The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (21 page)

"They are mighty warriors. Akin to Ank Rak, I think."

"You are correct, Father. The young prince is unbeatable in battle, so I heard."

"And he seems to be a comfort for your sister."

"It is good to see her again. I never expected it this side of the dream world. She has helped me ease Kal's passing and I can feel her sadness lifting already and not all of it is due to seeing us again."

"No," Lan Tagjet chuckled.

"But her attachment to Prince James troubles me."

"Be patient. I understand your feelings. He helped her to freedom so it is natural she is drawn to him. In time, she will seek out a Nunari hunter. There is no place for her in Eslenda."

"Good. I am glad for your words. I began to wonder if my resentment toward James was only my poor manners. I shall try to be patient and she will come to her senses. I am glad she is back with us."

"But I am troubled by her experience. I believed King Henry to be my friend, yet my daughter was a known prisoner. Why would he not tell me - if only to ransom her?"

"I cannot answer, Father. It is enough for me that it also troubles Hal and James. That they cannot reconcile the facts either eases my mind. They are our allies now. We can trust their word."

"As much as I wish to agree with your reasoning, Per, I cannot forget that I trusted Henry also."

"We shall keep our eyes unblinded by the whiteness of their smiles."

"Ah, good saying, I like it. We should present it to the tribe as a word of wisdom."

"What? Per is showing wisdom?" asked a voice.

"It happens," said Per. "It is not exclusive to the wise, Onyax Lor. I will return to Elthar." He moved up to the head of the column.

Onyax Lor joined his leader, walking strongly with his staff, belying his age. He walked in silence and Lan Tagjet knew that when the Wiseman was ready, he would speak his thoughts.

Per Tagjet and the Daerlan conferred on their route, but the rest of the company traveled in silence. The forest quickly drew close muffling the sounds of their passing. They headed north through Nuneland to the northern seacoast. The land rose and the temperature began to drop. The overcast skies threatened moisture but held back for the moment.

"I have thought much on this Kaliga, the spear of the Daerlan," said Onyax Lor. "It bothers me that Navir was the last Daerlan to wield it and that it passed to our forefathers afterward. Navir was the greatest of the Daerlan and the stories say that he cast the Kaliga aside and forbade any Daerlan to touch it. I do not know if our companions can add to this even if they were inclined. Much of the Daerlan past is unknown even to them."

"Do you believe handling it is dangerous?"

"That is what I think," said Onyax Lor. "Remember Faelir's message? We must find the spear and destroy the Menaloch with it. He did not ask us to find the spear and give it to the Daerlan so they can destroy the Menaloch. There is much more here that we do not know. I wish I knew how to contact Navir."

"Navir? Isn't he dead by now?"

"I have not heard the tale if he is. He left his people centuries ago to wander the earth. He had experienced too much war and grief according to the tale. Navir is now akin to a holy man living in solitude. He seldom has contact with any beings although the stories say that in his youth he did aid humans in their struggles. Perhaps that Navir no longer exists. I cannot say."

"But if he does still live, why didn't the Daerlan ask him about it?" asked Lan Tagjet.

Gaerhan approached Onyax Lor and Lan Tagjet.

"If I may be bold, I heard the name of Navir. I would be of service if I may."

"Thank you, Gaerhan," said Onyax Lor. "We were wondering whether he still lives."

"He does."

"I will be plain," said Lan Tagjet. "Why didn't your king contact Navir?"

"They are estranged. Navir is King Faelir's grandfather. Elthar told me Navir would not speak to any of Faelir's overtures."

"Not very helpful. I would like to learn more about the Kaliga and Navir once wielded it. Can Navir be found?"

"No. If he wants to find you, he will. Otherwise, he is elusive as dreams. He does not dwell in Liannest with the rest of the Daerlan. He wanders Landermass and no one knows where he may be. There are ways to send messages to him, but very few know how. Elthar is one who knows but he will need to be convinced of the need. The summoners are very protective of their privilege."

"Would you ask him to speak with me?" said Lan Tagjet. "When we stop for the night I wish to speak to him of our reasons."

"I will," said Gaerhan. "But remember, if Elthar decides to try and does succeed in contacting him, Navir may be on the other side of the world. It may be a false hope." He bowed and moved off to speak with his comrade.

The miles grew long as the land became wilder. The rolling hills were giving way to rocky barren land broken and twisted. The Nunari rarely walked this part of their land, preferring to remain closer to the herds. James soaked in the sights of the wilderness that few people had ever seen. The wind blew harsh in this land and the trees and bushes were small and bent. The dry grasses did not grow tall and the silence of the land gathered James' attention. Sena walked close to him, not always with him, but close enough for her comfort. Per turned back and saw her in James' shadow and he frowned.

No one spoke for a long period as they passed across the countryside. A silent column walked steadily among the rocky ground, troubling few of the creatures that lived there. They stopped for food once, then continued without a word, each one's thoughts occupied with the enormity of their challenge.

The company stretched in single file down a switchback to a riverbed. Prince James brought up the rear with Jed Turlane. Per Tagjet led the company and now all walked in silence. A wood rose up ahead of them. Short gnarled trees shrouded by mists. The birds were silent. Sound seemed to be swallowed by the wood. James looked to Lan Tagjet.

"We seldom walk this wood," Lan Tagjet whispered. "There is a fell creature here and we must move swift and silent. Keep your sword ready."

The hollow they entered was rimmed with mist and James' breath rose before him. The mist dampened sound and their own breathing was all they heard. Shadows seemed to dance around them in the swirling mist. It was as if they left the world they knew and entered a far older realm.

"The air is cold here, colder than it should be," James whispered.

"She is watching," said Onyax Lor. "Be ready."

"Who is watching?" asked James.

The mist thickened around them but where they stood was clear. The ring of mist was impenetrable.

"Don't enter the mist," said Onyax Lor. "You will not return."

"What can we do?" asked James.

"We wait," said Lan Tagjet.

"I do not fear her," said Elthar. "Let me speak to her."

"I am not here to speak with Daerlan," said a voice in the mist. It was difficult to guess its origin or if the speaker was male or female. A round dark shape floated across the underbrush into the hollow. An old woman, gnarled and grey grinned at them.

"Onyax Lor! You still live! I am impressed, yet disappointed you have not visited me in ages."

"One gets wrapped up in one's work, Gerta Fine."

"Clever speech for an old man. Lan Tagjet, tell your men to relax. I shall not harm anyone this time, and when I have said my piece you may go." She looked around at the faces and cried out.

"I knew it!" She hobbled to Sena. Her good eye glinted a pale blue her other eye an opaque white. She peered closely at Sena. "I knew you weren't dead. The mists told me the seer would return. Are you well?" She stroked Sena's white hair.

"I am improving."

"Ah, I see. Good, good." She smiled a toothless smile at James. "You are no Nunari. Eslenda?"

"I am James."

"Ah, I know who you are, my Prince," said Gerta Fine. "You are everywhere in the mists. I know a lot about you. I know you can protect Sena. She is very important."

"Yes, she is," said James. Sena blushed.

"I can protect Sena," said Per Tagjet. "She does not need help from an Eslendian."

"Ah, young Per. You speak as others have for centuries," said Gerta Fine. "Hear me now. The world is changing. We cannot be sure of the old ways anymore. New days approach and if you do not change with them, you will be swept aside. Do not withhold your trust, lest you get none in return."

"What is it you wished to say?" asked Lan Tagjet. Gerta Fine was slow to turn from Per.

"Ah, Lan Tagjet. Do you wish to hurry an old woman?"

"We have a quest."

"Yes, yes. The Turucks, the Menaloch, and you search for Navir's spear. You Men are always in a hurry. You will not retrieve the spear without Navir's help. The Kaliga is perilous for mortals and Navir has woven spells about it. King Faelir of the Daerlan should not have asked this of you, but he is not as wise as his grandfather, Navir. You may find the Kaliga, but you will perish without Navir. I have seen it. I cannot say how many shall die, but you, Lan Tagjet and Onyax Lor will not return from this journey."

"With or without Navir?" asked Per Tagjet.

"I cannot see that, but remember, without Navir there is no coming back for anyone."

"So this is my last task?" asked Lan Tagjet.

"I have never been wrong," said Gerta Fine, softly.

"No! I have just found you again!" cried Sena. She hugged her father and cried. The Hunter's eyes were misty.

"But you have found me. And it is more than I expected. If this journey is our last together, let us savor it and remember it in joy. Few people have the gift of knowing when their time ends."

"Mine as well?" asked Onyax Lor.

Gerta looked up at him and nodded. A single tear welled in her eye.

"It has been a good life," said Onyax Lor. "Do not be sad, Mother."

"Mother?" said Per Tagjet.

"Yes," said Onyax Lor. "Gerta is my mother."

"Lan Tagjet said a fell creature dwelt in these woods," said Jed Turlane.

"And I do dwell here!" grinned Gerta Fine. "Another time, Eslendian, and you would fill my cooking pot!" She looked closely at him. "A little sage, potatoes and oh, onions!" She pinched him. "Yes, yes - onions."

Jed Turlane backed up quickly, and looked to Lan Tagjet.

"I'm afraid so, Jed Turlane. And you would not be the first. Let us keep moving. Goodbye, Gerta, and thank you. Perhaps we will meet again in another place."

"Perhaps, perhaps."

"I will catch up. I need to say my goodbyes," said Onyax Lor. Lan Tagjet nodded and the company left the wise man and the witch alone in the hollow.

The wind rose as the day lengthened. A breeze from the north increased in strength, throwing its force into the face of the company. They struggled silently for the remainder of the day. The wind blew cold and James' face reddened from the biting air. They took turns leading the company in groups of four to block some of the wind for the followers. That helped a small amount, but they found themselves forced to stop and find shelter often to escape the torment of the wind. They had walked six hours since they left the hollow.

"This is as good a place as we shall find for shelter," said Per Tagjet. "We should remain here until the morning."

"I agree," said Lan Tagjet.

Elthar and Gaerhan nodded and began to make camp. The wind had little effect on the Daerlan. Their tents were pitched tightly among a trio of large trees to help break the wind. The creaking of their old branches did not sooth Jed Turlane's nerves.

"Captain? Can't we camp somewhere else?"

"What is the bother?" asked James.

"It's those creaking branches. I know one of them will drop on my head."

"Then you won't be bothered by them anymore."

"Captain!"

"Jed. There is no other place to protect us from the cold as well."

"Well, I just wish it wasn't so noisy."

"Goodnight, Jed."

"Goodnight, Captain."

James sat out in the cold wind for several minutes and then entered Lan Tagjet's tent where Elthar and Gaerhan spoke with the Hunter and his wise man. Per and Sena sat next to their father.

"You ask me to contact Navir for help with finding the Kaliga?" asked Elthar.

"Yes, I do," said Lan Tagjet.

"If I may add a thought," said James. "Why didn't King Faelir contact Navir instead of asking Lan Tagjet to find this spear? If King Faelir didn't believe Navir would help him, what chances to we have?"

"Excellent points," said Elthar. "What chance do you have?"

"King Faelir and Navir are estranged," said Gaerhan. "Lan Tagjet had the same question earlier. Navir will not accept any messages from King Faelir."

"Can you contact Navir tonight?" asked Lan Tagjet.

"I will, but keep Prince James's words in mind. I have not seen Navir for four hundreds of years as you count them and I am the last Daerlan known to have seen him. Please excuse me. I need solitude for the summoning." Elthar left the tent.

Gaerhan turned to James.

"You are everything I expected, Prince James. May your gods guide you through these troubled times." He followed Elthar.

"What will we do if Navir refuses to help us?" asked Per Tagjet.

"We still have to try to find the Kaliga," said Lan Tagjet. "It's the only way to defeat the Menaloch."

"How can we find it in this wide land?" asked Jed Turlane. "Without Navir's help we could search for years with no luck."

"Gerta Fine said we would all die without Navir," said Per Tagjet.

"We shall all die one day," said James. "We cannot refuse our responsibility to our peoples. Let us try to live one more day and worry about Gerta's Fine's pronouncement when we return to Far Greening."

"Spoken as one who does not believe in the portents of the world," said Per Tagjet. "If Gerta Fine saw it, it will happen. Strength of arms is not everything."

"I agree with James," said Sena Tagjet. "I was dead for ten years. I have no fear of death now."

Per Tagjet turned quickly to his sister, his face red with fury.

"We shall search the area around the ruins of Secha. It was said that village was the last known place the Kaliga had been. How long before Elthar comes back?" asked Lan Tagjet, his iron grip on his son's arm.