The Meadowlands, page 14
“I will go with you.” Terran said as he helped Simon to a seat on the ground.
“No.” Bohdran answered quietly. “You tend the fire and Shannara will accompany me. We will find Rocheene quicker if we travel without you.” Bohdran stood and was beside Shannara before Terran had time to answer. Connomar dropped the bundle of sticks he had been carrying beside the fire and smiled at the look on Terran’s face. “Worry not Tar Rann. None of us are invited to hunt with Bohdran. He seeks only my caida as companion and she seems to mind not.”
“Besides, Tar Rann,” Brooke said placing a hand on his arm, “I think it would be with great difficulty one would hunt in this terrain.”
“Not that you’re not a good hunter, Terran.” Simon said.
“Yeah, Terran. Just because Bohdran was already up and gone before you could even answer him, doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to keep up.” Tye laughed, their awkwardness and slower pace evident to the children. Nemarra with all her years, climbed more efficiently and quicker than they did. Terran sat and poked at the fire, realizing for the first time just how tired he was and secretly relieved not to be accompanying the others on their hunt.
“Well I guess we might as well see if we can collect up some of those roots and acorns.” Tye suggested.
“Good idea.” Terran answered getting up and brushing the dirt form his hands. “No, Simon, you stay here and rest.”
Rocheene returned with a large white hare and Bohdran and Shannara with a small pheasant like bird. Nemarra had prepared the acorns into a flat bread and the roots were buried in the ash of the fire, baking slowly and sending a warm, sweet aroma into the air. Nemarra had eaten sparingly and now sat apart from the others. “I should speak to Nemarra-mare now.” Terran said to Brooke as he looked over at the place Nemarra sat.
“No.” Banduran looked up from his food. “Nemarra-mare prepares for tomorrow and must not be disturbed.”
“What does she do tomorrow?” Simon asked.
Rocheene looked at Banduran and nodded slightly. “Nemarra prepares” Banduran continued, “to enter the Cave of Knowledge.”
“But I thought we were headed to the summit tomorrow?” Terran asked.
“We will reach the summit tomorrow but first we stop that Nemarra-mare may enter the Cave of Knowledge.”
“What is the Cave of Knowledge, Banduran-marr?” Brooke asked.
Banduran looked again at Rocheene, deciding what if anything he should tell these hearthlings of man. Rocheene shrugged and then spoke. “Nemarra is aware that they are here, that they are part of our journey. Tell them what you think is appropriate, Banduran.”
Banduran looked at each of the children as he spoke, his voice low with reverence. “The Cave of Knowledge is the receptacle of great energy. This energy is that of the cosmos, holding the history of all and it can be touched only through entering the Cave of Knowledge. To enter the cave, one must have the knowledge and training of a Seer and still this can hold danger for the Seer.”
“I do not remember a Seer of our Bally ever entering the cave of knowledge.” Rocheene said.
“It was entered in the days of chaos by Kellmorra-a-Mare but this too was before my remembering. What is remembered is the knowledge Kellmorra-a-mare received, it is with our people still.”
“What knowledge does Nemarra-mare seek in the cave?” Shannara asked.
Banduran looked around at the faces before him, the fire reflecting in their eyes, the evening skylight a pale line of washed blue behind them. “She seeks to know the future of the People.”
“Do the Beigfur now face a future that has been jeopardized by our being here, Banduran-marr?” Terran asked speaking fluently, his concern overcoming his hesitancy.
“That is what Nemarra seeks to know. Man has not stood on this side of the glamour since before the days of destruction and we know not what this, for us, will portend.”
“Are you worried that others will penetrate the glamour now and that somehow the Beigfur will go on no longer?” Brooke asked.
Banduran nodded. “Nemarra seeks to answer all these questions and for the knowledge of how best to meet these problems.”
“Will Nemarra-mare be safe enough?” Tye asked, the concern in his voice genuine but the question came out as, “Will Nemarra-mare be fat enough?”
Banduran laughed, loud and deep, a relief from the tension he had been feeling. Rocheene smiled and the others joined Banduran in his laughter. Tye turned to Terran “What? What did I say?”
“You asked if Nemarra would be fat enough” Terran said laughing.
“Okay, it wasn’t that funny.” But Tye smiled with the camaraderie his mistake had brought about.
They prepared for the evening, stocking the fire and moving their sleeping leathers under the protection of the trees. Banduran allowed no one to disturb Nemarra, who sat cross-legged beneath a tree, her body still, her mind turned inward. So concentrated was she that minutes after the sun set and they were startled by the distant shriek of a Vanshee, Nemarra never opened her eyes. All movement ceased at the cry, piercing and forbidding even at this distance.
When all was quiet, Rocheene approached Terran and Connomar who were laying out their sleeping leather and listening intently to the evening sounds around them.
“Connomar of Moi Fay.” Rocheene spoke as she approached.
“Yes, Rocheene-mare.”
“You sat first watch last night, did you not?” Rocheene adjusted her belt, the hilt of her long knife catching in the firelight.
“Yes. I sat first watch and was relieved by Bohdran.”
“You will let the hearthling take first watch tonight.” Rocheene turned and looked at Terran. “Perhaps you will be able to stay awake this night.”
Terran looked down, embarrassed at the idea that Rocheene had known he slept during his last watch.
“The protection of others is a responsibility you can take not lightly. The needs of the one are not greater than the needs of the many.” She stepped forward, lessening the distance between them and her voice dropped. “Keep the fire strong and think of the responsibility entrusted you. The weight of this and my anger will help to keep you awake.” She turned and left and Terran looked over at Connomar who shrugged and smiled. “At least she released you not from the duty. She must realize that there is hope for you yet.Although that hope is very small.”
“Very funny Connomar.” Terran answered, bending down quickly and throwing a handful of pebbles at his friend who easily moved out of harm’s way.
The cries of the distant Vanshee were enough to keep Terran vigilant and wide-awake. He scanned the night sky constantly, the eerie sound of the Vanshee present and frightening. The silence frightened him most, for then he imagined the Vanshee swooping in and down upon him, their screams paralyzing him, their claws disemboweling him. But their cries remained far off to the east and soon began fading. When Bohdran relieved him Terran crept to his sleeping leather, sure that he would not sleep this night. But he trusted Bohdran to stay awake and he knew the Beigfurs would keep them safe. He fell into a fitful dream, then finally into the deep sleep of youth.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Cave of Knowledge
Brooke and Shannara passed Terran on their way to Simon. The morning light was weak but already its warmth was nestling in around them.Terran rubbed his eyes and sat up, feeling rested and happy, the fears from the night before forgotten with his dreams. “There is no rush this morning.” Shannara said as she knelt beside Simon.
“Good, I’m going back to sleep.” Tye said, rolling over and pulling his leather tightly around himself.
“Why is there no rush this morning?” Terran asked.
“Nemarra goes to the Cave of Knowledge this morning.” Brooke answered, “And we must wait for her return.”
“We will prepare a meal for her. Nemarra has been fasting and when she returns from the cave she will be greatly fatigued.” Shannara said.
“Is she going by herself?” Simon asked.
“No, she will be accompanied by Banduran and Connomar.” Brooke answered as she moved the leather and looked at his foot. “How does it feel this morning, Ce Maunn?”
“Much better, thanks.” He said wriggling his toes.
“Will I be able to accompany Nemarra?” Terran asked standing and shaking out his sleeping leather.
Shannara looked up at him. “You must ask this of Banduran-marr. The Cave of Knowledge is a sacred place to the Beigfur. Man has stepped not on that ground.”
“I will ask.” Terran nodded. He didn’t like the idea of trying to have a conversation with Banduran but he was pulled in such a way to see this Cave of Knowledge that he knew he had to try. He looked at Brooke who met his eyes, held them for a moment and then smiled. She thinks I can do this, he thought. Terran turned and left to find Banduran as quickly as he could, before his resolve cooled and left him with doubt.
Banduran was strapping on his belt and adjusting his short sword when Terran approached him. Nemarra was sitting nearby on the edge of an out cropping of rock, waiting for Banduran. Terran knew he could not hesitate. He walked up to Banduran and did not slow his pace until he stood directly in front of him. Banduran stopped what he was doing, stood perfectly still and looked squarely at Terran. The look was intimidating and Terran thought quickly of how he could extract himself but only for a moment. Connomar had come up beside them and now stood beside Nemarra.
“Yes Tar Rann. Have you something you wish to say?” Banduran asked, his wide set dark eyes never leaving Terran’s.
“Yes, Banduran-marr.” Terran bowed his head slightly. “I have come to request that I too accompany Nemarra-mare to the Cave of Knowledge.”
Banduran laughed once, his face breaking into a full smile and then just as quickly it returned to the stern look that was always there. “You are a hearthling of man. No man has set foot near the Cave of Knowledge. Perhaps it was not correct that you were told about it. You must forget this and allow us to go about our way with no more interference.” Banduran moved to turn away, dismissing Terran.
“I will interfere not with what must take place. I wish only to accompany you and to protect Nemarra-mare.”
Banduran turned fully toward him now, his voice tight with impatience. “No man sets foot near the Kave of knowledge.”
Terran was too lost to his argument now to be frightened of Banduran. He spoke quickly and pleadingly. “I am not a man but a hearthling of man. I feel less like a man and more like one of your people. I speak your language and I feel I know your ways. Nemarra-mare told Taysaan that fear and anger comes from not understanding. Help me to understand your ways and I swear with the blood in my veins that I will never endanger you or your people.”
“Let him accompany us, Banduran.” Nemarra said as she stood. “He is here in our time and place because his heart is pure. I go to seek the truth of our future because he stands before us. Whatever the outcome, he is now part of this.” She swept her hand from her chest, indicating all of them.
Banduran studied Nemarra, contemplating her words. He knew he could take issue with this but he also respected the Seer who stood before him, he valued her judgment, knowing that her scope of understanding was greater than his own. He nodded his head slightly. “So be it. Are you ready to take leave, Nemarra-mare?”
“Yes, I am ready Banduran-marr.”
Banduran turned to Terran. “Stay beside Connomar and follow behind Nemarra-mare and let me have to speak to you not.”
“I understand, Banduran-marr.”
They moved on, Banduran cutting a path with his short sword into the denseness of the underbrush. Terran and Connomar could not walk side by side so Terran fell back to follow behind his friend. They had not gone far when the trees thinned and the vegetation seemed to fall away, sand coloured rock taking over much of the area around them. There were a few low lying shrubs and bushes, hardy and tenacious growing here and there in the thin soil. A wall of rock two stories high faced them down as they emerged from the underbrush and the morning sun lit up the face wall. The change was sudden and intense, moving as they did from the underbrush to the bright day light. A small dense bush burned in front of the wall, the flames licking up and around, bright and alive. They moved closer and Terran looking over Connomar’s shoulder realized that although on fire, the bush itself did not burn. “What is happening there?” Terran whispered to Connomar who turned around and held his fingers to his lips. Terran could not take his eyes from the bush that sat untouched by the flames that seemed to engulf it.
Nemarra moved closer, unafraid, her movements compelled by something greater. Terran could feel it, the power emanating from the bush, a power he felt in his chest like a strength rushing through him. He felt the power intensify as he moved closer and though the flames seemed to leap and blaze, the fire gave off no heat. Nemarra moved to the bush and then around it, blocking out some of the flames. Banduran, Connomar and Terran moved closer until Terran could see Nemarra. She stood in front of a huge crystal rock, triangular in shape and imbedded into the rock face. The crystal caught the sunlight and flared with red and yellow, blue and gold flecks of colour so brightly that Terran found he had to shield his eyes from the blaze. Now it seemed as if Nemarra stood in the heart of the fire, like the bush and burned without flame. Connomar turned his head toward Terran and whispered. “This is the door way to the cave of knowledge. Only a Seer can pass through the crystal door.”
“How will she do it?” Terran whispered back, his eyes never leaving Nemarra.
“I know not. But Nemarra has great power and she will know the way.”
Nemarra placed her left hand on the side of the crystal, her fingers turning luminous against it. She bowed her head in concentration, matching her energy to that of the crystal door. Banduran, Connomar and Terran watched as the Seer standing with bowed head, concentrated on the energy all around her. Terran waited, anticipation making it hard for him to stay rooted to one spot. When long minutes had gone by and nothing happened, he could hold out no longer and moved beside Connomar. Banduran turned his head, his eyes like sensor beams, instantly pinning Terran to the spot and sending a message so clear it was as if he spoke, Be still! Then Banduran turned his attention back to Nemarra.
It began slowly, almost imperceptibly; the flames seemed to be emanating from Nemarra herself. At first the outline of her body was lost in the flashing colours of the crystal, then her dark silhouette began to shrink against the rock. Terran knew she was there, her left hand held against the crystal, her head bowed, her russet cloak falling to the ground. She was there and then she was gone. Terran let out the breath he had been holding and looked at Connomar whose face reflected the astonishment he himself felt.
Banduran came toward them; his eyes alight with the wonderment of what had just happened. “Nemarra is in the cave. Now we wait. Sit and make yourselves comfortable, when she returns I know not.”
“Let us sit together and wait, Tar Ran. I have much I would like to know about your world and now that you share the language of the People, you can tell me.” Connomar smiled, shrugging off his quiver and outer garment. He arranged these neatly under a small tree and then turning he beckoned Terran to join him. “Come, my friend.” He sat down, patting the ground beside him, smiling widely.
Terran joined him, warm with the comfort of Connomar’s unabashed friendship. “What is it that you want to know, Connomar?”
“Tell me about the world of man. Wonder is great within me. You know of my world, I wish to know of yours.”
“My world.” Terran repeated thinking to himself how to begin to bridge an understanding between their two worlds. The morning had passed from the weak light of early day and the sound of birdsong and the hum of the dragon fly could be clearly heard in the late morning brightness. “Well, in my world, there is more noise. Not like the noise here of birds and insects and your continual talking.” Terran laughed, looking at his friend. “It is louder with man made noises like solar mills, hydro hummers, transit goies.” Knowing Connomar would not understand his terminology Terran continued. “Loud sounds of transportation. Humans try to avoid going anywhere on foot.”
“There is also less colour.” He said looking around before continuing. “Well, less natural colour. We have very colourful displays on video trauns and virtual media.” Seeing the blank look on Connomar’s face Terran shook his head and continued. “Never mind, you will not understand the things I explain.” He was quiet for a moment, looking down in thought and Connomar aware of his reverie did not interrupt. Looking up Terran said. “In my world there seems to be a lot more going on, more urgency and rush, more information but really, less meaning.” Shrugging his shoulders he looked at his friend. “Does that help?”
“What do you miss most about your world, Tar Ran?” Connomar asked, his eyes never leaving Terran’s.
“My parents.” Terran said quietly.
“I too would miss my parents.” Connomar nodded with understanding.
“But it is different for you Connomar, you live with your parents. In my world, after we are four or five years of age, we live in a government run boarding school, seeing our parents only at specified times. Some children, like Tye, rarely if ever seeing their parents. The school ensures that every child is fed and clothed and given the opportunity for education and for parents to be able to pursue their careers without the worry of child care. It works well, I guess but since I have been here, watching you and your family, I miss having that for myself.”
“Do your parents miss you?”
“Yes. My mother is in contact with us regularly but my father...” Terran stopped, unable to finish.
“He is dead?” Connomar asked, picking up the thought, his voice soft with concern.
