First Comes The One Who Wanders (59 page)

Joshuas frowned and wished he had a beer. There were several in the pack and he was tempted to drink them down and wash away the memories, but Cephom had wanted to save them and he was on watch. Running his hand through his hair, he decided he’d have to live with his memories tonight and the feelings. An owl hooted in the distance and Joshuas went on alert. An owl could be a spy, or the call could be a signal to someone that they'd spotted their camp. Cephom was sleeping. He didn’t want to leave him while he went to investigate. Instead, he waited and listened, his sword drawn.

It didn’t take long until he heard the quiet rustling. He nudged his thoughts out to see what he was about to encounter and drew them back quickly in surprise. Springing past the rocks, he grabbed the woman and pushed her behind him as he prepared to face the squad of orcs chasing her. Their attack was hard and swift. He threw a felling blow as he spoke a spell of protection around the woman. When she was safe, he began a spell of changing in between blocks and thrusts. He thought he saw Cephom, but didn’t have time to check. At the last word of the spell, he cast his arms outward. A blinding flash of light encircled the orcs. When the light faded, he was on his knees and the orcs were a pile of dust in front of him. Not his most creative crafting, but it had been effective.

The woman reached his side at the same time Cephom did. Together they helped him to his feet and back to the fire. "There is some beer in the pack," Cephom told the woman, letting Joshuas slide to the ground. He quickly checked for injuries. Joshuas couldn’t have told him if he was hurt. He was numb from expending so much energy.

The woman handed Cephom the beer and he began pouring it in Joshuas’ mouth. "Is he going to be okay?"

"The better question is, are you okay, Daina?" asked Joshuas, his voice raspy again.

"I’m fine now, Joshuas. I was a bit worried there for a little while."

"What's happened," asked Cephom, continuing his first-aid.

"They found our stronghold. I think they followed the last raiding party back. Several of the men are dead. The people in the stronghold made a break for it, while I distracted the orcs by running right at them."

"A brave thing to do, my lady," commented Cephom.

"They would have done the same for me," she shrugged off his praise. "And they have in the past. I sent them to the next stronghold. The people there will spread them out among the fortifications where they’re needed. There have already been losses among the people from Kyris. I’ll join them in the morning. I can’t believe it’s you, Joshuas. They said you were dead."

"They weren’t far from wrong," replied Joshuas. "But Cephom says I was spared so I could retrieve something for his master."

Daina gave Cephom an odd look, then let her gaze come back to Joshuas. "Then I guess you should stop rescuing damsels in trouble and start retrieving."

"The two happened to coincide this time, but I'll keep that in mind," said Joshuas, sounding better after finishing the beer. "Cephom has business in these woods and was accompanying me." He looked at Cephom, then Daina. "Where are my manners? Cephom this is Queen Daina of Dirth, late of Menas." Pointing to Cephom he continued. "This is Cephom, today he is a messenger. But I dare say he’s not always a messenger."

"Cephom," Daina tried the name tentatively. "These days I'm only Daina, resistance fighter."

"Quite an important job, right now," said Cephom. "Your fighting gives many people hope. They missed your spirit when you were in Dirth."

"I pray I can make up for those years," said Daina quietly.

Cephom smiled, but said nothing. Instead, he handed Joshuas some cheese and ham. "As I said, it’s always wise to have some supplies in reserve, especially when traveling with crafters."

There was a rustling in the forest and Joshuas struggled to his feet and drew his sword. Daina also drew her weapon, a long knife, with a dragon design. Its blade undulated like the body of the creature it depicted. Cephom simply rose to his feet.

In a few minutes, a young girl entered the circle. She was clothed in a dark cloak, clasped at the neck with the insignia of a healer. "Vanya," said Cephom. "I have been expecting you. Now, everyone is here."

Joshuas looked at Cephom in surprise, but lowered his weapon. Daina had let out a sigh of relief and put her weapon away.

The girl looked at Cephom with suspicion. "Do I know you?" She nodded slightly in Daina’s direction.

"No. But I know who you are. I have a message for you, two actually." Cephom smiled disarmingly.

Vanya looked at Daina who shrugged. "Joshuas is a friend, so I guess Cephom is, too."

Vanya nodded and put the weapon she had concealed under her cloak, in her belt. "First things, first," she said, looking at Joshuas. "Your crafter is about to fall down."

Daina and Cephom looked in Joshuas’ direction and rushed to his side. Sitting him down by a rock, Vanya knelt next to him and pulled her bag of medicine from her shoulder. Rummaging inside, she found the herbs she needed. Then crushing them over Joshuas, she began chanting. Joshuas could feel the power in her words, inside her. Cephom had been correct, she was a gifted healer, as gifted as Diedra. As she chanted, he could feel his energy returning. Vanya didn’t stop until Joshuas knew he was wholly restored. Vanya fell back on her heels and bowed her head. Cephom handed her the last of the food in the pack. She took it gratefully. "What are you doing out here this evening?" Daina asked her as she ate.

"I came looking for you. A few of your people stopped to tell us what had happened and what you'd done. I was worried."

"You're taking a great chance helping us," replied Daina. "Your father won't approve of your actions."

"Father is wrong," replied Vanya. "But I'm unable to convince him that he is. He doesn't listen to me. After all I am only his daughter, not a son. As long as he is the leader of Healer’s Hole, no one there will join the resistance or help the resistance fighters. I've pleaded with them, reasoned with them. It does no good."

"Why don’t you leave?" asked Joshuas. "I’m sure the fighters could use a healer with your gifts."

"I'm the last of my father’s children. What would he have if I left?"

"It's not your destiny to serve your father," said Cephom quietly. "You must come to believe that your gift can’t be ignored. Your father will be the same with or without you. He's made his choice."

Vanya looked more closely at Cephom, and then closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them, she seemed to look at him with a new respect. Joshuas had to wonder what it was about Cephom that had that effect on people. "You said you had a message for me," said Vanya. "What news do you bring?"

"Two actually. The first is from Jakob. He says he is alive and has been sent to recover something that was lost, in part because of him. What was lost must be recovered if Preterlandis is to survive. He will return when he can."

"It’s good to know he's alive," said Vanya, tears in her eyes.

"He'll find what he is seeking," said Cephom. "In return for his service, he will become a servant but also a master in his own right. He will help the king when he is most in need."

"The king? Who might that be?" asked Vanya.

"That I can’t say," said Cephom.

"The second message then," said Vanya, drying her tears.

"Is for your ears alone," said Cephom, "as is the message for Daina. But they can wait until morning."

Vanya was gone by the time Joshuas woke. He’d expected her to be. From what he’d heard last night, her father wouldn’t look kindly on her absence, or on her helping the people fighting the Dredracians. Joshuas had to wonder if her father believed staying neutral would save his people. King Dane had thought the same. In the end, he’d lost his daughter and his kingdom. His people had been decimated, only a handful remained.

Joshuas looked around for Daina, not really expecting to find her. There were people relying on her to help them find new homes; people relying on her to lead them. But she was seated next to Cephom. Both were deep in their meditations. Joshuas had to admire their ability to direct their minds so well. His attempts at meditation always ended in morbid thoughts of death or in falling asleep. He was surprised Daina was still with them, but oddly comforted at the same time. Letting the two continue, he began making breakfast from the food they had left. They were going to have to find a stronghold that would give them some food, or do some hunting. He collected the beer bottles and went in search of water. He came back with some eggs as well as the water. He laughed when he found himself thinking some bread would go good with the eggs.

He watched Cephom and Daina as he cooked. It was interesting how everyone who met Cephom seemed to accept him unquestioningly. What was it about this man? Who was he really? Not a simple messenger, not even a simple crafter, he was something more than that. But what?

Joshuas shook his head and began to stir the eggs. He thought he knew most of the light crafters. But he’d never seen Cephom before. How could he have been around and no one heard of him? Joshuas shook his head again. He wasn’t going to find the answer in this forest. Perhaps if he made it into Dirth, he could ask some of the masters at the school what they knew about Cephom. Until then, Cephom had saved his life and he trusted him. His power was strong, light magic, and Joshuas found comfort being around him.

Cephom managed to time the end of his meditations with Joshuas serving up the eggs, ham and cheese. Daina wasn’t long behind him. Handing her a plate, Joshuas took his and leaned against a rock to eat. It was the first time since the battle at Kyris where he could actually enjoy his food, instead of wolfing it down to replenish his depleted energy. He couldn’t remember if he’d thanked Vanya, but if he survived his trek into the Echoes and the subsequent battles, he would have to come back and make sure he did.

"I expected you to go with Vanya," Joshuas said to Daina. "It's a pleasant surprise to eat breakfast with such beautiful company. I’ve missed you since leaving Menas."

"There have been many times since you left that I wished you were still with us," replied Daina. "We were overrun within days of your departure. If not for the foresight of some left within the city, none of us would have escaped." Daina frowned at the memory. "We were only hours out of Menas before they descended on the city. They burned everything, tore down our temples and then they began searching for us outside the city." Daina wiped a tear from her eye. "But we were well hidden and they didn’t find us. When most of the troops withdrew, we fled into the mountains. We knew about the fortifications that were here. We’ve known about them for generations. We've also known that the Dredracians are loath to come into these mountains. The magic is purer and lighter here. It makes a good stronghold. I’m sure that's why Brenth brought the people of Kyris here. It might be the last place in Solea that hasn't been overtaken and I imagine it will take some time for the dark to overcome the magic of this place.

"It's not the only place that hasn't fallen, my lady," said Cephom. "Barat and Barroon still stand as does the School of Sky and the forest elves hold strong in their land."

"Barat still stands?" asked Daina. "I'd counted Jonas among the lost."

"He still stands, though his will and his forces are weakening due to the effect of the gaunts. He could use some help."

"Our forces aren’t ready to take on the enemy that surrounds Barat," said Daina sadly. "Perhaps in a month, maybe two."

"Perhaps if someone went to help them fight against the fear the gaunts spread," suggested Cephom, almost to himself. Joshuas knew better. Cephom had some plan in mind. Daina didn’t look as though she’d been taken in by the innocent tone, either.

"Is that what you wanted to discuss with me?" she asked him outright. "Because I don’t even know where my people are and I don’t see how we could all sneak into Barat without being noticed. I wouldn’t ask them to take such a risk."

"Nor would I, my lady. You misunderstand me. Your people are scattered and being protected and cared for by the leaders of the other fortifications. Your role as leader to the Menas is finished, for now. What I'm asking is for your help, alone. The men in Barat are trying desperately to hold their home, but the fear is beginning to wear them down. We need for Barat to stand. But I can’t help all the men by myself. I would entreat you to come with me."

"Joshuas looked at Cephom in surprise. This was the first time he’d ever even thought about the fact that Cephom might need help. Since he’d met him, Cephom had been the one helping.

"What can I do to help these men?" asked Daina. "I'm only a Menas. There is nothing I can offer them."

"You underestimate your gifts, my Lady. But I would have you help heal their minds and instill hope."

"Vanya is a far better healer, why didn’t you ask her to go with you?" asked Daina.

"She has been asked to do something else," replied Cephom. "You're here and free to go. Also, you have the gift of being able to rally people to a cause. Vanya is too young to have that talent."

"Why is it so important to keep Barat from falling?" Joshuas interjected.

"Other than all the brave men that we will lose?" asked Cephom. "The dark forces need to remain at Barat until you return. The master gaunts are focused on Barat. We need to keep their focus there. Also, if the forces are near Barat, the resistance fighters have access to them through the forest and can keep them from moving away from the area until you return and can kill the master gaunts."