A Warrior's Path Page 12
* * *
Geilo felt a cool breeze gently sweep past him. He could hear the rushing sound as that wind blew by his ears. The emperor opened his eyes and found himself sitting on his horse in a wide open field. Fear gripped him as he realized he didn't remember how he had gotten there. What frightened him more was that he was alone. Even though he didn't recognize his surroundings, he felt sure that there should be at least one other person with him.
The breeze stopped, and the air was suddenly still. Silence ensued. Geilo called out, but the silence seemed so encompassing that it engulfed his words even before they left his lips. Slowly, he urged his horse forward. Surely there was someone else here, and if so, he would find this person and ask how to get back to the palace.
The emperor began to feel less fearful as he trotted though the grass, noting that the moon was bright in the sky, and there were no clouds to block it out. He pressed on, quickening his pace. Something inside him told him this was the right way. Indeed, it must have been because he could see a light up ahead.
He drew his horse to a stop. Something was there, blocking his way. He suddenly realized that there was a huge web before him. As he focused on the sight, an enormous woven symmetry became visible. It was a silk web, as made by a spider of some sort. Geilo was puzzled as to what was supporting this web. It seemed to stretch up to the stars.
As Geilo dismounted, he became aware of something hanging from the center of the web. It was a gorgeous bejeweled dagger, and it shimmered and sparkled in the moonlight. He reached for the blade, thinking to use it on the web. As his hand moved close to the gem-encrusted handle, the metallic edge suddenly stirred, apparently of its own accord. It twisted fluidly toward the emperor's hand and the point darted forward, deeply piercing his palm.
Geilo withdrew his hand and looked at the wound. Blood flowed freely and dripped to the ground. Stunned at first, he simply watched as the red fluid moved down the single rivulet, then fell inevitably to the dirt. Blinking away the shock of what had happened, the emperor pulled at his long sleeve and balled the cuff into his fist to stem the flow of blood.
He looked up from his bloody hand to find that the web was gone. In its place, a pair of fiery eyes stared back at him. A monstrous laugh echoed through the air. Geilo jumped back, adrenaline surging into his veins. Then everything disappeared, and he was no longer in the field with his horse. He was back in the palace, standing before his throne. It looked so empty to him, and as he stood there pondering the significance of all this, his hand began to throb. He looked down and noted that his sleeve was soaked with blood. But the life-giving liquid was not red; it was green. He opened his palm and drew back the sleeve. His hand was swollen and gray and covered in the thick green goo that oozed from his wound.
As he watched the curious sight, his hand began to shrivel at the fingertips and curl up grotesquely. Horror washed over him as the deformation crawled up his arm. He began to cry out, and pain racked through his entire body. The shriveled hand slowly disintegrated, and the dust floated into the air and disappeared. All the while Geilo screamed.
He sat up with a start, his scream dying in his throat, his arm held up in the air. The room was dark, but from what little he could see, his hand was still there and intact. The emperor looked about, bewildered at the sudden change in surroundings. He was in bed in his chambers and was drenched in sweat, shivering with cold.
A dream. It had all been a dream. Geilo wiped his dripping brow, then brought his hand down to examine it in the dim light of the early morning. There was no mark, and he found he could flex his fingers normally. Naturally, as it had all been just a horrible nightmare. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't really remember everything that had happened. He just knew something had been terribly wrong with his hand.
The emperor chuckled to himself nervously in the safety of his own bed. This had not been a good month for sleep. As disturbing as this nightmare had been, at least it was a change from the normal fare of marching demons. He shifted uncomfortably as he noticed again the dampness of his clothes and bedding. Early though it was, Geilo decided now was as good a time as any to start the day. He would be able to sleep no longer in his sweat-soaked nightclothes.
* * *
Deep in the mountains, the rodent Gayossha scurried through the snow. Normally the extreme cold would have bothered the shapeshifter, but the icy drifts on the mountain peaks were the only relief he found from the searing blisters that lined his back. For more than two days he had run, half blind from the pain that the fire had left. When he found himself on the next peak, the hard, icy snow began to sooth the horrible burns. He had slept fitfully through the night, as he could not go another step without rest, but he had woken up early to begin running again.
He was weary, and the insidious injury on his back sapped his strength, but fear kept him moving. He got up the energy to transform himself to a slightly larger and faster creature and ran straight on to the next mountain. He badly wanted to assume a bird shape and fly quickly back to Niele'itio, but he knew the constant flapping of wings would only agitate his already agonized back.
Without consideration to food, drink, or rest, the shapeshifter ran on toward the west. It did not take long for delirium to seep into his already half-crazed mind. He kept thinking of the old man that had done this to him and of the horrible, torturous ways he could make him pay. He thought also of the empire that supposedly existed beyond the eastern forest and of the elves that would no doubt ally themselves with the empire's army to crush Orbein's soldiers. After that they would come, with the old man leading them, to dominate the swamps where his people lived. They all had to die, the shapeshifter decided.
And so they would. Gayossha would make his way back to the king and warn him of the sly cunning of the mighty empire. He would tell him to mount a massive attack, to destroy these wicked people and the old man who did this to him. Perhaps he could get his own shapeshifting people to fight alongside Orbein's. Together they would make an unbeatable force.
Fantasy became indistinguishable from reality to the Fiu-Het prince as he scurried along the snow-capped peak. He could see the glorious battle engaged before him. Orbein's army, united with the Fiu-Het, beat back the imperial forces from the east. They laid waste to the countryside and left not a soul alive. In his fantasy he became a bird and flew overhead surveying the destruction.
Unconscious of his actions, Gayossha's large, scurrying rodent form sprouted wings that began flapping wildly. Blisters popped, and blood and pus spattered on the snow, melting small circles and sending up tiny tendrils of steam. The half rodent, half bird form lifted from the ground and shot ungracefully into the air. Wobbling and shuddering insanely, the deformed creature set a fast course to the west. Gayossha was oblivious to it all. His dementia blocked out all the pain, and he continued on with one single-minded purpose.
* * *
Kiusu brought his hatchet down onto the thick trunk, cutting it more deeply than most younger men could with such a small edge. His work was going quickly, and he was pleased to find that much of the wood from this old tree was still sturdy enough to make a good beginning for his new hut. The hulking mass of dead wood would have been ideal for fire over the long winter that would chill the mountaintop for months. But winter was still more than a season away, and he would need to gather a bit more wood than this to complete construction of his home and heat it during the cold season.
Several more chops in an unbelievably straight line brought the hatchet more than halfway through the trunk. Wanting to save some time, the old man slipped the tool into his sash and stood straight before the cut in concentration. With a quick upward then downward snap of his leg, Kiusu's heel cracked through the rest of the wood with minimal splintering. Now he had several long sections that could be dragged back to the spot where his hut had once stood.
While he worked this morning, Kiusu thought a lot about the creature that had set the fire. What was it, and where had it come from
? Why would it set his hut ablaze? It was obviously somewhat intelligent, as he had heard it cackling as it watched the fire, and it wore some kind of clothing. The old man then remembered the strange bird he had seen watching him as he went through his routines. When the shapeshifter had tried to transform into a bird during the fight, it had looked oddly similar.
So many questions about that incident raced through Kiusu's mind. He continually reminded himself, however, that all would be revealed soon. Fate had assured him of that. His goal now was to rebuild and await the circumstances that were to come. He decided to shake away the curious thoughts and focus on his work. The wooden section was large, and it would take him some time to drag it back to his clearing.
Bracing himself, the old man lifted one end of the chopped trunk. His dense musculature tensed and corded, but did not strain. Kiusu began to drag the huge piece with the strength of a man twice his size. His hands were locked firmly into the holds he had made, and his feet made their way surely without slipping once.
* * *
The next morning Urietsin awoke to the sounds of the sunrise. Soldiers were ambling about on their way to cook up some breakfast, birds were chirping, and someone was singing merrily. The young warrior had never heard such an awful ruckus in his life. Every pounding, sonorous utterance pulsed through his brain and bade him rise to look around blearily. He felt terrible. For the first time in his life, he didn't remember what time he'd gone to sleep or the events leading up to that point. The last thing he remembered was joining in the chorus of a boisterous song of which he only knew a few words. Confused, the normally dexterous youth stumbled toward his captain.
“Good morning, Swift One!” Komeris cried cheerfully, slapping his young friend on the back.
Urietsin groaned and swayed at the hit. “Never have I awoken to such a horrible feeling. I think I was clubbed in the head last night.”
Komeris chuckled heartily. “Yes, my friend, clubbed by a flask of wine, I think. Perhaps next time you’ll not accept a drink so readily, or so often.”
“Or ever again,” the Swift One croaked groggily.
“Here, drink this,” the captain offered a liquid-filled skin to the young warrior.
Urietsin eyed the object warily, but accepted it and hazarded a sip. It was cool water, and it felt so good moistening his lips that he gulped at it greedily.
“Careful,” warned Komeris. “Drink too quickly and you’ll feel worse than you do now.”
Not wanting to even imagine that possibility, Urietsin pulled the flask away, slowing his consumption to intermittent sips. “So, what is the plan for today?” he asked, already feeling a bit better.
“Well, I was just about to go and gather some soldiers and tell them what we discussed yesterday,” Komeris replied.
Urietsin nodded. “Who did you have in mind?” he asked.
Komeris looked to the warrior with a smile. “Well, I was hoping you would offer your assistance in that...unless, of course, you're not feeling up to it?”
The Swift One's posture straightened suddenly and he shot Komeris an incredulous stare. “Of course, sir, I'm feeling fine now,” he said eagerly, ignoring the dull ache that lingered in his head.
Chuckling, Komeris nodded and motioned for Urietsin to follow him. Together the young warrior and the captain selected nine soldiers from the group and brought them away from the camp to discuss their plan for exploring the mountain. “It may be to your advantage to travel up together, then form two groups of five to go in opposite directions. That way you cover more ground quickly,” Komeris explained after giving the men a general idea of the assignment.
A hand went up in the group. It was the surly looking warrior that Urietsin knew all too well. “Yes, Reniu?” the captain asked.
“Yes, sir, who'll be leadin' this party?” Reniu asked with his traditional scowl.
Komeris smiled at this and stepped aside to indicate Urietsin. “I believe we'll let the Swift One have the honor.”
Urietsin's head turned slowly to look at his captain. The young man bowed deeply.
The captain nodded and gave a slight bow in return. “I have complete confidence in your abilities, soldier.” He turned a firm gaze to the rest of the group. “As should you all. Urietsin is a fine warrior, and you should all be honored to serve under his first command.” His tone left no room for comment. With that he turned to Urietsin, bowed again, and walked off, leaving the young warrior to his assignment.
The Swift One turned to regard his party. He looked to each one of them looking for some sort of protest; there was none. All of these men were trained soldiers, and they all trusted Komeris's judgment. Urietsin shrugged. If Komeris had faith in him, then he would have faith in himself. He waved toward the campsite and said, “Okay, men, gather only what you will need for the climb. Meet me back here when you have everything, and we will begin the journey.”
The party dispersed to retrieve the few things they would need that they were not already carrying. Urietsin stepped slowly, but confidently, toward the campsite. As he approached, Su-Ni came to meet him. “Are those men going to explore the mountain?” she asked.
Urietsin nodded. “Yes, we will climb halfway and split up to investigate both sides on our way to the opposite face,” he told her.
“Is Komeris going with them?” Her tone suggested more than just casual inquiry.
Urietsin paused to regard her. “No, he has placed me in charge.”
“I see,” the young diplomat responded with her hands placed impatiently on her hips. “And which one of us will you be taking with you?”
The Swift One understood now. Su-Ni was afraid that the exploration would continue without a diplomatic representative. “None of you will be going with us. You can see there is no thriving city on the mountainside. Likely it will be more dangerous for one of you to be there. The mountain is no doubt crawling with vicious creatures, and a bit of loose rock may prove more hazardous than any animal.”
Su-Ni turned an appraising stare at the mist-shrouded peak. “We can take care of ourselves,” she said determinedly.
Urietsin grinned. There was more to this young woman than her looks. “I don’t doubt you,” he said, “but I assure you it will be unnecessary. With just this group of warriors we will be able to more quickly scout out the area. If we find any situation that requires your special prowess, we will return to escort you there safely.”
The woman returned Urietsin's smile with one of approval. This warrior was skilled in many more ways than just fighting. He was proving to be very well spoken. Su-Ni was sure he could handle many diplomatic situations almost as skillfully as she. While she was just as curious as everyone else about the new lands they were exploring, she decided to be patient...for now.
She bowed to him and placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you. We will stay here and patiently await some word that we are needed.”
The young warrior placed a hand on hers and grinned again. The silence that followed was immediately awkward. The pounding from earlier returned to Urietsin's head. He stood there for several moments trying to wipe the foolish smile from his face and to somehow remove his hand from hers in a way that seemed casual. A call from behind him broke the moment and he looked back to see a few of the soldiers waiting with their equipment.
Urietsin put his hand down and bowed quickly. “I must go now,” he said with a serious expression.
Su-Ni nodded once and took a step back, indicating the path to the campsite. The warrior wasted no time and set a quick pace in that direction. “Swift one!” she called after him. Urietsin stopped and turned. “Do be careful,” she said with a smile.
Urietsin gave a short nod and returned quickly to his walking. He was grinning again. On the way back to the campsite, and then to the meeting point with his equipment, the young warrior wondered at his behavior with Su-Ni. Of course, the Swift One was not so young and naive that he couldn't recognize the reactions of a man toward an attractive woman. And there
was no doubt that Su-Ni was an attractive woman, but Urietsin had always prided himself on being in control of his emotions. The inability to rid himself of that grin proved otherwise.
The young warrior met up with the other soldiers and went over the plan once more. Thoughts of the exchange with Su-Ni were quickly lost as the men headed toward the mountain. It was not a very large peak compared to the rest that stretched out to either side as far as the eye could see. It would still take some time, and they were prepared for the possibility that they would have to camp on the mountain overnight.
As the morning went on, the group quickly saw that they were making good time, and it was just after midday when the party had reached the halfway point. Urietsin instructed the men to follow him just a little higher before they split up to either side of the mountain. He was thinking of the smoke he had seen rising from behind and made a guess at the elevation of the source. They climbed for another twenty minutes before going in opposite directions.
Four warriors were to follow Urietsin around the south face of the mountain, while four went north, led by Reniu. The surly but respectful warrior accepted the responsibility with pride and immediately began barking orders to the men. Urietsin turned the other direction and led his men southward along the mountainside.
Urietsin was ecstatic. Excitement pulsed through his veins as he expected something to pop out at them at every turn. The men grew hungry and suggested they stop to eat, but Urietsin urged them on. “Just a bit further,” he said. A few quiet grumbles were heard, but the men pressed forward. In actuality, they were as excited to be there as Urietsin was.
Before long the small group of warriors came to an area of very sparse growth. Here the dirt was very dry and only a few small bushes grew. The most noticeable feature, however, was a large broken trunk lying on the ground. Urietsin brought his group to the trunk and they began to prepare their late lunch. Salted meat and bread was passed around, and each soldier took a healthy swig from his full water skin.