were still on our way towards the second group of Trolls when I sensed an approaching rider from behind. I stopped our group.
""Someone is coming from behind us. Maybe one rider and multiple horses - or ponies.""
Our group stopped and decided to wait. We had a group of some twenty Elves with their ponies. The idea was not to directly attack the second group, but to keep an eye on them and prevent them from escaping, while a smaller group would go around them all the way to the hut.
For the first time, I noticed the pigeons that were carried along in their cages. Even if this valley wasn't very large it would take days to travel it from one end to another by foot. So, if there was some need for quick messaging, pigeons would be able to reach the village much faster.
Soon the rider reached us. Her pony looked exhausted and there was another exhausted pony and one a bit more fresh-looking still available. The rider immediately went to Mylaela.
""Immianthe asked if Stian would be available at the village for her as soon as possible.""
I was able to notice that Mylaela didn't look pleased and I was able to guess the reason. I cleared my throat.
""I could move a bit away from here and check if I can give you any more information. After all, the Trolls cannot be that far, since we've been riding at a good pace.""
""If you only could, Stian. That might save us some lives.""
I took Luna and forced myself to ride a bit further. Once I was on the top of a small hillock I sensed forward the best I could, trying to ignore the group behind me.
Without the partial filling of my magic well - that I had felt because of my success - I would not have been able to do this. But now, after concentrating for some time, I was able to sense the group of Trolls... just the one single group. Or again, there was that empty feeling which didn't extend outside one single area. Once that was confirmed, I did my best to estimate the distance and remember the environment around the area. When I believed that I couldn't figure out anything more, I returned to the group and let them know what I had sensed was there. Then I was on my way again, this time towards the village.
I didn't ride Luna all the way to the village since even though she could keep a better pace than the ponies. That was simply because the ponies had some sort of sixth sense that prevented them from breaking their legs in the rocky soil - or in darkness. So, I pushed Luna to the ambush site, then took two ponies from there. Even though I changed ponies, it was past midnight when I arrived at the village.
""Good. How soon are you able to leave, Stian?""
I almost snapped at Bellcauniel, but I was able to sense from the tone of her voice that she was truly worried about something.
""If possible, I'd wash myself and change into clean clothes. After that, I'm ready to leave.""
""Good, your clothes should be ready and there will be someone who'll help you to wash. There's also something to eat. I'll then ride with you.""
; Once again I was pampered. The only problem was that everything had to be done in haste. As soon as two women had washed me, I was given clean clothes and Fainauriel kissed me quickly before I was given some strange tea and fresh bread with some cheese and meat. I wanted to ask some questions, but Fainauriel stopped me.
""Bellcauniel will tell you what you'll need to know. Be careful. Once the effect of the tea wears off, you'll be very tired.""
Before I knew it, my aching body was on the top of a pony again and we were riding again, this time towards the south. As soon as we were outside the village area, I turned to Bellcauniel.
""What is it? Another attack?""
""We do not know, but we hope not.""
I didn't say anything but waited for her to say more. She looked at me and saw the questioning look on my face.
""As soon as Shalana came with her disturbing news, we sent patrols around, especially one bigger group to the Southern pass, with several pigeons. First, there was nothing; but then a bigger group came through, without an agreement or forewarning.""
At that point, I already knew that there were meetings between the Elves, the Guardians and some traders four times a year. If more meetings were needed, there was a certain place on the Southern pass that was checked weekly. As far as I knew there hadn't been extra meetings during the last decade or so. My face probably gave away my thoughts.
""Precisely, quite a co-incidence. Since our group consisted of only ten guards they decided that they'd just follow that group of thirty Guardians and two Magicians. That alone is a severe breach of the rules, since the Magicians aren't allowed to enter our valley.""
""Why do you want me there?""
""To observe. After all, it was only a while ago that you traveled with the Guardians. Besides, aren't you curious to see the Magicians? Just make sure that they do not see you.""
It was just after the dawn when we met Immianthe. She looked tired, but I was quite certain that I looked even worse. Fainauriel had been right - as soon as the effect of that refreshing tea had worn off, I had been even more tired than before. I had fallen asleep several times while riding and I probably would have fallen a few times if Bellcauniel hadn't been watching me. Besides that, I could feel a headache coming. Immianthe looked at me and frowned while turning to Bellcauniel.
""How many cups of that tea has he had?""
""Just one, I will make sure he doesn't fall from saddle.""
Hey, I was here, too! I just didn't feel like talking. Immianthe looked at me.
""Stian, I'm not going to lie to you. We have prepared another portion of that tea for you. If you drink it you'll feel refreshed, but you'll also feel extra tired afterwards, and most likely you'll also have the mother of all headaches. However, the truth is that we need your help, now.""
I looked at her and Bellcauniel before nodding.
""Just give me the tea.""
The group of Guardians and those two Magicians were just about to break their camp and start moving, when Immianthe and three guards walked in there. Timing was an essential part of their appearance, since there had been guards around the camp until that very moment. Some of the Elves had kept an eye on them from a distance, and had given a sign when it was a good time to move in. I was with one other guard, watching them from a bit further away and I also tried to maintain some sort of cloak around us, since some of the Guardians looked quite efficient.
I wasn't able to hear what was said, but it was clear that Immianthe's sudden appearance caused some stir, especially among the Guardians. More than a few of them started paying more attention to their surroundings. I had to admit that I had also been positively surprised at the efficiency of the Elves once some action was needed. That was a good reminder to me, too, not to underestimate them. After all, they had had a much longer time than I to master their skills in several ways - even if they weren't hunters.
I easily recognized the Magicians from their robes. It soon became apparent that one of them was the leader of the group, not the captain of the Guardians. Well, I couldn't be absolutely sure about his rank from this distance, but most likely a major or a somebody even higher wouldn't really like to take a long trip like this. I kept on following the situation, and suddenly things seemed to get heated and the leading Magician took two steps towards Immianthe. I didn't care for that, but kept on looking at Immianthe's fingers and when I saw the sign that had been agreed on, I released the arrow from the crossbow I had had ready.
The arrow wasn't supposed to hit the Magician - and it didn't. However, it maybe went a bit closer than intended before it imbedded in a tree on the other side of the clearing. The Magician stopped moving forward and almost all the people - except the Elves - started looking for us. I had cloaked myself and the young woman next to me as best I could. I was quite certain that nobody could see us. I kept on looking at the scene in front of us.
It was clear that Immianthe had started speaking again and now they were listening to her. She pointed at the arrow on the tree, and then to the crossbows her two companions were carrying. Then I sensed that a few of the Guardians had started to move. I turned towards the woman who had been lying there next to me.
""A few - I'd say three - Guardians are trying to get behind us, so we need to get away now. Stay very close to me, and we probably will not be noticed.""
The woman - whose name I still didn't know - did what I asked, and we were able to retreat and return to the main encampment which was out of sight of the Guardians and the Magicians. There was one older woman left in charge of the group and I immediately went and spoke to her.
""Three Guardians are trying to go around the place from where I shot the arrow. You may want to send a few people to stop them. Just so they know they have been noticed. I thought about moving to the other side and keeping an eye on what's happening up there.""
I sneaked into a new position on the other side of the area where the Guardians and Magicians were camping. After a few moments, I found a place from which I could keep an eye on Immianthe and the other group. It was clear that some heated discussions were still going on, but this time it wasn't the leading Magician who was talking, but Immianthe - and there was no question about her authority. The captain of the Guardians was also there and so was one of the women who had been in our camp with me. She had just finished saying something to Immianthe, who nodded. Then Immianthe turned towards the captain, pointed to the area where I had been hiding when shooting the arrow and she held three fingers up. The message was clear and the captain turned around and talked to another Guardian who had been there with him. Some heated discussion followed, but soon three Guardians were guided to the area, followed by five women. The humiliation of the group was now complete.
Some more things were said, but at some point, Immianthe made a gesture in the direction of the Southern pass and soon after that she turned and left. I was happy to leave my guard point since the effect of that refreshing tea was wearing off and I started to feel the exhaustion and the coming headache. I retreated and started carefully moving towards our camp. I would soon be asking for some more tea... willow bark tea, this time.
--
Chapter 6
Except that the willow bark tea didn't really help. Once the headache really hit me, I felt so bad that I threw up everything I had been eating or drinking. It was like my first hangover some ten times over. Once I gradually started to feel better, I felt weak as a kitten. Bellcauniel sat next to me as I was sitting there on the ground, barely protected from the rain by some blankets. The others had already left the area, most heading back towards the village, but there was another group that made sure that the Guardians and the Magicians actually left the valley.
""I'm sorry, Stian.""
""For what? You warned me about the aftereffects and I still drank the tea.""
""Still, you got more of it than we usually use. It's bad enough after one portion, but after two...""
""I guess I'll live. A while ago I was still afr
aid that I’d live.""
I took another sip of water and tried to get a feel of what would happen with it. It wasn't too long ago that I had thrown up. I turned towards Bellcauniel.
""You know Bell, the Guardians will try sneaking in sometime soon. That one Magician was so pissed that he will demand something. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd try to catch some of your people. I'd suggest you be careful when you leave this valley, for whatever reason.""
""Why do you feel like that, Stian?""
Yes, why indeed? I had been almost a year with a group of Guardians and during that time I had never gotten a feeling like I had a bit more than a day ago.
""I don't really know. Somehow, that group of the Guardians I saw there reminded me more of something that one ex-Guardian told me about the group I spent a year with. Neither of the leaders gave instructions to go after me once I had shot that arrow and yet the three Guardians did so automatically. No, that was some special group that goes with the Magicians. Some people who aren't afraid to use force when told. I've got some bad feelings about them.""
