by B K Suitter
Gildenroe’s senses flared to life and he immediately began to move back the way he had come. Hadias was close and his scouts would be closer. He drew his short sword with one hand and grabbed at a throwing knife with the other. He scanned the area as he backed away through the rough forest terrain.
*********************
Tristania sat frozen with fear against a large boulder, and a sliver of moonlight peeked through the ceiling of forest branches and leaves. She wasn’t alone and they were whispering above her.
Tris remembered running with Evaylia and the other panicked frontier folk. She had gotten her feet tangled with another person, and in the mad dash to get away from the soldiers, she tripped and fell and slammed her face on the back of someone’s rising heel. She must have blacked out because when she regained consciousness, it was dark and she was being carried away into the forest. Once she was far from the trail she had blacked out on, she was set down and left alone in the dark. She cried at first, hoping that Michael or Evaylia would hear her, but after a while she resigned to just sit against the boulder in the dark and wait until daylight came to the Timberlands.
But then there were subtle movements around her – black shadows that were darker than the night. One seemed to be crouching on top of what appeared to be a large boulder that stood tall across from her. The shadow whispered in a strange language, and then another presence responded with the same eerie whisper, and she realized it was crouching above her on the large rock she huddled against. In terror, she got up and ran blindly into the dark forest, screaming as branches clawed at her face and raked at her legs and arms, drawing blood that ran slick down her cheeks. Then she hit a tree and was out cold once more.
When she regained consciousness, she was laying face-down across the back of a saddled horse. Her face was sore, and she could tell her right eye was swollen. It was still dark and her captors carried no torches, but they moved through the forest easily and spoke to one another.
“You were told to keep her safe,” a woman’s voice scolded.
“She took off running,” replied a boy’s voice. “What was I supposed to do?”
“You and Haze were scaring her,” said a girl’s voice and two others interjected in return.
“No we weren’t,” said one.
“Not true, not true,” said another boy.
Tris laid there silent across the horse with a sore face and many body aches and listened to the strange group argue as they traveled through the dark forest.
************************
Michael sat on a short log and removed the boot that was on his right foot. There was a small pebble that had bothered him all day and he was now just attending to it. Evaylia held a torch that lit the surrounding area. They were in a small clearing that had the remnants of an old forest campsite clustered about them and they both sat there discouraged under a dark sky ringed by treetops.
It was night again and they had searched for Tris for a full day and had found no trace of her. Michael was sick with fear at the thought of what had happened to his little sister. Since she first came up missing the night before, Michael, Evaylia and the lumberjack, Norman, searched the forest extensively in a desperate attempt to find her, but neither Tris nor any sign of her could be found. When morning came, it was agreed that Norman would travel east and catch up to Big Tim and help in getting his family and the other frontier people safely to Warmwater. Norman also promised Michael he would take care of his brother, Jase.
“We will find her,” Evaylia kept saying, trying to sound more convincing than tired. They had not slept in two days and the signs were beginning to show.
“I know,” Michael would say absently, thinking of his sister and nothing else. He was exhausted and the desperate search had consumed him and the only thing that mattered was finding Tristania. He would not stop until he did, but he knew they could not continue on effectively if they did not stop and take a short rest.
“We should make camp here,” Michael said in a tired, disheartened voice. “I will gather some wood for a fire,” and he pulled his boot back on and stood slowly with exhaustion. Evaylia said nothing as she sat quiet with the crackling torch.
Michael soon had a small warm fire going and he sat and stared into the flames. Evaylia had extinguished the torch to save for later and moved to sit down next to him on the forest floor. She put her arms around him and gave a gentle hug.
“We will find her,” Evaylia said yet again and Michael looked into her eyes warmly.
“I know,” he replied and they both sat quiet and rested.
Michael kept the fire going and allowed Evaylia to sleep at his side, and he stared at her as she slept and felt his strong attraction to her grow. He loved her dearly, but the probable loss of Tris made him sick with worry so he could not enjoy the time spent with her.
Michael was not sure how long he had been asleep, but when he opened his tired eyes, he thought he was dreaming. Across from him on the other side of the fire sat a large man on a tree stump holding a long thick stick over the flames and roasting a small animal. He was dressed in light armor which hid beneath a long black cloak. Next to the large man stood three figures; two men, who were also dressed in light armor, and a woman that was so striking it was hard for Michael to look away from her. She stood tall with wild black hair and exotic features. She wore little clothing, showing off her dark, lean, muscular body under thin fur wraps that went around her waist and chest.
Evaylia slept next to him and he dared not move or make a sound. Michael’s heart pounded in his chest as everyone sat motionless in an uneasy silence. The large man that sat on the stump looked familiar and Michael realized it was the man that had saved him and Norman from the soldiers in the pass. He was the Kadomi that his father had told him many stories about. Cataclys and his family lived in the Timberlands and he was rumored to be a good man. And his daughter, Minx, was even more stunning than the stories told.
“What is your name, boy?” asked Cataclys in a deep voice. “Michael,” he said quietly and Evaylia stirred awake.
“What?” she asked as she looked at Michael. He gave her a small reassuring smile that told her things were ok, but then nodded across the clearing at their visitors so she would know they were not alone. Evaylia’s eyes grew wide and she slowly sat up.
“It’s ok,” Michael said calmly to her.
“Is it?” said Minx in a dangerous tone as she slowly walked around the fire, the fingers on her hand gently brushing the hilt of a long knife that was sheathed against her upper leg.
Evaylia stiffened in fear and Michael rose slowly, unsure of the woman’s intent.
“Minx,” said Cataclys calmly while his two sons stood by and watched in amusement.
“Father,” Minx said innocently, “I wish to mate with this Michael.”
“What?” said Evaylia, coming out of her shock.
“Minx, please,” replied Cataclys in a deep voice. “They are in no mood for this. Tell them why we are here.”
Minx walked slowly towards them and stopped just inches away from Michael. Her animal eyes and red full lips left him short of breath, and the scent of cherry blossoms that stirred from off her wild black hair made him nearly fall over.
“Michael,” Evaylia said ever so sweetly. “Michael!” she repeated, but this time with irritation and a strong hand that moved to wrap around his arm.
“What,” Michael said warmly as he tore his eyes away from Minx to stare at Evaylia, but Minx spoke quickly to get Michael’s attention back.
“We are here with good news of your sister,” Minx purred.
“Tris,” Michael blurted out. “You know where Tristania is?” and the young man stepped past a disappointed Minx, almost brushing her aside as he quickly moved around the small campfire to stand before Cataclys. “You know of my sister?” Michael asked the large Kadomi as he sat roasting another small dead animal on a long stick. Evaylia stepped past the stunned Minx and she looked at the Kadomi woma
n and gave her a smile and a raised eyebrow as she moved to stand by Michael. Instinctively, Minx took a step forward and reached for her blade, resisting the urge to kill her competition then and there.
“Your sister is fine,” said Cataclys. “She was knocked unconscious in your hasty retreat in the pass and my sons carried her to safety. They are taking her to my home where she will be safe with my wife, Bersena.”
Michael, although still worried about his little sister, was relieved to hear she was alright. He felt he could trust Cataclys and his family and that Tris would be in good hands if she stayed with them.
“Thank you,” Michael said to the Kadomi. “We had thought her lost,” and Michael put his arm around Evaylia, and she gave him a warm smile.
“I will take you to your sister, Michael, while this girl next to you stays with Cogaro to mate,” Minx said as she walked around the pair.
“What?” both Michael and Evaylia exclaimed at the same time.
“Minx will take you both to your sister,” Cataclys said as he chewed a piece of cooked meat from his wooden skewer.
“Boring,” Minx replied. “Don’t worry, girl, you’ll be safe with me,” and Minx gave Evaylia a wink that was complimented with a sneer.
“My name is Evaylia,” she said strongly and then turned and gave Michael a hard, passionate kiss.
Michael pulled back and gave Evaylia a strange look and then glanced at Minx and found her licking her lips and giving him a wild look. Michael quickly moved away from both the women and turned to address Cataclys.
“Will you not be coming with us?” Michael asked Cataclys.
“No,” was all the Kadomi said.
Michael waited quietly, hoping the man would say more, but he didn’t. He looked at the two men standing next to Cataclys. They were both his sons and they looked similar to their father; tall, thick, strong looking men with long dark hair and rugged features. One of the men stood a little taller and a little wider and his eyes glimmered with animal insight and Michael knew him to be Cataclys’ first born, Cogaro.
“The soldiers in the pass,” Michael said hesitantly, hoping to draw Cataclys into conversation, “were you hunting them?”
Cataclys looked up at Michael as he finished chewing and swallowed. “We have been tracking Prince Hadias since he moved against your town,” Cataclys said, his deep voice sounding ominous in the quiet forest. “We followed you as well since you traveled with the witch.”
“The witch?” asked Evaylia as she moved to be next to Michael.
“Kneeamara,” Minx said with hatred as she walked up behind Cataclys. “The Asarian Witch is what most call her. She is Prince Hadias’ general and has been touched by magic and when I get a chance,” Minx purred, “I’m going to bleed her dry.”
“And you think we traveled with her?” Michael asked.
“I watched you talk to her,” Cataclys growled, giving Michael a glare of suspicion.
“I did?” Michael asked with confusion, turning to Evaylia to find her shaking her head in puzzlement.
“You did,” accused Cogaro, speaking for the first time in a deep voice edged with anger, his brother next to him shaking his head in agreement and scowling.
“I…we…,” both Michael and Evaylia started talking at once, defending themselves against their accusers.
“That’s impossible,” Michael protested, “I would have known if I was talking to a witch,” and he tried to remember who he had spoken with that could have been a witch. He found the whole notion absurd and to argue his position seemed ridiculous and he stammered to a halt as Cataclys stood up to tower over him.
“I know what I saw,” Cataclys said carefully and Michael just stood there with nothing else to say. “You will go with Minx now,” and Cataclys turned away to move from the clearing, his two sons moving to follow.
“Are you going after Hadias?” Michael asked as he kicked dirt over the fire to extinguish it. “I would like to come with you to help.”
“To help?” Cogaro asked in disbelief as he turned around and Minx walked up quickly and advanced on Michael, causing him to step back to the edge of the small clearing.
“How would you help, Michael?” Minx asked sternly and she pushed him up against a tree. Evaylia protested and moved towards the pair, but a cold look and an outstretched hand from Cogaro caused her to stop and watch.
“How would you help, Michael?” Minx asked again as she held him up against a tree. Michael did not resist, and his look told her he did not understand. “If you are going to help us, Michael, you have to be able to kill,” Minx said in his face, their lips almost touching. “Not just stab him in the chest,” and she laughed and turned to Cogaro who grinned with contempt.
“I was…,” Michael stammered, and Evaylia interjected but was hushed immediately by Cogaro.
“You’re a boy!” Minx screamed in his face, but then spoke so softly he could barely hear her. “And I like that, but…,” and the beautiful Kadomi woman gave Michael the gentlest of kiss while he stood wide eyed and frozen with fear as she held her knife up against his throat. Evaylia whimpered but dare not move or say a word as Cogaro stood close, giving her looks that told her she could be next.
“The soldiers we follow will not hesitate at cutting your throat, Michael,” and Minx pushed the flat of her blade up harder against his throat, causing him to swallow and eye her with anger, then she slowly stepped away.
“I need no lesson in killing,” Michael said bitterly while rubbing at his neck. Cogaro and his brother just laughed as they turned to follow their father into the forest.
“Go with Minx,” Cataclys said. “You cannot help us.”
“Please, my father was taken–” Michael started to plead but was cut short when Cataclys turned around and spoke with sympathy.
“Fedor was taken south in the slave wagons. I am sorry,” Cataclys said.
“You know my father and of his fate, and yet you do nothing?” Michael said in disbelief.
“I do, but I cannot help him, and neither can you. Go with Minx,” and Cataclys turned to step into the forest.
“I will not!” Michael yelled, causing the Kadomi to stop and turn around. “Let me come so I can have revenge!”
Cogaro laughed and called him a fool.
“I understand your need for blood, Michael,” Cataclys replied calmly, “but if you come with us, you will only do as I say. No heroics from you, is that understood? I do not want you in our way.”
“He will just get himself and his girl killed,” Cogaro said as he turned to walk into the trees.
“That will be on his head,” Cataclys said, and he too walked into the forest with Michael and Evaylia following close behind. Minx came last and she moved as if stalking her prey.
20
Year of the Frost Horn 2318 A.A.
Tristania laid there quiet across the horse that carried her. She pretended to be unconscious, although the two boys that walked on either side of her horse made comments to hint to the fact they knew she was awake. The two boys started telling stories.
“Remember that time you and dad were scouting for wild boar and you came to the witch’s cave?” said one of the boys, Tris thinking his name to be Haze.
“No,” said the girl that held the reins to the horse. She slowly led the animal through the dark forest while hardly ever speaking. Tris would forget she was there and wasn’t sure of her name.
“Yes,” said the other boy whose name was Drix.
“And dad took you inside the cave and found the witch sitting on a chair at a small table before a crystal ball,” Haze spoke as if telling a scary story to a child.
“I remember,” replied Drix with a hint of dread in his voice. “I remember it all,” he repeated, sounding choked up with fear. “I remember it was dark and there was a soft glow coming from the crystal ball and it illuminated her long, greasy, black hair. Dad and I walked in and she turned her head slowly to look at us and she was faceless. No eyes, no nose or mo
uth– just wrinkled red skin,” said Drix with disgust.
“Ya, and when dad took her head her blood was dark as the night and it sprayed all over the cave, drenching you both in the black ichor,” Haze added. “Her ghost will never rest until she avenges her death by killing one of us. Maybe we should give the little girl to the dead witch’s ghost and see if it is appeased.”
“Stop it!” the girl said in an angry voice. Tris noticed that the two boys irritated her often.
“What’s that over there!” shouted Drix, pointing into the darkness.
“I said stop it!” the girl demanded again, and she stopped the horse.
“We’re just having fun, Year,” said Haze.
“Hey guys, there’s something…,” Drix was not heard.
“I’m tired of your fun, Haze, and so is Minx,” said a heated Year, but then she stopped suddenly when a large gathering of tall bushes shook momentarily just ahead. The three of them froze and they stared into the darkness at the forest shrubs and waited in silence.
“There is something in there,” whispered Drix as he began to creep forward, Haze right on his heels. Drix pulled out his hunting knife and tried desperately to pick up the scent of the creature that hid in the bushes. Drix wanted so badly to be like his brother, Cogaro. He wanted the animal spirit and the abilities that the Kadomi had. He wanted to be a Kadomi like his father. Drix breathed in deeply and tried to find the spirit of the animal that hid only feet away.
Drix shot forward headfirst into the bushes when Haze shoved him hard from behind. Haze laughed as he did it and a wild pig ran out squealing from the foliage.
“Dang it, Haze!” Drix yelled, jumping up from the bushes and launching himself at his brother, tackling him to the ground and swinging his fists angrily. They rolled across the forest floor, fighting like wild animals until Year was able to break them apart.
