Esra (41 page)

The people of Wilspry did not seem to begrudge Esra’s group their escape from an ill fate and thanked them with all sincerity, knowing that they would have been slaughtered without the strange Unni-Elf-Human Assembly’s help.  Some even tried to give gifts to their protectors, which were respectfully declined.  In fact, Esra saw Arland leaving behind many of their own supplies to help the townsfolk as they tried to rebuild.  Her friends walked around casting various spells to ease the suffering of the townspeople, and set some traps to alert them of any oncoming danger.  Esra hoped that Wilspry would not see more trouble anytime soon.  They had been through enough.  She wished that they could’ve stayed longer, but knew they had to return.  They could not even help bury all the dead.

       The one thing they did end up taking with them were two orphaned children.  Everyone had been strictly against this, knowing that the journey ahead needed to be made as quickly as possible, especially with more than a day’s worth of a delay.  And the Stronghold was no place for orphaned children.  It was only after much discussion and insistence by the townsfolk that they discovered these children had certain “gifts”.  The presence of a mysterious rash on their arms confirmed any suspicions and Esra’s party agreed to take them along.

Jaar, a young boy of about ten, had hardly spoken since they left the town, his eyes wide with surprise at his new surroundings and sadness at leaving his old.  Shova worked her good humored magick with him and he seemed to always be near her, although he still did not speak.  The silence in his unmade answers seemed to matter little to her, and she talked to him as if he spoke back.  Esra guessed she knew exactly how to deal with young boys, having seven of her own, and spoke just to comfort him. 

Jaar’s talent seemed to be the ability to heal Animals.  When his older brother had brought home a large Kelvar he had found with a broken wing, Jaar took the creature in his hands and whispered, stroking its feathers gently.  Suddenly the Bird stirred violently and the young boy released the newly whole Kelvar to the Wind.  From that day on the townspeople sought him out whenever a Horse was lame or a Pig or Brengard took sick.  And many people spoke fondly of a time when Jaar healed a beloved Hound or favored Animal of their family.  They had hoped that perhaps his skills could be applied to Human illnesses, but his talent seemed restricted to other creatures.

Immediately after the successful defense of Wilspry, Esra had noticed a young boy walking around, touching all the Horses, stroking their sweaty flanks.  She assumed he was in shock, maybe stricken with grief over the small rivers of blood that ran through his home land.  But it was not until later that it was noted that with all the dead and injured soldiers on both sides, there was not one Horse that had presented itself with so much as a scratch.  When the townspeople spoke of his gift, they knew then to take the boy aside and look for evidence of Tur. 

Fynn admitted he was excited that the boy had such a talent, for he hoped that he could combine his skill for Animal-speech with Jaar’s healing abilities.  Sometimes, when the boy wasn’t near Shova or visiting with the Skycatchers, who seemed to love his touch like a fresh spring of cool Water, he could be found by the Fire with Fynn. 

The Keeper of Earth would try to cheer Jaar by describing the Stronghold and the process of becoming a Keeper, hoping to get him excited.  Fynn knew that they could never replace his home, his real family, but at least they could offer a new place among a welcoming people, people as diverse and skilled as Jaar was.

Esra was able to add her experience here, explaining to Jaar that she too was someone who had never really left her town and had recently become fully aware of the Keepers and all of their mysteries.  She attested to the beauty of the Stronghold and the truth of Fynn’s words that it really was a wonderful place.  She also took him aside and told him the story of her childhood, of growing up without parents or siblings and how it affected it her.  Jaar listened to her without a word, his head sunken into his chest, and she grieved for him.  Esra was not typically so open about herself, but she remembered her conversation with Baelin about his family not so long ago, and wishing she had known that there was someone else to talk to about these things.  So she tried to confide in Jaar her fears and struggles without restraint, so that he would know he did not have to pretend to be strong all the time.

Meshok also took a liking to the young boy and he to the Great Wolf.  Although Esra knew that Meshok did not like being touched while she was sleeping, she gently guided her to lie near Jaar.  The boy was thrilled to nuzzle against her fur on the cool nights, thinking that this was indeed a very special treat, wishing he could tell his friends that he
knew
a Great Wolf.  Seeing the resigned look on Meshok’s face, Esra laughed to herself that her friend was being so reluctantly generous.  Although the Wolf loved to be petted and attended to on many occasions, she remained in her very nature an independent beast, as Esra knew herself to be.  The reason they got along so well was because they both understood this.  But they were also kind, and Meshok was willing to lay aside her proud sleeping habits for a few nights to comfort a child in need of a friend.  Meshok had confessed to Fynn that when she awoke in the morning after a night with Jaar cuddled against her fur, she felt more refreshed than she had in many Moons.

Where Jaar was reflective and internal, the young girl, Toddy, was vibrant and talkative.  She held up four fat fingers to indicate her age at every opportunity, her beautiful long red hair splayed down her back like a river of Fire.  She was jovial, having less knowledge than Jaar of what had just occurred, only occasionally crying for her mother but easily distracted by anything shiny or shimmering, especially Nadia.  Toddy’s squeals of laughter would cause a stern reproach from Mox as to the noise when Nadia played hide and seek with the youngster.

Toddy’s talent was a little less direct than Jaar’s in that she seemed to radiate heat.  She could not manipulate flame as a Keeper of Fire could, yet it burned brighter and hotter when she was near.  Her family also claimed that they had no need for a lit stove in the wintertime, for wherever Toddy was, the warmth followed.  It was actually slightly uncomfortable at times, enough so that they had to open windows or go outside to eat.  And if she threw a tantrum or got in the least bit upset over a broken toy or inattentive parents, the house temperature would rise so high that they would have to take the girl outside for fear their home would start aflame. 

Esra could only let the small child sit on her lap for a few moments at a time before the heat would overwhelm her.  Even Toddy’s skin was hot to the touch, although it never bothered the girl.  She seemed to be gloriously unaware of the fiery waves that emanated from her core.  The one thing she did mind, however, was her inability to play in the Snow with her friends.  The area around Wilspry and Sorley east of The Naduri River did not get Snow like The Frost Grounds, but enough that children could enjoy a romp or two every winter with Snow fights.  Any Snow that had settled on the ground would melt in a radius of fifty feet around Toddy.  Sure enough, the few times she did get upset her body glowed as if a Fire raged in her body and surges of heat would pulsate through the air, the beating almost perceptible. 

The townsfolk had given Jaar and Toddy a Horse to ride so that they would not burden the other riders on their journey, but the Steed would not tolerate Toddy’s warm weight on her back.  Esra found that her Skycatcher Roja seemed to be able to bear the girl’s heat, but Esra could not stand to ride beside her.  The other option would have been Meshok, who also seemed immune to the girl’s Fire.  But Esra knew that there would be no chance that the Great Wolf would allow herself to be ridden like a common field Horse, so she didn’t dare ask.  It was enough that she let the child poke at her fur and pull her tail without nipping.  And occasionally, when Toddy lay asleep with her thumb in her mouth by the Fire (how she needed to sleep next to a Fire, Esra would never understand) Meshok would come up to the girl and lay next to her for a time, licking and cleaning her long red hair as if she were one of her pups. 

So Esra gave her great Horse to the little girl, insisting that Baelin fix the youngling a proper saddle so that she would not fall, which he wholeheartedly agreed to.  Jaar would go with Shova and Esra would ride the small field Horse.  She was grateful for the townspeople’s generosity in offering her a simple but well cared for Steed.  At least now the town had more Horses than they could ever want, since Jaar had healed all the Elite Steeds.  Esra hoped that maybe it would help rebuild the town that had lost so much.

When Toddy asked why she had to ride alone, Arland explained with his convincing low voice that in time she should be able to control the level of heat she radiated.  Toddy, not quite understanding but accepting the handsome man’s answer, would continue making her rounds with her four chubby fingers, reminding everyone of her age.  Even Mox would force a smile and pretend that she hadn’t told him twenty times already.

Hadvi thoroughly enjoyed the presence of Toddy, missing his own baby daughter at home.  Zakai would look at the children pensively, but never approached or spoke to them.  This was just as well with them, because even though they were a little scared of the other three strange Unni creatures that traveled with them, the leader one with the swinging weapon seemed best left alone.  It wasn’t that he was ever unkind to either of them, it was just a sense that he preferred his space to be unbothered.

When they arrived at the Jade Gardens a few days later, Esra’s awe was undiminished.  In fact, she laughed as she watched their new young charges take in the sights and smells with open-mouthed wonder, knowing that she had looked just the same a fortnight ago.  Arland once again told the story of the creation of the Stronghold, of the Unni’s great woodworking skills and how they brought the massive Yanquor Trees.  He told of the Shendari and their plated scales that later became the roofs, and his people, the Elves, and how they were great stoneworkers.  Esra told some of the stories from Cane’s earlier lessons about the other races, and Jaar nodded silently in reverent appreciation while Toddy squealed with delight.   There would be many more people that didn’t know how old she was, and she planned to let them know.

Despite the last-minute preparations for the War Council, they were greeted in front of the Great Hall by a large party of people, including Talitha and Adonis.  Esra’s parents came to embrace her before turning to meet Zakai, who had dismounted his Skycatcher but still looked as tall and broad as a Tree.  Undaunted by their new guest, the first of the Unni race to cross this border in decades, they bowed deeply to the Unni-se and his three guards.  Mox, Shova, and Hadvi nodded courteously in turn as Zakai bowed respectfully but somewhat awkwardly.  Esra guessed these were gestures they did not make often. 

Adonis stepped forward in greeting. “Welcome, honored guests of The Jade Gardens.  The Keepers have long awaited a reunion of our races.  As ye are most certainly tired from yer long journey, we will show ye to yer quarters so that ye may rest.”

In answer to Talitha’s subtly raised eyebrow at the young Jaar and Toddy dismounting, Esra went to her mother and quickly explained the circumstances of the two children and the town of Wilspry.

“Attacked at Wilspry?” Her mother exclaimed breathlessly.  “Yes, I would expect they were looking for you, but a hundred Elites?  I suspect that Tallen certainly didn’t think you’d get a town to fight with you, though.  Especially with four Unnis.  I have a feeling Arland had something to do with convincing them all of that.”

Nor, the Great Keeper of Strength, stepped out from the crowd and approached Esra.  She watched his small form approach, bent over slightly as if he were chilled or had an aching back.

“So I see you have completed your first test.” Nor smiled at Esra, grasping her hand in congratulations.  The wispy white hair on his wrinkled scalp danced with a sudden breeze. “Although there is still much to do in preparation of the War Council, the Elves are already here and Prince Bronnen will arrive tomorrow.  We plan to send Fynn to Fire Lake to escort the Daughter of the Shendari, so they will be here in a few days’ time.  Now that you were able to bring the Unni, it looks like the four races will be together soon after all.”

Esra beamed at their good fortune.  A War Council of the four races; some formal introductions, short discussions, and then it would be time to attack Tallen and defend her home.  She pictured an awkward but happy reunion of the races, one that hopefully would resolve these conflicts of old.  Maybe within the week they would be marching towards the liberation of LeVara.  She knew that this war would not be over quickly or easily, but she longed with nervous energy to finally
do
something about it.  The faces of the dead townsfolk of Wilspry lingered in her dreams, especially the young girl that she had tried to help.  And how many more were there?  How many more had died in Kiran Brae?  In other towns?

“Tell me, how did you convince Zakai to come?”  Nor pulled Esra out of her reverie as Cane approached. 

 “Well, I had hoped to convince Zakai with my wisely chosen words when we arrived at Fira Nadim, but it seems I needed to provide more, err, tangible proof of my worthiness.  So I agreed to a duel to the death with a Valkor.  I still can’t believe I actually agreed to it, but it seemed my body took over the terror screaming against it in my mind.  Although we had worked on battle skills during the fortnight traveling, I was nowhere near an accomplished warrior.” 

“In fact, I was so afraid and shaken that I thought I wouldn’t be able to fight.  Somehow I found the courage, and the Valkor stabbed me in the shoulder almost immediately after we began.  But I just kept going, and eventually he tired and I was able to knock the sword from his hand.  I tried to show mercy, I didn’t want to kill him, but he picked up his sword and came at me from behind…” her voice trailed off and she shuffled her feet uncomfortably. “Anyway, I turned around and threw my sword out, and he ran right into it.  I was sick with grief, I’ve never felt so awful in my life.  I will mourn that moment fer the rest of my life.  But Zakai agreed to come with us.  Oh, and Yarmon warned me about accepting a helmet, which turned out to be true, as it was poisoned.  Fynn said I would have died.  So I owe him my life.”