The Maiden Medallions: Beastkeeper

by Edward Shawn

  “We only need one night,” Micah said. “Your fee includes feed and water?”

  “It does. And you can return for your horse any time tomorrow. I’m always open.”

  James found this man a pleasant departure from the other villagers he’d met so far. A short man with a good sized belly, he smiled a lot which made him the first person he saw from Anarqui that did.

  Brushing snow from his clothes, James kept an eye on Micah. Up until now he wasn’t even aware the people of Nilvanya exchanged any type of currency. But like all civilizations, they had to develop a system of exchange in order for business and transactions to occur. The man mentioned seeds, but James didn’t think he was being literal. There was a great deal he didn’t know about life in Nilvanya, though, in his current situation, it hardly mattered what he did or didn’t know. He had a guide in this strange world, a world where others wanted to help him unlock the potential residing inside of him.

  Micah reached into the lining of his fur coat and pulled out what resembled a test tube, only smaller and opaque. Unsealing the top of the cylinder, he tapped a pair of dark nuggets into his hand.

  Handing them over to the stable’s proprietor, the man looked pleased by what he received. “Many thanks. My wife will be very happy. These look to be fine apple seeds.” Returning to the back of the stable, the heavy set man climbed the stairs to the upper floor. Fragments of conservation drifted down as he spoke, presumably, to the wife he just mentioned.

  Smiling at what he observed, James understood how seeds might be considered valuable and worthy of trade. It may not be applicable on his world, but he could see their value in Nilvanya where food wasn’t manufactured on a large-scale industrial basis. Everything the people consumed was grown and harvested or hunted. The convenience of supermarkets and fast food outlets on every street corner didn’t exist here, and he knew they never would.

  James reached into his pocket and removed the cloth and medallion. Returning the handkerchief to Micah, he used the artifact and communicated with Sheefa. She was comfortable here and didn’t mind spending some time in the company of other horses.

  Micah’s voice interrupted his concentration and he abruptly lost his connection. “Come, we still have our own shelter to reach.”

  Leaving the stable, Micah shut the doors, then slid the lock into place. Anarqui was darker than before they entered the stable, the only illumination coming from randomly placed torches shoved into the ground. The wind caused the flames to flicker but they didn’t seem in danger of going out.

  His stomach growled, the pangs of hunger reminding James he hadn’t eaten since they stopped by the stream. But he was sure that would be remedied soon because in a town the size of Anarqui, it wouldn’t take long to reach the home of the woman called Olivia.

  Micah led the way towards an isolated cabin shrouded in darkness; the torches weren’t lit in this part of the village. Windowless, the wood cracked and worn, it looked abandoned and forgotten like many of the buildings in town. Climbing the few steps, light immediately filled the cracks around the frame of the door.

  Footsteps approached from the other side followed by the sound of a lock snapping open. The door swung open and soothing warmth enveloped James. Within moments, the chill in his flesh and bones vanished entirely.

  “Welcome, Micah Warm-Feather. Come in from the storm.”

  James couldn’t help staring at the woman in the doorway. With smooth ivory skin and raven hair down to the small of her back, he expected someone closer to Micah in age. It was an incorrect assumption; Olivia was perhaps twenty, if not younger.

  “Thank you for the warmth. My young friend was in need of it.”

  Olivia gazed at James and he felt heat rush to his cheeks. “You are welcome in my home as well,” she said, staring at him with the deepest green eyes he ever saw.

  “Talkym!” she called out. “Take our visitors wet things.”

  A young boy appeared, bowing courteously at the new arrivals.

  Turning from the doorway, Olivia strolled down the hall, her violet gown trimmed with white fur trailing behind. James waited for Micah to enter first.

  “Hello, Talkym. How are your lessons coming along?” Micah asked, removing his coat.

  The boy grinned. “I’ve begun levitation lessons. Want to see?”

  Micah chuckled. “Yes, I do, but show me later. I would like to have something to eat first.”

  “Okay. After supper then?”

  “After supper.” Micah nodded at the boy, then strolled down the hall in search of Olivia.

  “Your coat, please,” Talkym said to James.

  Removing his jacket, James handed it over.

  “Your pants are also wet. Remove them also.”

  “What? Dude, I can’t walk around here with no pants on,” James said, embarrassed by the request.

  Talkym grinned. “I know. Follow me.”

  After hanging the wet garments in a closet, Olivia’s young apprentice led James down a darkened corridor, then into a bedroom. Opening a chest, he pulled out two pairs of pants and held them up. “Which would you like to wear?”

  “I don’t care, just toss me one.” Catching the pair coming towards him, James gave it a quick scan and found them adequate enough.

  “I have to go start supper,” Talkym said. “Oh, I don’t know your name. What are you called?”

  “James.”

  “James,” Talkym repeated. “When you’ve changed, leave your things on the chair. I’ll collect it later.”

  “Okay. Thanks for your help.”

  Talkym smiled warmly, then left the room.

  Changing clothes as fast as he could, James went in search of Micah. Feeling comfortable in the warmth throughout Olivia’s home, he retraced his steps to the main hall and caught a glimpse of shadows moving around an open doorway at the far end. Entering what felt like a living room, he saw Micah and Olivia engaged in quiet conversation. It abruptly ended with his arrival.

  An immense, black rug covered the floor and decorative pillows of white and gold were piled in front of the fireplace. A full-length, wood framed mirror stood in one corner of the room, a wooden rocking chair and small table on the opposite side. An assortment of drawers and small cabinets were lined against the walls of the heated room.

  “Please sit and enjoy the fire,” Olivia said as she waved a hand towards the pillows. “I’m sure you must be hungry after your journey from Eyotamaka.”

  James smiled and nodded. “I could do with something to eat.”

  “My apprentice is preparing a meal. I’ll check on his progress.” Her gown flowing behind her, she gracefully exited the room.

  Propping his staff against a wall, Micah sat on the rug. Crossing his legs, he shut his eyes and placed his wrists on his knees, palms up. “We’ll spend the night, then set off for the mountains after sunrise,” he said, forming circles with his thumbs and index fingers.

  James remained standing. He had questions regarding tomorrow and wanted some answers. Micah hinted at danger and he had to know what he meant. “What will I be doing at the mountain?”

  Micah breathed in deeply, then exhaled completely before answering. “You’ve learned to communicate with the animals around you, you’ve been able to channel abilities absorbed by your medallion. The third phase of your training will require more from you.”

  “Right, I get it. The deeper we get into this, the harder it’ll be. What will I be doing there?” he asked again.

  Micah opened his eyes and glanced at the inquisitive youth. “What you’ll be doing is attempting to assert your will over that of a beast. You’ll be attempting to seize control of an animal much larger and stronger than you.” Closing his eyes once again, he returned to his breathing exercises.

  “Oh, is that all? Lots of animals are bigger than me, like the horses I ran with, or cows, even deer–”

  “Where’s the challenge in that?” Micah said, a slight smile creasing his mouth. “Those animals are usua
lly safe to be around.”

  They also don’t live in snowy mountains, James thought. The words larger and stronger echoed through his mind.

  “I can sense your anxiety. I have full confidence in your success. Remember, I will be nearby so there is no need to worry.”

  “As will I.” Olivia had returned.

  Micah stared at her as she entered the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. “As you wish,” he said before getting up.

  “A meal has been prepared. Come with me.”

  The two companions followed her out but all the while James had this feeling his training was about to take a more serious turn.

  29

  Carl handed the binoculars to Evelynn. Lifting her sunglasses, she scanned the area ahead.

  “Looks clear,” she said before handing them back.

  “It does.” Carl signaled the two men in black military garb to advance. Breaking cover, the members of Omega Team moved off through the trees. “How far are we from the clearing?” Carl asked from their crouched position behind a fallen tree.

  “Not far,” Evelynn said, looking at the digital screen in her hand.

  Jeremiah had sanctioned the repositioning of the satellite. The disappearance of Dalton’s team made everyone edgy and he decided to focus most of the W.A.R. room’s resources on Evelynn and her team. He wanted to know what happened to his people, but the risk of sending in additional assets without keeping track of them this time around was a mistake he wouldn’t repeat.

  “Let’s move out,” Carl said.

  Evelynn slipped in behind him as he weaved his way through the forest. It wasn’t long until they reached an Omega Team member gazing at the clearing through the gun sight of his assault rifle.

  “Anything?” Carl asked his associate as he and Evelynn knelt beside him.

  “Nothin’. No movement, no sound. I don’t think anyone’s here.”

  “Where’s Budanski?”

  “He’s circlin’ around to the other side of the clearin’,” the associate replied.

  “Okay. Let’s keep moving.” Carl moved ahead with Evelynn trailing and the associate covering the rear. Soon, they breached the clearing where she first encountered the flying man. Nothing looked out of place, but being here revived some bitter feelings.

  “Fan out and look the place over,” Carl ordered.

  Even though Evelynn was technically in charge, she let Carl take the lead. He had experience with this type of operation, more than she did. It wasn’t critical for her to assert her leadership when their goal was to find the missing team. When they went after the flying man, then she would take control.

  The associate beckoned to Carl and Evelynn. Kneeling down, he ran his fingers through the damp soil and matted grass. “Look here,” he said as they reached his side.

  “What you got, Johnson?” Carl asked.

  “Somethin’ was dragged through here, somethin’ heavy...and this...” Wiping his hand across a dark smudge on the ground, he rubbed the substance between his thumb and fingers. Looking up at Evelynn, he finished his thought. “It’s blood.”

  Johnson followed the trail of blood across the clearing. Carl went with him leaving Evelynn free to look around.

  “You there, Darrell?” she asked, adjusting her headset.

  His voice came through the earpiece. “I’m here.”

  “There’s no sign of them,” she said, glancing around.

  “That’s very bad, very bad news.”

  “Tell Jeremiah it’s likely Dalton and the others are dead. We found blood at the campsite but we’re still investigating.”

  Mr. Darrell sighed, his breath shuddering through the headset as he absorbed the news. “I’ll tell him,” he said softly.

  “I’ll be in touch.” Even though she expected this result, Evelynn was still hoping to find them alive. She may have given Dalton a hard time more often than not, but he was a good man and didn’t deserve to die out here in the middle of nowhere.

  She stood by the remains of the fire, the ashes piled within the confines of where it used to burn. It was here she shot the dog that threatened her. Evelynn felt she had no choice but to shoot; the dog had been seconds away from attacking her and she couldn’t afford to be injured. It was an instinctive reaction and also an easy decision choosing her wellbeing over the boy’s dog.

  A slight commotion drew her attention to the men. Budanski had returned and was speaking rapidly to Carl and Johnson. His arms moved as he spoke and he pointed repeatedly at the direction he just came from. She couldn’t hear their conversation; they spoke in hushed tones for some reason. Their discussion over, Carl turned to her and placed his index finger to his lips, signaling for silence.

  As he summoned her over, the sun broke through the cloud cover and glinted off something on the ground. Hoping for a clue, Evelynn retrieved two objects lying in the dirt on her way to joining the men. Picking up an arrowhead and broken shaft lying beside it, she only had time for a cursory glance; Carl was waving at her to get over to his position.

  Evelynn joined the men waiting at the far side of the clearing. Budanski seemed agitated and she thought he looked pale. Johnson was down on one knee peering through his binoculars at something in the woods.

  “What you got there?” Carl whispered, noticing the objects in her hand.

  “I found this.” Handing him the pieces, he held up the arrowhead and examined it closely.

  “I’ve never seen this design before. It’s crude, but still looks effective. We’ll bring it with us and have the lab boys examine it.” Slipping his backpack off, he dropped the pieces into a plastic bag before putting everything into his backpack.

  “Oh, crap! We got company, boys!” Johnson stood up and backed away from the tree line.

  “Get back!” Carl shoved Evelynn towards the middle of the clearing.

  Maintaining her balance, she watched the three men separate, then take aim at the trees. The roar of a large and angry animal filled the clearing and she involuntarily retreated a few more steps while pulling out her handgun.

  An immense shadow swayed just beyond the trees. Even if she never saw one up close, she recognized the outline of a bear well enough. Entering the clearing, it roared once again but was quickly drowned out by automatic gunfire, the three men taking the opportunity to practice their aim. The huge black bear flinched not knowing which way to turn as bullets penetrated its hide. Seconds later, it lay on the ground, its life spilling out through the holes riddling its body.

  Carl and his men gathered around the carcass. Budanski prodded the lifeless animal with the butt of his rifle.

  “You know where the bodies are,” Carl said to Budanski. “Lead the way.”

  Evelynn holstered her handgun before rejoining the men by the dead bear. “You found something?” she asked Johnson as the others entered the woods.

  “Budanski came across some bodies.” Johnson gazed at the bear by his feet. “He said the bear was snackin’ on their flesh.” He looked at her, wiping the sweat off his ebony brow.

  She knew Johnson was being morbid to get a reaction but she wasn’t about to give him any satisfaction by doing so. Inwardly, Evelynn’s stomach twisted into a knot, but years of training her body and mind allowed her to maintain control over her emotional response.

  “Johnson! Move it,” Carl yelled.

  Evelynn stepped past the large mercenary and made her way to the others.

  “You think the bear killed them?” she asked.

  “And what, then dragged their bodies and piled them up in one spot?” Budanski replied as if she was incapable of coherent thought.

  Carl glared at him. “Shut up, Budanski! Lead the way!”

  Trailing Budanski through the woods, the overwhelming stench of rotting flesh assailed her senses. Fighting the urge to run, Evelynn forced aside her own needs and inched closer to the tangle of bloodstained limbs partially covered in branches and leaves.

  “We got this,” Carl said. “You tell Jeremia
h what we found.”

  “Alright.” Relieved at having something else to do besides looking at the half-eaten corpses of people she once knew, Evelynn activated her headset. Moving away from the zone of death, she left the men behind but stayed within visual range. She didn’t want to wander too far in case another bear happened upon them.

  Evelynn waited for Mr. Darrell to respond, but before he did, she found herself distracted by Budanski. He had moved away from the others and was vomiting. Steadying himself against a tree, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand but then leaned over again. Evelynn quickly turned away, the smell of the corpses combined with the sound of Budanski hurling up his last meal making her queasy.

  Counting backwards from ten, she closed her eyes and concentrated on images of beautiful beaches and clear blue water. Shutting out the world, her composure soon returned and everything settled back into place.

  “Man up, Budanski, you soft little worm,” Johnson said.

  Evelynn decided she didn’t like Johnson very much. He may not have known them, but having respect for the dead should still be in effect instead of being loud and abrasive while bodies of people she once knew lay in the dirt by his boots.

  “Shut your mouth,” Budanski shouted between spits and groans.

  The sound of Budanski was more than she could take. She would risk running into a bear if it meant she didn’t have to listen to the idiotic banter between the two Omega Team members any longer.

  Leaving the area, Evelynn bypassed the clearing and ventured deeper into the surrounding woods. Besides her main directive of finding the missing team, she wanted to see if a totem pole was hidden nearby. Not entirely convinced about the tale of James vanishing near a totem pole, she would consider it negligent not to at least search for one in the vicinity. Having lived through plenty of strangeness these past few days, she couldn’t afford to dismiss what Sandra told her, especially if it might provide a clue as to where James went. And if she was able to find the teenage boy, she could secure another medallion for her grandfather.

  Mr. Darrell’s voice came through her earpiece. “Miss Bone, are you there?”