The Elder's Path (16 page)

He stopped abruptly and turned to face Lyn. "That is why I always wear my armor. My purpose has become putting down the mad dog that is my brother, and I
shan’t be letting him get the best of me again. I have been training, wearing this armor like a second skin. I am faster, stronger, and no longer contain any mercy for him. When next I see him, I shall kill him."

The following morning, there was no breakfast in bed. Lyn made her bed and dressed. Siege was nowhe
re to be found; he was not the kitchen, not in the hall, not even outside in the stable. On a whim, she checked the connecting passageway door from the first night. It opened, revealing the second hall with the staircase. A door stood open at the base of the stair and to the side. Piqued, Lyn strode over to the door, much more confident now that the storm had mostly blown over and the sun came in through the huge windows. She quietly pushed the door open, peering into the room beyond. She immediately noticed the neat rows of books lining the walls, and the tables and desks were placed seemingly at random throughout the room. At the very back of the room, set against more wall length mirrors, was a particularly large desk with books and maps strewn all about it. At its head was Siege, studying intently.

Lyn looked around the room. It was smaller than she would have thought; in a manor of this size she somehow expected a library with books stacked to the ceiling, with ladders and stairs to get access to books
on any subject. But this room was modest, with book shelves that lined the walls but were not full to bursting. The desks and chairs showed wear from use and told a story of people in lives past that would come and recline in the peaceful place. It felt cozy and unassuming, and despite lacking the grandiose nature she had pictured it was still the most books she had ever seen in one place and she was delighted to see Seige making use of it. Something about him poring over the maps and tomes made him seem even more appealing. Lyn found her stomach rolling strangely. Cooking, cleaning, reading, fighting, was there something this man didn't do?

Siege looked up, finally noticing his guest. "Oh, Lyn. I did not see you there. Is it daylight already?"

Lyn shook her head in exasperation and walked over to the table her host was studying at. "It's daytime alright. What have you been doing here for so long?"

"The door the other night. It was open. I know I locked up this side of the house. Further, the door to my
parents’ room was open. It was him, he was here. I don't know when, or how exactly, but he was. It was a message; he is telling me that it is time." He spoke excitedly, motioning with his hands.

"What does that mean?" Lyn asked, nerves creeping in to her voi
ce. "It means," the blonde warrior said slowly, his eyes filled with something Lyn couldn't quite pinpoint, "that it is war."

--

Marcho's vague and cryptic tellings weighed heavily on Lyn's mind, but despite the dark implications of them Lyn wondered if spending more time with Siege was such a bad thing. She had her journey to continue, but by her logic the world as she knew it had existed for 700 years without her influence already, so it could wait a little while longer. A part of her scolded herself for using such childish logic to indulge a simple crush, yet more than the delight she found in Siege's company she did feel something...more; she felt as though she were at the right place, at the right time, and that leaving now would not avail her anything. With this in mind, she approached Siege and formally requested his hospitality for a while longer while she got her bearings and planned her next move. In hindsight, she winced at the obvious transparency of her appeal, but to her surprise Siege had not put up any resistance to the idea and though he was caught up in his maps for some time, she suspected he was somewhat relieved at her company.

Lyn did not wish to become involved in the family affair; she still wasn't sure what exactly was going on. But between Marcho and her Skyehart host she suspected she wasn't simply going to be able to walk away from the whole situation, not that she was sure that she wanted to if she could have. So she decided to spend the time she had training until whatever this was blew over and she could get back to her primary function once again. She missed the relative simplicity of the beginning of her journey; looking back now, her concern and moodiness at the outset were wholly overshadowed by actual issues and tribulations, and she wished that she could go back to her naive worries.

However, her doubts were soon burned away b
y the intensity of her training. Siege had agreed to train with her, to her great pleasure. It soon became evident that he was far ahead of her in terms of training and certainly strength, but he commended her abilities as they were and helped her to improve upon them. When they were not training, Lyn spent time in meditation with Alir, strengthening their bond. Her growth progressed quickly, which kindled a feeling of earnest in Lyn. Feeling refreshed to be stretching her muscles again, she found herself in the best shape of her life, and happy to be so. She had loved her time at Brightpeak, but she felt more productive at the Skyehart estate and ready for action. Though, once she started thinking about it, action involving a family feud more than likely ending in blood and an age-old demon who took over the bodies of men was not exactly what she had signed up for. She wondered if the World-Walkers before her had dealt with such strange issues. Perhaps this was simply part of humanity, Lyn thought. No matter what age one occupied, maybe humanity didn't really change. Maybe people dealt with the same issues and stresses and they only differed in presentation. Food for thought, surely.

In any case, Lyn had resigned herself to being part of the world for the time being, and that included experiencing, if not participating in, such affairs as she currently found herself embroiled in. She embraced her training,
and Siege shared her enthusiasm.

After a few weeks of continuing at the pace they had set, Seige brought surprising news to Lyn; she had received a letter. Lyn wondered who could have possibly sent her a letter at all, let alone how it found its way here
to the Skyehart estate. Lyn took the letter hesitantly from Siege and looked at the envelope. In ornate and flowery hand it read, "To dearest Lyn, from your dedicated admirer". Lyn's face split in to a grin as she recognized the ridiculous penmanship as Satora. Excitedly she tore open the envelope to peruse its contents. It was short, and basically read to the effect that he had heard she was enjoying Skyehart's hospitality, that he was glad she was safe, and that his business was concluded. He summed that they would surely meet again, and he looked forward to that day with "bated breath and beating heart." Lyn rolled her eyes, but she could practically hear Satora's voice as she read it and it brought a smile to her.

Lyn was learning very quickly the value
of such a small gesture; she was finding that the people and things that brought smiles to her face were the dearest of all, even if they were self-proclaimed dramatic bandits, or old traveling merchants with crazy beards, or even the simple feeling and familiarity of home. Love brought those smiles, and she had never known how capable of it she was.

Chapter 10

17
th
day, 12
th
lunar cycle, 700
th
age of Arc

"I must admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Skyehart estate. It fascinates me how much I had feared the Northern Province, and how at home I feel in it now. And I have found a love for snow I did not think I would. What beauty! It wraps the landscape in a shimmering coat that looks like shining jewels in the daylight. I say that now, writing in my room in this huge manor, but I know soon enough that I'll be miserably cold again; it appears Siege Skyehart has found his brother and intends to pursue him. News kept reaching us about disturbances and disappearances, and after poring over his maps, Siege has finally found a place to confront this Ren Skyehart. Marcho has insisted that I go along. He is convinced Ren has something to do with Umbra and is eager to end his hunt at long last. I can't say I blame him, but I am not looking forward to confronting either man or demon that has caused the distress they have to these two acquaintances of mine. I will be happy when this little adventure is said and done so that I may continue on my path as a Druid, though I have a sinking feeling that things simply won't be the same when it's over. I have to admit I am loathe to leave the company of the young lord Skyehart. I have found his company both beneficial and very enjoyable. While I can't say for sure he feels the same, he seems to be much more comfortable around me now than he did when we first met. Honestly I just wish I could travel with Zhiva and Satora and Siege and all my friends and never leave them, but that is not how the world works, and I must believe we'll meet again. We are preparing to leave on the morrow, I pray to Gods old and new that this journey will end well for my friends."

Siege
was good enough to allow Lyn to have the pick of his armory before they set out. As much as Lyn loved her bow, she had made it some time ago back in the forest. It was worn, the wood slightly warped and cracked from her journey, and the draw power needed to be higher to match use outside basic forest game. The Skyehart armory was not lacking in any equipment, and Lyn quickly found a supple dark wood bow that fit her needs perfectly. It was a bow meant for battle rather than hunting, but Lyn was aware of how to use it and make it work for her. She also had Siege sharpen her belt knife, though the knife Zhiva had passed to her required no maintenance other than a good oiling. Siege was in fact very impressed with the blade, claiming to have never seen its like. Lyn was pleased to receive the praise, even though the knife had been a gift. Siege himself had a sword that fit everything else about him; that is to say, it was huge. It stood nearly as tall as Lyn and was almost a hand span wide. Lyn's mouth went agape when she saw it, and Siege, blushing, said that it was the style his family had favored throughout their history. Lyn was just glad it wasn't her family legacy to carry on.

It turned out Siege had procured another horse for Lyn to make use of.

"I don't go anywhere without Stygian," Siege had said lovingly while brushing the horse down. He had gotten her a thankfully smaller horse, but one who seemed no less capable. It was a chestnut brown with a shaggy mane and seemed very well tempered, if a bit eager. "He is young," Siege said to her, "you'll need to get used to each other. I wish we'd had more time to make that happen here instead of on the road, but that is the nature of life."

Lyn had little experience prior with horses; there was little need for them with a people that never left their homes. Plus, horses usually didn't reside in the forest proper. Yet despite the lack of practicality, like many
young girls Lyn had always wanted a horse, and now she had one. Siege had insisted that the horse was her very own, that she could name him and train him as she saw fit. After some consideration, Lyn named him Argos.

"An apt name for a swift steed," Siege
agreed, and he proceeded to show her how to care for her horse and tack. Lyn let Alir out from the coop and he flew aloft, circling above them. Lyn and Siege mounted, their packs secured to their respective horses and their cloaks wrapped about them. Alir dropped from the sky and alighted on his regular perch at Lyn's shoulder. The travelers set off towards their first destination, which Siege had mentioned was the second and last city in the whole of the mountain range, simply called Range. The weather was holding nicely, and Siege did not predict another storm on their way to Range. By nightfall they were well away from Skyehart's home; the man certainly knew how to traverse the mountains. When Lyn commented on this, the young man explained that he had spent quite some time traveling around the area, and as he had grown older he had found himself spending more time outside his home than in.

Nighttime outdoors was difficult to re-adjust to, but Siege made it as comfortable as possible. Morning brought anot
her storm less day and progress continued. Silence dominated the trek the majority of the time, and Lyn had no objection; it was clear that like her, Siege was accustomed to traveling by himself and had no need to converse as he moved along. As much as Lyn had loved traveling with Yusef's caravan, they had made so much noise as they progressed that Lyn wondered how they hadn't brought the looming mountain down on top of themselves.

Unfortunately, their comfortably silent travel did not last much longer. Al
ir, with a cry and a violent beating of his wings, took to the air and flew ahead. Lyn winced, rubbing the back of her head where her companion's wings had slapped against her.

"What's the idea, Alir?" she said with annoyance. But the strange behavior did
not stop at Alir; soon Stygian and Argos began shifting and bridling. Argos began turning his head and grunting, while Stygian chomped with flared nostrils.

"Blood," Siege said quietly, patting his black mount on the neck. "He smells blood."

--

Alir circ
led above a campsite, keeping watch. Or at least, what remained of the campsite. By the time it was close enough for them to see, Argos had become nervous and was difficult to control. Siege sidled up alongside her and took the reins. He gently led them both near the outside of the encampment and dismounted. Stygian pranced but did not seem out of sorts.

"Why is your horse responding so drastically different than mine?"