The Journey of the Marked (The Miyran Heir Book 1) (27 page)

Tren and Jurf hurried through town
in search of the inn Anthony had told them about. Tren asked directions only
once, wary of drawing attention. Given that only one Liput and one Hurfen had
arrived in Banston for the funeral, blending in was difficult at best. Every
Plinte greeted them warmly and with appreciation for their long journey to
honor the dead. With each greeting, Tren and Jurf expressed appreciation for
the hospitality and grief for the fallen. As a result, making their way through
the busy village took longer than expected.

They finally arrived at the inn. Tren
found the room number Anthony had given them, glanced around to ensure no one
was nearby, and then knocked.

The door opened and Anthony greeted
them with a warm smile. “Welcome! Come in.” He stepped back and motioned for
them to enter.

Tren placed his hand on Jurf’s back
to encourage the boy to go first and then followed him. The room was small and
simple. A bed rested against the straight wall on the left and a small creature
of some kind sat there with his legs dangling over the side of the bed. Across
from the bed was a long bench. Completing the circle was a chair from which a
Human woman had just stood to greet them. She must be Isabelle.

Anthony provided introductions
around the group. Tren was captivated by Kalangia. As Tren and Jurf took seats
on the bench across from the bed where Anthony had settled next to Kalangia, Tren
wondered what Kalangia’s other forms were. He had never met a Sharmuse. Liputs
were slight of build, but the Sharmuse was downright tiny.

Kalangia shared what information he
knew, including his encounter with Tip on the day he left Kentish.

“Thank you for alerting Tip to the
Graeliths,” Tren gratefully smiled at Kalangia. “I’m not sure he would have
survived without the support of such kind strangers.” He patted Jurf on the
shoulder. He only hoped Sri had fared as well.

Isabelle leaned on the left arm of
her chair, closer to Tren. “I still have many contacts among Anyamae’s
warriors. Rest assured that I’ll receive news if anything happens to the
children. Sometimes no news is good news.”

Tren nodded his head in agreement.

The discussion turned to the Lady’s
concerns about the Graeliths, but they soon agreed they would need to continue
another night, given Jurf’s loudly growling stomach. Isabelle asked the group
to stay alert for parents of the other marked ones. In particular, they were
looking for a Krystic parent with a daughter named Prizene and a Plinte with a
son named Azetan.

“Azetan!” Tren exclaimed. “I met
his father and sister only this morning. They run the café in the center of
town.” He looked at Jurf. “We didn’t mention any names, so I wasn’t aware he
was the Plinte traveling with Tip.”

Jurf replied, “I didn’t think to
mention names. I guess, then, we only need to identify the Krystic.”

“Yes,” Isabelle agreed. “And as the
Arlian girl belonged to the undergrounders, we’ll likely not find a parent for
her.” She turned to Tren. “Could you return to the café in the morning and
speak with the owner?”

“Lifston is his name,” Tren
replied, “and his daughter is Ynelza. She’s Azetan’s twin. I’ll be happy to
return to the café in the morning and perhaps we can meet here again tomorrow
evening?”

“Perhaps,” Isabelle replied. “We
must be careful, though. No one is aware Lady Anyamae sent Kalangia to me. The
Lady shows caution and we must heed her concern. Let us see how the evening
unfolds. We’ll have ample opportunity to make contact over the duration of the
funeral.”

“Do you think the undergrounders
will be here?” Jurf spat out eagerly. “I’m sure they would be interested to
hear about Kenrya.”

Tren smiled. Jurf was a smart boy. He
looked to see Isabelle studying Jurf. He struggled to read her expression and
was prepared to support Jurf, if need be.

“Good point,” Isabelle said,
leaning toward Jurf. “They might be interested in her journey. However, they’ll
be harder to identify. At least a few of them may be traveling with the dead,
so that may be our starting point. Be very careful, though. Exposing their
identity could be dangerous. Nord may very well have planted spies among those
paying their respects. Now, let’s go eat.”

Tren watched in awe as Kalangia shifted
back into his bird form. They agreed he would stay in the room for his safety. They
left his cage door ajar, allowing him to fly in and out as he pleased. The
group departed as new-found friends, heading for the evening’s festivities in
the field Tren and Jurf had helped clear earlier. While a number of Humans
attended the events, Anthony assured Tren that Isabelle taking stray visitors
under her wing would not raise suspicion among any that knew her.

Despite the situation, Tren and the
others enjoyed the festivities. The Plintes served yet another delicious meal
and the evening included music and storytelling. Tren quickly learned that
highly embellished tales were a favorite pastime of the Plintes. The stories
often centered on battles, with humor and romance woven into the tales. The
evening was not unlike ones he and Mirna had spent with their friends in
Kentish. In fact, it almost made him feel at home.

Eros, Prizene, and Tip covered a
great distance before the growing darkness made navigating the path too
dangerous. The path they followed stayed close to the rock wall on the outer
edge of the dark forest, heading first north, then curving toward the west. The
forest remained in sight throughout the day and, as Eros frequently felt, they
remained in the forest’s sight. He tried to focus on the hope that lay in his
chosen path, but the evil he first sensed continued to haunt his thoughts. Once
darkness enveloped them, they found a sheltering alcove in the rock wall and
settled in for the night.

Eros woke early the next morning. While
no light shone directly onto the path, there was sufficient light to see
without an electric torch. It was almost as though the forest was always bathed
in the light of dusk. He arose quietly and crept to the edge of the path,
realizing for the first time they had made a gradual descent during their
journey yesterday and were now almost level with the forest floor. A barren
area lay between him and the forest where no foliage or roots seemed to grow. He
raised his eyes toward the forest and found eyes staring back at him from the
trees. He closed his eyes tightly and shook his head, then opened them again,
seeing nothing but trees. Perhaps it was just his imagination. The path merged
with the forest floor a few feet ahead. Eros felt the ground carefully and
finding it solid, stepped down from the path onto the smooth part of the forest
floor. He walked cautiously in the direction they would travel, ever wary of
the watching forest.

He wandered about twenty yards when
he came upon an opening in the rock wall to his right. He hadn’t noticed it
earlier because of a large rock formation that jutted out from the wall,
obscuring his view. The opening was large, at least five feet across, and
through it he saw bright, early morning sunlight. He paused long enough for his
eyes to adjust, then walked toward the light. The vegetation here varied from
that they had seen previously. The small, green plants littered the sides of
the path and showcased a wide variety of colored flowers. He soaked in their
beauty and the muscles in his shoulders relaxed, as he continued closer to the
direct sunlight dancing across the exposed ground a few yards ahead.

As Eros neared the brightest part
of the light, he heard the trickle of water. On the far side of a large bush
with vibrant orange flowers, a small waterfall cascaded down the side of the
rock, puddling into a small pool. He crept cautiously toward the pool, knowing
well the dangers that could lurk there. Pausing at the edge, he peered into the
crystal-clear water. At first, he saw only sunlight, as the reflection off the
water was strong. By shifting to his right, though, the shadow of the bush
allowed him to see clearly through the water into a deep cavern. The walls of
the cavern, a brilliant shade of violet, glistened brightly. A smile lit Eros’s
face as he watched the sun create a pattern of shimmering light across the side
of the watery cavern.

“Unusual, isn’t it?” a voice asked.

Eros jumped at the sound and drew
his sword without thinking, turning toward the woman he had failed to notice
earlier. The woman sat hunched on a nearby rock, a bucket full of water at her
feet. The lines etched on her face hinted cruelly at her age and her curly
white hair was lashed loosely at the nape of her neck. She turned her eyes to
him, the pupils and irises almost as pale as the rest of the eyes. He failed to
recognize her species, though he sensed nothing ominous.

“Going to fight the old woman, eh?”
she queried, jokingly. “Put your sword away, lad. This pool provides the
closest source of water for this old body. I can’t travel to the lakes as I did
in my youth.”

Sensing no hostility from her, Eros
sheathed his sword, though kept his hand close to his belt. His mother once
brought him to the forest and told him of people who chose to live here rather
than in the larger settlements in or near the city. The people were generous
and kind, she had told him; they preferred a more solitary, simpler way of
life.

“You enjoy the lights of the water
pool?” she asked, pointing toward the water.

Eros glanced toward the water, then
back to the old woman. “Yes. They’re beautiful. Never before have I seen such
color, nor the sun painting such a tale across a watery rock. What is it?”

“The rock in the cavern, you mean?”
She pointed toward the water and Eros nodded. “A rare gem, or so I once was
told. Some species prefer to harvest such rock for barter or riches.”

“And you?”

She smiled warmly. “I prefer to let
the sun have its pleasure and to bask in all it creates.”

Eros returned her smile and felt
the tension ease. “I do, as well. This path is lovely, much different from the
path I follow,” he added as he gestured toward the darkness of the forest, the
smile vanishing from his face. He looked back to find the woman staring at him.
He sensed something unusual about her, but nothing dangerous. He lifted his
face to sun, closing his eyes and enjoying its warmth. When he lowered his eyes
back to the woman, he found her smiling at him.

“Such a bright boy, following such
a difficult path,” she said knowingly. “Yes, a difficult path I see before
you.”

“The question is whether I follow
the right path.”

“Only time will tell, but others
have come before you.”

“Others? Like me?”

“Yes, many marked ones come this
way.”

“Marked ones?”

“The mark is clearly visible, my
boy. No point in denying it. While I never followed the path myself, I think
you are indeed headed in the right direction. Though most of them do travel
from this direction,” she added as she pointed away from the forest, “they
leave in that direction.” She pointed toward the forest. She shrugged and
lifted a shaking hand to brush a wisp of hair off her face. “What’s your name,
dear boy?”

“Eros from the Forest of Kullac. And
yours?”

She chuckled. “Islis. Not that many
care to know. This old woman enjoys her solitude.” A moment of silence passed
between them before she spoke again, “I must start home.” She slowly stood and
with great effort, grasped the bucket of water next to her.

“How far do you live?”

“Not too far. I have a wagon on the
other side of the opening,” she added as she pointed in the opposite direction
from which Eros had come.

“Let me help you,” he offered,
taking the heavy bucket of water from her. He also offered her his free arm to
help steady her, which she gladly took.

The old lady walked slowly, but
surely, and they soon reached the far opening and her waiting wagon. Eros
hoisted the water onto the wagon and secured it with rope. He turned back to
the woman and helped her climb into the wagon seat.

“Will you be all right now?” he
asked.

She smiled down at him. “Do not
worry for me, my child. I am hardy enough.” She patted his cheek with her hand
and warmth spread where her skin touched his. “Do not doubt your instincts for
they lead you well.” She reached into a bag beside her on the wagon and pulled
from it a small object. She turned back to Eros and held out a small silver
compass. “For you, my child. A small gift of thanks. Travel to the west until
the sun reaches its peak, then turn to the southwest into the dark forests. You
will find what you seek.”

Eros took the compass gratefully
and thanked the woman. He turned to go back through the opening to Prizene and
Tip.

The woman continued, “And child …”

He turned to face her.

“Do not begrudge your companions
the compassion you have graciously bestowed on an old woman.” She urged the
Eaoz tethered to the wagon, which started it moving down the path.

Eros watched her for a few minutes.
She must be speaking of Azetan and Kenrya. He wondered what compassion would be
required of him, though he assumed he would find out soon enough. He studied
the compass briefly and followed it south back through the opening to find
Prizene and Tip just starting to stir. Soon they would depart along the edge of
the dark forest that ran directly to the west.

Tip, Prizene, and Eros started out
as soon as breakfast had been eaten and their packs prepared. Eros shared his
meeting with the old woman and allowed Tip and Prizene a few moments to enjoy
the beautiful rock in the pool, while Eros refilled their water supplies. Once
back on the darkened path, Eros checked the compass and pointed Tip directly
west, still skirting the edge of the forest.

They journeyed for a time, able to
catch glimpses of the sunlight, though never the sun directly. Eros suggested
that when the sun was directly overhead, the sunlight would penetrate the path
where they now walked and this would be the indication they should change
direction. They pushed on, traveling quickly, as the ground was firm and flat. Eros
consulted the compass from time to time to ensure they were on the right
course. After a few hours, he felt the sun warming the top of his head and he
called for Tip to stop.

“The sun is nearly overhead. The
path continues directly to the west, but look for a path nearby leading off to
the southwest.” He indicated the direction and they searched the area for
another path.

While the second path wasn’t
obvious, Prizene discovered what appeared to be an area of ground that looked
more heavily trod than the rest of the forest. The trees here were different
from the ones where evil lurked; they were less gnarled and the limbs and roots
grew straighter. Darkness still shrouded the forest and a light mist hung near
the ground. Eros felt nothing sinister as he stood near these trees.

“You found it,” he said to Prizene.
“I’d guess we have another day or so to travel before we find the camp.”

They decided to eat lunch before
traveling farther and were unloading their packs when a sound echoed through
the woods.

“What was that?” Prizene asked. “Did
you hear it?”

“I don’t know,” Tip replied. “I
heard something, but I’m not sure what it was.”

Prizene held her head toward the
forest. “I think it’s an instrument or a horn of some kind.”

Eros suddenly yelled, “No, stop
fighting!”

Tip and Prizene jumped at the force
of his words and found Eros clutching his hair with his hands and a look of
horror on his face. “What is it, Eros? What do you see?” Prizene asked.

“Kenrya. She’s in trouble.” He
grabbed Tip by the shirt. “She has to stop fighting! They want to help her.”

“What? Who? Who’s ‘they’?” Tip
pleaded. “Eros, you’re not making sense. We don’t even know where they are.”

“That way.” He pointed to the
south, directly into the dark forest where the eyes still fell upon them.

“How do you know that?” Tip asked. “Have
you ever before seen distant events while you were awake?”

“No,” Eros admitted. His breathing
quickened as he felt Kenrya’s mounting fear. “I can’t explain it, but I know
I’m right.” He felt warmth coming from his pocket and without thinking, removed
the pendant, still wrapped in its protective cloth. He lifted a corner of the
cloth, exposing the pendant. It glowed brightly on the cloth in Eros’s palm.

“How can that be?” Prizene moved
closer to Eros, her eyes wide with surprise.

The pendant baffled Eros. What was
its power? He covered it again with the cloth. He pronounced each word
carefully and with emphasis. “We have to help her … now!”

Prizene shook her head. “Eros,
there’s no way we can reach them. Our packs are heavy and the forest is too
thick. We’re not swift enough.”

Eros looked at her with a crazy
glint in his eyes. “You’re right, Prizene. We’re not. But Tip is,” he added as
he turned to Tip.

Tip’s eyes grew wide and he began
backing away from the other two. “Now, now wait a minute. I’m ... well ... it’s
just ... you can’t be serious? By myself, alone?”

Eros grabbed Tip’s pack and started
flinging the contents out of it. He pulled out the daggers and the flute. “Do
you have your laser gun?”

“Yes, but —”

“Then here,” Eros cut him off as he
thrust the flute toward Tip. “Take this, as well, and hurry! You must reach
Kenrya and tell her to stop fighting! They’re not far, just too far for me to
make it in time. You can do it. Stay off the main path, stick to the trees.”

Tip stood frozen in his spot. He
swallowed hard and looked into the forbidding-looking forest. His lip quivered
as he said, “Why the flute?”

Eros shrugged. “What can you do
with the daggers?”

Tip tilted his head. “Nothing — right.
Good point.” He took the flute and stuffed it into the back of his pants. He
took a deep breath and started shaking his limbs, preparing for the run. He
squatted once, then shook his limbs again, hesitating as he looked to the
forest. He took a deep breath, stretched his arms, then squatted again.

“Tip! Now!” Eros yelled.

“All right!” Tip yelled back and
sprinted into the forest, heading directly south and toward the sound floating
through the dense forest. Tip concentrated on the roots and limbs, staying off
the main path, as Eros instructed. The main path appeared far less dense and
cluttered, but at this point, Tip feared what would happen if he didn’t listen
to Eros.

He darted swiftly through the trees
without catching his toe on a root or his clothing on a limb. Once again, his
agility allowed him to move far more freely than with the others. He never once
stopped and altered his course only slightly to follow the sound of what he now
suspected was the horn the old men had given to them and they had placed in
Azetan’s pack. Tip hoped he could arrive in time to prevent whatever horrible
fate now awaited Kenrya.