A Warrior's Path Read online

  Unexpectedly, he was grabbed from behind, and before he could react, a strong forearm was wrapped tightly around his chest. “Who are you!” the old man's voice asked. Gayossha cackled again and began to shift. His throat melted over the old man's arm, and when the dribbling flesh touched his chest, he had dissolved through the restraining hold. The shapeshifter stood facing Kiusu, giggling maniacally. The old man was shocked but recovered quickly and launched at him, fists leading.

  Normally Gayossha could dodge such an attack, shifting his flesh away from the blow. This human, however, was different from any foe he had yet faced. Kiusu struck as fast as lightning and no less powerfully. The shapeshifter took the double front punch fully on the chest, flying back toward the burning hut. Perhaps this would not be as much fun as he thought. Before Gayossha could compose himself, the two fists moved away to reveal a foot already en route to his chin. The kick connected solidly, and he stumbled backward again, this time against the burning flames.

  Pain erupted upon his back as his ragged cloak ignited. Panicked, the Fiu-Het dropped to the floor and began to writhe. The old man ran up and began to roll the shapeshifter away from the fire, meanwhile attempting to extinguish the flaming cloak. The acrid smell of burnt flesh emanated from the shapeshifter as he panted unevenly. Never before had he known such pain!

  Kiusu turned to appraise the situation. It did not look good. At this point the flames were well out of control and already licking at a nearby tree. He cursed his foolishness at leaving the embers unattended. The only logical course was to move clear of the fire and wait for it to burn out. His hut was in something of a small clearing; only a few trees stood nearby. The air was also unusually calm, and embers were not flying toward the denser wood. There was little chance of the fire destroying much more than his little space. He turned back to the creature, thinking to drag it away as well, but in its place was a bird. Smoke curled from its singed feathers, and much blistered flesh peeked out.

  Gayossha flapped briefly, but could not leave the ground. Excruciating pain racked his body with every motion. It was clear that he would escape nowhere in this form. He limped away, shifting once more. He took the shape of a small rodent and bounded away toward the woods. Each jump, and worse each landing, sent waves of agony along his spine, but he could not stop. He had to get away. He would not be killed by this old man. He would not die alone on this forsaken mountain peak.

  Kiusu ran after the creature, but quickly lost him in the underbrush. A larger creature he could have tracked easily, but a field mouse was much more challenging without more preparation. He rushed back toward the clearing to monitor the fire. If the wind picked up and embers floated to the trees, he would be the only one to prevent a worse disaster.

  It was at least an hour before the flames finally died down, but by then his hut was reduced to a pile of ash and embers. As the sun sank low in the mountains, Kiusu walked over to what was once his home. Nothing remained save his kettle, which had been outside, and his sword and hatchet, which he had taken with him to cut wood. As he sifted through the remains, he was surprisingly optimistic. He could build another hut. Perhaps some of the wood from the great trunk he had felled could be used to start rebuilding. It would mean a bit more work come winter, but he had a feeling that would work itself out sooner or later. As for the shapeshifter...

  Kiusu wasn't quite sure what to think of that. In all his time he had never seen anything like the Fiu-Het. There were stories, of course, but those were just legends, or so had he thought before today. And why had the creature set fire to his hut? That question was even more perplexing than the creature itself. Kiusu hadn't had outside contact for almost twenty years, and now this strange creature appeared to destroy his home?

  Just then, a feeling came to him. A whisper on the wind, very quiet and mild. It told him that it was all a part of his destiny. He would know the answers to his questions someday soon. This was unlike any premonition he had experienced before. He had a strong sense that things were happening at that very moment which would set events into motion. It left him feeling heady and euphoric.

  'Yes,' he thought, 'I will sleep under the stars tonight and begin rebuilding tomorrow. Everything will be fine.'

  * * *

  “You called for me, highness?” The creature's voice sounded as though it bubbled through the slime that oozed from its skin.

  Orbein considered the hunched shapeshifter before him. Since he began his dealings with Gayossha and, through him, the Fiu-Het, he never ceased to be amazed at their ugliness. They all appeared as though they had been through some grisly battle and had lost badly. Their skin hung from them as though it were not securely attached and looked bruised and battered. Now, as he regarded Agucho, disdain for the race swirled in Orbein's mind.

  “Yes,” the king replied after a pause. “I have something to discuss with you.”

  The creature bowed humbly. “I am here to serve you, my lord.”

  The king nodded absently. “My kingdom is about to expand,” he said.

  “I see,” said the Fiu-Het, not really understanding, but wishing to keep his master content.

  “No, you don't,” Orbein said plainly. “You cannot begin to imagine my designs. But that is aside from the point.”

  Agucho shifted uncomfortably for a few moments before venturing, “Of course not, highness. How may I, your humble servant, be of assistance in this plan?”

  Orbein's eyes narrowed as he dissected the response, searching for a hint of sarcasm. “It would be foolish of me to assume the world is so uninhabited that I will not meet resistance,” he said.

  The Fiu-Het looked at the king blankly. He suddenly feared that the monarch was hinting at invading his home to the west. If Orbein was planning such an attack, it would be a harsh, bloody fight with no clear advantage to either side. Although the swamps were an unfamiliar place to these humans, the sheer number of men in the king's army would make defending a difficult endeavor. Could Orbein be that ambitious?

  The creature's long pause made Orbein continue. “Many generations ago this city was rebuilt from the ashes of one much older. It was a bitter reconstruction, borne out of desperation. The empire of the east that massacred and abandoned us must submit to us or perish.”

  Agucho understood from Orbein's tone that he would prefer the latter. “You know for certain that this empire has survived the generations? Did no one ever try to return?” he asked.

  The king's brow furrowed. “They did. The soldiers sent here to destroy the city found all the paths to home closed. Since then, we have heard nothing from the east, but I know they are there. Waiting for us. Fearing our return. This is why I have sent forth...a scout.”

  The careful manner in which Orbein selected that word made Agucho uncomfortable. “A scout,” he echoed. “Yes, a very wise move.”

  The king chuckled to himself as though he were recalling some joke. “I believe you know him,” he said.

  Agucho's eyes widened. “Gayossha?”

  Orbein now laughed aloud, “Yes. I sent Gayossha out, knowing that he could fly over the mountains quickly and investigate the lands undetected by any who might inhabit them.”

  Stunned, Agucho stood before the king, mouth agape. The creature's thin, slick tongue stretched out and slowly licked his eyes. “When were you expecting him back?” he asked, voice monotone.

  The king shrugged. “When he is finished. I do suspect he shall return quickly, though. He knows my intentions and seems quite pleased.”

  The shapeshifter nodded slowly, the information still sinking into his brain. Everything was becoming clear to him now. The seer Laernus, Gayossha's absence, the king's frequent visits to his army and the temple. Orbein was readying for something massive. The air seemed so very dry, and again the Fiu-Het's tongue rolled over his bulging eyeballs.

  Orbein reclined in his throne and eyed the shapeshifter closely. He knew that this news was very enlightening to Agucho. After a time, the king spoke again, “
If Gayossha returns with word of inhabitants, I intend to ask him to rally your people that they may help us in the battle.”

  Agucho's sticky eyes dilated. He seemed more alert. “I do not think you understand how serious the situation really is,” he hissed slowly.

  “What do you mean?” said Orbein curiously.

  “Gayossha, highness, is the son of our queen,” the shapeshifter explained.

  Orbein straightened suddenly at the revelation, but recovered quickly. “How is this possible? Why would your people send a prince on such a mission?” he asked incredulously.

  “Gayossha was hunting,” Agucho sighed. “He came upon your messenger. He alone heard your request. I found him sneaking away, as he often does. He would not tell me much, but it was enough to lead me here.”

  Orbein raised an eyebrow. Increasingly amused at the situation, he let out a laugh from deep within his chest. It was some time before he calmed enough to see Agucho shifting nervously and licking his dry, lidless eyes. “And what, pray tell, is your position in relation to prince Gayossha?” he asked mockingly.

  “I am a distant cousin to the prince and, therefore, I have my place in our court,” Agucho explained with great humility.

  Chuckling once again, Orbein nodded. “I see. Perhaps you can find a more noble post here,” he suggested.

  Agucho was not amused. “Highness, as I have told you before, my people will be very displeased should something happen to our prince. I am sure now that you can appreciate why and what consequence it might bring.”

  Orbein fixed a steely gaze upon the Fiu-Het, his sense of humor spent. “That sounds like a thinly-veiled threat,” he said.

  The shapeshifter remembered what happened last time he delivered such a threat. He also knew what kind of man Orbein was, and this calmed him. “No, highness, it is not a threat. I simply have an obligation to my people to ensure that their prince is safe.”

  The king scowled. “And now you are in my employ and have obligations to me,” he answered.

  The shapeshifter stared at Orbein for some time before bowing low. “Of course, highnesss,” he hissed.

  “I grow weary,” the king stated. “Off with you.”

  Agucho bowed again. “As you wish, highness.”

  With that he left the king alone in his throne room. The Fiu-Het had some thinking and, perhaps, planning to do. What would all this mean for his people? For so long they had lived alone in the swamps, hardly ever interacting with humans, of whom they were very wary. Now there was a possibility that they would be summoned to fight alongside this wild king and his army, assuming that Gayossha returned safely. And if he didn't, the Fiu-Het would likely still be going to war. War against Niele'itio. Agucho shuddered and wished Gayossha would just appear so that the both of them could return to the swamp and pretend none of this had ever happened.

  10. Excitement

  The easternmost mountain loomed before the new explorers as they stood at its base. Two days travel had drawn them from the forest to the foot of this rocky mount, and here they rested once more before venturing up it. Eager eyes rose toward the thin, white-speckled cap atop the peak that today held fast the sky's mist. It seemed magical to them as they stood admiring the grandness of the jutting landscape that they had only heard about in stories. Despite the relative closeness of the mountains, no one alive today in the empire had ever actually seen them aside from standing on a hill and glimpsing the very tallest peaks just rising over the treetops. Now, as they camped beside the majestic stone heights, their imaginations flowed like the stories from their lips and the celebratory libation from their flasks.

  Komeris strode toward Urietsin, two goblets in his hands. He greeted the young warrior and handed him a drink. “Wine, my friend?” he asked jovially.

  Urietsin graciously took the goblet and swallowed its contents. “It is beautiful, is it not?” he stated more than asked.

  Komeris looked up, nodding as he did. “Indeed, and tomorrow we shall scale it.”

  Urietsin smiled enthusiastically. “It should prove interesting. At least, I hope it does,” he said.

  “Don't worry, young warrior. Your life is long ahead of you. Adventure awaits,” the captain reassured him with a grin.

  The Swift One responded with a nod. “I feel it too.” His expression shifted, and he regarded Komeris curiously. “Are we all to go up?” he asked.

  Komeris looked back to the rest of the soldiers and shrugged. “No, only a few. This would be a good place to split into smaller groups. I want to get some scouts riding north and south as well to see how far this range extends.”

  Again, Urietsin nodded. “That sounds wise. The slope is not too steep, but there are places that would hinder a large group. The more of us that go will be the more of us that could slip on a pile of loose rocks...” he trailed gazing toward the peak.

  This time it was Komeris who was nodding. “I’ll decide who is to go tomorrow morning,” he said.

  Urietsin looked back to his captain. “Shall we go all the way to the top?” he asked.

  Komeris shook his head slowly, thinking of a route of exploration for tomorrow's assignment. “No, not to the peak. Maybe scale little more than halfway, and then make your way around the mountain to see what, if anything, can be seen from that height. We'll see if we can find the source of that smoke from the other day. If needs be, we can explore higher. I would prefer that we not climb too high just yet. Not until we get a feel for the terrain on the way up.”

  The young warrior listened, but his gaze was inexorably drawn back to the mountain. He felt something there. Something pulled at his being, telling him that his destiny lay just beyond. Yes, this journey was only the beginning, he knew. He hoped. He accepted another generous helping of wine from Komeris's flask. The Swift One gulped the wine and joined his fellow soldiers in the night's festivities. As he drank his imagination soared with the possibilities of the next day's adventure.

  * * *

  Etrusin paced before his soldiers, looking to each one as he passed. The fire and hope that gleamed within his eyes struck every warrior as significant. The general was sizing up his troops and wondering if they were ready for the road that lay ahead. He had confidence in the empire, and he knew that these men were receiving the best training he had to offer. He hadn't expected to be tested so soon and hoped that he and his soldiers could pass this test. The empire would suffer for their failure.

  “Warriors!” he called to the ranks, stopping to gaze over all of them. “A time may come soon when we are called to defend our glorious empire. It has been only two decades since we united for this cause. Many of you were infants, and a few were not yet born. For those of you who are too young to remember the days before the empire, it was a harsh time of war and struggle. You are fortunate not to have known such times. I fear, however, that it is all too soon that we are called back to action! A new enemy threatens, unknown and far from here. Now, you young warriors are called to fight!”

  A low murmur ran through the ranks as the soldiers began to understand their general's speech. After a short pause, Etrusin continued, “You, like those warriors years before, are called to defend the peace and security you have thus far taken for granted. You will follow in the steps of your great emperor and your parents and make our home safe for future generations. Children who will grow up to know the same freedom you have enjoyed. I know this news is unexpected, but I assure you this is not merely a precaution. I have conferred with the emperor, who has heard the voice of Minotros Himself! An enemy approaches, and if we are prepared, the aggressor will fall!

  “Now, I ask you all to stand with me and the other distinguished officers of the empire to fend off this aggressor. As you are all men and women of free will, I shall permit you to go if you wish. You may go back to your homes and rest comfortably until the enemy comes to conquer you. If you do wish to go, do so now, for should you choose to stand with me today, you will stand with me until we fall in battle or die of old
age.”

  As his eyes scanned the faces of each soldier, the general noted the confidence and bravery in their features and postures. His momentary silence was clearly the pause to allow those who would not fight the opportunity to leave.

  No one left. Every man and woman who stood on the training field before Etrusin, stood tall and did not budge. These warriors knew their responsibilities to the empire and would fight alongside the general. The possibility of death did not frighten them, for they understood that it was sometimes the price of freedom.

  General Etrusin smiled approvingly, and his heart swelled with pride. This, he knew, was their first step toward passing the approaching test. Which brought him to the next round of business for the day. Standing just outside the boundary of the training field was a line of priests headed by Shiu Hi. Etrusin now waved these men over.

  “These men are here to aid us in the coming task. They are the priests of the great temple led by Shiu Hi. I ask that you now draw your weapons and present them to a priest when he approaches,” he instructed the soldiers.

  The priests filtered into the ranks and collected each soldier’s weapon. Many of them carried censers that smoked and filled the air around the field with a heady aroma and lent a mysterious quality to the setting. The holy men carried the weapons through the purifying smoke and brought them to a cart that would carry them to the temple for a week long ceremony.

  Even though the real magic hadn't started yet, Etrusin could feel power in the air. It strengthened him and his faith in their victory. He could see his soldiers waving their shining weapons in the air, loosing a battle cry that shook the earth. He could see them charging headlong into battle. He could see them vanquishing the enemy through the raw power of faith and freedom.