Arnot was the largest of the seven cities inhabited by the Comburen, the commoners who lived in the Southlands. Located only five miles beyond the Forest’s southern border, the city had steadily grown for over two hundred years. It was home to a wide array of inhabitants. Some had come from the fishing villages that subsisted along the coast. Others came by horseback from the southern regions of the Sharanth Plains. Still others arrived upon ships that sailed from distant ports to reach Arnot’s bustling harbor. However they arrived, the people of Arnot were known for their willingness to take chances and accept chaos over order or structure.
During the course of the last three days, Jerrid, Audain and Rendel had been traveling southward through a valley that descended from the Highlands. With each mile passed they felt the impact that Arnot’s appetite for resources placed upon the Forest.
They rode through an area where the hills had been stripped bare of vegetation and the ground ripped open to expose the minerals that lay below. Around them, piles of strangely colored ore lay scattered across a wasteland where groves of pine and magnolia once flourished.
“I can’t believe anyone would do something like this,” Audain said.
“We will be out of here soon,” Jerrid answered. He looked southward. “The terrain keeps sloping down for another mile. I see dry grassland beyond that. It seems to extend a long way, even to the sea. We should get to Arnot by midday.”
Audain barely heard him. Her eyes were clouded and vacant, her senses overcome by the devastation around them.
About two hours later, they approached the city. An area dominated by large buildings lay just ahead. Though the day was clear, the sun was obscured by a veil of thick smoke that drifted overhead.
“What do you think of our route now?” Audain asked looking upon several rows of forges spewing black smoke. “I don’t understand why anyone would want to live in a place like this. I can’t believe we’re actually going to ride into it.”
“We really don’t have much choice,” Rendel answered. He seemed a bit irritable. “That valley we were in offered no other way than to keep following it downward. The map shows we will need to go west for a while before we can turn north, back into the Forest.”
“We’ve already talked about this,” Jerrid added. “We are all uneasy, Audain. But since we’re this close to the city, we need to get some supplies. It’s been almost a week since we left Gladeis.”
“I know, but it doesn’t make me happy,” she growled. “Arnot and the other cities in the Southlands are full of the Comburen. Mindless consumers Rhecca calls them. She has always said that our people have no place here. The Comburen don’t welcome strangers and they’d rather rob than help you. Let’s get what we need and be out of here.”
“Try and relax,” Jerrid said. He had a small pouch of coins that his grandfather had given him. “Here, take this. I’ve carried them a long way. Remember, Rhecca is not talking about anyone we’ll meet; she’s just tainted by some bad experiences. If we treat people nicely, we’ll be okay. Maybe we can even learn about the Southlands. It’s always good to know what’s important to people. That way you can guess what to expect from them in the future. I know that the Forest separates us but maybe they can help. I’ve never heard of the Comburen having problems with the Sortiri.”
As they continued riding, they passed through an area of shacks. Most were built from old boards. Arnot seemed to be a place for the poor.
It was midday when they entered the harbor district. The streets here were laid out in a more orderly manner. The horses’ hooves clomped noisily upon the fieldstone surface. The appearance of the people they passed improved. Most carried bags or packages as they walked along the sidewalks.
Jerrid stopped before a large storefront. A steady flow of people seemed to be entering and leaving. Audain and Rendel followed his example. Their horses tied to the rail at the edge of the road, they stood there looking uncomfortable.
“One of us should stay here,” Jerrid said suspiciously.
“You two go in,” Rendel answered. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
Audain and Jerrid entered the front door. Inside, food and other supplies where displayed upon long rows of shelving which stretched from one end of the building to the other. The storekeeper was well past fifty years, partially bald and with a large waistline. He watched carefully as Audain and Jerrid walked along the aisles putting various items into a basket.
“You Foedan?” the man asked. He possessed a heavy accent. “We don’t get many like you. Between the Forest and that Neverth River, no one travels from the north.” He paused a moment. “I’m not here to barter,” he resumed, “at least not today. Already got more stuff to sell than buyers to buy. If you don’t have money, go someplace else. I don’t want you wasting my time.”
Audain restrained her inclination to snap at this rude treatment. “What about this?” She took a few coins from the pouch Jerrid had given her and held them up. The cashier walked over for a closer look.
“Oh, that’s fine.” His frown softened. “That’s the coin they use in the little towns. We get traders from all over. Take your time, Miss.”
“We will,” Audain said though she was glad to see that the basket Jerrid carried was already full. “That should last us for a while,” she whispered. “Let’s pay and get going. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.”
“I’m sorry I was harsh,” the cashier said, overhearing. “We don’t see Foedan much, though we hear tales about their tricks and such. You see, in Arnot we build things with our hands. There’s no funny shaping, or whatever it is you call it. We just work hard. We stick to ourselves and the other Comburen cities. They are like us, so trading is easy.”
“We don’t see many Comburen either,” Jerrid answered. He placed the basket on a counter. “Most people like it that way. It’s too bad everyone is so nervous of strangers. The Foedan have different ways to make things happen. We try to stay connected to the land. We strive to meld with it, keeping our impact as small as we can. You won’t see any huge rows of forges up north.”
“That’s easy when you don’t have many mouths to feed,” the man replied. “Didn’t you notice? Arnot is the biggest city in the Southlands, far larger than any of your Foedan towns. It takes lots of resources to support a place like this. We do the best we can.”
Audain looked darkly at Jerrid, not understanding why he was talking to this man. She already saw the destruction the Comburen were reaping on southern borders of the Forest. Why call attention upon the Foedan? If these Comburen ever thought to expand to the north, they’d destroy everything the Foedan loved.
“Let’s go, Jerrid. Our business is done here. These people don’t have the appreciation we do for our world. It’s not their fault; they just don’t care the way we do.”
“I was just trying to see another point of view,” Jerrid replied. “I know things are different in the north. But if we don’t try and understand why people act the way they do, we’ll never get anywhere. Sooner or later our paths will cross. The barriers that seem to have built up over time are getting taller.”
“You’re right, Son,” the man answered with a smile. “I’m sorry, but it’s hard to change the way we think. I just try to get by. But I like to think I’m a little more open-minded than most, especially since I deal with so many people every day. Most folks have no time or tolerance for other ideas. They become stuck in their ways, though they always deny it. My customers are all a little odd, to be truthful. They tend to think they are perfect. If I let them know otherwise, I soon lose them,” he laughed.
“So it comes down to being realistic,” Jerrid added. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“I guess so. You see, the other option is not so good. Thanks for coming in, both of you. Son, if you and I can live the way we just talked about there probably will be monuments built for us someday. I’ll try, but don’t cut the stone for me yet.”
Jerrid followed Audain. They were just
leaving when a tall man came through an entrance at the opposite end of the store.
“Why, Nathan,” the cashier called. “There was a young woman here a moment ago that paid me with the same coin you use.”
Jerrid overheard the cashier and glanced back. When he recognized Nathan, he pushed Audain along. Outside, they packed their new supplies into saddlebags. Audain finished first and mounted Arum. Jerrid had just untied Feor when Nathan walked from the store. The man from Sligo smiled broadly when he recognized the Sharanth Stallion.
“Why, I thought it was you. And what a horse that is. So you managed to tame him, after all. May I touch him?”
Jerrid put his left foot into the stirrup and swung onto the large animal’s back. He remembered how little trust he had in this man when it came to Feor.
“He’s a bit wild,” Jerrid answered. “I can’t guarantee that he won’t bite you.”
“That would be no way to treat a friend,” Nathan said, ignoring Jerrid’s warning and stroking Feor’s nose. “What an amazing animal. Were you able to get the supplies you need?”
“Yes, thanks,” Jerrid answered shortly.
“That’s good. People here are not always easy to deal with, especially for a group like yours. Foedan are rarely seen in these parts. I can help you if you need anything. I know your father will be good for it when I ride back to Garth and tell him where I saw you.” Nathan winked and smiled at Jerrid.
“My father and I don’t exactly see things eye to eye,” Jerrid said, his face flushing a slight red. “Tell him whatever you want. I wouldn’t expect a welcome from him.”
“Easy, Son, don’t judge me too fast. It looks like your horse here is learning patience. Can I ask for a little from you?”
“If I have a lack, maybe that’s something my father forgot to teach.” Jerrid prodded Feor. The horse turned and took a few steps.
“It’s not too late to learn,” Nathan said calmly. “If a horse can become patient, so can the man who rides him.”
“I’m sure that’s true,” Jerrid said with a wry grin. “Unfortunately, there are two problems. Few men want to change, and a man is more apt to forget than a horse.”
“Indeed,” Nathan said laughing heartily. “Let me apologize and start over. I mean no harm to you or your friends. I especially mean no harm to this horse. Just seeing him again fills me with hope and makes me realize I’ve a lot to learn. How I envy you.” Nathan looked one by one at Jerrid and his companions. “I’m an old friend of Jerrid’s and the Foedan of Garth. Call me Nathan. I’m glad to be at your service.”
Audain and Rendel nodded, and introduced themselves. They looked a little uneasy.
“It was a nice surprise seeing you here, Nathan,” Jerrid said trying to sound sincere. “We only stopped for some supplies and were just leaving. Tell my father I said hello should you be in Garth. I’m not sure when I’ll be back there. Good day to you.”
He nudged Feor to start walking back along the road. Arum and Tara followed. Jerrid waited until Feor had gone several hundred feet before looking back. The large man from Sligo was gone.
“Who was that?” Audain asked.
“He’s a store keeper from Sligo. My grandfather and I stopped by his shop a few weeks ago. He’s also a bit of a horse trader. Feor is from a herd of wild horses that roams near Sligo. Nathan has been longing to capture wild horses like him for a long time. I guess that’s why I haven’t trusted him.”
“I can see why you’d be suspicious of anyone in this town,” Audain commented. “Rendel, you didn’t hear the cashier in the store but he made it pretty clear that Foedan are not welcome here. Rhecca was right about them.”
“I’ve met a lot of people whose first reaction was suspicion,” Rendel said. “In a place like this, it would be hard to blame anyone.”
They continued riding. Jerrid looked back frequently. He was relieved to see that they were not being followed. About thirty minutes passed. They were about a mile outside of Arnot when Rendel noticed a rider approaching from their rear.
“It looks like that Nathan is coming up behind us,” he said. “He’s riding quite fast, especially since he’s trailing a loaded pack horse.”
Jerrid thought about speeding up. Instead, he held Feor steady, following Nathan’s advice of patience. They would have to wait and see what would happen.
In a few minutes the trader drew alongside. “It seems like our paths have crossed again, Jerrid. If you don’t mind, I’d like to ride with you for a while. I hate to travel alone, especially when I’ve a load of goods. I’m heading to Driftwood to trade with some of the merchants there.”
Jerrid was not sure how to answer. He vaguely remembered that Driftwood was two day’s ride west of Arnot. The road he and his friends planned to follow would take them in that direction for many miles. It looked like they’d have to put up with the trader or find some excuse to reject his company.
“What do you two say?” Jerrid asked his companions. “I believe Mr. Nathan will be taking the same road as we are for a while.”
“Oh, good,” Nathan said excitedly. “Are you heading to Driftwood?”
“No, we’ll be turning north sometime tomorrow,” Rendel interjected. “If you want to ride with us until then, I’ve no problem with it.”
“Thanks, Rendel. So now we’ve just got the lady. Beg my pardon, Miss, but I’d love to ride with you and your friends, with your leave of course.”
Audain smiled at his charm and tried to suppress her true reaction. “We’d love to have you along, Mr. Nathan,” she answered trying to sound nonchalant. “The more we have, the safer I shall feel.”
“Wonderful! If you don’t mind me asking, where do you plan to head when you turn north? There’s nothing there but Forest, impassable by most counts. Worse yet is to stay by the river and hope that you don’t get caught in one of those freak floods that pop up in that area.”
“We’re heading to Deluge,” Jerrid answered.
“The water city,” Nathan said. “Be careful. Those boatmen have no taste for strangers. My trader friends don’t often go that way.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Rendel said.
“Since you’re Foedan maybe you’ll have better luck and they’ll welcome you, send a boat over and take you to their island. It’s a long trip around the lake to the bridge. In Deluge, if they don’t want you, they tend to just ignore you. They like their haunted lake and don’t want outsiders.”
“What do you mean by haunted?” Audain asked curiously. “I’ve spent most of my life by the river that feeds that lake.”
“Sorry, Miss, I meant no offense. It’s just that most people think that there’s something odd about the Neverth. The whole Forest really. It’s unpredictable. Like I said before, one minute you’re walking along the river peacefully and the next the water is rising and threatening to drag you all the way to the sea. Got to be careful, ya do. That’s assuming you’ve a taste for the Forest since you have to pass through it at the same time. A man like me from the Sharanth, I like to feel the sun on my back, see it come up in the morning and set at night. I get a creepy feeling in that Forest.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” she feigned. “To me, being out here in the open is creepy and alone. I’m looking forward to seeing the southern part of the Neverth.”
Nathan studied her a moment as he rode. “You must be from the green city then,” he said cautiously. “Don’t hear much from there. Can’t say as though I’ve even met one of you tree people before. I’d love to hear more about your city.” He paused a moment, still thinking. “If you didn’t pass along the southern Neverth, how did you manage to get here?”
Audain realized she was talking too freely. She glanced toward Jerrid, wondering how to answer.
“We came over the Highlands,” he said, figuring they might as well be direct.
“I see,” Nathan said pondering. “You sure are an unusual fellow, Jerrid. You show up in Arnot on a wild Sharanth when I kno
w you were in Garth just a few weeks ago. Then you say you got here by riding this wild horse, not just through the Forest, but through the most impassable area of it anyone from these Southlands has ever encountered. There’s more to you than I guessed. When I first met you, I thought you were just a rock cutter, sneaking around to spy on my herds. I must admit though, even that had me puzzled.”
Jerrid looked at Nathan. “I guess I should say thanks? You’ve surprised me as much as I’ve surprised you, it seems. I certainly never thought to see a pushy cow trader from Sligo at the opposite end of the Foeland, trailing a packhorse.”
“Yes, it looks like we are two enigmas. I’m starting to like you, Jerrid. I don’t often say that, especially to a Foedan. I think it’s because of the eyes. They always leave me wondering what your kind is up to.”
“And what do you think now?” Jerrid asked.
“I think you’re up to something,” Nathan said bluntly, “but I’ll respect you to tell me, or not tell me, what it is.”
“In that case, I’ll tell you,” Jerrid said, much to Audain and Rendel’s surprise. “I don’t get along with my father, so I’m off meeting new people, learning about the other Foedan cities and even some things about the Comburen. You turn out to be a special bonus, just another curiosity.”
“That’s straight enough for me,” Nathan answered. “But do you mind telling me one thing? Well, maybe it’s two things. What are you hoping to learn and how in the world did you tame that horse?”
It was Jerrid’s turn now to laugh. “Would you believe me if I answered both questions the same way? I don’t know, and I don’t know!”
Nathan frowned. “Now you’re letting me down, just when I thought we were making some progress. Of course I believe you, my young friend, but maybe you could expand a little?”
“Just remember that a person’s first answer is usually the best because it comes from their heart, not their head.” Jerrid paused to gather his thoughts, noticing that his two friends listened intently. “I am hoping to learn where the Sortiri come from and how to stop them from attacking Garth or any other city. Regarding Feor here, I haven’t tamed him at all. He’s wild through and through. I just became his friend. Somehow, we think alike. We have a connection that I can’t explain because I don’t understand it. I respect his right to accept or reject me. So far, he’s accepted me.”
“So what is this connection telling you right now?” Nathan asked.
“Funny you should ask. You must know him more than you realize because he has been very patient with me. What he wants right now is to run. We’ve been cramped up in the Forest for a while, and then we were in Arnot. He wants me to turn him loose so he can run.”
“Well then, there’s only one thing for you to do,” Nathan answered. “Hold on tight and see if you’re man enough to keep on his back.”
Jerrid noticed Audain and Rendel smiling.
“I’ll catch up to you before nightfall,” he said, then held on as Feor accelerated to a gallop and left the other horses behind.
“That was pretty interesting, Mr. Nathan,” Audain said. “Thank you for the lesson.”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“You showed us that if you want to know something, just ask,” she replied. “Too often we are afraid to do that.”
“I’m glad I could help.” Nathan seemed to be turning more serious. “Remember though that people come in all kinds. Some don’t like the direct approach. As a trader I know that if I treat all my customers the same, I’ll starve.”
They rode on in silence for the remainder of the afternoon. Jerrid joined them as they made camp.
“I was wondering about something you said earlier,” Nathan asked when Jerrid settled in. “You mentioned you were trying to learn about the Sortiri. In places like Arnot, the Sortiri are nothing more than a child’s fairytale, like a bad dream or a myth. I’m from the north so I know there’s more to it. Funny thing is, the Comburen have no worries about the Sortiri. The creatures seem to afflict only the Foedan. I hope you learn more. If nothing else, I’m glad you’re making the effort. The doors between the Foedan seem to have been closed for a long time.”
“Have you heard anything about Rhindus?” Rendel asked suddenly.
The trader gave him a long look. “Rhindus is a difficult place to reach. North beyond Deluge, and with the road into the mountains so difficult, I know of no one who has made the journey. I’m sorry. No rumor from Rhindus has made it to my ears in a long while.”
Rendel did not respond. He merely sat and looked into the campfire.
“After Deluge, we are planning to go there,” Jerrid added.
“I wish you luck.” Nathan paused and looked at Jerrid and his companions with a deepened expression of respect. “I’m carrying a load of carving tools. Knives, planes, gouges, that sort of thing. They get a lot of wood washing ashore in Driftwood, carried to their beaches by the sea and the river. There are craftsmen there who make their living by carving intricate items from these driftings. I’ve found I can do well trading tools for their work, then take the crafts to Arnot to trade for other things. I was thinking that Deluge might be a good city to take these wares to. Traveling with three Foedan as an escort, I should feel a lot safer than on my last attempt to get there, years ago.”
Jerrid, Rendel and Audain exchanged glances. Audain could tell they were all thinking the same thing. “The Foedan believe a person should be at one with themselves and their environment, follow their instincts, but most importantly, they must use the need of the people to guide their path,” she began. “We are not looking for partners on our trail, yet we will not deny anyone, even a person strange to our ways, a chance to share our road. All we ask is that you are true to us, as we will be to you.”
Nathan smiled and looked closely at each of them. “The Comburen and Foedan have a long history of mistrust. My father told me not to trust anyone from Garth. Later, I realized that what he really meant applied to any Foedan. I have traveled widely and met many people. Whether they are Comburen or Foedan, they almost universally tend to make snap judgments. Sometimes it takes a while to break through that. Once you do, you’ll find most are good at heart. Occasionally, I’ll run into the type I like the least, those who put on a good face but are false to it. Usually these are the hardest to read, deliberately using their positive abilities to hide their true intentions. I want you to know that I am not like that.” He paused a moment, waiting to see if any of his new companions would respond.
“Thank you for accepting me,” he resumed when no one spoke. “You can trust me. I may even prove useful. Much of my life has been spent on the trail.”
The next day they traveled many miles. Around midafternoon, they came to a junction in the road. Without discussion they turned to the north, following a route that all knew led to the Forest. The Foedan riders failed to notice Nathan as he glanced to the south, suddenly beset by doubt.
“Were I to go that route,” Nathan mumbled, “I could reach Driftwood before nightfall. I’m too old for such temptations,” he concluded, without truly believing.
“Temptation for what?” Rendel repeated a few seconds later, his sensitive hearing seeming to be on full alert.
“Did you say something?” Jerrid asked.
“I was asking Nathan what he was tempted by,” Rendel replied. “I heard him say he was tempted, but I couldn’t tell by what.”
“I said that to myself,” Nathan answered, a little startled. “Is this one of those Foedan mind-reading tricks I’ve heard about?”
Audain and Jerrid burst out laughing. “So now we’ve learned where at least one of these myths of Foedan powers comes from,” she said. “It’s not mind-reading, Nathan. It’s just that Rendel has the most sensitive hearing of anyone we know. He hears everything. It takes a little getting used to.”
“I guess I’ll have to be more careful. If you must know, Rendel, I was thinking about a girl I met the last time I was in Drift
wood. I must have spoken without realizing.”
As they continued moving, the patches of sagebrush and cactus they passed gave way to swaths of grass. To their west, the southern peaks of the Crosscut Mountains stood out, their elevation increasing as the range stretched to the north.
“The mountains look beautiful today,” Nathan said. “Nearly all the snow has melted from their peaks and the foothills are greening up. If you have good eyes, you may be able to spot the Highlands you crossed to get to Arnot. They are still too far away for me to see. We’re making our way toward the gap where the Neverth River finally cuts through that ridge. Unfortunately, the road passes through the gap, hugging the riverbank.”
Audain looked where Nathan pointed. “My eyes must be better than yours,” she said. “I can see a long wall of cliffs stretching out in front of us.”
“I never said I have good eyes, just trail savvy and a calloused ass,” Nathan laughed. “If the Neverth has a love for you, I’m hoping it’ll protect us all when we traverse that gap. There are many stories of flash floods happening there. The Comburen think the Forest deliberately unleashes the river against them to keep strangers away. It’s the main reason there is so little interaction between the two races.”
Jerrid listened closely to the discussion. He had no experience traveling in this region and trusted that Nathan was telling the truth. After his visit to the Summit, he had little doubt that a river could rise in defense of something. Jerrid made it a point to remember to take the lead when they reached that stretch of their journey.
They rode late into the evening twilight before stopping to make camp. The shape of the Highlands was clear now to everyone, even Nathan with his more limited eyesight. The realization that the open grassland would soon be replaced by the shadow of the Forest put the trader into sullen mood.
“Are you okay, Nathan?” Audain asked. The nearness of the Forest lightened her spirit. Her eyes were already showing a trace of Emerald.
“Just thinking about tomorrow,” he replied irritably. “My stomach is in knots. Last time I came this way, I nearly drowned. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m safe because I’m with you Foedan.”
“It’s hard to gauge what can happen,” Jerrid answered. “Sometimes these lands are deceitful. I think you’re safe with us, but sometimes I wonder if we’re safe.”
“That’s certainly comforting,” Rendel laughed sarcastically. “And here I’ve thought we were safe all this time. I guess I should have known after being attacked by wolves that things might get worse.”
“You should all just relax,” Audain complained. “Things haven’t gotten worse. We’ve done fine together and that will continue as long as we depend on each other. Nathan, you are wise enough to know the world is unpredictable. It’s up to each of us to be ready to deal with whatever comes our way. I’m starting to realize that it’s better to challenge the unknown than to sit back and wait for it to come to you. Of course, you don’t need me to say that. If you wanted comfort, you’d be sitting in a tavern in Driftwood by now.”
“I’m hungry and my whole body aches,” Rendel said to change the subject. He began to study the ground, looking for twigs. “There’s not much growing around here that’ll hold a flame. I’ll need help finding fuel if we’re going to have a fire tonight.”
An hour later, after much searching for wood, they sat by a small fire eating dinner. Afterwards, Jerrid excused himself to check on the horses as they grazed nearby. He walked slowly, concentrating on the sounds of a moonless night. When he reached Feor, the stallion responded with a gentle nudge from his bristly snout. A few minutes later, Jerrid noticed the soft pad of feet approaching from the direction of the camp.
“There you are,” Audain said as she neared. “Are you ok? I was getting worried.”
Jerrid stopped rubbing Feor and looked toward her. She gasped in surprise when she saw his eyes. They glittered with tiny sparkles of different colors, like the twinkling of stars in a dark sky.
“I was just relaxing with Feor, thinking about some of the things we talked about today. It’s funny. I never thought I’d trust Nathan. Now I’m worried that I will let him down. I can’t imagine people like my father could ever change that easily.”
“I don’t know your father, of course. Maybe you don’t either. Nathan seems to understand people. I like that about him. I know he’s still worried about tomorrow though.”
“And maybe with good reason,” Jerrid added. “As we get closer to the Forest, I can feel its energy building. But there’s something different in it that I don’t recognize.”
“I feel the Emerald, nothing more.” Audain paused and watched as he continued to stroke Feor’s neck. “Feor certainly seems to be enjoying your company.”
“We love each other,” Jerrid said flatly. “I draw from him, and he draws from me. There’s no question of trust. I guess we should get back. Thanks for coming. It’s nice to know someone is looking out for me.”
“We look out for each other,” she replied.
----
The next morning, they were on the trail about an hour after sunrise. Jerrid took the lead, just as he had planned the previous day. Around mid-morning, they entered the outlying trees that marked the edge of the Forest. When the road reached the crest of a steep valley a short time later, they could see the river below. It wound along through a maze of large boulders and broken granite. The trail traversed its way down the slope then continued northward along the eastern bank.
“Just as I remember,” Nathan said while looking upstream, “the valley narrows beneath the overhang from the Highlands and the trail runs parallel to the riverbank. The water can come up quickly because the channel is so tight.”
Jerrid began his descent. Audain followed, then Rendel, with Nathan at the rear still trailing his packhorse. The path was steep and switched back and forth several times as it progressed downward. When they reached its bottom, Jerrid stopped and dismounted, then led Feor to a pool where the current made a small eddy. The horse drank its fill while Jerrid stood alongside, ankle deep in the water.
“I feel energy that reminds me of the concentration of earth power within the Basin back north,” he said. “There’s something mixed with it though, unnatural, like the creek we followed at the base of the Summit.”
The thought of the Basin made Jerrid think of the fledgling city of Yargis. The memory caused him a moment of solace. He wondered how his mother and grandfather were.
“Are you okay, Jerrid?” Audain asked, noticing a look of sadness on his face.
“I was just thinking about home,” he answered.
“I thought you were glad to be away from there,” Nathan said.
“I don’t miss my father, that’s true. I wonder about others, even though that life seems so far away and dim.”
“That’s one of the blessings of travel, Son. You forget your troubles and if you’re clever enough to bring gifts when you return, your family will be glad to see you. The trouble for me is that I can’t keep the goodwill flowing for long, so I’ve got to leave again.”
They all laughed. Audain’s and Rendel’s smile told Jerrid that they understood how he felt. Perhaps they even felt that way themselves.
As they traveled farther into the valley, its walls became sheer. Only a few individual pine trees grew, somehow managing to cling to the cliff face. There was little sign left of the trail. It had dissolved into the riverbed, leaving the horses to struggle along.
“I was afraid of this, lots and lots of loose rocks,” Nathan murmured. “Your mountain horses are more sure footed. Three times now, one or the other of my horses nearly broke a leg. I’m starting to wonder if I’m cut out for this.” He looked about nervously.
“I can slow the pace if you think that would help,” Jerrid replied. He looked back to see if there was an improvement in Nathan’s disposition. While his head was turned, he noticed a dull throbbing within his senses.
“Flood!”
Jerrid yelled. He glanced ahead and spotted a large block of stone by the side of the river. “Follow me, quick, before the water gets here.”
Feor carried Jerrid ahead about two hundred feet to a small gravel bar in the riverbed. The block rose above them but its sides were too steep for the horses to climb. The young Shaper jumped to the loose ground. He drew his chisel and hammer, and began using them to fracture the leading face of the stone. Large slabs slid downward. They landed one upon the other, forming a crude ramp that led to the top of the mass. Though a bend in the valley blocked the view upstream, a muffled roar could be heard as the flash flood churned toward them.
Audain was the first to reach the improvised ramp. She led Arum upward. Rendel followed with Tara. Jerrid looked for Nathan. The trader was fifty feet behind, struggling to calm his packhorse.
“Let it go, Nathan,” Jerrid shouted, jumping down the incline and running back to help. “Get up there with your other horse. The water will be upon us any second. I’ll try and get him to come.”
Nathan released the packhorse and spurred his mount.
Jerrid tried to calm the terrified animal that remained behind. He put his arms around its neck and called out in a soothing tone. The horse settled down and began to move forward. The heavy load upon its back hampered its progress.
The surge of water was now in view. Relieved to see Nathan climbing up to safety, Jerrid knew his only chance to catch up was to ditch the load. With his short sword, he cut the cinch strap holding the sacks of tools and let them fall. A moment later, he swung onto the horse’s back and exerted his Foedan power. The animal reached the gravel bar and began to scramble to join the other horses. The flood struck the upstream side of the block. With a burst upward from its hind legs, the horse lurched up the ramp to safety.
The water receded about an hour later. Jerrid joined Nathan and went to look for the belongings that had been left behind.
“It’s no use,” Nathan said dejectedly. “The force of that water moved boulders and trees. My bundles aren’t going to stand up against that.”
“I’m sorry,” Jerrid replied. “I should have realized that with two horses you would need help. When I reached you, there just wasn’t enough time.”
“I don’t blame you for trying to save your own skin,” Nathan said. “In a moment of panic like that, it’s the natural thing to do.”
“That’s not fair,” Audain protested. She and Rendel had joined the search. “None of us would have made it up the rock had Jerrid not shaped the stone for us.”
“Shaping? I didn’t see any shaping,” Nathan replied. “I was fighting with my horses. When I looked up, all three of you were high and dry while I faced a torrent. Jerrid, don’t get me wrong. Thanks for coming back and saving my horse. You did the right thing. At that point, there was no other way to get him to safety. To be sure, I thought you were crazy to come back.”
“Audain is right, Nathan,” Rendel added. “Without Jerrid taking the lead we’d have all been killed. Don’t take this out on him.”
Nathan looked at them. “What’s done is done. There is no reason to fret about it now. I said all along that this valley was no place for a Comburen man like me. Only the high Foedan with their magic powers should dare travel here. I’m lucky you saved me.”
“Please, Nathan,” Jerrid said. “We are friends now. Let’s keep looking. If we don’t find anything, you can at least make some contacts in Deluge, then come back later with another load.”
“No, there will be no return for me. This valley is a menace. I consider all of you to be my new Foedan friends. I hope our paths cross again. For me, the road is back to Arnot. I have some credit there and should be able to make a few trips to Driftwood, recover my losses.”
Jerrid did not know what to say. “Have a safe journey. I’m sorry we did not have more time together. You taught me not to judge people. I will try to remember that.”
“Yes, Jerrid, it is the changing part of what we do that matters most,” Nathan said. “Many times have I heard the words; ‘I will try.’ ”
The three Foedan looked on as Nathan mounted his saddle horse. Taking the lead rope to the now bareback packhorse, he began to retrace the way they had come that morning.
“Take care, Nathan,” Jerrid shouted. “When I get back to Garth, I promise I will come to Sligo, maybe even trade for some livestock. How’s that for a start?”
“Remember what I said about change,” Nathan laughed. “It’s a long way. Foedan tricks or not, even with a mount like Feor there are many dangers to be wary of. Giving people a chance is a noble idea. Just don’t forget that there are some who would rather clean out your bags than chat.”
Chapter 11: Sapphire