Stardust (24 page)

Truth be known, Aerial herself was frightened by the awesome fury of the coming storm. But she would not allow Saatan to see her fear.
“
You do not know me as well as you think, Master Saatan. I would very much like to hear of these
‘
ancient ones
’
.
”
Aerial rose from the pallet and drew a fahorg chair closer to the old man
’
s sleeping mat and slid down into
its softness. Lighting a slender illumination column
, she watched as it cast flitting shadows across the cold stone walls. The energy field had failed, leaving the citizens of Atmos in complete darkness.

Another boom of thunder echoed across the night, shaking the very floor beneath them.

When he spoke, his voice was whispery soft and Aerial leaned forward to catch his words.
“
Long ago before Palermos was settled by Jalon
’
s ancestors it is said
another people inhabited a small portion of what is now called the wastelands.
”

“
No one could live there and survive.
”
Aerial
’
s voice was openly caustic.

“
Not as it is now,
”
Saatan agreed, not bothering to question how she, a female citizen of Yulon, knew of such places.
“
But at the beginning, the land was as close to paradise as a living s
oul could get. It is said t
he land was full of goodness, its trees bearing much fruit, the wa
ter – a small river –
so pure and cold
one drink would satisfy a thirst for days. The inha
bitants were happy and healthy –
until the settlers came.
”

“
What happened?
”
Aerial was caught up in this tale, intrigued by the ancient lore.
“
Did Jalon
’
s ancestors war with these people?
”

Saatan chuckled, but it did not sound as though he was amused.
“
No, my dear. Centel, Jalon
’
s great-great-grandfather was as noble as the king himself purports to be.
”

“
Then what?
”

“
Patience, my dear. The end will come soon enough.
”

Aerial decided to ignore the double meaning inherent in his words.
“
It seems
Centel was all set to form an alliance with the ancient ones. They had a connection with the gods that mere mortals would never have.
”

“
They were blessed by the gods?
”
Aerial
’
s voice was filled with wonder.

“
If you want to call it that.
”
Saatan shrugged one bony shoulder.
“
Personally I would rather walk on two legs than be cursed with hooves for feet. I don
’
t care if they could commune personally with the gods.
”

“
Oh, how awful,
”
Aerial cried, horror filling her expression.

“
Exactly,
”
Saatan agreed.
“
However, it would appear
they were susceptible to the same temptations as mortal man.
”

“
How so?
”

“
Benkyar, the prince of the ancient ones, fell in love with a female from Centel
’
s settlement. He knew it was forbidden to take her since she was a mortal female and, therefore, unclean. Yet he hid one day and waited for her to approach. He captured her and took her away to his palace as his bride.
”

“
Did she stay with him?
”
A
erial was unquestionably curious
.

Saatan shook his head.
“
No, for once she laid eyes upon his
true form, half man, half beast,
she could not stand the horror of her fate. She jumped from the castle balcony and joined those in the unknown world.
”

“
How horrible,
”
Aerial gasped, shocked at the pictures Saatan
’
s story had created.

“
It was tragic. For you see, the young female, Tiatiana, had been Centel
’
s intended bride. Because of Benkyar
’
s disobedience, the alliance with the mortal settlement could not be made. The gods were furious, so they punished Benkyar and his people by taking away their mortal kingdom and sealing them up within the Portal of Aerman which lies below the Mountain of Life, there to spend eternity guarding the treasures of the gods. At least, until Benkyar can make amends for his foolish actions.
”

Both sat silently, lost in the sound of the rain beating against the portal with deadly violence.

The trio of weary travelers followed the old woman through the quiet night. Darvek shifted his burden, cradling Selina
’
s plaint body against his massive chest. To feel the fullness of her at last, yet to know her life
’
s essence would not be intertwined with his, was both heaven and hell. His mind was numb, the shock of seeing Selina
’
s lifeless body too much for his already tortured soul to take. Surely the gods would not be so cruel as to take awa
y the only bright hope
left to him. No. It could not be. Soon he would awaken on the hard sleeping mat in the palace
’
s damp
dungeon and he would know
he had merely been languishing in the land of dreams.

“
This way.
”
The thin, r
eedy voice brought Darvek from
his thoughts. He maneuvered himself and his burden through the rickety gate the ol
d woman held open. Pausing
inside, the weary group allowed the old woman to lead them on. The house loomed before them in the darkness, nothing m
ore than a small shack, added
to
over the years until its earth mound had no real form
. Opening the door with a creak, she cautioned them to wait, and they did so with thin patience. But all three realized the need for the delay. Bartok
’
s spies
could be anywhere. When a light stick
was struck to the lantern and lightness brightened the dark space before them, the tired ruler of Palermo
s –
his queen and weary warrior –
walked into the promised safety of the little hut with a feeling of great thankfulness.

“
Come, bring the woman to me and lay her here.
”
Darvek was surprised by the new strength evident in the words. He had thought the old woman almost too weary to go on. He quickly did as he was commanded, looking at the small form and his arms felt empty. With a heavy heart, he left the old woman to tend to the body of his beloved.

“
What is our purpose here?
”
Jalon questioned urgently as Darvek returned to the room where they sat.

“
I do not know, my Lord, the old one has told me nothing.
”
Darvek lowered his own tired body to a chair.

Lalona gave her husband a warning glance.
“
I do not think we need to worry overly much. It seems we have been rescued by a friend.
”

“
It is good to have a friend, especially during the troublesome time.
”
Jalon spared his wife a speaking glance.
“
I, for one, however, would like to know just exactly who those friends are.
”

“
Then I shall satisfy your curiosity, my Lord.
”

All three jumped guilty. The old woman had returned to the room without making a sound.
“
But first, we shall satisfy your hunger, shall we not?
”
With deft movements that belied the aged hands and body, the old woman prepared a quick meal of cold meats, cheese, bread and wine. With a slight smile, she laid the feast before her guests. Bowing slightly, she said,
“
I am Winoka, your humble and faithful servant. It is a pleasure to have you in my home.
”
Glancing around the room, she returned her wise gaze upon her guests.
“
It is small, but I believe
we can all rest comfortably.
”

“
It is very risky of you to take us in,
”
Darvek said, taking a small bite of cheese. To his surprise it held a smoky meaty flavor.
“
This is quite tasty.
”

“
I have been fortunate to continue to receive food,
”
the old woman nodded.

“
Is the rule of Bartok burdensome to my people?
”
Jalon asked, his eyes filled with pain.

“
It is as you expected,
”
Winoka said.
“
The people enjoyed a brief time of great prosperity. Bartok was free and generous with his favors. Now the citizens have begun to see the true face of the new ruler and of his uncle.
”
She took a small portion of food for herself.

Darvek eyed the old woman with weariness.
“
Still, you have not answered my question. Why have you put yourself at such risk?
”

“
Hush, Darvek,
”
Lalona scolded the warrior gently.
“
We must not offend our hostess.
”

Winoka laughed softly.
“
He does not offend me, my queen. I find his honesty refreshing.
”
She turned solemn eyes to Darvek.
“
I have offered you my help because I, too, serve our great king. The same as you have surrendered your life, Darvek.
”

“
As you can plainly see, old woman,
”
Darvek sneered,
“
I am not dead.
”

“
Ah, but you touched the door of death, did you not? Bartok was most kind in sparing your life after your grievous injury. Did your arm give you much pain in the dampness of your cell?
”
Waynoka
’
s eyes burned with knowledge.

Darvek jumped to his feet, spilling his plate of food.
“
How do you know of such things?
”
he demanded. He turned to his king.
“
She is a spy! Let me finish her now.
”

Jalon laid a restraining hand upon Darvek, his earlier doubts having vanished completely.
“
Have you not seen enough bloodshed, my friend?
”

Immediately Darvek relaxed. He had indeed seen enough death and killing to last him a thousand lifetimes.
“
Forgive me, my Lord,
”
he bowed before his king.

“
There is nothing to forgive,
”
Jalon smiled reassuringly.
“
Our trust has been broken by many. But I sense Winoka will guide us to our renewal of faith, is that not so?
”
He looked upon the woman
’
s face, seeing more than his trusty warrior was meant to see. He handed Darvek his plate which Lalona had filled with fresh food.
“
Now eat and fill your empty belly.
This may will still be our last meal
.
”

For long minutes silence reigned as each ate the meager, though delicious, sustenance. Jalon was the first to finish.
“
That was truly the best meal I have eaten in many moons. I thank you for the favor, Winoka.
”

“
It was my pleasure. Now I will have my daughter prepare hot baths for each of you. I am sure you feel the need for the comfort of the water.
”
She rose to her feet and entered a small room off to the side. She came back moments later accompanied by a young woman of over twenty moons.
“
This is my daughter Desidre.
If you need anything please tell her
and we will try our best to secure it for your use. I have just received word from a palace servant who is most trustworthy, that Saatan has sent for Bartok at
the Mountain of life. He wishes
his nephew to travel to fetch the great wizard from the cliffs by the sea. Saatan appears to be in very bad health.
”
Her eyes met those of King Jalon and they exchanged a knowing look. Jalon nodded his head in answer to the old woman
’
s unspoken question.