Wizard's Blood [Part Two] (75 page)

“
How about the lake?” Asari asked.

“
It’s supposed to be large and deep. My friend didn’t venture onto it, so he could only tell me what he observed from the shore.”

“
How about magical creatures in the lake?” Asari was still wary of such lakes after their experiences near Tilano. His vote was to make their way by land, even though it might take longer.

“
Nothing was said about any such creatures. Rumor has it that there are some magical creatures when one gets into the northern parts of the Lost Territories, but I’ve never heard stories of such being found here closer to the ocean.”

“
You’re still determined to go with us as far as the lake?” Jolan asked.

“
Aye. Myself, Samz, the carpenter, and of course a couple of the crew to help carry some of the items we will need to make the boat.”

The Captain had volunteered the crew members for the task. It would only take a couple of days to hike to the lake, and they could help build a temporary craft to take the three explorers across to the northern shores. They had all agreed it would be faster, and most likely safer. Once they set off, the crew members would return to the
Wave Runner
and wait for their return.

That evening a massive feast was held on the shore in celebration of their arrival. Asari and two of the crew had gone out a bit earlier and brought in several kinds of local game, which demonstrated that abundant supplies of food could be found if needed. Shyar had linked with Tishe and made their safe arrival known, and then everyone joined in for an evening of fun. They had traveled together for just over five weeks, during which time every member of the crew had become a friend. There was some concern about the three venturing off into such a dangerous land alone, but given the power of the magic that Jolan and Shyar had demonstrated, especially Shyar, only a few felt it necessary to voice their worry.

Jolan had made another Travel Box, this time leaving the base aboard the
Wave Runner
. Not only would they be able to stay in touch with the Captain, but the box would allow them to replenish supplies without having to carry the extra weight. Asari insisted they each carry a day’s ration of food and water with them, since the last box had left them unexpectedly, but he was also certain it would be a relatively simple matter to live off the land. He had his pistol and his bow, and he had survived in the wilds many months in the past with less.

The next morning, seven of them set off along the path the Chief Mate had pointed out the previous afternoon, and within minutes had been swallowed by the jungle, all signs of the
Wave Runner
and the ocean hidden from view. In the first hundred yards they found trees with a dozen different kinds of fruits, some vaguely familiar, and others unlike anything any of them had seen before. The crew would have to rely on Burk to tell them which of the many choices were safe to eat and which to avoid.

As soon as they were away from the shore, the warning about insects was fulfilled, and they were swarmed with a buzzing cloud of small hungry gnats that followed them eagerly. Once again, Jolan and Shyar were able to use their magic to keep them at bay, and to a lesser degree were able to push the swarm away from the rest of the party, but not entirely. The men were soon spotted with a variety of bites that itched maddeningly. Jolan promised to clear up the bites that night with his ring, but privately wondered how long before they would be covered with additional bites. The gnats seemed to be everywhere.

As they moved inland, the land rose slowly. It was so slight that it didn’t seem like they were climbing at all, but several hours in Lyen paused and pointed back the way they had come. They were on a small rise, and in the far distance they could see the ocean and their ship anchored peacefully near the shore. Jolan figured it would be almost a month before they stood on her decks again, and that assumed their trip went smoothly.

Supposedly there were native tribes that lived in the Lost Territories, but they had yet to see any indication that anyone had been here before. Yade had told them that an earlier party had traded briefly with one group on the wide river they had passed by some days ago. Perhaps they would find someone when they got to the lake. If they could communicate, they might learn something about their intended destination. It appeared that none of the previous expeditions had ventured more than a couple of days inland from the ocean. They would be seeking the home of the dragons in an area that apparently no one had visited in recorded history.

The jungle became thicker as they moved inland. Often Jolan or Shyar had to use a touch of magic to cut through the thick growth and make a path for them. The jungle yielded easily to their use of the power, and no one had to wear themselves out chopping through the tough thick vines that seemed to string across every path. A number of snakes, some quite large, were seen in the trees, slithering across some of the limbs and hanging off branches. So far they hadn’t paid the adventurers any notice, but Jolan was glad he could set up a barrier if needed to keep them away. He was also thankful for the healing ring he wore. He had a feeling it might be needed before this trip was over.

They came to a small clearing where the stream had widened into a bit of a pool, and decided to break for the day. A few hours of daylight remained, but they had made reasonable time and, not knowing what lay ahead, they couldn’t be certain of finding another place as well suited to the group. Camp was made smoothly and efficiently, and before long a fire was going while Asari and one of the crewmen headed off in search of game for dinner. Less than a half hour later they returned with a couple of miniature deer, which were skinned and gutted and soon spitted over the flames.

Shyar set up a protective barrier around the camp area to keep the creatures out, and they settled down to discussing the day’s adventures. Once it became dark and everyone was fed, the talk soon died out as they each drifted off to sleep or lay with their own thoughts. Asari burned with energy despite having been one of the busiest of the group all day, but he seemed to have no problem containing his enthusiasm and falling asleep when he decided it was time. Jolan and Shyar lay beside each other, and talked quietly for a while before slipping off.

* * * *

“
Where did he go?” Shyar asked when Lyen came and told them about the missing crewman.

“
Tuor says he went to take a leak,” Lyen explained.

Shyar had built the barrier so that each member of the group could pass through if they desired, but she had not expected any one of them to slip off in the dark alone. The man had apparently been gone a couple of hours now. Anything could have happened to him.

“
Since he was only going to answer nature’s call, he shouldn’t have gone far,” Jolan reasoned. “We can make a loop and see if we can tell where he left the barrier and, even if we don’t, by increasing the radius we should find him soon enough.

Jolan expected to find him within a very short distance of the enclosure. The man had probably just sought the first tree he could find to go behind. Instead they were more than fifty yards out before they located him.

“
Here,” yelled Lyen who was perhaps sixty degrees to the left of Jolan and perhaps ten yards farther out.

Everyone converged on Lyen, who knelt next to the missing man. Even from Jolan’s position a few meters away it was clear the man was dead. His left hand and neck were swollen and almost black in color. The man’s tongue protruded from between his lips and looked to be so swollen it would have been impossible for him to get air past it.

“
Some kind of bite,” Lyen said, pointing to the indentation in the man’s arm, a few inches below the elbow. “Most likely one of the snakes, but it could be something else. Could have dropped out of the trees on him. We saw enough of the things in the branches the other day.”

The statement caused everyone to check around and above them to be sure they were not standing under something. Asari shook his head. He had known the man fairly well. While a bit of a character, he had been a hard worker and careful about his work. Asari reached down to grab the man’s legs. Lyen grabbed the shoulders and they carried him back toward camp.

The mood was somber as they gathered everything together in preparation for leaving. The burial had been a short affair. Jolan had used his power to create a trench, and after gathering anything of value from the man, they had placed him in the bottom, and Jolan had moved the dirt back into place. Lyen and Asari said a few words, but there were no formal ceremonies here on Gaea, so there was little more to be done. Shyar wrote a note that she placed in the box so those back at the ship would know what had occurred and be even more vigilant against the same thing happening there.

The group was silent as they made their way back onto the trail. Eyes were more watchful as they moved through the trees. Jolan assumed he could have cured the man with the ring had he known the man had been bitten and been able to reach him in time, but it appeared the man had run when attacked and in the dark had run away rather than toward the camp. Why he hadn’t cried out they didn’t know.

By the middle of the afternoon the jungle began to change. The thickest of the vegetation was behind them, and gradually the underbrush gave way to thick grasses and the trees thinned, with the tall palms dominating the area. The high palms with their bushy tops allowed the sky to show through and seemed to eliminate the concern of the snakes crawling above them. Tuor was almost struck by a falling kurack, which looked like an oversized coconut to Jolan. It thumped into the ground with a solid whump, causing an indentation that was fully six inches deep. It would have cracked the man’s skull had it hit him, reminding them that all danger was not past.

They made good time the rest of the day, and while they were able to catch glimpses of the lake from a couple of small rises, as evening approached they had not yet reached the southern shore. Once again they made camp, this time in far more open and comfortable surroundings. Even so, Shyar once again raised the barrier around them. Who knew what surprises might be found in this seemingly safe area. No one had to remind anyone that leaving the barrier should be done only in pairs.

Night came swiftly, and they were all emotionally drained, stifling any desire for talk. Jolan lay watching two of the moons. The smallest moon was visible for a change, or at least he was looking tonight and happened to see it. He watched as it made its way across the sky, dimming and disappearing before it completed the circuit.

Everyone was eager to be up come dawn, so they had a simple breakfast of fruit and water and were soon on the trail. The vegetation was changing once again, the palms giving way to somewhat shorter trees with broad leaves. The large leaves blocked some of the light and that resulted in more bare ground under the canopy created by the trees, which made the walking even easier. Three hours later they arrived at the shore.

Jolan didn’t know the actual size of this lake, or the great lake up by Tilano for that matter, but from what he could see this one rivaled the size of the lake back in the Land of Giants. The southern shore was wide, and the lake seemed to stretch forever in the east west direction, with the northern shore lost in the distance. The waters looked clear and, after a taste, Lyen declared it was pure and refreshing. Tiny ripples lapped at the small rocks that formed the shore at their present location, and only the faintest of ripples could been seen out on the lake proper. Perhaps if the wind were to pick up, the surface would become rougher, but for the moment all Jolan could think of was that it looked perfect for waterskiing.

While Shyar made camp, the rest of the team explored the nearby area for a couple of trees that would be likely candidates for the boat they intended to make. Most of the trees close to the water were smaller, but a hundred yards back and off to one side they found a large specimen of a tree that Samz was familiar with. He grinned happily when they found it.

“
Perfect,” he exclaimed. “The bark on this tree will strip right off leaving a smooth surface that’ll be perfect for our purpose. It’s also thick enough.”

Samz had explained to Jolan what he hoped to make. Unlike the broad beamed boats they had used to come ashore from the
Wave Runner
, he wanted to make something resembling a canoe. It would have a stabilizing beam off to one side, but would be far easier and swifter for the three of them to paddle than the more standard boat.

Jolan used a bit of magic to bring down the huge tree, then lifted it and moved it back to the shore. Immediately the four men went to work stripping off the branches and the bark. Samz marked off the area he intended to hollow out, and then they made room for Shyar, who was more talented than Jolan at this kind of thing. Quickly she removed the unwanted wood from the center, leaving behind a smooth interior with more than enough room for the three of them. A bit more carefully applied magic and the forward end of the log was turned into a pointed bow. All that remained was for the balance beam to be added, and a couple of comfortable seats to be fitted to the inside. They had brought a couple of paddles with them, so it wasn’t necessary to fabricate any. In a little more than an hour, the boat was complete.

Lyen insisted that the three of them take a short trial run, just to be sure the balance was correct and there wasn’t something they’d overlooked. Splashing into the shallow water, Jolan got into the back, and Shyar climbed in directly in front of him. Asari took the bow position and, with a push from Lyen standing knee deep in the water, they headed out into the lake.