The Trees And The Night (Book 3) (12 page)

“About ten months,” replied Fondith. “The Giftgiver returned to your homeland and tried to rally the Astelans against the forces of Amird. However, the torrent of Ulrog flooding from the valley of Mnim grew too great. Izgra and the Fangs of the Devil took up residence in the great castle and Astel was lost.”

“The Giftgiver?” questioned Kael turning to Hai. “You call Ader by that name as well. Why?”

Mother and son smiled at one another.

“Lord Ader presented the line of Finepion to man, in particular to Eru,” returned Hai. “Avra blessed us with a great gift and a great responsibility through his Guide, Ader.”

Kael shook his head trying to make sense of what he just heard.

“Do you mean to say the ancestors of Tarader ....er, Finepion were given to your ancestors by Ader thousands of years ago?” asked Kael.

“Uh, yes and no,” said Hai frowning and looking to his mother.

Fondith frowned as well.

“They seem to have raised you properly,” scowled the woman. “You are polite, healthy and well mannered, but did they teach you anything of the stories?”

Kael blushed and dropped his head.

“They tried,” stated the boy softly, “but I resisted.”

“Hmph,” snuffed the woman shaking her head. “Yes, Avra blessed Eru and his offspring with the horse, but not with the ancestors of Finepion but rather his descendants.”

Kael’s eyes widened.

“But that would mean that Tarader is ....”

“Immortal,” said Hai finishing the boy’s comment.

“Not truly immortal,” interrupted Fondith. “However, like the Seraph, Avra created the father of all horses with a tremendous force in the life pool. One day the proud stallion will succumb to what must be, but none know when that day will arrive.”

“You mean to say that at one time there were no horses?” mumbled Kael to himself. “I find that hard to believe. I mean there have always ...”

Fondith interrupted the boy by putting a hand on his arm. She turned to her son.

“Tell him of Eru,” she said to Hai. “I must arrange accommodations for our guests. I will not be long.”

The tiny woman stood and departed from the tent. Hai shrugged his shoulders and smiled to Kael, then immediately began to recite a story. Kael knew the Eru rider had both heard and given the story hundreds of times.

“Finepion,” said Hai. “Known as ‘Tarader’ to the Zodrian, roughly translates from the old tongue as ‘the first horse’, although it could also mean ‘the last horse’. I suppose it depends on the translation.”

“And I suppose by ‘first’ you do not mean ‘first with no equals’?” said Kael.

“No, although that is true as well,” replied Hai. “I mean he is the first horse. A beast touched by the hand of God.

“In the days before the might of Zodra stretched across the West and the Ulrog grew to dominate the slopes of the Knife Mountains, nomadic peoples roamed the Tre or grasslands of this land on foot.” continued Hai. “The beasts of the plains were abundant and space seemed limitless. Herds of bison and deer migrated up and down the Tre. The tribes hunted these herds and thrived on the bounty of Avra.

“However, as time continued the herds shrunk and the tribes grew. Often, tribes slaughtered more than they needed and left the remainder to rot. Competition for the herds and watering holes became fierce and soon clashes erupted between tribes. Bloodshed became commonplace and the peaceful prairies turned into ever raging battlefields.

“Eru led of one of these tribes. He separated himself from the other tribal leaders by instilling a deep respect for Avra’s creations in his people. Eru’s family took only what they needed and passed on thinning herds in an attempt to insure the future. They avoided conflict with other tribes and moved on when competition grew between themselves and others. Eru remained a man of peace, ready to draw his saber in defense, but never in aggression.

“Avra looked down upon the escalating warfare with a heavy heart. One day a man appeared before Eru as the chieftain walked to the lake known as ‘Calm Waters’. Eru greeted the man and extended his hands, palms outward in a show of peace. The man returned the gesture and approached Eru. The man told Eru he was Ader the third Seraph of the world of Avra. At that news, Eru trembled and fell on his knees before the Guide. Ader bade him rise and walk for they had much to discuss.

“Eru was told that his peaceful ways and fairness made him favored in the eyes of Avra. Avra decided to help Eru’s people prosper. He would bestow a great gift upon them. If they misused this gift, Avra’s anger would be strong. With that, the Guide turned to a grove of trees and whistled. From among the trees strode ten of the most beautiful creatures Eru ever beheld. They moved on four legs, but not like the heavy beasts of the plains. They were swift and graceful. Their backs were broad, but slimmer than the bison. They were much taller than the herd animals as well. Their long, powerful necks ended in proud, regal heads. Ader called the animals ‘horses’.

“Ader and Eru approached the horses, and they held no fear of man. The lead horse, a tall gray stallion, bore a shocking, five-pointed white crown on its brow.”

“Tarader,” whispered Kael in recognition. “Touched by the hand of God.”

“The second was a midnight colored mare with a similar mark,” continued Hai. “Ader walked to the stallion, grabbed his shaggy mane, and swung himself onto its back. Eru hesitantly approached the mare and performed the same maneuver. After the chieftain grew comfortable, the pair rode back to Eru’s encampment.

“After several months the day came when the tribe of Eru mastered their abilities with the horses and Ader left them. The Guide departed to the North upon the large gray stallion.

“The tribe of Eru prospered. Eru, his wife and each of their sons and daughters received one of the gifts of Avra. Soon, the horses multiplied and all the tribe owned horses and were expert riders. However, the tribe of Eru still avoided contact with the other tribes. Eru and his people became excellent hunters from horseback. Now more than ever they chose to show restraint and not over hunt thin herds.

“The other tribes continued to waste the bounty of the plains and war amongst themselves. Eru realized avoiding them would not solve any problems. Fighting them conflicted with his beliefs. Eru devised a plan. His people approached the least violent of the roaming tribes. They offered gifts to these tribes and an exchange of goods, always giving more than they received. They demonstrated patience and peace with these tribes. Eventually, the groups attained mutual admiration. Finally, Eru sent one of his sons or daughters to a tribe with the greatest gifts of all, horses. This son or daughter was instructed to remain in the camp of the tribe as a guest and instructor on how to do everything from ride to foal a mare.

“Eru shrewdly chose a son when the tribal chieftain had an unmarried daughter, or a daughter for an unmarried son. His children were like their father, beautiful in both countenance and spirit. Often, the situation led to alliance from the gifts but also a union of the tribes through marriage. In this way, the Erutre assimilated all the tribes of the plains into peaceful union. All preached Eru’s belief in conservation of the herds and the plains supported everyone. Peace and plenty reigned supreme.”

“And the horses?” asked Kael.

“Continued to multiply,” responded Hai. “Eventually they grew into our main source of trade with other lands.”

“Yes,” smiled Kael. “In the Southland we always recognize a stallion born and raised on the Tre. Manfir possesses such a stallion.”

Hai looked out the tent’s opening into the darkness of the night.

“The Prize,” whispered the boy dreamily. “He is magnificent.”

 “The Prize?” questioned Kael.

Hai blinked and turned back to the boy.

“Each season the finest of the three year old colts are gathered before the Chieftain and the warriors of the Eru compete for their ownership,” said Hai. “There are always more warriors than colts so before the competition you must declare which of the animals you will compete for. Often the finest animal brings the most suitors. Warriors of lesser ability will sometimes pass on the finest colts in order to feel comfortable in their ability to secure an animal. The Cull, as we call it, is considered the most festive of all our events.”

“Compete?” questioned Kael.

“It is quite simple,” returned Hai. “A large circle of stones, approximately fifty yards across is laid out in an open field. Two contestants enter the ring on horseback. No weapons are allowed. The riders attempt to drive one another’s mount from the ring or unseat the opposing rider to the field below. A rider that falls from his mount or has that mount driven from the ring is eliminated from contention for the colt of his choosing. Through these matches, the field of riders interested in a horse is thinned until just two remain. The final match determines who will receive the colt.”

“Ah,” acknowledged Kael, “so Manfir’s midnight stallion was one of the horse’s available the year he gained ownership?”

Hai shook his head in dissent and smiled.

“No, he was not one of the colts available,” said Hai. “He was the colt available.”

“But you said all the colts were contested for.”

“But this was an unusual year,” replied Hai. “For Finepion and Hershon foaled a colt.”

“Hershon?”

“Hershon is the midnight colored mare presented to Eru by Ader on that day centuries ago,” said Hai. “She has carried the Chieftain of the Eru for centuries. She seldom delivers a foal and as the centuries roll on, the event occurs more infrequently. However, five years ago she gave birth to the Prize and all Eru rejoiced.

“Of course other mares gave birth to foals that year, but not a rider alive would pass the chance to compete for the offspring of Finepion and Hershon. Every warrior selected the midnight as their choice and a huge tournament commenced. The Prize was the desire of all.

“Ader and Prince Manfir arrived on the eve of the competition, unaware of its impending commencement. As is the custom of the Eru, our guests were invited to partake in the tournament. All knew Lord Ader would decline, but after some cajoling, Prince Manfir opted to compete.

“One thing you must understand, Kael. The Eru are bound to their mounts. To the Eru, their horse is as a member of their family, a trusted compatriot that offers its services. We treat our mounts as an extension of ourselves. We understand that our mount is our life, without it we are nothing. An injury to a rider’s horse is like an injury to the rider. The competition is one of expert ridership. The Eru prefer agility and speed in order to command the battlefield. The Eru dance their horses about one another, exchanging blows and attempting to wrestle one another from their mount’s backs. The rider’s legs guide the horse in order to keep his arms free.

“That is why Prince Manfir faired so well in the early stages of the tournament. His years of battle along the Scythtar prepared him well for the competition. Years of Ulrog claws trying to pull him to his death taught him the importance of remaining on your mount, your means of attack and escape.

“However, the prince also developed his own tactics in the saddle. The first riders to face the prince were unprepared for his aggressive style. Manfir used his mount as a weapon. Spurring it forward into harms way. Using its body as a battering ram to hammer his opponents.

“When Temujen called for Manfir’s first match to begin, the prince stunned his opponent by charging across the stone circle at full speed. Usually, the Eru trot to the center of the circle, size up their opponent and test his strengths and weaknesses. Manfir’s opponent sat stunned, confused by the prince’s move. Manfir continued his charge and slammed his horse into that of the Eru rider, sending both mounts spilling out of the stone circle.

“The Eru rider never dreamed Manfir would use a horse in such a manner. It was alarming, reckless. Some say even dishonorable. However, according to the rules, the Eru’s horse exited the circle first and therefore Manfir won the match. He continued extremely aggressive tactics throughout the first two days of the tournament and those of us advancing in other matches realized we would be hard pressed to keep the Prize amongst the Eru. We were concerned about our own matches but amongst ourselves we all discussed tactics to defeat the Zodrian.

“By the seventh day of matches only one rider remained to face the Zodrian prince. I was nearly fifteen and competed in only the second Cull of my life. However, I have clung to the back of a horse all of my years and my abilities go without question. I am proud of what I can accomplish on horseback.

“The match against Prince Manfir of Zodra, however, was a daunting task. He was a man both much larger and more experienced in battle than I. Additionally, the pride of my people rested on my shoulders. I was nervous but determined to win. My strength lay in my ability to avoid the brutal onslaughts of which the Zodrian was now known. My mount was sure-footed and quick, albeit a bit small. She maneuvered quickly and possessed sizable stamina. My brethren and I conspired to wear the Zodrian down. After a solid weak of matches, his stallion wearied. My mare was accustomed to such extreme riding and showed no sign of fatigue. If I made the Zodrian chase me and wear down his mount, eventually I might force him from the ring.

“Our plan worked marvelously. My mare danced circles about the Zodrian’s big roan and soon his horse tired. The prince grew impatient. Frustration set in and he drove his mount even harder in an attempt to hem me in. He was unsuccessful. After several hours of such strenuous riding, both stallion and rider’s heads hung low.