Things Unseen: (An epic fantasy adventure series) (The Caris Chronicles Book 1) (35 page)

“Okay, we will talk after that if anything comes to mind.”

“Thank you.”

Kalen smiled at her. “You are doing well Caris.”

Caris’ blush deepened, at what she felt to be an undeserved compliment.

After their meal, Kilew helped them all, including himself, to forget their pain with a short story that once again seemed to be directly aimed at teaching the new recruits.

As Jeniel and Caris quickly washed their feet and necks in the cold creek water before bed, Caris asked,

“Was I so oblivious that Kilew was intentionally telling stories to teach me lessons, before he gained his new audience?”

Jeniel laughed. “Only if I was part of his target audience, because I certainly didn’t notice him doing anything other than telling stories and stirring our emotions. Though come to think of it, that is part of it isn’t it? When he stirs our emotions, we often are learning something. I think he’s usually a lot more subtle and his audience is more general. Maybe he doesn’t think his new audience will get the message if he’s subtle. I don’t think they have been trained very effectively in how to think things through.”

“No, they do seem to be more focused on outward shows of success than on true merit.”

“Crispin seemed to size them up pretty quickly.”

“You weren’t there when we first met them. He was harsh. If he had talked to me the way he talked to them, I probably would have thrown something at him.”

“Lucky for me, I didn’t then, wasn’t it?” Crispin said as he approached them from behind.

The young women jumped in surprise, blushing at being caught out talking about him.

“I was harsh; they will need a firm hand if they’re to become reliable King’s Horse.” He filled his skin with water. Before he left he said quietly, “But I try to always keep my harsh comments to those times when someone can gain something from hearing them.”

“Oh,” Jeniel said.

“What’s wrong?”

Jeniel sat back and wrapped her feet in her cloth to dry and warm them.

“I think that last comment was for our benefit.”

“What do you mean?”

“We shouldn’t be speaking about the new recruits behind their backs. It doesn’t benefit anyone and if they were to overhear us, it could cause strife that we can ill afford in such a small group.”

“Oh,” said Caris, feeling her cheeks burning in shame from Crispin’s gentle rebuke.

Caris and Jeniel headed back to the fire and Caris helped Kalen hand out the ointment on large leaves to everyone who needed it. She made a point of taking Zeep and Noley’s to them first; taking the time to sit beside them and tell them to spread it all over before bed and not in the morning before riding. She also showed them how to wrap it up so that they could use it the following nights. As she rose, she complimented them on how well they were doing considering how hard Crispin had pushed them that day.

“Oh gee thanks, did you hear that Zeep, the little girl thinks we’re doing well. I’m delighted.” The boys continued laughing as she walked away clenching her teeth.
And I’m the one getting reprimanded, I can see why Crispin didn’t want them along.
She looked up to see Crispin smiling at her. Caris sighed. She wondered how he managed to be so patient and encouraging to everyone.
I’ll never be a good person.
She thought disconsolately as she took the last of the ointment over to Minkre and Lillin for them to take out to the others.

The next morning, they rose early and began their ascent. The climb was hard on the horses but much easier on the new riders who appreciated the opportunity to ride at a walk. Caris was pleased to see the ointment had obviously worked and Son was sitting his horse more comfortably.

By mid morning, Caris noticed Noley and Zeep squirming in their seats. As she passed them to talk to Kalen about an image that had flashed through her mind, she noticed that they were red faced and grimacing as if in pain. She bit back the comment about using cream in the morning but couldn’t suppress her smile.

At midday, they stopped at a stream to rest the horses and have a quick meal. Zeep and Noley ran along the creek to where it curved behind some bushes. Caris heard them splashing in the water and chuckled to herself. She looked up to see Jeniel grinning at her; they both refrained from commenting.

The small band continued their climb into the afternoon. As they had approached the mountains it had looked like there were a series of hills growing steadily higher, but now Caris realised that the dips on the other side of the hills were quite shallow before they began the climb up the next rise. Son had taken to the saddle like a fish to water and Caris found that he needed very little instruction. She had gone back to riding alongside Jeniel while Son talked happily to Syngar.

It was nice to have more time with Jeniel again but she missed Janen now that he had returned to scouting. She thought longingly of their journey through the forest toward Nader’s Crossing when Janen would ride alongside her and they would talk and laugh the day away. Caris was aware that when they joined with The King’s army everything would change and she wondered if she would ever again spend so much time with him.

She was pleased when night came and he sat beside her at the fire. He sat close and Caris was about to move to allow him more room when his arm brushed hers. Her whole body thrilled at the slight contact and instead of moving she sat completely still, looking in the other direction but very aware of his close proximity. She was almost afraid to breathe; she didn’t want to do anything to make him shuffle to a more normal distance from her. He didn’t move and Caris didn’t hear a word of Kilew’s story.

When he finished his tale, everyone rose to go to their rolls. Caris sat, staring into the fire waiting for Janen to rise, but he remained sitting beside her, looking into the flames as they slowly died away. After a while, he began to talk about his day scouting and all he was learning from the elves. Caris listened, fascinated by what he had to tell her. They sat quietly talking until the flames had completely gone, then reluctantly parted to find their own rolls.

Caris kicked Indira forward to draw level with Crispin. She had woken with a warm feeling inside and the memory of Janen’s company by the fire. One part of their conversation stirred something within her, besides happy thoughts of Janen, and she had determined to ask Crispin about it.

“I’ve been thinking I would like to learn scouting,” she said to him.

“What about your lessons with Kalen? We failed you once on that front Caris, I don’t know when you will again have so much time to spend with another seer, and have you learnt all you can from Jeniel? I have seen firsthand your expertise in the bush, but a person can only apply themselves to so much at one time.”

Caris pondered his words. Once again, being a seer was feeling like a punishment. She had hoped, ever since she joined the Horse, that she would one day be given the opportunity to train as a scout and now she realised she never would because she was a seer.

“I am not saying ‘no’ Caris, I am just asking you to think through your priorities and to make sure you are not neglecting what is most important.”

“I haven’t been making the most of my time with Kalen and Jeniel. I think if I talked to them about being intentional in my time with them, I could learn more during the morning and scout during the afternoon.”

“Are you sure you are not just looking for a chance to spend more time with Janen?” Crispin smiled at her.

Caris felt herself burning up.

“I’m not saying that is not also a worthwhile pursuit,” he said, turning forward in order not to see her embarrassment.

Caris felt completely humiliated. She dashed away the tears that spurted from her eyes. Crispin looked back at her and his smile vanished.

“Caris I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Actually, I was hoping to learn from the elves while I have the opportunity,” she forced the words out. It had been her intention before he began to mock her, but she was sure he wouldn’t believe her now.

“Caris, I’m not sure what I said to hurt you. I know it’s none of my business but did you and Janen have a fight?”

She began to pull Indira back in order to fall behind.

“Talk to Kalen and Jeniel and see what they say, I will ask the scouts. I am sorry Caris,” he said, concern edging his voice. He allowed her to fall behind.

Caris rode apart from the others, engulfed in her shame and misery. After her days alone in the forest with Crispin, she felt she knew him almost better than anyone else, excepting Janen. She had shared almost everything about herself with him, almost, but not all. She felt guilty for not explaining herself to Crispin, but what could she say that was not completely obvious? She was in love with Janen, he would never feel the same about her, she was making a fool of herself with him, but if the only alternative was to avoid him then she couldn’t do it!

She thought back to the previous evening and her face burnt with shame. Her feelings would have been clear to anyone with eyes.
But it was so nice!
Fresh tears began to fall. Caris rode alone in her shame for a while, before burying it deep once again. The others could think whatever they liked; she would snatch what moments of happiness she could with Janen while it was still possible. She had lived with people’s judgements all her life and she was strong enough to continue to do so. She would not lose Janen before she had to, just because of other people’s opinions.

That night after he had finished teaching Son how to use his sword and washed off in the cool stream, they had set up camp beside, Janen sat down next to Caris, his arm pressed firmly to hers. Caris saw Crispin looking at her and she stared back defiantly. Crispin smiled at her sadly before looking away.
He does understand
, she realised. He was her friend and he didn’t judge her. The hard knot that had nestled in her stomach all day, melted away.

She turned to Jeniel who sat on her other side. Jeniel grinned mischievously at her and winked. Caris looked away smiling. Jeniel would probably never understand her situation, but her friend’s blind bias in her favour was comforting in its way. Caris sighed, the tension draining from her body.

“Are you okay?” Janen asked.

“I am now”

Janen smiled at her and excitement coursed through her. She wished this journey could last forever.

When Kilew finished his story, the others rose to go to their rolls. Caris knew she should do the same, she looked at Crispin but he was studiously looking the other way. Janen put his hand on her arm, gently restraining her,

“Stay awhile.”

She turned to smile at him. “How was scouting today?”

He didn’t move his hand away but let it slip down to gently rest on her wrist.

“I’ve been practising with the other scouts at shooting a bow from horseback. I tried fighting volves that way once and found myself woefully lacking. We thought it would be a good skill to learn.”

“I have never tried that. I talked to Crispin today about the possibility of training as a scout.” Caris said tentatively, unsure what Janen’s response would be after Crispin’s earlier comments.

“Caris you should! I have often wondered why you were not already one of the scouting party. You’re a natural scout already with your hunting skills. And there is so much you could learn from the elves. Caris they are remarkable!” Janen continued to tell her about the things they had taught him that day in a low voice so as not to disturb the others who lay nearby.

Eventually, their conversation turned to the stars that shone brightly in the cold sky. Caris gazed wonderingly at them. They had ridden high into the mountains and the stars looked so close in the clear sky she felt she could almost reach out and grab one.

They lay on their backs to look at them without craning their necks, competing to see who could find the best pictures in their patterns. The cold earth pressed against Caris’ back and she shivered. Janen pulled her close, slipping his arm under her back so she could nestle her head on the front of his shoulder. She accepted his act as the thoughtful friendship he intended it to be, the stars blurring before her as tears filled her eyes.

The next day, as they climbed higher into the mountains, Caris began her new regime. She spent half the morning with Jeniel memorising how to recognise different plants, how to prepare them, and what to use them for. The second half of the morning was spent with Kalen learning about visions and impressions ─ how they’re received and how to interpret them ─ and in quiet contemplation, during which time Caris struggled not to fall asleep in the saddle after her late nights. She spent her afternoons with Lillin and Minkre learning more about how to recognise different animal tracks, how to find small signs she had never considered before, how to tune in with not just the general atmosphere of the area but to develop an awareness that was conscious of everything in the local environ.

“Start first with one animal, listen to the sounds it is making, and keep it in your awareness until you move beyond its range, when you can do that you add more animals to your awareness. We call it memre – the ability to be in tune with every creature in isolation, simultaneously. When you have achieved memre with all the animals, you begin to add trees and every growing thing to your memre. The most advanced elves in memre can stay in tune with mountains, rocks, and every pebble.”

Caris laughed. “How can that be hard? They don’t do anything!”

Lillin smiled. “You will not understand it until you can do it.”

“Can you two do it?”

“No, I’m still struggling with moss,” she laughed.

“I almost did it once,” Minkre said almost shyly.

“You did? You never said,” Lillin exclaimed.

“My awareness just touched something, it was like a whiff of something and then it was gone.”

Lillin looked at Minkre in awe; Caris looked at both of them in confusion. Shrugging her shoulders, she began to focus her senses on a bindoo she had heard rustling in the undergrowth. Before they moved out of range she was distracted by something else and lost track of where it had moved to. During the second half of the afternoon, they began shooting arrows at trees from horseback. The elves said they could use memre and do other things at the same time, but Caris decided that for now she would practice one thing at a time.

The days fell into a regular routine for Caris as they rapidly approached the top of the mountains. She loved all that she was learning but her favourite part of every day was when she and Janen would lay back staring at the stars, his arm keeping her warm, her head nestled on his shoulder. She refused to think about the future, the present held everything she wanted.

As the days passed, the trees disappeared, animals became sparse, the elves drew back to the main group and everyone huddled into thick jackets against the biting wind that whipped across the top of the mountains. They pushed on through sleet and rain, Noley and Zeep’s grumbling drowned out by the weather, until finally, sniffling and miserable, the group descended far enough to reach a few trees growing on the other side of the mountain. The weather became milder and Crispin allowed them a morning to half dry their sodden gear.

Caris was relieved to discover the leather and design of her plant bag had protected its contents and everything within was still dry. Most of her clothes and belongings were wet though, except for her blankets, which had stayed protected within her roll. The men and women divided for the morning. Separated by a couple of bowshots and a few trees, they stripped off and, wrapping themselves in blankets for warmth, laid their clothes and the contents of their bags out to dry.

Ontro helped Caris collect sticks for a small fire, Caris asking her questions about her life before joining the Horse. She was impressed with the woman. At the beginning of the journey, she had been showy and slightly annoying, but once the worst of the weather had descended, she had buckled down, helping where she could and bearing with the hardship and discomfort with fortitude.

The scouts dressed late morning and went out to hunt, bringing back a couple of large green lizards for their midday meal. Caris was surprised by how good they tasted, like a cross between a bobby and an eppet. She was immensely grateful for the first hot meal she’d had in many a day. They were just finishing when Crispin whistled, signalling that they would soon depart. Caris climbed into her still damp clothes and saddled her stoic horse, who she’d brushed down well and fed with a warm mash. They set out, Caris moving ahead with the scouts as the trees began to thicken.

The next morning as Caris rode with Kalen, she began to get fleeting impressions of derks. She shared her thoughts with Kalen.

“Mmm, me too. It could just be because we are approaching the battle front.”

Caris felt uneasy with Kalen’s reply. She expected there to be derks in the Dark One’s army, but her disquiet seemed to suggest something else. She silenced her mind as Kalen had taught her to do, shutting out any distractions around her and stilling her thoughts. A deep apprehension filled her. An awareness of something ahead, filtered in. There was something blocking their path to The King. She looked at Kalen; worry lines creasing her forehead.

“I think there’s derks ahead, not in the army but close.”

“Yes,” said Kalen slowly, “You might be right. Come.” Caris followed Kalen to Crispin to whom they shared their impressions.

“Kilew, call the scouts in,” he called to the elf.

Kilew complied. Crispin led them off the trail to an area that backed a ridge. It was surrounded by boulders and trees and hid them from any casual observer of the area.

“We’ll rest the horses here,” he told the band, “No fires.”

Peteer, Winteen, and Janen soon joined them.

Kalen and Caris stood by Crispin as he told the scouts, “There’s derks ahead, see what you can discover.”

The elves glanced at Kalen and Caris and began to dismount; observing them, Janen followed suit. They loped off into the trees, Janen following behind. Caris began to tend Prince when, touching her elbow, Kalen said, “Come, let someone else do that, you have other work to do.” As Caris followed her to the edge of the small screened area she heard Crispin call out,

“Zeep, Ontro, Noley, tend the scouts’ horses.”

Caris sat with Kalen, her back to a large boulder. She began to still her mind but was distracted by Prince trying to bite Noley who was trying to remove his bridle. She saw Crispin suppress a grin before calling out,

“Son, come and see to Prince.” Noley began to walk away. Sternly Crispin ordered him to help Ontro with Peteer’s horse, Illup. Closing her eyes, Caris shut them out and began to delve deep within herself.

It seemed like only moments later when she felt Kalen’s gentle touch on her arm. “Anything?”

“Nothing.” Caris felt more refreshed and at peace than she had since her time with The Singer.

“Me either, perhaps our job is done. We will try again after we eat.” Caris looked up and was surprised to discover the sun mid way across the sky.

“I didn’t realise so much time had passed,” she commented as they made their way to join the others. Kalen smiled in reply. As she sat down with a plate of cold food, Caris noticed that at some point the other scouts had left their horses behind.