A Quick Sun Rises (22 page)

Jack told them to wait still another hour, until the camp stragglers were finally close to a mile away before ordering the tents to be torched. Since it was impossible to get close enough now to ignite them with torches, archers were used with a volley of fire arrows to set the tombs ablaze. The fabric quickly ignited sending up clouds of flies and smoke as the remains were finally given some sort of dignity in burning that they’d been denied in burial. Jack watched the dark column of smoke rising in the air, a beacon to any nearby enemies and a mark of triumph for the perpetrators of the murders. It could not be helped though. In war it was often the least detrimental of two bad choices that was offered and had to be decided upon.

“Your highness,” Domis’ voice suddenly broke through Jack’s dark thoughts. “Your highness, something approaches.”

Jack followed his pointing finger that marked the two dots in the western sky that approached the small group. At first glimpse he was about to call the alarm but something held him fast as the shapes grew larger and clearer to his view. His immediate reaction had been dragons, but now he could tell that there size was nothing close to the monstrous serpents that had rained death down upon them from the skies. No, these were birds.

“They’ve returned!” Teek suddenly cried out and instantly all knew of whom he spoke.

All watched as the birds drew closer and then circled twice before making their final approach and setting down near the small crowd. Thane was the first to drop off of the great bird and was making his way toward Jack before any of the others had yet set foot on the ground.

“We have failed,” he said darkly. “We were unable to retrieve the arrow. They are a fallen people,” he spat vehemently.

Jack sighed but did not speak. Hope was quickly draining away as their situation continued to worsen.

“Begging your pardon, sir,” Teek asked, “but what good is one arrow against so many?”

Thane looked at the Waseeni boy who in age was no more than a cycle or two younger than himself though the rapid maturing process inherent in the Chufa made Thane appear many years his senior. “It is a special arrow that has the ability to pierce through metal and thus, in all probability, the hide of a dragon. We cannot take down such beasts with what we have now.”

Dor, Tam and Jne finally approached, Dor and Jne appearing somewhat nauseated from the ride.

“Can we not just forge another one like it?” Domis asked innocently. “With more than one dragon, we will need more than one arrow anyway won’t we?”

“One does not just forge such arrows,” Dor stated flatly.

“Then from where did it come?” Teek asked the obvious question.

Thane looked around at the eyes that were now locked on him expectantly as they waited to hear the answer. He hesitated, his knowledge almost as limited as there own concerning the arrow save for the small amount of Chufa lore that may or may not hold any truth. “It is said that they come from the heart of the YeiyeiloBaneesh tree.”

“Which our people destroyed over a thousand years ago,” Jack finished. “It is ironic that such a thing that our ancestors did would be the vehicle to bring about our utter destruction.”

“What were they like?” Domis asked continuing the questioning. Everyone seemed to move in closer as they waited for his answer. Even the guards found themselves taking some cautious steps forward so as to be certain to catch every word.

Thane shook his head. “None know any longer. That knowledge has been lost to time.” He suddenly took on a far away look as if seeing them in his mind. “But it is said that they were glorious, that they radiated light and peace. Nothing exists that could ever be compared to them.” Focusing again on the gathered crowd, his expression fell. “We will never know them again.”

All remained in silence, a pall of dark sadness overtaking each. “And what of the fire?” Thane asked, pointing to the remains of the tents that smoldered in ashen piles, wisps of smoke still rising with the wind and drifting away to the north. “They were an easy and welcome beacon to finding you but would also be the same for our enemy.”

Jack’s face was grave. “It was necessary.” Motioning to Dor, Tam and Jne as well he said, “Come and we will counsel together.”

Moving off away from the others Jack spoke in hushed tones so that his voice would not carry. “We were attacked in the night.”

“Attacked?” Thane asked, somewhat surprised that the enemy was not still upon them.

“Two merchant families were slaughtered in their sleep but by what no one knows. None heard a sound and there were no tracks to reveal the enemy. The victims were gutted, there innards gone,” Jack paused. “I suspect that they were eaten.”

“A dragon?” Jne asked.

Jack nodded his head. “That is what I suspect. I don’t know how anything else could have come into camp without being seen and then cause such a slaughter without so much as a whisper.”

“But dragons are so enormous,” Tam said. “How would one fit in a tent? Even a merchant sized one?”

“They can take HuMan form,” Thane answered.

“Which means there might be one in the camp among us,” Dor said putting voice to what everyone else was thinking but were not willing to speak as if to do so would turn it into reality.

“And how do we defend against such a threat?” Tam asked.

“We can’t,” Thane said bluntly.

“If there is such a creature among us,” Jne offered, “and this is the first that it has attacked, then it could be possible that it did so only because of hunger. It may not do so again for some days.”

“There is sense to your words,” Jack said. “And we can hope that they prove true. In the meantime we need to do all we can to flush it out, though I don’t know how one would accomplish such a thing. Right now what is of most import is to keep it quiet and among only ourselves and possibly a few others. Should such information reach the ears of the general camp it would only lead to chaos and a scattering of the people.”

“Like sheep,” Jne said.

“I’ve got it!” Teek suddenly yelled as he ran toward them. “I’ve got it! The trees! The trees! I know where they are!”

“What are you talking about boy?” Jack rumbled.

“I know where we can find some of those special trees!” he said excitedly.

“Impossible,” Thane said, “they were all destroyed.”

“No,” Teek countered. “I don’t think so. I remembered a story that old father Twee once told me, the one for whom I left my home to make an appeasing journey.”

“Yes,” Jack said absently reaching for the royal symbol that now hung from his neck. “I remember him well.”

“Right,” Teek continued. “He told me that once he had to pass through the Underwoods on an important mission for the king and that as they were deep within the forest they were attacked. All were killed but he was able to escape. It was then that he stumbled upon a small grove of trees like none he’d ever encountered before. They were off the path somewhere to the east, I think.” Teek’s face became serious as he tried to remember but then shook his head. “Anyway, he said that they cared for him and that they were just as Master Thane has described.”

“Could it really be?” Tam asked, caught up in the growing excitement that was suddenly running through them all. “Could there really be some of them left after all these years?”

Thane shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess it could be possible.”

“Even if they are,” Jne asked with a sudden slap of reality, “how will we find them, and if you do, how will you extract the arrows from them?”

Thane pointed to the two Rocs that preened themselves in the distance. “We will search from the skies. Once we’ve located them, then we can see about getting the arrows.”

“I hate to be the one to douse the fires of excitement,” Jack said, “but even if you do spot them from the air, the Underwoods forest is too thick and tangled to be able to land there and then retreat again.”

“Then it is of no hope,” Tam said, the sadness dripping from her voice. “Even if we searched from the ground, the forest is too great to ever discover a few trees at best.”

“No,” Teek pressed, the excitement suddenly rising in his voice. “No, I remember where he found them. I remember where he left the road and found them!”

“Where?” Thane and Jack asked in unison.

“It was just past a great thicket of blackberry bushes. Just beyond that and to the east, I’m certain of it.”

“That forest is probably full of such bushes,” Jne said flatly.

“No,” Teek still insisted. “No, I remember he spoke of it as something unusual. He did not mention any others either. And when he came out of the woods he was just east of Willow Wood.”

All suddenly fell silent, lost in their own thoughts of this new revelation and what it might possibly mean for their side. It was a long shot, everyone knew it, but it was also the only chance they had left.

“We must go,” Thane finally said.

“I agree,” added Dor. “There is no other option left to us.”

“The Aleron road is days from here,” Jack said, “it will be some trek to get there, find the trees and then return to us at Bedler’s Keep.”

“We can use the birds,” Tam offered. “They can get us there quickly and then wait for our return to carry us the rest of the way to the keep.”

“You speak as if you would go,” Thane said.

“We will,” Dor said before Tam could open her mouth. “Who better suited to find and unlock the mysteries of the YeiyeiloBaneesh than us?”

Thane nodded his agreement, no longer feeling the need or ability to try and convince his friends to do other than they pleased. They knew the risks as well as he, both having suffered more than he had. It was only proper, as Dor said, for them to go together.

“Then we fly again,” Jne said, her voice revealing her distaste of the idea.

“And we will go with you,” Teek offered, including Domis in his assertion. “I am the one who knows best the story,” he added quickly before anyone could counter him. “Plus, I tire of walking.”

“And Domis?” Jack asked, an eyebrow raised.

“I know it second best,” Domis replied with a smile.

Thane regarded to the two young friends and was reminded of himself and Dor in more innocent days. He wanted to deny them, knowing the dangers they faced were great and unknown but he also remembered the fire that once blazed in his belly to be out and doing; to be part of something grander than himself. Jack looked at him as if waiting for him to deny the request but was surprised when he finally said, “We leave at first light, be ready.”

Chapter Seventeen 

Thane stared at the flames that licked the air, feeding on the oxygen that gave them life. His mind had been racing since Teek’s revelation about the existence of the sacred trees that had been the life blood of the Chufa and would possibly be the salvation of all good races. He tried to keep his excitement in check, knowing that what they were planning to do was a desperate gamble at best, but one they could not afford to let pass. Though Teek acted confident that he could lead them to their destination, they still were dealing with secondhand information that might well have been the confused imaginings of an eccentric old mind. He wished he could speak once more with Gelfin and find out what secrets he knew about the matter.

Jne sat down next to him and offered him food from her plate. Though he was not hungry, he had learned long before that to reject an offering of food from a Tjal was more insulting than spitting in one’s face. Taking a large piece of roasted pork, he took to it immediately; not because he enjoyed it, but to show respect to its giver. He didn’t even like pork. Jne smiled, content with his enthusiasm and the honor he showed her. Her rarely seen smile alone was enough for him to choke down just about anything she offered.

Quickly finishing he turned to her and took a deep breath but she cut him off before he could let any words fall from his lips. “You will ask something of me that I will not like,” she said flatly. It was not even a question but a statement of complete confidence in her assumption.

He sighed and turned back to the fire. “Is it that obvious?”

Jne swallowed a piece of carrot and nodded. “You have become quiet and your sense of resolve and confidence wanes in your visage. It is not a very attractive look for you or any man.”

At first he wasn’t certain how to respond to such a comment but decided it was best to just present his opinion and have it over quickly. “I think you need to go back to your people and seek their help.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Though I would have you with me, whether I and the others succeed or fail we will still need all the swords we can muster. The Tjal are the greatest swordsmen having none to equal their skill. We will need them,” he paused and then corrected himself, “we will need our people if we hope to win this war.”

There was a long pause and he was beginning to think that she had not heard him. As he waited, he realized that he meant what he had said. The Tjal were his people now. No longer did he have the slightest desire to return and live with the Chufa as they were at that time. They were without honor or integrity. It was with the Tjal that he would make his home when all of this was over; with Jne.

“You honor me,” she suddenly whispered, the emotion escaping into her voice as she fought to contain it, “in requesting that I complete such a task. I too have thought of this but was not sure how you would react at my requesting to leave.”

“Why? You said you are no longer
Jinghar
,” he responded and then immediately regretted his words as he saw how they stung her. He still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that she stayed because she wanted to and not because she was duty bound. He was not used to such loyalty even though Dor and Tam had always given it. And he knew that it was not the same type of loyalty that kept her at his side. Before she could answer he quickly added, “I have dishonored you. Please forgive me or mete the punishment equal to my thoughtless words. I know why you remain with me. I desire your company for the same purpose.”

He waited, expecting the harsh words or physical pain he knew he deserved but suddenly Jne’s arms were around his neck and her lips were pressed against his cheek. “My honor is intact,” she finally said, releasing him. “I will depart immediately.” And without another word she was swallowed up in the night.

Thane suddenly felt both hot and cold. His body missed the parts where she had held him while his cheeks burned, the feeling of her lips still lingering in the spot where she had kissed him. The few others around the small fire kept their eyes straining on their plates of food or into the fire not daring to make a comment or interrupt the silence that had fallen. But had anyone spoken he would not have heard it. His eyes could not focus and his head spun to the point that he knew that to try and rise would be folly as he very likely would land in the fire pit itself. He wanted to chase after her so as to see her one last time in case she was serious about leaving that moment, but he still didn’t feel confident that his legs would hold him should he try to stand.

“Are you well?” a voiced asked him that sounded strangely familiar. He could make out the form of a person to his left, but his mind still refused to focus on anything other than Jne and the too quickly fleeting feeling her lips had left on his cheek. Were he able, he would have halted time and relished in that moment for eternity.

“Thane,” the voice interrupted again and then a hand was on his shoulder chasing away all signs of the moment from his mind and body. “You appear flushed. Are you ill?”

He turned his head, wanting to lash out angrily at whoever was crass enough to steal away such a cherished moment and was met by a pair of concerned dark eyes. It was Bren, one of the many healers that now canvassed the camp applying their healing arts to those in need. Kat was also with him smiling slightly as if she held onto a secret that she wished to spread to any who would listen. He had called for them, but not for healing. His intentions were just the opposite of those that brought relief to the sick or injured. He wanted them for war.

“Come,” he said as he rose to his feet. “Let us speak in more private quarters.”

Silently, the healers fell in behind him as he lead them a short distance to the privacy of his tent. Entering, he quickly called fire to the candle resting on a small box by the door. The tent was small, lacking any other furniture save for a small canvas bag and a mat on the floor for sleeping. He had never gotten used to sleeping in the raised soft beds of the HuMans. Moving to the center of the small room, he sat and motioned for his guests to do the same. When they were settled he spoke directly to his reason for calling them. “How comes your progress with pulling out water?” he asked.

Bren shrugged, looking at Kat as he did so. “We have yet to meet any real success though we continue to work at it as often as time will allow.”

Thane frowned. That was not the answer he had hoped for.

“It is strange,” Kat added. “Never has a skill been so difficult for any of us to learn and master. Even those whose first strength is the MarGua have been unsuccessful.”

Thane perked up some at her words. “So you have been teaching others then?”

Bren nodded. “Yes, but there seems to be some vital piece of information missing. It’s as if we were blocked from touching the water.”

He shook his head. “I have no other help to give. It is more of a feeling sense than it is a thought process. Other than what I have shown you already, I have nothing else to offer. I guess it will just take more time.”

Kat and Bren nodded. “And that is something that we don’t seem to have in much abundance,” Kat said with a sigh.

Thane nodded his agreement and then suddenly noticed that Jne’s belonging were gone. His heart seemed to slow in its beat; she had already left.

* * *

“I can’t believe he said yes!” Domis cried with excitement.

Teek smiled. “How could he not? I have the information he needs to be successful.”

Domis frowned at his friend’s words. “Are you certain you know where we are going and how to get there?”

Teek shrugged. “As certain as anybody,” he said.

Domis’ frown deepened. “You don’t sound very certain.”

“Listen,” Teek said putting the final shine to a pair of Jack’s boots. “I remember perfectly the story that old man Twee told me. As long as he told the story straight, then I should be able to get us pretty close to the right location.”

Domis bit at his lower lip. “I suddenly don’t feel so excited about this adventure any longer.”

“Don’t worry,” Teek insisted. “We’ll be with Thane. He’s got magic that he can probably use to find his own way without us. You saw how his eyes lit up when I told him the story. This is grand and we are going to be part of it.” Though his appetite for adventure had decreased greatly since the loss of his family and their people, Teek was becoming ever more depressed by the mundane existence they had been leading as King Jack’s stewards. Even Domis had made mention that he was tired of walking all day and that though he didn’t relish the fact that they were at war, he never thought it would be so boring. Now they had the opportunity to take part with those who were shaping history and the excitement of it was like adrenaline to their systems.

“Come. I have to check that the enemy has not left the city yet,” Teek offered. “Maybe Tchee will let you ride with us this time.”

Domis hesitated. “She doesn’t ever let me ride her,” he protested.

Teek didn’t give in. “Well, maybe she will today.”

* * *

The three friends met, as agreed, at Thane’s tent. None had slept well that night as their minds were constantly revolving around the possibility that after over a thousand years they may be the first Chufa to regain the sacred trees that were their ancestry. Tam stifled back a yawn and then adjusted her pack higher onto her back for comfort. Thane hefted his own bag and then with a quick word led them through the camp toward Jack’s tents. They were not the easiest to spot, being positioned well in the middle and lacking any outward sign that would indicate that they were anything other than regular tents as used by many in the company. Though Wess and Ranse had insisted on using formality when addressing and acting around Jack, they all knew that in times of war it was only commonsensical to keep the king’s position a mystery to the enemy. Especially now after they had been so blatantly attacked.

They found Jack questioning the guards stationed outside his tent, his ire evident by the look on his face and the slight tremor evident in the guard’s stances. Domis was at his side looking rather pale like he might be sick if he had not been already.

“And you are certain he did not return?” Jack demanded.

“Yes, milord, I am certain,” the guard answered quickly trying to maintain his composure. “I have been at this post this whole night and none have come or gone since I got here.”

“What is going on?” Thane asked.

Jack pulled at his beard. “He’s gone,” he snapped back. “Left in the afternoon yesterday to check on Zadok’s army and hasn’t been seen since.”

“Teek?” Tam asked, the concern obvious in her voice.

“It’s my fault, Master Thane,” Domis suddenly interjected, his lower lip quivering as he fought to hold back the tears. “He said he needed to check the enemy’s progress one last time before we left. He asked me to go but I said no because she never lets me ride anyway and I didn’t feel like watching from the ground. I should have gone with him. Do you think he’s hurt?”

Thane took it all in and felt bad that his concern was not really on whether the Waseeni boy was well or not but on the fact that his only hope in finding the lost YeiyeiloBaneesh trees was now missing. “Are you certain he was only going to ride the roc?” he shot at the boy.

Domis nodded.

“He didn’t say anything else about going somewhere different?”

Domis shook his head, his control over his emotions quickly waning. “Do you think he’s dead like that merchant family?” Domis asked to the surprise of all present.

Jack was beside himself. “How do you know about that?” he demanded.

Tam stepped forward and placed an arm around Domis’ shoulder while giving Jack a fiery glare. “Don’t worry,” she soothed. “I’m sure he’s just fine. I’m sure he just lost track of time and will be arriving anytime now.”

“Has there been a search?” Thane asked.

“As good as can be had in such a crowd,” Jack answered, recoiling some from Tam’s glower. “I sent Erl out early to search for him, but he has yet to return. If he can be tracked, then Erl will find him.”

Thane scratched his head; his thoughts no longer on the stable boy turned royal steward or the missing Waseeni. They hadn’t the time to sit and wait for a careless boy who went and got himself lost the night before the most important task of his life. But without Teek, how were they to find the correct path to the trees? A shadow passed over their heads drawing all eyes to the skies as the two rocs circled high above waiting for their passengers to clear the camp so they could finally be on their way. Thane turned his attention back onto Domis. “You said last night that you knew the way second only to Teek. Is that true?”

Domis hesitated. Originally he’d only made the comment so that he would be included but now that the success or failure of the mission might rest completely on him he wasn’t so sure he still wanted to hold to such a claim. Without thinking, he slowly nodded his head. “Yes, I suppose. I’ve heard him tell it some few times.”

“Good enough,” Thane decided. “We can wait for Teek no longer.” Looking at Jack he continued. “We must be away so as to return as quickly as possible or we will be of no help to you and the army. Zadok’s forces will certainly be leaving within the next day or two which leaves us very little time.”

“I agree,” Jack said still pulling his beard.