Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) (33 page)

Ticca retold the stories from her dreams. Lebuin paid especially close attention to the description of her feelings while making the journal. When she was done he asked her questions which she couldn’t answer on the techniques used. “I’d love to experience that making myself. I might be able to learn those skills. This would be wonderful.”

Ticca handed him the boots. “Give them a try, if you dare.”

Taking the boots, Lebuin didn’t really have to think about it much. He pulled off his own boots and slid into Ticca’s. “You can wear my boots if you want. They are going to be too big, but they would keep your feet warmer.”

Ticca looked a little put off, but took his offered boots and slipped them on. With that they all drifted off to sleep.

- - -

Sun was streaming in the window and he sat there enjoying the feeling on his face. Sitting up, he noticed something was different, something was not right. This was someplace he did not know. Looking around, he realized he was alone, but there was laughter, like dozens of perfect small silver bells, ringing outside. Standing, he moved to the window and looked out on an amazing scene. Dozens of children were running around, screaming and laughing. Some of the children were astride small deer; others were just running around. They all moved with a speed and agility he found hard to believe. What was even odder was that they were playing a game of chase and tag with a creature the size of a horse that looked like a wolf. The wolf laughed and yelled, jumping around with great agility, running and using trees to bounce off of, trying to avoid the children. The wolf was speaking the language of the children, and even though Lebuin didn’t understand the exact words, it was obvious that the creature was playfully taunting them.

A presence was beside him; he looked and caught his breath. Next to him, smiling and looking out the window, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was dressed in a soft, fuzzy forest-green dress with long sleeves, which covered her from neck to toe. The dress hugged her form tightly from the neck to just below her hips, where it flared out into a wonderful skirt. The dress, while covering almost every inch of her body, still showed every curve of her perfect frame. It ended just above the ground, and peeking out were a pair of matching boots made of glossy leather, dyed a soft mossy green. Around her waist was a black leather belt, on which hung a small pouch and a much-used but well cared-for hunting knife.

“The children so love Duke, and he adores them.”

Looking out the window again, he replied, “So that is Duke; I never would have guessed he played with children.”

“Duke has many sides, as do we all, Lebuin.”

“You know me? How? Who are you? Where am I?”

“You know the answers to all that already.”

Nodding, he looked back at the woman. “You are Kliasa, this is a dream, and I suppose this is your home in Rea-Na-Rey?”

“Correct.”

“I thought these dreams were supposed to be from your point of view.”

“I will not let a man know my intimate thoughts. You come here out of curiosity, and a desire to know the making of my works. Ticca comes here for other reasons.”

“So this isn’t something you laid into the boots? Your mind is directing this? How can that be, you are dead.”

“No, I am between.”

Lebuin froze at that. “’Between’. Another entity told me I was ’between’.”

“Correct.”

“I sensed you there between; you were watching over us from the ethereal realm.”

“That is a reasonable explanation. Yes, I was there. I lent what aid I could to help your survival.”

“Why? What do you care?”

She looked at Lebuin with a mix of pain, longing, and secrecy. “I cannot answer that. There are limits to what I can tell you.”

“How can this be?”

“You know the answer to that, too.”

“The boots… you made them, they are connected to you, so you can use them as a conduit.”

“Correct.”

“So why haven’t we heard from dead mages before through their artifacts?”

“They did not remain between.”

“That isn’t an answer. Surely some of them were not yet ready to move on.”

“It is as much as I can say.”

“So this is between two states of being?”

“You desire to know my secrets?”

“Don’t avoid the question.”

“I am not; I have answered as much as I can. Do you desire to know my secrets?”

This was unlike anything Ticca had said, but it was real. He could smell the flowers, he could feel the sun, and the wind tickled his skin. “I do.”

“What price would you pay for them?”

“I can insure you shall be remembered.”

“I do not need this. I am loved, and once I pass from here I will have no use for anything else.”

Lebuin looked around. “We are between. Money has no meaning; you do not desire to be named. What can I offer?”

“I cannot affect things in your realm.”

Lebuin understood then that she was holding herself here but unable to cause change, or manifest in the physical world. “What would you ask me to do?”

She smiled, and it was like lightning. “You see, good. Three things I will ask of you: Get Ticca to wear my boots, always, until this is done. Protect Ditani as much as he protects you. Finally, do not hesitate to risk all, for all is at risk.”

Lebuin considered. “I can agree to the first two, but I do not understand your third request.”

“You will, you have only to promise me these three things and I shall teach you all my secrets. We have passed the point of the necessity of your ignorance.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You will come to know that too, in time. I am aware of more than I should be, because of this place and of how I can interact through my creations. I cannot say more for fear of ruining hope.”

“This is Rea-Na-Rey; you are a silver elf. Your secrets will be of little use to me.”

Kliasa laughed, and it was as beautiful music with ringing tones, high and wonderful. “You know the name! Yes, this is Rea-Na-Rey, and I was what you humans call an ‘elf lord’. I have hidden this from Ticca so she wouldn’t be frightened.” As Lebuin watched, Kliasa’s form thinned slightly, becoming more elegant as her skin shifted to light silver. “I promise you will be able to learn and use the skills and secrets I share.”

Looking out the window, he now saw the children were a mix of human and elf.

“Very well, I will do as you ask, provided what you say is true.”

She smiled at him, and he was joyful. “Lebuin, we are between, it is impossible to lie here. Come, sit there, and we shall begin.”

“How long will this take?”

“Time may pass differently here. I can give you as long as you need; I expect you will need at least a full year, perhaps more. Though it will seem like you have spent a year in study with me, only a single night will pass in your realm.”

Lebuin thought about it and then smiled. “This will be the best dream I have ever had.”

Kliasa motioned to him. “I picked this time because it was a wonderful one. We have three celebrations each year, and tonight’s is the first. You will get to meet and know Duke and Magus Vestul as I know them. My love has already left, so there is no fear of any of my feelings for him intruding on this time. I have finished his boots and he took them with him, although he still doesn’t wear them. There were a quiet few years after his departure that were full of happiness, which I can share with you.”

Cycles passed and Kliasa was true to her word. Lebuin did meet the large wolf and laughed at the stories he told. Duke loved the children and was always playing with them or telling stories. Duke also had a deep love of Kliasa and came around often, just to chat with her; during these times Lebuin would sit and listen, or wander around the city as directed by Kliasa. Finally Duke left to build a better tavern, he said, and he had an emotional farewell with Kliasa. The summer festival had the honored guest of Magus Vestul; Kliasa introduced them and he found he liked him deeply. Lebuin learned that Magus Vestul had had many interactions with the elves, and they loved him completely for his sacrifices for them. All three festivals had ritual requirements on which Kliasa drilled him until he knew them perfectly.

They spent every day together; Kliasa taught him the art of making her boots and journals. She also taught him how to trap and prepare the animals. He roamed the vast forest with her. He learned her trap routes as well as she knew them herself. She taught him to use the sword, knife, bow, and sling as well as any elf. They spent marks every day sparring with weapons. She also taught him to read and write in the ancient language of the elves…

She truly passed on to him all her secrets. The training was much faster than he expected. Kliasa explained that this was because they were between and the connection of thoughts was superior, and so he understood what she was teaching better and faster than if they had done this in the physical realm. Kliasa also warned that although his mind knew all the skills, his body was without proper training, and he would injure himself should he push too far, too fast. She taught him the strengthening techniques used for recovery from injuries that caused long disuse and atrophy of the muscles.

A year passed and Lebuin knew the elven woods as well as he knew the library at the Guild. He understood the flows of energies that were part of the elves, and how they worked without the necessity of channeling because they were part magic themselves. He had mastered making boots that could change size, color, and texture to need. He knew how to make the journals’ papers and inks that would create permanent records which would be nearly impossible to damage or alter. He knew how to fight and hunt as an elf. He knew all the elven traditions and rituals. And he loved Kliasa as deeply as Duke, Vestul, and apparently all who knew her.

He had almost forgotten about how it all started. One morning Kliasa came to him. “You have mastered all I have to teach you. It is time for you to fulfill your part of our bargain now.”

“Kliasa, you are truly the marvel Ditani speaks of, I thank you for all your efforts. I will do all I can to fulfill my part.”

She smiled. “Lebuin, know you are as much loved and cherished as I ever was. I am glad for this time we have had, I wish we could have more. You have things to attend to, however. I am better for having known you.” She gave him a strong hug and then turned him around and pushed him gently out the door into the forest. “Be well Lebuin, and remember your promise.”

- - -

Rolling over, the smell of hot arit came to his nose. He opened his eyes.
I am camped in the woods with Ticca and Ditani. Today we start weapons training with Ticca. This is going to be fun surprising her.
Smiling, he sat up, feeling immensely refreshed. None of his muscles complained and he felt strong and able.
Oh these really are marvelous boots, Kliasa. I think I will be making myself a pair as soon as I can... and I do remember my promise.

Ditani was making some breakfast from the provisions and handed him a cup of arit. “Thanks, Ditani.” He looked at the older man and felt a warm friendship for him. “Ditani, I … I mean … Well I’m glad to have you with me.” Ditani looked him in the eye and nodded in response as a wide smile grew on his face.

Ticca was already up and doing her morning stretches barefoot. Lebuin swallowed some arit and joined her, also taking the boots off and doing them barefoot. Ditani set aside the breakfast to stay warm and joined them too.

Lebuin followed along as she did each motion slowly, as she had done in the days before. He found that some were already familiar from what he had studied with Kliasa. In fact, most of the warm-up was exactly as he had learned. The only problem was that his physical body hadn’t had the benefit of the year of training his mind had. It wasn’t long before he was sweating and his muscles were fatigued. Ditani had also followed and had the same difficulties in the same areas he did; however, Ditani was obviously in better shape, so when they sat to breakfast, Lebuin was the only one sweating profusely.

Ticca smiled, putting her boots back on. Looking at him as she ate, she commented, “You both did pretty good.”

“Yes, well, there is a reason for it.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh? And what would that be?”

“I have studied these moves, I just haven’t done them. You are doing some differently than I remember, though. There are also a few moves I didn’t know before.”

“Nose stuck in books too much. Well, we’ll get you over that. What about you, Ditani, how do you know the same patterns as Lebuin here? You both stumbled in the same places, so I assume you both have studied the same patterns.”

Ditani laughed. “My people are taught this from youth, we call it ’the Path’. Many of my people do it every day together in open fields or parks. I haven’t done it myself in a few years, but I remember many of the concepts it contains. Only warriors are taught the full martial aspects of it. Most only do it for the exercise and stretching.”

“Well then, you two are going to be at least proficient by the time we get to Algan. If you both already know this, it is only a matter of removing the imperfections and adding the missing components. I still need to get you both to stop being so dramatic.”

“What do you mean? I thought we needed to learn the moves?”

“That is what many think, but really it is about eliminating wasted motion; for example, in a fight, most people swing widely and block with more motion than needed. Really a very little diversion is needed to cause someone to miss. The less energy you need to redirect an attack, the more energy you have to sustain yourself. Most people who do these patterns tend to add drama to it, exaggerating some of the moves. You both were doing that. What is needed is the absolute minimum.”

Lebuin nodded. “Ah, I see, conserve strength and let the opponent waste their own, thus tiring faster.”

Ticca nodded. “Right. Now, if we are finished with breakfast, grab your knives and we will do some practice drills based on the patterns. These will likely be some of those martial aspects you spoke of, Ditani. So, congratulations, you are both entering the warrior caste.”

“Shouldn’t we use wooden sticks or something?”

Ticca smiled an evil little smile. “No, this will encourage you to concentrate on getting it right.”

Lebuin swallowed hard.
No kidding.
Once she started the training he almost laughed. She had them standing facing each other, doing something like the Path, but also very slowly. It was like a dance, where he did one side and Ditani did the opposite.