Finding The Soul Bridge (The Soul Fire Saga Book 1) (11 page)

Thist rolled around in absolute bliss hugging armfuls of gold and treasure when an apparition appeared, hovering in the air. Thist tried to stand and straighten himself but he stumbled in the treasure and fell. He tried to right himself but he fell over again and again, it was becoming tiresome. His feet could find no purchase. He was out of breath as he stumbled and fell, knocking his face then his head, the gold was cold on his skin and it started to hurt. The crystals started to cut him and bruises started to manifest. A feeling of panic swooped over him. “Who are you?” he wailed.

“I am the keeper.”
answered the voice.

Thist stopped struggling as he realized that he was dreaming. “Am I awake in my dreams?”

“Beware what you wish for.” said the keeper.

“It must be the tea, are you real?
”

“I am one of your voices.”

“Are you a fallen soul?”

“Yes.”

“Is this treasure real?”

“If it was, would you really want it?”

“Who would not want all this treasure?”

“This is the treasure of grief, like most worldly treasures, that which was come by evil is lost in despair.”

“All of this?” asked Thist.

As he stood up and took in the vastness of the mountain.

All worldly treasure is fleeting, it is not the money or even the things that money can buy that can make a person happy. True happiness is in the people we love.

Thist wet himself in his sleep.

22

The air was cold but fresh, the sun beat through the open window.

“That is strange.” thought Kelvin.

The old man had always insisted that the doors and windows be closed all the time. Now all the doors and windows were open and the old man was nowhere to be seen. Kelvin remembered while the old man was ranting about closed doors he would mumble “Warm is for sleeping, cold is for waking.”

“Jem, get up!” said Kelvin.

Jem awoke. He sat up and rubbed his face, took a deep breath, stood up and stretched. “I was disorientated for a moment. I haven’t slept that well since we left home.”

“The old man must have spiked our night cap with something.” said Kelvin. “Do you also have a strange taste in your mouth?”

“Yes.” Jem clapped his lips and scrounged his face.

“Let’s get Thist.” Kelvin lunged to the chair where Thist had opted to slump for the night, staring at the window. Thist was not there.

Jem and Kelvin exchanged glances and made a quick sweep of the hut and headed out. Thist had become notorious for disappearing in caves and bushes without warning or trace, leading to a frantic search and often false alarm.

Thist was outside, naked under a bush shower. The water this high up on the mountain was ice cold and Thist seemed to be revelling in it. He was singing as he let the water hit his face and cascade over him, his wet clothes were draped over a branch.

“You guys should try this, it’s the most refreshing thing, the water isn’t even that cold, its. …you should feel it.”

Kelvin and Thist looked at each other and Kelvin turned to go back inside.

Jem shouted at Thist over the sound of the shower. “Finish up, I’m coming in!”

Thist stepped out of the makeshift shower area and grabbed a towel that he had left for himself.

“I feel so refreshed this morning, hungry but energized. There is something about this place; the air, the water, I don’t know what, but something.”

Jem had stripped and was bracing for the chilly bite of the mountain water, but there was no bite.

“Oh! That feels good.” said Jem. “Tell Kelvin to come out here and shower, no one should miss out on this.”

His words were hardly spoken when Kelvin came out of the hut with two more towels.

“Good thinking man.” said Jem. “But you will have to wait your turn, this water is awesome.”

“I found a note on the table.” said Kelvin. “Our dear friend the old man wishes us well on our journey and will not be back before tomorrow. And he left instructions on how to travel to get to the next town.”

At the bottom of the note was a pearl of wisdom from the old man.
“Journeys inspire, destinations despair.”

“Wow.” said Thist. “What an odd old man. Did he say anything else?”

“Yes.” said Kelvin. “He insists that we be gone from his hut before he gets back.

Jem nodded and grabbed a towel, “Very odd old man, a town would be great, a tavern would be even better.”

Kelvin was in the bush shower, “Oh my, this water is warm, how strange! I’m sure it feeds from the hot spring.”

“Why didn’t we shower yesterday?” asked Jem.

“It was howling with rain, remember?” said Thist.

“Didn’t stop me.” said Kelvin from inside the bush shower.

23

The boys had set out on what they thought would be an easy leg on their journey to Fineburg. The instructions in the old man’s note had said, “Climb up the mountain to the top. Cross over the peak then follow the high cliff to the end. Head for the river where it is at its widest. Follow the road west.”

Jem had just shook his head and remarked. “There was something very strange about that old man.”

Thist and Kelvin had exchanged glances of knowing. Kelvin knew he was more than just an old man and Thist had contemplated his dream of Skyla. He had accepted that the old man was a shaman. He didn’t tell the other guys about what he knew about the old man or the dreams or the diamonds. 

“You seem more lively and energetic this morning Thist.” said Jem.

“It was a hell of a shower wasn’t it?” Thist plodded a steady rhythm up the hill.  There was hardly a path to speak of and the stones on the mountain were loose, making a foot journey a real chore.

Thist wheezed, “What do you think the old man meant by;
Journeys inspire, destinations despair?
”
said Thist.

The air was becoming thin and the cold of the morning wasn’t helping with breathability. Kelvin stopped a little ahead. “I think he means that we should find joy in the journey that we take and not get our hopes too high for where we are going.”

“Well,” panted Jem, “we have had fun so far, but climbing a tall mountain with a stunning view is kind of pointless in this fog. It’s all about the destination if you can’t see anything along the way.”

The fog was so thick that you could only know how to get to the top of the mountain by aiming up. When the boys spoke to each other, their voices didn’t carry well and there were no echoes. Even their footfalls were quieter. They stopped for a while to drink water and catch their breath. Their faces were wet from the fog on the mountain. The vegetation was sparse and they hadn’t seen or heard any animals. They couldn’t see farther than a few steps anyway and it was possible that they were surrounded by predators. They shouldered their bags and kept walking in silence while trying to concentrate on breathing.

Kelvin was the first to walk through the top of the fog bank. “Wow!” He exclaimed “What an amazing sight!”

The boys were just several steps apart but to catch up when you were so out of breath was a challenge. Jem came through next and exclaimed even louder. “Wow!”

Thist brought up the rear, taking a step then two breaths, then a step then two breaths. His face flushed, he stopped next to Jem and Kelvin and first looked up to the top of the mountain and then back the way they had come. Thist’s eyes grew wide with wonder, “Wow!” said Thist.

He stared over a bank of clouds that covered the whole world as far as they could see. The top of the mountain was like an island in an ocean of roiling clouds. It looked like a stormy ocean with crashing waves and high swell but all the water was like soft white koomkoomy, a sweet treat that Jem’s mother had made at the village festival.

Jem felt homesick. “I miss my mother’s koomkoomy”

“This is the most amazing thing that I have ever seen.” said Thist “I’m going to start an ‘awesome collection’ and this is my new ‘favourite thing.’”

Jem frowned at Thist. “What is an ‘awesome collection’?”

Thist chuckled. “You know? A collection of things that I like.”

Kelvin grinned, “We have to go, the air is thin here and I am starting to get a headache,”

“I agree,” said Jem “the peak is only a short way to go, then we can go down again, hopefully.”

Thist heard a familiar voice.
“Hurry!”
It called. It was Skyla’s voice.

“Let’s pick up the pace guys.” said Thist.

The encouragement seemed to help. The trio put their backs into the climb and made the summit in short time as they gasped for breath in the thin air.

The other side of the mountain was also rugged, with loose pebbles and barren of life. They couldn’t see very far down as the clouds were still thick and low but there did seem to be a clear path of disturbed rocks and pebbles. As they started down they soon found that it was easier to toboggan the distance of two steps and then skip.

“Careful,” reminded Kelvin, “an injury here could ruin a beautiful journey.”

Jem looked back the way they had come, “We’re making good time, it’s not even midday yet.”

They had covered a good distance down the mountain. The fog clouds started to dissipate in the hot sun and the view down was becoming clearer. Only a few wisps of cloud clung to the mountain side.

Kelvin was leading, “Whoa!” he shouted. The other two boys slowed to a crawl and joined him where he stood. A long winded echo returned “Wh-oa-oa-oa!”

Just like that the sounds had changed from quiet mountain-top to echoing cliff-and-crevice.

“We are at the edge of a cliff again.” said Kelvin.

Thist pointed at the edge of the high cliff, “We should follow that, remember?” recalling the old man’s instructions.

A fresh warm breeze wafted up from the bottom of the cliff, followed by a brief stench of rotting eggs.

“Sorry.” said Thist. “It must be that stuff we ate.”

The other two shot him a disgusted glance. They started to negotiate the edge of the cliff. “I don’t think we got all the way down the mountain.” said Kelvin. “I just think we are crossing over to the next mountain.”

The last fog lifted and was all gone. “Oh wow!” exclaimed the one after the other, “Now that is a sight to behold.” said Thist.

“Well that is what’s making the smell.” said Kelvin.

A stream of lava poured out of the side of the opposite cliff and cascaded like a waterfall into a pool of white hot lava at the bottom of the crevice.

“Now that is cool.” said Jem.

It appeared as if they would walk along the cliff for only a brief while before they were out of sight of the volcanic vent and none of the boys were in a hurry to leave such a majestic and powerful place just yet. “Let’s have brunch right here right now.” demanded Thist.

The other two boys un-shouldered their packs and sat down. They each took a chunk of beer-bread. Jem had sweetened the dough with hum and it tasted more like festival cake.

“I’m really starting to miss the girls back home,” said Thist, “Tayah, Liea, Skylah and the others.”

Jem choked on a piece of bread, “Skylah? Who is Skylah?”

Thist flushed. “Oh, some girl I met somewhere, she was nice to me and I remembered her ever since.”

“Thist!” called Kelvin, “you’re hiding something, who is Skylah for real?”

Thist looked anxious for a while, “You guys are going to think I’m crazy, the shaman gave me some tea to help me cope with the voices.”

Jem choked again and spat out a piece of bread. “A shaman! The old man in the hut?”

“No, I mean yes, he told me not to tell you guys, I suck at keeping secrets. The old man is a shaman, there I said it.” Thist looked away in embarrassment.

Jem was clearly annoyed, “You should have told us, he could have harvested our eyes, haven’t you heard the stories?”

Kelvin laughed, “You know those are old wives’ tales made to scare naughty children into behaving. My mother used to threaten me with the big bad shaman with the black cloak, but I saw through it.”

Jem looked at Kelvin and then relaxed his shoulders, “Come on, a shaman? So what does this tea do? Have you tried it?”

“Yes,” said Thist, “twice. The second time I pissed in my pants in my sleep that’s why I took the shower and washed my clothes, I was wrecked.”

Kelvin held up his thumb in a counting gesture. “First, you can’t keep secrets, second…” Kelvin flipped up another finger, “…you have imaginary girlfriends…” he flipped up another finger “…third, you wet yourself while you sleep.”

“What’s the magic in the magic tea then?” giggled Jem.

“You guys are mocking me.” snorted Thist.

There was a long moment of silence. The boys looked at the lava flow pouring from the mountain side. The lava was hot and it was warming the area around them. The boys could feel the heat from the lava on their faces. Thist could feel more heat on his face.

Jem broke the awkward silence. “I’m sorry Thist, please go on. Tell us about this tea.”

“Each voice is a soul and each diamond that I carry has one of the souls trapped in it and the tea lets me communicate intimately with one at a time in my sleep… if I have had some of the tea, but it causes a deeper sleep.”

“That’s why he gave you the tea and the spoon then.” said Kelvin. “He is probably not that old, just disguised himself as a decrepit old man.”

Jem rubbed his fingers through his hair to pull it back over his head, “Do you think he is leading us on a fool’s errand going this way?”

“No,” said Kelvin abruptly, “He is a good man, let it go. I think he means very well with what he has done, but I think he has his own agenda. Finish up, let’s get moving.”

The volcanic vent was pretty but the heat and smell was becoming loathsome. The trio shouldered their packs once again and started off. The load was heavier as they were allowed to restock their provisions with fruit, berries, extra water and the parting gifts from the shaman. Kelvin had a great bow which he knew how to use but had no arrows for it and he was itching to use it. “If you see any arrow-like objects along the way just tell me, okay? I would like to get my eye in on this bow before we need it.”

“Sure thing Kelvin,” said Jem, “It would be nice to have a good look at those scrolls.”

“I want a tavern…” said Thist, “…with a nice young serving girl.”

“All in good time Thist.” answered Kelvin.

The boys were in a good mood. They were making good time on their journey. The fog was gone and the valley ahead had opened up its full majestic view. Large rolling mountains covered in lush forest with tall trees and a river running far in the distance. The area was vast and they descended the mountain from the barren volcanic pebbles to the edge of the forest. They could hear the sounds of the forest from afar, monkeys and baboons were calling, some howled while others screeched. The chatter and chirp of birds was a welcome change from the high mountain drudgery and the claustrophobia of the caddels.

It was still difficult at times to discern a path. It was becoming important for them to keep a good heading to avoid forester’s bain. The disease was said to cloud a man’s mind when he was surrounded by thickets and bush and caused him to walk in circles.

“It should be easy.” said Kelvin. “We head in that direction sticking to the side of the mountain where we have a bird’s eye view. Further on, we can dip down and follow one of the streams that lead to the river.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” said Jem.

The three boys hiked along the grassy outskirts of the forest for a long time. Thist picked some blades of grass from time to time to chew on, a habit that he had had as long as he could remember. Jem just plodded one foot after the next while humming a tune. Kelvin had picked up a few sticks which he fletched into arrows as he walked. No sooner had he fletched three good arrows when he raised his fist behind his ear to signal the others to stop and be quiet. He notched an arrow on the bow and let loose. The arrow sped through the air making a whistling sound. A flock of forest fowl startled and flew away.

“Did you get one?” called Jem.

“No.” said Kelvin. “I can’t believe I missed.”

“You have to charge the bow first.” said Thist.

Kelvin shot him a long stare. “What?” said Kelvin.

“Hold the bow tightly and call up its powers with the power of your own mind.” instructed Thist. “Do that old tree trunk over there.”

Kelvin had nothing to lose by trying. He notched another arrow, took aim and then concentrated. The bow felt like it was becoming lighter, then he let loose and missed again.

“Third time’s a charm.” said Thist.

Kelvin notched his last arrow, “Come on.” He said to himself, concentrating harder now. The long bow was hard to pull normally but this one felt easy to Kelvin. He drew back hard and breathed out all his air and then inhaled deeply and took aim. Another fowl took flight in front of him and he turned his aim to the bird and let loose. This time there was no whistling sound, just a thud, as the arrow struck heart. “Yes!” shouted Kelvin. “This bow is incredible!”

Kelvin picked up his kill and his second arrow and started to walk on whilst plucking the feathers, “This is going to be such a great supper tonight.” said Kelvin.

The boys had not had real meat for a while and a fat fowl was going to be a treat.

Jem panted as they walked, they had set a tough pace to keep. “When we get to the next town we really have to make a plan to get horses or a pack mule at least.” said Jem.

The road to Fineburg had not been traversed by people from their village in many years. Only the odd trader, travelling to North Bridge, would pass through their town. North Bridge was the farthest outpost that they knew about and walking it was a bad idea at best.

Kelvin slung his plucked fowl on a string tied to the foot and hung it from his pack. It swayed from left to right as he walked causing his pack to chafe a little. He didn’t mind this as it was an old hunter’s trick to keep the flies off the meat. The sun beat down on them and as the shadows became long Thist started to whine about his feet. “My feet hurt.”