Valley of Shields

by Duncan Lay

  ‘What is it?’ Huw asked.

  ‘They killed a child,’ Sendatsu said softly, picking up the small skull gently and gazing into the empty eye sockets. Had it been brought here by a parent, or had the child been magical? It did not matter to Sendatsu.

  ‘How could the elves do such a thing?’ Huw asked in revulsion.

  Sendatsu could not bring himself to answer. He imagined this child as Mai or Cheijun and was filled with a terrible anger, as strong as when he had found that dying boy in Rheged. He cradled the child’s skull and promised it silently he would avenge their death. Somehow he would make it up to this child’s spirit and help the humans. His cautious thoughts about only revealing this at the right time were wiped away in his fury. Carefully he placed the skull back with the other bones.

  ‘Come, we are wasting time. We need to get to Dokuzen,’ he said roughly.

  ‘Still want to go to Dokuzen?’ Rhiannon asked Huw.

  ‘I go where you go,’ he declared. ‘I am even more convinced I need to be there after seeing this. We have to go. Sendatsu is right, there is no other choice. Besides, if the elves of today do not know about this, then it does not affect us as much …’

  ‘You’re still going to rely on being saved by a race that slaughtered your ancestors, maybe my ancestors as well,’ Rhiannon reminded him.

  ‘I know! But we have no choice. Without the elves, the Forlish will roll over my country and my people,’ Huw said, then closed his mouth abruptly at the icily furious expression on her face. He switched his attention to Sendatsu. ‘Tell me, how far can you trust this Sumiko? Will we end up like these humans?’

  Sendatsu took a moment to get himself back under control. ‘Sumiko will do whatever is necessary to gain control of Dokuzen. You can be assured of that. We can make a deal with her,’ he said with a confidence he did not entirely feel.

  ‘Then we need to bury these poor people again, until their story is ready to be told.’ Huw looked at Rhiannon.

  She nodded. ‘I think I can do it.’

  ‘If you need time to rest, that is fine,’ Huw added hastily. ‘And if you want to think some more about the dangers of going to Dokuzen …’

  ‘I have to go. The magic demands I must,’ she said simply.

  Sendatsu let her walk away but hoped she was telling the truth, that there was not some other reason for wanting to go to Dokuzen. Because there had been a shadow behind her eyes when she spoke.

  6

  At first they were good neighbours and we were trusting, because they were friendly and wise, and had many stories about their life with the dragons. That was our first mistake.

  Huw’s song

  ‘The magical barrier is the plants themselves, the trees and bushes. Anyone who crosses the threshold is taken and torn to pieces,’ Captain Edmund explained. ‘But in its strength is the weakness. If we burn the plants, then there is no barrier. And Dokuzen will be open to us!’

  Ward signalled and two guards helped him up into a sitting position on the bed he lay on. The Landish physicians had prepared foul-tasting potions, which they assured the king would slow the progress of his disease, but he found they made him tired.

  ‘Excellent work, Edmund. But if we smash a hole in their barrier, the elves will come pouring out of Dokuzen like ants from a disturbed nest. We would be marching into country we have never seen before, facing an enemy whose fighting skills are the stuff of legend — even before we consider their magic.’

  Edmund nodded. ‘Indeed, sire. So this is a diversion. We scouted right around the Tregarth Forest, up into Vales itself, and discovered the barrier goes right around, stretching from the coast on our north-eastern frontier across and up past the eastern edge of Vales to the top of their coast. So we send one regiment to rip a hole in the barrier over here, in the south-east, which will draw out the elven warriors from their city. They will pursue furiously, no doubt eager to punish us for breaching their barrier, chasing our regiment away down the coast, into the hills here, where we can let them run themselves ragged. Then we punch another hole in their magical barrier more than one hundred miles to the west, where the barrier curves up past Vales. By the time they realise what we have done, we shall be at the gates of Dokuzen and they will not be able to stop us. Their warriors will not be able to get back in time.’

  ‘Beautiful,’ Ward whispered. ‘But what if they try to use magic to return?’

  ‘We shall get them to chase us into the hills. If they do not use magic to move their warriors, then we know it is safe,’ Edmund suggested. ‘Our main force can appear to be punishing the Velsh, not threatening the elves — until it is too late for them to do anything about it.’

  ‘Order the men north now. Get them moving. Nothing else matters,’ Ward said feverishly. ‘Inside Dokuzen is all the knowledge we shall ever need. Men will be able to walk taller than the elves by the time I have finished.’

  ‘And we shall have the secret of immortality,’ Edmund added.

  ‘Yes, I will.’ Ward leaned back on his pillows and smiled.

  ‘The men are marching already. They will be in place within a moon,’ Edmund said. ‘They would do anything for you, sire.’

  Gaibun had finished his patrol along the border and had to report to Jaken.

  The humans had stopped testing the barrier and apparently given up. Jaken needed to know, because this could seriously affect his plans to overthrow Daichi. But when he arrived at the Moratsune villa, he found it empty, although well guarded.

  Frustrated, Gaibun left the villa and began to walk home. Who would Jaken be seeing at this time of night? And why would he go to them? Everyone but Daichi and a handful of his closest clan leader supporters would visit Jaken, not the other way around.

  His route home took him past the markets, long since closed for the night and sitting in darkness; the stallholders woke early and closed by dusk. It was always silent around here at this time of night so when he heard soft voices, he automatically reached for his sword and flattened against a wall.

  Cautiously he peered around and saw two figures in the shadows. Their voices were indistinct, so he could not make out what they were saying. There was little light around and both seemed to be wearing cowled cloaks. It was all highly suspicious and Gaibun was wondering who they might be and how he might confront them when one glanced around. Gaibun froze instinctively but could only just stifle a gasp of surprise. The moon was out, and its light was enough to recognise the face of Jaken. Who was he meeting? Gaibun ached to know, to get a closer look — but dared not.

  He worked his way back and around slowly, hoping to get a better look at whoever was with Jaken. Gaibun managed to get himself into position and peered carefully around a stall — to see nothing. They had slipped away, as if by magic.

  Disappointed, Gaibun made his way home. Jaken could wait until morning to hear his news.

  ‘So what do we do now?’ Huw asked as they stood around a tree. Sendatsu had been nervous he might not be able to find one tree out of so many but the oak tree at the top of a hill overlooking Pontypridd had been relatively easy to find. Their trip had been in silence, all three thinking of what they would discover in Dokuzen.

  Sendatsu ran his hands over the tree gently. He remembered all too well how he had burst out of the trunk. Now he had the chance to go back, the chance to see his children. Excitement, nervousness and a touch of fear all raged within him.

  ‘We wait,’ he said. ‘Asami promised to open a gateway here at each phase of the moon. It has not been dark for a turn of the hourglass yet. It could come at midnight, or earlier.’

  ‘What should we look for?’ Rhiannon asked. ‘What does a magic gateway look like?’

  ‘You’ll know when you see it,’ Sendatsu promised. ‘For anyone with magic, it is unmistakeable. When ready, she will push an oaken staff through the gateway. That is our way through. You must pull yourself along the staff, holding onto it at all times.’

  ‘Or …’ Huw prompted.

/>   ‘Or you might find yourself lost within the trees, never able to find a way out.’

  ‘Maybe we should find another way,’ Huw muttered.

  ‘It is perfectly safe! Sendatsu made it through without a scratch,’ Rhiannon pointed out.

  Sendatsu decided not to mention how lucky he had been.

  They watched the tree in silence for what seemed like an age, but nothing happened.

  ‘Should we start a fire?’ Huw said into the quiet.

  Sendatsu was about to suggest collecting only branches close to the tree, when it began to shimmer.

  Rhiannon leaped to her feet. ‘I see it! There’s a garden on the other side!’

  Next moment a staff appeared out of the heart of the trunk.

  ‘What do we do?’ Huw cried.

  Sendatsu, his heart hammering, took the staff in his right hand and knocked on it three times with his left. Almost instantly he felt the return knocks, and could barely contain his excitement.

  ‘She’s there and ready to bring us through.’ Sendatsu could not keep the grin off his face. ‘Time to go!’

  ‘Who’s first?’ Rhiannon asked.

  ‘I’ll go, then Huw in the middle and you bring up the rear,’ Sendatsu said immediately.

  Rhiannon was only too quick to grab the staff; Huw rather less so.

  ‘Don’t let go of the staff, whatever you do,’ Sendatsu warned him.

  He forgot about Huw’s fears, instead focusing on what he might find on the other side, remembering the fateful night when he had been forced to flee. He pulled himself through the oak, unable to stop himself from closing his eyes as he took the first step into what his eyes told him was rough bark.

  He opened his eyes to see Asami’s familiar garden, lit by a dozen lanterns.

  ‘I’m home!’ he exulted, ignoring Huw and Rhiannon as they pushed through behind him, staring wide-eyed at the garden.

  Next moment, Asami was right in front of him, letting the staff fall from her hands.

  ‘You’re back, you’re safe — what happened, why were you so long, what are humans doing here?’ she babbled at him and he grinned at her. He swept his arms around her and kissed her hard.

  For a moment she hesitated, then kissed him back.

  ‘I cannot tell you how many nights I have lain awake thinking about you and the mistakes I made. I swear to you that I shall find a way for us to be together,’ Sendatsu said breathlessly.

  ‘I have been unable to sleep for worrying about you in the human world.’ Asami brushed her fingers down his face. ‘I never gave up hope, although others told me to. Is it really you? What happened out there? Aroaril! Look at you! Dressed like a human — and you even smell like one!’ She tried to hold back her tears, disguise them with a little humour.

  He could see the surprise in her eyes as she examined his face and he wondered if he had really changed so much in such a short time.

  ‘So many things happened out there!’ he said, hugging her close. ‘I have longed to hold you like this for so long.’

  ‘I feared I would never be able to hold you.’ Her arms tightened around his back.

  Sendatsu would have been happy to stay holding Asami but the one thought driving him onwards since he left Dokuzen could not be ignored. ‘Have you heard anything about my children?’

  Asami pulled back a little.

  ‘No, I have not seen nor heard about them, beyond guessing they are still at your father’s villa.’

  Sendatsu sighed. So near and yet so far! He luxuriated in holding Asami, as he had longed to do, joy at his return bubbling through him.

  A shout from inside the house made her take a step back, although Sendatsu was reluctant to let go and she had to quickly pull free of him.

  ‘What in Aroaril’s name is going on? Humans! In my house?’

  Sendatsu looked across to see a furious Gaibun bounding towards them, sword held in the attack position, and glanced back to see a shocked Huw and Rhiannon staring at the furious elf charging at them.

  7

  The Elfaran forefathers found a new home, in a new land, called Nippon, and were welcomed by the proud yet friendly people. Their wisdom and knowledge of magic was highly prized and soon they had families of their own.

  Sendatsu’s song

  Hanto slipped out of the barn, using the night and his skills to stay undetected. The protective fences around every Velsh village made foraging difficult but luckily there were still a few isolated farms around. He stole what he could, ate scraps and gnawed on bones, willing to do anything to stay alive and gain his revenge. Returning to Dokuzen was going to be difficult, not to mention dangerous. He had been told a gateway would be opened at midnight each quarter-moon, using the tree he, Jin and Taigo had travelled through.

  That was easy enough. But he would be coming back without Jin or Taigo — and without Sendatsu. He had failed dismally and Jaken was not one to give second chances. Yet he had information that had to be heard in Dokuzen. There were humans with magic — and not just a little magic, but as much as any Magic-weaver. Hanto felt qualified to judge this with authority. He had some ability with magic, enough that the Magic-weavers had offered to train him further, though he had refused. The honour of the sword was far greater than the disgrace of using magic. Yet he had been overmatched in a moment by a human. And where there was one, more were sure to follow. If he did not return with that information, Dokuzen and the barrier could be at risk.

  That drove him on as he crept across the countryside, avoiding any humans. Even if it cost him his life, he had to deliver his message to Jaken.

  ‘Brother! Wait — it is me!’ Sendatsu stepped into the light cast by one of the lanterns, arms held wide.

  For a moment more Gaibun raced onwards, then he slowed and his sword lowered.

  ‘Sendatsu? It is really you? Returned from the human lands?’

  ‘Brother, you don’t know how good it feels to see you!’ Sendatsu strode towards him. ‘There were times I doubted I could get back!’

  Gaibun dropped his sword and embraced him enthusiastically. ‘You stink,’ he said, pulling away. ‘It is good to see you, even dressed like this! Did you find what you needed? You have to know things have gone downhill since you left.’

  ‘I found more than what I needed — far more,’ Sendatsu said seriously.

  ‘But who are your companions?’ Asami interrupted, standing with them.

  ‘Sendatsu — are those humans?’ Gaibun said, staring at Huw and Rhiannon.

  ‘They are my friends, and my evidence.’ Sendatsu caught Gaibun’s arm to hold him back.

  ‘But bringing them into Dokuzen? Did you lose your mind out there?’

  ‘He does not know what has been happening — how could he?’ Asami snapped.

  ‘What has been going on?’ Sendatsu demanded.

  ‘We have much to tell you — perhaps as much as you need to tell us,’ Asami said.

  ‘Of course. I have a long and complicated story.’ Sendatsu nodded. ‘But first, Gaibun, have you seen or heard anything of my children?’

  ‘I have been to your father’s home a few times,’ Gaibun admitted. ‘But I got no further than Jaken’s office. And I did not see or hear them.’

  Sendatsu choked back the emotion threatening to swamp him. He wanted to rush to them now, this very moment. But sense held him back.

  ‘Gaibun, can you go there now — tell my father some useless news and then make some excuse to get into the kitchen area, see if they are around? If they are, they will recognise you. Tell them I am home, I love them and we shall be together very soon.’

  ‘I don’t think —’

  ‘Brother, please! I beg you, do this for me and I shall be forever in your debt!’

  ‘You already are, for a dozen other things,’ Gaibun grumbled. ‘Surely it is better for we three to sit down and talk about everything that has happened since you went through the barrier, so we can plan for the future?’

  ‘And it may not be wise
to alert Jaken of your return. We cannot risk him finding out you are here when things are balanced so delicately,’ Asami suggested carefully.

  ‘I don’t care! I have missed them for so long. Please, brother, I shall not be able to think or talk until I have heard from them.’

  Gaibun gave Asami a sour look and she shrugged.

  ‘It doesn’t look like I have much choice then. While I am gone, you should bathe and change so your stink does not infect the house. You can put the humans in the stables — we’ll get them something to eat.’

  ‘They will bathe and change and eat with me. You need to hear what they have to say,’ Sendatsu said firmly.

  Asami and Gaibun looked at him in surprise, then at Huw and Rhiannon.

  Huw and Rhiannon stared back defiantly and Sendatsu saw the anger on their faces, an especially dangerous thing with Rhiannon’s untrained power. If she decided to prove to them she was not just another human …

  ‘But they are humans,’ Gaibun said. ‘Surely you do not expect me to have them in the house? They would be far more comfortable in the stables.’

  ‘They are not animals! They are our equals! And if they go in the stables, then I go with them,’ Sendatsu snapped.

  Asami and Gaibun exchanged looks.

  ‘What happened to you out there?’ Gaibun asked.

  ‘Brother, if you had seen the things I have, if you had learned what I learned, then you would not look down on them like this.’

  ‘You cannot seriously think we should have them in the house,’ Gaibun said reasonably. ‘Nobody will want to visit us if they know our house stinks of humans. Aroaril, I can smell them from here!’

  Rhiannon stepped forwards, furious, but Sendatsu saw her movement and was faster.

  ‘Not only have they knowledge that will turn Dokuzen on its head, they also come with a warning for the Council —’