Midnight Quest (11 page)

“It is indeed. You have a question you want to ask me?”

When we find the crystal, how should we move it? I remember a story of a high priestess far in the past that had cause to move one of the crystals. She apparently did it on her own, but I’m not sure if that is an accurate account.

“Oh, the story is true enough. Do not worry, Jewel. When the time comes for you to move it, you shall be able to.”

That answered her question, and yet…didn’t. Hmm. Jewel frowned and tried rephrasing.
That is very reassuring, but how?

“Don’t worry,”
Elahandra repeated, voice rich with unvoiced laughter. “
When you find it, you will be able to move it.”

Obviously her goddess wasn’t in the mood to explain anything. Occasionally, Elahandra did things like this—gave her tasks that required she take a certain amount on faith. Her guardians wouldn’t be pleased by this vague reassurance, but Jewel had no doubt that Elahandra would be true to her word. When they found the crystal, Jewel would be able to move it. It might take that hundred mules, but they’d be able to.

I understand.

“
Sleep well, Jewel.”

Chapter Seven

They could no go directly out of the city, of course. As Jewel had warned them afore, they had to make a formal visit to the temple of the clan’s god and the Temple of Elahandra afore she could work any. They had already more-or-less spoken to Juven, so that temple they could skip. But the Temple of Elahandra still needed to be seen to, so after breakfast they went directly to the second hill of Denzbane, where the temple lay.

Jewel had known on an intellectual level that each Temple of Elahandra in the different clans would, of course, vary from the one in Thornock. After all, the priestesses and guards for each temple came from that individual clan. Not all of them were run by Jordians, despite the fact that Elahandra was in charge of that clan.

But apparently knowing things on an intellectual level and experiencing the difference in reality were two different things. Rialt kept an eye on her as they walked in, and he could tell when the first sounds of training reached her ears, as her eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown. Training itself was expected, but with the grunts and shouts of male voices, feminine tones were mixed in. No other Order had priestesses fight.

“Rialt. Are…are the priestesses training too?”

“Eh, lass,” he answered simply and waited for her reaction.

For a long moment Jewel’s expression flickered between confusion and disbelief, but she nodded, as if she should have expected such a thing, and kept walking forward.

Amused, he focused back on guiding her up the worn steps. He had no idea what it was like in other clans, but in Ramath, Elahandra was liked and her Order respected. Herself was the only one at all who had ever acted to protect Ramath. Many a man and woman came here to offer a prayer or two of thanks and hopes for the barrier to be restored again.

The compound for the temple was no a large one. Built with grey stone and rough timbers, it had stood as long as living memory could tell, as the cracks in the mortar could attest. This temple had only two priestesses and a handful of guards, so barely half of the building’s space was used by them. The other half of it housed the few orphans that were no taken in by cennan adoption, for one reason or the other.

Rialt took two ground-eating strides forward and pushed open a door that barely made any sound as it opened. The sounds from afore abruptly became louder and crisper, no longer just vibrating against the walls. He stopped barely a foot inside and looked around cautiously. The yard was no so big that six people could train without running into innocent bystanders. He did no want an accidental swing hitting his lass. But his fears were unfounded, as everyone had left a clear space around the door.

As soon as she stepped inside, the temple priestess called out, “Stop!”

All training abruptly ceased.

Rialt watched silently as she made quick tracks to them. Ella had no changed much since he had last laid eyes on her. Still with that fuzzy black hair that no braid could tame, with a man’s leathers on and a rough-hewn shirt stretched tight over a muscled torso that any man would envy. He and she had been playmates as children, and looking back on it, it was a miracle he had survived his childhood with
her
as a friend.

He could see the surprise in Ella’s dark eyes as she took in the dainty woman standing in front of her. No doubt she had heard some version or another of their arrival, but whatever she had heard, it had no been much on details. Afore she could begin spluttering, Rialt decided he had best do the introductions. “Ella, be you known to Jewel Jomadd, Guardian of the Barrier and High Priestess of Thornock. Jewel, this be Ella Crossbear, Priestess of Elahandra and the mistress of this temple.”

Jewel gave that blinding smile of hers and stuck out a hand in greeting. “I’m glad to meet you, sister.”

“Eh, likewise,” Ella managed while gently grasping that small hand. Her eyes darted to Rialt, as if she half-thought he was putting her on, but then she really looked at Jewel and a genuine smile stole over her face. “It glad we be that you came to see us,” she continued more naturally and at her general ear-splitting volume. “Oi, you lot! Come meet her!”

Obviously curious, the rest of them all put down their weapons and came forward, crowding around to shake hands and introduce themselves. Rialt put a supportive hand behind Jewel’s back (as she looked a bit overwhelmed) and silently stared down the more enthusiastic of them.

When they had more or less subsided, Ella shooed them away and came around to grasp Jewel’s hand. “Let us head inside, eh? We can have a chat inside over a hot cup.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Jewel admitted. “There’re a few things I need to talk to you about, aside from just the formal visit.”

“Eh, to be expected,” Ella agreed amiably as she towed Jewel along behind her across the yard. “I have a few things to ask
you
as well.”

Rialt trailed along with Sarvell in the women’s wake, taking things in casually as he moved. Someone had re-varnished the wooden floors since he had left (they had direly needed it) but aside from that, the interior had no undergone any major changes. The place still had that semi-cluttered look to it that any house with children does. Rialt had half a notion to tell Ella to mind Jewel’s feet, but with the way she casually kicked toys aside, it was no necessary.

Fortunately, they did no move far inside, but to a kitchen area with a long table. Jewel sat at the head, where Ella directed her, and stayed still while the other woman put a kettle of water on to boil with the easy familiarity of long practice. Rialt and Sarvell took chairs along one side. Rialt cast a sidelong glance at the other man as they settled themselves. Sarvell had his ears open and his mouth firmly shut, which was a wise thing to do in the presence of two women that had business to discuss.

They did no say a word to each other until Ella came back to the table and swung herself into a chair. “Well, Guardian of the Barrier,” she started with a no-nonsense tone. “What about Ramath?”

As cryptic as the question stood, Jewel apparently understood it, as she ratted out a reply. “I’m here to put all of the crystals back in their proper places,” she answered steadily. “The crystal in Thornock cannot keep going as it has.”

Ella’s eyes swept closed in a gesture of utmost relief. “Praise the goddess. I did no see how we could survive another winter like this last. What can we do to help?”

Jewel turned slightly in her seat and pointed a finger due northeast. “I can feel the crystal lying in that direction. It’s not far, or at least, I don’t think it is. Rialt tells me that there is only forest in that direction.”

“Eh,” Ella agreed with a troubled frown. “For miles and miles.”

“Then it’s likely covered in plants,” Jewel sighed. “Plants are
very
attracted to the clean energy that the crystal emits. At the very least, I think it will take a lot of chopping to clear a path through the trees. What I need, what
you
need, is several dozen volunteers to clear a path so we can drag that crystal back up here to Denzbane.”

The Ramath had never been afraid of work. Ella smiled at the challenge and clapped a hand against Jewel’s shoulder, nearly knocking her over. “I will organize them myself!” she declared. “What else?”

“Let’s tackle one problem at a time,” Jewel cautioned, wincing a little through her smile. “I want to take a trip down the hill today to find the crystal. We can plan from there.”

“Well enough. I will put the word out while you’re doing so.” The tea kettle started whistling. As Ella rose to go fetch it, she continued, “But afore you go, we will have a cup. And you can tell me the whole story of how you came to be rescued by a hairy Ramathan and a smooth-talking Brynian.”

~*~*~*~

Jewel breathed a sigh of relief when they passed through the last city gate. After finishing their discussion with Ella, the three of them had headed down the hill to hunt for the crystal.  But everyone nearby had come over to greet them, ask about their plans, offer them breakfast, etc. When they’d crossed the bridge to the next section of the town, people that hadn’t met her the night before had taken advantage of her proximity. It had taken Rialt’s bluntness to carve a path through the curious crowd.

The sun blazed directly overhead. Jewel lifted her face to it, brow furrowed in dismay. Had it really taken three hours to just get out of the city?

Corbeird, the god of misfortune,
must
be smiling at them.

“Rialt,” she pleaded, rubbing at her temples with two fingers, “please tell me it won’t be like that every day?”

“Belike they be satisfied now, as they have met you.” This would have been vastly reassuring if he didn’t add darkly, “If need be, I will bring a cudgel tomorrow.”

Lovely. Her arm through Sarvell’s for guidance, they continued down the hill.

The stone path under her feet could
not
be described as uniform. Parts of it were completely smooth but occasional steps were added in for the steeper parts. Sometimes there were several steps in a row, sometimes only a single step and a long platform, all of it completely unpredictable. If not for Sarvell’s calm instructions and steadying hand, she would have surely tripped over an unexpected step and tumbled down the hill twenty feet from the gate.

Now their worry of the night before made more sense. If she had wandered out past the yard, would she have encountered such nonsensical stairs such as these? What dangers had they seen that she had yet to encounter?

On the straight parts, she absorbed as much information as her senses could tell her. They must be passing some of the incline farms that Rialt had described—the smell of rich soil and a variety of plants warmed by the sun drifted to her nostrils. With it came the sounds of shovels or hoes striking the dirt in a rhythmic
crunch
. Surely it might be a bit early to do planting? She didn’t know much about gardening, but this early in the year, weren’t they worried still about pre-spring frosts?

Judging from the sounds and smells, perhaps not. Or perhaps these plants were the early crops that could handle frosts and cold.

“The bottom,” Sarvell announced in satisfaction. “Rest easy, Jewel. The rest of the path is a bit winding, but smooth.”

“Gods be thanked,” she muttered with a huff of relief. “Alright, we need to go that way.” She pointed ahead and slightly to the left of where they stood.

“Straight into yon woods,” Rialt groaned. “Oh, I do no be looking forward to this.”

“It will be fine,” she assured him. Her words didn’t have much of an impact, as she had told both men what Elahandra said over breakfast. Not getting a response, she shrugged and started walking in the right direction.

With every step, the crystal became more distinct to her senses. The children had asked her to describe it to them last night, and she had struggled to explain it. To her it felt like a lodestone that sat there, waiting. The weight of it was massive, the potential to harness spiritual energy incredible, and the feel of it as solid as a mountain. This one had no power left to it, just the residual memory that it had once held a tremendous amount of energy within its core. With its drained state, Jewel marveled that she could feel it at all from the distance she had. But the depleted feel of the crystal worried her. History said that the crystals had all been removed at more or less the same time. If this one held such little power, the others surely fared no better.

Before, each crystal had its own high priestess. When it came time to recharge the crystals, the priestesses would link with each other across great distances to do so. But now Jewel was alone. Could she charge and control
all five
crystals by herself? It seemed an impossible task.

“Jewel, wait.” Sarvell halted in mid-step, pulling her to a stop as well. “That’s a very thick, primeval forest. The undergrowth in there is not a laughing matter. Even with me guiding you, I think you’ll be constantly tripping. Why don’t you ride on my back instead?”

Well, that did seem the more sensible approach, judging from his description. “Alright.” She felt his arm slide against her fingers as he squatted down. By feel, she found his shoulders and put her arms loosely around his neck. His arms in turn wrapped around and under her legs. With a slight heave to settle her properly around his waist, he stood again.

“Still straight ahead?”

“A bit to the left,” she corrected.

“You two look a mite familiar,” Rialt observed. His voice had a lilt of curiosity to it.

“Well, how do you think he got me down that cliff face at Belthain?” Jewel asked him in amusement.

“Cherchez’s beard, man!” Rialt spluttered in amazement. “I know she be a wee slip of a thing, but to climb
that
with a squirming load on your back?”

“I didn’t squirm!”