The Channel (The Gifted Book 2) (21 page)

Rhea thought about what he was saying, trying to remember the science classes she was required to take. "Air, earth, water, fire."

Daen glanced at her when she didn't continue. "What are you thinking?"

"That I should have paid more attention in my science classes."

Daen chortled. "Although the basics of what the other world understands and teaches, regarding energy and the elements, are true, there is nothing that can explain what is possible in this world."

"So Lanne was right? It's magic?"

Daen thought about all he had learned reading science books and papers in the other world. He'd been fascinated by the differences between his world and the world of shadows and had sought to learn as much as he could.

He had been particularly interested in what scientists knew about energy and the elements, but in all his studies, he still couldn't explain all the things that were possible in Luxatra.

"When an explanation cannot be provided for some occurrence, it is often referred to as magic," Daen offered.

Rhea rolled her eyes. "Then what is it?"

Daen shrugged. "Something we have yet to learn."

Rhea knew he was right. She had only to look at the history of the world of shadows to know those things that were deemed magic hundreds of years ago were easily explained today.

As they rode the narrow trail along the base of Stone Mountain, Rhea kept thinking about the leaves she couldn't move. Compared to the sword she wielded, they were so light and delicate. It should be easy to push them around, if not by the wind, then with energy.

Did she have to touch the leaves?
No. She moved the arrows against the would-be assassins and hadn't touched them. Then it came to her.

She looked down on the rain-soaked dead leaves that carpeted the forest floor and called to her little helpers, the tiny bits of energy that she imagined looked like a bunch of tiny little hands. They came from the earth, the trees, and the air around her, ready to help her.

She imagined herself standing in the middle of a leaf pile as a child, grabbing handfuls of leaves and throwing them into the air. Within seconds, her childhood memory came to life as a section of the forest floor exploded upwards, startling everyone, including the horses.

"What the ...?" Taulin cursed.

Randell frantically scanned the area. "What just happened?"

Daen looked over his shoulder and met Rhea's guilty eyes.

"Sorry," she mouthed silently.

Daen shook his head. "It's okay. Just warn us next time."

"Warn us?" Randell asked. "Rhea, did you do that?"

"Guilty. Sorry." She relaxed into her saddle, pleased that she was gaining a better understanding of how to utilize her gift on her own terms versus having it simply happen without understanding how.

They rode quietly in single file as fast as the trail would allow, walking at times, trotting, and the occasional canter, with Rhea close behind Daen, followed by Taulin and then Randell.

After riding for a couple of hours, Rhea broke the silence. "How far out of the way do you think we need to go to avoid meeting up with the other spies?"

Daen looked over his shoulder at her. "We'll ride southwest for another couple of hours or so and then start to cut back towards Cauhill." He nudged his horse into a faster pace.

The group fell silent once again, allowing the sounds of their horses to occupy their minds, as they maneuvered through the over growth that threatened to swallow the trail forever.

Both Daen and Rhea shared the job of checking their surroundings for other riders, Daen checking for energy signatures and Rhea looking for actual bodies.

They stopped in a small clearing to rest the horses and eat, but they didn't linger long before mounting up and pressing forward. After several hours, the trail ended at a narrow strip of tall grasses.

Rhea rode up next to Daen to learn their next direction.

"We're at the main road," said Daen. "Do you see anyone coming up from the south?"

Rhea scanned the road in the direction Daen pointed. "A couple of wagons, a family walking, and a couple of men on horseback."

"What do the men look like?" Taulin asked.

"Merchants maybe? They're clean-shaven, no armor."

Daen nodded. "Good, let's go."

Randell took in the scenery, trying to establish some understanding of the land and its landmarks. "Where are we?"

"We're south of the farm where we stayed our first night."

Taulin came up along Daen's other side. "Are you planning on riding into Sentran on this road?"

Daen shook his head. "I was thinking we would cut into the forest and use the trail along the base of Kinling, work our way into Sentran that way, bringing us to the east end of Cauhill."

Taulin nodded. "I know the route. I agree that it's best to stay off the main roads if we want to avoid being seen. Have you considered the Sentran's border patrols?"

Daen nodded. "I'd rather deal with patrols than those who want Rhea dead."

Taulin felt a sudden pain in his chest. "I agree."

~~~

King Argeon stood at the edge of a large polished stone table in the middle of his war room with his best political strategist, Commander Waurl, at his side. Lying before them were the messages that had been coming in from across his realm, including the latest message from Commander Gaibel.

"Do you believe Gaibel's report?" Commander Waurl held the small strip of parchment in his hands, reading the cryptic message.

"There's not enough in her words explaining how she knows the warriors are impostors. I'll have to hear her explanation."

Commander Thaurton took the message from Waurl. "Is she returning?"

"I expect her in two to three days."

"If she's wrong, the attacks still don't make sense." Commander Waurl gripped his jaw in thought. "If Laundan was going to invade, they wouldn't send small units to attack civilians. Politically, it's a bad move. There's no way to save face after such acts of cowardice."

"My informants in Laundan report troops heading south," Commander Thaurton added. "Apparently, Sentran is coming over the border and attacking their civilians as well."

King Argeon looked up from the array of messages in front of him. "Sentran? What would Jauline have to gain from attacking Laundan?"

"For that matter, what would Craen gain from attacking us?" Commander Waurl folded his arm across his chest. "We've had peace for hundreds of years. Why now ... and for what?"

Argeon debated internally whether to share the one motive Craen might have for attacking, if, indeed, that was what he was doing. He wondered if the chaotic strategy, the involvement of civilians, was just Craen's way of drawing out the one weapon designed to undo the imbalance he felt Argeon was creating by keeping the channel a Taulomi secret.

Argeon knew someone was hunting Terrwyn, and he knew she was here in Taulomi. He'd hoped, by keeping his distance from her, he would prove Taulomi wasn't a threat, but had he been wrong?

"Sir. Do you have an idea as to what's going on?" Commander Thaurton watched as his king's expression grew dark with concern.

Argeon gathered the messages into a pile and placed them in a wooden box in the center of the table. "We will wait for Commander Gaibel." He hoped all she would bring was an explanation and not the potential source of more problems.

Ordering Gaibel to send her daughter away had been one of the hardest orders he'd ever issued, but it was for the safety of the realm. Now, Gaibel was to meet Terrwyn and Daen and explain that they were not to come to the castle. Afterward, Gaibel was to return to him. Argeon hoped she was strong enough to let Terrwyn go again.

The king walked from the war room, leaving his two commanders behind to wonder what secrets he was keeping.

22
Camp

Daen led the foursome a short distance down Taulomi's north-south road before turning east onto a narrow trail leading to the Kinling Mountains. The single-track path led them up to the base of the mountains and then veered south to border the Libraim territory before reaching Sentran.

Several hours after turning off the main road, they came to a small clearing with a stream, a camp site Daen and other guardians had used in the past. Given darkness would soon be upon them, they stopped for the night.

"Where are we?" Randell asked as he dismounted.

"We're just inside Libraim territory," said Daen, "about a day's ride from the Sentran border. We should be safe here. The more unsavory people stay clear of this area."

"Why's that?" Randell asked.

"They don't want to run into the guardians who patrol this area." Daen gave Randell a wink.

The first order was to care for the horses. After unloading the gear and supplies, they removed the horses' saddles and placed everything in the middle of their campsite.

When they were finished grooming the horses, Rhea took Sedare and Daen's horse to the stream with Randell while Daen and Taulin collected firewood. As they watched the water dance over the smooth boulders riddling the streambed, Rhea did a little mental exploring.

"Randell, there's a small waterfall feeding the stream further down."

"How big is it?"

Rhea sighed. "Big enough to stand in." She gave Randell a sheepish grin. "I think I'll shower before going to sleep tonight."

Randell laughed, not taking her seriously.

When the horses had had their fill, Rhea and Randell started back towards camp. As they cleared the tree line, they could see a small fire burning. Daen and Taulin had rolled a couple of small logs from the woods and were using them as seats, keeping the cool, damp ground from seeping into their clothes.

Rhea and Randell secured the horses and joined their friends at the fire where Daen had put a pot of water on to boil. Their water bottles were running low, and Daen wasn't sure their systems could manage the stream water.

Rhea went to the edge of the tree line, picked up several handfuls of dried leaves, and piled them a few feet from the fire before laying her blanket on top. After making herself comfortable, she pulled out some of her rations and ate, as did the others.

After they ate, Rhea braided her hair and lay down to relax, but Daen had another idea.

He picked up his sword. "Rhea. I think you should keep up your sword practice."

Rhea moaned inwardly at the thought of standing up, let alone working out. Although her body was getting used to riding on the back of a horse, she was still achy.

Randell stood. "Come on. I'll practice with you. We can do the warm-up routine."

Rhea sat up, barely containing the groan that crept up her throat. Her muscles protested her efforts as she stood and picked up her sword from where she had laid it.

Daen joined them as they spread out across the camp, assuming the starting position of the sword dance Randell had learned when he was a boy, and now Rhea was learning.

Daen and Randell started their warm-up, and Rhea quickly joined in. Taulin watched as they danced, each moving in unison, each in harmony with the other. He'd seen this exercise before but had never slowed down long enough to try it. His training had always been rigorous from the start.

Rhea closed her eyes as she and her sword moved through the steps. She reached for the energy around her, and the pressure of the world lifted from her body.

As she moved, she felt as if she were floating while the tingling sensations massaged her from head to foot. The steps of the dance came naturally, something that hadn't been the case just a few days ago.

As Daen and Randell stepped through the dance with Rhea, they couldn't help notice what was happening to her. They stopped their dance and, just like Taulin, stood in awe. She was grace and beauty, power and strength. Her aura didn't shine, not literally, but she glowed all the same as her feet barely touched the ground.

When Rhea finished her dance, she opened her eyes to her three companions staring at her. "What?"

Daen shook his head. "You never cease to amaze." He sheathed his sword.

"You've gotten quite good at warming up." Randell winked at her and turned to follow Daen.

Rhea's eyes settled on Taulin. "What happened?"

"It's hard to describe." He shook his head. "I don't know. I'm not sure your feet were touching the ground." Taulin pushed back his feelings of awe and focused on the moment. It was time to spar. "Shall we begin?"

Rhea knew her dance was different this time. This was the first time she'd done it since being in Luxatra and the experience had been unreal. She thought about what Taulin said.
Had her feet left the ground?
She didn't think so. But it was an unusual experience, that's for sure.

Daen stepped into the woods and started to cut a few choice branches from the surrounding trees, whittling away the leaves to create somewhat smooth sparring sticks.

Randell knew what he was doing and stepped up to help.

"What are you doing?" Rhea asked.

"Tree branches will make less noise. You'll be able to work on your form without alerting anyone who might be nearby."

Rhea sheathed her sword and took the branch from Daen.

Daen extended a branch to Taulin while Randell finished preparing a branch for himself.

At first, Taulin wasn't sure if he'd join in, but he decided it wouldn't do any harm. Besides, it would give him a chance to spar with Rhea, to see if she was simply lucky when he'd first seen her fight or if she, indeed, had skills.

The first tap of branch on branch sounded out as Daen started taking Rhea through her practice.

Randell raised his branch to Taulin, inviting him to engage. They started slowly, but after a few minutes, the camp was filled with tapping sounds. Over the next hour, they sparred with each other, giving Rhea a chance to practice against multiple fighting styles and strengths.

When they stopped for a water break, Rhea broached a subject she'd been avoiding but felt she couldn't any longer. "I get the feeling you all are holding back. How am I going to know, what I can handle, if you don't push me?"