Chosen (24 page)
Tallon began collecting small
bits of timber from around the room, heaping them in the fireplace
conveniently located in the room. He took a small piece of flint
from a pouch tied around his hips and struck it until sparks
ignited the shavings and a small fire bloomed in the grate. It
wasn’t long before he had a good size blaze going, giving off a
cheery heat.
‘Thanks,’ said Haven
begrudgingly.
‘You are welcome,’ said Tallon
smiling, ‘glad I could help.’
They hunched around the fire
holding their hands out to the warmth. Tallon was on watch.
‘I’m so hungry,’ moaned
Haven.
‘Belly again,’ laughed
Gilster.
‘Oh my god, do you EVER stop
thinking about food,’ Max smiled.
‘Like I said before,’ grinned
Haven, ‘I’m a big man and it takes a lot of fuel to keep me
going.’
Elkeira smiled too, ‘I noticed
he loves his food when we were in Naturine.’
Still laughing, Max continued,
‘it’s just he never stops thinking about food no matter what the
situation might be. He’s terrible, it’s like having a baby around.’
She stopped, suddenly realising what she had just said. The
atmosphere became sombre, all the fun had gone out of it. ‘I’m
going to sleep,’ she said, her face ashen. She left the room. Haven
followed.
‘I am sorry,’ said Elkeira
sadly, ‘I didn’t mean to make her think of Ti Athra.’
‘You are not to blame,’ said
Gilster kindly, ‘it will take some time for her to come to terms
with leaving her baby behind.’
Tallon looked on, saying
nothing, his heart breaking for Max, knowing he could not go to her
and offer comfort.
‘Max . . . Max, come here,’
said Haven softly holding out his arms to her. She buried her face
in his broad chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
‘It hurts Haven,’ she said, her
voice muffled, ‘I miss my baby so much.’
‘We’ll find her I promise, when
this is over you and I will return to Naturine and find her.’
‘She won’t remember us,’ sobbed
Max.
‘Yes she will, of course she
will, we’re her parents,’ he said softly stroking her hair, trying
to calm her down. He pulled her gently away so he could look into
her tear filled eyes. ‘I promise you,’ he said solemnly, ‘I will
find her or die trying. But for now we must think only of finishing
what we started. We must find Daria and the next Chosen, nothing
else must be in our thoughts if we are to succeed.’ He pulled her
close again.
‘I understand,’ she sobbed. He
held her tightly.
‘I love you Max, more than life
itself,’ he whispered, kissing the top of her head. When she didn’t
reply in kind, he was hurt, but he chose to be silent, not wishing
to push her into saying something he desperately wanted to hear.
‘Now, let’s try and get some sleep.’ He sat down, his back against
the wall. Pulling Max down with him he wrapped her in her cloak and
then held her tightly until many hours later Gilster came to tell
him it was his turn for watch.
Morning arrived with a drab,
grey wateriness, inspiring nothing but melancholia. The night had
been mainly silent, except for a few distant screams heard on
Tallon’s watch which he chose not to mention. Everyone was awake,
including Max who had come to a decision in the darkness of the
night; from now on she would not be a helpless woman, she would
show no fear, she would cry no more, and when it was over she would
find her child and go home.
‘Ok,’ she said, striding out
from the back room, tightening the leather thong holding the dagger
to her thigh. ‘I think it’s about time we found Daria, don’t you?’
She walked out the front door.
The others looked at each
other, not quite sure what to make of this sudden new found
confidence in Max. They rose as one, gathered together their few
meagre belongings and followed her out into the watery morning
light.
As they walked down the street,
Tallon spoke, ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said, addressing no one in
particular, ‘what we’ve been doing is not working, it could take
days before Haven hears anything of use, we need to try a different
approach, we need to be more proactive. I think we should find
someone from this world and make them answer our questions.’
‘Well that at least sounds
better than wandering around aimlessly wasting another day,’ said
Haven grudgingly.
‘It’s settled then, the next
person we see, we grab,’ said Tallon, pleased his suggestion had
been accepted.
‘Grab wouldn’t exactly be the
term I would use,’ said Gilster diplomatically. ‘We could try just
asking them if they know anything that may help us.’
The chance came sooner than
expected when they turned the next corner. A small group of people
were standing around a fire burning brightly in a forty four gallon
drum, hands held out to the flames, seeking warmth. The group
consisted of a woman about thirty, although it was hard to tell her
age through all the dirt and grime, a man who may or may not be her
husband, two small children and a much older man, judging by the
way he stooped.
They didn’t immediately see the
outsiders advancing towards them but when they did finally notice,
they took off like rabbits released from a trap, scattering in all
directions. Tallon sprinted after them, easily catching the old
man. He held on to him tightly by his ragged clothing until the
others caught up.
‘We have some questions for you
old man,’ said Tallon shaking him roughly.
‘Gently,’ said Gilster, ‘we
don’t want to frighten the poor man. Can you help us,’ he asked the
old man, ‘we are looking for a friend who has been taken by Anubis
and is probably being held prisoner. Would you know where that
might be?’ he finished courteously.
‘No I don’t,’ spat the old man,
‘and I wouldn’t tell you if I did, Benitoff would have my head for
speaking to strangers without his consent.’
‘Who is Benitoff,’ asked
Gilster, ‘can we speak with him?’
The old man was silent, his
lips a thin grim line across his face.
‘This is ridiculous,’ said Max
angrily, ‘we don’t have time to waste being nice, people’s lives
are at risk.’ Before anyone knew what was happening, she pulled
Tallon’s dagger from its sheath on her thigh and held it to the old
man’s throat.
‘Tell us what we want to know
old man and I may let you live, if not I’ll slit your throat and be
done with it. We can always find someone who prefers life over
death, even in this miserable place.’
The others were shocked, never
having seen this aggressive side of Max before. Tallon, still
holding the old man, smiled grimly.
‘I always knew you had it in
you,’ he said so quietly only Max heard him. She pushed the point
harder against the old man’s skin, drawing blood. The grim
determination in the old man’s eyes was replaced by fear; knowing
this woman would kill him if he didn’t speak soon, he decided on a
different tack, perhaps giving him time to escape.
‘I could take you to Benitoff,’
he said slyly, ‘he should be able to answer all your
questions.’
‘It’s a trap,’ said Elkeira,
reading the old man’s face like a book.
Haven whispered in Max’s ear,
‘Elkeira is right, it is a trap, I can read his thoughts, he means
to turn us over to this . . . Benitoff.’
‘We need to speak with this
Benitoff regardless,’ said Max whispering back, ‘we have questions
and it sounds like he’s the man with the answers.’
‘But . . . ,’ began Haven. Max
cut him off.
‘All right, we will go with you
to see Benitoff,’ she said, ‘but Tallon will tie your hands and my
dagger will be at your back, one hint of treachery and you’re a
dead man.’
‘Ha,’ said Tallon, enjoying
this new side to Max, ‘I love a woman who takes charge, lead on
Maxine, I will follow you to death’s door and beyond.’
Haven didn’t like this new turn
of events, where had his soft, gentle, Max gone and who was this
feisty “warrior woman” who had replaced her.
‘Are you sure you want to go
with this man?’ he asked, wincing at the uncertainty in his own
voice.
‘We have to start somewhere
don’t we?’ said Max, ‘Benitoff seems as good as any.’
They walked for what seemed
like hours, criss-crossing rubble strewn roads, in and out of
ruined buildings until Max grew impatient.
‘If you think to trick us old
man, I will kill you, like I said before, we can always find
someone else who knows Benitoff.’
‘Not much further,’ said the
old man, ‘I’ve been taking the long way round to keep us
safe.’
‘Yeah, a likely story,’ snorted
Elkeira.
‘If we’re not there within the
next half hour . . .,’ said Max trailing off, wanting the old man
to think the worst.
‘We’re almost there,’ shrieked
the old man, ‘don’t kill me now when we’re so close.’ They walked
on for fifteen more minutes, heading out of the city into the
surrounding woodland.
‘I don’t like this,’ whispered
Haven to Gilster, ‘I think he’s leading us into an ambush, be ready
for anything.’ Gilster nodded.
As the trees closed in around
them they heard a soft whistling sound.
‘They’re signalling our
arrival,’ whispered Haven, ‘be ready to fight.’
He drew his sword. Max had
heard the whistles too and knew what it meant, but she wasn’t ready
to give up just yet, her grip tightened on the dagger.
Two men walked casually out
from behind some tall bushes about forty feet in front, blocking
the path ahead. They looked for all the world like they were out
for an afternoon stroll. Both were dressed in leather coats studded
with metal spikes, the sleeves had been hacked off. Their bald
heads were tattooed with strange symbols. They looked unarmed but
Haven knew this was probably not true; they had weapons on them
somewhere.
‘Well, well, what do we have
here, what have you brought us now Dorn?’
The man who spoke leaned
casually against a tree, his arms crossed in front of him.
‘Be careful Max,’ came a
thought from Haven. The man looked towards Haven but said
nothing.
‘We have come here because we
wish to speak with Benitoff, we’ve been told he is the man to
answer our questions,’ said Max, the authority in her voice
unmistakable.
‘You have a woman leader . . .
interesting. Well . . . leader,’ said the man, his voice dripping
with sarcasm, ‘I am Fisher and this is Thomas,’ he waved a languid
hand in the direction of the second man, ‘and nobody sees Benitoff
without first convincing us.’
Tallon nocked an arrow. ‘Will
this convince you?’ He said, pointing the arrow at Fisher’s
chest.
‘Ah, the headstrong one,
there’s always a headstrong one isn’t there,’ said Fisher smiling
and looking back over his shoulder at Thomas. Thomas nodded. ‘I
suggest you put down your bow warrior before someone gets hurt, and
by the amount of arrows pointing at your group it won’t be
me.’
They looked around, suddenly
noticing people sitting in the surrounding trees all with arrows
pointing in their direction.
‘Can we please stop all this
macho posturing,’ said Max, pushing Tallon’s bow down so the arrow
pointed towards the ground.
‘Ah, the leader speaks,’ said
Fisher goadingly. Max decided tact would be better than aggression
at this time and chose not to rise to Fisher’s bait. She
continued.
‘We have a friend who was
abducted by Anubis and we mean to rescue her, all we need to know
is where she is being held.’
Fisher’s eyes widened slightly
at the mention of Anubis. ‘So,’ he said, ‘you are no friend to
Anubis.’
‘Don’t say too much Max,’
thought Haven, ‘we don’t know which side these people are on
yet.’
‘Strangely enough, it seems we
are on the same side,’ said Fisher addressing Haven.
Haven’s jaw dropped. ‘You’re a
telepath?’
‘It seems my secret is out,’
laughed Fisher, ‘yes I am a telepath, but there are very few of us
left after the Purge.’
‘Purge?’ said Max.
He waved his hand dismissively.
‘When we have more time perhaps I will tell you. Now, who is this
missing friend of yours and why are you so desperate to find
her?’
‘Stop playing games,’ shouted
Elkeira impatiently, ‘if you’re a telepath you already know who we
are, we are the Chosen.’
‘Elkeira no,’ shouted Tallon,
but it was too late the word had already left her lips.
There were sharp intakes of
breath, Fisher became more alert, unfolding his arms and taking a
step forward.
‘What, you didn’t know,’ said
Elkeira, ‘I thought you said you were a telepath.’
‘I have my, shall we say . . .
limits,’ said Fisher.
‘And what are they?’ continued
Elkeira.
‘Impudent child,’ spat Fisher,
his eyes blazing.
Elkeira was equally as angry,
‘I am no . . . ,’ Tallon placed a settling hand on her shoulder.
Gilster who had remained silent up until now stepped forward.
‘Good afternoon sir, my name is
Gilster.’
‘And which one of the group are
you,’ said Fisher, his sarcasm returning.
‘I’m the well mannered one,’
smiled Gilster.
Fisher laughed. ‘Well said
sir.’
Gilster decided to push ahead.
‘If it is at all possible, would we be able to speak with Benitoff?
We are desperate to find our friend and continue our journey. Time
is of the essence.’
‘A gentleman, at last; we are
not all uncivilized rabble here you know, because you have asked so
eloquently, I will take you to Benitoff.’
Haven patted Gilster on the
back. ‘Well done Gil,’ he said smiling, ‘you did it.’
‘Follow me,’ said Fisher, ‘I
think Benitoff will find what you have to say very interesting and
I’m sure he will be able to answer any questions you might
have.’
bits of timber from around the room, heaping them in the fireplace
conveniently located in the room. He took a small piece of flint
from a pouch tied around his hips and struck it until sparks
ignited the shavings and a small fire bloomed in the grate. It
wasn’t long before he had a good size blaze going, giving off a
cheery heat.
‘Thanks,’ said Haven
begrudgingly.
‘You are welcome,’ said Tallon
smiling, ‘glad I could help.’
They hunched around the fire
holding their hands out to the warmth. Tallon was on watch.
‘I’m so hungry,’ moaned
Haven.
‘Belly again,’ laughed
Gilster.
‘Oh my god, do you EVER stop
thinking about food,’ Max smiled.
‘Like I said before,’ grinned
Haven, ‘I’m a big man and it takes a lot of fuel to keep me
going.’
Elkeira smiled too, ‘I noticed
he loves his food when we were in Naturine.’
Still laughing, Max continued,
‘it’s just he never stops thinking about food no matter what the
situation might be. He’s terrible, it’s like having a baby around.’
She stopped, suddenly realising what she had just said. The
atmosphere became sombre, all the fun had gone out of it. ‘I’m
going to sleep,’ she said, her face ashen. She left the room. Haven
followed.
‘I am sorry,’ said Elkeira
sadly, ‘I didn’t mean to make her think of Ti Athra.’
‘You are not to blame,’ said
Gilster kindly, ‘it will take some time for her to come to terms
with leaving her baby behind.’
Tallon looked on, saying
nothing, his heart breaking for Max, knowing he could not go to her
and offer comfort.
‘Max . . . Max, come here,’
said Haven softly holding out his arms to her. She buried her face
in his broad chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
‘It hurts Haven,’ she said, her
voice muffled, ‘I miss my baby so much.’
‘We’ll find her I promise, when
this is over you and I will return to Naturine and find her.’
‘She won’t remember us,’ sobbed
Max.
‘Yes she will, of course she
will, we’re her parents,’ he said softly stroking her hair, trying
to calm her down. He pulled her gently away so he could look into
her tear filled eyes. ‘I promise you,’ he said solemnly, ‘I will
find her or die trying. But for now we must think only of finishing
what we started. We must find Daria and the next Chosen, nothing
else must be in our thoughts if we are to succeed.’ He pulled her
close again.
‘I understand,’ she sobbed. He
held her tightly.
‘I love you Max, more than life
itself,’ he whispered, kissing the top of her head. When she didn’t
reply in kind, he was hurt, but he chose to be silent, not wishing
to push her into saying something he desperately wanted to hear.
‘Now, let’s try and get some sleep.’ He sat down, his back against
the wall. Pulling Max down with him he wrapped her in her cloak and
then held her tightly until many hours later Gilster came to tell
him it was his turn for watch.
Morning arrived with a drab,
grey wateriness, inspiring nothing but melancholia. The night had
been mainly silent, except for a few distant screams heard on
Tallon’s watch which he chose not to mention. Everyone was awake,
including Max who had come to a decision in the darkness of the
night; from now on she would not be a helpless woman, she would
show no fear, she would cry no more, and when it was over she would
find her child and go home.
‘Ok,’ she said, striding out
from the back room, tightening the leather thong holding the dagger
to her thigh. ‘I think it’s about time we found Daria, don’t you?’
She walked out the front door.
The others looked at each
other, not quite sure what to make of this sudden new found
confidence in Max. They rose as one, gathered together their few
meagre belongings and followed her out into the watery morning
light.
As they walked down the street,
Tallon spoke, ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said, addressing no one in
particular, ‘what we’ve been doing is not working, it could take
days before Haven hears anything of use, we need to try a different
approach, we need to be more proactive. I think we should find
someone from this world and make them answer our questions.’
‘Well that at least sounds
better than wandering around aimlessly wasting another day,’ said
Haven grudgingly.
‘It’s settled then, the next
person we see, we grab,’ said Tallon, pleased his suggestion had
been accepted.
‘Grab wouldn’t exactly be the
term I would use,’ said Gilster diplomatically. ‘We could try just
asking them if they know anything that may help us.’
The chance came sooner than
expected when they turned the next corner. A small group of people
were standing around a fire burning brightly in a forty four gallon
drum, hands held out to the flames, seeking warmth. The group
consisted of a woman about thirty, although it was hard to tell her
age through all the dirt and grime, a man who may or may not be her
husband, two small children and a much older man, judging by the
way he stooped.
They didn’t immediately see the
outsiders advancing towards them but when they did finally notice,
they took off like rabbits released from a trap, scattering in all
directions. Tallon sprinted after them, easily catching the old
man. He held on to him tightly by his ragged clothing until the
others caught up.
‘We have some questions for you
old man,’ said Tallon shaking him roughly.
‘Gently,’ said Gilster, ‘we
don’t want to frighten the poor man. Can you help us,’ he asked the
old man, ‘we are looking for a friend who has been taken by Anubis
and is probably being held prisoner. Would you know where that
might be?’ he finished courteously.
‘No I don’t,’ spat the old man,
‘and I wouldn’t tell you if I did, Benitoff would have my head for
speaking to strangers without his consent.’
‘Who is Benitoff,’ asked
Gilster, ‘can we speak with him?’
The old man was silent, his
lips a thin grim line across his face.
‘This is ridiculous,’ said Max
angrily, ‘we don’t have time to waste being nice, people’s lives
are at risk.’ Before anyone knew what was happening, she pulled
Tallon’s dagger from its sheath on her thigh and held it to the old
man’s throat.
‘Tell us what we want to know
old man and I may let you live, if not I’ll slit your throat and be
done with it. We can always find someone who prefers life over
death, even in this miserable place.’
The others were shocked, never
having seen this aggressive side of Max before. Tallon, still
holding the old man, smiled grimly.
‘I always knew you had it in
you,’ he said so quietly only Max heard him. She pushed the point
harder against the old man’s skin, drawing blood. The grim
determination in the old man’s eyes was replaced by fear; knowing
this woman would kill him if he didn’t speak soon, he decided on a
different tack, perhaps giving him time to escape.
‘I could take you to Benitoff,’
he said slyly, ‘he should be able to answer all your
questions.’
‘It’s a trap,’ said Elkeira,
reading the old man’s face like a book.
Haven whispered in Max’s ear,
‘Elkeira is right, it is a trap, I can read his thoughts, he means
to turn us over to this . . . Benitoff.’
‘We need to speak with this
Benitoff regardless,’ said Max whispering back, ‘we have questions
and it sounds like he’s the man with the answers.’
‘But . . . ,’ began Haven. Max
cut him off.
‘All right, we will go with you
to see Benitoff,’ she said, ‘but Tallon will tie your hands and my
dagger will be at your back, one hint of treachery and you’re a
dead man.’
‘Ha,’ said Tallon, enjoying
this new side to Max, ‘I love a woman who takes charge, lead on
Maxine, I will follow you to death’s door and beyond.’
Haven didn’t like this new turn
of events, where had his soft, gentle, Max gone and who was this
feisty “warrior woman” who had replaced her.
‘Are you sure you want to go
with this man?’ he asked, wincing at the uncertainty in his own
voice.
‘We have to start somewhere
don’t we?’ said Max, ‘Benitoff seems as good as any.’
They walked for what seemed
like hours, criss-crossing rubble strewn roads, in and out of
ruined buildings until Max grew impatient.
‘If you think to trick us old
man, I will kill you, like I said before, we can always find
someone else who knows Benitoff.’
‘Not much further,’ said the
old man, ‘I’ve been taking the long way round to keep us
safe.’
‘Yeah, a likely story,’ snorted
Elkeira.
‘If we’re not there within the
next half hour . . .,’ said Max trailing off, wanting the old man
to think the worst.
‘We’re almost there,’ shrieked
the old man, ‘don’t kill me now when we’re so close.’ They walked
on for fifteen more minutes, heading out of the city into the
surrounding woodland.
‘I don’t like this,’ whispered
Haven to Gilster, ‘I think he’s leading us into an ambush, be ready
for anything.’ Gilster nodded.
As the trees closed in around
them they heard a soft whistling sound.
‘They’re signalling our
arrival,’ whispered Haven, ‘be ready to fight.’
He drew his sword. Max had
heard the whistles too and knew what it meant, but she wasn’t ready
to give up just yet, her grip tightened on the dagger.
Two men walked casually out
from behind some tall bushes about forty feet in front, blocking
the path ahead. They looked for all the world like they were out
for an afternoon stroll. Both were dressed in leather coats studded
with metal spikes, the sleeves had been hacked off. Their bald
heads were tattooed with strange symbols. They looked unarmed but
Haven knew this was probably not true; they had weapons on them
somewhere.
‘Well, well, what do we have
here, what have you brought us now Dorn?’
The man who spoke leaned
casually against a tree, his arms crossed in front of him.
‘Be careful Max,’ came a
thought from Haven. The man looked towards Haven but said
nothing.
‘We have come here because we
wish to speak with Benitoff, we’ve been told he is the man to
answer our questions,’ said Max, the authority in her voice
unmistakable.
‘You have a woman leader . . .
interesting. Well . . . leader,’ said the man, his voice dripping
with sarcasm, ‘I am Fisher and this is Thomas,’ he waved a languid
hand in the direction of the second man, ‘and nobody sees Benitoff
without first convincing us.’
Tallon nocked an arrow. ‘Will
this convince you?’ He said, pointing the arrow at Fisher’s
chest.
‘Ah, the headstrong one,
there’s always a headstrong one isn’t there,’ said Fisher smiling
and looking back over his shoulder at Thomas. Thomas nodded. ‘I
suggest you put down your bow warrior before someone gets hurt, and
by the amount of arrows pointing at your group it won’t be
me.’
They looked around, suddenly
noticing people sitting in the surrounding trees all with arrows
pointing in their direction.
‘Can we please stop all this
macho posturing,’ said Max, pushing Tallon’s bow down so the arrow
pointed towards the ground.
‘Ah, the leader speaks,’ said
Fisher goadingly. Max decided tact would be better than aggression
at this time and chose not to rise to Fisher’s bait. She
continued.
‘We have a friend who was
abducted by Anubis and we mean to rescue her, all we need to know
is where she is being held.’
Fisher’s eyes widened slightly
at the mention of Anubis. ‘So,’ he said, ‘you are no friend to
Anubis.’
‘Don’t say too much Max,’
thought Haven, ‘we don’t know which side these people are on
yet.’
‘Strangely enough, it seems we
are on the same side,’ said Fisher addressing Haven.
Haven’s jaw dropped. ‘You’re a
telepath?’
‘It seems my secret is out,’
laughed Fisher, ‘yes I am a telepath, but there are very few of us
left after the Purge.’
‘Purge?’ said Max.
He waved his hand dismissively.
‘When we have more time perhaps I will tell you. Now, who is this
missing friend of yours and why are you so desperate to find
her?’
‘Stop playing games,’ shouted
Elkeira impatiently, ‘if you’re a telepath you already know who we
are, we are the Chosen.’
‘Elkeira no,’ shouted Tallon,
but it was too late the word had already left her lips.
There were sharp intakes of
breath, Fisher became more alert, unfolding his arms and taking a
step forward.
‘What, you didn’t know,’ said
Elkeira, ‘I thought you said you were a telepath.’
‘I have my, shall we say . . .
limits,’ said Fisher.
‘And what are they?’ continued
Elkeira.
‘Impudent child,’ spat Fisher,
his eyes blazing.
Elkeira was equally as angry,
‘I am no . . . ,’ Tallon placed a settling hand on her shoulder.
Gilster who had remained silent up until now stepped forward.
‘Good afternoon sir, my name is
Gilster.’
‘And which one of the group are
you,’ said Fisher, his sarcasm returning.
‘I’m the well mannered one,’
smiled Gilster.
Fisher laughed. ‘Well said
sir.’
Gilster decided to push ahead.
‘If it is at all possible, would we be able to speak with Benitoff?
We are desperate to find our friend and continue our journey. Time
is of the essence.’
‘A gentleman, at last; we are
not all uncivilized rabble here you know, because you have asked so
eloquently, I will take you to Benitoff.’
Haven patted Gilster on the
back. ‘Well done Gil,’ he said smiling, ‘you did it.’
‘Follow me,’ said Fisher, ‘I
think Benitoff will find what you have to say very interesting and
I’m sure he will be able to answer any questions you might
have.’
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