The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (26 page)

He pulled his horse next to her buggy.  His brow wrinkled and he shook his head.  “It’s as much a mystery to me as it is to you.  I tried asking Anton.  He said he doesn’t know, and I believe him.   I think it really shook him up.”

Jessica agreed.  She knew Anton well enough to realize he dealt with personal feelings by burying himself in his work, so she braced herself for several days of hectic activity.

In the province of Arboret, a land covered in forests, Anton secured top quality bows, arrows and javelins for the army.  Palinium, noted for its fine steel and Palium production, was the provider of varied swords, daggers, shields and armor, both chain mail and solid plate, for men and horses.   

While traveling through Wasseria, a land filled with flowing rivers and large bodies of water, Jessica came to fully appreciate the Esparian way of naming landmarks.  The first lake they spied was large, but quite shallow and appropriately dubbed Shallow Lake.  During their journey they crossed three long, winding rivers, one called Serpentine River, another Longshore River and the third Rapid River.  Anton explained the bodies of water were titled for their intense colors and unique shapes, mountains for their outstanding features, while forests and plains were called after the prominent plant life growing therein.  Even most of the provinces took their monikers from their major economies.

Jessica realized a wealth of hydroelectric power lay untapped in Wasseria.  There could be enough electricity from this one province alone to supply half of Esparia. 
I’ll remember to tell Dad, in case he wants to introduce the concept to the people.
  She was certain the Esparian scientists could come up with the necessary technology once set on the right path of discovery.

With each stop they had lost a security soldier.  Anton had assignments for every man and left them behind to finish what he had begun.  They were down to four extra men by the time they reached Jewlett.  The road they traveled was straight, with only small tufts for green shrubbery on the landscape for as far as any of them could see.  The security soldiers were divided with a pair up front leading the way, and a pair trailing a behind to protect the rear.  It was here that Jessica had a rare moment to talk with Anton.  “I’ve been telling Reese about how my country compares to Esparia.  He’s been good about not prying, but I know he’s curious.  Do you think I should tell him the truth about where I come from?  I’d like to be honest with him.”

Anton thought for a moment, then nodded his head.  “He’s a good man and would keep whatever ya told him in confidence.  It would be agreeable with me.”

Jessica waited for the right opportunity to talk with Reese.  It finally came when they stopped for the night.  Anton chose a small glade where the shrubbery grew tall and thick, not too far from the main highway, for their campsite.  Their evening routine had become well established.  Anton built a fire, Reese and the soldiers took care of the horses, and Jessica unpacked their picnic meal. After eating, the soldiers drew lots as to the order of their sentry duty for the night.  The bed rolls were laid out and everyone settled in.  The soldiers were usually the first to fall asleep, as they took advantage of rest time between their turn at guard duty.  Even though the hour had grown late, Jessica wanted to tell Reese about her home while they enjoyed a quiet moment.

When she heard the soft snoring of the three off duty soldiers and saw the fourth checking on the horses, she said quietly, “Reese, I have something I want to tell you.”

Anton looked at her and nodded in agreement.

“I want to tell you where I come from, but you must promise to keep it to yourself.  My Dad and I aren’t ready to let the general populace in on our secret.”

“Of course.”

She hesitated.  “This is more difficult than I thought it would be.  Um…Uncle Anton, where is Earth?”  She waved her hand toward the heavens.

“It’s over there.”  He pointed to a section of northwestern sky.  “It’s in a cluster of faint stars beyond that bright one right there.”

Reese looked at the sky where Anton pointed, then back at Jessica.  She smiled weakly and explained, “I’m not from across the ocean; I’m not even from Edia.  I come from a planet in a neighboring solar system.  My planet is called Earth and it’s located in the section of sky Uncle Anton just pointed to.”

Reese looked back at the sky.  He gave a short laugh and shook his head.  “I believe you.  That explains a lot.  You’ve tried hard to fit in, but there are subtle differences.  So Earth is your home world.”

“Yes,” she sighed.  “And the United States of America is my country.  Now you understand why I want it kept secret.  I don’t think many people here are ready to have an off-worlder as a Protector.”

“I see what you mean.”  He thought for a minute.  “How did you come here?”

“Uncle Anton brought me through something called a Transmirian spiral.  It was a wild ride and when I came out, Varnack was waiting for me.  My grandma and dad followed a day later.”

“That also explains a great deal.”

“All right,” Anton interrupted.  “Now ya know, Reese.  Varnack’s already asleep, let’s go to sleep too.”  The conversation was terminated. 

A low growl brought Jessica out from a deep sleep.  Varnack crouched beside her, glaring into the shadowed bushes surrounding them, his muscles tense, ready to spring.  The night was quiet.  Both moons were still high in the star filled sky.  She turned her head, ever so slightly, to glance over at Anton and Reese.  They both lay motionless only a few feet from her.  The soldier on guard duty had his back to them and stood looking out toward the main highway.  Closing her eyes she tried to listen.  Silence.  She strained her senses trying to pick up whatever had set Varnack on edge.  To her complete surprise she felt the presence of several life energies.  They were nearly surrounded, but not by Elitet.  These life energies were different, less evil, but just as deadly.  Her skin prickled, goose bumps rising on her arms.  There was a power here, something totally foreign to her understanding.  Malignant…vicious.   Electrical tendrils, invisible and subtle, snaked into her soul.  Almost imperceptible, the tingling slithered around her free will.  It squeezed, very gently, sending warmth that dulled her senses.  With a start, she shook them off.

She tried to call out, but her voice only squeaked.  It seemed to be enough though, for the sentry turned and the others stirred.  Slowly, as if in a dream, she rose to her feet.  Instantly she knew the armed assassins surrounding them could be dealt with.  They were dangerous, but not enough to overwhelm her companions.  The real danger centered in the person controlling the others.  Hate emanated from this unseen enemy, a rage bent on destroying them. 
Go back to where you came from,
the message hung in the air. 
You are not welcome, you are not wanted.

A score of armed men dressed in simple farmer’s clothing rushed at them from every direction.  Anton, Reese, and the soldiers sprang to their feet.  The sentry leapt into action.  Varnack jumped forward, his teeth bared.  One man went down, his sword arm ripped in shreds from gnashing teeth.  A second attacker’s leg became Varnack’s next target.  Within seconds the man was writhing on the ground next to his friend.  Three others were no match for the powerful hound.  Reese threw daggers, aimed not to kill, but to maim, felling two men in mid-stride, then pulled his sword.  Each soldier stood his ground and Anton fought hand to hand.   

Jessica stood in the midst of her guardians, trying to quash the invisible power that threatened them. 
I warn you, leave us in peace,
her mental admonition penetrated the surrounding vegetation.

A mirthless laugh reverberated in her mind. 
Die! 
A green ball of energy burst from the nearest thicket.  It flew like an arrow of emerald fire, slicing through the flesh of Jessica’s forearm and barely missing the bone.  The heat from the bolt exploded through her body and mind.  Her back arched in agony and every muscle quivered in seizure, freezing her where she stood.  She wanted to scream, but her throat would not function.  Her breathing ceased.  Darkness quickly closed in. 

Anton’s voice drifted through the fog in her mind.  “By the voice of T’Aalin, through the Expanse of Gonta, I call on the powers of Bree, to vanquish the foe, the Winds of Malana, flee away to the Torbuchhi sea.” 

Jessica fell to the ground while Anton repeated the chant.  She shook herself.  Anton stood between her and the threatening menace.  He faced the dark hedge, his arms stretched forward at chest level, his palms outward, as if to hold back another power blast.  A circle of white mist, a foot in diameter, yet only two hairs thick, swirled inches in front of his hands.  Again and again he chanted the same spell.  Varnack, Reese, and the soldiers continued the fight against the few remaining assailants.

Jessica pulled herself up to shakily stand by Anton, her every muscle straining with the effort.  A green energy, swirling like fire enveloped the shrubbery directly ahead.  The high resonance of a woman chanting contrasted sharply with Anton’s deeper voice.  The green fire expanded, spreading its greedy fingers to neighboring saplings and plant life.  The vegetation withered as their life forces were instantly drained from them.  Another bolt of jade lightning arched toward them.

It pierced the small vaporic shield, hitting Anton full in the chest.  He fell to his knees, the chant dying in his throat.  Jessica reached for him.  His face was contorted in agony.  When her fingers touched his back, the searing heat of the blast traveled through him and into her own hands.  She moaned in pain, but clamped her hands firmly on Anton’s shoulders, willing the deadly energy into her own body.   She allowed her tears to flow, expelling the green poison with the salty drops. 

Anton began the chant again.  It was a whisper at first.  “By the voice of T’Aalin, through the Expanse of Gonta, I call on the powers of Bree, to vanquish the foe, the Winds of Malana, flee away to the Torbuchhi Sea.”   Then it slowly grew in volume.

I’ve got to help…must help.
  Jessica centered on Anton.  T’Aalin…Bree…T’Aalin…Bree…T’Aalin…Bree.  She dug her bare toes into the brown earth beneath her.  A warm, tingling sensation began in the soles of her feet.  In a split second, heat traveled upward, through her legs, then flew to her shoulders, soothing her blistering nerves along the way.  Down her arms it went, through her finger tips, directly into Anton.  A second flash of warmth followed behind the first.  When the pulses increased in frequency, the temperature also rose, yet it did not burn.  Within moments, hot energy flowed from Edia, through Jessica, and into Anton.

He roared out the incantation.  The white shield reappeared, a solid wall of protection.  Anton leaned into Jessica, bending his arms at the elbows and pulling his out facing hands to his chest.  Like a compressed spring exploding, he shot his arms forward to their full extension.  The white shield hurtled toward the green inferno.  An explosion rocked the glen, throwing Jessica several feet backwards, onto her backside.  With the wind knocked out of her, she fought to remain conscious.  Her breath, when it finally returned, flowed through her mouth in short, shallow gasps.  Her heart pounded with the effort of expanding her lungs.  At her side, Varnack licked her face, his eyes full of worry. 

“I’m…okay,” she panted.  “Gotta…get…my breath.  Anton.”

“I’m all right.”  With Reese supporting the huge man, he limped over and collapsed beside her.  “Thought I was a gonner.”

Reese, his sword still in his hand scanned the surrounding area.  Two soldiers were sprawled on the ground, the other two poked through the ashes and burned shrubbery.

“You can relax, guys,” Jessica assured.  “There’s no one left out there.”  She saw them hesitate.  “Trust me, I’d know.”  They went to aid their comrades and Reese sat beside Anton.  “Your friends are okay,” Jessica assured her guards.  She could sense their heart beats, strong and clear.  “I think they were knocked out by the blast.”  As if to confirm her words they both shifted and sat up. 

“Uncle Anton, what just happened?”

“I’m not sure.  Why don’t ya tell me yer feelin’s first, then maybe I can make some sense out of it?”

While Reese bandaged her wounded arm with the purple fern she had given him on their last journey, Jessica related how she had sensed their attackers and the one who held the source of power.  She told of the odd message to go home as well as the death threat.  She explained how she felt Edia’s energy flow through her body and into Anton’s.  She ended her brief account with a question of her own.  “That first green bolt nearly took off my arm.  It hit you full in the chest.  Why aren’t you dead?”

“There’s a lot to tell, Jessi.”  Anton looked old and tired. 

“Well,” she said with a drawn smile, “take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thousands and thousands of years ago, magic with all its sorceries and potions and incantations and…well, ya know, magic was everywhere.  Reese, ya won’t know anythin’ about this.  Neither will you guys.”  He waved at the four soldiers who had come to join them on the ground.  “It’s not a part of our history we teach the young ‘uns, ‘cause it was a dark time.  Magic itself isn’t evil, it’s the people who use it, and there were a lot of corrupted people back then.  Two great sorcerers arose…brothers, Alderic and Tiard.  Family history has it we’re descended from Alderic, Jessi.  Anyway, the brothers bound the magic, locked it in the Expanse of Gonta and destroyed all the persite spheres they could find, not just the green, but even the blue and white.