Eliesmore blinked. Yamier and Wekin. The entire ship sang their praises.
“My squad?”
“Yes,” Skip rocked forward on her toes. “Yesterday during sword practice, Idrithar said we had to form squads of ten and stay together. He called it the backup system, always stay together.”
Eliesmore smirked. Always stay together. That was a new phrase from Idrithar, much kinder than the relentless: those who are lost stay lost. “A squad of ten? It would be best to pair strengths and weaknesses. So, no, Yamier and Wekin will not be in my squad. They are strong enough to lead a division of the army. Don’t you think? I leave you with a decision. You may choose who to follow.”
“I will always follow you,” Skip smiled, yet her eyes drifted past him as footsteps pounded across the deck.
“Idrithar, Eliesmore,” Optimistic shouted from the middle of the deck, waving both hands at them. “Visra is awake.”
A moment later the Jesnidrain walked out of the hold. She wore silver armor and carried her sword in hand, the blade gleaming in the dim light. She stomped across the deck toward Optimistic, grinning at him and running a hand down his arm. Placing a hand on her heart, she gave a mock bow in the direction of the foremast.
Eliesmore marched down the stairs toward them, Idrithar following.
“Visra,” he paused in front of her, scratching his neck, unsure what to say or do. Visra had never been his friend.
She licked her lips as she eyed him. “Look at you. You got big and tall. Impressive.” She poked him in the chest and grinned.
“Are you feeling better?” He stepped back suddenly feeling hot.
“Don’t concern yourself with my feelings. We have to go.”
“Go where?” Idrithar joined them, crossing his arms as he examined Visra.
“West to fight. Isn’t that why you came? I’ve been fighting and waiting for you and the army to arrive. You sure took your time,” she grunted in disgust.
Idrithar blew out his breath in frustration. “No one asked you to fight alone.”
“Alone? I wasn’t alone the entire time. You will find him on the shore. I will stand with him, so you do not kill him too.”
Idrithar cupped his hands over his mouth, “Prepare to go ashore.” He moved away, calling out orders.
“Visra,” Eliesmore bit his lip. There were certain questions he wanted to ask, certain answers he desired, yet all the same, he hated having to ask Visra. “Earlier you mentioned the Truth Tellers…did you speak with them? What did they say?”
“Oh, the Truth Tellers,” Visra put a hand over her heart and pulled a face. “I did not meet with them, that was Glashar. After Dathiem died…well…she was all boo hoo; no one loves me. I may have dropped a hint about the Truth Tellers, and she asked Ellagine to take her to them.”
“Oh Glashar, where did she go?” Optimistic asked.
“She did not say exactly,” Visra cocked her head to one side, thinking back. “She said she was going to search for the soul of her beloved and I’d never see her again.”
“We did not have the chance to say goodbye,” Optimistic whispered.
“It doesn’t matter, she and Ellagine were arguing the entire time, they were quite tiresome.”
“The Truth Tellers,” Eliesmore interrupted. “Ellagine knows where they are?”
Visra narrowed her eyes. “The Truth Tellers have always dwelt among the Iaen. The Green People know how to step across the barrier into the in-between and call them.”
Eliesmore’s head began to pound as the rage awoke inside of him, threads of it floating to the surface, ready to unleash itself. Black words floated around him, peeling themselves off the book and hurling into his mind. He could not unsee them. He could not forget.
The Truth Tellers were sent to the Four Worlds by the Creator. They alone know the past, present, and future, and if they share their knowledge, they can change the course of destiny. They offer truth in exchange for death. While they appear to the Treasure Hunters, the more powerful Green People possess a power which allows them to summer the Truth Tellers at will. However, there is always a price. The Truth Tellers are the only one who can stop our plan because they understand the depths of knowledge to a degree no mortal will every comprehend.
“Eliesmore, what’s wrong?” Visra laughed. “Your eyes look like they could kill me.”
“Where is she?” Eliesmore growled. “Where is Ellagine now?”
“In Shimla, where else would she be?” She sheathed her sword and spread her wings. “I have to go make contact, and I need some food to take with me.”
“Come with me,” Optimistic gestured back toward the hold. “We have plenty of food.”
“I want meat,” Visra listed out her demands as she followed him. “I want a nice juicy leg of lamb and a thick slab of bacon. I assume Wekin is on this ship and he brought bacon by the barrel. I need water skins, it’s hot out there, winter forgot to show up…”
They disappeared into the hold, and Eliesmore clenched his fists, trying to keep the rage from overcoming him. Ellagine knew the Truth Tellers. What else had she failed to tell him?
A figure cloaked in black stood on the shore with Visra. When he saw them approach he took off his hood and bowed his head. Eliesmore climbed out of the boat with Lythe who was keen to return to land. They sloshed through the shallow waters, following Idrithar to the shore. Optimistic, Yamier and Wekin waded behind them, silent for once.
Eliesmore paused in surprise when he saw the male was an Ezinck. His head was shaved close, and his face was square, yet it was his eyes, deep-set and intelligent, that made Eliesmore pause. The male Ezinck spread his hands, and his cloak fell back. Eliesmore saw his arms were covered in designs of black ink and he wore gold bracelets on his arms.
“Welcome. I have waited long for your presence. Let me introduce myself. I am Captain Elidar, formally a member of the Black Horse Lords and Ruler at the Black Steeds’ Fortress in the Torsilo Quarts. Eliesmore, it is a pleasure to meet again under different circumstances.”
“What do you mean?” Eliesmore inquired, taken aback by the gross assumption. “We have never met.”
He paused. “Ah. You must forgive me. In the Torture Chambers of the Torsilo Quarts. I set you free.”
Eliesmore glared. He took a deep breath and suddenly he was back again. A wave of fear swept over his heart as he recalled the torture rooms. The white pelt of a fox, a Cron, beaten to death, the barrels of stagnant water where he was drowned until his lungs breathed fire. A wave of nausea overcame him and a sudden anger as the darkness surfaced yet again. “You set me free? What about the others? I saw awful things there.”
“I could not save them all.”
“Because you are not willing to put your life at risk?”
“They were watching me. I barely escaped myself.”
“Excuses! How do you expect us to trust you after what you have done? They were innocent, and you destroyed them in the cruelest manner. Why should I spare your life?”
“I do not ask for anything. I did wrong. I do not ask forgiveness for my sins. I came out here to make amends.”
“Amends? There is no way for you to make amends unless you die a thousand horrible deaths.”
“It is likely I will. Where we are going there is nothing but death. I came to join you, to help.”
“You are one person, you cannot help.”
Visra stepped forward. “He fought with me though the winter. He kept both of us alive.”
“Until you went berserk and fought that battalion by yourself,” the Ezinck faced her, a concern coming over his face. “I thought you were dead.”
“Almost.” She grinned her old, wicked grin. “He saved me,” she pointed at Optimistic who blushed.
Eliesmore scowled. “This is life or death. This is not the time to sing the praises of each other.”
“No,” Visra interrupted running a finger across her throat. “It’s time to kill. But he has information.”
“I don’t trust him.”
“Eliesmore you’ve made your position clear,” Idrithar touched his shoulder moving closer to the male Ezinck. “Captain Elidar, I am Idrithar the Wise, and I lead this army. Along with Eliesmore,” he added as an afterthought. “Our comrade Zhane the Warrior has gone missing or else he would be here to welcome you. We have sent our scouts, but you have a perspective on the inner workings of the Black Steeds. Tell me, what do you know?”
He bowed. “If I may. The Dark Figure is here in Sidell. He moves.”
“She,” Eliesmore interrupted.
“Pardon?”
“She moves. The Dark Figure is female.”
“I see. The Dark Figure is in Sidell searching for more power. She moves between Sidell and Castle Range.”
“No, that’s not right,” this time Idrithar interrupted. “The Rain Warriors guard the castle. No one can enter or leave.”
A slight hint of annoyance passed over Captain Elidar’s face. He pursed his lips and folded his hands. “Perhaps. It is rumored there is a device which opens portals into other worlds. It was damaged, trapping the Changers in the South World some time ago. They say it is used to travel between Daygone, Sidell, and Castle Range.”
“Indeed.”
“If we trap the Dark Figure here…” he eyed the ships in disappointment. “It is likely she will escape to Castle Range, and we will need to go over the mountains to strike back. The countryside is swarming with woísts. They are waiting for you. They are ready.”
“Did you come here to terrify us or give us knowledge?” Eliesmore demanded.
“I came to tell you they know you are coming. They are watching.”
“How do you suggest we get through their defenses?” Idrithar steered the conversation back to a productive nature.
“Do you have a map?”
“Wekin? A map!”
Wekin stepped forward, unrolling a piece of parchment and handing it to Idrithar. His eyes moved back and forth, observing the odd conversation.
“If you have a large enough force, we can attack them on all sides, drawing their attention away from Sidell and keeping them distracted. With the fighting on all sides, we protect ourselves from being hit with the full brunt of their strength.”
“Interesting,” Idrithar nodded at him. “Please do join our ranks. I hesitate to disseminate our strategy with you, as you understand, you were once with our enemy, and now you fight for us. We appreciate your skills with the blade, and what knowledge you are willing to share, however, you cannot expect us to be quite as open and honest as you are.”
“Understood,” Captain Elidar bowed his head. “I do not wish for any leadership responsibilities, I have had enough. My desire is to fight, with the One and his army.”
“Welcome, then,” Idrithar spoke for them all.
Eliesmore stepped back. “The horses are coming. We will ride to Sidell.”
He turned to the shore where the army poured in, their numbers swelling as they marched across the land. Weapons were still sheathed, but Eliesmore could not help but think to himself what an impressive sight they made with their silver armor and green flags with the symbol of the White Steeds, a white horse rearing. The white horses followed them, running back and forth on the shore, grateful to be free from the rollicking of the waves and the cramped darkness and damp of the ships.
Zikes. Eliesmore called, hoping they had made landfall.
Eliesmore the Great, we hear and obey.
Scout the land to the north, we march toward Sidell. Scout the land to the north and let me know what you find.
Aye. Eliesmore the Great. We hear and obey.
They scurried off, a river of red moving toward Sidell.
Wekin and Yamier stood beside Eliesmore, watching the Zikes before turning their gaze back to the ships. “I’m going to miss sailing,” Wekin lamented. “After this, I’m going back out there to explore the wild seas.”
“And hunt for treasure,” Yamier added, adjusting the quiver on his back.
Skip and Bruthen joined them. “I’d like to go sailing again too,” Skip glanced at Yamier. “If we win.”
“Not if, when we win,” Wekin corrected her.
Flywinger trotted up to Eliesmore, nudging him. “Here we meet again,” Eliesmore stroked his neck. “Let’s ride. Lythe? Will you have trouble keeping up?”
“No, I am grateful for a run,” Lythe padded around Eliesmore, his liquid gold eyes wide in anticipation.
Eliesmore mounted up, Optimistic by his side as usual. He noticed Sir Regante and Wyndler join them. “We ride inland,” he called. “Follow me.”
Flywinger walked forward, leading them at an easy gait as he regained his footing. Before long they sped up into a canter, and the darkness hovered above them as Eliesmore and his army set forth to fight the Dark Figure.
72
Arldrine
Much later, when the war cries had faded, and the Tribe of Minas returned to their tents and the Therian to their caves to prepare to march, Zhane pulled Arldrine aside. They had returned with the Therian, since that was where Zhane belonged, and although no words had been spoken between them, due to the chaos and surprising turn of events, Arldrine held his hand, sure of him, and sure of herself.
“Zhane,” she whispered.
“Arldrine?” He waited for her to speak, his eyes meeting hers, calm, waiting.
“I found my people,” she told him, although it was plain to see.
There was a flicker in his eyes. “I am happy for you, but there is something else?”
“I thought I belonged with them.”
“What do you believe now?”
“For the first time, I am not sure. I know they need my help, but they are hardhearted, they don’t listen.”
Zhane gave a quick nod. “They are like the Therian. We go to Stronghold to fight, after that, should all go well, do you want to return to them?”
“At one time it seemed like the right thing to do, what I should do. Zhane, hear me out. The line of my people is falling. The Ezincks have been targeted; it’s only right to return to my people and help them carry forth our line." She stopped. She’d said too much. She lifted her chin, displaying strength, not weakness.
He was calm before her although a muscle twitched in his face. “I don’t care what’s right. Is that what you want? What does your heart desire?”
“It doesn’t matter. As long as there are Black Steeds in this world to fight against, what I want will always be secondary.”
“No. You are wrong. I will tell you why. Because when we set out to take back the world from the Black Steeds, we set out to bring hope to the people groups. We bring a future which is not focused solely on doing what’s right, although it must be taken into consideration. We want to save life, and life is not about following the rules and doing what’s right because someone else told you it is. It’s about finding your passion and hope and bringing that to the forefront. For when you can fully live the life you’ve always imagined, and you gain your true self, it is only then you can truly make an impact on those around you. Doing what is right is a rule. It does not bring you joy. It does not bring you happiness. Eventually, you will resent what you have denied yourself because you were following the way, and doing what you thought you should do. If you can experience true joy in your life, it will be easier to bring joy to others. You will find it within yourself to help others, and the bitterness will fade, and no cost will be too high. You have regained hope, do not lose it again, it is the only thing worth fighting for.”
She blinked, taking a step backward. “We do not have the luxury of thinking for ourselves. Remember, I told you, our lives were forfeit the moment we took up this quest.”
“No, the moment the Green Stone was dissolved, our lives were given back to us. We accomplished what we set out to do, and this is only the final step before we are cast into a life we must choose. This is not an easy path we walk. Regardless of the fall of the Black Stee
ds, there will be disharmony among the people groups. We must walk with them, teaching and advising, and if we do not stand united, if we do not find the hope within us, what good are we to stand before them and show them the way to light?
“Hear me out. I tell you this, Arldrine of Truemonix. I know what I want, and in saying this, I hear you. I understand your desire to help your people step into the new era coming to the South World. I understand the need to bring back the line of forest dwellers and restore them to their rightful place in Truemonix. I tell you this, the world we live in now is not the same as the world our ancestors dwelt in. Even as we restore the balance of good and evil, a change must take place within all of us. I have seen it, through visions, through my past and my knowledge. I tell you, Arldrine of Truemonix. You are strong. You are not afraid to walk paths unknown and ask tough questions. You are confident in your abilities, and you are a powerful warrior, but despite everything, you were not meant to be alone. You need me as I need you. The bond between us cannot be ignored. We are compatible in every way; we belong together. This isn’t about the world. It’s about you and I. I want us to stand, hand in hand, ushering in this new era. I want us to walk among the people groups, teaching them the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. I want us to be an example others will look to and uphold. We may be different, but our differences, our perspectives, make us a united front. You are not alone.
“You may assume you are the only one who can bring back the line of the Ezincks, but that’s not true. They escaped. They have begun, and you have brought them hope. Long have been the years I loved you and remained silent, thinking, if I spoke up, it would change your thinking. Yet, that is what I wish to do now. I tell you, we are not equals unless we are together. We were never meant to walk this world alone, and if you return to the Ezincks, you will be alone.” He held out his hand. “I am not forcing you, I’m asking you. You can do as your heart desires, but I know you, and I believe I know what your heart desires. Thus, I offer myself. Stay with me, let our paths intertwine from now until evermore. I am a Tider. You are an Ezinck. Tell me, Arldrine. What do you say?”
The Complete Four Worlds Series Page 132
