Emerald of the Elves (7 page)

Bin-lu’s eyes popped open, and he glared at Master Khatama. “Difficulty?” Bin-lu spat. “Is that all you see? My whole life I have wanted to be a warrior. It is all I ever wanted out of life. My hands and my feet are my weapons. Now they are useless. What good am I to anyone? I cannot travel, let alone fight. I cannot even walk across this floor. What do you know of being a warrior?”

Bin-lu’s tears were streaming down his cheeks now, and Boris bit his lip in compassion.

“I know more about a man’s spirit than I do about his warrior skills,” Boris admitted softly. “You have found a champion in Arik and a friend in Tedi. Are you willing to abandon them so easily?”

“I have no choice,” sobbed Bin-lu. “I would give anything to do as you wish, but can you not see that I am a hopeless cripple? Why can’t you just leave me in peace?”

“Because you are too important to the cause to allow you to wallow in your self-pity,” Boris answered. “You said that you would do anything. Is that the truth? Are you willing to struggle for what is good in the world, even if it means sacrifice?”

“I have already sacrificed all that I have,” scowled Bin-lu. “What more can you ask of me? Can you use your magic to heal me?”

“Elven magic has already saved your life and healed your burns,” stated Boris. “I cannot do better than that with magic, but even as a mage I know that there can be other ways. I cannot heal you, but I can help you. It requires your effort and your desire, though. Are you up to the challenge?”

“What challenge?” asked Bin-lu. “If you cannot offer me your magic, what else do you have?”

“I have a brain and the desire to see evil vanquished,” smiled Boris. “I believe that you have both of those, too. Shall we put them together and find a solution to your problems?  Or are you determined to throw your life away and leave Arik and Tedi to fend for themselves?”

“You are a cruel man, Master Khatama,” scowled Bin-lu. “It is bad enough that my life is over, but you insist on making me feel guilty about it. Leave me be.”

With a swiftness that belied his age, Boris grabbed Bin-lu’s wrists and forced the lad’s hands to come together. Bin-lu bolted to a sitting position and glared at Master Khatama.

“What are you doing?” Bin-lu shouted. “Is there no shame to your cruelty?”

Boris felt the presence behind him before Heltos spoke.

“That is a good question, Bin-lu,” the old woman’s voice said sternly. “I will not stand for such behavior with my patients. You must leave, Master Khatama.

Boris ignored the elven healer as he watched Bin-lu trying to force his hands apart. He heard Heltos moving closer and watched beads of sweat appear on Bin-lu’s forehead as the lad tried unsuccessfully to separate his palms.

“Do not try to force them apart,” Boris said softly. “Use your brain.”

Bin-lu sighed in frustration and threw himself back to his mat. Heltos stood at the foot of the mat. Her confused gaze passed from Boris to Bin-lu and back to Boris again, but she said nothing.

“Try to touch your thumbs to your smallest fingers,” Boris suggested softly. “Instead of using your brute force to tear your hands apart, use the leverage of your muscles to accomplish the goal easier.”

Bin-lu’s glare turned to a questioning glance as he listened to Master Khatama’s words. Slowly, his thumbs began to move. As his thumbs curled inward, Bin-lu’s palms began to spread apart. As his palms separated, he stared at his freed hands in astonishment.

“Sometimes the brain is more powerful than any magic,” smiled Boris. “Try one hand on the wall and see if you can free it without exertion.”

Bin-lu’s eyes were opened wide with wonderment, but he placed his palm against the wall of the room. Slowly, he brought his thumb and smallest finger together and his hand came away from the wall easily.

“That is most amazing,” smiled Heltos. “It is a rare mage that can throw away years of magic training and look beyond it. What about his feet?”

“The same principle should work there too,” smiled Boris. “Try it with your own feet, Heltos. Try curling your toes towards your heel.”

The ancient elven healer stared at her own feet as she tried the exercise.

“I think it might work,” she nodded. “Get up and try it, Bin-lu.”

Boris stretched his hand and grasped Bin-lu’s forearm. When Bin-lu had swiveled on his mat, Boris pulled him upright. Bin-lu swayed as his feet stuck to the floor, but Boris steadied him. Bin-lu stared at his feet as he curled his toes. He smiled as he picked one foot off of the floor and put it down again.

“It works,” smiled Bin-lu. “It really works.”

“Most promising,” nodded Heltos. “At least you will be able to get around now.”

Depression immediately clouded Bin-lu’s face again. “Get around, yes,” he frowned, “but never will I fight again.”

“I thought you had dispensed with all of your negative thoughts,” scolded Master Khatama. “You are dwelling on emotion again instead of using your head.”

A puzzled frown grew over Bin-lu’s face as he watched Boris rummage through Wylan’s pack. Boris retrieved a pair of gloves from the pack and drew his knife. He sliced through the fabric and cut off the fingers of the gloves and handed them to Bin-lu.

“Put those on,” ordered Boris.

Bin-lu frowned and stared at the gloves for a moment, but eventually he slid them on. Boris handed Wylan’s staff to Bin-lu.

“How does it feel?” asked Master Khatama.

Bin-lu twirled the staff in his gloved hands and nodded. “But how will I get the gloves off?” he asked. “Or do I just wear them forever?”

Boris took his knife and carefully slit one glove lengthwise along the back of Bin-lu’s hand. “Take it off,” instructed Boris as he stooped and picked up one of the discarded fingers from the glove he had cut. “Remember to curl your hand so you do not have to force it.”

Bin-lu nodded as he pulled the glove away from his palm and slid it off his fingers. Boris took the glove and punctured it several times alongside the slit. He cut the discarded glove finger lengthwise and fashioned ties to hold the glove together.

“It may not be fashionable,” smiled Boris, “but it will allow you to use your hands and still be able to remove the gloves.”

“This is wonderful,” grinned Bin-lu as Boris sliced the other glove. “Can I not do the same with boots?”

“You certainly can,” smiled Heltos. “I shall leave you two alone until morning. If you need me, ask any elf and they will fetch me.”

“I apologize for my anger before,” stated Bin-lu after Heltos had left. “I may not be what I was before, but you have made me see that I still have some worth left.”

“Some worth?” chuckled Boris. “You are more valuable now than you ever were before.”

“What do you mean?” questioned Bin-lu. “How am I better now than I was before?”

Boris took his knife and threw it at the ceiling. The knife dug into the wood and vibrated slightly.

“Retrieve my knife,” ordered Boris.

Bin-lu frowned as he stared up at the knife in the ceiling. He looked down at his feet and shook his head.

“I do not have my boots made up yet,” declared Bin-lu. “I cannot jump that high if my feet stick to the floor.”

“Forget the boots, and remove the gloves,” suggested Boris.

“I do not understand,” Bin-lu shook his head.

“Think like a spider,” smiled Boris. “Use your new talents.”

Realization dawned on Bin-lu, and he hesitantly moved towards the wall. He reached up and placed his right palm against the wall. He pulled himself upward and placed his left palm higher than his right one. In moments, Bin-lu was able to reach out and snare the knife with his fingers. He grinned as he gently dropped the knife to the floor and retraced his route.

“You have done something that nobody else can,” smiled Boris as he bent and retrieved his knife. “I do not know what use you can make of this talent, but be proud that you have it. I am sure that your mind will discover many uses for it.”

“It is something that I will have to think about,” nodded Bin-lu.

“You should also practice daily without the gloves,” suggested Master Khatama. “Learn to get your hands and feet unstuck swiftly and naturally. I have no doubts that someone with your considerable physical abilities will be able to master it in no time. Consider it another one of your warrior skills, and devote time to its perfection.”

“I promise that I shall,” nodded Bin-lu. “I should make up my other glove and modify my boots so we can leave in the morning.”

“Perhaps the elves can make some for you,” Boris suggested. “They have a way with lighter materials which might be better suited than what you have available. The ties may make you too memorable. If a lighter material is used, you can then put normal gloves and boots over the top of them. Your new abilities should be guarded like an important secret. Never let your enemies know what you are capable of.”

“That makes sense,” agreed Bin-lu. “Still, I am not tired now. I will make up the boots while you sleep. That way I will be ready in the morning when you wish to depart. How will we find Tedi?”

Master Khatama turned and faced south. His brow wrinkled with confusion for a moment and then he shrugged.

“It will be easier to find Tedi than you think,” Master Khatama declared. “It appears that he is heading towards us.”

“Could he have seen the clearing of the Darkness?” questioned Bin-lu as he took his knife and sliced through the top of one of his boots.

“Possibly,” nodded Master Khatama. “Whatever his reason for coming north, we must prepare to meet him. Sarac’s Ravens are not the only enemy in these mountains. Goblins still prowl heavily to the south, and I do not wish to think of Tedi stumbling into them.”

“Should we leave now?” asked Bin-lu. “I have been resting all day and I am sure that Wylan is well rested, too.”

“The rest of us are not well rested,” sighed Master Khatama. “It will have to wait for the morning. Let’s hope that Tedi is not planning on traveling much at night.”

The sunlight of a new day filtered through the tree branches as Boris and Niki stood on the edge of the tree platform gazing at the mountains through the leaves. Boris turned slightly as he heard the approaching footsteps. He watched as Fredrik and Wylan approached and leaned against the rail of the platform.

“Those sleeping mats were pretty comfortable,” commented Fredrik.

“Better than the bed in your mansion in Tagaret?” quipped Niki.

“Not that good,” chuckled Fredrik, “but certainly better than sleeping under Master Khatama’s wagon.”

“Where is Bin-lu?” frowned Wylan. “He is not in his room and there are signs that he might have gone a little crazy with his knife last night.”

“If you mean the destroyed gloves,” smiled Boris, “that was my work. I am afraid that they were your gloves. I will give you some new ones when we get back to my wagon. Bin-lu is getting some clothing made up by the elves. He will be along shortly.”

“Clothing?” echoed Wylan. “Is he alright?”

“He is fine,” nodded Boris. “Why don’t you gather your belongings? We will be leaving soon.”

“Where are we going?” asked Fredrik as Wylan left to retrieve his pack.

Boris peered at the mountains and nodded knowingly. “Just the other side of the mountains,” he answered. “It is time that we find out what Tedi has been up to.”

“Do you know where he is?” inquired Niki.

“He is heading towards us,” replied Boris. “I want to ensure that he gets here safely. There are too many goblins in the area to please me.”

“Goblins again?” questioned Wylan as he returned to the group. “I think I am ready for them this time.”

“Never be eager for battle,” warned Boris. “While your skills may have increased dramatically since you last fought the goblins, every battle brings the chance for death with it. We will try to avoid the goblins if we can.”

“Of course,” shrugged Wylan. “I just meant that I wasn’t afraid of meeting up with them.”

“I am ready,” announced Bin-lu as he descended off the spiral staircase. “Sorry for the delay.”

Wylan looked curiously at Bin-lu. He noticed the new boots right away, but it took him awhile to see the new gloves. The material was skin-colored, giving the appearance of bare hands.

“You seem pretty happy this morning,” commented Wylan. “Are you feeling alright?”

“I am fine,” smiled Bin-lu. “Shall we go rescue Tedi?”

“I don’t know that he needs rescuing,” stated Boris, “but we are going to meet up with him.”

“How many days will we be traveling?” asked Fredrik.

“We will meet up with Tedi today,” assured Boris.

“Today?” questioned Wylan. “We won’t even make it over the mountains today.”

“We are not going over the mountains,” smiled Boris. “We are going through them. Queen Alysa has provided us with an escort to the dwarven mines. They wait for us on the lowest platform. We will traverse the mines and come out the other side.”

“That beats climbing in my book,” grinned Fredrik. “Let get going.”

“So we shall,” agreed Boris.

Master Khatama led the way down the spiral staircase to the lowest platform. When they reached the platform the older of the two elves from the previous night was waiting for them.

“I am Elandros,” the elf announced. “I have volunteered to guide you to the dwarf tunnels today.”

“Thank you, Elandros,” nodded Boris as another elf unfurled the rope ladder.

Elandros waved towards the rope ladder with his hand as an invitation for the humans to descend.

“There is a party of elves already below,” Elandros added. “We wanted to ensure that nothing was down there waiting for you.”

Wylan led the group down the rope ladder. After the younger humans had descended, Boris grabbed onto the rope ladder.

“You do not remember me, do you?” Elandros asked Boris. “I should not expect you to, I guess. I was present when you appeared in Sorelderal before the Collapse. I was one of King Solva’s aides.”

“You did look familiar to me,” frowned Boris, “but my memory has not been what it should be lately. I apologize.”

“There is no need for an apology from the Mage,” smiled the elf. “It is just an honor to be with you today. I wanted you to know.”