Into the Fray: Volume 1 of The Sorcerers of Jhanvia Series (7 page)

“The only thing that my royal heritage gave me was the opportunity to escape being a royal. When the moment presented where I was able to purge that curse from my life, I grabbed on with both hands and fled to this place. The social status of my parents and the power of their station have no influence on my life.”

“I understand. I will not speak of it again.”

“Good.” Kaitra gave herself a few moments to calm down. A bright smile came to her face. “Niko was exceptionally cute, wasn’t she?”

“Yes,” Kidreyli answered as she stretched her arms over her head, noticing the expression on her friend’s face. “Why are you smiling?”

“I’m just surprised at the gentle and caring way you handled the children today. From the stories I’ve heard about the Valtyr, I didn’t expect that.”

“All children are important. They carry with them the experiences and knowledge of the many previous lives they have led. You never know who they are or what they bring into this life until they are given a chance to freely express themselves.”

Kaitra was surprised at the depth of her answer and was not sure how to respond. She chose to not. She spread her arms to show her companion the clothing provided by Cliona and the other ladies of the village and asked, “What do you think?”

“You
are
beautiful,” the Valtyr answered.

Kaitra laughed and said, “Not me, the clothes.”

“They’re very nice.” Kidreyli was embarrassed. Second time today. People were really not her strong suit. She was
so
much more comfortable around trees and the Katrion.

“They gave me three complete outfits and a bag to carry them in.” The clothing consisted of a couple of leather pants, a cloth dress, three cloth shirts and a leather vest. They were well tailored. It was easy to tell that someone had paid great attention to detail. She continued, “Cliona had asked me to sit with her this afternoon. I think she‘s concerned that I’m not coping so well.”

“She might have a point,” mused the Valtyr as she stretched her shoulder muscles by pulling firmly on each arm in turn across her chest.

Kaitra bounced over, kissed Kidreyli on the cheek and headed for the door. “I’ll be back,” she said with a perky voice, and with that she was gone.

The warrior just sat there, a little stunned.

“You know where this is headed, don’t you?” were the thoughts that entered her mind. It was Tyral.

“She’s very nice,” Kidreyli said out loud with a smile.

Tyral’s tone was terse, “So was the niece of the Duchess of Munatri. We both know how that turned out,
don’t we
?”

The Valtyr conceded, “Yes, you had to carry me at a dead run for two days to escape her guards, but….”

Tyral interrupted, “And what was our agreement after that happened?”

“I know, I know…,” Kidreyli replied.

Her Katrion concluded, “That’s right. NO MORE ROYALS! You know they will only cause pain and suffering, and as it turns out, I always seem to be the one that bears the brunt of the repercussions of your desires.”

“If you reach into her spirit a little, I think you might be surprised to find she has, in fact, evolved beyond that life. Both Eirran and I believe it so.”

“I hope you are right, for both our sakes.”

Kidreyli requested, “Could you get out of my head for a while? This is the best opportunity I’ve had in a long time to get a solid afternoon nap.”

Tyral replied, “Very well. Don’t be concerned about me, I’ll just be out here eating grass and swatting flies with my tail.”

Kidreyli laughed quietly to herself as she stood and walked outside, taking a seat on her newly favorite bench. She leaned back against the hut, and within moments, she was sailing in the realm of the unconscious.

he evening feast was something to behold. The largest table away from the fire pit held three platters of freshly cooked meats as the main course, meats culled from the surrounding forest just this day. Several plates of root crops, vegetables and fruit were interspersed with the platters of steaming meat. Fresh herbs growing in their containers were at the end of the table. A large bowl of breads and rolls were available for the taking. The spread was far more than enough food for the villagers and their guests. Torches had been lit and were placed around to provide plenty of light. The fire pit was well involved, providing pleasant warmth on this cool evening. Most of the villagers had already taken their places when Kidreyli and Kaitra arrived. The air was filled with laughter and conversation as another successful day was celebrated.

Eirran addressed the assembled. “My friends, we gather here this evening in celebration of our bountiful harvest, and to welcome two good friends.” He held up his cup of mead. “Long life and good fortune to you both.”

“And to all of you,” Kaitra replied.

Kidreyli smiled and nodded to him. She nearly responded to him in their language, as she had done so many times in her life when addressing the Clannya, but she thought better of it. Their respective cultures did have a mutual understanding regarding anonymity with outsiders, after all.

“Please, ladies, partake of our bounty and come sit over here with us,” offered Eirran.

The girls each grabbed a wooden platter and loaded on some food. Kaitra took note of the warrior’s overly generous portions and remarked, “Rather a lot, don’t you think?”

Kidreyli looked at her defiantly. “I’ve hardly eaten anything all day, unlike
you
, who earlier ate a table full of food.” A moment of pause, then, “Why am I answering to you? You’re not my mother.” She took her platter and grabbed a tankard of mead on her way to the table.

Kaitra laughed to herself. Her friend did not like to be teased. She would have to break her of that. She snapped up a small bread roll, opted for a non-alcoholic beverage and took a seat across the table from the warrior, who had already started eating.

“Try the mead,” Eirran encouraged. “Cliona makes it rarely, only for special occasions.”

Kidreyli smiled and took a swig that was a bit larger than those who were watching had expected. She was a warrior after all. She had partaken of more than her share of drink during her travels. The shortest of moments passed when all was well, then, the mead did what mead does. Her eyes got large as she took a deep breath.

“Good?” asked Eirran with a devious smile.

She could barely get out a breathy, “Yeah.”

All at the table laughed a little.

“It’s very smooth, but robust,” explained Eirran half-laughingly. “The strongest have been brought to their knees by it.”

Kidreyli ate a chunk of bread to help calm the effects. It was very good mead.

The villagers and their guests ate their meals in the warm firelight and floated a myriad of discussions, interspersed with occasional laughter, on the evening air. Kaitra mostly watched the goings-on, surprised a bit by the closeness of this tiny community. There was a sense of security and well-being that exuded from this place, none like she had ever felt.

Eirran noticed that Kaitra had only eaten a small portion of the food in front of her, so he asked, “My lady, is the food not to your liking?”

“It’s very good,” she replied sullenly. “I had a large meal earlier. I’m very tired. Would you mind if I retired for the evening?”

“Not at all,” he replied. “Is there anything you need?”

“Please, you have all done enough,” she replied as she stood. “I will be fine.” Kidreyli began to stand as if to attend, and the sorceress raised her hand to her, “Stay, please. Enjoy the evening.”

The warrior realized that conceding to her wishes was the better part of valor.

As Kaitra walked away into the relative darkness, Eirran stated, “Her healing from these events will be a long and difficult road. It is good that you will be with her.”

“I will be leaving tomorrow,” Kidreyli replied.

Eirran smiled and speared a small fruit with his knife. “So you have said. Didn’t you commit to tell a story to our children?”

“Of course, whenever you’re ready.”

Eirran motioned toward the table top. “Please sit up here.” He continued, addressing the villagers, “Everyone, our children have, shall we say,
requested
that Kidreyli tell them a story of her adventures. Gather ‘round if you wish to listen.”

The children could not contain their excitement as they rushed to sit on the ground as close to the table as possible. Most of the older villagers elected to stay as well. Some of the adolescents, however, chose to take the opportunity to pair off and be by themselves. Cliona came over a leaned on Eirran, who put his arm around her as Kidreyli grabbed another tankard of mead and began her story.

Cliona whispered to Eirran, “You know Kaitra is leaving?”

He confirmed, “Yes.”

“We could extend our wards around her.”

“She will be all right. You’re such a worrier,” he smiled and kissed her on the lips.

Kaitra moved slowly through the field behind the huts, a little unsure of herself. She called out softly, “Tyral? Are you out here?” There was no response. She continued on. It was rather hard to see, as the field was lit only by the stars and moon above, and her eyes had not fully adapted to the dark. She thought she could see a horse near the tree line standing alone. “Tyral, is that you?”

“Yes,” was the answer that flooded her mind.

“Oh my!” she exclaimed softly as the force of the Katrion’s thoughts caused her to take a step back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t expect that.”

“I understand,” replied Tyral telepathically. “Everyone reacts the same way the first time our minds touch.”

“I was wondering if you would grant me a huge favor,” the sorceress posed.

“What would that be?”

“Could you please take me to the temple?”

“Now?” Tyral was surprised.

“Yes,” Kaitra was adamant.

“I don’t know. I should speak to Kidreyli first.” Tyral was hesitant because of concern for her safety.

“No, please. Don’t tell her about this, ever.”

It was quiet for a few moments.

“Please, Tyral. I must do this.”

Again, a few moments of quiet, and then she conceded, “All right, get on.”

She jumped high and scrambled up on the Katrion’s back, holding tightly to her mane as the horse quietly headed away from the village. As they approached the opposing tree line, Tyral stepped up the pace.

To her surprise, Kaitra felt a great energy pass over her, as if someone had violently pulled a bed sheet off her. “What was that?”

“We’ve just passed through the defensive wards of the village,” the sorceress heard in her mind.

“I’ve never felt anything like that.”

“Not surprising. Hold on tight,” Tyral recommended as she stepped up the pace to a full gallop.

It was not long before they reached the temple grounds. It was dark in places that should be light, illuminated only by the Moon of Talera that quietly passed above. Only the insects and the frogs could be heard this night. A cold shiver touched her neck and shoulders. It was truly eerie. She slipped off the Katrion’s back and patted her gently on the neck.

“Be careful,” Tyral cautioned.

Kaitra needed to see the temple one last time. The events of the previous night had been playing over and over in her mind to the point of confusion, and she was hoping that being here once more might provide some comfort. She went in through the front entrance, carefully stepping over the broken and charred remnants of what used to be the main doorway. The memories of this place carried her down the darkened hallway for several steps until she reached the inner sanctum that was open to the night sky. Blood stains were everywhere. She took a good look around. The floor above, where everything that was constructed of wood had been burned away. Only the stone structure darkened by smoke remained. She placed her hand over her mouth in despair over the completeness of the destruction. A lone tear slowly crept its way down her left cheek.