“Is he alright?” he asks her. “Potbelly needs him.”
“I don’t know,” she replies and then nods to where the Star has been returned to his hand. “If that can’t help him nothing can.”
Stig turns back to Scar and Jiron. “Over here!” he yells and they begin making their way over to them.
“Is the entire world burning?” he asks to no one in particular.
“I don’t know,” replies a soldier bringing a wounded comrade to the brothers for healing, “maybe.”
The barrier had encompassed less than a hundred soldiers of the Empire. Hedry took it upon himself to round them up with the help of other Raiders and bring them to a central area where they could be kept under surveillance. The enemy soldiers who were too badly wounded were given a quick end.
Less than half their force remains. All the recently armed freed slaves perished in the fighting and most of the crossbowmen as well. Of the Raiders, only three hundred are left. Illan is amazed there are even that many left. Coming to where James is laid out, he asks Delia, “Is he alive?”
“Barely,” she tells him. “His skin is hot to the touch and he trembles every now and then.” She looks up at him and says, “I’m not sure if he’ll survive.”
“Can’t you do anything?” Illan asks, turning to Brother Willim.
“He was the first one we saw to,” he explains. “What’s happening to him is beyond what we can do.” Nodding to where Miko lies unconscious he adds, “Maybe with the Star Miko could do more, but until he awakens there’s nothing more that can be done.”
To Delia he says, “Let me know if his condition changes.”
“I will,” she replies.
As the fire rages across the barrier, the temperature within continues to rise. Men begin shedding their armor and soon all are wearing nothing more than their small clothes.
Half an hour later, blue sky filled with billowing black clouds begins to be seen through the top of the barrier as the fire starts subsiding. Shortly after that, Miko regains consciousness. Groaning, he opens his eyes then snaps them closed again as light stabs them like hot knives.
“He’s awake,” he hears a female voice say, “get Illan.”
A hand touches his chest and gives a little shake. “Miko,” he hears the voice say again and then realizes that it’s Delia who is talking to him.
“Water,” he croaks. A moment later his head is raised slightly and the neck of a water flask is put to his lips. He takes several small swallows before the water flask is taken away.
“Miko,” Delia says again. “James needs you.”
Coming fuller awake, he shades his eyes and then opens them a crack. The pain knifes into him again as he’s helped to a sitting position. Looking around, he sees James lying next to him.
With fingers trembling from fatigue he picks up the Star from off his lap, then with Delia’s help he scoots over to where James is lying. Head swimming and spots appearing before his eyes, he tries to concentrate and bring forth the magic of the Star. The trembling in the hand holding the Star increases as what little strength he’s recovered leaves him. Suddenly, the Star falls from his fingers and only the quick reflexes of Jiron prevents it from falling upon James’ chest. Swooning, Miko collapses.
“Damn!” curses Illan.
“At least the fire seems to be letting up,” offers Shorty.
Looking up at the barrier’s apex, Illan finds the fire has continued to subside even further. “That is something,” he admits. Looking down at James, Illan hopes he comes out of it soon.
In no time at all, the fire upon the barrier has completely subsided. When no more flames are touching the barrier, it winks out. Cool desert air washes over them despite the fact it’s the middle of the afternoon. After being in the sweltering heat contained within the barrier, even the hot summer air feels cool.
Looking around, they see an area of devastation beginning where the barrier had ended. Flat and grey, the ground looks to have been burnt clean by the blast, there are still pockets of fire scattered here and there. Of the enemy soldiers caught outside the barrier there’s no sign, not even bones.
“Get the wounded in the wagons,” Illan says as he begins barking out orders. “We still have a ways to go before we reach the safety of Madoc.” He pauses a moment and waves Jiron over to him. “See that James and Miko are put in the same wagon,” he tells him. “And post a guard.”
Jiron nods and goes to see that it’s done.
Potbelly is put into one of the wagons, his wound healed by the brothers. Alive and cranky he gives his friend Scar no end of trouble as he works to get him into a wagon. Jiron grins, if he’s got strength enough to complain, he’s likely going to make it.
It takes them an hour to be ready to roll. A couple of the wounded that the brothers said were beyond even their skill had to be put out of their misery. Brother Willim sits on the wagon carrying James and Miko as they get underway.
Illan takes the lead when they leave the untouched area where they were sheltered from the blast. His horse’s hooves kick up the grey dust which soon clings to everything. They travel for an hour before the ground shows any sign of improvement. From there it gradually returns to its former state. By the time they leave the grey area behind them, everyone is coated with the grey dust. Looking back at the column behind him, Illan can’t help but think they look like ghosts passing through the desert.
When night falls, they keep going. None wish to remain any longer in the Empire than they have to, especially seeing as how close they are to Madoc. During the night, Miko stirs a couple times and by morning he awakens completely. James on the other hand continues as he has been, feverish and bothered by tremors every once in a while.
Sitting up in the bed of the wagon, he looks around in the predawn light. Not entirely sure what’s going on, he sees Brother Willim sitting on the seat next to the driver.
“Where are we?” he asks.
Turning to him, Brother Willim says, “A long way from where the battle was fought.”
“We won?” he asks.
Grinning, he replies, “Yes we won. How do you feel?”
“Tired,” he says with a yawn. Then he notices James lying next to him. Casting a worried look to Brother Willim he asks, “Is he okay?”
“We don’t know,” he explains. “He’s been that way ever since the end of the battle.”
Miko moves closer to his friend and places his hand on his chest. Sighing in relief, he feels the heart still beating.
“Hey man,” Jiron says as he rides closer to the wagon. “Glad you’re awake.”
Miko glances to him and can see the lines of worry marring his face. He looks around himself for a moment before Brother Willim says, “It’s in your belt pouch.”
Taking hold of the pouch, he feels the Star within. Opening the pouch, he pulls forth the Star and taps its magic. Mouthing words silently, he kneels next to James and lets the glow from the Star envelope them both.
Jiron sends a rider to fetch Illan who arrives a few short minutes later. They ride next to the wagon in silence as Miko continues what he’s doing. Finally, the glow disappears and he sits back against the side of the wagon.
“The fever’s gone,” he announces. “But his mind is…” then trails off as if he’s trying to come up with the right words.
“What?” asks Illan.
Glancing to him, Miko says, “I’m not sure how to explain it. But he seems to be…elsewhere.”
“What does that mean?” demands Jiron.
“I don’t know,” he replies. “It just is.”
“How can we get him back?” asks Illan.
“I don’t know,” he admits. He looks from each in turn and they can see the worry in his eyes.
Then a rider comes thundering toward them from the head of the column. When he pulls up before Illan he says, “Riders coming, lot of ‘em.”
“Where?” Illan asks.
“From the north,” the rider replies.<
br />
To Ceadric and Jiron he says, “To your men gentlemen.”
Jiron gives him a nod as Ceadric says, “Yes, sir.”
“Keep an eye on him,” Illan tells Miko.
“Count on it,” he replies.
Turning his horse toward the head of the column, he kicks it in the sides and rushes forward. He reaches the front just before Ceadric and Jiron come with their men. Halting the column, they begin forming up for battle.
“They’re ours!” cries a Raider when the riders come closer.
Sure enough, the approaching riders turn out to be over five hundred of Madoc’s cavalry led by Captain Kurk.
“Am I glad to see you,” Illan tells the captain as he draws close.
“Black Hawk,” the captain replies with a nod. He takes in the bedraggled look of the men before him and the number of non military personal further back. “Heard there was some kind of disturbance in the area and was on our way to investigate.”
“Escort us back to your camp and I’ll tell you all about it,” he says. “How far are we from our lines?”
“You’re standing on them,” he explains. “A week after you left Lythylla, Lord Pytherian and the Alliance went on the offensive. They’ve steadily pushed them back and have almost managed to reach the old border between Madoc and the Empire. Still some heavy fighting to the west, but the east is falling fast. The Kirkens have joined the fight and together we’re giving them what for.”
“Excellent,” breathes Illan.
As the word spreads to the rear of the column, a cheer goes up. ‘Black Hawk’ and ‘Madoc’ resound as the people celebrate the fact that they are now safe. They did it. Not only have they passed from the Empire but it’s on the verge of being forced out of Madoc.
Captain Kurk says, “Our camp is several hours away.” He dispatches a rider back with word that Black Hawk is on the way. The rest of his men move to take charge of the prisoners.
“Lead on,” Illan says and with a command, the column begins to move. Glancing back to a wagon riding near the center, he wonders what’s going on inside James’ head.
Smoke chokes him as he tries to outrun the fire. The hills behind him are aflame and the fire is coming fast. Winds fan the approaching inferno, spreading the blaze even faster. Running, he dodges around trees as he moves over first one hill then another.
His mind has begun to play tricks on him. Out of the corner of his eye he catches movement within the flames but that can’t be possible. Nothing could survive within the inferno.
Pausing a moment to catch his breath, he leans against the bole of a tree. Burning embers fly about him, burning when they land upon his skin. He takes out a cloth and puts it over his mouth in an attempt to draw in a good, clean breath. His eyes water and sting from the smoke and his body is wracked with another coughing fit. When it’s over, he pushes himself away from the tree and once again attempts to outrun the fire.
The wind suddenly changes direction and begins blowing from his right. With any luck, it will keep the blaze from following him quickly. Continuing to race straight ahead, he keeps the wind on his right.
After cresting the next hill, he looks back and sees with relief that he has managed to put some distance between himself and the fire. Taking another short breather to recover his strength, he pauses there atop the hill. A flash of color at the base of the hill catches his eye and he sees something pink and brown rolling along the ground.
Glancing back at the fire, he hurries to the bottom and finds the object to be a wadded piece of cotton candy, matted with dirt and twigs. Something in the back of his mind sparks a memory.
Suddenly filled with the need to reach where the cotton candy originated, he turns into the wind and races between the hills. As he runs, another bit of pink fluff is blown toward him upon the breeze. Quickening his pace, he races forward.
The hollow between the hills comes to a stream which he jumps across without even pausing. Landing on the other side, he begins climbing the next hill. When he reaches the top, he sees a valley on the far side. Within the valley is a carnival, or what used to be one. It looks like a tornado ripped through there recently. Buildings are shattered, the Ferris wheel is lying on its side, and the whole place looks deserted.
From somewhere in the back of his mind, a memory of golden hair comes to him. Then it all comes back; the dreams, the golden haired girl and the Tunnel of Love. Scanning the carnival, he sees the Tunnel of Love ride situated over on one side of the midway. Moving quickly, he makes for it.
As he enters the valley, the fire appears on the top of the hill to his right and begins making its way down toward the carnival. Moving as fast as his legs will carry him, he races to the ride.
No carnies are present here this time, all the rides stand deserted and broken. The roller coaster track is broken and one of the coasters sits smashed on the ground below. He hunts for the golden haired girl but she’s nowhere to be seen. Ahead of him stands the Tunnel of Love and inside must be where the golden haired girl will be.
Approaching the ride, he sees the channel that once contained the water the boats floated upon is empty and dry, the chain which pulled the boats along sitting exposed and still. Hopping over the rail, he lands within the channel and races for the opening. Boats sit askew in the channel and he has to dodge around them to continue.
At the entrance, he pauses a moment and glances back to the fire. It has crept further down the side of the valley and is now threatening the edge of the carnival. Not sure how much time he has before it reaches him, he moves into the Tunnel of Love.
On the side of the wall, the large heart containing the two points of light is now dimmed. One light is all but out and the other is only half the brilliance it was before. Racing past he moves further into the darkened enclosure. With a thought his orb flares to life and he continues on.
A haze of smoke fills the tunnel giving it an eerie feel. He remembers the shadows that had moved along the walls the last time but so far none have made an appearance. Slowing his pace, he moves along with caution.
Then out of the smoke before him, a shadow appears. Moving quickly, the shadow closes the distance and reaches out to grab him. Backing up fast, he removes the medallion from within his shirt and its light blazes forth.
A shriek of pain more felt than heard erupts from the shadow as it falls back. Behind it, he sees another moving. The tunnel begins to fill with shadows and they form a circle around him staying away from the light being emitted by the medallion.
Moving forward, he holds the medallion up high and forces the shadows back. Step by step he presses onward, the shadows falling back to avoid the light. As he works his way through, the number of shadows surrounding him increases until dozens circle the edge of the medallion’s light.
Continuing down, a light appears from up ahead. Moving closer, he sees again the golden haired girl standing upon the dais. Next to her hangs a man by his wrists from a rope that descends out of the darkness above. She’s singing the man a song, a sad song filled with loss.
As he moves ever closer to the dais, the girl stops her song and turns to look at him. For the first time, recognition comes as their eyes meet. “Cassie?” he asks in bewilderment. It can’t be, she’s been dead for over a year. If that is Cassie, then the man hanging next to her must be…Tinok.
A ripple seems to flow through the shadows as he works his way closer to the dais. They fear to go into the light coming from the dais as much as that of the medallion and move aside. He finally reaches the edge of the dais and sees that the man hanging there is indeed Tinok. Bruised, cut and looking to have been tortured, he hangs there limp.
Cassie moves to the edge of the dais and stands there before him. “You haven’t much time,” she tells him.
“Time?” he asks. “Time for what?”
Turing to glance back at Tinok she says, “My love is almost lost to me.” She begins to sing again her lament for her beloved.
“What do you mean
?” he says interrupting her. “How will he be lost to you?”
Growing quiet she turns back to him. “You’ve killed him,” she accuses.
“Me?” he asks aghast.
“When the Shroud of Killian blinds the giant’s eye a second time, the knife will fall,” she says. Then she tilts her head back and begins wailing.
“What knife?” he asks but she turns her back to him and again moves to her beloved’s side.
Suddenly, a wall of the Tunnel of Love collapses as fire rages through. The shadows which had surrounded him vanish as the fire spreads rapidly. A crack sounds from above and the ceiling collapses over the dais.
“Cassie!” he cries but both Cassie and Tinok are lost amid the flames. Turning away from the dais, James finds the shadows have now completely disappeared. Running for the entrance, he flees for his life.
Around him, smoke billows down the tunnel from the fire raging behind him. The walls on either side flare as fire consumes them. He rounds a corner and sees the entrance, the fire has already begun to consume it. Doubling his speed, he bolts for freedom. Just as he reaches the opening the ceiling collapses and he dives through barely in time.
The carnival is on fire. Looking around, he can’t find anyway through. Pulling his shirt over his head to provide some protection, he moves to the rail and vaults over. Racing through the carnival, he tries to escape.
Eyes watering from the smoke, he runs through the midway practically blind. Then as he passes the side of the fun house, the wall gives way and the flaming structure crashes down upon him. Trapped beneath the burning wall, he tries to escape but the fire reaches him and begins to burn.
“Ahhh!”
Screaming, he bolts upright in the back of the wagon. Hands flailing as he tries to extinguish the flames, he hits Miko in the side of the head.
“Calm down James!” Miko cries out as he grabs James’ flailing arms.
Shades of the Past: The Morcyth Saga Book Six Page 42
