Cathy huffed in exasperation.
The sound of wind and flapping overhead drew my attention upwards as three large birds circled me. Maybe a metre to a metre and a half in length these were no ordinary birds, the Evenawks may have found me.
They descended as they positioned themselves to encircle me. In their talons, they each held a short bow and one also held a block like object. The Evenawk dropped the object and it landed with a thump in front of me.
It was my hat.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Cathy exclaimed.
As two other Evenawks hovered above the ground, one of the leader’s talons morphed into humanoid foot and it landed. Its wings transformed into arms and it took the bow from its talon so it too could change into a foot. It removed an arrow from a quiver attached to its waist and awkwardly tried to get into a position to aim an arrow at me. It was a weird experience as I politely waited from them to take me prisoner.
“We don’t appreciate you littering our mountainside, Mage,” the one in front of me said.
In their...ʻhuman’ form they still resembled a hawk with feathers covering their whole body and two sharp eyes next to their beaked mouth. Their ability to transform between ‘human mode’ and ‘bird mode’ was amazing.
But useless when it comes to attack and defence, Cathy said as I picked up my hat from the ground. That is why they were so easily defeated and made slaves by the Mages. You could have easily killed all three while they transformed in front of you.
“My hat fell off while I was crossing the bridge,” I explained as I put it on. “Thank you for returning it.”
“That’s a hat?” he asked.
I wasn’t expecting to deal with them so soon. We have to be really careful here.
This worked out better then we thought, Cathy explained. Do you really think the Mages would have armed any of them? They are probably the rebels.
“What is your name?” I asked the leader.
“Silence Mage,” he snapped. “It is unlike Mages, to travel alone. You have made a foolish mistake.”
“Have I?” I asked.
“Yes,” he answered trying to be intimidating. “Your kind is unwelcome on this mountain. Harkis will see that the Evenawks are free.”
Right again, Cathy said. I’m on fire.
“So, then I haven’t made a mistake at all,” I stated boldly. “I am here to achieve the same goal.”
“Your tricks won’t work,” the Evenawk said. “For far too long you have thought us stupid but that will be the last mistake you make.”
Viva la revolution! Cathy exclaimed before laughing.
“So, then answer me this,” I said calmly. “Why didn’t I attack you when I saw you? Or when you were landing? Or right now for that matter? Consider what I could have done, IF I was here to hurt you.”
The two other Evenawks looked towards their leader nervously. Something told me it wasn’t their decision to expose themselves like this.
The leader looked at me sharply.
“If you don’t have the answer, I do,” I said hopefully.
“Why are you here?” the leader asked instead.
“To help,” I said seriously. “I need to speak to your leader, Harkis. The last of the Bloodline must remove the Mages from power here and reunite the Evenawk. The continent of Kalenden itself needs to change and that change needs to start here.”
Think he’ll buy it? Cathy asked.
It was exaggerated just enough to appeal to the revolutionary heart in him.
“Why would a Mage help us?” the leader said still a little wary.
“The provinces want change,” I answered. “The King of Balendar and the Emperor of Nesqa want the Evenawks as Allies when they fight the Tower. I am an exile from the Tower. They wanted to execute me for my beliefs but I fought back. Why do you need me, you asked? Because you’ll need my magic...to defeat theirs.”
The leader lowered his bow. “If what you say is true then Harkis needs to know.”
“Will you take me to him?” I asked.
“We will fly you there,” he explained as he attached the bow to the quiver. “But if you try anything, we will drop you.”
The other Evenawks attached their bows to their quivers, gripped my arms in their talons and lifted me off the ground. We climbed higher and higher as I kept my head in a position so my hat wouldn’t blow off again.
Yeah, because that would be tragic, Cathy said sarcastically.
Chapter 28
It was lucky for me that I wasn’t sick of trees and forests yet. Then again, it is hard to get sick of something when you are always being shown a fresh, new perspective. Dangling from the talons of two Evenawks was giving me the chance to study what the top of the trees looked like and...
What are you doing? Cathy asked.
You don’t like my narration?
It’s weird, she responded.
I’m just bored. I thought walking was bad but this...I could fall asleep.
You’re flying...and you could fall asleep? She asked.
Well it’s not like we are flying over the Kays of Nesqa or the White Castle of Balendar. It’s just tree after tree after tree with the rare pleasure of seeing a tree that is a slightly different color to all the other trees.
They could drop you, Cathy suggested. That would be fun.
For a few seconds at least. The prospect of the large amount of pain is a little discouraging though.
Here we go, Cathy said as the Evenawks slowed to a hover.
They lowered us through the trees to reveal what I’m guessing was the rebel’s camp. I didn’t know what I expected an Evenawk village to look like but when I saw the makeshift shelters resting on tree branches I smiled. The whole village looked like a child’s playground with tree houses, rope ladders to the ground and wooden bridges connecting tree branch to tree branch.
They are descended from birds, Cathy stated. Does it really surprise you that they would continue living in the trees after they achieved sentience?
I sort of expected something like this. I was just more shocked by the simplicity of it. I’m sure the main cities are more complex in their architecture and structure.
Such is the life of rebels, Cathy said.
You wouldn’t have happened to have possessed a Mage that worked in this area and have any memories that could help us out?
I... Cathy started. Might have...give me a moment, I wouldn’t have been too focused on current events if I did possess anyone.
I was drawing a small crowd as the two Evenawks lowered me onto one of the bridges. The leader of the little group had already landed and transformed to his ‘human mode’. He was most likely discussing me with the couple spear wielding Evenawks while the rest pointed their bows at me.
“This has to be the most special welcome I have ever received,” I said to the group as my feet touched the wood. I was released and the two started transforming so they could join me on the bridge.
The group didn’t seem amused as my words went without response. The spear wielding guards approached me and motioned me forward. With one in the lead and the other’s spear pointed at my butt we walked single file across the bridge to the large ‘needs a little work’ house, the leader had already run off too.
The house was three levels high with a door on each level. It occurred to me that each level could be its own separate house and the Evenawks stack them to save space. Being able to fly at will meant you didn’t have to worry about stairs. At the top of the third level was another branch. This was probably another trick of theirs. Having the house sandwiched between two branches probably helps spread the weight so the branch doesn’t break. I would have to check some architecture books before making such a bold claim out loud, of course.
If you have the right attitude, everything you can say is the truth, Cathy pointed out as we entered the bottom level of the building.
The inside of the house was simple. Wooden floors and walls with no decoration and a large t
able with a map stretched out on it. A few stools were scattered along the wall and in front of the table. The leader of the first group I met was already whispering to the slightly larger Evenawk who was standing at the table. The Evenawk listened while staring at me with unblinking eyes. He finally nodded and the guards led me to the table so I could stand in front of him.
“I’m a Nerrilok,” he said crossing his arms as the other Evenawk disappeared into another room, “advisor to the Great Chieftain Harkis and Field General of the Rebellion. Verats tells me you are here to help us reclaim Scert’chak. He seems convinced that you won’t betray us. I trust that he is not easily fooled, which is why you still breathe. I am not so easily convinced.”
“I’m sorry, Scert’chak?” I asked.
“The proper name to the great capital of the Evenawk Tribes,” he answered. “We refuse to call it the Mage name of ‘Willow’s trap’.”
“I assure you I am being honest,” I said. “The Mages are entering war with one another. Setting the Evenawks free is in my best interest.”
“A Mage’s best interest has always been in himself,” Narrilok said. “How do we know that after this little war with yourselves, you won’t just try and enslave us again?”
“You’ll be too strong to let that happen,” I answered. “My goal is to make sure you will be your own independent province. IF any of the Mages, we wish destroyed, survive and try to run away and find refuge here, you will simply be too powerful to fall victim to them.”
“I will believe that when I see it,” Narrilok smirked.
“Hence why I am here,” I said calmly. “My task is to assist your Chieftain and collect an item which will help defeat our common enemies.”
“There is always something,” Narrilok said.
“Maybe we should hear him out,” a voice called from the next room.
A shorter Evenawk walked into the room, followed by Verats. He walked up beside Narrilok who bowed slightly and stepped aside.
“I’m Harkis, the Last Great Chieftain of the Evenawks...I guess,” the short Evenawk said.
“I’m Second Keeper Andrew Holcombe,” I stated. “I was hoping we’d get the chance to talk about your Rebellion.”
“It’s more my father’s then mine,” Chieftain Harkis said. “I was thrust into this position when he died.”
“You still fight for your people though,” I stated.
“They’re not my people,” he said. “I’m just the puppet leader behind Narrilok’s army.”
“You are the last surviving Chieftain from the Karorik Bloodline,” Narrilok argued. “When you speak, the Evenawks listen. When you command, the Evenawks go to war.”
“For all the good that has done,” Harkis countered. “We’ve been enslaved for generations and the Karorik Bloodline hasn’t done anything to save us before and I can’t do anything now.”
The kid is without hope, Cathy said. You need to get him to hope in your success. His hope wins Narrilok’s favour which helps our goal.
“If that was true then why do the Mages hunt you?” I asked. “The Mages seem to have things under control but they still seek to exterminate the Karorik Bloodline. Do you know why?”
“No,” he answered.
“Out of fear of who you can become,” I answered. “They have seen the lines of the future,” I held up my hands like I was reading them and pushed a little power into them so they glowed, “we all have. The Mages will forever hold the Evenawks slaves when the last of the Bloodline lies dead. But should the Last Chieftain regain his throne, the Mages will forever be cast out.” I cut the power from my hands and looked back up at him. “The Mages have grown fat and lazy, thinking they have defeated you. Now is the time to strike back. With you at the lead, the Evenawks will join your cause and reclaim your capital.”
I think the hand thing impressed him a little, Cathy said as Harkis studied me quietly. Pour it on.
“And this brings us to why I am here and how I can help,” I continued. “I am here to be the missing element that has prevented you from succeeding. I am here to be the insider. I can walk into anywhere and weaken them from within. Who would suspect a Mage of working with the rebellion? Maybe, I burn down a few structures,” I raised my hand as it became engulfed in flames, “like the places they sleep in. Weaken them for when you strike.”
The fire in my hand went out as I noticed Narrilok rubbing his chin.
You might have given him an idea or two, Cathy said. Plus, you are really hot when you talk about destroying things.
What?
“Part of me says not to trust you, Mage,” Narrilok said snapping me back to the meeting.
“I will never earn your trust with words,” I replied. “But if you give me a task, I will use that to demonstrate the truth of my intentions.”
“If I end up in a prison cell somewhere, I WILL escape and find you,” Narrilok threatened.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I smirked.
“Is it possible?” Harkis asked snapping out of his little trance.
“Chieftain?” Narrilok asked.
“You kept saying that you wanted to hit the Falindat Mine and the Casik Valley and free the slaves there,” Harkis said. “With the Mage on the inside, could it work?”
“No, because while we are attacking one the other will send troops to assist and we will be overrun,” Narrilok replied.
“Then hit both at the same time,” I suggested.
Both of their heads snapped quickly in my direction.
“Which would be easier for you to attack?” I asked Narrilok.
“The Valley,” Harkis answered. “Narrilok was saying the soldiers fight better in open skies.”
I looked at Narrilok who nodded. “Okay,” I said. “I recommend splitting your troops up into melee and archer.”
“Already done,” Narrilok said. “We learnt the hard way from earlier fights.”
“Good,” I said. “If Narrilok and the main forces hit the Valley and send a small number of troops to the Mine, I will weaken the defences and free the miners. We’ll regroup with you at the Valley and assist you.”
Narrilok looked down at the map and shook his head. “I don’t like the idea of leaving a group of troops with you. You are asking for a lot from someone who has had nothing but trouble from your kind.”
“’The enemy of my enemy is my friend’, I believe is the old expression,” I smiled. “Until I am given the chance to prove my loyalty to the mission, you have to take my word and my behaviour as a sign of good faith.”
Narrilok shook his head but looked to his Chieftain and Harkis nodded.
“We have to try,” Harkis said. “We can’t live like this forever, going nowhere.”
Narrilok sighed. “Very well, Chieftain.”
“Thank you for your trust, Chieftain,” I said with a slight bow. “I will not let you down.”
“See that you don’t,” he responded. “This is the first sign of anything good in a long time. I’d hate to be the Chieftain that forever doomed my people.”
“It is good that hope is returning to this rebellion,” I said.
“The task is still too great to even hope it can come true,” he said. “But maybe...just maybe...if we take The Valley and The Mine; the capital could be in our reach.”
“With you leading the charge we will not fail,” I said.
“I’m going to have to learn to be a leader first,” he said trying to downplay his excitement. “Narrilok, perhaps it is time I read those old war journals you’ve wanted me to read for so long.”
“Yes, Chieftain,” Narrilok bowed. “Verats, deliver the journals to his room.”
Verats bowed and hurried out with Harkis following behind him. The guards that had been watching over me were sent out to gather the troops and Narrilok leaned over the table towards me.
“He is young and a bit naive but I see through you,” he said in a low voice. “There is something you are after and you are using us to get i
t. I will kill you the second you betray us.”
I smiled and leaned in close too. “I hate to disappoint you but that day will never come. Now, where are The Valley and The Mine?”
Narrilok indicated two points on the map close to Scert’chak. “They are the life blood of the capital. Taking them back stops the shipment of raw materials to the Mages.”
“So, we have two options after that,” I said looking at the map. “We hold them off and hope to weaken their army before they can call for reinforcements or we take our troops and ride the momentum into the Scert’chak.”
“If what you say about the Mages warring with each other is true, we can take our time,” Narrilok said. “Weaken the capital before we march in.”
I shook my head. “They will just unite against you because they’ll see it as a small problem. We have to strike the capital quickly. Losing control of that will push the Mages over the edge as they blame each other. This will give you the time you need to unite all the tribes and defend your lands.”
Narrilok mulled it over. “We’ll see what happens after we take The Mine and Valley.”
I chuckled. “Yes, give me a chance to prove myself before we debate long term strategies.”
He looked up at me and smiled weakly. “Prepare yourself then. I’ll have someone fly you with the troops. Work out a signal with Bak, he’ll be me out there.”
“Done,” I nodded straightening out from the table. “Is there any way I can leave my pack and maybe get something smaller for a few items. It will make it easier on whoever has to fly me.”
“Yes, the troops will be gathering around the quartermaster,” Narrilok explained. “Leave your pack here and follow the troops. You’ll find what you need.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Good luck out there.”
“Just be ready,” he replied.
I slid the pack of my shoulders and placed it on the ground. I pulled out my book and left everything else.
This is going to be exciting, Cathy said.
Did you find out anything from your past possessions?
No, sorry, she answered. I DID possess someone that lived close to here I think. I remember being knocked out of a tree before everything went black but nothing useful.
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 23
