The Eynan Page 4

  He must stop. He looked around more carefully. On leaving his father's estate, he'd headed for the coast by the most direct route possible by heading northwest. He'd passed along made-up roads, crossed bridges over rivers, hurried through villages, skirted towns whenever possible, never slowing more than he had to. Since passing through the last village over an hour since, he'd been traveling through a forest on little more than a rough track. He hadn't realized just how narrow the way had become.

  The sun had gone down just after he'd left the last village and if he'd been thinking clearly, he would've stopped at a hostelry to rest for the night. And get directions.

  Knowing his destination lay to the northwest was one thing; knowing his exact location was another. He thought he must be in the Quotidian Woods, but he couldn't be sure. He needed to study his books and maps, and some local advice wouldn't be unwelcome. However, he realized he needed to choose his counsel wisely. But now his poor horse needed to rest, and so did he.

  He noted the trees thinned a little to his right just ahead. He walked his horse off the track and into the woods. Almost at once he saw a little clearing just ahead. He nudged his mount in that direction and gratefully dismounted.

  "Sestus!" he declared rudely, as he stretched to try to loosen his stiff muscles, grateful his mother wasn't there to hear him quote the name of the sprite of ill will. He smiled, most of his friends regularly used much more colorful language than he or any of his siblings. His mother wasn't the kind to be crossed, as they'd learned only too well growing up. He felt the way he had as a young child, guiltily using words she would never have allowed.

  Now he was his own man, in more ways than one. He was going to make his own way in the world; he'd mulled over the idea in the dark early hours of the morning that he might never see his family again. He wasn't really sure how he felt about that yet. It was probably easier not to think of it. Better to concentrate on planning his future.

  The first line of action was to see to his horse and then a fire, food and drink, and a bed for the night. He had spent many happy hours camping out with his father and brothers, and building a fire and preparing food and a bed were simple problems for him to solve. Solving his next step was a little more difficult.

  About an hour later, Jhond was comfortably warmed by his fire, sitting with his back against a fallen tree, his legs wrapped in a blanket as he studied his maps. He had eaten well, the food washed down with a warm brew of taka leaves, and he felt the most relaxed he had since the storm had broken over his life. He didn't want to think about that just now. He pushed it away and thought again about his present problem.

  He knew roughly where Tandera was, but he had never before needed to know the exact location or the route to reach it. The strange thing, now that he thought about it, was that he'd always known one day he would make this journey. He would track the secret of the Temple of the Magi. Now why would he think in those terms? Was there a secret to be tracked?

  He dug into his backpack and pulled out the rather battered volume, A History of the Magi. The book had been a present passed to him by his paternal grandfather when he had reached maturity. He had long shown an interest in the subject, an interest shared by most of the Reeve family for generations. His grandfather had made a particular study of the subject. His grandfather had a huge personal library and, as Jhond had grown, he had spent many happy hours discussing the subject with Papa Marvek. Jhond had gradually gained a small library himself, some as gifts from his grandfather or other members of his family, and other volumes he had found in dusty out-of-the way stalls and shops.

  But on the death of Papa Marvek, he had been overwhelmed to see the true size of the Reeve Library. Acceding to his grandfather's will, his father had shown him into the secret archive that would one day be his responsibility. He had known the archive existed, but it was always kept under lock and key. However, he had never suspected it was so huge. He had never known so many books on the subject existed. Certainly, he would never have expected the vaults to be able to house a collection so vast. It was family history how the Reeve family had always been the librarians to the magi, besides having other duties, other powers. And when the time of the Withdrawal had come about, the library had been consigned to them for safekeeping. When his father passed, the duty would become his; Jhond was the one of his generation to show the interest. It was always so in his family. At least, that had been the plan.

  He re-read the description of the Temple of the Magi looking for information to help guide him to its exact location. Yes, he thought, it's quite clear Tandera was the site for the temple. There were just too many cross-references to it in too many different tomes. Of course, many of these books had been hidden away in the Reeve archive for years, centuries, and it wasn't really a surprise to Jhond that most of the ordinary people now considered the mysteries of magic to be mere legend.

  He made a quick check of his maps and looked again at one particular section that cropped up in numerous of the citations.

  High on the cliffs, look out on the distant western horizon to the Isle of Truth hidden in the mists of the Strands of Time. Those who look with the eyes of trust will find what they need if they know where to look; those who look with the eyes of hope will find what they want if they know how to look. The Isle of Truth is a lie, unless the lie is the knowledge of one who seeks precision.

  He had read that section on many occasions, dissected it with Papa Marvek more times than he could remember, but he still had no idea what it really meant. The only information that seemed of any real use was the previous references to Tandera and the quote referring to the high cliffs. So far, he hadn't really let his mind think beyond his investigation of the temple itself, but now he wondered at the reference to the Isle of Truth. Somewhere on the western horizon. Was it a real place or merely another conundrum?

  No, he told himself, one goal at a time. Let's see first if there is anything to find at the Temple.

  He thought back to a conversation he'd had with Papa Marvek only a few weeks before he had died the year before last. Marvek had talked about the secrets still buried within the temple. He showed Jhond a huge volume called Mysteries of Power. Jhond remembered fingering the fragile pages that looked as if they might crumble if one held them too tightly. His grandfather had told him how very old it was and how many long lost secrets were hidden in its pages. Much of it was written in an archaic language of which Marvek could only read certain words, particular phrases and passages. One phrase Marvek said always fascinated him, always drew him back to it time and again was,

  Power of the magi, lost and found, trapped and freed,

  Beyond the pillars of history, beyond the sea,

  Beyond the strands of time.

  The reason it came back to Jhond now was that, according to the Mysteries of Power, the phrase was carved in the walls of the chapel deep in the chambers of the Temple of the Magi. It was said to be the most sacred mystery of the temple, hidden in plain sight because only those with the power to understand it would have the power to use it.

  What particularly brought it back to Jhond's mind that night was the fact the phrase "strands of time" appeared again. This time without the capital letters that had made it stand out in the oft-quoted reference. Should it really stand out as some kind of title? Was it purposely slipped unobtrusively into this important quote--hidden in plain sight? Did this phrase really have a more important, more special meaning?

  "Don't seem over-cautious there, friend."

  Jhond shot to his feet. The quiet, almost friendly voice shocked him out of his reverie. He swung around to see a tall, good-looking man with hair of the deepest black leaning against a tree directly behind where Jhond had been resting. The man had his hands crossed casually across his chest giving the clear message that he meant no harm--which was a good thing, too, considering he wore a long sword on the right side of his belt; two knives of varying lengths lay side by side on the left of his waist. To complete the pic
ture, the stranger had a crossbow slung across his back and a quiver of bolts over one shoulder.

  "Have I the need to be cautious with you, sir?" Jhond asked, acutely aware he was unarmed, his weapons across the fire nearer to his tethered horse than to him. This isn't a good start to my career as an adventurer, he thought with ire.

  "No, friend. Had you been of a mind to react differently, then I might have done the same. But you seem more interested in your reading matter than in being any kind of threat to me." He smiled and moved forward with an unexpected grace for such a well-built man. "If you'd care to share your fire, we can each tell our story, if you'd be willing." He nodded thanks as Jhond indicated with a wave of his arm that he might sit by the fire. He picked up an unseen large hold-all from behind the tree and threw it against the fallen log before squatting down the fire. "I am called Ninian. I am traveling north toward Myocol."

  "My name is Jhond." He almost added of the House of Reeve, but stopped himself. He no longer felt he should use the connection. "Myocol. That's a long journey on foot. Though I must say, you look well-prepared to protect yourself," Jhond commented with a wry smile.

  "Ah, but it's a wise man who takes precautions, all the precautions he can." He raised an eyebrow, emphasizing perhaps Jhond's precautions were not all they could be, but adding a grin to take away any sting. "As for the other, 'til late this afternoon, I had a mount, a good mount at that. It was spooked by a Dichrou snake, took off at full tilt and promptly stepped into a hole and broke its foreleg. Had to put the poor thing out of its misery." There was a definite note of regret in his voice, which seemed rather at odds with his warrior appearance.

  "Dichrou! Lords of Light, are they to be found this far west? I thought they were only found south of the Nimroy River." Jhond unconsciously looked around, though he couldn't see anything outside the little circle of light from his fire.

  "Yes, so did I, but I heard a few weeks back that they had been seen north and west since the floods of last spring. I was fortunate the horse did not throw me. None of my weapons could have done a damn thing against that monstrosity. One drop of their poison and your time is up." Ninian shivered a little at the thought. "Takes a lot to make me nervous, but that small snake... They say size isn't everything and that certainly proves it."

  Jhond looked speculatively at the other man. He couldn't pin down any reason, but he felt at ease with him. He had always believed he was a good judge of character, but he'd never had such an immediate reaction to anybody before. Nor such a positive one. It was odd, but Jhond had no doubt at all about his feelings. Still, he was puzzled by the... affinity he felt. Suddenly, he was aware of a similar scrutiny from Ninian. He grinned; he couldn't help it.

  Ninian laughed. "Two strangers meet on a quiet country road," he intoned darkly, decrying the very tone with a grin. "Good beginning for a horror tale, huh?"

  "Or a mystery?"

  "I think maybe that's more like it. I can't help but think it's a little mysterious to find you sitting here in the middle of a dense forest reading." He picked up one of Jhond's books and flicked it open. His eyes widened a little and his voice took on a note of awe. "Magistry! Now I know it's a mystery."

  "Magistry? That's not a word I have heard before. I can see the...connection, but where do they use such a...distortion of the word."

  "Distortion? It's no distortion where I come from. Magic, magi, magistry. Common usage."

  "Really? Well, where do you come from? Nowhere 'round here, I'll be bound."

  Ninian looked hard at Jhond, as hard as he, himself, had looked at Ninian just a few minutes ago. Was he searching for the trust Jhond had felt so easily? Jhond waited. He could do nothing but let Ninian decide. Decide if he could be trusted. He knew, without doubt, Ninian had a secret, too. He just wished he knew how, why, he had these feelings, these certainties.

  Suddenly, a flash shot across the sky high above the trees. Then another. As they both looked up, a third bolt of lightning crashed overhead and divided into numerous fingers of lightning. The light came down toward them, moving gradually, almost like liquid fire, except it was blue. As they both slowly got to their feet, Jhond was fascinated and not a little afraid. The fingers of blue fire reached the tree canopy overhead, but instead of catching alight, the fire spread over the trees and continued its downward travel by spiraling down the trunks of several of the trees.

  "What is it? By the Lords of Light, I have never seen its like," Jhond asked fascinated, as he twisted around to try and get a better view. "Look...the trees don't seem to burn."

  * * * *

  "No, neither have I. Fire that does not burn?" Ninian replied aloud, but silently he questioned, Dancing Fire? Could it really be?

  As abruptly as it had flashed into being, it disappeared, as if it had never been. There was neither sight nor smell of any burning.

  Both men were silent for several seconds.

  "That was...different," Jhond said. "Something for my journal to be sure."

  "You keep a journal?"

  "I do, now. I had been debating the useful purpose of such an idea. But I think enough...interesting occurrences have taken place to make it worthwhile."

  A companionable silence ensued while Jhond heated up some taka leaves for a brew.

  Finally, Ninian smiled, faintly. "I think perhaps it would be a good time to begin my tale." He accepted the cup Jhond offered, then took a quick sip, nodding to indicate it was good, before continuing.

  "Just recently, I have come from Lissel. I was a warden on the estate of the Duke of Peralissel, but I didn't like the head warden and I have never been a man to keep my opinions to myself. But it was no great loss. I have been traveling for quite some time now, taking work where I could get it. I have been a mercenary, a guard, a guide, and a warden more than once. I have even worked on the land when I could get nothing else. But, as I'm sure you've guessed, farming really isn't my first choice." He hesitated, not quite sure how to continue with his story.

  "Why do I get the feeling this story isn't going to be a happy one?" Jhond queried.

  Ninian met his gaze, but didn't answer. Instead, he began, "Originally, though, I came from Blonbury across the Estan Sea."

  Jhond sucked in his breath at that.

  "I see you have heard of it. You may know about three years ago we were overrun by the Illurian Empire. We were the last great state to hold out. Almost all the lands north of the Estan Sea are under the thumb of that damn monstrosity now. I don't know how you view things, but I suspect, based on your reading material, that you have no love of the empire."

  Ninian regarded the young man carefully as he added, "I can't say I ever really gave any great thought to the magi or their power, whether it was true or just a legend. But whatever the truth of that, it could never have been any more of a threat to peace and freedom than the oppression of the empire."

  "Threat to peace and freedom, the power of the magi? Whatever are you saying? The magi only used their power for good." Jhond was somewhat indignant at the accusation.

  "Well, I couldn't say about that. But it's exactly what the emperor and his minions say, that and worse. They claim the magi were a great threat to the world and were fought against, and finally destroyed and disbanded eons ago because of it. They said there was once a great empire, even greater than the Illurian Empire, which covered the whole world and supported the populace and kept them happy and prosperous.

  "It was supposed to have been destroyed and broken up into all these small states and principalities by the rise of magi. They used their dark power to confuse and mislead and eventually divide and conquer. It took centuries to find ways to fight the magi and eventually they were destroyed and their power was consumed. I must say, though, how all this was achieved isn't explained at all. I mean if they were so powerful, how were they defeated? And what on earth does it mean? Their power was consumed?"

  "I can't answer that because all of this is lies. Falsehoods created by those in control to bols
ter their own power," Jhond replied sharply. He frowned and stared into the dying embers of the fire. "What I don't quite understand, though, is why the emperor and his people have gone to such lengths to pass off this diatribe. How does it help them to create a web of lies like this? What for? It doesn't make sense."

  Ninian didn't answer at first, just sat watching Jhond think about it. Then he rose and paced back and forth across the small clearing. "I wonder," Ninian said thoughtfully, "could it be a diversion? Just something for everyone to blame, even to worry about? They keep going on about watching out for signs--there were some portents left or something--about the return of the magi to regain their holdings."

  He hesitated, tapping his temple, as if somehow that would help knock out the faded memory. "Something about ten times ten times ten to regain the strength. Oh, I can't remember it properly, but I gather the magi had left some of their power merely...asleep or some such, and the empire was creating a defense against this coming threat."

  "So, if the people were concerned about this threat, they might not be so quick to fight back against the empire? After all, it's only there to help! Lords, if you're right, that's damn clever, huh?" Jhond responded, shaking his head. "I've never heard any of this before. I thought we got all the news, all the information from other states at home. You know that sort of rumor really could work. Even here, where the magi first rose to power, many people think they are no more than an old wives' tale to weave a spell over the children. My family have kept the legends alive because, according to family history, our ancestors long past were magi. I believe this to be true.

  "My grandfather spent his entire life researching the old books in the archives and there is just too much evidence not to believe. I grant there is no concrete proof. In fact--" He stopped abruptly, eyes wide as he looked up at Ninian, who still watched from across the clearing.