by AS Hamilton
'Let them go.'
'Aye, milord,' the tracker bowed awkwardly and moved back to the shepherds.
Nathan smirked at the look of relief on the tracker's face, unlike the others, Cohen did not even try to hide it. Actually, on each of the occasions Nathan saw fit to order the more thorough questioning of travellers, Cohen was never able to successfully disguise his discomfort, or his weak stomach.
The Thane studied the fields before him and the woods behind them as he thought again about the possibility that this elvan was a decoy. By the time they followed him to wherever, the Saviour might slip through. That was why he was careful to leave their backs well-guarded. Daniel's teams still patrolled the search area and mages were attending to any anomalies on the planes. He had also implemented inspection points throughout the area. Their role was to monitor the flow of the local populations as well as any transients moving through the smaller towns and villages in the search area. In addition to these activities, there were roaming inspection teams. They all had one mission: any suspicious person was to be detained for questioning and any suspicious activity was to be investigated.
Pulling himself back up into the saddle, the Thane watched as the shepherds bowed excessively to Cohen as he dismissed them and hurried to his horse so he did not keep the Thane waiting. For a moment, Nathan considered taking them into custody and torturing them, just to see the relief that now consumed them turn to terror. A pity they did not really have the time.
Day 4 – Afternoon
Near Voltain Ranges
If he forgot, for a moment, the danger of a patrol running them down, Riqu could appreciate the beauty of the area. The long meadows stretching between Anuruna Lake and the Voltain Ranges were brightened by meadow flowers of every colour you could imagine. On the horizon was the green of the woods feathering the ranges, and the cloudless, blue sky created a kind of halo over them. A shame that, even single file, walking through meadows like this left a trail. They could not afford to use a trade route, there were too many patrols, and, as it was, avoiding those patrols was slowing them down significantly, but such was a common story among rebels when travelling. They would hopefully reach the woods by late afternoon and have a rest before the hike up to Orchard Pass.
He had only stopped in the Sal-Cirus rebel base long enough to find what free rebels he could to accompany him and grab supplies. Unfortunately, only Janeth and Ria were the only ones available. A shame the mage Sariah was with had a mission of his own to complete and could not stay with the rescued slaves longer.
Despite being the rebel leader, Riqu did not know the details of missions beyond his region; it was a precaution against capture. But it was not a difficult guess that the mage Sariah was with was from Caradon, mostly because of how young Sariah said he was. So when she sent to him suggesting she accompany him, he had agreed, as long as she thought the rescued slaves could manage alone. The mages of Caradon did not have the field experience rebels had, but their missions were integral to advancing the Saviour's goals.
Like all mages, Riqu was well aware of the important role a blind person played in The Prophecy. Sariah was not the only one to suffer blindness among the rebels, yet Riqu was certain now that she was the key person of which The Prophecy spoke. It was integral she remained a part of this path she had come to walk upon. Despite this knowledge, he felt a sharp pang of regret that it meant she had to be parted from Sentary. But Sariah had said that Sentary had bid her to go, for the sake of all slaves.
He sighed, despite their differences in opinion, and the tension that came with it, he was proud of her. Sariah often pointed out that as he was a mage he could allow himself to consider the balance of life and death and the weight of such upon the soul. She would say, 'When I fight, no matter how honourable or repugnant the reason, I have to consider what my life defends.' It was only right that one with courage such as hers should receive Fate's favour and finally be able to perceive the world through her own eyes again. With her full sight, Sariah would be indispensable to the rebels.
It was finally happening! The Saviour would soon make himself known. For the mages of Caradon would not have been set on their paths otherwise. For many turns they had fought against Keldon Abbarane, and then his son Malithorn, frustrated by the knowledge that seers saw no chance of victory in their future until the Saviour walked his path. This frustration was further exacerbated by the alternative: to not fight. But how could they just wait?
Many had, and still did. Exceptional warriors like Keysjhon and Kassan chose to become tutors, remaining in a passive cycle of preparation. Riqu could not do such a thing. The protection of this nation had once been a part of his responsibility and he could not just watch the devastation the Abbaranes wrought. Many felt the same and chose to make the invader's rule a gruelling one by whittling away his defences, rescuing and aiding the victimised, and saving what they could of their history and culture. It was not rebellion exactly, but neither was it submission.
When he first took up his role leading the rebels, he had been filled with righteous rage. His experience of nearly dying at Keldon's hand in the war, meant he had possessed little care for his life. Several successful raids later, that recklessness had become paired with bitter arrogance and he lead many a mission that unnecessarily endangered the lives of his colleagues and friends.
Sariah had changed him.
Young, blind and orphaned, she wanted only her mother and family to return to her. Adopting responsibility for her had been like a mace to the head. He could no longer act without thinking of the consequences. How would his actions affect her? He realised that all those who put themselves in his charge trusted him, as she did, to keep them safe. To get them through the living nightmare that was just a terrible dream for her then.
So many mages had been captured on those reckless raids. Certainly some were rebel plants, volunteers prepared to endure what may or may not come. Others, though, were innocent and young. They never had a chance. Amongst the worst hurts was the loss of the last of the Debanikay bloodline and the imprisonment of three of the oldest Neran healers along with key members of the House of Dai-tur. Toormeena had been imprisoned for some forty turns, now. It should never have happened. Indeed, it might not have happened if he had not allowed his fear and grief to rule him.
He now had the sense to plan properly both attack and withdrawal. There were times when it took more courage and effort to make amends for one's mistakes than the mere act of taking responsibility for them. One of them was the mistake he had made in binding Sariah and Kaydyr. Not only had he left the hawk a virtual prisoner, but Sariah shared every thought Kaydyr had, making her aware of those moments when the hawk despaired of a binding none had realised would be so restrictive. He imagined the hawk might feel lost, like the slaves when they were first released. The thought made him wince, but it was true. Kaydyr had not known freedom for many turns.
He knew Kaydyr held no malice towards either Sariah or Riqu for his fate, only a sadness for what he had lost. When Riqu had called for a hawk to become her aide and companion, Kaydyr had come forth voluntarily. Young bravado? Compassion? Never-the-less, neither had known what they were getting into... But now, there was hope. Sariah's new companion would be capable of freeing his daughter and Kaydyr. It was another step closer to the coming of The Prophecy.
Day 4 – Sunset
North Kenar Woods
(near Orchard Pass)
'You look exhausted,' Sariah observed as Brynn sat down next to her. She was sitting on a length of fallen tree she had Treya drag into the centre of the clearing. Sentary was at her side, curled up in her cloak, sleeping. She had Brynn's camp stove set up with a small brewing kettle on it that was making soft bubbling sounds. Balessia, Brynn determined from the sweet, spicy smell.
'After healing so many, you would look exhausted too,' he replied affably, before groaning softly. Every single muscle in his body reminded him of the long trek here. 'I have been trained in monitoring severa
l people at once when I was learning to be a healer. I was even taken on assignments so I could practice.' Brynn looked up at Kaydyr, who was perched on Sariah's shoulder. 'It helped me build up stamina as a healer, so I would not get exhausted too quickly. It was also important to practice doing several things at once, because healers often have to tend to physical ailments while also using mind-speak to connect to the patient's subconscious, telling them whatever it is that will motivate them. Belon often says that if the spirit is not motivated to heal, then the body may well deteriorate despite a healer's attentions.'
Sariah lifted the brewing kettle by its heat-resistant handle and gestured towards him. 'This might give you a nice jolt,' she suggested. 'Balessia,' she added.
The smell of the spicy-chocolate drink tempted him, but he would be better off with one of Belon's restoratives. He shook his head. 'Thank you, no. Water with a sachet from that saddle pack over there will do me a lot more good.'
Kaydyr followed Brynn's finger, and Sariah rose, careful not to disturb her brother. 'Hot or cold?' she asked as she reached the gear.
'Hot would be greatly appreciated,' Brynn answered, rising from the log and making his way over to a spot at the base of a papinuq. He nestled into the cradle formed by the large roots and looked at her.
Sariah watched his slow, careful movements. Then she turned her head to look again at her brother. Though he slept soundly, she was anxious to confirm that he was alright.
'As I said last night, Sentary will be fine,' Brynn said. 'He just needs regular meals and rest. His sleep is natural, Sariah, and good. Already he is stronger than he was yesterday.'
Sariah smiled to herself as she straightened up a little while still searching the pack Brynn had indicated. Kaydyr was craning his head in order to see the contents and she could feel he was straining to stay on her shoulder, once she shifted back a little, he ceased struggling and looked down into the pack. She held up a small brown packet.
'That is it,' Brynn confirmed.
'Thank you, on Sentary's behalf,' Sariah said sincerely, emptying the sachet into one of the cups from their saddle packs. She flicked a lever on the little brewing kettle so that it would dispense just the hot water without filtering it through the balessia mix and poured it into the cup.
'Malnutrition is the worst of their problems now, with only one exception,' Brynn said. 'Scars, viruses, badly-healed breaks, all have been mended. Not even nightmares will bother them. They still have their memories, but they will be emotionally detached from them. Even Sentary.'
As one, Sariah and Kaydyr looked up at Brynn's words. She could read nothing in his face but fatigue, yet the hawk's keen eyes could detect pain in the blue pools. Moving cautiously, so as not to spill the hot contents of the mug, she walked over to give it to him and sat on one of the large roots nearby. 'I know from my experience with Riqu that what you have done is very taxing. You have empath abilities, do you not?'
Brynn inclined his head slowly. 'Separating yourself from those you heal is difficult enough, natural empathic abilities can make it near impossible.'
'But does that not mean their pain becomes yours?'
'It does. The emotions, the memories of the pain, they are mine now. Not that I can differentiate between them any longer. The wounds themselves are never a great challenge, not in comparison to repairing emotional and spiritual damage.'
Sariah leaned back, shaking her head in amazement. 'That must require the most delicate care,' she said, her tone filled with respect.
Brynn nodded. 'Especially when it all has to be screened from Abbarane mages.'
'My father was an empath, but I was too young to really understand what that meant. Riqu has taught me a lot about mages, but empaths… he respects them the most.' The warrior paused for a moment and then frowned in confusion. 'So if you're an empath, how is it you are able to take life? I have never seen an empath capable of doing that and not be destroyed psychologically.'
'There are techniques that enable us to do so. I was taught by another empath who had to learn the hard way. I am more practical in nature than my counterparts, so I find it less harrowing.'
'Are there many new generation mages that have empath?'
Brynn shook his head. 'No, generally they pursue non-combat positions. My mind-will talent is my strongest. According to Belon, I was rearranging my crib in my first few hours. It made getting a mage to implement barriers on my talent imperative.'
'Else Abbarane mages would have found you.'
Brynn smiled. 'They almost did. Within hours of my birth, my parents were on the run. With talent like that, I have a duty to become a mage, although it is not something I think I understood until I was fourteen or so. Even then, it was because my parents said it was important that I did the lessons.'
His answer reinforced Sariah's decision to continue with him. An empath warranted protection. Even if he was trained to deal with death, it would be cruel to expose him to situations where he had to kill if it could be avoided. Taking a life was, as Sariah understood from her father, a very traumatic act for an empath, they experienced each death as if it was their own. Riqu had told her that most empaths died many times over as they eased a passing that might otherwise be traumatic. For that they deserved the highest respect.
'What of the one exception?' Sariah asked, referring to the refugee that still needed healing.
Brynn looked over at the sleeping group. 'Danan... He's in worse condition than the others.'
'The male human who was on Treya,' Sariah noted, remembering those refugees who had been too weak to walk.
'Yes. Belon says that sometimes all a healer can do is make the patient more comfortable.'
'Some things are up to Fate, no matter what you do,' Sariah agreed. 'How long does he have?'
'It is hard to say. I have him dreaming of his family. He feels no pain. I think the loss of his children was his breaking point. He wants to let go and I have to respect that choice. It is what we are fighting for, after all; freedom. If he has not passed by morning, I will carry out his wishes and separate his spirit from his body.'
Sariah found the statement more shocking than she expected. 'You mean, kill him?'
'Effectively.' The word was barely a whisper. 'I may not agree with his decision or like the task, but I am a healer capable of doing it, I have a duty to him.'
The warrior found herself thinking, he is just a child, really, he's barely old enough to mark his Spring Bloom — the age at which elvan transitioned from children to adolescents — and he is euthanising those he cannot heal. 'Are there no other healers who can do this?' she found herself asking.
'Only an empath who can heal can do such a thing. There are very few of us left. There are medicines that will do the same thing, but I did not pack them. Empathic abilities also require close proximity. Do not be distressed, Sariah, when I first had to do it, my mother showed me how. It is not as devastating an experience as you imagine. It is indescribably sad, but when they are released there is a euphoria in them that lightens the dark. There are new beginnings waiting for them once they are free of their vessels. That transition, that letting go, it is the most frightening part, but once it is done, they dance, their spirits, that is. And that is a beauteous thing to witness.'
Sariah still could not help feeling somewhat disturbed by the conversation. She had killed, but during confrontations, or in circumstances such as extracting slaves or prisoners. To approach a vulnerable person, a person not threatening the lives of others, and calmly take that life… His impassiveness, she decided, was the most unsettling part. A child should not be capable of speaking with such detachment. Yet, she guessed it was that very detachment that made it possible for an empath to take a life.
Suddenly Sentary's slavers came to mind and Sariah found herself inwardly flinching, she had killed them while they slept. But they would have hunted Sentary down and if they could not return him to enslavement, they would kill him. But this fragile, vulnerable being was harmi
ng no one. Taking his life seemed like a theft. What if he had other family, loved ones? They would be robbed of his companionship. He might not want to live just now, but when he recovered… Surely if there was any possibility of recovery, a healer's first priority should be to pursue those opportunities until their patient's last breath. Sariah was not sure she could kill someone under those circumstances.
Brynn's voice brought her out of her thoughts. 'I will rest for a few hours, and then I should make preparations to leave. Helping you with Sentary gave my colleague time to create a clearer route for me, but now that she has, I should head to Sal-Cirus with all possible speed.'
Kaydyr noted that Brynn's mug was empty. Sariah rose and extended a hand for it. 'I will go with you,' she announced in a tone that said her decision would not be changed.
Brynn frowned. 'What about Sentary? And the others?'
'I have discussed it with Sentary and Riqu. They both agree with my reasoning. Riqu is travelling with all possible haste and Sentary believes they can manage for a short time on their own. While you were traversing the planes and healing the ill, I spent the afternoon gathering more food and setting up shelters with those who were up to it. If you are willing, you can use your talent to continue to monitor things even while we travel to Sal-Cirus.'
Brynn was not surprised that she had contacted Riqu before discussing the idea with him. Putting that frustration aside, a guide who would not be easily detected by mages and also knew Sal-Cirus would give his mission more chances of success.
'Do you happen to know about the captured mages there?' he asked.
'In Sal-Cirus?' At Brynn's nod Sariah sank back down to her seat. 'Aye, I do. My father has tried a number of times to free several of them. Getting in is easy enough, it is getting out that proves the problem. Colnba, Abbarane's senior elvan mage, has more than a slave bracelet on them, he has woven some kind of perimeter limitation around them, until we can work out how to undo it, we have to leave them there.'
