A Warrior's Path Page 5

  “Perhaps he knows of some hidden city beyond our borders,” suggested Su-Ni, her eyes darting back and forth between her companions to gauge their reactions. “Perhaps he has evidence of hostility that may await us. It could explain why he hesitated to send out explorers for so long.”

  Ninei knew about the prophetic visions that had aided the emperor in his victory against Reisothin. She didn't rule out the possibility that the emperor had foreseen a new threat, but she wasn’t sure why the emperor would hide this from her.

  “Perhaps,” she responded. “In order to explore beyond the lands we already know, we will have to trek through the forest. No one in living memory has gone very deep into that wood.”

  Su-Ni shook her head firmly. “Only because of stories told to scare children,” she said with certainty, “and foolish adults.”

  Ini'io nodded, but he did add, “There are the people of the wood. Legends say that their magic protects the forest’s borders from intrusion. Many such stories often contain a grain of truth.”

  “Yes,” Su-Ni agreed with a quick nod, “though in those legends they are said to be a peaceful race. I believe if the emperor knows of something, it is beyond the forest. Perhaps the source of the emperor's trepidation lies there,” she suggested.

  Ninei raised her eyebrows. “The mountains,” she said with a hint of fascination.

  “Let’s just make it through the forest first,” Ini'io said realistically.

  “Then from there we shall see what we shall see,” agreed Ninei.

  With that, Ninei dismissed them and all three went to prepare for the journey ahead. Nothing was any clearer than before the meeting, but it was no matter. They were all excited, and their excitement grew with each new theory about what lay ahead. No matter what they discovered on the road ahead, they were sure it would lead to exciting changes for the empire.

  * * *

  Etrusin stood eagerly before Emperor Geilo. He could hardly contain his joy, for his men were standing at the ready awaiting word from the emperor to begin. His eagerness, though intensified by years of almost dull routine and the wandering desire that seemed common of the people of his tribe, was tempered by the discipline he had forged over many years as a warrior. And while it was also significantly dampened by the fact that he would remain in the city training new recruits, excitement still coursed through his veins.

  The emperor nodded to the general. “Uchilin Etrusin of Kilelu,” he said.

  Etrusin bowed and saluted Geilo. “Emperor, I come before you requesting permission for my scouts to begin exploration of these fine lands. Even now my men stand prepared to do your bidding, whatever it may be. What word do you have for them, Ushisorein?” he asked reverently.

  Geilo pursed his lips as if in deep thought. Was this the first step toward that which he saw in his visions? Would inaction bring about that horrible end? He was nervous about what the next few months would bring to his people. He wished there were some way to be sure, but postponing the exploration might leave the empire unprepared for an attack. Even now the armies might be on the march. Deciding inaction his worst enemy, Geilo nodded.

  “Send them forth, Etrusin,” the emperor said with feigned confidence. “Send them forth that they may bring back news of how grand this land truly is and of how we may expand throughout it.”

  “Thank you, highness,” the general said happily. “My men will not fail you.”

  “Will you not be joining this group in their explorations?” the emperor asked, though he was not really very surprised.

  Etrusin frowned. “I will not, highness,” he said sadly. “I have duties within the empire that are too pressing. My lieutenant, Komeris, has been named captain of the party.”

  Indeed, Etrusin's duties were too important for him to be away, but he was not as upset about it as he seemed. True, he would have liked be out in the unknown lands with his men looking for adventure, but his small force was turning into an army. Day after day since the word had gone out, more and more young men and women came to his barracks eager to become warriors. Yes, Etrusin had his hands full, but he gladly accepted that this was his destiny.

  Emperor Geilo nodded, understanding and appreciating his general's growing responsibilities. “Very well then, in that case...”

  The emperor clapped his hands twice, and the grand doors to the throne room swung open. Behind them stood Ninei and her two students. Geilo bade them enter. The trio approached the throne and kneeled.

  “These three will accompany your men in case they should discover another city or kingdom. With their help, your men may perhaps return with word of new allies,” the emperor said, and deep within, he hoped that there was some truth to that speculation.

  Etrusin responded with a bow to the emperor and a nod to Ninei and her companions. “My men will welcome their company, highness,” he said, though he was surprised at this last-minute addition. He trusted that Komeris could handle all diplomatic situations competently, and if diplomatic relations deteriorated, he knew that the captain could handle that even better. Etrusin would make sure, however, that the group was welcomed.

  Geilo smiled. “Very well then,” he said in a satisfied tone. “You are dismissed. I wish your scouts, Etrusin, and you and your group, Ninei, a good journey.”

  All of them bowed before their emperor and walked together out of the throne room toward their new quest, and he watched them go with no small amount of uncertainty. Though he had been preparing for this for months, now that the moment was here, he wondered if this was the right decision.

  The ritual of Commune, in which Geilo would beseech Minotros, the God of Fate, for clearer guidance on the future of his small empire, was still undergoing preparation in the monastery. The emperor wished it were already done, for it may have made him feel better about this course of action. It could have at least helped him to choose a better one, if a better one existed.

  Geilo grimaced. This was no time to start second guessing his decisions. If Minotros made it clear that this expedition was a mistake, then he would send out messengers to bring them back. The frustrated emperor heaved a great sigh. What difficult times these past weeks had brought him. What difficult times would these next weeks bring? He decided it was best not to think about it. He would choose his course and stay on it. He only hoped he could handle the inevitable consequences.

  * * *

  Kiusu stepped onto the floor from his tiny bed and stretched. He felt better than he had in more than a week. Ever since he had grasped the makings of the multiverse in his last meditation, he had felt overwhelmed by fatigue. It stole his strength from him and made him unable to complete his usual daily activities. For once in his life, Kiusu felt his age. He felt the soreness in his tired muscles and heard his joints crack and pop as he moved around his quiet little hut. A tiredness seeped down into his soul that called him always to his bed.

  But not today.

  After a few moments of basking in his regained strength, the spirited old man made for the door. These past several days had been difficult for him, lying in bed unable to do anything. Despite his usual good health and natural resistance to sickness and injury, Kiusu was suddenly acutely aware that he was old by any human measure. He knew his body was merely a temporary vessel that could not last as long as his immortal spirit. He was uncomfortable wasting his limited days in bed, especially now with so much to be done. He had no intention of letting another day pass him by.

  As he stepped outside, Kiusu let the crisp, cool mountain air fill his lungs. It seemed so sweet and fresh compared to the confined air of his small shelter. He took in the mountainside panorama that showed through the sparse groups of trees that dotted the side of his mountain. It was another day in his long and full life, and he was going to enjoy it. This morning when he did his exercise, the old man focused on all the life around him and reveled in it. Always he had focused solely on his own motion during these morning workouts, but now he noted all the minute movements of the life
around him.

  Suddenly he stopped.

  Something had caught his eye. It was a bird. A dark bird. At first Kiusu had thought it was a crow, but as he stopped to consider it, he realized that it was like no bird he had ever seen. It was very large and had a long, curving beak. It's stubby orange legs made it seem hunched over. Most striking, however, were its eyes. They were keenly intelligent and more oblong than the typical roundness of most birds' eyes.

  It was clear to Kiusu that the bird was studying him. Knowing that birds were very curious creatures and always finding birds to be receptive to him, he took a step toward it. The bird straightened at his movement and ruffled its feathers. Kiusu paused. Never had he seen such a large, black bird. He decided to alter his approach.

  The old man smiled and slowly extended his hands before him, palms up to show he meant no harm. He continued to advance slowly and tried to radiate an aura of friendly curiosity. He had often been able to soothe nervous and frightened creatures with such methods in the past. This bird was obviously not nervous or frightened. It cawed at Kiusu in a way that the elderly master could only interpret as threatening.

  Kiusu's curiosity transformed into confusion.

  * * *

  Gayossha considered the old man warily. The Fiu-Het had seen the old man's meditation last week and knew that this small, elderly master was more than he appeared. Still disguised as a bird, the beast had easily followed Kiusu undetected after he awoke from his collapse. When it became clear to Gayossha that the man would not be coming out of his hut for a while, he flew out through the mountains hoping to spot some sign of this man's people, though not straying too far from the small dwelling. Gayossha flew back periodically, too intrigued by the powerful display on the mountain to dismiss the strange human so quickly.

  Now, as the old man approached, the Fiu-Het wondered if it was so wise for him to be in such plain sight of the hermit, disguised though he was. The creature knew that the old man had noticed something strange about his plumage. Gayossha scolded himself for not knowing better. This human, living all alone, had probably studied every breed of bird on these mountains. Surely his own improvised bird form was out of place.

  Gayossha ruffled again and cawed at the old hermit, who finally stopped. The creature considered the old man for a moment and flew off quickly, not wanting the human to let his curiosity get the better of him. The Fiu-Het decided to go exploring a bit more while thinking of a better disguise. He was definitely not through with this old man. Gayossha would return.

  5. Invocation

  Urietsin led the way beside Komeris and Reniu to the first line of trees that signaled the entrance to the forest. The trees were densely packed in most places with thick brush filling in the gaps. The way was hard enough for a single man hunting, but for the large group of soldiers, some of them leading horses, the way ahead would be difficult indeed. Urietsin stopped at the line and turned to consider the rest of the group as they caught up.

  The veterans in the group wore the traditional armor of distinguished officers. A leather koje with densely and ornately plaited sleeves was covered by a bronze breastplate, bearing an animal of each soldier's choosing. Komeris had the face of a wolf carved in great detail into his armor. Reniu's animal, fittingly enough, was a bear. The younger soldiers wore mostly leather, but some added tunics of steel ring mail to this. Urietsin, who had been the general's first choice from among his growing number of new recruits, wore only his black koje made of simple fabric and matching breeches.

  Urietsin glanced over at Reniu. At first he had been unsure of the huge soldier's presence in the group, given the outcome of their first encounter, but the Swift One found that the scowling visage that he often witnessed on Reniu's face was a permanent and relaxed state and not directed toward him. In addition, he found that he had actually gained a measure of respect from the towering man. A fact that relieved Urietsin, as he would much rather have the veteran's respect than his reprisal. Besides, he had found his own respect for the man on the rise as Komeris told him of Reniu's past deeds in service to the empire.

  “Are we to set up camp, Captain?” the young man asked Komeris, hoping the answer would be no.

  Komeris saw the eager gleam in the Swift One's eyes. “The afternoon is still young, and we only started this morning. It may take us many days to reach the other side with this many following, so we should make as much progress as possible.”

  Urietsin nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed,” was the young man's quick response.

  Komeris looked back to the rest of the group as they approached a short distance behind. “Although, a short rest might be in order before we press forward,” he admitted.

  “It’d be a good time for lunch, I say,” Reniu agreed.

  “Perhaps,” Urietsin conceded, “but the sooner we begin, the sooner we shall be through it.”

  Komeris chuckled. “Patience, Swift One, you will find your adventure soon enough,” he said with a pat on the young man's back.

  Urietsin looked to the dense forest before them, not even hearing Komeris as he instructed the group to take a short rest before continuing. The young warrior felt as though his destiny was calling to him softly between the thick tree trunks and beyond the forest. His first step into that forest would bring him into a world that he had dreamed of so many times as a child.

  Wanderlust and adventure coursed thickly through his veins as his heart began to beat faster. He began to envision the stories his father had told him about how he had fought beside Emperor Geilo in the battle against Reisothin. He imagined himself in his father's place then, swinging a shining broadsword, slashing and chopping at the vile beast as it breathed fire and poisonous smoke all about.

  Suddenly, Urietsin's vision changed. Instead of a sword, he held a staff, and instead of a great dragon, the young warrior found himself against another vile creature of a much lesser stature. The beast, whose features the young warrior could not make out, made threatening moves toward him and emitted a horrible gurgling sound. Despite Urietsin's lightning quick reflexes, the smaller creature kept him on the defensive, never allowing him enough time to attack. The Swift One knew he needed a distraction if he was to be at all effective against this creature, but what could he do? As soon as the beast withdrew, it was back again with another wet slap in his direction. Urietsin swatted defensively with the bottom of his staff and flung the dripping appendage to the side. Then, for some reason he did not understand, he flung out his open hand toward the creature. This action did not invoke the reaction that the young warrior expected at all. Instead of the beast moving forward to grab Urietsin's outstretched hand, it went backward, as if it were afraid. It took the young man a moment to realize that he had pushed the beast away somehow.

  Never one to miss a sudden advantage, Urietsin shot forward, staff leading. His weapon snapped downward with an overhead swing that connected with a loud crack on top of the creature's head. The young soldier took another half step forward and twirled the staff back up, swinging it back up to hit the slimy beast with the other end. Urietsin pulled the leading end of the staff under his arm and forcefully twisted his upper body, whipping the staff out and sending the creature spinning head over heels sideways.

  The voice of Komeris violently shattered the vision. “Urietsin?” he asked, flinching when the young man jumped at the sound of his own name. He looked at the captain, eyes wide, sweat pouring from his brow. “Urietsin?” the captain asked again.

  It took Urietsin a moment to realize that he should respond. “Yes, Captain Komeris,” he said distantly.

  “Are you alright?” Komeris asked, a concerned look crossing his face.

  Urietsin nodded slowly. “Yes...” he said uncertainly. The young man looked around him and smiled. “Yes,” he said again, “just daydreaming.”

  Komeris watched as the young man walked away toward the group, his look shifting from concern to confusion. The captain was sure that Urietsin had experienced more than just a da
ydream, but what it was eluded him. He shrugged and told himself to keep an eye on the young man for the time being. Somehow, Komeris didn't see that as a problem. A lot of people would be keeping an eye on the impressive young warrior.

  * * *

  King Orbein walked casually into his dimly lit, sparse throne room. Unguarded by soldiers, unescorted by an entourage, the monarch strode toward his usually vacant seat of power. He glanced around briefly, stepped up to the platform flanked by grand pillars upon which sat his fairly new, yet neglected throne, and lowered himself onto the giant black chair. He leaned back and gazed up along the stretching black talon-shaped claws that made up the back of the throne and became lost in thought. Orbein let his mind wander back through the years that brought him to this point in his life.

  He had been a pauper wandering through the streets, robbing from the pockets of the less skilled thieves in the less orderly parts of the city. In that time not so long ago, the city was controlled by the army, the only real source of authority. The abandoned soldiers that resettled the area brought with them a strong military tradition. That tradition had been upheld for generations.

  But there were, of course, parts of the city where the watchful eye of martial law did not care to look for very long. These were the slums on the western outskirts of Niele'itio. If young people living in these areas had not been marked for impressment by the age of sixteen, then two other options opened before them.

  The men nearly dominated the category of thievery; it was hard to find a female thief. Most of the women gave themselves over to prostitution. In this city, it was the closest to an honest line of work a civilian woman could find, not that people in the slums cared too much about honesty.

  Orbein recalled the day he had been thrust into the world by himself. His only guardian as a child had been a prostitute who might have mothered him, but he never knew for certain. This day the old woman had brought home yet another man. He was a large and imposing soldier in uniform. The young boy had shrunk away into the shadows when he saw the man walk by. His mother had led the man around the corner to the place that served as her bedroom in the ruined building that was their home. Orbein heard some strange noises coming from the woman's room. It was not unusual to hear the old woman moan or scream in pleasure, but this sound was neither of those. Orbein had sneaked around the corner and peeked into the room.