Again Olexion shook his head. ‘I sympathize my lady, but I cannot agree to this.’
Elmira could not let it go. She had one more hand to play and prayed she would not seem the fool. She reached into her bag and pulled out the stone Rebecca had given her. She held it up in the light from the window.
‘Does this mean anything to you?’ said Elmira.
Olexion’s expression remained unchanged; it was his eyes though that trained themselves on the thing in Elmira’s hand.
‘I thought you said-’
Gotcha, thought Elmira.
‘It was a gift from Bennam, his widow, Rebecca, gave it to me. What is it?’ asked Elmira curiously, enjoying herself.
Olexion was hesitant.
‘Here’s my offer Ranger; you explain to me what this is and I’ll come with you to Alparack, keeping it safe until we find Cid. Then, in exchange for your help the stone will be yours,’ said Elmira.
Olexion grunted. He was cornered, he had no other choice.
‘That lady, is an Alder stone. The Temple in Asheva collects them and they are used to magically store Summoners’ memories so that when used they may remember their past lives and reconcile their powers.’
‘Bennam wanted those Summoners in Alparack to remember something. He was laying out a trail,’ said Elmira, surprised by her own excitement. This story was much more interesting than anything else Lanston could offer her.
‘That would be my guess as well. My lady, I must insist on you giving the stone to us so that we may set out for Alparack by morning. If I can get the stone to the Summoners we will undoubtedly uncover Bennam’s secrets.’
‘No, the stone will be kept with me until I find Cid, you can take the stone along if you take me along,’ said Elmira determinedly.
Olexion wasn’t going to pretend that he was winning. He leaned forward. ‘We depart tomorrow morning at dawn. Make sure you are at the Castle gates by then. Our Volje are stationed there at the aviary, so we’ll take off from there.’
Elmira brightened.
‘You won’t regret it sir. Thank you,’ said Elmira. ‘Could you send someone to escort me from my house?’
‘You do not have guards of your own?’ asked Olexion disbelievingly.
Elmira shook her head. ‘I’m still confined to my father’s wishes and he will not allow me to leave without excuse. I simply need a valid way of getting out without him prohibiting me. If I’m to be summoned to the Castle by a Ranger my father will not interfere,’ said Elmira.
‘Very well, Troas here will be waiting for you at your house tomorrow morning.’
‘Thank you, I live-’
‘We know where you live my lady,’ said Olexion almost impatiently.
The Rangers paid for the drinks and departed without a further word.
Left alone Elmira was struck by the absurd occasion of meeting these Rangers and even more bizarre was this fable of betrayal they confided to her.
All she really cared about though was Cid’s well-being and for now she had hope. But there was something else, the promise of escaping Lanston set a great excitement in her; suddenly she felt involved in the matter as though she too would have a say in how life would turn out for Cid and herself. One thing she knew for sure was that this stone she carried was incredibly important, for otherwise the Rangers would not have wasted any more time on her. She also knew Bennam had deliberately intended it to come her way, so that the Rangers could get it from her.
He might not have banked on me coming along with the Rangers though…
As Elmira prepared to leave she thought about this man, Olexion. Everyone always held fantasies of the Rangers being chivalrous, courtly and crowd pleasers. Elmira would not dare question the Rangers’ bravery but there was something hardened about Olexion, like a man who had seen too much of life. It might’ve just been his personality, but his subordinates seemed to be much of the same.
Guess they won’t be the best company while we travel, not that it matters really.
Chapter 25
From Rade’Remar
The Valkyrie women caught up with the army that night. Their summons had come to Rade’Remar some weeks ago, theirs an independent city-state isolated from the world of men on a desert island. Although the Valkyrie were allowed to govern themselves they still fostered a loyalty pact with the Kingdom, which obligated them to serve when the calling came. They were a small group, being only eight of them, but made up for their lack of numbers with abilities unique to the Sisterhood.
Vanapha led them. She was the foremost and the Captain. They would stay clear from the army in general, rather preferring to tail the men from Lanston and identifying threats from a distance. Today however Stelinger’s messenger had routed back to find them, urging the Valkyries to meet with the Commander.
The army was preparing to stop for the night when the Valkyries walked into a camp busy assembling itself. This was no accident; with the men preoccupied with putting up their shelter the Valkyries might be less hindered on their way to the commanding pavilion. Even so, as they moved through the town of tents there wasn’t a single man who did not look up at them from his place of work or rest.
Hailing from the desert these women were proud warriors by nature. Tall, lean and muscular, and all that without betraying a single grace of feminine beauty. They were armoured in light steel breastplates, helms, greaves and bracers; enamelled to appear a grey-blue over their otherwise leather garments, their jerkins showing at the shoulder and collar, matching the tassets around their waists. Their thighs were bare above their greaves and boots, much more for mobility rather than teasing the men as they would so like to believe.
Each woman shouldered a composite long-bow and a quiver of 50 arrows.
Just by listening to the whispers of the other men someone ignorant would soon discover the Valkyries to be archers of world renown. Their secondary weapons were mostly swords at the waist, and two of them also carried spears with which to counter mounted forces, or more likely in the canyon, charging Reavers. It was nevertheless their skill with a bow that made them strike helpless fear into their enemies. Contrast to her sisters Vanapha’s armour was enamelled a dark red, signifying her as the Captain.
Lanston soldiers drew closer to the sight of the Valkyries like moths to flame, their gazing almost shameless. Vanapha kept her face cold and held her sights on Stelinger’s tent; she was pleased to know her sisters were doing the same, and pleased to know that their helms blocked out most of their faces.
The relationship between the Kingdom and the Valkyries was strenuous at best. The Kingdom did not believe that all allies were equal, and made they very clear that the only reason the Valkyries could live in peace on their island was by the Kingdom’s goodwill. The Valkyries did not share this sentiment, seeing themselves more than capable of fending for themselves. Nonetheless, their enemies were always mutual, and their interests more or less aligned. The allegiance was beneficial, and far outweighed what would come to pass should the east ever crumble to the fallen masses.
During the walk through the camp Vanapha kept glancing at the sky; she was not alone. Shaki-Halima the green had made a sudden appearance, a mid-sized moon with an emerald glow, a jewel of the sky and associated with so many things mystical. Even the Valkyries were surprised at its appearance, or rather, they had expected a different moon entirely at this point in time.
Upon entering they found Stelinger’s pavilion crowded with men. They were his guards, his magi, and also, unbeknownst to the Valkyrie, Colonel Drissil. The interior for now was a mess of tables and maps, certain to be cleared later to accommodate a couple of sleeping pallets
They came to a crowded halt and Vanapha made the first gesture, removing her helm and saluting this new Commander. She had worked a couple of times under old Commander Bennam and she now realized she hated coming to terms with a new commanding officer.
Stelinger was dressed casually and didn’t respond favourably to the Valkyrie
.
‘Best trackers in the world and you show up now?’ stated Stelinger.
The women from Rade’Remar were hot-headed to the last and it was only by Vanapha’s composure that Stelinger wasn’t crushed under a storm of retort. There was some serious staring though.
‘Since we’re all so very merry I’ll make this brief,’ said Stelinger coldly, ‘I have a rogue Colonel running loose in the valley. He has already cost me four hundred soldiers’ lives and he might still continue to jeopardize our operation. We suspect he sold the army out to the Fallen. He travels with a spear and his accomplice carries an axe. Also, he seems to be accompanied by a Summoner, so practice caution. Find them as quickly as you can and kill them, show no mercy.’
‘Alparack Valley is huge, even with our Farsight it may prove difficult to track them down promptly,’ said Vanapha.
‘I’ll give you something to look for then,’ said Stelinger, drawing his sword.
Vanapha went rigid with alarm, but the Commander merely held the sword toward her.
‘Touch it, take it in, Cid’s spear is made from the exact same steel.’
Vanapha motioned at Claire, the group’s foremost Star·Seer, to approach.
The raven haired girl came to stand at Vanapha’s side, then touched the flat side of the blade. She closed her eyes for a moment, frowning, as though she was tasting the metal of the sword with her fingers. She drew back some time later, her face going pale, yet remained silent as she retreated behind Vanapha again.
‘There, you should be able to find him now, report to me when they’re dead, and bring me the spear,’ said Stelinger callously, ‘that is all.’
The Valkyrie saluted in silence and left the tent.
Vanapha was relieved to be out Stelinger’s face. She now knew that she definitely preferred old Bennam. This new Commander was a menace.
‘Claire, what is it, you look like you’ve seen a ghost?’ asked Vanapha outside.
Claire waited until they were out of the thick of listening ears. ‘Funny you should mention that Captain, I might as well have - it was as if the Commander’s sword was alive.’
‘A weapon of Ruin?’ asked Vanapha.
‘I cannot be sure, but what else could it be?’ said Claire.
‘You will be able to find this man Cid though?’ asked Vanapha.
Claire nodded. ‘As long as he carries his spear, yes.’
‘Then let’s get out of this camp and be done with it, we’ll be going home soon enough,’ said Vanapha encouragingly to all her sisters.
Chapter 26
Suspicion
Night-time was an entity of its own down in the depths of the canyon. What was a beautiful play of red and orange colours from the rocks during dusk and dawn became an incredibly dark act at night. Coming on the heels of the last of daylight was the howling wind, descending from the mesas and plateaus, gaining a ghostly fury as it sailed through Fafriv. It blew unwelcomed dust it as came, rocking the tents and dousing the fires. Irritable the men would get their spare leathers, cloaks and buckskins and erect makeshift barriers as they spanned them between their tents to protect the campfires.
Drissil himself could not stand the wind, cursing it. The word was strong around the camp, its implications causing hundreds of men all around whispering in arguments and conspiracies.
Drissil wasn’t convinced. Cid of Rogana, a traitor? A fool in some way, sure… a traitor? I don’t think so.
Drissil had at least expected Stelinger to capture Cid before condemning the man to death, to give him chance of trial or interrogation. This was why Drissil didn’t trust Stelinger, why he had wanted Cid to get the promotion instead. Whether Stelinger was in the right or not Drissil was suspicious.
Hell, since Bennam’s death everyone’s been suspicious, an inevitability given that Cid, the deemed culprit, was one of the most trusted men in the army. On top of it, they were out in unfamiliar territory and the very man who had conceived the operation was murdered.
Very encouraging, thought Drissil sarcastically.
Lying on his conscious now was the fact that Drissil was actually present when Stelinger assigned the Valkyries to hunt Cid down and he could do nothing to stop Stelinger. The Valkyries would, if their reputation was anything to go by, arrow Cid and his men down without them even ever knowing they were being tracked. Drissil rolled his shoulders uncomfortably at the prospect of an innocent Cid killed by his own Kingdom.
The facts substantiate Stelinger though; Cid might as well be traitorous, thought Drissil. Even then he didn’t believe it.
Drissil knew Stelinger didn’t like Cid, but why hinge off and redirect valuable forces, straying from the plan and thus endangering the army?
Drissil was however in no mind to challenge Stelinger on Cid’s situation. He was content to watching things unfold like they should. Whether or not Cid really was a traitor, Drissil would be ill-advised drawing Stelinger’s attention.
One thing was for sure, the little trust he held for his new Commander was being blown away like the dust by the howling wind.
Chapter 27
At Beck and Call
Stelinger slept, rolling onto his back. He let go the defences of his mind and allowed himself to be lulled into the warmth of the magic, leaving everything real and sensible far behind. It would not be his first time, and had been expecting contact for some while now.
Just like a dream Stelinger had no reference of when it started, merely finding himself walking through a void of nothing more than dark mists swirling all around him. He could move his feet, yet it brought him nowhere, the void continued ever on. This was a dream to be sure, but he knew it was nothing ordinary.
He waited, and then even before the man appeared he felt somebody else touching upon his consciousness. Arumcas stepped forward, looking just like he did when Stelinger had met him in the flesh. Tall, a gaunt face, and a dark curtain of hair that fell onto his shoulders. Stelinger had little doubt he was staring at the most dangerous man in the world.
He would rather ally himself with such sooner than later. In some way he was already the Summoner’s champion, but right now he was fearful in the light of Cid’s survival.
Arumcas’ magic allowed dreamers to make contact hundreds of miles apart and he didn’t put it past the Summoner to be able to hurt or kill people in this way as well.
‘It’s been awhile,’ announced the Summoner.
‘Yes Master, the operation has developed much since we last spoke. I’m regretful though to report that Cid of Rogana is still alive.’
‘How so?’
‘He fought his way past the trap, by chance he picked up a stray Summoner on a Kingdom mission and it gave him the means to get out of the ambush,’ said Stelinger.
‘A stray Summoner?’ asked Arumcas, sounding more curious than annoyed.
‘I had Piatil look into it. Two Summoners were dispatched to Alparack’s veil to test new Kingdom magicks. The full details as you might imagine are not available to us here at the warcamp.’
‘And what will you do about Cid? I do not need to tell you that he is the single greatest threat to the plan.’
Stelinger afforded himself a smile. ‘Bennam’s best intentions will serve us once more. He requested assistance from the Valkyries for our march north, and I have already assigned a group of them to track and hunt down Cid.’
Arumcas nodded, considered his words and then said:
‘I found you as a man open to the possibilities of power beyond the mere echelons of the Kingdom. I shaped you, and I iterated upon you that there is no backing out, no failure. If we succeed, the Kingdom will fall and give way, and you will claim your place at my side in our new society.’
‘I have dedicated myself wholly to that end, Master,’ said Stelinger, fearing that Arumcas was also emphasizing what would happen to him if he did not succeed.
‘Then we understand each other. We will speak again, soon,’ said the Summoner, fading
out of the dream like a ghost.
Stelinger shivered, sure that he was doing so in his pallet as well. He’d like to think that he feared no living man, but this Summoner was far beyond any normal human and revelled in the death of others. He understood well that if he allowed Cid to disrupt the plan Arumcas might well kill him as punishment. Pushing these notions aside he closed his eyes and waited patiently for the dream to end.
Chapter 28
Traitors
By sunrise they were on the run again. Hungry and tired they were, yet Alex assured them the canyon was close now and it spurred them all on to keep moving. At some point they abandoned the treetop path, choosing the ground trail as they were nearing the end of the forest border.
The trees finally thinned out and the men slowed their pace, the earth already much harder under their boots as they neared the ridge.
Up ahead, gaped the canyon. For the first time in more than a week they could breathe into horizons, the blue sky vivid to their eyes, the forest a maze best left forgotten. The cliff leading into the canyon below was quite a sight by itself. Earthquakes or some other seismic activity had started the scar through Alparack, while wind and flash floods had cut the passes deep and smooth. Growth was sparse inside the canyon self as it accommodated mostly bushels and succulents, the occasional twenty feet tall cacti a remarkable feature among its otherwise bland plethora of rocks and stones.
Cid and Alex quickly studied the landscape, trying to discern exactly where they were.
‘Captain, I think the ramp is south of us, we already passed it. I wouldn’t advise trying to scale down here,’ said Alex, looking down the cliff face.
‘I think you’re right, let’s move,’ said Cid.
All along the ridge they travelled, sticking close to the forest edge so that they could easily get out of sight if needed to. They did not have to run far to spot the ramp and again they drew strength from knowing they were headed for salvation.
The only one remaining sceptical was Lidayel, Cid keeping a close eye on him, knowing that the Summoner would face some reprimand or another.