by Lisa Chitty
Abi turned to Zaria and smiled. ‘You’re right, I’m starving! By the way thank you for what you did, about my hip I mean’ Abi told Zaria as she sat down between Sasket and Randall.
‘Think nothing of it,’ she replied. ‘I know it was a slightly underhand way to go about it, but you did need help. We want you in one piece, not several!’
Abi ruefully had to admit that Zaria was right and to try and avoid her embarrassment she turned her attention to the food before her. There was a selection of various fruits, breads and pastries and Abi was soon tucking in. When she had taken the edge off her hunger she looked around the table. ‘So, where do we go from here?’
‘We’ve been trying to decide that whilst you’ve been sleeping but we can’t seem to get anywhere.’ Steve replied. ‘None of us really know anything about fighting or making war so it does begin to make us wonder why we were brought here.’
‘There’s got to be something we can do,’ Abi protested.
Randall shrugged. ‘Got any suggestions?’ he asked.
‘Maybe we aren’t here to fight. We could have another purpose.’ Abi turned to Zaria. ‘What about the member of the Royal Family that is meant to be on the throne. Maybe we’re here to find them. After all, there’s no point in defeating the Baron if there’s no one to take his place.’
Zaria replied abruptly. ‘That is not your concern. If the time comes that the throne is retaken, rest assured that the appropriate person will be there to reclaim their birthright.’
The group sat stunned at Zaria’s answer. Up until now Zaria had been very open with the foursome and for her to be so close mouthed about something was a surprise, but Abi decided to try another question. ‘Do the people here know who the member of the Royal Family is?’
Zaria glared at Abi but deigned to answer. ‘No. They do not. A select few know so as to protect the heir to the throne. It is not appropriate that you know. Now, I suggest you let the subject drop as I will answer no more questions about it.’
They sat in silence for a while not sure what to say next. Abi had obviously upset Zaria and none of them wanted to upset her further. It was Sasket who broke the silence. ‘Why don’t I show you around and introduce you all. Everyone knows you’re here and would really like to meet you. If nothing else, it will raise the morale of everyone here.’
‘That’s a good suggestion as we appear to be getting nowhere here and it will give us all a chance to think. I also have things that I need to see to.’ Zaria rose gracefully from her seat and went out of a door on the other side of the room.
Everyone stared after her amazed at her abrupt dismissal of them. Sasket noted their astonishment and chuckled. ‘Don’t mind her. She has a lot on her plate and leading this group takes a lot of energy. She’ll get over it. Now, shall I show you around?’ He stood and held out his hand to Abi to assist her rising. She smiled and gently refused it getting up from the table without help. Sasket shrugged and led them out the door into the corridor to commence the tour.
The corridor they were currently in was deserted and there were no other doors in this section. ‘This corridor leads to Zaria’s private chambers only,’ Sasket explained. ‘As the leader of our group she deserves some privacy. It also allows to her to do anything she needs to without interference from the others who live here. We’ll start our tour with the main social area.’ Sasket led them all down the corridor which ended in a large wooden door. Sasket opened it and as he went through a guard on the other side jumped back to allow everyone through.
‘Don’t take any risks about Zaria’s privacy do you?’ Randall asked with a sardonic smile. ‘She’s not the member of the Royal Family who wants the throne back, is she?’
Sasket stopped and turned round so abruptly that Abi nearly walked into him. He steadied her before answering Randall. ‘She is our leader and she protects us all and provides us with the lifestyle that we now have. She deserves to have some privacy.’ With that, and before Randall could ask any more, Sasket turned back round and led them off at a very fast pace. They were almost jogging to keep up. It was with some relief that after a short journey down a maze of tunnels he slowed down as they reached a large entrance to another chamber. The group walked through and found themselves in a cavern that had to be as large as the Great Hall. However, whilst the hall was relatively quiet and empty, this cave was a hive of activity, full of people going about their daily tasks.
‘This is the what we call the main cavern and this is where the majority of our daily tasks occur,’ Sasket told them. ‘As you can see at one end we have the kitchens where anyone who lives here can come and help themselves to something to eat.’
They turned to look where Sasket had gestured and saw a number of hearth’s cut into the wall of the cave. All of them were lit and had something cooking on them, either roasting some meat, or had pots full of something bubbling over them. There were also some smaller ovens at the back, that appeared to be for bread. In front of all this were tables where the cooks could prepare food and then there was a large seating area for those wanting something to eat.
‘Does everyone come and eat here?’ James asked.
‘Not everyone,’ Sasket shook his head. ‘Each living accommodation, which I will show you later, has its own hearth and the occupants can cook their own food. People generally come here for their midday meal, if they’re working or if they’ve been out all day and are too tired to cook for themselves. Most people take turns in helping out in the kitchen area, even if it’s only washing dishes. Anyway, if you turn round you’ll see that there are other activities carried out here. As this cave is large it’s our main working area, as well as kitchen and dining area.’
All four of them had a good look around the room and saw what Sasket meant. There were small workshops around the edge of the cavern with various professions hard at work in them. They ranged from a blacksmith, to a wood carver and turner, to an armourer and a seamstress. It seemed that anything anyone could possibly want was manufactured here.
‘We are completely self sufficient,’ Sasket told them proudly. ‘Anything we need, we make, and we get our raw materials from the land around us. It can be a risky business obtaining them sometimes, but we survive!’
‘How do you mean a risky business?’ Abi asked.
Sasket regarded Abi sadly before answering. ‘Whilst we live very deep in the forest where few people dare to venture, we often have to go further a field to obtain what we require. The Baron has his armies patrolling as much land as possible and if one of our raiding parties runs into them, it’s highly unlikely that any of them will return to us. If a group doesn’t come back then we assume that they have been killed and we hold the necessary ceremony and add them to the list of the dead.’
Abi gasped and gazed at Sasket in shock. ‘Surely you don’t mean that. You can’t just abandon your own people!’ she cried.
‘It’s how we do things here. I’m sorry if it upsets you, but we go about life differently. We have learnt over the years that the Baron rarely takes prisoners. He prefers to have traitors, as he calls us, killed. To send anyone out after a missing group is to sentence them to death as well, and we don’t risk lives unnecessarily.’ Sasket turned away, obviously unable to meet Abi’s gaze. Abi felt a hand touch hers, and looked to see that James had taken it. She leaned into him slightly and felt him put his arm around her shoulder in support.
Steve and Randall looked equally uncomfortable at finding out about this harsh reality of the world they were now in and were desperately looking around them for a change of subject. ‘Why don’t you show us a bit more of this place?’ requested Steve. ‘We’ve seen where you work, how about where you all live?’
‘Of course, this way.’ Sasket appeared grateful for the distraction and started to lead them through the main cavern and as the group went through, people were regarding them with a great deal of interest but not one of them stopped what they were doing and came over to speak to them.
‘Sasket,’ called James. ‘Why is no one coming over to us? I thought you said that people wanted to meet us? Surely they’re not afraid of us.’
Sasket paused and turned round to face us. ‘No. They aren’t afraid of you,’ he replied slowly. ‘They’re more afraid of what you represent. I know I said that everyone wanted to meet you, but I was stretching the truth a bit. I thought it would make you more comfortable about looking around. They know now that the time is at hand when we will have to fight for our cause and that frightens them a little. It’s also why they’re all working so hard. We are going to need a great deal before we can mount our attack. Give them time and they’ll eventually come to you.’ Sasket turned and was about to lead them through one of the many smaller exits from the main cavern when a young boy came running up to them.
‘Sasket, Sasket!’ the boy cried. ‘Zaria sent me to find you. She says that you and the people you are with have to go to the Great Hall. Now!’
Sasket ruffled the boys hair and laughed when he tried to duck away. ‘Thanks for letting us know. Go back to Zaria and tell her that I’ll bring our guests along shortly.’
‘No, Zaria says you have to come now! It’s urgent. Theldon’s here!’
Randall, James, Steve and Abi exchanged looks, but before they could say anything Sasket was off at a fast pace and they had no choice but to follow. ‘If Theldon’s here then we can’t hang around,’ Sasket called over his shoulder. ‘He can never stay here long and we must find out what he wants.’
Soon Sasket was opening the doors to the Great Hall. Zaria was standing in the centre of the room talking to Theldon, but she turned towards the door as everyone entered. Surprisingly, Theldon didn’t turn and stayed where he was looking at Zaria. He looked different too, less substantial than when Abi had last seen him.
‘Quickly,’ Zaria beckoned them over. ‘You need to come over here and stand with me.’
Not quite sure why they had to go over, nonetheless they went to where Zaria was standing and then turned so that they were ranged beside her, all facing Theldon.
‘Ah, there you are,’ Theldon greeted them. ‘You came very quickly.’
Abi raised her hand to greet him, but his voice stopped her. ’No, you cannot touch me, for I am not really here. I’m just a projection. I’m actually standing in my house but I needed to speak to all of you and this was the quickest way.’
‘Hold on a minute, if you’re standing in your house, which I presume is some miles away and you’re projecting your image all the way to here, how come you can’t stop the Baron by yourself?’ Randall asked. ‘You obviously have powers that others don’t.’
Theldon gave Randall a small smile before replying. ‘You are right, of course. I do have powers that others don’t, but they are very limited. How can I defeat the Baron like this?’ Theldon gestured to his insubstantial image. ‘I can do nothing as I am now, and am actually vulnerable to anyone coming into my house. I am also growing older, and I am not as strong as I once was. That is why we need you and your companions.’
Randall grunted but said nothing and allowed Theldon to continue speaking.
‘I don’t have much time before I run out of the energy to do this, so we must speak quickly. The four of you are doing very well, you got here sooner than I expected, although I gather you were found by Sasket and not the other way round. However you cannot stay here.’
As the four of them protested his words, Theldon raised a hand to silence them. ‘You cannot go on as you are. At the moment you are ill equipped to assist us in your ultimate task. You must leave here and search for the items that will help you and learn the skills that will be necessary if we are to stand any chance of victory.’
‘Hold on a minute,’ Steve protested. ‘Can you give us a clue as to what the items are that we are meant to find and what skills do we need? I mean, we’re more advanced than anyone here.’
Theldon frowned at Steve. ‘Perhaps one of the skills that you need to learn is diplomacy!’ Steve became embarrassed and looked down at his feet avoiding Theldon’s gaze. Theldon turned back to address all of the gathered group. ‘However, his question is valid. There are things that you need to fight and defend yourselves with. These items came into existence at the same time the legends did. They consist of armour and weapons and were created just for the four of you. There is also another item that you must find which is hidden away. I do not even know where, but you must search for it. There are rumours that it doesn’t really exist, but it does and will only reveal itself to the one destined to hold it. However, if none of you are that person you won’t find it and if that turns out to be the case then I will call you back here.’
‘Can you tell us what this mystery item is?’ asked James.
‘No. I’m afraid I cannot,’ Theldon replied.
‘Can’t, or won’t?’ interrupted Randall.
Theldon looked at Randall. ‘You are very belligerent, but that is all to the good and will help you later. However you will just have to leave it that I am unable to tell you.’
‘That’s not exactly what I wanted to hear. How on earth are we meant to search for something when we don’t even know what it looks like? I may be argumentative but you’re just a stubborn old man who talks in riddles!’
‘Randall, leave him alone!’ Abi told him. ‘He’s an old man and doesn’t need you harassing him.’
Theldon chuckled and then turned to Abi obviously not bothered by what Randall had said. ‘I know that you probably think that this is the time I spoke of when I said you would see me again, but you are wrong. That time is still in the future.’
‘When?’ Abi asked him.
‘That I cannot tell you, but rest assured when the time is right we will meet again in the flesh.’
Beside her, Abi could feel Randall building up to have another go at Theldon, so before he could draw breath she elbowed him in the ribs. As he turned to her to protest it gave James the opportunity to ask a question. ‘You said that if the mystery object isn’t to be found by one of us you’ll call us back, but how will you know?’
‘I have been watching you since you arrived here and will continue to do so as you go about the next part of your quest. However, I will be unable to help you as this next part you must do for yourselves.’
‘Are we to go out alone or are we allowed company? It would be so much easier if we were able to take someone with us, who knows the land and the people, and how to make us less conspicuous.’ Abi asked him.
‘You may take as many people with you as you want, but I do advise the less of you there are the better it will be. However, if I follow your thoughts correctly, I approve of where they are going.’ Theldon smiled at Abi. ‘Remember what I told you at my house, follow your heart! After all, it did get you here.’ Theldon then turned his attention back to all four of them. ‘My strength to do this is nearly gone, so I wish you all luck, and hope that I will meet you all again.’
He then bowed to the four of them and vanished.
Chapter 6
For a moment everyone just stood looking at one another after Theldon had vanished. It was James who broke the silence. ‘Well, I guess we’d better get going then. It seems we’ve a lot to do.’
‘Do we have to?’ Randall asked. ‘I’m quite comfortable here and there’s nothing that says we have to do what Theldon tells us to.’
‘So do you just plan to stay here and do nothing then?’ Steve asked him. ‘If we do what Theldon says we must, then we might actually stand a chance of leaving here and getting back home. Or had you forgotten that?’
‘No, I hadn’t forgotten. I miss my family and want nothing more than to return to them.’ Randall paused, then went on. ‘I just thought that if we did nothing we might get sent back as we’d then be useless to everyone here.’
There was a brief silence before Steve answered. ‘I’m sorry Randall. Of course you miss your family, forget I said anything.’
There was another uncomfortable silence and
then James spoke. ‘I do think we have to go out and find these objects. Whilst the thought of staying here and getting sent back is appealing, I have a feeling that if we tried that Theldon would quickly find a way to get us to do what he wants. I don’t think that he’d just send us back. I’m not even sure if he’s capable! I’m guessing that the legends that speak of us mention these items that Theldon just told us about. Right Zaria?’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ she replied. ‘Part of the stories mention weapons that were forged from metals we have never seen that are intended for the champions. The stories go onto say that the items were hidden to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, but when the time comes and the champions appear, they will find them.’
‘No more clues than that?’ Steve asked. ‘Like somewhere we can start looking?’
Zaria shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not, all I know is that they exist.’ She turned to Sasket. ‘Do you have any ideas?’
‘There’s something that I remember my Grandfather telling me. About an armourer who through the generations guarded a secret. Though that’s all I know, but I guess it’s a start.’ Sasket shrugged.
‘Great,’ Abi announced. ‘Because you’re coming with us.’
‘What!’
‘You can’t be serious.’
‘Absolutely not!’
‘No way!’
Abi sighed and waited for them all to subside before she spoke again. ‘In case you weren’t listening, Theldon said that we didn’t have to do this alone. He also said that he approved of what I was thinking, and at the time I was thinking that Sasket should come with us.’
Steve, James and Randall regarded Abi for a moment contemplating what she had said. Eventually Randall flung his arms up in the air. ‘Fine!’ he said. ‘Sasket comes too. I guess he can’t do any harm, at least not now that he knows we’re not the enemy.’
Sasket flushed slightly and inclined his head towards Randall. ‘My deepest apologies for the way I treated you. But you can see for yourself that I had to be careful.’
