by J D Abbas
Noramar raised a brow to him before focusing on the far wall. In a low voice, he said, “The assaults on your senses get easier to manage the more you’re around them.”
Silvandir gave a grunt of acknowledgement and bit the inside of his lip.
When the healers were finished, the barqel led Silvandir’s unit back through the maze of tunnels to the shaft beneath the chantry. At the top of the ladder, the monk knocked on the trapdoor.
Silvandir was more relieved than he cared to admit when the altar scraped across the floor above them and welcomed light flooded the shaft. He climbed the ladder, savoring the fresh air.
Mikaelin and Shatur met them as they emerged from the chapel. They had examined Toreno’s body before returning to stand guard.
“The jaw of these creatures is large and powerful,” Shatur reported, “able to inflict a great deal of damage with one bite.”
“The marks they left are unlike any I’ve ever seen,” Mikaelin added. “They’re larger than a dog’s but not quite as big as a wolf’s. However, the pattern of the teeth looks like neither—they look more… human.”
A sick dread hit Silvandir’s stomach. “What manner of creatures are these watchers? And why are they searching for Elena?”
Chapter 19
Elena couldn’t sleep. Images of the flesh being torn from Yadar Toreno’s body plagued her mind—the snarls, the baying as the creatures claimed their prize—or was that from when the wolves attacked Silvandir and her? It all blurred together.
Then the black void came again, squeezing the life out of her brothers and their families.
What had she done? These watchers were looking for her. Anakh wanted her, not the Yadar, not her brothers. This was her fault. She struggled with the tangle of blankets and rolled to her other side with a huff, kicking Sasha in the process.
“Are you all right, little one?”
Celdorn was guarding her tonight. With all that had happened, he said he didn’t want her out of his sight. They might as well have been sitting by his fireside. She wasn’t going to be able to sleep.
“No. I can’t stop the images.” She sat up and leaned against the wall. Sasha scooted closer so she could lay her head in Elena’s lap, apparently forgiving her errant foot. “I keep seeing the Yadar die. Then my brothers. This is all my fault, Ada. They want me, and it seems they will hurt everyone they can to get to me. Why?”
Celdorn moved to sit on the bed, forcing Sasha to give up some of the territory she’d claimed, and laid his hand on hers. His face pulled tight in a worried frown. “I don’t know, Elena. What I do know is you are not responsible for any of this. The fact that you’re being hunted isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything.”
“Except be me. A person they hate and want to destroy.”
“They do not want to destroy you, Sheya.” Elbrion appeared in the doorway, his light pulsing slowly. “They want to use you and control your powers.”
Elena flipped Sasha’s ears between her fingers as she chewed her lip and pondered that. “Maybe I should just give myself up, go to them, so they will stop attacking other people.”
Elbrion came and squatted by the side of the bed, his expression filled with sorrow. “That will do no good. They will use your powers to serve the Zhekhum and more people will be hurt. Anakh wants to kill and destroy everything that is good, all that belongs to Qho’el.”
“So there’s nothing I can do.” Elena felt the truth settle on her like a heavy blanket. “Anakh spoke the truth, then. She’s going to annihilate everything I love until I finally give in and return to her.”
“I do not believe Anakh knows the truth,” Elbrion argued. “Your life has a purpose to which she is not privy. She recognizes your potential but does not see the plan.”
“Do you?” She looked at Elbrion. “Or anyone?” Her gaze shifted to Celdorn.
“No, Sheyshon, but I believe Qho’el will guide you.”
Elena scoffed. “We aren’t exactly on the best of terms. Remember, I was headed for the outer shadows. I’ve never been his servant. I don’t even know who or what he is—a great mage of some sort? The first person, now a spirit? Some mythic god like Nehzer?”
“The explanation is in the name,” Elbrion said. “‘Jha Qhon’ means ‘source’ and ‘elon,’ you should be able to guess, means ‘of light.’” He paused and smiled. “So he is the source of all light and the creator of this world. What his nature is, no one knows for certain. I do not believe any have had a face-to-face meeting with him—if he has a face as we define it, and if he is indeed male, as we understand masculinity. My guess is no to both. He is light. He is energy beyond our comprehension. He exists in levels of time and space that are beyond us.”
Elbrion chuckled when she scrunched up her face in confusion. “It is difficult to explain Qho’el,” he conceded. “As Yadar Toreno told us, your people, the Alraphim were the original Guardians, set in place by Qho’el to protect his creation. Qho’el did not simply create Qabara and walk away. The Jhadhela is an extension of him, his power at work in this world, the light that flows from the source. Much of that power we do not understand, nor do we know how to wield it, as we have seen with you. But I am convinced that Qho’el has gifted you and is guarding your life.”
Elena scowled. “How can you be so certain? He hasn’t exactly done such a great job of taking care of me so far.”
“He brought you to us.” Elbrion tipped his head and shrugged, flashing a bright smile.
“There is that.” And it was a great gift. She couldn’t imagine life without her adai now. “But I’m just so afraid I will be the end of you—like in my nightmare. That you were given to me only so you could be taken away. It feels like Qho’el wants to crush me too.”
“No,” Celdorn interjected, his voice firm. “I’m not a great believer either, little one, but I have a sense, a certainty, like I’ve never had before that we are being led to a time of great change. Evil has been spreading for decades, and we Guardians have been asleep.”
Elena’s eyes went wide, and she stared at Celdorn. “An awakening…”
Celdorn and Elbrion exchanged glances. “What do you mean?” Celdorn asked.
“The spirits in the forest, in Alsimion, said that it was time for an awakening in the Shalamhar. They also mentioned a second Nasara…”
Celdorn sat straighter, as if someone had poked him. “What? When?”
“Just before you rescued me. They spoke to me.”
His brows went up, his expression dubious. “The spirits?”
“They were probably liorai,” Elbrion said, not the least ruffled by her words.
“The specters came every morning with the mists. They danced and whispered strange messages to me. Several times they used that word—awakening.”
Elbrion smiled. “So you see, Elena. Even the spirits of the forest were a part of this plan.”
Her mind returned to Alsimion, to that day. “They said strange things like ‘is she the one?’ and called me by an odd name.” She shivered.
Celdorn shot a worried glance at Elbrion.
“What was the name?” Elbrion asked.
“I don’t remember, but one thought I was too young to be that person.” Elbrion frowned. “And… and they stopped me from killing myself.”
Celdorn looked like she’d slapped him. “Y-you were going to end your life?” He snatched up her hand as tears formed in his eyes, his expression so intense it choked her words.
Elbrion glanced at Celdorn with a small shake of his head then laid a hand on her head. “Do not fear. You can tell us.”
Elena sucked in a shaky breath. “The day you rescued me, I found a Farak knife hidden beneath the leaves where I slept. It just appeared there. I thought it was my answer, my way out. I had planned to slit my throat after I said goodbye to the apparitions. It wasn’t until they left me, saying someone was coming to the far side of the forest, that I realized the knife had disappeared. They must have taken it.”
Celdorn l
ooked at Elbrion. “Do you remember how alive Alsimion felt that morning, the mists swirling around us? The power of the forest was stronger than I’ve ever felt it—the explosions of light, the movement of the rocks and trees, the quaking of the earth.”
Tears burned in Elena’s eyes, and she pulled Sasha closer. “The forest directed you to me, didn’t it?”
Celdorn swallowed hard and nodded. “Why haven’t you told us about this before now?”
Elena rested her chin on Sasha’s head and swiped at the tears that dripped onto the dog’s ear. “I-I guess I didn’t want to think about it. I’ve endured many things in my life, but that week took me to a breaking point. I guess I forgot the good parts along with the bad.”
“Sheyshon, there are times of great darkness in this world, times when it is difficult to find anything good to cling to, events that crush us, but there is always light,” Elbrion said. “I do believe—I must believe—good will eventually triumph because love is stronger than hate, and truth than lies. In a community of love, we eventually find wholeness, and in wholeness, the Jhadhela thrives and gains strength. I have hope now because this evil has been exposed and Qho’el has empowered you to fight it.” Elbrion frowned as if he didn’t like the thought of her fighting. “Your gifts are growing and your presence seems to be increasing the gifts in those of us around you.”
“And yet people are dying.”
“This is a battle. There will be losses. Some will break your heart.” Elbrion’s gaze focused on some faraway place.
Elena shivered again and hugged Sasha. “Is that a prophecy?”
“No, just an acknowledgment of how life works.” He shook his head sharply as if to clear away the sad thoughts. “Enough of this talk. You need to get some sleep, Sheya.”
Celdorn moved to the end of the bed, pulling Sasha along with him, and Elena lay down, though she wasn’t tired. Elbrion’s words bounced around in her head, bumping awake long forgotten sorrows.
Celdorn squeezed her feet with a smile. She gave him a weak one in return.
“Elbrion, would you please sing for me? Do you know any songs about the liorai?”
“I do.” He smiled and began a song that reminded her of the fluid movements of the specters, whose gossamer gowns reflected rainbows as they swirled around her. Soon she was lost in the best parts of Alsimion.
Chapter 20
Just before dusk, rapid hoofbeats approached Rhamal from the west. The sentries blocked the road with their spears.
“Halt!” Tragod ordered. “This road is closed.”
A chorus of whinnies broke out as the approaching Ilqazar pulled to a stop, nearly throwing their riders.
“Let us through! We’re being pursued.”
Tragod recognized weapons master Tobil and ordered the guards to raise their spears. The stallions resumed their flight as if the fire-breathing demons of Umbradhur were lighting their tails.
“Send Silvandir to Lavan’s homestead,” Tobil called over his shoulder.
Then they were gone.
Tragod whistled as their pursuers drew near. A dozen guards appeared on the road, mounted and fully armed.
The riders chasing Tobil’s group turned aside when they saw the road was blocked. Some rode north, others south. Tragod whistled again, and the Guardians took off in pursuit.
Moments after they’d left, Silvandir’s unit joined Tragod at the main post. “What’s all the shouting about?” Silvandir asked.
“Tobil and Haldor rode into Rhamal a short time ago with Elena’s brothers. They were being pursued. We blocked the road, and when those chasing them saw we were here, they split into two groups, riding north and south. There were maybe eight of them.”
“Where did Tobil take the brothers?”
“Haldor said to tell you they were going to Lavan’s, if that means anything to you.”
“It does,” Silvandir said with a nod. “That’s the home of Elena’s eldest brother.”
The Guardians that had given chase to the south returned.
Their leader, Joban, glanced at Tragod then turned to Silvandir, dipped his chin, and reported, “W-we lost them.”
“How could you lose them? The Ilqazar are faster than any horse on Qabara,” Silvandir said.
Joban rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the side. “They didn’t outrun us, sir. They… they vanished—not into a thicket or a wood—but in the middle of an open field. They disappeared with no tracks or trail of any kind.”
Ramar rode toward Silvandir from the other side. “The same is true of those we pursued north, sir. We found no trace of them. It’s the oddest thing.”
Silvandir turned back to Tragod. “We’re going to meet with Haldor and Tobil and see what information they have. Keep the guard on high alert. Ride the perimeter with Joban. Inform the men of what has occurred and tell them to stay vigilant. When we’ve decided on a course of action, I’ll send a messenger.”
To Mikaelin he said, “Which way to Lavan’s?”
“Follow me,” Mikaelin said as Lazhur set off at a canter.
~
Haldor stepped in front of the door as the argument escalated.
“Let me go,” Treymor insisted as he jerked his arm free from Tobil’s grip. “I need to see to my family.”
“We’re going to stay together until we find out what happened to those pursuing us,” Tobil said. “It’s my responsibility to see that you remain safe.”
“I’m responsible for my own skin.” Treymor ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. “I’m afraid for my wife and children. There’s no one with them.”
“There are guards around the entire village, Treymor. They’re safe.”
“Then I will be as well.”
Haldor stood his ground as Treymor charged toward the door. The Guardian kept his voice quiet and steady. “We will wait until we have a few more men to escort you.”
The sound of approaching horses silenced the argument. Tobil pushed the brothers behind him as he glanced toward the door. Nakara grabbed her children and withdrew into the bedroom. Tobil nodded to Haldor. They drew their swords and stood on either side of the door.
“Tobil, it’s Silvandir,” a man called as he came toward the house.
Tobil slid the door open a crack, still wary. When Silvandir stepped into the lantern’s light, Tobil relaxed.
Silvandir spoke as he and his men moved into the house, filling the small living area. “The ones who followed you have vanished. Our men gave chase, but they disappeared in the middle of open fields.”
“Much the same as they appeared,” Haldor said. “We neither saw nor heard anything behind us, then from out of nowhere, a dozen horses pursed us from the edge of Alsimion until we reached Rhamal. Had it not been for the superior speed of the Ilqazar, we would have had an impossible fight on our hands.”
“Did you see who they were?”
“No, they wore dark cloaks, much like Elena’s brothers had described to us.” Haldor nodded toward the frightened trio.
“I want to go to my home,” Treymor repeated. “You have more men now. Please, I need to see if my family is all right.”
Braqor said nothing but bobbed his head, his face pale and distraught.
“We checked on them as soon as we reached Rhamal,” Silvandir said. “They were fine and no one had harassed them. We promised them you would be home by nightfall, so we should get moving. Your wives were worried earlier. I’m sure, by now, they’re frantic.”
He turned to Tobil. “We’ll escort Treymor and Braqor home then return and decide what we must do.”
“Leave Shatur and Mikaelin to guard their families, at least through the night,” Tobil said.
“I agree,” Mikaelin said. “Having seen how remote their homesteads are, I’m not comfortable leaving them alone, even with our men guarding the surrounding area.”
“Do you have swords?” Silvandir asked the brothers.
“No,” Lavan replied. “We’ve not trained with wea
pons and don’t carry them.”
Silvandir unbuckled his knife belt and handed it to Lavan. “You may use this. It takes little skill to wield but it has quite a bite.”
Mikaelin gave his dagger to Braqor, and Shatur gave his to Treymor.
“I’m more at ease with you having some means of defense,” Silvandir said. “We don’t know what we are up against here.”
Shatur strode to the window and gazed out into the night. “There’s something evil approaching… I can feel it.”
The brothers gawked at him and instinctively moved closer together.
“We must move then,” Silvandir said. He hurried out of the house and whistled softly. The Ilqazar immediately responded. The brothers and their escorts were mounted and moving within minutes.
“I’ll return shortly,” Silvandir told Tobil as they rode into the night.
~
Jaybul stood in a field south of Rhamal and squinted into the darkness, straining to hear past the crickets and toads. He jumped when a twig snapped nearby. His body was wound so tight he feared it might snap as well. It felt as if something were creeping toward him, but he couldn’t see anything.
Unable to endure it any longer, he mounted, sword in hand, and rode east.
“Bandur?” he called into the night.
“I’m over here.”
Jaybul jumped to the ground and hurried toward his friend. “Have you seen any sign of intruders?”
“No, I can’t even see my own hand with the moon covered in clouds.”
“Something isn’t right; I can feel it,” Jaybul said, peering into the shadows.
A shamar howled and both men jumped.
Bandur gave a nervous laugh. “Those dogs seem to sense something wrong as well.”
Jaybul’s stallion whinnied and pushed him with his muzzle. “It’s all right, Qaman, it’s just shamari. They won’t bother us.”
Bandur’s Ilqazar shoved at him as well. “What is it?” Bandur stroked his stallion’s neck as he glanced around. “There’s nothing there. Stop trying to scare us.”
