Trials Read online

  “Awesome!” cried Hartz happily, flexing his muscles.

  “Men…” Kayti said, shaking her head.

  Kendas moaned with pain and they all turned their attention to the wounded man and the Healer. They looked on as Aliana worked her magic to save the soldier.

  Hours passed interminably, and Komir decided at last to tend to the horses and prepare a camp to spend the night. The two Norriel built a fire at the mouth of the cave, in the shelter of the granite wall. The howling wind and cool of the night would not reach them there. The three adventurers sat by the fire and took out their supply of dried meat and smoked cheese. They invited the Usik to join them, but she refused to leave Aliana’s side.

  It was late at night by the time the Healer finally gave a long sigh and opened her eyes. They all got up at once and looked at her.

  “Help me, please, Asti…” she said.

  Her friend held her to stop her falling.

  “My strength… fails me…”

  The Usik’s face was filled with worry. “Kendas live?” she asked.

  “Yes, Asti, Kendas will live… he needs much rest, for his wounds are serious…”

  Kayti pointed at the fire. “Shall we bring him close to the fire so he can be warm?” she offered.

  “Yes… please…”

  Hartz and Komir lifted the soldier carefully and placed him in the glow of the fire. Asti and Kayti helped Aliana reach the shelter, and the Healer made a last effort to say: “Thankyou… care for Kendas… needs water… often…”

  And she lost consciousness from sheer exhaustion.

  They placed her beside Kendas and tried to wrap both of them up as best they could. They stirred the fire to keep the convalescents warm and well-sheltered from the night chill.

  When she found herself alone with the three companions, the Usik girl took a step back. Komir felt her unease and tried to appease her with gentle words.

  “Never fear, we’re not going to harm you.”

  The fragile-looking girl studied him, trying to gauge the truth of his words. Komir raised his hands and smiled openly. The girl continued analyzing him, looking into his eyes. Komir almost felt she could read his thoughts and intentions.

  “Me, Asti,” she announced as she finally relaxed her thin shoulders.

  “Hello Asti. I am Komir, this big guy is Hartz and the redhead is Kayti.”

  Asti eyed them curiously, as if this was the first time she had really paid attention to them. Hartz gave her his usual friendly smile. He came up to her and patted her back.

  “Pleased to meet you, little one,” he said, and stared closely at her green skin.

  “Me, Usik,” she said in response to his scrutiny.

  “Let her be, Hartz…” scolded Kayti.

  “But she has green skin! I’ve never seen anything like it… Don’t tell me it’s not incredible!”

  “You’re the one who’s incredible!” she retorted. “Don’t be a brute and let her be. She’s already told you she’s a Usik, and the people of the great forests have skin the color of jade.”

  “I didn’t know that… I’d never seen someone so… so…”

  “Different,” Komir finished the sentence with a smile at Asti. “I apologize on behalf of my friend. He’s quite direct, even rude but honest.”

  “And lacking good manners,” added Kayti.

  “Good, direct good,” Asti said.

  “I don’t want to think what this brute will say when we come across a red-skinned Masig…”

  “Red-skinned? You’re teasing, right? There are no red-skinned people, are there?”

  Hartz looked at Kayti, but when he saw the fury in her eyes he was convinced.

  “But if you say so, it must be true…”

  Komir smiled and noticed how the Usik relaxed.

  “Tell me Asti, who is the wounded man? Was he traveling with you?”

  “Yes, Kendas friend. Kendas soldier. Good man.”

  “Soldier? Rogdonian?” Kayti asked.

  “Kendas Lancer.”

  “He’s a Rogdonian Lancer. That eases my mind,” Kayti admitted.

  “So… we have a Healer, a Usik and a Lancer… shouldn’t be a problem, though they make a rather strange company…” Hartz said.

  “We can find out about their doings tomorrow,” said Komir. “It’s late now. Let’s rest and get our strength back.”

  “Kayti, you’ll take the first watch, then Hartz and then me,” he ordered.

  Kayti smiled and shrugged, “I still think you don’t need to give me the first watch every time… that sort of chivalry isn’t necessary… but if you insist…”

  Hartz smiled and winked at her. And that upset Komir.

  “You’re right. I’ll take the first watch today and you’ll have the last,” he said. Komir could not forgive her for lying to them. He would remind her at every opportunity.

  Kayti accepted with a nod. Her intense, steady gaze made Komir realize that she had caught the drift of the not-so-subtle accusation.

  Hartz looked at them and shook his head. His big eyes clearly showed the bitter sadness his heart felt.

  Komir grabbed his bear-skin and wrapped himself in it. He watched the Usik tend to Aliana and then make sure Kendas was resting without pain. Komir’s spirit, more restless than usual, began to relax. The night chill tried to get under his Norriel bear-skin, but was unable to. His head would not stop spinning with so many unanswered questions swirling round, tormenting him. He had found the bearer of the glittering brown medallion. He knew he was on the right path, the one which led to his destiny. That encounter, chanced or foretold (he did not know which of the two) corroborated the fact. Aliana and he were doomed to meet. So Amtoko had felt, so the medallions had shown, and so it had occurred. But why? And now what? Which is the path to follow? Which is the next move? What has treacherous fate in store for us?

  Komir had no answers for these questions, nor did he have any intuition as to what course he should follow. But for some unknown reason, he was certain he was going in the right direction. Too many unanswered questions… I don’t like this at all… makes me very nervous… He looked at the camp, where they all slept in the shelter of the cave and the warmth of the fire. That night would bring no answers: he would have to wait till morning before he could begin to unravel the next steps towards his destiny, whatever it might be.

  The night passed uneventfully, and with the new dawn the adventurers began to stir. Hartz set out to hunt full of energy, confident of catching something good to feed the company. Kayti offered to continue her watch and protect the two convalescents, who were still asleep. Asti went in search of wood for the fire, while Komir decided to explore the surrounding area and see if he could find a stream to replenish their water reserve.

  At mid-morning a cool breeze caressed Aliana’s face, prompting her to wake up and enjoy the sight of blue sky above them. The Healer opened her eyes at last and looked around worriedly.

  “What’s happened?” she said anxiously. “Kendas?”

  Asti, who was tending to the Lancer, hurried to her side.

  “Kendas good. You healed.”

  Aliana calmed down at the sight of Asti’s face and the sound of her voice. Her heart was still pounding from a horrible nightmare in which a green-eyed demon had betrayed her in order to steal her Ilenian medallion. She was soaked in sweat, her body ached all over and she was quite disoriented, but gradually she became focused. Those were the consequences of a healing carried too far, but she had had to do it to save Kendas. The wounds were so severe she had feared she was losing him. Luckily, Kendas was a healthy young man with a strong body.

  Still, towards the end of the healing she had nearly lost her own life in her struggle against death. She had spent all her healing energy, and as a last resource, desperate to save the Lancer, she had done something forbidden among the Healers: she had used her own vital strength. Aliana never thought twice: she was not going to let her friend die, even at the risk of her
own life. They had both survived, but Aliana could feel she had gone too far. That path led inexorably to death, and she must avoid it. The next time she would have to hold back. She could almost see Mother Healer Sorundi’s disapproval. Oh, how I miss her! How I wish I were beside her at the Temple of the Order of Tirsar! Walking along my beloved cliffs looking for healing herbs, using bow and arrows with the Protectress Sisters… Oh, so many good memories…

  She came back to the present, got to her feet and went to see Kendas.

  Asti looked up, “I take good care,” she said with a nod.

  Aliana smiled at her. The Usik had looked after him well, and the Lancer was recovering favorably. Even so, he would still need a few days of rest to finish healing, as Sorundi used to tell all the healers of the Order: “Nature always demands time to heal the human body. The Gift has its limitations and does not perform miracles.”

  “He’ll recover, he’s strong,” she assured Asti with a smile.

  The Usik nodded and smiled, and her shy face shone bright for a moment.

  Suddenly, out of nowhere, a pair of intense emerald-green eyes came to Aliana’s memory and made her start.

  “The warrior, Komir… the others. Where are they?” she asked. She looked uneasily around, aware that they were not there.

  Asti nodded towards the outside of the cave.

  “Woman with hair like fire watch outside,” she said. Then she turned her gaze to the nearby woods towards the east. “Big warrior like bear, he hunt. Warrior like a panther look for water.” Aliana nodded and looked out until she saw the woman in white armor beside the horses.

  “I must look for some healing herbs to brew a restoring tea for Kendas. Look after him, I’ll be back soon.”

  “I look after,” replied Asti, and she retreated behind her mask of shyness.

  That girl was a mystery. Aliana was aware that behind that frailty and withdrawal there was a story she had to discover. Guessing it had to be a deeply sad one, she felt sympathy for the young Usik and wished to know her better, help her if she could. But this was not the right time to look into Asti’s past. There were more pressing things to do. She looked around for Kendas’ bow and arrows and saw them leaning against the wall of the cave. Taking them, she slung the bow across her back with the same skill a Protectress Sister would have shown. She stepped outside and headed for the woods on light feet.

  A woman’s voice stopped her.

  “Where are you going, Healer?”

  Aliana turned and saw the redhead in her white armor.

  “Aliana, my name is Aliana,” she said with a smile, “and yes, I am a Healer of the Temple of Tirsar.”

  “A pleasure, Aliana,” said the other with a small bow. “My name is Kayti, Knight of the Custodian Brotherhood.”

  “The pleasure is mine,” replied the Healer in a friendly manner.

  “Are you heading to the woods?” Kayti asked, still a little curtly.

  “I am. I need to gather some healing herbs for Kendas.”

  “I see… I wonder whether you know how to use that bow at your back.”

  “I do, and quite deftly, I should say.” Said Aliana, a little upset by the other’s tone.

  “I’m glad to hear that. Although I must admit I find it strange that a Healer should know how to use a weapon.”

  “I assure you I can.” Aliana said.

  “Oh, I believe you. But I’ve been charged with your protection, so please allow me to escort you.”

  “As you wish,” said Aliana, not wishing to generate more tension.

  They walked together, eyeing each other as they went, until they reached the first fir trees.

  Kayti pointed towards the east inside the woods.

  “A little further in there’s a stream and a small pond. Be careful, and if you find yourself in danger, shout. I’ll come at once. Hartz is hunting to the west and Komir can’t be far away.”

  “Thank you Kayti, that’s what I’ll do.”

  Aliana went into the fir woods and felt herself cloaked in a feeling of peace, quiet and gentle wellbeing. The wood smelt green, and there was a scent of moist soil in the air. She was surrounded by live nature, nourished by its calm. Ferns brushed against her legs as she walked, squirrels ran, sparrows and goldfinches flew about her head. The wood was exuberantly alive, and that filled her soul with joy. She reached the zigzagging stream and followed it to the small pond. A pair of rainbow trout shone silvery bright under the surface, and she smiled at their size. They were beautiful with their intense red, green and silver scales which honored their name. She looked carefully around, but although there was rich wild vegetation, she did not see the herbs she needed. She went on following the edge of the pond, immersed in the sweet singing of the many birds. To her ears it was like celestial music.

  She reached some high bushes and at last saw among them what she was searching for. She knelt in the thicket and deftly dug out the desired plant. She put it in a small leather bag she had at her waist, and her spirit soared; Kendas would get well: wise Mother Nature had put the means for it at her disposal. She stood up and looked beyond the high leafy branches which reached the level of her eyes at the silvery waters, surrounded by tall undergrowth and great fir trees. The morning light filtered through the sleepy trees onto the surface of the pond, smooth and clear like a forgotten mirror left by some deity in the midst of that fair wood of robust browns and piercing greens.

  Suddenly the idyllic image was shattered as a male figure broke the surface. Aliana watched with surprise as a young man, who must have been swimming underwater, came out of the pond. The water fell from his long brown hair onto his broad shoulders and firm torso. The muscles of his stomach might have been chiseled from a stone. Aliana felt herself blushing at the thought of something more interesting coming up below the waist, but instead she saw a pair of worn-out leather leggings. She felt confused by sudden feelings which she tried to subdue, but which were stronger than her will. That handsome young man whose face she could not see beneath the wet hair had a strong body and moved with nimble assurance, like a great cat in its natural environment. She saw the scars of cuts on his arms and assumed he must be a warrior. She felt sudden desire: the young man had left her breathless.

  The stranger bent over, then straightened in a swift movement, and threw his head back. His hair flew from his face, and Aliana found herself face to face with those mysterious emerald-green eyes.

  It was Komir!

  Still trying to recover from the shock and confusion of her thoughts, she heard the voice of the young Norriel:

  “Aliana, hello. Have you been there for long?”

  Siege

  Gerart and the Rogdonian defenders waited anxiously while the Norghanians climbed the wall of the besieged Fortress of the Half Moon. And then the first Norghanians reached the battered parapets. Gerart saw a winged helmet appear atop a ladder. Taking a step forward he kicked the man in the face. The soldier was hurled back and fell on to the advancing thunderous human tide of red and white. The Prince took two more steps, then with a powerful stroke cut the thick rope which a soldier was climbing.

  “Better to use an axe,” said Count Longor, as he ran a robust enemy through.

  Gerart picked up an axe. Surrounded by his escort of Royal Swords, he dealt death among the enemies who had managed to climb the wall. Any hook or rope he found in his way he cut with the axe, oblivious to the screams of the men as they fell, crushing others on their way to the ground. The ladders were more difficult. A ladder with fifteen Norghanians on it was practically impossible to move. With the help of his Royal Swords he managed to topple several of them, but the enemy was managing to reach the top of the wall, and when they did so they showed themselves to be hardy fighters. The defenders fell, decimated by the war axes in the hands of those brutal men.

  The fight turned fierce on the battlements and the shouting of those fighting for their lives was now deafening. The Norghanians had climbed onto several points and had secured
them, helping their comrades on their way to back them up. Gerart saw one of these spots behind him about twenty paces away and called on his Royal Swords to follow. An enormous enemy soldier with a patch on one eye was opening a way through for himself with Rogdonian soldiers flying around him like rag dolls under the blows of his axe and shield.

  Gerart reached him, flanked by two Royal Swords. Two countrymen of the snows accompanied the Norghanian.

  “Look! What do we have here? A nobleman in his pretty dress armor and his nannies,” he sneered in a voice as hoarse as it was ugly.

  “This nobleman is going to gut you, Norghanian scum.”

  “Ha ha ha!” the imposing soldier laughed. “Do you know who you’re fighting today? The Thunder Army,” he said, beating his hauberk, which was bright red with white diagonal stripes. “We’re the ones who open up a way, the ones who bring down walls, the ones who take fortresses, and today this one’s going to fall before our power.”

  “You’re wrong there, one-eye. Today we’re going to slaughter the whole Thunder Army, and none of your ugly friends will ever get back to the snowy mountains alive.”

  “Hah! And do you think that’ll change things? After we’ve opened up the way the Snow Army will come, and do you plan on defeating them as well, poor little nobleman?”

  “Yes, just as calmly as we’re defeating you, without a single drop of sweat.”

  “Ho ho ho, I like you, pretty little nobleman, you’ve got guts. For that I’ll kill you quickly and you’ll barely suffer. But before you die, understand that afterwards the Invincible Men of the Ice are coming, and there aren’t enough men to stop them in all Rogdon. I want you to die knowing your fortress will fall, that your land will be ours.”

  The enormous warrior attacked with his axe, covering himself at the same time with his shield.

  Gerart crouched, letting the axe pass over his head, then struck at the one-eyed man’s face as the man raised his shield to protect himself. At that moment Gerart buried the axe he carried in his left hand in the man’s unprotected side, piercing his armor. The Norghanian folded over towards his wounded side, and Gerart stabbed his neck with a well-aimed stroke.