“How is it that you two weren’t gagging like the rest of us?” Emeck practiced breathing and swallowing in turns.
“It wasn’t that bad. I worked on a fishing boat or two for a little while. The weird thing is that there weren’t any flies or maggots. That would have been nasty.” Cero’s response was met with a fresh green tint on Emeck’s complexion.
“I don’t want to hear about maggots.”
“There probably isn’t any flies left around here. I once caught one and kept him in a bottle. He died after three days.” Aleest seemed more conditioned to the foul vapors and had recovered to an almost normal complexion. Urake nodded in agreement before scowling and glancing around at the people on the street.
“It has been at least three days since this started. What happens if you don’t eat or drink for that long…?” Urake moved to the side of a man that was lying face down beside a water trough. Rolling the man over, he continued. “These people have been in the sun for several days and nights without any water. If this isn’t stopped soon, they will start dying. We have to find whoever is doing this as soon as possible.”
“How are we going to do that? If we get separated, we start sleeping like the rest of them.”
“Only you are Aleest are affected in that manner. Cero and Inadar were fine. I think that Eld’or is protecting me somehow and that anyone close to me is also protected. Cero and Inadar are just who they are.” Urake rubbed the stubble on his chin as he thought.
“I have an idea. The soldiers were only barely asleep. They woke up if we moved them. The milk maid we found on the road was able to open her eyes when I lifted her. Now that I have been thinking about it, I have never seen a fish sleep but that one that Aleest caught was and it only flopped around a bit on finding itself out of the water. These people are sound asleep and can’t be stirred even if you roll them over or if they are resting their head of a stinking trout.” Emeck illustrated his point by shaking the man by the water trough for all he was worth without receiving the slightest hint of consciousness for his trouble.
“So you are saying that the closer we get to the source, then the more asleep people are?” Inadar thought about it before nodding in agreement.
“That is brilliant Emeck. Feel this one’s pulse. A little slower than normal. That one by the trough is the same. I bet that if we check their pulse, we can figure out which direction to head. If their pulse starts to speed up, then we are going in the wrong direction.” Urake moved from person to person with a finger briefly held at each individual’s wrist. He paused at the entrance to the market before deciding to go down the other street instead.
“But what if their pulses are gone?” Emeck hurried to catch up.
“I hope it doesn’t get that bad.” Urake checked all along the street without finding any difference in the sleeping people’s heart rates.
“All right, Inadar and I can go up this street and you can go down that street, we can save some time that way. If the fact that all the people along this street have been the same, then it must mean that whoever it is, they are either this way or that way.” Cero pointed in the directions perpendicular to the street that they had traversed.
“That is a logical conclusion. You have no idea how many years I have been waiting for you to get a grasp on logic. Children…” To Cero’s chagrin, Urake began walking up the side street while shaking his head. That left him having to deal with Inadar who was trying to hold a straight face.
“Don’t tell me that you were an extraordinarily logical child.” Cero already regretted his offer of splitting off with Inadar.
“On the contrary. I once threw a snowball at one of Reigns’ elite squads because they smashed my snowman. I was horribly mad at them.”
“So you were more of a troublemaker than I was?”
“I never said that, but surely you weren’t perfect either.” Inadar checked the heartbeat of the first person they came across.
“No I wasn’t. I once pulled all the slats out from under Urake’s bed and tucked the blanket in so it looked normal. Should have heard him shouting when he fell through. I got my hide well-tanned for that one.”
“See, I never did anything that bad to Encer or Mytera. I can’t tell, but I think this one might be a little bit slower. Here, you try.”
“Encer and Mytera? Your parents?” Cero knelt down and counted the feeble beats.
“They were the ones that adopted me after the dragons brought me out of the mountains.”
“I think you are right. Let’s go further down the street and check some more.”
“All right. You know that you are the first one outside of the village that knows where I came from?”
“You are fortunate. That is, having two parents and a fairly normal life. I was sort of an outcast. Everyone thought that Urake was a drunk so they never wanted much to do with me, except for Akeli. She wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“Aha, there is another girl.” Inadar smiled that mischievous smile of hers.
“Stop it. She was the blacksmith's daughter and he had already beaten a couple of the village lads to within an inch of their lives. I didn’t want anything to do with her.”
“This one definitely has a slower heartbeat.” Inadar got out of the way so Cero could check for himself. After he agreed, they debated whether or not they should wait for Urake before continuing. Inadar made the point that he would soon detect the increased heart rate and would hasten to overtake them momentarily. It was decided that they should proceed at a leisurely pace so as to not lose any time. To that end, they worked their way down the street checking and confirming that their earlier assumption was correct. Urake still hadn’t caught up when they reached the edge of town with the gate guard being the weakest they had checked so far. It only took a minute of waiting before Urake, along with Aleest and Emeck, appeared.
“We are out of town. What now?” Inadar inquired when they had all assembled.
“There is still that.” Emeck pointed to the estate manor looming atop the hilltop that looked down on the town.
“Indeed there is. We are definitely going this direction. I want along the side streets and verified that the people are getting progressively weaker the farther we go this direction but not in parallel directions.” Urake took the lead and led them up the hill. It was a well maintained road that wound around the hill until it passed through the wrought iron gates that led into the courtyard. Two wagons and a carriage stood silently behind the teams that were stricken with the same condition that reigned throughout the town. Urake examined a porter that lay beside one of the wagons.
“There is hardly any sign of life. He is barely breathing and I can’t quite count the pulse. The girl must be around here someplace. Be careful. We don’t know exactly who we are looking for or how dangerous they are.” With Urake’s caution, they began examining every person they came across.
“This door is unlocked.” Inadar pushed and let it swing open.
“I don’t think anyone has had the presence of mind to lock it.” Cero stepped through the door and glanced at the lavish furnishings.
“That is what I meant. What if the person that we are looking for is also asleep?”
“That would make her almost impossible to find. It would only be marginally easier if she were only hiding.” Cero pulled open a closet and looked at the maid slumped over the footman.
“That would be an embarrassing predicament. If she is awake, then Emeck should be able to find her.”
“I haven’t heard him shouting so I am going to guess that he hasn’t sensed anyone.” Cero closed the closet and moved on down the hall.
“That is unfortunate. Where do you think these people got all their coin?” Inadar picked up a small figurine carved from some sort of green rock.
“This is house Loneka. They have been loyal to Reigns and have probably been well rewarded.”
“It looks that way. I feel like setting the place on fire.”
“I would ra
ther they never know that we were here. I don’t want Reign chasing us more than he already is.” Cero paused to look at a vase filled with wilted flowers.
“This door is open. Oh…”
“What is it?” Cero stepped to Inadar’s side and looked into the bedroom where five people lay. One was in a pool of dried blood with the pallor and stench of death. Two were slumped by the form of a white haired young woman. The last one was in between the dead man and the woman with his pants around his knees. The scene painted a gruesome story of murder and foul intent.
“I can’t feel any signs of life from this one.” Inadar had a finger to the half undressed man’s throat feeling for the pulse and in the other hand had one of her black knives. Cero got the feeling that if the man had so much as twitched, he would have lost all that made him manly.
“She almost looks peaceful. Wait… She is waking up!” Cero’s shout brought the rest of the searchers into the room. Urake took in the scene with one look before affirming that it had to be the white haired young woman. He paused and frowned as he examined one of the men in the deathlike sleep. The rich clothes and uncalloused woman like hands. Stooping down, he pulled a medallion from around the man’s neck. The stylized gold engraving of a wolf framed against two moons. He stepped over and found a similar medallion around the dead man’s neck along with the familiar medallion of the oak under the signet ring.
“This is old man Loneka and his son. From the looks of it, the little wolf pup wasn’t willing to wait around to get what he wanted.” Urake’s explanation of what everyone could see was vague, but fitting.
“Oscarion watched them kill Estavo.” The girl shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair.
“You are an interesting woman, whoever you are. Dark elf, if I am not mistaken. The ears and hair give it away. Who exactly are you?” Urake’s question paralyzed the woman for a few moments. When she started speaking, it was to tell her life story up to that point. They remained silent as they heard a tale of woe and heartbreak. When she had finished there was silence for a few awkward moments longer.
“You said that the man who bought you was wearing a black robe?” Urake inquired with a distant expression.
“I remember him like it was yesterday. It was one of those black robes with a hood woven into the main robe and long loose sleeves. I think he was also an erin valker.” Tamara looked up at Urake expectantly.
“And Gifted… Undoubtedly a member of the Shadow Order. That explains his interest in you. It would appear that they have been looking for a new leader for quite some time.”
“A leader? Why would that mean they wanted me?”
“Because, I killed the last dark elf that led that cult. You must be one of his children. You took after your human mother remarkably little. If they knew that there was an almost pure dark elf left on Den’dra, they would stop at nothing to reacquire you. Especially if they knew what you are capable of.”
“I don’t… I mean, if they wanted me so much, then why haven’t they found me yet? I haven’t exactly been hidden.”
“You were a slave owned by a prominent noble house in Reigns’ good graces. Your life here was probably about as well hidden as it gets.”
“So what happens now? As you said, I am almost pure dark elf. Am I to follow my father’s fate?”
“Relax. There are only certain dark elves that I don’t trust and fortunately most of them are dead. The only other one, besides yourself, that I know of is Reigns. We were sent here to find and help you, not eliminate you.”
“That is comforting, although I see no way to continue here after recent events. Estavo protected me in a way, but Oscarion has already made it clear that he intends to roast me over a slow fire. He knows that I am an elf, although he doesn’t know that I am a dark elf.” Tamara flinched as the aforementioned lordling moaned.
“I think I know a place where you will be safe. That is, if you want to come with us.” Urake watched as Tamara stood and brushed her hair back into place.
“I have no possessions. I can come with you now if you would like. Anything to get as much distance between Oscarion and myself.”
“I fear that coming with us will not put much distance between the two of you. Oscarion will be quite useful to some friends of mine.”
“You intend to use him as a hostage?”
“You mentioned that he said he was going to Shienhin to marry the princess. That an attack by rebels had injured her to the point that she was confined to the castle to recuperate. I have it under good authority that the princess is no longer in Shienhin, either of them. Imagine what would happen if Oscarion were to go to Shienhin and Reigns were to marry him to this fictitious princess who would then sicken and die from her injuries. Oscarion would be the King.”
“That would be awful. Oscarion is the most selfish and immature person that I have ever met. If he were King…”
“People like him are the kind that are difficult, but not impossible to control. If Reigns were to give him a taste of power, then he would become addicted and would be utterly under Reigns’ control. Having the fact that Oscarion was never actually married to the princess to keep him from challenging Reigns would ensure a degree of obedience.” Urake’s expression darkened for a moment before he shook himself.
“We need to get out of here. If these are starting to wake up, then the ones that aren’t as affected are undoubtedly waking up already.” Emeck’s warning inspired everyone into action. Oscarion was tied up without delay. Aleest was outside coaxing a couple of the sleeping horses back to their feet. Oscarion was loaded onto one of the horses while the packs were loaded on the other. The other pack animals were too far gone to resuscitate. Already there were a couple of the people in the courtyard stirring. With their lighter loads, the group was able to move faster and soon had left the Loneka manor behind. Taking the road down the hill, they cut off before reaching the town. Going across the farm fields to avoid meeting any further townspeople appeared to be working.
“I think that we got away.” Cero looked over his shoulder, but he saw no one in pursuit.
“Emeck? Have you something to add?” Urake inquired after noticing Emeck’s distant expression and furrowed brow.
“I don’t want to alarm anyone but…”
“But what?” Urake watched Emeck squirm uncomfortably.
“I think the soldiers that we first came across saw us come down the hill. They must have woken up shortly after Tamara. That and the elf thing that followed us up from the Elder Forest is out there also.”
“Let’s keep ahead of them. Head for the Garoche. If we get there in time we can lose them in the mountain. The elf is far away even if it was inclined to help us.” Urake grabbed the reigns to the horse that Oscarion was draped over and urged the beast forward.
“I don’t think that is an option. I looked and they are all riding horses. I think that the soldiers had them hobbled out of sight from the road when we saw them.”
“That isn’t good. There were more than two dozen soldiers at that camp. We are also out in the open. If we had a good ambush, there might be a chance but… How many archers are there?”
“More than half of them are archers. The rest are specialists at capturing Gifted. There is more than one elite squads working together.”
“We might have been able to take one squad, but more than one…”
“They are after me. Leave with Oscarion. I will give myself over to them.” Tamara turned around and began walking back the way that they had come.
“That will not work. The only reason that more than one of Reigns’ elite squads would be working together is if they intend to eliminate the Gifted target. They will know soon that we have Oscarion. If they don’t kill you outright, then they will torture you for information.”
“Perhaps I can put them to sleep again.”
“A long shot at best. After your first outburst, it will probably take days before you can do anything else. You would be helpless.”
Urake scratched his chin in thought.
“Someone has to do something. They are getting closer.”
“We will.” Cero divested himself of any weapons that he had on his person. Inadar did the same.
“I want those back eventually.” Inadar handed her black blades to Emeck.
“I don’t understand. What are you planning on doing without your weapons?” Emeck held them questioningly.
“Who are we speaking with? Skeln or Cero?” Urake demanded.
“Sarina and I will do what must be done. Eld’or, please take the others to safety.” Urake’s eyes widened as he noticed the icy blue glow to Cero’s eyes. Inadar’s eyes had a greenish light to them also. He was about to order the two to abandon their idea when he felt an iron like grip take control of his body. He watched and listened helplessly as Eld’or gave the order to move on. Everyone was stunned at the sudden shift in his attitude, but they complied leaving Skeln and Sarina behind.
“I sense that there are greater plans in motion that either of us can understand. Eld’or saw that Tamara is important, else he wouldn’t have agreed to our plan.”
“Indeed. My host is limited without a soul forged weapon. Even without a soul forging I am still powerful enough to distract these hunters.”
“The irony. The rebel dwarves thought to kill us by forging a soul shard into my body. Cero and I no longer have need of a mere weapon to access our powers. Within a living host, the shard is influenced differently. Take some essence. It will help you access your powers until it is used up.” Skeln began forming a sphere with the blue crystalizing liquid that was flowing through his skin. Letting it harden he handed it to Sarina. As soon as she touched the crystal globe, it shifted to a deep green before melting through her skin.
“Be that as it may, we still cannot kill. Eld’or made certain of that.”
“Cero is getting stronger and is beginning to touch his powers yet we are still mortals. I can use the shard to heal him, although we very well may not survive a serious injury. It is disconcerting that our father was not able to predict the soul forging. My control is… being challenged.”
Chronicles of Den'dra: A land on Fire Page 26
