by Unknown
He didn’t want to leave this place and return to his world where he is now a fugitive. He needed to find out however if Ralti was able to talk to Lahonti and see if he even had a chance to return to his family. His desire to protect his people from Groargoth was intense but his need to save lives was deeper. If it came down to him never returning, as not to wage a needless war, it was worth it. As the sun started to fade over the edge of the horizon he flew back to the rift.
Azrak slipped back through the rift. The tingle surged through his body again. A strong sucking gripped him and pulled him through. The stars shot by, until the sudden stop at the end of the portal. The familiar early morning moisture filled his nose. He lowered onto his haunches, nothing was around, and so he climbed into the sky. His mind didn't grasp that the leaves were in bright color. It was early spring instead of autumn. The grass beneath his feet was soft and green and the breeze light and airy.
Uncertainty filled his being. He had only been gone a day but that wouldn’t be enough time for the season to have changed. Carefully Azrak made his way around the forest edge. The remnants of one of the fake nests had been lost to the weather. It didn’t make sense. He continued on toward the peaks. He heard noises and swooped into a tall tree. He crouched tightly to the trunk as his ears shifted back and forth.
Short bursts of clinking of chainmail armor echoed against the chest armor of gryphtons. Azrak peeked around the rough bark. Small flecks of brilliant jade green and ruby red flashed in and out of the trees.
Azrak slipped slightly. His hind claw gripped the bark sending a shard into a prickle bush. The tinkling of it hitting, alerted the soldiers and they stopped and hovered above. One of them spotted Azrak and pointed to the other. They circled around the full canopy until they were able to get a better look.
They confirmed with hand signals and flew away. Azrak listened carefully and heard them leave. He leapt into the air. They were heading toward the plains.
Azrak shot toward the Peaks. He knew it would be a matter of time before Yavo was once again on his trail. He wondered how much time had passed if the season had changed. He darted up the steep incline and landed on a perch. A small parchment swayed in the bold breeze. He opened it and read,
Azrak,
Do not return, Groargoth will kill your family if you come against him. Groargoth has made Kronos General and demoted us all. Lahonti is being protected, I can’t get to him.
Ralti
Azrak’s stomach sank. The sting etched at his heart, but he knew Groargoth would do it. It was over. There was no way to return.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Air Buffs
Shaz woke to the sound of hoof beats in the distance. Serin couldn't hear, but didn't question and rose quickly. The forest glowed with swaying bugs. Some hung in troves and others drifted aimlessly making a mirage of dancing colors.
“Blast, where’s the horse?” Shaz said.
“It must have run off.”
Shaz kicked out the left over coals and spread dirt over the fire.
“Come on.”
They moved quickly through the night using the mushrooms that glowed in bright hues of pinks and oranges to see. Tree lizards floated from tree to tree on tiny blue lightning bolts adding sporadic bursts of light.
"Isn't this amazing?" Serin asked, "I wish we didn't have to go so quickly." A school of glow bugs swayed in front of her. Long feather like arms brushed against her face and arms. She giggled as she moved through them. "What do you suppose is out there?"
"I don't know, it’s not horses, that I'm sure." he said. "It smells rancid, something evil."
"You can smell them too? How close are they?"
"We are still a good distance in front of them, but they are quick by the sounds of it."
Serin shuddered and hopped a log. Soon the glow bugs dispersed and a small hint of purple rippled over the distance causing a light glow on the forest floor.
"It will be dawn soon, this way." Shaz said.
"But don't we need to go that way?" Serin asked.
"Yes, but we need to throw off our sent, they're getting closer."
"Blast," Serin said.
She shifted her pack up on her back again. She leapt over a stump and scurried up a fallen tree that leaned on the ground. She didn't see that it started to rise at first until it was a few feet off the ground. The higher she went, the more slippery the log became. She slipped off the log and fell through the darkness, but never hit the ground. Shaz heard the ripping of the old bark and spun on his heel, he tore the sword from its sheath. His eyes nearly popped out when he saw that Serin was floating, face down, an inch from the ground. He threw his sword back into its sheath and darted back to her.
"Are you alright? What are you doing?" he asked. She bent her knees and sat up. Shaz glanced up at the log then back to Serin. "Your magic stopped you from hitting the ground.”
"So it would seem." Serin said, "This magic stuff is pretty amazing."
"Yeah it kinda is." Shaz said, "But we've got to keep moving."
"I want to try something." Serin said.
She stood and held out her hands, palms facing the ground, and pulsed them against the forest floor. Wind pushed in and out and swirled around them. She then twisted them and closed her fists around the air. Holding her palms out toward Shaz, she pushed the air toward him. The air encompassed his body then settled on his feet and legs raising him about an inch above the ground. Shaz threw out his arms to steady himself as he swayed unsteadily.
"What is this?"
"It came to me as I laid there hovering." Serin said, beginning her dance again, this time casting it on herself. She steadied herself and soon felt at ease on her feet. “What about Jag, where is she?”
“Here,”
Shaz pointed to a black blob, here yellow eyes popped out against the darkness. She wrapped Jagwynn in an air bubble and chuckled when the large cat hissed at it.
"Watch this."
She dug her foot into the one-inch gap and darted forward. She moved with ease and twice the speed as before, maybe even three times. Shaz jerked as she zoomed by. He turned on his toes, dug into the air and shot off like the wind, running and leaping.
"Wooo hooo" he shouted, as they dipped in and around the forest.
Serin laughed and then leapt over a boulder as Shaz whizzed around it. Jagwynn even got the hang of it and was effortlessly padding alongside of them. They ran farther and farther away from the beasts that were tracking them. The smells of early morning filled their noses as the sun pushed the night away behind the mountains and over the now-thinning tree tops. Shaz stopped quickly by digging his heel into the soft padded cushion of air. He hadn't even broken a sweat yet. Serin stopped in time to avoid slamming into him.
"Why are we stopping?" she asked, her hair whooshing into her face.
"I need to figure out where we are and where we need to go." He said, as he pulled out the compass and map, "This way."
"What about those things?" she asked.
"Oh we are long gone. This air magic has given us quite the advantage. How long does this last anyway?"
He sank onto the ground. Serin‘s toes touched first and then landed with a soft bump.
"I guess that's how long." Serin said.
"Let’s take it on foot from here. We're just about out of the forest now. I think. Jag, we’ll meet up with you on the other side."
He started walking and Jagwynn slipped into the fading shadows.
"We need supply's" Serin said.
"And we need to keep a low profile." Shaz said.
Serin nodded, "I hope whatever it was doesn't follow us through the villages."
Shaz hadn't thought of that, "Me too." he said.
“Me too.” Nix said. He popped his head out of Serin’s satchel.
“You can’t be serious.” Shaz said.
Nix slunk into the pack, with only his eyes peeking out.
The sun lifted over the mountain peaks. They walked out fr
om the last line of trees into tall grasses that surrounded the southern forest border. The gentle smell of the fresh ginger flower and lilacs, sweetened their noses as it swayed on the breeze. Soft hues of greens and blues now slipped into warm oranges. The true blaze of sunrise rose above the last vestiges of night. The warmth of the new sun felt good on Serin's skin. The refreshing rays shot from the large yellow disk climbing over the horizon and the dew moistened their clothes.
"Look, smoke." Serin said.
Fires in a village began popping up all over. The aroma of cooking food mixed with animal dung and fresh cut hay filled the air. A small child and a woman stood on the other side of the hut pulling down the wash that had been left overnight to dry. The woman gazed a moment and the hushed the child. The woman across the road in the next hut just stared.
"Friendly huh?" Shaz said.
"I don't think they like strangers.”
The woman huffed and returned to her mixing bowl.
"It's not that they don't like strangers." A man said from behind them.
Serin jumped out of her skin and Shaz reached for his sword.
"No need for that, I didn't mean to alarm you." He said, holding out a hand for Shaz to shake. "I'm Orand Kianzad, I have been waiting for you Shaz, Serin."
The man’s olive complexion and his deep set eyes were friendly. He was trim and fairly built.
"How do you know us?" Serin asked.
She folded her arms across her chest.
"I‘m old friends with Yerild, he sent word that something was amiss when he returned to find Mrs. Bailey distraught over your being taken to the dungeons. I see that you are well, I will send her word." Orand said.
"And Yerild?" Shaz asked.
"Doing fine, returned your friends to the island."
Shaz took in a deep breath and exhaled, "Good."
Serin fidgeted at her belt.
"Come, I have food and supplies." Orand said.
They walked briskly down the road. The people shifted from wary to friendly. Some even waved and Shaz decided they were waving at Orand. The sun rose several inches into the sky, expelling any last mist or dew from the land. They passed a few huts and crossed a small bridge over a babbling brook. Orand’s hut was off the main road by several lengths.
"This way." Orand said.
Shaz leaned over to Serin and whispered, "Trust no one."
Serin looked at him with surprise and curiosity. On the inside sat a small table next to a small window. Little light from the west sun had yet to show its colors. A bed just big enough for two covered the other side of the room and a small child was sleeping.
"This is Shaz and Serin." Orand said to his wife.
She was pretty, with no face paints or jewels like the women in Ebassia. Her long, chestnut brown hair was softly rolled into a bun. Small wisps hung at her temples, framing delicate green eyes and pink cheeks.
"Hello"
"It's nice to meet you." they said, almost at the same time. Serin picked up an intricately woven blanket, "This is beautiful, did you make it?"
“Yes, do you like it?”
“I do.”
"You must be hungry?"
"Yes, thank you."
"My name is Siva, my husband here doesn't seem to do niceties." she said, catching him licking some berry jam from his fingers.
"Oh, yes, sorry dear." He wiped his fingers on his trousers. "Sit, eat, and then we’ll get to business."
The soft but hot morning mush felt good in their stomachs next to the cold refreshing milk.
Orand cleared his throat and then asked "So, what is the plan?"
"Plan?" Shaz asked, wiping his mouth.
"Aren't you searching for the amulet?" Orand asked.
Shaz sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, "I'm not sure I have the information you are seeking?" he said.
"Oh, yes of course, I should never have asked about your delicate mission." Orand said.
"Tell us what you know. It could be useful to us." Serin said.
"Well, I was told that you are on a quest to search out the medallion of Broma, to access the gateway to the mitheral caves deep within the Bairr Mountains. The legend that says, ‘In order to enter the mountain city one must hold the two serpents’.”
“Nonsense, I keep telling Orand that he’s ridiculous to believe his cousin’s silly tales." Siva took a few dishes to the sink.
Shaz retrieved the medallion and set it on the table in front of Orand.
"You have it already? But-" he asked, then slapped his forehead, "Of course you would have it, I didn't mean-"
"It's alright. Tell me more about this legend." Shaz said.
Siva stood over Orand's shoulder gawking at the medallion.
"I thought it was a legend. Stories to tell children when there were bad." she said.
She wiped her hands on her apron.
"Well," Orand said, ignoring his wife, "the legend says that the sages of ancient times held these medallions to open and close portals with which they could travel to other lands. Lands where magical creatures and mystic beings lived."
He set the medallion on the table and leaned back in his chair.
"The Shadow World, being one of them, to which bad children are sent and never come back." Siva cut in.
Siva shot a penetrating gaze into the back of Orand's head and then at her sleeping child. Serin guessed it was a source of contention between them and smiled gently. "But I guess it's not just a legend, now is it?" she continued.
"Why would these sages travel to other lands?" Shaz asked.
"No one knows why. Some say for power and gain over humans. Others say it’s to keep the creatures from coming here. Some say to hide the most powerful objects from evil."
"The Sev-Rin-Ac-Lavah" Shaz said under his breath.
He tapped his finger on his lips.
"The what?" Orand asked.
"Oh, nothing." he said.
Shaz picked up the medallion. The tickle of magic embraced his skin as he slipped it back in his pocket.
"So, now that you have the medallion, what are you doing next?" Orand asked.
Serin was about to say something, but stopped, remembering what Shaz had said on the way in, reached for a piece of bread and put it in her mouth instead.
"We need supplies and horses. We have a long way to travel." Shaz said.
"Yes, of course," Orand stood. He knocked the chair back but caught it. "I’ll take you to where you can get your supplies."
Orand kissed his wife and opened the little door and then slipped outside.
Serin thanked her, but before she reached the door, Siva stopped her, "Here, you might need this." She slipped a small jar into her hand.
"What is it?"
"Mrs. Bailey's ointment."
"Thank you."
"You are meant for him you know." Siva said in a whisper.
Serin stood at the door. She watched Shaz as he talked with Orand, "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those who have truly loved before."
Serin blushed and patted her arm that was on her arm and left. The several stops they had to make took a good part of the morning. Serin sat on a stone wall at the edge of the stable yard while Shaz bought the horses. Apple trees decorated the fields and children scattered about ran and played in dirt paths. Men tended flocks and fields. She grew up in a village similar to this one, and remembered the times she would travel with her father through the portal. The distant memories she thought were dreams were now true, but it still didn't make sense.
"Well I think that covers it." Shaz said, returning from the stable.
"Do you believe the medallion opens portals?"
"Yes, I have been through one."
"Me too."
"What?"
"When I was a child."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought they were dreams, but now I guess it's true. The place I grew up is in another place, separate from this one. It’s all so confusing, noth
ing seems to make much sense." she said.
"I know how you feel." he agreed. "Let's go, I think they're done saddling the horses. I know it’s not your air spell, but it will have to do with all the people around." he said.
"You don't think I can't buff horses?" she asked.
"Really?" he asked.
They walked their horses to Orand's house.
"Will you send word to Yerild, to tell Grandfather, that we are in search of the sheath, but we have some other things to tend to first?" Shaz asked.
"I will." he said, "If there’s anything I can do for you, just ask, anytime."
A little red-haired boy about the age of eight scurried out of the house and wrapped his arms around his father’s leg.
"Actually, there is something" Serin said.
She pulled the sleeping Nix from her satchel. "I need someone that can take care of Nix here, while I am gone. Can you do that for me?" she asked.
The boy looked up and Orand nodded, then he said enthusiastically, "You bet."
Nix looked up sleepily and when he saw the boy he hugged him, nearly knocking him over.
They laughed, grabbed the reins of the horses and left the village the opposite way they came.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Women in the village
After riding for a few days, they came over a grassy ridge. Smoke came from a small town. Entering the village, an angry mob had tied up and beaten a woman. Shaz started to dismount.
"We shouldn’t interfere," Serin said, reaching for his elbow.
"I don't care. What's the point of being a war wizard if I have to stand idly by, while these people torture each other?" He peeled his arm from Serin's grip and leapt off his horse.
Serin jumped off her horse and ran in front of him, "I agree, but if we are exposed, we'll all be in danger. Not just us but everyone."
"Get out of my way Serin."
"I can't."
"If I can't save one person, then how can I save anyone?" Shaz said, throwing his hands in the air.
There was no use trying to reason with him. He was so stubborn that he just had to learn for himself. Maybe he was right this time. Shaz walked into the crowd with one hand on his sword while the other pushed the angry mob out of his way. Jagwynn’s stealthy swagger startled the townspeople. The crowd rumbled with shouts and jeers. The woman’s left eye was swollen shut. Blood dripped from her lip and her wrists were tied to a post in the center of the platform. Tears ran down her cheeks as she stood with her head down. Shaz lifted the woman's chin.
