Dark Shores of Salvation, page 63
part #3 of Travails of the Dark Mage Series
Chapter Forty-Eight
They were up with the sunrise. It took some doing getting this many people ready to travel. The sun was well above the horizon before they were finally able to get underway.
First thing James always did upon waking was to use his mirror to check for any enemy forces that may have drawn close overnight. While it is true that scouts were out in all directions, he still felt better having checked it for himself. Not finding any, he put his bedroll on his horse, packed up the few things used during the night, and secured his pack alongside the bedroll.
Eddra was very much on his mind, he kept casting glances her way.
Despite Miko’s dreams foretelling doom, and how in them this old lady whose mind wandered and rarely found its way home seemed to be at the center of it, in every way she appeared to be just a normal old woman.
He watched her move through the camp, helping others and otherwise doing what she could. It may not have been the most efficient actions to get them underway, but she meant well.
When Miko approached, he asked, “Any dreams?”
The Reverend Father shook his head. “None but the ones we all have that fade with the dawn.”
James held up his mirror. “No sign of the enemy.”
Miko nodded, then turned as Father Keller approached.
“We are ready.”
Off a ways, Father Vickor and Kip helped an elderly couple ready for the road. Scar and Potbelly kept by themselves, casting glances toward the soldiers. The soldiers just as often cast glances at them.
James wondered what they were up to, but you never knew with those two.
Corporal Nassir had lost nearly half his men since leaving Abu Dar. He and the Commander from Karruth conferred under a tree on the opposite side of the camp.
He couldn’t wait to reach Karruth and divest himself of all these people. It felt good to have helped them escape from the Gyomians. Now they just slowed him down, and then some.
When at last all was in readiness, they mounted and set out down the road for Karruth. They should make it by evening.
Commander Nis Akali, commander of the force from Karruth rode on his left and Miko on his right. Jiron was back with the Pit Masters and Shorty. Every once in a while, you could hear one or another laugh uproariously.
“What are your plans after we reach Karruth?” Commander Nis Akali asked.
Lost in thought, James didn’t at first answer.
“We could use you and your company to stand against the invaders.”
James sighed.
“I appreciate your predicament, Commander,” he replied. “From what I have heard, Karruth would be a poor place to make a stand against them.” Glancing to the Commander, he added, “Even the fortified, towering walls of Abu Dar did not keep them out.”
“What are we to do?”
“To be honest,” James said, “I don’t know.”
The Commander scowled and grew silent again.
James knew that he would stay and help defend if there was any chance that such a defense would prove triumphant. Tales of their exploits on leaving Abu Dar had made the rounds since leaving that site of destruction, and as tales do, they had grown in the telling. With the Star depleted and the shimmering field apt to put in an appearance at any time, he wondered if they could manage to repeat in part what they had done.
Karruth had low walls and limited defenses. Having been in the interior of the Empire for centuries, such had never been needed. No, defending Karruth was a fool’s errand.
He knew the Commander was not happy about his refusal to help his city. If the enemy were to be stopped, he was at a loss as to how a victory could be accomplished.
The morning passed slowly as their mile-long stream of stragglers trudged ever steadily toward Karruth.
Miko dropped back to ride next to the carriage in which Eddra rode. He spoke with her at length trying to glean any clue as to why she haunted his dreams. Nothing new was learned.
She continued her fixation that the boy Micah was her brother Toad. Through snippets of several different conversations knew that the village in which they first found her being stoned had been the one she’d lived in all her life.
Altogether a rather unremarkable woman. She had lived a long life, birthed two daughters and one son, the names of who she had yet to divulge. Were they living or dead? Again, her mind wandered down long-lost avenues of her past making the discovery of information painstaking at best.
An hour for lunch to allow those on foot or pulling carts piled with what was left of their belongings to rest and have a bite to eat. Then back on the road.
Spirits were high. After all, they were under the protection of the Dark Mage. Not to mention the High Priest of Morcyth traveled with them, which all agreed would bring luck.
Fathers Keller and Vickor, and to some extent Kip, had been fielding questions from those they travelled with about Morcyth, what the god stood for, and some even thought to be become priests.
Those expressing a desire to become priests were presented to Miko during such breaks. He would question them and had yet to find any with true devotion in dedicating their lives.
Corporal Nassir now answered to Commander Nis Akali so his role in all this was much reduced. He was okay with that. He knew the Commander by reputation and was quite happy to follow his lead. He and his men assisted the travelers as best they could. The Commander’s men did the scouting as they knew this part of the countryside much better than those coming from Abu Dar.
Father Vickor spent evenings with the Corporal and those still with them who fled Abu Dar. They held the Father in high regard and got along quite well with him. Included him in their revelry and considered him one of their own.
In fact, as they got underway from their noon respite, he was laughing with two of them from where he rode near the middle of their column.
Right now, in this moment, James felt better than he had in some time. No one was trying to kill him or those with him. No enemy had been sighted heading north. He knew that would not last long, but then he and those with him would be far north by the time they did. Sighing, he hoped they would.
Miko’s warning that the gods were not done with them yet worried the back of his mind. Eddra had some sort of part to play in upcoming events. A doom was approaching, true. But he couldn’t see it, nothing demanded his attention right in that moment, and the sky was blue. From the west a soft breeze blew to help alleviate the warmth of the day.
All in all, he felt pretty good.
Thoughts of Kenny and Meliana pushed aside all others and for a time, his mind wandered paths of long ago, when they were with him.
One in particular he walked many times. It was back on the island. Along the northeastern shore, a span of beach stretched between forest and ocean. Not very long, but it was sandy and smooth. A great place to lay out a blanket and gaze out over the smooth water stretching to the horizon.
They had a lot of great times on that beach. Sometimes bringing Kenny, sometimes not. Always packed a picnic lunch. It was such a peaceful spot with water lapping on the shore, birds crying in the distance. That may very well be his most favorite spot in all the world; when Meliana was there with him.
“Rider coming,” Commander Nis Akali said, snapping James out of his reverie. “Fast.”
The rider approached at a furious pace, far faster than a horse and rider should be able to move.
White light flared next to him as Miko embraced the power of his god. He held the power for but a moment before it winked out.
James glanced to his friend and saw Miko break into a grin.
A very subtle greenish hue surrounded both horse and rider. The rider himself rode low against the horse’s neck.
Commander Nis Akali raised his hand and shouted for their column to halt.
“What…,” the commander began but then stopped when he saw the rider begin to slow.
Now that the rider was closer, they could see the horse was covered in lather, its sides were shrunken in as if it had enjoyed a very sparse and non-nourishing diet for some time.
They continued to slow until drawing near, then the green light vanished.
Instantly, the horse collapsed, took two breaths and died.
The rider fell when the horse collapsed, hit the ground and rolled to the side.
Miko was off his horse in an instant, white light of Morcyth shining forth as he rushed to the rider’s side.
James dismounted and joined them.
Miko turned the rider onto his back and laid a hand on his chest.
That was when James got his first real good look at the rider’s face.
“Brother Willim?”
The Asran priest lay unconscious.
“Miko?” he asked.
“He will be fine,” Miko assured him. Glow vanishing, he added, “He is merely exhausted. Almost to the point of death.”
Jiron came up next to them. “What could have possessed him to do such a thing?”
What indeed, James thought.
“Who is that?” the commander asked as he joined them.
“Brother Willim, Priest of Asran,” James replied. “Once of the Hand of Asran.” He turned to the commander. “A friend.”
The commander gazed down at the unconscious Brother Willim and frowned. “How is he?”
“Unconscious,” Miko replied. “He will need much rest.” Then he motioned Father Keller to join them.
“Father, if you would, please see to Brother Willim,” Miko said. Then to James, “We will need to stay here until he regains consciousness. We dare not move him in his state.”
The commander’s frown deepened further. “Can’t you revive him?”
“I dare not,” Miko explained.
“But we cannot remain here,” he explained. “We must see these people to safety.”
“We needn’t keep everyone here until Brother Willim recovers,” James said to Commander Nis Akali. “It is clear all the way to Karruth. You should see them the rest of the way while we remain here with Brother Willim.”
The commander thought a moment, then nodded. “As you wish. I will leave Corporal Nassir here with his men to escort you when you are ready to depart.”
“That is really not necessary, Commander,” James said.
“I insist,” he replied with a look that would brook no argument.
“Fine,” James agreed. “He’s been a capable companion so far.”
“Yes, he is a fine soldier.”
The commander then turned and stalked off to issue orders.
Miko glanced to their two carriages filled with Mikah, the twins, Eddra and the rescued girls. Gaze lingering on Belli and Azza, he sighed a bit sadly, “They should go with them.”
He glanced back to where James had come up behind him.
“Our future is uncertain,” James continued. “They would not be safe with us.”
“And they need a stable life,” Miko agreed wistfully.
“Send Boy, too,” Scar said, seeing his opportunity to be rid of that irritant.
As if hearing his name, Boy leapt from the carriage and hit the ground at a trot. He was soon by Scar’s side.
“What cha doin?” Boy asked.
Ignoring the former slave-boy, Scar scowled.
Potbelly laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We can’t send him away.”
Turning a dark look on his friend, Scar was about to argue the point.
“We gave our word.”
Scar opened his mouth as if to speak, closed it and then stalked off.
“So, what happened?” Boy asked, then walked off with Potbelly to get their horses and equipment.
James and Miko went to the two carriages.
Kip drove the first; Jacob Hurlt drove the other.
James went to Jacob’s carriage.
The former seaman now driver watched his approach with the reins held loosely in his hands
“Here is where we part company,” James said. “The commander will see everyone to Karruth.”
“You are not coming?” Jacob asked.
Shaking his head, James said, “No. Something is going on and we need to figure out what.”
The driver just nodded.
Miko was saying his goodbyes to Micah and the girls. They, along with all the other girls were put in Jacob’s carriage.
“But we don’t want to go,” Belli cried. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“It is too dangerous for you to remain,” Miko explained.
Micah glared at Miko with no small amount of betrayal.
“So that is it?” Micah demanded. “At your first opportunity you get rid of us?”
“Micah!” Azza exclaimed. “Don’t say that.”
“It’s true,” the boy responded.
“Ah, don’t worry about them,” Jacob said. “Got a cousin some distance north of Karruth who has a large farm with lots of open areas to play. Good people. Certain they’d be happy to take all of them.”
“Work us to death no doubt!”
Jacob gave Micah a small smile and shook his head. “No, my son. Nothing that wouldn’t be asked of their own children.” He glanced back to Miko. “They will be fine there.”
Miko stared at the driver, as if he looked deep into his soul. A moment passed, then he nodded.
Turning back to Micah and the girls, he said, “His heart is true and speaks the truth. You will have a good life there.”
From up ahead, they heard shouts to get underway.
The girls started crying, Micah held a thoughtful look as Jacob flicked the reins and got the carriage rolling.
“May the blessings of Morcyth accompany you on this journey,” Miko said.
Then, he saw Micah give a small wave and saw a little tear emerge to wet his cheek. The first real show of emotion he had seen from the boy.
Rubbing it away with the back of his hand, Micah sat between the girls and put his arms around them.
As, the column began moving once more with the commander leading the way, Kip’s carriage with Eddra still in it pulled off the road out of the way. Brother Willim’s dead horse was hauled beyond the tree line so as to be out of sight for those passing by.
“Guess it is just us again?” Corporal Nassir asked when he and his men broke off the main column. His demeanor seemed to indicate he was pleased.
“Yes,” Father Vickor replied.
“Good.”
“Send scouting parties to keep an eye on the countryside,” James said.
“Ten are out now,” Corporal Nassir explained. He glanced over to where Father Keller knelt next to the comatose Brother Willim. “What is going on?
“We will know soon enough.”
Nodding, he returned to help his men set up camp out of sight of the road.
A game-trail through the trees led to a clearing alongside a flowing brook. It took some doing getting Kip’s carriage through the tangled undergrowth, but they managed.
Brother Willim was laid atop a blanket with another put over him. He slept but his pallor was not good.
Beside him sat Father Keller keeping an eye on him.
Rest of the group settled in for the wait.
James wasn’t far from the sleeping Brother Willim. He smiled when he heard Scar fussing about some thing that Boy had done that irritated him. He wondered about Boy, and why Father, the leader of the slaves in Abu Dar, had sent him with Scar and Potbelly. Deep down inside, he hoped he would never know. His plate was already too full and, as Kendrick, Meliana’s father would say, “The gravy was spilling over.”
Two hours after sunset, when the world had grown dark and campfires burned cheerily throughout the clearing, Brother Willim woke.
“Reverend Father!” Father Keller called as he moved to kneel by the priest’s side.
Brother Willim cracked an eye open.
He seemed to say something but it was incoherent. His voice cracked and the sound barely audible.
“Here,” Father Keller said as he put a water bottle to his lips. A few swallows were all he allowed Brother Willim before removing the bottle.
“How is he?” Miko asked as he knelt by his priest.
James, Jiron and others gathered around as well.
“Tired,” Brother Willim managed to croak before his eye closed and he faded back to sleep.
James cocked a questioning eye to Miko.
Miko nodded. “He will be fine.”
“Look!” Kip exclaimed. He pointed to Brother Willim’s right hand.
It had moved off the blanket and now rested on the ground. Surrounding it was a subtle green glow that if it had not been night would never have been noticed.
Green shoots curled up from the ground and wrapped around his fingers, then his wrist until every bit of exposed skin from mid-arm down was hidden by the greenery.
“What is he doing?” Shorty asked.
“Asran is the god of nature, of balance,” Miko explained. “I believe he is drawing energy into himself to speed his recovery.”
“Never seen that before,” James said.
“Neither have I,” Miko added.
“Then how do you know?” Scar asked.
Miko considered a moment, then shrugged and simply said, “Morcyth.”
“Must be nice being High Priest and all,” Potbelly quipped.
“It has its moments,” Miko replied with a grin.
“Well, how long will this take?” Scar asked.
“That I do not know. Morcyth does not tell me everything.”
Scar snorted and stalked off.
Rolling his eyes at his friend, Potbelly joined him.
Hours passed as the night deepened. One by one each found their bedroll until aside from a few sentries posted by Corporal Nassir, only James, Miko and Father Keller remained awake.
They sat upon their bedrolls that had been laid out near the unconscious Brother Willim.
The growth that had sprung up to enclose his hand had grown into a small mound and worked its way up his arm. It didn’t seem to bother the priest.
