A Warrior's Path Read online

  It took a few minutes for the hundred score Fiu-Het to get into position. When they were done, Orbein nodded approvingly. He paused when he noticed Laernus standing beside Agucho. “Do you keep counsel with him?” the king asked with amusement.

  Laernus nodded abruptly and eagerly answered, “As you desired.”

  Orbein was a bit surprised at the wizard's brazen confidence. He had hoped that Vethisir's army would break the seer; instead it seemed to have made him even more headstrong. He glanced questioningly at the shapeshifter, who merely shrugged. The king laughed out loud and shook his head. “You've hidden yourself from me long enough, Laernus. It's a good thing you have value, else I would have been rid of you by now.”

  Though Laernus had learned, somewhat harshly, the value of holding his tongue, he could not help but test the king in this difficult setting. He grinned and bowed. “Then it is, indeed, fortunate that I am 'of value',” he responded.

  Orbein scowled and clenched his jaw. Regardless of the illusion of himself that he presented to the Fiu-Het, he would not stand for such defiance. He reared his horse and trotted dangerously close to the seer, kicking out as he rode by.

  Laernus flew to the ground. He sat up holding his fattening lip, which had tasted the king's boot.

  Orbein called back to the seer, “Of value, for now...” He rode off quickly with a chuckling Vethisir in tow.

  When they were out of earshot, Laernus swore under his breath. “So much for marching beside us,” he added.

  “Do not despair, my friend. Our time is almost at hand,” Agucho said, mockingly repeating the seer's earlier sentiment.

  Laernus scowled at the shapeshifter. “What, have you been deceiving me all this time?” he asked.

  “No, it is true,” Agucho confirmed. “I just wanted to demonstrate how unreassuring it sounds.”

  The seer nodded repentantly and spit out some blood as his shapeshifting conspirator gave orders for a few scouts to take to the skies. It was going to be a long march, and Agucho was right. 'Almost at hand' was not very reassuring at all.

  17. Reunion

  For the first time in months, Urietsin looked out from the mountainside and did not see more mountains. Mostly flat land stretched out for miles, and in the distance, almost imperceptible to human eyes, was the green line of the forest. It seemed so far away to the young warrior, physically and in time. He had only been with Kiusu for little more than a season, but in some ways it felt longer. When he thought about home, it seemed like he had been away for ages, but his time with Kiusu felt like no more than a week. Though a part of him yearned for the land he had known in his childhood, he had grown comfortable in that tiny hut on the western side of the mountain. So it was with some excitement and a bit of uncertainty that Urietsin made those first steps down the mountain beside his friend and master.

  Uncertain didn't even begin to describe the many layers of Kiusu Tho-Shoishu's emotions toward leaving his home of twenty years. He had not been around anything resembling civilization in two decades and, though the Swift One had helped to readjust him, he wondered how he would feel when surrounded by his own people again. The rational side of Kiusu that had used these years of his life to gain a better understanding of his higher self, tried to reassure him that all was well. The other side of him that had controlled all of his thoughts and actions for most of the other ninety-two years of his life was terrified.

  The wizened master simply reminded himself that change was a crucial part of existence, and one that maximized experience. In the back of his mind, though, insecurities that he had thought long expelled from his very being resounded loudly. He began to wonder how much wisdom he had truly gained in living alone for almost a generation of his kin. He did not doubt that they would happily welcome him back; rather he was afraid that he would be far too happy to be welcomed back. For there was one fear that surpassed all others. It was the fear of what lay at the end of this journey.

  “Are you alright, seishin?” Urietsin asked with a touch of concern.

  Kiusu smiled and nodded. “Yes, Swift One, quite. You should be more worried for yourself. It was you who was not well recently,” he reminded the young warrior, though that was another confusing emotion in the bundle that he had packed for the trip.

  The Swift One adopted a faraway look. “Yes...” he said quietly. He shook his head and blinked away the trance. “You look troubled, though,” he insisted.

  “Long has it been since I walked among my people...our people,” the old man admitted with a shrug, leaving out the other half of his feelings. He wondered if he could ever tell the young man that he had hidden him from his rescuers, that he had forced the speedy completion of his lessons. It had been easy to justify these things in the solitude of the mountain hut, but on the road back to the empire, they worked their way to the forefront of his thoughts.

  Urietsin patted his shoulder. “Don't worry, I'm sure they have missed you in your absence,” he said with a reassuring smile.

  Kiusu nodded. “Yes, and I think I have underestimated how much I've missed them.” He returned the young warrior's smile with a wistful one of his own.

  “Well, come on then!” the Swift One cried cheerily. “Let us speed our return!” And with that he bounded as carefully down the mountain as he could, Kiusu in tow.

  They reached the foot of the mountain in relatively short order and rested long enough to eat an early lunch. They were both eager to be moving, so they were quickly headed east again. They were grateful of the distraction that their fast-paced travel provided. From the base of the mountain it was a two-day walk to get to the forest's edge, but the two companions were determined to arrive sooner. They had traveled all day and well into the night when they saw pinpoints of light spring up on the horizon in front of them. Though they were tired, they pressed on, and it was almost dawn when they came upon a sprawling campsite.

  “Halt! Name yourselves!” called out a stern voice.

  Urietsin and Kiusu stopped walking. A large soldier, wielding his sword cautiously, stepped toward them. Urietsin held up his hand in greeting. “Hail,” he called, “I am Urietsin of Retso and my companion is Kiusu Tho-Shoishu. We are both your kin of Geilo's great empire.”

  The soldier lowered his sword. “Tho-Shoishu?” he echoed. “I know that name.”

  Kiusu nodded. “I have been away for many years, alone in the mountains. I hope to know my people again,” he said with a sad smile.

  Sheathing his weapon, the soldier bowed in welcome. “I wish this reunion could be during happier times. As things are, we still are glad to have our own here at the general's camp.”

  “Urietsi'in?” came another voice.

  “Ninei!” the Swift One called back. He went over to the diplomatic advisor and bowed. “It is fine to see a familiar face again.”

  The diplomat grinned and bowed in return. “What happened to you? We were certain you were dead.”

  Urietsin nodded. “For a time, I thought so as well. I have Kiusu to thank for my survival,” he explained, indicating the older man.

  “Kiusu,” Ninei said blankly as she offered a respectful bow.

  “Ninei,” the old man answered. “I know you, though I have not seen you in many long years.”

  The diplomat looked at him with a perplexed expression. “I am sorry, sir, I do not remember you.”

  “I am Kiusu Tho-Shoishu. My master and I fought beside your emperor against the Abomination.”

  The look of confusion on Ninei's face was washed away by one of shock. She immediately bowed again, more deeply. “My apologies, master, I did not recognize you.”

  Kiusu reached out and patted her shoulder, then displayed as much respect for her as she had for him. When he came up from his own bow, he smiled reassuringly. “Do not concern yourself. I am simply a man.”

  “A great man by any account,” the diplomat insisted.

  Urietsin grinned as Kiusu waved away the attention. “Is the captain here at the camp?” the
young warrior asked.

  Ninei's brow furrowed. “No. He has gone with the general. They have taken the army, as it is, to the southern pass in the mountains. Through there lies the path to those who threaten our way of life.”

  “Army?” the Swift One asked, though the answer played out in his head before Ninei explained it to him.

  “I forgot you have been missing since all of this really got started,” she began.

  Urietsin held up his hand. “There will be time for that later.”

  The diplomat seemed confused, but did not proceed. “You two look tired from your journey. Come rest and tell us of your travels. Breakfast is being prepared now, if you are hungry.”

  The two men nodded gratefully and followed Ninei to the mess tent where the scent of breakfast waited to invite them in. For Kiusu it was a little unnerving. He had lived by himself for twenty years, and now, even though most of the camp was empty, he found himself surrounded by people. He could keenly feel every single person around him, and the thoughts that left him with made him question again the past two decades. As he entered the tent with Urietsin and Ninei, he was presented with another distraction from the uncomfortable workings of his mind.

  Urietsin entered and had almost run into the young woman who now stood before him speechless and agape. “Su-Ni,” the Swift One murmured breathlessly.

  The young woman, clad in a much different style than he had last seen her, found her voice again. “Urietsi'in, we thought...I mean, I didn't, but...” She stuttered over some explanation of her shock, but gave up and pulled him into a powerful embrace.

  Urietsin laughed in surprise and hugged her back. “What are these clothes? They hardly seem fitting of a diplomat,” was the only response he could think of.

  Su-Ni beamed at him proudly. “I have learned to wield a sword. I am a soldier now,” she said showing off her ringmail and leather tunic.

  Something about that image made the Swift One's heart pound a little harder. “Why are you not with General Etrusin and his army?” he asked in a voice that belied his suddenly increased interest in the young woman.

  At that question she pouted. “I have been left behind with all the other soldiers of lesser skill.”

  “I'm sure you're not as bad as all that,” Urietsin chuckled.

  Su-Ni was about to agree when yet another somewhat familiar voice called out, “If this isn't a time for unusual happenings.”

  The Swift One recognized the taller of Ninei's protégés, Ini'io. He bowed in greeting and asked, “What do you mean?”

  “Su-Ni returns from the mountains a warrior, the rider from two nights ago and now you and the legendary master Tho-Shoishu appear at our camp,” the young diplomat explained, failing to return the Urietsin's bow.

  “Rider?” the Swift One asked curiously.

  “There was a rider that came to the camp two nights ago,” Ini'io went on. “One of the Shionen sentries spoke with him. He came out of the forest on a horse that was near death with fatigue. The sentry said he was in his nightclothes and claimed to be carrying a very important message for the general. When he found out that Etrusin had already gone, he became very distressed and insisted on taking another horse.”

  “His nightclothes?” asked Urietsin. “Did he say who he was?”

  Ini'io shook his head. “No, he would say nothing else, or so the elf said. He simply got on the new horse and rode away like he was the emperor himself.”

  “How strange,” said Su-Ni with a raised eyebrow.

  “Indeed,” agreed Urietsin. “I wonder what could have been so important. I shall have to ask the general when we get to the southern pass, or wherever he is when we join with him.”

  “You are going to the army?” asked Su-Ni, eyes wide in wonderment.

  Urietsin nodded.

  “You must let me come with you,” she said assertively.

  The Swift One regarded her, unsure of how to answer. “It...it may be dangerous.”

  Su-Ni rolled her eyes. “Don't you think I know that!” she exclaimed in exasperation. “I am not a silly little girl.”

  “Of course you aren’t.” Urietsin bowed in apology. “If you wish to come, I cannot stop you. I-we shall welcome your company.”

  Ini'io spoke up. “I, however, must protest. Su-Ni, despite your little adventure, you are not a warrior. You have known nothing but diplomacy for much of your life. I advise against you sprinting off on this foolish quest to become a champion.”

  Urietsin gaped at the man in surprise, but his reaction was nothing compared to Su-Ni's. She marched up to him, and though she barely stood taller than his shoulder, leaned toward him in a manner that could only be interpreted as intimidating. “If Urietsin could not stop me, then you would have no hope to.”

  In spite of his obvious physical advantage over the young woman, he backed down with a look of awe. She turned immediately and stomped off, nodding to Urietsin as she exited the tent. Ini'io glared at the Swift One, shook his head and, likewise, left in a huff.

  Urietsin found himself standing alone by the opening of the tent with a bemused expression. He looked around for the two he had come in with. He spotted Ninei and Kiusu sitting and talking quietly at one of the large tables. He began to make his way over to them when his stomach growled loudly enough to startle him. He decided it would be best to get a plate of breakfast before he joined the table.

  When he did finally join the table, he brought with him a plate that was overflowing with food. He sat and immediately dug in, hungrily savoring foods that he had not enjoyed in months. About midway through his meal, which was not very long after he had taken his seat, he noticed that Ninei and Kiusu were staring at him with amused expressions.

  “My apologies,” the Swift One amended. “Are either of you hungry?”

  Kiusu waved the offer away, and Ninei informed him that she had already eaten. They continued to watch him virtually inhale the rest of the contents of his plate. When he finished, he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach in satisfaction.

  “That was quite good. Are you sure you're not hungry, Kiusu? You have not eaten since yesterday,” the Swift One reminded.

  The old man nodded reassuringly. “I know. I am fine. Besides, I think you've eaten enough for the both of us,” he chuckled.

  They all shared in a brief laugh at that, and the mood became very relaxed. Even Kiusu, who had seemed a bit tense since he walked into the tent, looked to be back to his usual, placid self. Together the three of them chatted for well over an hour about news and the empire. Mostly Ninei was filling Kiusu in on all that he had missed in his years of solitude. Every once in a while, Urietsin would interject with memories that offered a different perspective on events. By the time the conversation had drawn to a close, both the Swift One and his former master were very tired. The weariness of their trip had finally caught up to them, and they requested that Ninei take them to a place where they could rest. She brought them to a tent not far from the west edge of camp where they had arrived. Already there were bedrolls and blankets on the floor, and the two men had hardly laid their heads down before they were asleep.

  Several hours later, they awoke to the sound of voices passing by their tent. When they exited, they found that people seemed to be gathering at the center of camp. At first, the two men thought it was some kind of line to get into the mess tent for dinner. They soon came to realize that the people were crowding around a very tired looking man in a palace guard's embroidered koje. They were questioning him, and he answered impatiently and seemed very eager to be elsewhere. Urietsin spotted Su-Ni on the edge of the crowd and walked over to her, Kiusu following close behind.

  “What's going on?” the Swift One asked quietly.

  When Su-Ni looked back at him, the expression on her face spoke volumes. “He says he is Weipo, a palace guard. He raced here by horse on the heels of the emperor himself! That was the visitor to the camp the other night. Weipo says he rushed out of the palace in his nightclothes
and jumped on a horse and rode it through the forest without stopping. That was five nights ago,” she explained.

  “Five nights ago!” Urietsin exclaimed. “That means is took the emperor three nights to get through the forest. A ride like that would kill the horse!”

  “It nearly did,” Su-Ni agreed. “That's why the emperor changed horses here.”

  “Why would the emperor be so desperate to get to General Etrusin?” the intrigued young warrior asked. With no obvious answer forthcoming, the Swift One looked over at Kiusu. “We must go after him. At his pace he is probably already there, I would imagine.”

  “The entrance to the southern pass is a little more than a full day’s ride,” Su-Ni confirmed.

  “We must still go after him,” insisted Urietsin.

  “I am ready to go,” Kiusu replied.

  “I have been ready since this morning,” agreed Su-Ni. Indeed, she already had a pack slung over her shoulders.

  “Then let us go,” Kiusu nodded.

  The three of them sneaked away from the distracted crowd to where the few horses left in the camp were tied. Each of them quietly led a horse away and made their way around the outside of the camp. Minutes later, they were pounding out over the open grassy land between camp and the mountains. Su-Ni was in the lead and brought them in a southwesterly direction, tracing the route she had made following the scouting party. As she had on that night two months ago, she displayed an uncanny natural sense of direction and led the group true.

  They rode well into the night, and the moon climbed high into the sky. The light from the virtual fullness of that moon was helpful to the group, as they could easily see one another while they rode. The ground below them was also well lit, and it was Urietsin's sharp eye that caught an unusual glint as they rode past. His horse reared and neighed as he pulled on his reign.