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Lotari watched his warrior friend spar with a group of elves. Egan, the elven leader, also watched from the sidelines. He spotted Lotari and moved closer until they stood side-by-side.
“Jerin of Yarholm is a masterful instructor,” Egan gave a nod of approval. “I appreciate how he breaks down each move, showing new tactics and explaining potential weaknesses that can be found in armor or the tough hide of certain creatures.” He gestured toward the trolls who were glancing down at the fleshy parts of their legs that were the size of a full-grown oak tree’s trunk.
One of the smaller trolls smacked his companion on the leg with a stick which brought a cry of fury from the older one. The smaller one laughed, then pointed to Jerin with a grunt. Some kind of dialog went on between them before they ambled off into the woods, still arguing in their guttural voices.
“What do you suppose that was about?” Lotari asked Egan who leaned against his staff with a chuckle.
“They were debating on the best material to use for protective gear. Org, the elder of that family, didn’t believe Jerin until his younger brother showed him the truth in the instructor’s statement. They’ve gone to fix the problem.”
Lotari was glad Egan had stayed on at the Meeting Hall. After their settlement in the mountains by the sea had been ravaged by Racan headhunters, and several of his kin killed or taken prisoners, the few who’d managed to escape had come to the Meeting Hall seeking shelter. Lotari was glad to know word had traveled through the forest of their sanctuary and glad the elves had agreed to stay and help continue the work being done here.
Egan often said they had nothing to return to, so may as well build again and make the best of the situation presented to them. His few clansmen had been some of the first few to take the portal to meet King Shaydon. A couple had stayed to attend the Academy. Lotari was surprised, yet pleased when Egan returned.
“I’m glad you understand them, Egan. Unless they use the common language, I’m lost to all that grunting and lip-smacking.” Lotari folded his arms across his chest and leaned his shoulder against the White Tree. A sweet apply-like fragrance cleared his troubled mind. Often when his worries outweighed his reason, he’d come to sit beneath the tree’s blooms and let the calming scent soothe his troubled heart.
His River clan had sent a messenger bird that a group had split from Wyndham, denying his authority so they could go fight with Lotari. This caused even more civil unrest in the family. Those creatures who’d remained in Many Rivers were caught in the feuding, despite their attempts to avoid the conflict. Bastion had returned to Wilderland, unable to take the quarreling. He figured he might as well return to his family if he was going to put up with that. At least at the Meeting Hall, everyone was too busy to argue.
Lotari closed his eyes, blocking out the sound of clanging swords. He was ready to move out. They were ready. Even Jerin said Stitch had done an excellent job training the clan to fight. At this point, the practice was more to pass the time than to hone skills.
So far, four hundred warriors from various towns and cities had passed through the Wilderland portal. Nobody paid much attention to the traffic anymore, aside from pointing them toward Lotari, Jerin, or Egan. Lotari had shown Jerin the place beside the bathing pool where they could get fresh water. The centaurs had taken to bathing in the lake now, still too timid to be around the humans.
But the dwarves and Greenmen had welcomed the warriors with open arms and spent much of their time instructing the newcomers on what dangers needed to be avoided in the woods.
Lotari intended to follow the path laid out by the Elderad Riyah. So long as they remained on the White Road, they should be safe.
Though he wasn’t too sure how to get over a thousand creatures and men along the narrow road.
“Another group!” Baycho’s hooves clattered over the stones of the courtyard where the water in the fountain sprang up into the air in a giant plume. A line of hulking men wearing fur-lined jackets and metal helmets jogged through the passage, clutching the most wicked weapons Lotari had ever seen.
Jerin stopped his training, craning his neck to see. His eyes widened along with his smile. Throwing out his arms he welcomed what must have been the commander of the troop. “Roofter! How have you been dear friend?” They pounded each other’s backs.
Roofter threw back his shaggy head. A thick brown beard hid most of his face. He reminded Lotari of the dwarves, but much taller and broader. “Jerin of Yarholm, fancy seeing you here. I’m well, very well.” Holding a sickle-looking weapon over his head, he added, “And ready to fight the good fight. Finally, we’ll show that scoundrel what for. I can’t wait!”
Jerin directed his friend toward where Lotari and Egan were standing. “Come Roof, and meet my friends. Lotari and Egan, this old codger is from Twint in the north. May I introduce you to Roofter the Reformer, as we like to call him. Anyone who comes up against this brute in battle will think twice about their life choices, won’t they?” He pounded his friend’s back again. “How many did you bring with you, mate?”
“A hundred and fifty of my finest. The others went with the Denovo group and those traveling through the north passage. It seems Issah plans to hem the mountain city in on all sides.”
“Except for the eastern route. But nobody can reach that part of the land.” Jerin tucked his thumbs into his belt. “But soon. We’ll bring down that stronghold and open the passage once again.”
Roofter nodded gravely. “Let us hope it’s not too late. We are unsure of the Dark One’s reach or the damage he has already done.”
“Right,” Jerin shifted his weight, then looked toward the large group of men waiting for orders. “Let us hope we are successful. That we will break down the wall separating those in the far lands from King Shaydon. Follow me, and I’ll show you where everyone is staying. I hope you brought tents.”
“Of course.” Roofter placed his fingers to his mouth, about to whistle to gain his troop’s attention when the portal once again opened. His hand slowly lowered. “Well, I’ll be. I was sure we were the last ones to come.”
Lotari and Jerin, along with Egan and Roofter, hurried into the courtyard as another cluster of warriors came through. But this group was not men. Their uniforms were trimmed in gold, like those who guarded the gates of Aloblase and those who fought beside Issah. For a moment, Lotari’s breath caught as he wondered if Issah would be joining them. He’d thought for sure the prince would ride with the main group traveling through the midlands.
Egan let out a cry of excitement as he bolted forward to embrace some of his kin. The Logorians spread out, filling the courtyard with their majestic presence. The last through were two beings that reminded Lotari of Alyra’s guardian, Riyah.
From beside him, Jerin exclaimed, “Amici! But surely he would remain with General Marcel?”
Roofter shook his head. “He is one of the war advisers. And I see Adsedo has come along, as well” He removed his helmet and bowed as the two Elderads walked toward them.
Lotari placed his hand on his chest and also bowed. From his other side, he noticed Talos had also come, he too paid due respects to the mighty men standing before them. To think, Issah had sent some of his most important advisers and protectors to help the creatures. It was beyond anything Lotari had expected. The warriors were one thing, but Elderads?
Talos rose from his bow. “Good sirs, we are most honored by your presence. Our home is your home.”
Amici smiled at Jerin as he also placed his hand on his chest and offered a small bow. His companion did the same. “We have come to accompany you on your trek, good folks of Wilderland. All who wish to travel with us will need to be ready to depart by sunrise tomorrow. We hope to reach the edge of the woods by nightfall. From there, we’ll travel under the moon’s light and seek cover in the earth’s shadows.” He faced Talos and Lotari. “Please gather all those who are in a position of command. We have much to discuss before we head out. I would suggest you instruct everyone else to stock as many provisions as they can carry. We are in for an arduous journey.”
* * * *
“Troll’s breath, Lot!” Jerin slammed his ledge-o-graph closed. “Still no word.”
“Hey!” Bog, the troll leader glared down at Jerin, who even on his horse only reached halfway up the enormous creature’s green-tinted body. He reminded Jerin of a rather large moss-covered boulder, with small black eyes and a gaping fissure for a mouth.
“Sorry, Bog.” Jerin jerked the horse’s reins, putting a little space between him and the offended troll. “But seriously, man, it can be pretty bad.”
Bog glared a moment, then had to give in with a nod. “Still. Watch yourself, runt.”
Jerin glanced over at Lot. “Not often I’m called a runt, you know?”
The brown centaur bit his upper lip and looked away. The trembling of his shoulders told Jerin his friend was fighting back a fit of laughter.
Searching the group surrounding him, Jerin wondered where his wife had gotten off to. Carah had been so busy helping to pack enough provisions for their journey and organize folks into traveling groups, he barely had a chance to speak to her before they’d set out yesterday. The ogres and trolls agreed to carry the bulk of the burden. Extra horses and even a few unicorns, much to Carah’s delight, agreed to carry packs.
“Looking for your mate?” Lotari asked. When he nodded, Lot pointed ahead of them. “She is with mine. They’ve been sticking pretty close together over the past week. Though I’m happy to see Esdra finally welcoming human friendships, I can’t help but feel the two of them are up to something.”
Jerin’s head snapped toward his friend. “Like what?”
Lot shrugged as his fingers traveled over the strap of his quiver containing a couple of dozen white arrows that matched his bow. “No idea. But I did notice them whispering together the other night. Seemed like a serious discussion. Probably female stuff.” His nose wrinkled in a comical way that made Jerin chuckle.
“Oh no, not that.” They both laughed together then grew quiet for a while. “Have you had a chance to read Aly’s latest note?” Jerin always had a hard time making out her scrawling words and had hoped to get Lotari to simply tell him what she’d said.
He bobbed his head. “Many Rivers has joined with them, and they are half a day’s journey from your hometown. Of course, then she had to go into reminiscing about how you two met and how much you annoyed her at first.”
Jerin grinned. “I’m sure I still annoy her. But she’s realized she’s stuck being my friend and can’t do anything about it.”
Lotari shook his head as he looked up at the thick green canopy. “You, funny runty human. Alyra adores you as much as the rest of us.”
“She likes you best.” Jerin shot back. “Always has.”
“She’s known you the longest. I understood her better than most, that’s the only difference. I had more patience with her for some reason. I know she can be exasperating.”
“Right.” Jerin shifted on the horse’s back. “However, she’s come a long way. Her abilities still amaze me.”
Lotari stopped at a clump of what looked like weeds to Jerin. But he seemed delighted to find the plant and pulled it up by the roots. Shaking off the dirt, he then tucked it under his belt tied around his waist. “Wait until you see her and Tarek in battle together. Now that was something.”
Was it Jerin’s imagination or were the trees beginning to thin out? Dare he hope that they were finally reaching the edge of the woods?
From up ahead, the Elderads who were walking at the front called for a stop. Word passed through the group that they’d reached the edge of the woods and would camp for the rest of the day.
Lotari blew out a long breath. “This was where we battled for Wilderland. The Dark One showed up, in the end. But once again, Alyra evaded him. Let us be grateful that Katrina destroyed his portal maker.”
“And hope he hasn’t been able to repair it,” Jerin added. He wouldn’t dismiss that as a possibility.
“Indeed.” Lotari’s brown eyes widened at the thought. “I do hope we hear some kind of word from Ethan or Stitch soon. I’m trying to temper my worries, but I fear what we’ll find when we finally reach that cursed city.”
