Order of The Rose: Forsaken Petal (18 page)

We killed the beast and burned it in the cave. On the way home the man that had been bitten began to get
ill and I knew that he had the sickness and would soon change. He was a father of three and his wife had died the year earlier. I wasn’t sure what would happen if I removed the sickness. But I knew if I didn’t do something, the man would eventually change and his kids would be without a father and a mother.” Caspin’s voice was hollow as he recounted the tale.

“
I laid my hands on him and removed the sickness… You see when a healer heals, part of what he heals has to be absorbed into his own body. There is always a sacrifice to be made to remind the healer of what has been given. The sickness was too powerful for me. I began to turn into the monster that we had just killed.” Caspin paused again looking off in the distance.

“
I prayed for many days, hoping that God would take this curse from me. After many days it became clear that I would be stuck with this curse for the remainder of my days. When I changed, the people of my village became frightened and chased me out of the village. I may not have died that day but my heart was torn to pieces as those whom I loved and who had loved me began to hate me. I traveled for many days not knowing what I would do when I came upon a plant that I had not seen before. I was told to eat it and I found that when I ate it I was able to control the curse. I don’t know why I must live with this curse but I have faith that there is a purpose to it.” Caspin stopped talking and Tom withdrew to his own thoughts.

Tom could not understand a God that would do this to someone like Caspin. Caspin had always served Him and was still faithful even after being rejected by his people and, to Tom, his God. Tom continued to walk in silence, not wanting to see the pain that was now etched into Caspin’s face, as he remembered the family he once had.

The group traveled the rest of the day, taking short breaks to rest and eat. The land was beginning to change from mountain to more of a flatland. The weather was growing warmer as they left the mountain ranges and Tom’s spirits began to rise feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. Tanya kept the pace fast and Tom could see the weariness in Caspin’s face. Caspin was leaning more and more on them as they walked and Tom did not think that he could go much farther.

Tanya finally came to a halt and began to set up camp in a group of rocks. Cody helped Tanya and Aithnea used one of the fire tablets to begin heating water for Caspin’s tea. Tom sat down on a rock and pulled out food for the group, looking forward to the dried meat and nuts that Tanya had packed for them.

“I’m sorry for the hard march today. I had to make sure that we made it to this grouping of rocks for protection,” Tanya said. She looked at Caspin with concern.

Caspin gave a weak smile and said, “Don’t worry about me, my dear I know that we have a long way to go. I’m sure with the continued support from Tom and Cody, and the tea I’ll be fine.”

Still looking worried, she tried to comfort him. “We won’t need to march as hard tomorrow. We should be within the shadow of the white forest by tomorrow night.”

After Aithnea had finished preparing the tea and giving it to Caspin she sat down next to Tom. They sat close together eating their food in silence. He could feel her warm body next to his and reached over and held her hand. Cody smiled at Tom causing him to blush slightly.

John and Kristiana were discussing something at the edge of camp. Tom only caught bits and pieces of the conversation. Kristiana still felt that they should have gone to Archelaus and John was trying to console her. Tom could still remember the warning that Archelaus had given him the day  he left and wondered if they should have gone to Archelaus as well. He worried about how Archelaus would react if he found out that they were hiding something from him.

The group finished eating and John set up the watch schedule in which Tom and Cody would be going during the middle watch. Tom lay down under his blanket and fell asleep quickly.

John woke Tom up for his watch. “Be vigilant tonight, I have a feeling that we’re being watched.”

Tom nodded quietly and seeing that Cody was already up walked over next to him.

“Do you see anything?” Tom asked.

“
No, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Cody said with a shrug. “If John has a feeling, then we better keep a close watch.”

Tom looked out into the darkness and couldn’t see much. He had the feeling that they were indeed being watched. He was relieved when their watch was over and they woke Aithnea and Tanya to take the final watch.

“John says that he thinks there is someone watching us, so be on your guard,” Cody said to Tanya.

“
Thanks for the warning,” Tanya replied.

Tom had a hard time falling asleep, worrying about whom or what was watching them but was finally able to sleep, albeit fitfully.

The next morning Tom woke with a soft shake from Aithnea and the sun in his eyes. Tom looked up into her face and smiled, seeing her green eyes shining down on him. He thought about how he would love to wake to those eyes every morning. Tom stared at Aithnea for a moment longer before she smiled and kissed him lightly on the forehead.

“
It’s time to get up sleepy head,” she said.

Tom smiled back and stood, looking to make sure others had not been watching, still embarrassed by the obvious attraction that Aithnea and he shared for one another. He held her hand as they
joined the rest of the group. They sat down next to Cody and began to eat breakfast.

“
Well, we should be able to get to the edge of the forest by tonight if we move quickly,” Tanya said.

“
Did you see anything on your watch?” John asked.

“
No, but I did have the feeling we were being watched. I think if it had been the white eagle clan, they would have attacked already,” she said.

“
What other people would be out here?” Tom asked in between bites of food.

“
Well, sometimes my people come this far out, but generally they keep close to the protection of the trees. It may be just another group of travelers,” she suggested.

They finished their breakfast quickly and began to pack their meager belongings. Within a few minutes they were ready to head out again and Tanya took the lead with John and Kristiana taking up the rear. Tom and Cody helped Caspin as they walked along behind Tanya.

“So Tanya, how long has it been since you have been home?” Cody asked.

Tanya looked over her shoulder. “I have been gone for about ten years,” she responded slowly.

“Why did you leave your home?” Aithnea asked.

Tanya looked down for a moment, “I left to find meaning in my life. I didn’t agree with all of the traditions of my people. I felt that I could help the world more by venturing into the world of man.”

They continued on for a while longer when Cody asked, “What did you do for the white eagle clan?”

“
I was a captain there and helped train the men. My main focus was on the elite guard and training them,” Tanya answered.

“
It must have been hard to fight them,” Tom suggested.

“
It was difficult and I am grateful to all of you for not harming them too seriously. Things could have been much worse. It’s my way to make a decision and then to follow it through, no matter the consequences,” Tanya seemed to be a little sad as she talked.

Tom wondered what consequences had happened to her when she left her people. He watched her for awhile seeing how she moved so confidently and it was no surprise to him that she followed through with what she started.

He thought about the many times he had become uncertain about his own choices and even now he wondered if he should have answered the note that had come so long ago. What would his life be like if he had not gone out on that dark night? He remembered the headmaster and how he used to seem to be so big and powerful to him.
Maybe I should go back and visit him when this is all done? Would he even be able to recognize me? What about Jacob and Peanut? I would definitely like to talk to them again. I want to make them pay for what they did to me.

Chapter
18:

The companions continued their travels throughout the remainder of the day.  Upon reaching the crest of a small hill they could see the white forest below them.

“
We’re here at last,” Tanya said.

“
Why do they call it the white forest?” Tom asked.

“
In the very center of the forest there is a small grove of trees that are completely white. Legend has it that these trees were created when the world began and they are what give life to the forest. When one of the white trees dies it is burned. In the white ash is found a perfectly white seed that is planted in its place to grow and rejuvenate the forest once again,” Tanya replied. She headed down the hill toward the forest.

Tom continued to study the forest as they descended, hoping to see the white trees.  When they reached the bottom of the hill they headed toward the forest which was only a hundred yards away. The grass was green and up to their knees as they walked toward the forest.

When they were within twenty yards of the forest several men and women stepped out from the edge of the forest. Many of them were holding bows and the one in the front had a large sword drawn. It looked similar to Tanya’s. Tanya came to a stop as the leader of the group began to walk toward them.

“
Tanya, is that you?” the leader asked.

Tanya froze as she looked at the
leader and then ran forward with arms open. The leader also ran toward Tanya and they embraced for several minutes. The leader appeared to be slightly older than Tanya but they shared many of the same features.
Are they sisters?

“
Tiarra, it has been too long,” Tanya said. She held the other woman at arms distance so that she could see her better.

“
Yes, Tanya much too long,” Tiarra said.

Tiarra was wearing a long dress that had a belt around it that held her scabbard. She was slender and looked as if she would break easily, but Tom knew if she was anything like Tanya she was not someone that he would like to fight with. Tiarra slid her sword back into its scabbard and signaled to those behind her that everything was ok.

“Why have you returned? I don’t think you’ll be welcomed by many,” Tiarra said. The brows on her face furrowed.

Tanya looked at the people coming out of the forest and tensed up. “I had to come back. These are my friends and we need to search the library for clues relating to this ones quest.” She pointed at Tom.

“What’s so important about his quest that it could cost you your life, dear sister?” Tiarra asked concern washing over her face.

“
Remember when we were studying the legends of the order of the rose?” Tanya asked.

“
Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“
This one can use the energy inside of him and perform magic.”

Tiarra looked at Tom and said, “What is your name boy?”

Tom’s muscles tensed in his neck and his hands began to sweat. “My name is Tom.”

“
Show me what you can do,” Tiarra said walking closer to him.

“
Tiarra, stop badgering him. I have seen him use the magic and I can feel the energy that is within him. He is strong and we must help him,” Tanya said stepping in front of Tiarra.

“
It has been a long time since you’ve left. Our people are not what they once were. The high order has been broken and we are in civil war. Our people don’t control the library or the city. We are outcasts and we have been looking for something or someone that can turn the tide and restore order for our people. If this boy is able to control his energy like those of the rose, then we may have a chance.” Tiarra spoke quietly as if the very trees were spying on her.

Tanya stepped back in shock as the news hit her. “We have been at peace for so long what happened?”

“The elders grew weak and complacent, allowing the laws to become corrupted. The people began to clamor for justice and yet the elders would not listen. There was a riot in which many of the elders were killed. We tried to protect as many as we could but the people were too strong and we had to withdraw or lose them all. We are now outcasts and the city is controlled by the black widow clan. We have made many attempts to root them up but they are too strong and their influence grows.” Tiarra had clenched her fist as she spoke.

“
We need to gain access to the library,” John said as he stepped forward. “How can we assist you Tiarra?” John asked.

“
We have decided that a small group would be able to slip into the city and then head toward the hall of white. That’s where we believe that the black widow has set up her base of command. We haven’t gone in already because we don’t have enough people to both make an attack and protect the elders effectively.” Tiarra explained.

“
If we do this, will the elders allow us to enter the library and give us the supplies we need?” Tanya asked.

“
I cannot speak for them, but I don’t see how they could deny you. The one problem is that you would still need to face them in trial,” Tiarra said her face fell.

Tanya looked down and nodded her head in consent; her face was resolved and hard.

“I must do this for Tom,” Tanya said.

Tiarra motioned to the group behind her and they fell back among the trees disappearing before Tom’s eyes. Tiarra turned and walked toward the trees with Tanya at her side. The small group of friends looked at each other and headed into the forest. Tom was a little uneasy about the plan but he knew that the only chance that they had of finding out more about the order of the rose was by searching the library for clues and it sounded as if Tanya knew more about the order than she had first let on.

The group walked through the forest for some ways, every once in a while one of the elves would show themselves to the group. He could never get a real good look at them, only seeing them out of the corner of his eye.

The trees were as big around as a small house and Tom couldn’t see the tops of them. The branches were big and the trees looked like giants standing sentinel. Tom once saw one of the
elves running along one of the branches jumping from branch to branch along side the group as they walked.

After they had walked for about a half hour they came to a small clearing. Tiarra whistled and several ropes fell from the trees. Fifteen elves came out from behind the trees surrounding them. They seemed to materialize out of thin air, catching Tom off guard. Several more elves dropped down ropes and began to tie them together making a bridge. Tiarra whistled again and a long wooden platform fell into place over the ropes creating a walkway up to the trees. She began climbing the walkway and the companions followed.

Huts in the trees appeared as they got higher into the foliage.
Wow, they are able to hide entire houses up here!
There were wooden bridges that spanned the trees, creating walkways between them. Tiarra walked through the forest town until they reached a large structure. The structure was part of the tree almost as if they were one.  The tree had been hollowed out in the center but it didn’t appear to have hurt the tree.

As the small group drew closer to the large structure, Tom saw that the trees were buzzing with numerous elves as they hurried from place to place. Many children ran through the treetops as if they were running on the ground. It was amazing to watch them run along the wooden bridges a hundred feet above the ground without a worry in the world.
What it would be like to be young and innocent again, to have no worries?

Tiarra held up her hand as they came to the entrance of the structure, “Please wait out here while I speak with the elders.” Tiarra beckoned for Tanya to follow and they walked through a wooden door. Tom caught a glimpse of a magnificent hall before the door closed.

“
This place is amazing,” Aithnea said as she looked around at the trees.

An elf walked up to them. “What is even more amazing is that if you were on the ground you would not even know that we’re up here.”

The group turned to look at the tall slender elf that had walked up unnoticed behind them.

The elf smiled at their surprise. “My name is Tarsus; I am the mayor of this small village.”

“My name is John and this is Kristiana, Caspin, Cody, Tom and Aithnea.” He pointed to each of them as he spoke their names. “This place is like no other,” he said.

Tarsus looked around for a minute. “Yes it is. We take great pride in our ability to form our homes and structures around the trees. We try to give back to the
trees as much as we take and in turn the trees provides us with what we need.”

“
Do you only build in the trees?” John asked.

Tarsus laughed. “No, we are but a small village in this forest. Most elves dwell on the ground. They build their structures out of the trees and some even shape the trees around their structures on the ground. There are others that have learned to form their buildings in the depths of the earth…” Tarsus looked down rubbing his chin and said, “…We have little contact with these elves. In fact we thought that they had all died off until just recently. That is why the elders are here instead of the capital.” Tarsus looked at the kids playing on the bridges and his face became sad. “I fear that our home will begin to change now that we have been noticed by the dark elves. We have always played such a small part among the elves and have kept to ourselves more than others.”

Tarsus looked up suddenly as if he had been awakened from a dream into reality. “Well, that’s the way things are I guess. If you try to stay apart from the world the world always has its ways of bringing you back in.”

“
I hope that we will be able to help you and give you back a small part of what you have lost,” John said, putting his hand on Tarsus’s shoulder.

The door to the large structure opened and Tiarra motioned for the group to enter; seeing Tarsus she beckoned him to enter as well. The companions along with Tarsus entered through the door into a huge room. There were several tables surrounded by chairs. Two doors at the far end of the room led deeper into the structure. Several windows along the walls allowed the natural light to light the room. A group of elves sat at the far end of the room. Tanya stood with her head held high defiantly.

Tiarra led the group to the table that the others where sitting. “Please sit.”

The companions sat at the available chairs and Tiarra stood next to her sister grabbing her hand briefly.

There were five elves at the table and Tom was surprised to see that all of them were women. The women looked older than Tanya but not by much. They had a certain air of wisdom that told Tom that they were much older than they appeared.

“
We’re all that remains of the elders of the elves,” one of the women said slowly as she studied the companions. “Tiarra has told us that you are willing to help us in return for supplies and access to our library. We can grant you this if you succeed in your mission along with any additional help that you may require. In the case of the one who travels with you, she will have to stand trial for her crime.” The woman talked with no emotion.

“
We thank you for your promised assistance and hope that we may be able to accomplish what is needed,” Kristiana spoke to the elders.

Why was John not speaking for them like he had so many times before? Do they only respect women?
It was as if John had sat back and become as invisible as possible to the elders. John showed no sign of being upset or taken aback by the situation and looked at Kristiana with complete confidence. Kristiana on the other hand had taken on an entirely different demeanor. She had become not only beautiful and powerful but very confident in her abilities at diplomacy.

Kristiana had paused for a moment as she glanced at Tanya. “The one you speak of has been a great help to us in a desperate time of need…” Kristiana paused as if she was looking for the exact words that needed to be spoken and then continued, “…We feel that without her aid in the current situation we would be lost and unable to complete the mission that you have set before us. We ask that during her trial her service not only to you but the service she has given us be considered.”

The woman that had been speaking for the elders grew noticeably more tense and glancing at her sisters to either side spoke, “Her sins are too grievous to allow her the chance to escape again. She will not be allowed to leave this village.”

Kristiana’s eyes grew hard and Tom noticed that her jaw tightened slightly almost imperceptibly. “Without her assistance we will not know our way around the city and will be lost. I see no way of us being able to accomplish the task that you have set before us without her help.”

“She abandoned her people long ago and has shown that she cannot be trusted. We can not trust that she will return.”

Tom noticed that a tear had formed in the corner of Tanya’s eye as she looked off at nothing.

Tiarra stepped forward and spoke, “Elders, there is a law in the book of truth, which states that one who is close to the accused may stand in her place. I now invoke that law and take the place of Tanya.”