By gathering all the watchers to one location, it allowed all of them to be eliminated in one stroke, breaking the bonds and loosing the witch.”
The old man sat there in silence for a time, studying Nicoldani intently. “I can see it in your eyes, regardless of whatever it was that brought you here, that you believe you betrayed your duties. But in truth, by doing so, you are the only true Tovani remaining, the only one who is keeping the faith. You are the only true Brother of the Watch.”
This was all too much for Nicoldani and he slumped with his head in his hands. He was too shocked by what the old man had said to even speak. Nicoldani sat there for many long moments, trying to come to grips with the revelations the old man had given him. After many long moments, finally he spoke, “So what is to be done? What can we do?”
Benjim remained silent for a time in apparent deep contemplation.
Nicoldani spoke up, “We could send a message to Gethseena and Dallonburo for help. But…..”
“Even if anyone survives at Gethseena, I doubt they would leave their post for us. Dallonburo is preparing for war with Suchbaatar and would not send anyone either.” Benjim said shaking his head.
After several long moments of silence, Benjim spoke again, “It is foretold in prophecy, older than the witch herself; that speaks of a hope, a savior. It says:
There will rise,
one to stand in the light,
one in the dark
One to stand in the day,
one to stand in night
A savior will stand with the destroyer
at the brink of night and day
“I heard it differently,” Nicoldani interrupted.
Benjim’s eyebrows shot up and the surprise was evident on his face. “What do you mean? Who did you hear it from?”
“ High Priest Tarnus told it to me before he sent me away. He said he had studied the prophecies all his life, but wasn’t sure what they meant. The way he told it, went like this:”
“One will rise from obscurity,
One, which stands between Light and Dark,
between Day and Night,
between Good and Evil.
The One will be the Savior and the Destroyer.”
The old man stared at Nicoldani blankly for a moment, then his eyes glazed over in apparent deep thought and contemplation. After a moment he spoke. “I suppose ….. It might ….. It is possible it could be interpreted in that manner. I had never thought of it that way. In my pride, I thought I was sure of myself. It seems the Priest of Ashteri knew more than I did,” Benjim said, with disbelief and humility in his voice.
“Was there more that the Priest told you? Where is he now?”
“There was nothing more, High Priest Tarnus said it was all he ever found of the prophecy,” Nicoldani replied. “He died shortly after telling it to me.”
“There was more to it from what I know.” The old man said hesitantly, uncharacteristically uncertain of himself, “It said:”
“Evil must overcome good
for good to overcome evil
Then eternal night must fall”
“That is a contradiction, it makes no sense,” Nicoldani said shaking his head.
“I know it is,” The old man replied, “I have to admit, I do not understand what it means.”
They both sat there for a time in contemplative silence. Then Benjim with a look of realization on his face, as if a piece to a puzzle had just fallen into place, broke the silence. “This I do know….well, at least I suspect…..that we do have a source of hope,” he said knowingly, as he turned to look straight at Jak.
Jak quickly shut his eyes and tried to moderate his breathing so they would think he was asleep. Why was the old man looking at him? Did he suspect Jak was eavesdropping. Long moments passed in silence. Were the older men on to him? Did they discover he wasn’t asleep?
After a moment Jak heard Nicoldani speak, and thankfully it was addressed to Benjim, and not him. Apparently, the shock of everything else had worn off a little and realization was dawning on Nicoldani. “Who are you? How is it that you know all of this?”
“I am an old man; I’ve been around for a long, long time and have seen many things.” The old man paused for a moment, “I am not a Brother of the Watch, but I am a Watcher.”
Chapter 8
The third day out of Kragston, found the little party still heading south on the North Sanchi Road. It was much the same as the day before, although some things had changed a bit. Nicoldani and Benjim would ride together at times, talking quietly between themselves as to not be overheard, which made Jak wonder what they could be talking about.
Jak also noticed both men kept eyeing him curiously at different times throughout the day. He wondered if they knew he had been listening to their conversation the night before and were upset with him. But there was no anger or animosity in their looks, instead, they seemed to be studying him as if he were a puzzle, and they were trying to figure out how he fit together. It made Jak decidedly uncomfortable.
Jak considered apologizing to the older men on several different occasions for his eavesdropping. But if by some chance the men didn’t know he had been listening in on their conversation, then he would put himself in hot water for sure. Something needed to happen though, because he just wanted them to stop looking at him in this unsettling way.
Today, Benjim seemed less preoccupied than he had before on their rides, and more like his talkative friendly self. He answered all of Gin’s incessant questions with alacrity. It was almost as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders and now he was finally relaxing and just enjoying life, rather than trying to live history, as he had put it.
Nicoldani on the other hand seemed more focused and determined than ever. He wasn’t short or ill tempered with Gin’s questioning. It just seemed he had a renewed sense of purpose and direction, and didn’t want to be distracted from it.
Jak supposed that both men had learned something the night before from each other, which had made them re-evaluate themselves, even though most of what they had said didn’t make a lot of sense to Jak.
When they stopped for the night and it came time to sleep, Jak bedded down further from the fire this time. The two men remained awake, talking softly with each other, and Jak wanted to avoid what had happened the night before. The older men continued late into the night, sitting close and talking in low voices, but thankfully Jak couldn’t make out any of the words they were saying this time.
When morning came, Jak couldn’t take it any longer. His conscience was eating at him and he just wanted things to go back the way they had been.
Nicoldani and Benjim were standing off to one side talking to each other quietly, as they had been of late. Jak approached them hesitantly and they stopped what they were saying and turned to face him. “Umm .. I – I am …. Sorry,” Jak finally said with downcast eyes, unable to meet their stares.
The two men exchanged confused glances, then turned back to face Jak. “You are sorry for what?” Benjim asked curiously.
Jak began to feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead under their scrutiny. He hadn’t realized how imposing the two men could be. The sagely old man’s kindly smile, like a knowing grandfather, was almost as unnerving as the menace of the large man’s tremendous size and stern look.
Jak was beginning to think he made a mistake, maybe they hadn’t known after all. But it was too late now, so he pressed on, “I’m sorry I eavesdropped the night before last. I listened to your conversation when I should not have.” There, it was done and out in the open, and the confession gave Jak a tiny bit of relief.
There was still confusion on the two men’s faces until the realization dawned on them as to what had taken place the night before last. The look on Benjim’s face softened back to a kindly knowing smile, and he chucked. “Son, there is nothing to apologize for, I was fairly certain you were listening. I am not that blind or deaf yet. We said nothing that you should not have heard, nor we
re we trying to hide secrets from you.”
Benjim somehow seemed to realize the source of Jak’s distress. “Lad, we are not angry with you, we just did not think it necessary to trouble you or Gin over things you do not need to worry about right now. We will be a little more forthcoming with things from now on, at least with you. You are nearly a man, and have a great part yet to play in all of this.”
What did the old man mean about having a great part to play? Jak didn’t like the sound of that very much, a great part of what?
The dangerous look on Nicoldani’s face said he didn’t share the old man’s understanding point of view. He obviously hadn’t known Jak was listening. A stern hard look regarded Jak, mixed with a little anger. It didn’t appear he agreed wholeheartedly about being more forthcoming from now on either. But as the old man spoke Nicoldani’s eyes softened just a little at the corners.
“I’m still sorry,” Jak repeated pensively, as he stared at the ground. “My mother taught me it was wrong to eavesdrop. I shouldn’t have done it; in any case, I won’t do it again. Please forgive me.”
Nicoldani studied Jak for a moment longer, and then clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s alright boy, just don’t let it happen again.” The big man actually smiled, just barely. He seemed to have a soft spot in his heart for the Jak, and especially Gineara.
“What’s everyone talking about? Gin said gleefully, as she skipped across the clearing to stop at Jak’s side.
“I was just saying, that if memory serves me correctly, we should be able to make it to the village of Cag today,” Benjim said cheerfully.
“Village? Gin exclaimed. “Wait, what …. Cag? Why would they name a village Cag? That’s not a very good name,” Gin said wrinkling her nose.
As evening was setting in the small party rounded a bend in the road and a village appeared just up ahead. It wasn’t very big, with only a few scattered buildings, but Jak thought it looked a little larger than Elsdon.
The town was nestled among large cottonwood and elm trees. That is if Jak remembered correctly, from what Benjim had told him of the trees. They were quite old trees, with large branches arching high, overtopping many of the houses and supplying ample shade and wind cover. It was a very peaceful, alluring looking scene.
The buildings were made mainly from wood, with thatch roofs. Jak couldn’t see any brick or stone buildings among the few scatter structures, other than what looked like a stone lined well near the center of town. The road passed directly through the small village, with most of the buildings setting to the east, and only a few on the west side of the road.
It seemed to be a farming village, with small gardens scattered between some of the buildings, where the trees did not shade too much. Larger cultivated fields were on the outskirts of the buildings stretching west towards the Sanchi River.
Jak spotted some chickens scratching and pecking around for crumbs and bugs among the fallen leaves and foliage on the ground. There were also a few goats in pens or tethered on long ropes, grazing on the grass and weeds within their reach. Jak thought it a little odd that these people had no sheep or cows, at least not that he could see. Cows gave better milk than goats, and you could get wool from sheep. He didn’t think goats were good for much of anything. At least that is what his father always told him.
There were plumes of smoke drifting lazily skyward from many of the chimneys presumably from cook fires, since it was almost time for the evening meal. Surely, preparations were being made for supper. All and all, Jak thought it looked like a more than peaceful inviting little town, and was eager to spend the night indoors.
Just before they crossed the edge of town, Jak noticed a sign posted next to the road. It looked to be hastily erected and made fairly recently. There was no weathering or discoloring of the wood, and some of the letters were crooked, as if it was carved in a hurry. He thought it strange to even have a signpost for a small town like this.
He noticed Benjim looking intently at the sign as well, with a puzzled look on his face. The sign read “Gloryvane”. That was odd, he was sure Benjim had said the name of the village was Cag, but maybe the old man had been mistaken.
When asked as much, Benjim just shrugged his shoulders, and said that perhaps he had been wrong about it. But the puzzled look in the old man’s eyes remained.
As they continued further into town, a young man not much older than Jak ran out to greet them.
“Welcome travelers,” he announced in a jubilant tone, “My name is Kalvan. All are welcome in Gloryvane, come, come! Follow me.”
When Frog caught sight of the young man, the dog’s ears pulled back, its teeth bared, and a deep-throated growl began to rumble in his throat.
“No!” Jak commanded the dog wordlessly. Frog immediately stopped his growling, but he was still agitated at the presence of Kalvan. Jak wondered what would disturb the dog so much about the stranger. The young man seemed nice enough, and didn’t appear to pose any threat.
After glancing briefly at the dog, Kalvan turned gesturing enthusiastically for them to follow. As the young man led the way down the road, many more people emerged spiritedly from houses to join them. It appeared as if the whole village was coming out to greet them. They all shared the same vibrant almost gleeful demeanor as Kalvan. Frog became more and more agitated and skittish as the people gathered around, but the dog would not disobey Jak’s command.
Kalvan stopped in front of the largest building in the small village. Jak supposed it was an inn, or tavern, or something like that. It looked to be two stories tall, and only about half the size of the inn at Kragston. However, it appeared to be in good repair almost as if it had been recently renovated.
As Jak looked closer, he could see that the wood which formed the storm shutters over the windows looked much like the sign at the edge of town had looked. For the most part, they were untouched by sun and weather, as if they were newly installed.
Jak turned and noticed a girl that was perhaps a year or two older than he, eyeing him seductively. She raised her hand in a shy waving motion and smiled warmly at him. Jak blushed deeply and looked away hastily. He tried to ignore the girl, but it was extremely difficult, since she was rather pretty.
Just then, a man and woman of middling years, with the same amicable manner, stepped from the large building and greeted the traveling party warmly, almost as if they had been expecting them.
“Welcome travelers. My name is Cael, and this is my wife Jan. All are welcome in Gloryvane. You must be tired and hungry from you travels, come, we will get you some hot food and a place to sleep for the night.
Nicoldani exchanged guarded looks with Benjim. Apparently, neither of the men had expected a reception like this, and for that matter, Jak thought it a little strange as well. People in small villages tended to be cordial and hospitable, as long as you posed no threat to them, but these people were almost too nice, if that was possible.
What Jak found even odder still, was the lack of young children and older folks among the villagers. Kalvan, who had greeted them at the edge of town, and the girl that would not stop staring at Jak, seemed to be the youngest in the village. Cael and Jan, who were about the age to be Jak’s parents, were nearly the oldest. Perhaps the young ones and elderly had stayed in their houses in case the strangers happened to be hostile.
Suddenly Kalvan stepped forward grabbing Gin from her mare and hoisting her onto his shoulders. Uncertainty showed in her face, until Kalvan began to trot around making noises and galloping around like a horse. Gin’s expression turned to one of delight, and she clapped her hands in glee as she rode on his back. It troubled Jak, because his older brothers had done that with Gin, and she never seemed to tire of it. It seemed odd having this stranger doing it, but Gin seemed to be having fun, so Jak let it pass.
After a moment, Jak followed the lead of the older men and dismounted. As he continued nervously watching Gin ridding Kalvan around, Jak felt something softly touch his arm. He looked down to find the gi
rl that had been staring at him had come up next to him and slipped her arm through his. He stood there a moment in shock not knowing exactly what he should do.
“My name is Jissera,” she looked up at Jak with smoky eyes and a seductive smile, “what’s your name?”
He swallowed hard, and was finally able to mutter, “Jak, my name is Jak.”
She was very pretty he thought to himself.
“Very pleased to meet you, … Jak,” she cooed. She placed her other hand on Jak’s forearm as she turned and started for the door of the large building, pulling him along with her. Along the way, he almost tripped over his own feet several times. Her hand on his arm was so soft, albeit unsettling at the same time. He thought of pulling free, but he was afraid she would be insulted, besides, on second thought, he didn’t really want to pull free.
Several of the younger men hurried forward to take the horses from the newcomers and lead the animals to the stables. Jak commanded Frog to go with them and stay in the barn with the horses until he came for him. He didn’t want to take a chance on the dog deciding to wander out and end up attacking someone. The dog was clearly agitated and acting very strangely.
Cael and Jan led the way up the few steps into the building. Once inside, Jak immediately noticed it was poorly lit. The storm shutters were closed on all the windows so the only source of light, other than two small hanging lanterns, was from the open doorway they had just entered. Jak however, had no trouble seeing in the dim light and was able to see the details clearly.
It was a large square room with two tables to one side and four chairs around each of them. It had a large open-beam ceiling spanning the entire structure, which was open all the way to the peaked roof above. So, it wasn’t two stories as he had originally thought. It was clean and tidy with no signs of dust, dirt, or even cobwebs, up among the beams. What was slightly out of place was the presence of some stains on the worn wood planks in the center of the floor; Jak supposed the stains were from someone spilling food or perhaps wine on the floor.
The Blood Witch (The Blood Reign Chronicles Book 1) Page 18
