First Comes The One Who Wanders (30 page)

A massive roundhouse was aimed directly at her head by a soldier who'd spied her standing alone and unchallenged for the moment. She nimbly ducked the blow and countered with the head of her axe to his solar plexus. He doubled over, trying to catch his breath and she knocked him to the ground with another blow.

Turning to face the next opponent, she saw only two left standing besides herself. The grim smile crossed her face again, even as the darkness grew. It was returned by one equally as fierce from Joshuas and a boyish grin from Erion.

"Splendid sport," said Erion, wiping the blood from his blade and sheathing it. "Makes all that practice we've been doing worthwhile."

Leilas shook her head at him in wonder and slipped her axe back into her belt. "So much for a quiet, inconspicuous entrance. I suggest we get out of here before the reinforcements come."

They broke into a run, Joshuas in the lead, making for the base of the ruined tower. Leilas kept her eye on Joshuas as they ran, fighting the darkness as she ran. The darkness was beginning to lift as they stopped at an innocent looking cave in the cliff wall. Looking back towards the tavern, Leilas saw that their handiwork had been discovered. A soldier was gesturing in their direction and half a dozen men began to follow their trail.

"No time to stop and hide the path," said Joshuas. "But they can’t follow us where we are going."

Stepping into the shallow indentation in the cliff, Joshuas removed his insignia and placed it in a carving hidden in the wall. Speaking his name, a door opened. One of those gifts she would never have, thought Leilas, trying not to feel like a stranger in a place where she'd spent ten years of her life.

They stepped through the door and into a well-lighted tunnel. More tunnels, thought Leilas. At least this one was bright. It also didn’t have the oppressive feeling that she’d felt in the tunnels of Crysalis. The walls were smooth and the roof domed. At regular intervals, there were openings drilled in the roof to allow sunlight to flow into the passageway during the day. It was an entrance worthy of the School of Sky. The passageway sloped downward for about a quarter of a mile then opened into a light-filled cavern. Columns were placed in two lines down the center of the space. Doors led from the main room at regular intervals. A large, wooden table filled the center of the room and a raised platform with an open fireplace took up the center of the far wall. But it was the ceiling that caught Leilas’ attention. An opaque, blue light seemed to emanate from no apparent source, and white patches etched into the stone mimicked clouds. The room appeared to open up into the sky.

"It’s beautiful," breathed Leilas, in wonder.

"Quite an accomplishment for crafters," agreed Erion.

"We like to think so," said Cedric Manchu, appearing out of one of the many doors. "Probably not as impressive as some of your people’s work." Erion bowed his head in acknowledgment of the compliment. "We’ve been expecting you." Master Manchu turned to address Joshuas. "But we don't want to rush you. Please eat and refresh yourselves. We'll be ready when you're done."

"Thank you, Cedric. We've traveled far today and ran into a bit of trouble." Joshuas looked down at the blood and grime covering his clothes. "It seems I only come to visit under dire circumstances."

"We'll have to remedy that in the future, Joshuas. You're always welcome here." Turning he addressed Leilas. "It's good to see you again, Chidra. It seems you have much to tell us, and perhaps we can help you with something."

Leilas let her hand drop to her tunic. Despite everything they'd been through, the book was still there. "Yes, I hope you can," replied Leilas, dropping her hand.

"Then we'll await you in the council chamber." He paused at the door. "I’m afraid it's a bit worse for wear. But, it still serves its purpose.

Leilas remembered the mural from Crysalis, Master Frey talking to the council in the ruins of the council chambers. She wondered whose vision had been painstakingly portrayed on the walls of that cavern and why?

"Someone will bring food shortly. In the meantime, you may use that room to freshen up." Cedric Manchu pointed to the door next to where he was standing.

"One more thing," Leilas spoke to the master of the council. "This cloak, insignia and these weapons–, they belong to a crafter who's dead. Can you have someone prepare them for the family?"

The master looked at the weapons and then the insignia. A look of sadness passed over his face. "That will be done. Leave them in the room, someone will come for them." He paused for a moment. "Barrett Styphan was a good man. He'll be missed."

"I’m sorry to have to tell you this way." Leilas remembered her manners at last. "I should have realized you knew him."

"You've had many challenges that needed your attention, and much on your mind," Cedric Manchu excused her. "It's understandable that you might not follow all the customs."

Leilas felt more chastised than forgiven. During all the lessons Solein had given her in Neothera, he'd never belittled her or made her feel inadequate. What was it about Dirth and the school that always ended up making her feel as though she was wanting in some regard?

Erion stepped closer to her. "The Chidra has followed all the customs and traditions in helping those passing from life to death. I’m sure she helped Barrett Styphan in the same way. This is what's important."

A brief smile passed Leilas’ lips and she felt a load lifted from her shoulders. It felt good to have someone defend her. Cedric Manchu looked from Erion to Leilas then nodded his acknowledgment of Erion’s statement. "The council will be waiting for you, when you're ready." With that last statement, he opened the door and stepped through, leaving them alone in the main hall.

"Thank you," whispered Leilas to Erion. "No one has ever stood up for me before."

"Something we'll have to remedy in the future. For good or ill, I'm your companion until you've completed what it is you must do."

"And me," added Joshuas. "So, we'll be three against whatever we must face.

Leilas bowed to both of them in turn. "I'm honored to have you accompany me. One could ask for no better companions."

Leilas unclasped the cloak and folded it, then laid it on a chair that stood near the washbasin, the crest pinned to the collar. Slowly, she removed the axe and laid it on the cloak. It had been a good weapon for her and saved her on more than one occasion. She would be sorry to lose it, but it had to go back to where it belonged, to serve as a reminder of Master Barrett Styphan. Unbuckling the sword, she stood it next to the chair. She hadn’t had the weapons long. Still, she felt naked and unprotected without them.

The room where they’d taken her was spartan. It had a bed, a desk, a chair and a washbasin. There were pegs on the wall to hold clothes. These had been designed to be temporary quarters. The quarters in the east turret had been supplied with more comfort in mind. This would do though, thought Leilas. She’d spent the night in worse places. She thought of Rengailai’s dungeon as she unlaced her tunic and pulled it over her head. Laying it out on the bed, her boots and breeches followed. The water jug and basin were a far cry from the bathtub Marlette had provided.

Taking the flannel next to the basin, she dipped it in the water and began to wash. The soap was scented with lavender and soothed her tired muscles. When she'd finished washing, she leaned over and washed her hair as best she could. Then, she took the cloth to her clothes. The cloth of the tunic was fine satin and had resisted most of the dirt and blood. When she finished, she was satisfied she would be presentable for the council meeting.

Reattaching her short sword to her belt, she tied her hair back with a piece of leather. Hoping she looked somewhat presentable, she stepped back into the main hall. Erion and Joshuas were there waiting for her. Food had been placed on the wooden table near the fire pit. Sitting, they began to eat the simple meal of bread, cheese and wine in silence. Leilas stole furtive glances at Joshuas. This was the first time she'd seen him when he wasn’t covered in grime and dust. His dark, shoulder-length hair was pulled back and tied at the neck with a leather strap. His beard had been trimmed and combed. He was broad through the chest, with hips that narrowed. He'd shed his cloak, as well, but wore his insignia on his tunic collar, silver for wanderer, gold for master. Leilas’ fingers slipped to her bare collar. Catching herself, she put her hand back in her lap and continued eating. Joshuas wore a white tunic with blue stitching and black breeches and boots. When he smiled, it lightened up his usually stern expression. Erion seemed to have a knack for making him smile. Usually, he just frowned at her. Leilas took a bite of bread and cheese, washing it down with wine.

The men finished before her and began talking quietly while she ate, puffing on pipes that had mysteriously appeared. She let her mind drift away from the present moment into deep thought. Then she was at the Chasm of Ceryk again. The voices of the lost souls were ringing in her ears. A voice she recognized as Rengailai’s was laughing. But this time, the more she tried to concentrate on the vision, the more it eluded her. Then, she was back with Erion and Joshuas, trying to understand what that vision meant and why she'd seen it.

"You about done, slowpoke?" teased Joshuas. "It’s not polite to keep the masters waiting too long."

Leilas looked down at her plate and then up at Joshuas, trying to get her bearings. "As ready as I’ll ever be," she answered, swigging down the last of the wine in her goblet. Pushing herself out of her chair, she swept her hand toward a door. "Lead on."

Joshuas gave her an assessing stare. "Are you okay? You didn’t drink too much wine, did you? It wouldn’t do to appear before the masters drunk, either."

"They are not my masters," said Leilas a bit sharply. "I'll appear before them as myself and not as someone I’m pretending to be. I’m not drunk. I just had an odd experience. I’ll be fine."

"What kind of experience?" probed Joshuas, leading them to a staircase.

"A private kind," retorted Leilas.

Joshuas held his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. You don’t have to bite my head off. What happened to the nice woman we were with when we came here?"

"She’s still here," replied Leilas, "just a little nervous."

"Rightly so," interjected Erion. "These are very powerful men who have many questions about you. They could become strong enemies given provocation."

"Leilas isn't going to provoke the masters, right?" Joshuas turned the question to Leilas.

"Not intentionally," she replied. "But I do have a knack for finding trouble." Joshuas just groaned and led them up the staircase that opened into the council chamber.

The chamber matched the mural in the cavern of Crysalis. The only person missing was Gidron Frey. But then, the mural had been about events that had already happened. All twelve masters had come to this meeting. Circle complete, they were waiting patiently for their guests. There were no other masters or students here today. Leilas swallowed hard and tried to calm her nerves. She hadn’t been this nervous facing Rengailai. What was it about these light masters that made her squirm?

"You've learned to shield your thoughts since the last time you were here, Leilas." Master Manchu broke the silence. "As well as many other things I’m sure. Come forward, all of you, into our circle. Welcome to our council."

Joshuas led the way, Erion followed and Leilas brought up the rear. There were chairs placed in the middle of the circle for them. After bowing to the council, Joshuas took his seat. Leilas and Erion followed his lead, bowing and then finding a chair.

Cedric Manchu took his time and assessed each of them before he spoke. "We haven't been as diligent as we should have been in guarding the balance. Also, despite our efforts to keep Gidron Frey from going to the School of Land, he went and what we feared would happen appears to have happened. He went to find a certain book, a book I believe you have in your possession Leilas." Joshuas looked at her in surprise. "What he found was the Book of Rengailai and it has already corrupted his mind. We'd seen hints of these events in the mists, but chose to believe Gidron wouldn't choose to pick up the Book of Rengailai when he came across it in the library. Perhaps he was already under some evil influence." Cedric paused. "Why else would he destroy the library so wantonly?" He stopped talking briefly, reflecting on his own question. "So, events that had been prophesied are beginning to happen, despite our efforts to change the course of the future. Perhaps we were fools to think we could."

The masters sat silent as did the three in the middle. Leilas found herself thinking of the masters differently than she had in the past. Before, she'd thought of them as perfect men, who never made mistakes, who always knew the right course and took it. Now, she saw them for what they were, wise men who used their knowledge as best as they could at the time, just like she did the best she could at the time. Still, she made mistakes and sometimes she acted without knowing all the facts. It seemed that was true of the masters of Sky, as well. Some of her apprehension and nervousness faded at this insight.

"The Book of Rengailai has been taken in the name of Light crafters, the library destroyed. So much knowledge lost." Cedric sighed. "The Land crafters have amassed an army and are moving to meet crafters from Andresia, men from Crogmanland, and crafters from the School of Fire. We can assume from the prophecies and from news we've received from our guild affiliates that war is imminent. Word has been sent to our allies, warning them. Duke Cheran is in the process of assembling our forces."