First Comes The One Who Wanders (60 page)

"You seem to have this all worked out. Have you told anyone else this plan, like Brenth, or Adrian, or the masters of the Schools of Sky and Sea?"

"It's not my plan, Joshuas. As I said before, I'm but the messenger. It's my understanding that Brenth and Duke Cheran will be made aware of what is happening in Barat."

"Sorry," Joshuas apologized. "In all the years we discussed the prophecies and looked into the mists, what is happening never appeared. I'm struggling to make any of this fit the prophecies."

"Greyan told only one part of the future. But it will become clear in time," replied Cephom. "Don’t lose faith, my friend."

"I’m afraid it will get worse, before the end," added Daina. "Sometimes being Menas has its drawbacks."

Joshuas managed a tired smile. "I was beginning to get the idea it might get worse." He rose and collected the dishes. "Time to get going, I think. I have a long journey ahead of me." The others rose and began to break camp, while Joshuas cleaned the dishes and packed them away.

They were on their way quickly, following the main road through the mountains. Joshuas let Cephom and Daina talk as he thought about everything that the messenger had told him. It made sense that Cephom had been sent by the masters of the schools, more sense than what he'd been thinking, that he was some kind of emissary of the Creator. The Creator had been quiet for such a long time people had forgotten there was a time when he spoke directly to them.

He thought about the book of prophecy he’d carried so faithfully all these years. Where were the warnings about the balance being undone and the world being overrun by evil? They’d already determined that Leilas wasn’t supposed to keep the powers in balance, but that she held a part of each of them inside her, as did the Champion. Leilas had hinted that she had more of a role to play in this battle for Preterlandis. But what was it? The prophecy didn’t talk about that quest at all. Joshuas clenched his jaw in frustration. What he knew was that he didn’t know anything and everything he’d thought he’d known was wrong. The one thing he was certain was true was that he wasn’t alone in his ignorance. He’d spent too many years discussing all of this with the masters of Sky to believe they had any better insight into the truth. He smiled grimly. So, they dug in, found some way to deal with an overwhelming enemy and took another look at the prophecies and what they might mean.

Cephom and Daina were still deep in conversation when Joshuas checked on them. But Daina was correct. These mountains were a protection in themselves. While in the depths of the mountains dark creatures lived, worked and played, above, on the tops of the peaks, light and goodness prevailed. The mountains were a good deterrent to evil creatures. While they were in these peaks, they were relatively safe, give or take a few orcs or dark elves who dared the magic to track their prey.

Following the others, he let his thoughts drift to Leilas. Had she deciphered Greyan’s words? Did she know what they really meant? Or had she become entangled in some plan that she’d learned about in the Crystal Caves? Was she letting Preterlandis flounder while she chased lies? Anxiety welled up inside him at the thought.

"So little faith in the one you profess to love," said Cephom, falling back to walk with Joshuas. "Why is that?"

Joshuas was startled that Cephom seemed to be reading his thoughts. Quickly, he fortified the shield around his mind. Cephom smiled, but said nothing.

"She is very young and so innocent," replied Joshuas. "I confess I wonder if she's ready for whatever task will be asked of her."

"She won't be asked for more than she's able to give," replied Cephom.

"And how do you know that, messenger? Has the Creator spoken to you personally and told you this? Or are you simply telling me what you think I want to hear?"

Cephom didn’t answer Joshuas’ angry outburst. Instead, he walked silently next to him. Joshuas was ashamed of his outburst, but he didn’t apologize. He walked in silence, as well.

After a long silence, Cephom spoke. "The Echoes are a dangerous place for an unsettled mind. The tortured souls that are trapped there prey on emotion."

"I know that," replied Joshuas, brusquely. "But surely I wouldn’t be asked to do more than I am capable of doing, either. Isn’t that so?"

"Sometimes we let our emotions overrun our good sense," replied Cephom. "That could be dangerous in the Echoes."

"I don’t let my emotions get in the way of my judgments," replied Joshuas.

"Not for a very long time, now," agreed Cephom. "But you should be careful you don’t let the regrets get in the way, either."

"What’s that supposed to mean, Cephom? It sounds like a bunch of nonsense." Joshuas had a good idea what Cephom was trying to say. He just wasn’t going to admit it to him.

"I hope it's nonsense, my friend." Cephom fell silent. Daina looked at them in puzzlement. She wasn’t sure what they’d disagreed about, but the atmosphere surrounding them had changed. Joshuas looked straight ahead and kept walking. Cephom returned to his position by Daina’s side.

Joshuas had made his choice a long time ago to serve Jovan, to practice the light magic. There was no question where his allegiance lay, but what had his choices in the past gained him? A dead master, a dead son, thirty years of hatred from the woman who'd loved his son. Leilas had left, believing he didn’t care.

He'd watched many of his friends and fellow crafters die in a war he’d believed would destroy Preterlandis. He’d watched his master give Preterlandis into the care of the humans and shackle the crafters with a treaty that made them impotent. He’d spent years drifting, missing his son, judging his teacher and trying to understand the prophecies that he’d written.

Don’t let the regrets get in the way, he thought. His life had been a regret. And here he was, in the middle of another war. He’d just watched eleven of his friends die, just another regret he would have to add to his pile. They'd all agreed to the plan, but it had been his plan and his decision to use it. He brought his water skin up to his lips and took a drink. He was tired of thinking about such things. He wouldn’t mind at all if his water skin were filled with beer. But then, he might keep on drinking until these thoughts went away. He regretted the time he’d wasted in that pursuit, as well. Trying to keep up with the nimble Cephom, he tried to deal with the emotions his thoughts had stirred inside him.

They didn’t stop to eat since they had no food. Cephom stopped to rest whenever Daina looked as if she were tiring. Now that he’d delivered his messages, Cephom seemed intent on getting back to Barat as quickly as possible. Joshuas wondered if the situation was more desperate than he’d led them to believe. He also had to wonder why, if Barat was such a lynch pin to their plan, they were leaving it to two hundred and fifty men to protect? Were the Jovanulum so few that they had no one left to send?

"We should stop here for the night and find some food," said Cephom, dropping his pack in an acceptable campsite. It looked as though others had used it as a campsite in the recent past. That made the spot either a safe refuge people in these mountains used or a known campsite that could invite danger. Joshuas smiled to himself as he shrugged off his pack. It must be the perfect place. The pros and cons cancelled themselves out.

"There is a stronghold nearby," suggested Daina. "We could replenish our supplies there."

Cephom hesitated before answering. "I would prefer that only a few people know that Joshuas is still alive. There are those out there who'll be looking for him. Also, we need to reach Barat as soon as possible. I fear I've been gone too long as it is. Even with my help, over half the men have fallen prey to the gaunts’ influence."

Joshuas wondered again at how easily everyone bowed to Cephom’s wishes and at how easily he took command. Especially for someone they’d never seen or heard of before now. Still, he accepted Cephom’s wishes and went in search of food while Daina and Cephom set up camp and went for wood and water. He wasn’t sure why it would matter if anyone here knew he was still alive, but perhaps Cephom had a better understanding. Taking bow in hand, Joshuas made quick work of felling three hares and six birds. It wasn’t until he was on his way back to the campsite that he began to suspect someone was watching him. Reaching his thoughts out carefully, he felt for anyone who might be there, but there didn’t seem to be anyone. He tried to shake off the feeling, but it didn’t go away. In fact, it had grown stronger after he used his power.

Whoever was watching, he didn’t want to lead them back to Daina and Cephom. Switching directions, he began walking slowly away from the campsite. While he walked, he let his thoughts find the power and follow it. The watcher seemed to be in Dirth, but not from the school. Someone else in Dirth was using the mists to study him. So much for keeping alive the myth he was out of commission.

When he saw Jayram’s eyes, he broke the power trail off with a curse. Running as fast as he dared over the uneven terrain, he headed for the campsite. They wouldn’t be safe there. Jayram would be sending some of his men to find him. Joshuas had been so caught up in what he might encounter in the Echoes he’d failed to realize all the implications of his actions in Kyris. There were many people in Solea who would now be actively seeking to kill him. Jayram, and whoever he was aligned with these days, was only one. But he was a very powerful and dangerous foe.

Cephom and Daina had swords drawn, pointed in his direction when he crashed through the trees into the clearing.

"How many are there," asked Daina, preparing for battle.

"None, right this minute. There will be something after us very soon."

Daina lowered her sword. "What are you talking about, Joshuas? And why scare us like that, if no one is after you?"

"Jayram found me in the mists. It's only a matter of time before he sends his shape shifters to deal with us. I doubt he’ll underestimate our abilities this time. We need to get as far away from here as we can."

"Then what?" asked Daina. "They didn’t have any trouble tracking us the last time."

"We split up," said Joshuas. "They are after me, not you. But if they discover you, while looking for me, I doubt they'll let you go."

Cephom was already breaking camp. Daina shook her head in frustration and began to help. Joshuas handed most of the food over to them, picked up his pack and water skin, then gave Daina a hug. He waited until Cephom and Daina disappeared from sight, heading west, then he headed north at a trot. He didn’t stop until morning. If someone or something was after him, he couldn’t tell. But he needed food and rest. Skinning the rabbit he’d kept for himself, he wrapped it in leaves and buried it with some rocks he'd heated with the aid of magic. If someone was out there, he wanted them following him, not Cephom and Daina. He hadn’t been overly careful in covering his tracks. Using magic was just one more enticement for them to come this way. Eating quickly, he started on his way again.

By the third day, he was almost convinced that Jayram hadn’t sent anyone to find him. Perhaps he’d just accidentally picked up on Joshuas while he was looking in the mists. Jayram hadn’t considered Joshuas much of a threat before. Perhaps he hadn’t changed his mind. Breathing a little easier, Joshuas headed through the forest toward Dirth. He avoided the heavily patrolled roads. Dirth was two weeks away, even in the best conditions. He had to wonder how Barat was going to survive for as long as it would take him to get to Dirth, find the arrows and return. Even with Cephom and Daina’s help, two hundred and fifty men standing against the Dredracians was not an encouraging scene, unless the dark masters were content to wait.

What were they waiting for? Joshuas asked himself as he walked, carefully skirting an outpost of road guards. Thousands surrounded Dirth, Andresia, Reyoro Dell, and Barat. They patrolled Menas and Montshade. They would have been in Kyris, but he’d taken care of them there, he thought with satisfaction.

He didn’t have an answer to his question. They could easily overrun all the Jovanulum left in Solea. Other than the resistance fighters, they were few enough. Joshuas wished he had some clue as to what plan they were following.

The days passed, each the same, moving through the forest, scavenging for food and resting. The closer he came to Reyoro Dell, the more forces he had to avoid. It was clear he was in enemy territory. The difference between traveling here and in Crogmanland was the magic. The magic here was still pure, no matter how many Dredracians were occupying the land. That much never changed. It was always the crafters and the people who changed.

"Who goes there?" a rough voice called out and Joshuas heard crawling through the underbrush. Glancing around, he looked for his best escape and ran quietly and quickly in that direction. The crashing continued to follow. Joshuas was surprised. Usually, these guards were easily outmaneuvered and easily discouraged.

Finding a good spot to hide, he drew his sword and waited for his pursuers to find him. "Are you sure it was a crafter?" he heard a voice ask in the orcish tongue.

"Had a cloak, with silver at the neck. Crafter, healer, they're all the same," replied a deep, orcish voice.

"All this light power," said the crafter in disgust. "It makes it hard to track these light crafters. I can feel a power somewhere nearby. But I’m not sure it's a crafter."

"Masters said look for a crafter coming this way," said the orc.

"You did the right thing to tell," said the crafter. "But I think we were mistaken this time." The two searchers moved off in the direction of the road. Joshuas couldn’t believe his luck. A crafter almost on top of him and yet he’d escaped undetected. There wasn’t any other power nearby that he could feel. He stayed hidden as he listened to the men retreat. Was this a trick? Was the dark crafter trying to lure him out into the open? Or worse, was he trying to make him believe they couldn’t discover where he was and make him careless?