The Harrowing Path

by Cleave Bourbon

  Sanmir took a deep breath. “It is true she visited here late last night; she is an old friend of mine. She wanted to purchase some adeflect bark for her headache. Naturally, I gave her some at no charge, and then we had bittering tea and conversation, but how did you know she was here Devyn?”

  “Because I was here as well,” Devyn said, “and she didn’t want bittering tea or adeflect bark, although she did want something to help her sleep.”

  “You were here? Why didn’t you come in and have some bittering tea then?” Sanmir asked.

  “I was attacked by a Drasmyd Duil, don’t you remember? You rubbed yellow mud all over my chest.”

  Sanmir’s expression went blank. “I did?”

  “I don’t believe you,” Devyn said frustrated. “I was here; you brought me here after you got rid of the Shadow Lurker.”

  “I am sorry, Devyn, but I never left the shop last night.”

  “What’s all this Drasmyd Duil business?” Rennon asked. “What in Fawlsbane’s beard is a Drasmyd Duil?”

  Sanmir handed the bag and tin to Rennon with a stern look. “It’s a creation of a madman, and a ruthless, vile wielder called Toborne. It lived during the War of the Oracle. He turned his gaze back at Devyn. “You must have had a nightmare.”

  For a moment Devyn was confused. It did seem distant like a dream. The details slipped from his mind as if he had heard Sanmir talking to Lady Shey with his head submerged under water.

  “Nice try, Sanmir, but I remember.”

  Sanmir sighed. “You have a remarkable mind, my boy. That salve should have made you forget. You should forget. Lady Shey will protect you and make sure nothing else comes for you. in fact, ask her about it when you get the chance. Tell her I told you to talk to her.”

  Devyn stood staring into Sanmir’s face. “Aye, I will. Thank you, Sanmir.”

  “For what? It is my duty.”

  “Not only for the treatment but for the truth.”

  Sanmir nodded. “For all the good it will do you.”

  “Let’s go,” Rennon said. “You can tell me all about what happened over some breakfast.”

  Devyn blinked and then nodded, and the two boys left Sanmir’s shop for the inn.

  Sanmir watched as the boys left down the street. He clasped his hands together and shifted his eyes when he heard the sound of rustling from behind him. “Ah, there you are. I see you found the rear door I left open for you. Thank you for sending him away. Will you tell him what he wants to know?”

  “Naturally,” a feminine voice said. “In due time.”

  “I suppose you know that you can’t keep him in the dark long, Shey. He already senses something is not quite right.”

  “I would be disappointed if he didn’t,” Lady Shey said as she stepped out from behind a shelf of dark-colored bottles and jars.

  “And what if he realizes you have just befuddled his memory? What will you do then?”

  “Eh,” Lady Shey shrugged, “I doubt he’ll ever realize it. He is still naïve about such things. Sylvalora says he is definitely the one we seek. If she is right, why not let him remain innocent a while longer.”

  “And what of Rennon, what does Sylvalora say about him?”

  Lady Shey grinned. “Your apprentice has his place. You have done a fine job with him.”

  Sanmir lowered his head. “I have watched these boys grow from womb to fine young men. I think I should come along to Symbor as well.”

  “No, my old friend, as we discussed last night, you are better to remain here for the time being. Don’t forget the reason Ianthill sent you here.”

  Sanmir feigned a weak smile and nodded. “Oh, you’re right of course. I have taught Rennon all I know of potions and cures; I would trust him to take over this very shop if need be. I just wish Ianthill would have chosen another; I have a tendency to grow too fond of my students.”

  “Actually, that is precisely the reason Ianthill choose you,” Lady Shey reminded him.

  Sanmir’s left eyebrow shot up. “I fail to see the advantage in emotional attachment. It causes doubt and worry. I am not the boy’s father, and I can’t always be around to lend help.”

  “I disagree. Your teachings are precious to Rennon. You have given him the sense of purpose he sorely needed. You are with him in your teachings if not in spirit.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. I am very fond of the boy.”

  Lady Shey smiled. “Of course.”

  Sanmir faced Lady Shey. “I am aware of the Drasmyd Duil’s ability to disguise itself, my lady. Who did it appear as this time?”

  “I can’t be sure, but I think it traveled here under the guise of Fadral the Peddler.”

  “You suspected him and did nothing?” Sanmir asked with shock.

  “They have mastered their craft over the years it seems. If it was under the guise of Fadral, its illusion was near flawless, not like the Drasmyd Duil of old. There was no stench to give it away.” Lady Shey looked at Sanmir uneasily. “It was very convincing, right down to Fadral’s unusual personality.”

  Sanmir nodded. “Remarkable, it looks as if you have your work cut out for you.” Sanmir looked at the position of the sun. “You best be going, my lady. You will be missed at breakfast.”

  “Aye, you are right. Just remember what I have told you, and make sure you are prepared when the time comes.”

  “I will; now go on,” Sanmir said.

  Chapter 4: The Southern Road

  Stableman Durn had already hitched the team and made the enclosed red merchants wagon ready for travel by the time Devyn arrived at the stable. Rennon inspected the harnesses and then stowed his pack on the wagon. He usually asked to handle the reins, and Devyn planned to let him drive the whole way if only to avoid the constant badgering. Rennon looked up after stowing his pack and smiled thinly at Devyn.

  “I am ready here,” he said. “I was wondering, Devyn, did you plan to take the reins this trip?”

  “No, Rennon, I thought I would leave that task to you.”

  Rennon had a look of satisfaction. “I will take my place on the wagon then.” Devyn nodded and glanced around. “Any sign of the others yet?”

  “No, but I expect they will be coming along soon,” Rennon said as he climbed onto the wagon.

  Lady Shey, Rodraq, and the elf maiden appeared just after the sun topped the Jagged Mountains. Dellah Adair prepared breakfast for them while the stable hands saddled three mounts for the guards. Rodraq and his men were to ride disguised as merchant hands as ordered by Lady Shey. Kelle and Vesperin appeared soon after and began to load the provisions. Nervously, Rennon stepped down to once again inspect the team and check the horses’ shoes. Rennon’s black hair fell down in front of his olive face, and he pushed it aside each time he inspected a horse. Devyn noticed Rennon brushing the hair aside repeatedly. “Rennon, when are you going to let Sanmir cut that hair?”

  “Why? it defines my character,” Rennon said.

  “What character? You look like a young maiden!” Devyn said, and he smiled when he heard Kelle snicker from behind the wagon.

  “I will tie it back. Perhaps someday I will get it trimmed.”

  “Let’s hope that day comes sooner than later,” Devyn said. Rennon grinned and shook his head.

  Lourn came out of the inn from the side door with two coin pouches, which he handed to Devyn. “Here is the gold needed for the ale. Since Lady Shey and her maiden are going along with you, I am sending Kelle along as well to purchase the dry goods I need.” Lourn held his hand up to stop Devyn from interrupting. “I know you can shop for dry goods, but Kelle knows paprika from oregano, and I doubt you would care to visit all the shops for the best price the same way she would. Lady Shey insisted that Kelle come along anyway since many of the shop owners know her face from the many trips with your mother and me. Lady Shey does not want to rouse attention while she is there on business, and I don’t blame her.”

  “If you insist.” Devyn said. “I have no problem with Kelle coming a
long with us. I need to talk to her anyway.”

  “Good, Devyn.” Lourn kissed his son on the forehead. “Do be careful, son.”

  “I will, Father,” Devyn replied.

  “Now, go and kiss your mother.”

  “Yes, Father,” Devyn obeyed.

  Devyn found his mother in the kitchen. She looked as if she had been up all night. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot, and her hair was unkempt.

  “Mother, did you not sleep last night?” Devyn asked, stopping his mother in mid stride.

  ”Oh, Devyn, no dear, I tossed and turned all night. I hate the thought of you going so far away. Anything could happen to you out on the road.”

  “I have gone to Symbor before and to places far more dangerous.”

  “And I worried the whole time you were gone those times too.” Dellah smiled and shook her head. “Don’t worry about me, my son, I will always worry when my child is so far away from home. It is the way of mothers.” She hugged him tightly, and Devyn was glad there was no one around to see. “Now, go and have a safe trip, son.”

  “I will, Mother. I promise to bring you some of that perfume you love so much from Symbor.”

  “Oh, Devyn, that would be lovely of you.” She mused. “Don’t go out of your way.”

  Devyn left the kitchen and discovered he was the only one not ready to leave.

  “It’s about that time,” Rennon told him. “I thought we were going to have to leave you.” He turned and shouted, “All ready to move out?”

  “Aye,” replied the two guards on horseback.

  “Move out!” Rennon commanded as he slightly snapped his reins. Devyn grabbed the side step rail bar, pulled himself aboard, and seated himself beside Rennon. Trendan galloped ahead, bow by his side and quiver on his back. The two disguised guards brought up the rear.

  As the party left the front gate of Brookhaven, the guard, Thaq, bowed and bade them good riding, and the party of merchants ventured out onto the open southern road to Symbor.

  For the rest of the day, events unfolded as expected. Devyn considered jumping down to gather some of the blooming wildflowers for Kelle but discarded the idea when he realized she would probably reject them since she was still mad at him. Kelle served lunch, and Rennon watered the horses. After he had eaten, Trendan busied himself with scouting out about a league or two ahead to clear any obstacles from the path and to watch for any suspicious travelers from Symbor. Kelle still kept her distance throughout lunch, and Devyn wondered how she could still be mad at him now that she was coming along on the trip. He vowed to ask her when the travelers stopped to make camp for the night.

  The evening sun had barely made its way across the western horizon, and the Jagged Mountains still loomed in the distance far behind them when Trendan spotted a suitable camp sight about two leagues farther. It was close enough to the road to afford them shelter under a nice gathering of budding trees and far enough from the road to hide them from passersby.

  As they entered the small clearing, they dismounted and began to make camp. Rennon unhitched the wagon team, and the horses began to graze on the tall green prairie grass from a nearby field.

  The camp setup went smoothly enough; Kelle and Shey built a small fire for cooking while Rodraq established a perimeter for night watch. Vesperin and the two guards pitched four cloth lean-to tents to sleep under: one for the women, one for Rodraq and the guards, and two for the boys.

  Kelle and Lady Shey prepared a beef and vegetable stew while the elf maiden made skillet biscuits. Devyn was surprised that Lady Shey was so eager to help. She did not act like any royalty he had ever seen or read about in stories. She moved with grace but also was not afraid to work.

  “Lady Shey?” Devyn asked after the party had eaten the hearty beef stew and biscuits.

  “Yes, Devyn?”

  “I know it isn’t proper to ask, but I was wondering, are you actually of noble birth?”

  “Nobility, Aye, I am.” Lady Shey looked at the elf maiden sitting beside her, and the two of them suddenly burst out into laughter.

  “Did I say something amusing?” Devyn asked, feeling a little foolish.

  She caught her breath and inhaled. “I suppose now is as good a time as any. I was once married to a nobleman,” she said, “I also come from noble lineage, one might say.” She paused to catch her breath again. “I was not raised as a noble if that’s what you are getting at.”

  “Aye, you are like no other noblewoman I have seen.”

  “And you have seen so many, no doubt.” She snickered.

  “It seems you have a devious nature about you, Lady Shey,” Rennon stated bluntly.

  “Oh, how so?” Lady Shey asked.

  “You are nobility but now pose as a merchant, and you poke fun at my friend. What other deceptions have you to tell us?”

  “The truth is that I am full of deceptions, a woman of contradictions and secrets, but your knowledge of my secrets might jeopardize centuries of planning. So keep to yourself, apothecary’s apprentice!”

  “Centuries?” Vesperin said surprised.

  Lady Shey winked. “Aye, cleric, centuries.”

  Rennon stood from his seat on a fallen log and tossed his empty plate and bowl into the cauldron of water Kelle had prepared for the dishes. “I will not sit here and listen to this nonsense. If the Enforcers were around to hear you speak this way, they would take all our heads. Filthy wielders, every one of you!” And he stormed out into the field.

  “You didn’t have to be so harsh to him.” Devyn said.

  A somber look replaced the amusement on Lady Shey’s face. “You would think after this long I would take this outlawing of magic more seriously, Sylvalora.”

  “I had hoped you would, Lady Shey. You have always had a quick tongue, dear, and sometimes it is quicker than your brain.” Sylvalora said.

  Lady Shey flinched like a child just scolded by her mother. A hush came over the camp.

  After Kelle and Lady Shey washed the dishes and put them away, Devyn found Kelle drying her hands near the wagon. He swallowed hard and approached her, hoping to make up. “Beautiful night out tonight,” he said.

  Kelle glanced up at the sky. “I suppose.”

  Devyn searched for a way to get back in Kelle’s good graces. “Look at the stars; they sure are clear and bright; how about taking a walk with me?” It was the best he could come up with.

  “It’s bedtime,” she answered without looking at him.

  “Are you sure? We could talk about how I made you angry and...”

  Devyn stopped cold as Kelle shot him an even angrier look. “Don’t start with me, Devyn Adair. If you still have not figured it out by now, you never will.” She handed him the drying cloth and stomped away. Reluctantly, he followed her until Sylvalora appeared from behind the wagon.

  “Let her go, lad.”

  Devyn leaned against the wagon and tossed the drying cloth over the rear wheel. “Am I that thick in the head? I have no idea why she is so angry.”

  Sylvalora chuckled. “Even the wisest men are confounded on such matters, especially the behavior of women. It is best if you let her come to you when she is ready. And when she does come to you, you must apologize even if you don’t understand why she is angry.”

  “If you say so,” Devyn said, his mind shifting to Sylvalora. “May I ask you a personal question?”

  Sylvalora sat down before him, patting the ground in a gesture for him to join her. “Come sit and we will talk.”

  He sat on the ground next to her.

  “Are you Arillian?”

  Sylvalora smiled gently. “Not exactly, but that’s close enough.”

  “Have you lived as long as the elves then? I do not mean to offend,” he added, “but Trendan is half-elven and he is forty-two years old. By elven standards, he is still considered young.”

  “Does all that really matter to you, Devyn?” Sylvalora asked, and Devyn wondered if his question had gone too far.

  “No, I guess n
ot. I was just curious.”

  Sylvalora’s tone softened even more as she spoke. “I am not older than the elves, although I am somewhat older than Lady Shey if you must know. In fact, I watched her grow from a child. I stayed with her while she apprenticed to Morgoran, and I was there at her wedding.”

  Devyn gasped. “Lady Shey is remarried? She was Morgoran Cleareyes’ apprentice!”

  Sylvalora laughed. “No, she has not remarried, and yes, she apprenticed to Morgoran. It was a long time ago before he became known as Cleareyes.”

  “Where is her husband?” Devyn asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

  Sylvalora’s expression became somber. “He was not a wielder nor was he an elf, and he passed from this world long ago.”

  “How long do wielders live?”

  Sylvalora shrugged. “As long as they want to. They do age, of course, although very slowly. The essence that fuels all things is timeless.”

  “Lady Shey couldn’t teach her husband to wield so he could live as long as her?”

  “Not everyone can touch the essence residing in all things, and fewer still can draw upon it to wield.” She shook her head. “No, Lady Shey’s husband could not be taught to wield.” Sylvalora put her hand on Devyn’s leg and smiled at him. “Enough questions.” She kissed Devyn lightly on the cheek, and afterward, she rubbed it in with her hand. Gradually she pulled herself up and strolled off toward her lean-to, leaving Devyn to contemplate her words.

  Devyn sat beside the wagon for a moment before deciding he was not tired despite his long day. He had too much to think about, and he wanted to talk to Vesperin or Rennon. After a quick search of the camp, he found Rennon sitting under a tall oak, gazing at the stars and smoking a long-stemmed clay pipe.

  “Rennon, there you are.”

  “Aye, here I am. You have found me,” Rennon said sarcastically.

  Devyn grimaced even though Rennon could not see him do so. “I have known you too long for Lady Shey’s comments to bother you like this. What’s the matter?”