Into the Fray: Volume 1 of The Sorcerers of Jhanvia Series (5 page)

“Yes, I’ll help,” she replied. A little lie meant to console.

Kaitra fell back onto her shoulder and Kidreyli held her tight.

The dim yellow light from above changed to a faint purple. As the magic of The Sharm descended upon them, they both fell gently back onto the bedroll asleep.

treamers of light from the early morning sun poured forth through the trees, illuminating particles of dust and tiny insects dancing in the cool, damp morning air. The morning birds chattered and sang among themselves as they carried out their day’s tasks. They always seem so cheerful. An occasional dragonfly would sail by looking for its next meal. Backlit by the sun, they appear other-worldly. The pungent smell of lilac was nearly overwhelming as it drifted down from a large outcropping growing wild at the top of the ridge. The Moon of Tria was high overhead. Even though it was only half-lit by the sun, its golden reflection tinted the tips of the trees and gave everything it touched a warm glow.

Kidreyli awoke when she sensed Tyral rolling in the dirt outside the Mutral. Inside, the dim golden light had returned. It took her a few moments to clear her mind from the effects of the spell cast by The Sharm. She started to stretch, but stopped short, realizing that Kaitra was still sleeping on her left shoulder. She would have preferred to let
her sleep, but the daylight might empower the Rutalans to renew their search for them. It would be harder to hide in the light. She gently stroked the young woman’s hair and said softly, “Kaitra….”

She jumped slightly as she awoke, and after a moment spent shaking off the sleep, she asked, “Where are we?”

“We’re in a Mutral on a ridge south of the temple. It’s safe for now, but we shouldn’t stay here long. How do you feel?”

Kaitra sat up and caught herself with her arm as she started to fall to her left. She took a breath and answered, “A little unsteady.”

“That can happen if you’ve never slept in a Mutral,” replied Kidreyli as she stood. “Your senses are cut off from all the energies and influences you experience on the outside, hence they have no point of reference. It can be very confusing to the mind, which is why they have a bad reputation. Give it a minute, you’ll be fine.” A little lie to cover the secrets of The Sharm.

Kaitra took a drink of water and sat for a few moments gathering her composure.

Kidreyli fastened on her sword and asked, “So, where do you want me to take you?”

“I cannot impose upon you further. You have done more than I can ever repay.”

The Valtyr stated firmly, “Those mercenaries may still be close. I won’t feel comfortable until I know you’re in a safe place.”

Kaitra realized she was right. She certainly did not have the energy to take on any new battles today, at least until the fuzziness in her brain was gone. She especially did not want to start an argument with the one who had just saved her, so she capitulated. “Alondra…I was headed for the village of Alondra. It’s about two miles east of the temple”

“Alondra it is. Shall we go?”

Kaitra gathered up the water flask and the temple sword and spun her way out of the opening in the Mutral that Kidreyli held open for her. The Valtyr followed just behind her with the rest of the supplies, emerging from the Mutral to find Tyral lying on the
ground, colored more brown than black from the dirt and dust she had been rolling in.

“Come, Tyral, we need to go,” Kidreyli commanded. The powerful mare just looked up at Kidreyli with her deep black eyes, exhibiting her staunch and determined independence. The horse exhaled a deep breath of disdain, causing some of the dust in front of her to become airborne. She did not need to follow anyone’s orders, for she could make her own way in the world. The sleek black horse had decided to sleep in, period.

Kidreyli turned half-way around to face Kaitra. “She has never been a morning horse. Sometimes I wonder why I keep her around.”

Kaitra smiled.

While the warrior had been talking, she had failed to notice that her horse had begun to rise. Kidreyli turned back toward her, “Now Tyral, we have to....”

At that moment the mighty horse stood up and shook herself, creating a formidable dust cloud that was carried by the breeze directly into the face of the Valtyr. Kaitra saw it coming and was able to move out of its path, but Kidreyli was totally inundated.

The warrior began to fly off in a fit of rage. “I am going….” She stopped short when she heard Kaitra laughing. Realizing how funny this must have looked, she began to laugh herself. She walked over and hugged Tyral, who was very proud of herself, and then firmly hit her horse on the neck with the flat of her hand, causing another puff of dust to become airborne. “I owe you one.”

Kaitra was still laughing, probably to offset the opposing emotions that still rattled her spirit. It was not
that
funny.

Kidreyli continued. “Okay, she got me. We really need to get going.” The warrior could not help smiling to herself while she fastened the belt of the saddle and lashed her supplies to the places they belonged.

Kaitra walked over to Tyral and petted her on the nose. “Thank you,” she said.

The mighty horse snorted in reply.

“She understands, you realize?” Kidreyli said.

“What?”

“She is sentient. She understands what you say.”

“Can she speak?” the young woman’s wide eyes betrayed her disbelief.

“Not as you and I. I can hear her thoughts and she can hear mine. I feel what she feels. It’s as if our minds are connected. The interesting thing is that she is in control of the link we have.”

“Where did she come from?”

“She’s been with me for several years. I’m not sure of her true origins.” Another little lie as the Valtyr finished preparing for travel, tethering the temple sword firmly to the saddle. A thought had entered her mind that maybe she was revealing too much.

“All right, let’s go,” said the warrior. “Let me help you up.”

Kaitra threw her leg out and over the back of Tyral with some help up from Kidreyli. Before the warrior could mount, the sorceress grabbed her hand, looking down upon her deep blue eyes. “Words cannot sufficiently express my gratitude to you for your efforts in saving me last night. Without you, I would surely be dead.” A tear started down Kaitra’s cheek as she continued, “With all of my heart, thank you.”

Kidreyli reached up and caught the tear as it fell. “Dear friend, it was an honor for me to be able to help.”

Their eyes met, transfixed on one another for but a few moments. They each experienced a glimpse into the true spirit of the other.

Kidreyli saw

A determined will, based partly on desire and partly on her rebellious nature …a deep sense of fear emanating from the perception of suddenly being totally alone in unfamiliar surroundings…an underlying lack of confidence resulting primarily from limited life experience …a heart longing for passionate, unrelenting love.

Kaitra saw

Fearlessness based on culture, training and experience…the pleasure felt as the blood of evildoers washes over her hands… an underlying sense that the life that had been thrust upon her at an early age was not her true destiny…the effort expended to mask a heart longing for passionate, unrelenting love.

Both of them would always remember this moment in time.

The warrior mounted behind Kaitra and Tyral trotted gracefully northeastward.

A short time later, Alondra became visible through the trees. The village was located on the edge of a large meadow. For the most part, tall green grass had been left to grow for grazing the animals. A small section had been carved out for the growing of vegetables. The village had several small, thatched-roof huts focused around a central open area, with several rustic wooden tables arranged around a large stone fire pit.

Kaitra recognized an older villager as he walked past the largest table. “I know that man. His name is Eirran. He’s one of the elders of the village.”

Tyral stopped as Kidreyli sat up tall in the saddle, remaining quiet, trying to listen and sense her surroundings.

The young sorceress interjected, “What are you waiting for?”

“Shhh...,” Kidreyli whispered as she heard in her mind that Tyral sensed no danger, but there was something…something strange she could not identify. “We must be very careful,” the warrior quietly explained as she dismounted. “We don’t want to do anything which might endanger us or the villagers.”

Kaitra was impatient, but remained quiet.

Kidreyli wrapped her arm around Tyral’s head and leaned against her. “What do you think?” she whispered.

Thoughts from without entered her mind. “It has been a long time since I felt this kind of energy. It’s feeding its surroundings, not like conventional magics that feed on their surroundings. I believe these people are Clannya.”

“This far south? That’s not possible,” whispered the warrior out loud.

“What’s not possible,” Kaitra asked quietly.

Kidreyli ignored the comment from the girl and focused on what Tyral was willing to impart. “We have both experienced this pattern of magic before. I am aware of no culture that can create this kind of energy other than the Clannya. I wonder if your companion knows the truth about them?”

“I sincerely doubt it,” Kidreyli replied softly.

“Doubt what?” the sorceress was feeling left out. “What are you two talking about?”

A thought entered the Valtyr’s mind. “You should probably keep this to yourself.”

“We were just assessing the situation,” replied the warrior. “We both feel it is safe to proceed.”

Kidreyli took the reins and led them out of the tree line and into the clearing. A little girl noticed their approach and ran over to Eirran, pointing toward the strangers. He was an elderly gentleman with a dusting of grey in his otherwise sandy-brown, shoulder-length hair and well-kept beard. He was of average build, but quite tall in stature, maybe six feet, four inches, and he sported the muscles and weathered appearance of one who had spent his life in an agricultural village. He wore a puffy white shirt tucked into brown leather pants and sported brown lace boots. His manner was calm and without fear, almost aloof.

Several of the villagers had perked up, taking notice of the approaching pair. A woman walked over and stood next to Eirran. She was slightly shorter that he with beautiful deep red hair streaked with a
few lines of gray that danced about her shoulders on the breeze. She wore a white shirt under a deep green dress that stopped at her ankles, cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt with silver ring ties, and she was attired in brown, lace-up leather boots. She leaned toward him and spoke just loud enough for Kidreyli to hear, “I believe that’s Kaitra.”

The two of them walked out to greet the approaching guests.

Kaitra let herself slide off the back of Tyral and ran into the arms of Eirran. “I am
so
glad to see you,” she said as she hugged him with all her strength.

“My lady, it is good to see you too,” he replied, a little surprised at the emphatic hug.

She released him and looked over to his companion. “Cliona…”

“Dear child,” the woman responded as the sorceress hugged her firmly.