“Rees, what is it. What did you see?” Demanded Mei’An. She thought she knew. She could see his colour. She had been reading his emotions. She thought she was seeing the reactions of a village boy. Mei’An was not ready for his next words.
“Mei’An, the Keeper was alive. She, breathed, I held her. I felt her heart beating. I saw her breasts rise and fall with her breathing. She looked directly at me. She seemed to know me. I’m sorry Mei’An. Perhaps this is all too much for me. I’m now having visions.”
He looked at the statue, now laying slightly askew in the box. It was once again just a statue. It’s blind eyes staring sightlessly straight ahead. Rees began to reach in to straighten the figure so it lay correctly in its place. He stopped just short and withdrew his hand. “Mei’An, you should straighten it.” The note of pleading in his voice was enough. Mei’An lay the statue back in its correct place. No other sensation than the silky smooth texture of the carving.
Rees was quite obviously shaken. That the boy was deeply connected to the objects in the chest was not in doubt. ‘However.’ thought Mei’An, ‘He needs his mind taken off this business for a while.’
“It goes too quickly.” She said aloud.
“Master Tallbar. Seal the chest back in your room. We will rest and eat in the common room. I think we all need to take our ease, and collect our thoughts.”
The innkeeper pulled a cord by the door, and presently the two assistants came into the room. The chest was taken back to the innkeepers room at the very top of the building, and the small group went down to the common room.
“Should I guard the room where the chest is stored?” Luan offered.
Before Mei’An could answer, the innkeeper said.
“No need for that, Master Companion. I would have mentioned earlier had I remembered. From time to time over the years, many ages before mine even, we have returned to the room where the chest is kept, to find small piles of ash on the floor just by it. I believe this is how the chest deals with those who do not follow the path of the light. It has its own protection.”
Mei’An blinked. One arched eyebrow in the innkeepers direction spoke volumes. He had been testing all present still. Had any, including herself, been Dark Companions they would now be piles of ash on the rug. Luan looked even more stone faced than usual if that was possible. He did not like to think that he had been put to the test.
Some time had been spent investigating the chest. It was noon by the city tower. The time keepers cries echoing throughout the city. The great bell was rung, and the huge dome that housed it seemed to pulse in the noonday heat. It’s sonorous booms rolling across the city, and the plains beyond like thunder from a distant summer storm. There was no storm though, and it didn’t look like there would be. Spring had passed without bringing the life giving rains. The land slowly baked under a sun that seared the land dry. No crops had taken, and farmers had stopped trying. Those left on the land scratched a miserable existence. They grew what they could and kept it for themselves. A steady stream of wagons, some with huge water barrels, some with many small ones filled the road to the Song River. The river ran out of the far away Dragon Spine Mountains, but even now was only a small trickle down the centre of a wide sandy bed. Far away below the horizon the smoking plume rising from Sara Sara reminded all that their present woes were almost certainly caused by activities beyond their control.
Everyone had heard of the return of the Lord of the Dragon Armies by now, even though only a day had passed. The news had travelled to every household and camp in the countryside. Most people expected no change. Most just went about their daily business. Trying to stay alive in increasingly harsh conditions had dulled the edge of the curiosity of most. Others however gathered in groups and spoke of taking up arms and joining the Dragon Lords army. Still others packed up their belongings and headed for the Great North Road. They would find this road and follow it south. Maybe they would make it to the city by the sea in far away Xiao Altai. There was no doubt though in anyone’s mind that the battle spoken of in the legends was coming.
No one knew that Antonin, the Dragon Lord was no longer in the city. The companions of the young man last seen in the Inn of the Blind Man were still there. They could be seen even now in the common room. At least some of them could anyway. None but Mei’An knew who had first declared the Dragon Lord returned. There had been much talk about the strange events at the inn. The city watch was staying well away. They would deal with drunken fights and cut purses, thieves and mayhem. They wanted no part of the events that they heard of taking place in the Inn of the Blind Man. Especially with a Wind Reader and her guard companion involved.
Mei’An entered the common room first. Luan followed at her shoulder and Rees close behind. Tallbar bringing up the rear. The few men in the room at this time of day sat in small groups, or alone. All voices muted in the stifling heat. The deep shadow of the common room was not enough to dispel the heat, even though the glare of the pitiless sun did not penetrate. Wide canvas sheets, like the flat sails of ships hung on beams from the ceiling of the common room. The lower edge had a pole sewn into its length, and one end attached to a thin rope that went over the back wall, and down. There boys or girls, hired by the innkeeper, would pull on the ropes and set the sail swinging back and forth to stir up the air. The cooling effect was minimal, but it was better than nothing. The inn would start to fill soon as men came in out of the scorching heat of early afternoon. It was simply too hot to work out in the open. Men could be heard grumbling about it even now in the common room.
All eyes turned to Mei’An as she entered. She was a very striking woman, beautiful by any man's standards. The long dress she wore flowed about her as she walked. Her eyes were bright and intelligent, and rested for a moment on each man there. Perhaps a momentary thought passed on how desirable she was. It was quickly dispelled as each remembered who she was. There were no second thoughts at all when Luan was glimpsed close behind her. Within moments, the party may as well have not existed in the room for all the attention they now received. They took seats at a table toward the rear of the room, and there were none others close by. Mei’An had paused for a split second, but none had noticed. She didn’t blame Rees. He was very inexperienced in the ways of the world. He was still very much a village boy.
“Master Tallbar. I think some cool wine and sweetmeats might be welcome.” Mei’An asked. The innkeeper had remained standing. Wiping his shiny balding head with a large kerchief, he smiled from ear to ear. This he understood and could deal with. A clap of his hands had serving girls running in all directions. Quickly a white cloth with blue edging was placed on the table. A tall lamp placed in the middle. It was quite dark in this corner of the old inn, but even so Mei’An restrained the innkeeper when he went to light the lamp.
Basins of water that had been drawn from the cistern beneath the inn were placed on the table. Tall glass jugs of wine were placed in the basins. The wine was the best that the innkeeper had. Not strong at all, a true table wine that even small children were able to drink when dining with their elders. It had been brought in by wagon many years before. Obtained in the sea port far away. the stone jars had rounded bottoms, so they had to be stored on their sides. The wine had been made in far off lands it was said. Tallbar had purchased fourteen large jars, and transported it home in wagons filled with straw. The horses had travelled at no more than a walk for the entire journey, said to have taken almost half a year. It was now kept in the deepest cellar, where a constant temperature was able to be had.
Cooled in the glass jugs, in the chilly water of the deep cistern, beads of condensation tumbled down the glass. The lamplight flickered through the red wine onto the white cloth creating shifting ruby patterns on the tabletop.
Tallbar smiled with satisfaction. Truly, a setting fit for a lady. Moments later the serving girls came from m the kitchen with trays containing plates of cheeses, biscuits, olives and fruits. These were set around the table within easy reach of all. Mei’An settled in her chair and watched while Tallbar poured the wine into pretty, carved bell shaped crystal goblets. Tallbar was a master of his trade, and all had taken but minutes to organise. Mei’An sipped the wine, and nodded her approval.
“Master Tallbar,” she said. “This is truly fit for royalty. Your staff are very efficient and knowledgeable to prepare such wine so well, and offer only that which compliments it by way of foodstuffs. I compliment you Master Tallbar on your fine management.”
The innkeeper beamed with pride. He had never received such compliments in his life. He knew everyone in the common room had heard Mei’An speak. Everyone in the room knew her to be a Wind Reader. Wind Readers did not sew compliments about like grain. It would do his trade no harm at all. Perhaps even the local lords and their leaders might hear of it. Perhaps not. Tallbar was not so sure that he wanted the local nobles in his inn. In his experience they were generally a bad lot. Little above peasants themselves. Occasionally the younger ones came in gambling at dice or cards. Such events always ended in fights and wrecked furniture. The young lords would talk loudly, insult the serving girls, taunt the song men and cheat at cards. They thought it a good night if they went home in the mornings with bruises and broken limbs from fighting with wagon drivers, farmers and craftsmen. So far Tallbar had avoided deaths on his property. Others had not been so fortunate.
Rees was visibly relaxing now. Even Luan seemed less tense. Although, Rees noted, he still looked like a Sand Viper ready to strike. Mei’An glanced at Rees.
“Rees my young friend, your companions are safe. I know you miss them. Those who returned to your village will be with us again soon. Antonin, Catharina and Elsa are safe I am sure. I would have felt otherwise. You must not let the events in the room upstairs upset you. Somehow you are as much tied to these events as is Antonin. The blood of the ancient lines is very strong in your village.”
Rees sipped his wine. He had relaxed he knew. Just the simple business of eating and drinking had steadied him. He knew himself to be a steady person usually, but that statue coming alive had really unnerved him.
“Mei’An, I thank you for your words.” He said quietly. Taking another sip of wine he added, “I do not understand what happened with that statue. The other items perhaps, linked as they are to Antonin. The statue came alive in my hands I tell you. I could feel her , it, her... it breathed. The skin was warm. The heart beat pulsed against my fingers. The ..her ..chest, ummm, rose and fell.” Rees was blushing again. Mei’An never blinked. Her eyes deep and unwavering looked at Rees.
“I looked at her face,” he continued. “Her eyes were on mine, a smile on her lips. I heard her gasp as I flung her ..it ..back into the chest.” Rees scrubbed his big hands through his long hair. “Mei’An, I did not imagine it. The Keeper of the Blue tower is either that statue, or is linked to it. Somehow she knew me, or felt whatever that is that you say I have that ties me to Antonin.”
Mei’An sat in thought. Her fingers tapping against her slightly pursed lips. Rees was very strong in the power that bound him to Antonin and to their mutual history. Perhaps nearly as much as Antonin. She would have to watch him closely. And what of the one who had returned to the village? Gaul. It would be interesting to see what effects the chest’s treasures had on him. Well, she would see.
“It is as I have said Rees. The pattern of this age is being stretched. It comes together around you, Antonin and Gaul like a knot in a cotton blanket. Like that same sheet stretched out and a weight placed in the middle. Everything placed on the sheet is now revolving around you. Sooner or later it will meet you in the centre of the sheet. Let us hope you are strong enough together to survive the meeting. As for the statue, I think it is the focus for the real Keeper. The object you held is carved from the tusks of an animal from lands even beyond Hua Guo. I do not know of any other like it. It is very rare. It does have a normal life like feel.” Mei’An raised her hand as Rees sat forward in protest. “And I know you felt more than that. I believe as I said, that it is a focus. A lens. The real Keeper of the Blue Tower is undoubtedly still in her tower.” Mei’An hesitated and took a sip of her wine. “You will have to take up the statue again, and find out where she actually is. Antonin needs to find her if he is to survive. She hold the key to his power and his ability.” Rees blinked. Hold the statue again! He was not keen on that idea. Well, time enough for that later.
Right now he wanted to enjoy the wine and foods. He might even get a game of dice with some men he could see in the common room playing at cards. The room was slowly filling, and the innkeeper was busy about his duties. Mei’An was content to sit and relax for the moment. She knew that such moments would be rare in the coming months, perhaps years. No one knew where or when the battle would take place. The prophesies only said that it would. The beginning was the finding of the Great Seal of the Creator and the return of the Dragon Lord. The stirring of the Lord of Sara Sara in his prison beneath the mountain was just part of the prophesy. As sure as the sun still rose each morning, things would now begin to unfold, until at last the battle was joined. So for the moment they would rest.
The hum of conversation filled the room. A musician was on the small stage, picking at the strings of an instrument in a casual way that gave background to his chanting story. He was a travelling story teller and musician, the story told in time to the plucking of the strings. People listened or they didn’t. Tallbar the innkeeper was pacing up and down the length of the common room, worry furrowing his brow. There were not the numbers in the room that there normally were. The word was spreading of the events of the previous twenty four hours, and it seemed people were being cautions. The event of the last hours had not gone unnoticed. It hardly could have. The very building itself had been groaning, and at one stage people had been fleeing for the doors of the inn like beetles from an overturned log. Even now, the rumble of departing wagons in the street was permeated by the shouts of wagon drivers. The crack of whips over the heads of the beasts adding to the noise. Some stayed though. New arrivals still came in. A local noble tied his horse to the rail and stamped into the common room. He slapped at his legging and trousers with broad leather gloves and surveyed the room.
“The roads out of the village are packed innkeeper,” he said. “Wagons, people on foot, even a family leading their livestock. They all tell of strange events in the city. They all have the name of this inn on their lips.” His tone of voice said he was looking for answers.
“My lord, please. My last seat for you, or a private room perhaps? Our best wine? ale? My lord, I know of no strange events. Other than some disturbances in the mountains – perhaps ...” His voice trailed off as the lord stood looking at him, slapping his gloves into his hands. The lord, as the innkeeper called him, had the air of authority about him, recognisable in all lords. He expected to have his queries answered. This one did not look soft like some. His clothes, although dusty were of fine cut. Dark breeches, topped by a tight, dark green coat that flared at the waist. Silver scroll work edging the sleeves and collar, and worked down the front. The buttons were of bright silver, and showed a crest. That of a tree with a lion in repose at its base. He wore a rapier like sword at his hip, and carried it as though well used to it being there. The wear on the hilt was not lost on Luan, who had been watching from his place across the room. It spoke of a sword that had a lot of use.
Tallbar was looking between the newly arrived lord, and the table where Mei’An and her party sat.
“My Lord Bornale. I am a simple innkeeper. I know nothing of strange events. Only that trade seems to be quiet today.” Tallbar mopped at this glistening forehead.
Lord Bornale’s hand rested on his sword casually. He swept his gaze around the room. Seemingly oblivious to Mei’An and Luan. His dark eyes glittered though, and the set of his jaw told of tension. His lips were a thin line beneath his hawk nose. His dark bushy eyebrows were drawn down as he peered through the dimness directly at Rees. He took a step in the direction of their table, and like an uncoiling Whip Snake Luan was on his feet and between the table and the approaching Lord Bornale.
The tension in the room was almost tangible. The musician stopped playing with a last discordant twang.
Luan was standing almost casually, expressionless, his thumbs hooked into his broad belt. He was not on guard, but it was apparent that Bornale would not pass him. Bornale had only taken the one step. He still seemed to not see Luan, his gaze giving the impression that he was looking right through Luan at Rees.
“Strange guests in your inn this day innkeeper,” he said. “Perhaps the stories are true after all. This farm boy at the table is being spoken of all over the city.” Finally he focused his gaze directly on Luan and with as much contempt as could be possible in his voice said. “I heard nothing of men playing at warrior though, nor passing their camp followers off as ladies.”
Luan’s expression never changed. The words flowed over him. He was watching the eyes of this Lord Bornale. The man might be a blind fool, but he wore a well used sword. Any sword play would start in the man’s eyes. There was now a slow movement of people toward the doors. A storm was coming, both outside and inside, and most people preferred to be outside.
Mei’An rose gracefully from her chair and stood beside her guard companion. She laid a hand on Luan's arm.
“My Lord Bornale,” she began. “Let me introduce myself. I am Mei’An, and this is my Guard Companion.” She hesitated but a fraction then added. “..Luan.” Her voice was light, her tones like music in the still air.
Lord Bornale swallowed, his eyes slightly larger. He blinked.
“Your...” he hesitated, “Guard Companion?” He looked at Luan as if seeing him for the first time. His gaze swept over Mei’An, taking in the fine materials of her dress, the excellent cut, the nice needlework. He lifted his hand clear of his sword, and swept his hat from his head. He bowed low in the same sweeping motion.
“Dear lady, forgive me. I little expected to find a Wind Reader in a common inn. Nor did I expect her Guard Companion. It," again he hesitated. “..may have been interesting.” Lord Bornale was looking directly at Luan. Luan nodded at the comment and stepped aside.
“You will join us at table?” Mei’An said in a pleasant voice, quite at odds with the tension in the room.
“Only if you will forgive me my indiscretions my lady. Truly had I known of the presence of a Wind Reader in the city, I would have curbed this accursed tongue. I take back my insults. The Creator attest, I humbly apologise.” This was an apology that was meant. Even Luan relaxed. None would invoke the Creator unless they meant it.
“You are forgiven my lord. Surely, we all speak in haste sometimes, only to regret it later. Please, step up to our table and take refreshment with us. We would like to hear what you have been hearing in the city.”
Bornale kept a wary eye on Luan, now settling again into his chair. Bornale was no fool, and well knew he had very narrowly escaped a direct confrontation with one of the most feared and respected swordsmen in the country. Bornale knew he was himself no slouch, but he also knew he would most likely have ended up dead on the floor had he encountered a Guard Companion. He watched Rees as he sat the opposite end of the table. He placed his large hat in front of him, and took a jug of ale handed to him by a thankful innkeeper. The patrons who had fled moments before were trickling back into the inn. The musician started playing again, a happier tune with a foot tapping beat that soon had everyone relaxing again. Conversations started and laughter began to be heard.
Rees still hadn't spoken, and Mei’An indicated him.
“Lord Bornale, this is Rees. A companion of mine on our journey. His friends are not present just at this moment, but I expect they will return before too much longer. Indeed, Rees is as you say, just a farm boy out to see the world.”
“He’s from Xu Gui – you are from Xu Gui?” Bornale redirected his question to Rees.
“Yes.” Was Reese’s clipped reply.
“I have heard,” continued Bornale. “That two of your friends returned to your village, and that three have simply – disappeared."
“You hear a lot, my lord. Perhaps you can even tell us what it is we do?” The flat statement in Rees’s voice was neither question nor insult. Just a statement of fact. To the surprise of all Bornale leaned back in his chair and roared with laughter.
“No young lad, that I can’t. Yes, I hear a lot. I have eyes and ears throughout the city, as a man in my position must in these dangerous times. The only place I cannot seem to ever gain entry to though is The Inn of The Blind Man. Very truly named, this place. So when things began to happen, and all pointed back to here, then I must come in person and make direct enquiries myself.” Bornale sipped from his mug. He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“I have heard. I have heard .. that the last battle approaches. What know you of this matter Master Rees. of the village of Xu Gui, once the last refuge of the Malachite Kings.”
“What do you know of this Lord Bornale?” Mei’An’s voice was quiet. No longer light.
“Only what I hear my lady. I am well studied. My family have had tutors for as long as our family has been. They instruct the children in all things. Including our history, and all the prophesies. I had thought, as all do, that the ancient tales are just stories to put little children to sleep. Now I find there are Tharsians beneath the city.” He held up his hand as Luan sat forward, palms flat on the table. “Morgoth warriors seen in the darkened streets, and a band of people in the city from a place mentioned in legends. On top of this, the walls on an inn, an inn I have no eyes and ears in, are seen to be vibrating and groaning, while lamps flare so as to crack their glasses. I am no fool my lady Mei’An. If not the last battle, then a battle none the less, but a battle is looming I fear. There are too many signs. Oh, and yes, your companions from Xu Gui are on their way with most of the Mare Altan from all of Da Altai. That will put over many thousands of thousand warriors on this side of the Dragon Spine. If the Mare Altan are coming openly, then the Asher Altan will be coming also. Now you tell me, Rees of Xu Gui. To whom are they coming to do battle with?” For one who had just seemingly announced the end of the world, Bornale was remarkably calm.
“The forces of darkness, Bornale.” Said Luan. “Only those need fear the coming battle. It does not involve the ordinary folk. Yet.”
Bornale sat back in his chair and let out a long breath.
“So. It begins. Just as I knew it would.” His long dark hair framed his face as he stared at the ale mug, slowly turning it between his fingers. “I had best prepare the city I think. I will call a meeting of the houses this night. Will the fighting be in the city do you think?” He directed his gaze at Luan.
“I think not Bornale. I doubt either the Tharsians or the Morgoth have sufficient numbers here to put up a battle. I think rather that the battle will be taken to them.” Luan looked at Mei’An. She nodded and Luan continued.
“The Morgoth hunt the Key to the Great Wheel. We in turn hunt them. Unforeseen by all, the Tharsians managed to take the Great Key, and now we all hunt them. We must get to them first. The Seal of the Creator has been found, and with that we can replace the Key to the Wheel, and fuse it in place forever. Sealing up the Dark Lord of Sara Sara in his prison. The King of the Malachites has returned, the blood line still survives.”
Lord Bornale had to snap his jaw shut. By the time Luan had finished, he found that his mouth was hanging open.
Rees spoke up quietly. “I think we should show Lord Bornale the treasure left us by the ancients.”
Mei’An looked startled for a brief moment. Rees was a man of perception, she must remember that.
“Treasure?” Said Bornale.
“Yes, the keys to the Kings you might say. Ask Tallbar here to show you to his room where it is kept. We will perhaps see you back here shortly.” Mei’An said pleasantly.
Tallbar hurried over at Mei’An’s gesture.
“Master Tallbar. Would you be good enough to show Lord Bornale the contents of the chest you treasure so highly. Even let him open it himself. It won’t take but a moment.”
Bornale looked at Mei’An. He sensed something here, but a Wind Reader would not tempt him into unknown danger. At least he didn’t think she would. He had heard somewhere that they were sworn to uphold the light, even at their own peril.
“Very well my lady,” he said. “But a moment and I will return.” He stumbled a little as he arose from his chair. He had heard Rees’s muttered “Perhaps.” Bornale left the room with the innkeeper. He was not at all sure this was a wise thing to do. Not many minutes had passed and he was back at the table. Tallbar all smiles behind him.
“Indeed, an interesting – treasure,” commented Lord Bornale. “But nothing actually precious I think? No gold, silver, precious stones? Yet you call this odd collection the Keys to a King was it?”
“My Lord Bornale. The contents of that chest are very important. Not only that, but had you been one of the Dark Ones people, you would have been destroyed the moment you tried to open the chest.” Mei’An arched an eyebrow. “The fact that you are back with us tells us that you are not walking in the ways of Darkness.”
Lord Bornale did not know what to say. He was normally a self assured person. Capable and strong. Powerful within the city. Yet here he had been tested by these outsiders. He didn’t know whether to be angry at being tested, or pleased to have passed the test. He decided to say nothing. Suddenly events were moving rapidly. He needed to keep his head clear of useless emotion.
“Does this chest then have something to do with your missing companions? You mentioned Kings. The only one I know of that title would be the Malachite Kings.”
Mei’An came to a decision. This man knew most of the recent events. It would do no harm to give him more detail.
“The missing companions are two of the Mare Altan, guards of the Malachite King. The Lord of the Dragon Armies returned. A boy from the village of Xu Gui – named Antonin. He and the Mare Altan are missing. It seems that Antonin does not control his new found abilities yet, and hopefully has his two companions with him. We don’t know where they actually are at this moment. Antonin opened a ... portal to another place, and they have all disappeared into it.”
Rees was none to sure that all this detail should be given to Bornale, so recently met. He supposed it could do no harm really, but still. Mei’An had seemed happy to put Bornale in the picture. She had her own reasons no doubt, and they would not be the reasons that Rees thought. Not for the first time Rees wished that Antonin was back here with them. Not for the first time he wished he was back safe in the village, before all this had started.
Lord Bornale was also wondering why the Wind reader had been so free with her information. In his experience, the less people knew your business the better off you were. He would wait and see where this knowledge took him.
“With your leave, Lady Mei’An, I should do something about warning all the great houses that we will soon be host to legions of ‘Altan.” He rose to leave.
Mei’An spoke to him as he rose. “The Mare Altan will camp on the plains outside the walls Lord Bornale. There is a river close by, so the city will not be troubled unduly. They will only enter the city in their hunt for the followers of the Dark One. I suspect the battle will be elsewhere. I hope it will be for your sake. You should also have stone masons wall up the entrances to the underground caverns. That is one way the Tharsians are gaining entry to the city.”
“The caverns?” Said Bornale with some question in his voice. “What caverns are these that you speak of?” He was clearly mystified.
Mei’An looked at him. Clearly the man did not know what they spoke of. It was not possible that he did not know of the existence of the strange tunnels deep beneath the city.
“There is a huge empty building near the old city centre Lord Bornale. Beneath this building is the entrance to a vast labyrinth of tunnels. Huge caverns were formed by people long past, beneath this building. There is a long abandoned city on the other side of the mountain pass that also has entrances to a similar complex. If indeed not the same complex. Before he – ‘disappeared’, Antonin and his companion had cause to venture into the complex from here. There they encountered a band of Tharsians and only managed to escape after a hard fought battle. They were not gone long into the complex, yet say they travelled far in strange conveyances. Surely you ...” Mei’An was cut off by Bornale’s raised hand.
“Ah yes Wind Reader. The Garvin Trails. Your young friends are lucky to come out alive. It is the Garvin that make these huge trails beneath the earth. Worms of monstrous size, with metal scales, that roar in loud voice at their approach. Vast winds are pushed before them as they speed along their trails. Any persons unfortunate enough to be in their path are swept away and destroyed. Not even their bodies are found. The Garvin it is said have existed beneath the earth for a thousand ages. Only the strongest of crumbling buildings now stand above the entrances to their trails. None would venture below for fear of their lives. Ages beyond ages my lady. That your friends ventured down there shows only that they did not know the peril. That they came back alive is something to be wondered at. None escape the Garvin, who roam their tunnels endlessly. Yet you say the Tharsians have gained entry to the city through the trails. Could it be that they have found a way to avoid the Garvin, or to control them?”
Lord Bornale scratched his chin. His dark eyes glittering, lost in thought for a moment. He brushed his long hair aside and turned to leave.
“The entrance will be sealed this day. On top of everything else, I do not want Tharsians rampaging through the city.” He strode to the door of the inn to depart.
Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, in mid stride. His hand was reaching for his sword, only a heart beat in time as Luan roared “Stay your hand.” There were six Mare Altan arrayed just within the door, in a wedge. The leader only an arm's reach from Bornale. Men nearest the door were falling out of their chairs trying desperately, quickly, to get away from the reach of these warrior women. They had seemed to materialise out of thin air, right in front of the door.
These women were dressed in browns and greens. Soft leathers, dusty from their journey still. Their long hair was cut away from the sides, but fell in tightly plaited braids down tier backs. Arms bare, sleeveless vests tied with thong over bare skin left little doubt that they were women. The smooth curves of tanned skin hinting at breasts that they seemed little concerned about showing. They had no place for the fine clothes of ordinary women. They were warriors first and last. Not a man in the room would have been brave enough to try and make free with these women though. They were all nearly as tall as the door frame, and that was built to admit the tallest Wagoner or Trader, and muscular with that fine tone that was apparent in athletes. Below the laced vests they all wore the same brown and green leather pants. Not tight, but close fitting and sitting low on narrow hips, with an expanse of brown skin between the belt top and the lower edge of the vest. Soft boots laced up to just below the knee. They were all armed to the teeth. Short spears with wicked looking barbed edge points, horn bows in hard leather cases on their backs with a pocket built in to hold the arrows. They carried hide bucklers on their left arm, each with a knife clipped to its rear surface. Unseen, but there were also thin throwing knives secreted in their boot tops.
The six faces that looked at Lord Bornale were calm, but ready. Not unpleasant in feature, indeed thought Bornale, some were downright beautiful. As beautiful as mountain cats and just as deadly. It was difficult to tell if they should be considered women because of their age, or girls who had aged because of their hard training. Lord Bornale thought better of asking about ages of these green eyed women. Nearly everyone he had ever met was brown eyed, and the startling green of their eyes almost held him spellbound. They were the elite of the warrior maidens – he knew that. Named the Dragon Eyed. Legend had it that they were the ones – and these descended from them – the original warriors who had carried the young Malachite King to safety at the end of the great upheavals of the last battle thousands of years ago. These girls were the best of the best, and they were a law unto themselves.
They were related by clan to the larger groups, the members of the Dragons Eye were drawn from those girls born of any family, any clan. A girl born with green eyes was set on the path at the earliest age. Taken into the sept along with the mother until old enough to have her hair braided, great honour was accorded the entire family. It could never be known who in the family had originally descended from those first warriors. When the girls were past an age where their skills began to slow, they were already betrothed, and the line continued. They stayed with the clan although no longer of the warrior sept, and were not allowed to take up the spear again. Some delayed the transition from warrior to clan mother, but all eventually made the change.
Lord Bornale knew all this of course, his schooling had be thorough. Now he hardly dared breathe. He knew very well that they had seen his unconscious movement toward his sword, and one wrong move now would see him dead before his sword cleared its sheath. He had no intention of calling these girls out. Although they appeared perfectly at ease, he could see that they didn’t appear to be breathing either. They were as taught as a bow string, and would be all over him in an instant. He hardly dared breathe, the sweat started to bead on his forehead as the unblinking gaze of the six women pinned him to the spot.
He heard a rustle of silk beside him.
“Be welcome, Long Yan, maidens of the Dragon’s Eye. You are among friends.” Mei’An said softly. Her fingers fluttered maiden hand talk as she spoke.
The warriors relaxed and moved forward around Lord Bornale, now laughing and joking between themselves. Some of it was obviously aimed at lord Bornale’s expense. Something about the skin beneath his shirt being as pale as his face, and perhaps as soft. His face went crimson as one of the girls gave his bottom a pat on her way past. She said something and they all roared with laughter like wagon drivers. Bornale fled from the scene. He was a brave man, but not brave enough, or stupid enough, to try and regain face with these warriors. Some of them were girls no older than his daughter he thought. What they wanted he didn’t know, but he would find out soon enough. Discretion was the better part of valour it was said, and he had work to see to besides. He would see the Wind Reader later.
The party of warrior maidens crowded around the table. Mei’An was again seated with Rees, who now had a grin from ear to ear. He knew some of the newcomers. He had played together with them as children. It was partly childhood envy of their training that had led him to the training he had received from Jardine of the Asha Altan. There were very few who knew of this training, but he knew the maidens of the Dragon’s Eye sept had heard of it. Some had watched, hidden away back in the rocks around the dry river bed where he mostly trained. Old Jardine had seen them there of course. He never gave them any sign, and had only said once. “The eyes of the Dragon watch you often Rees. Be careful you aren’t grabbed up by one someday.” He had smiled briefly at his own joke. The only time Rees had ever seen him openly display such emotion. It had taken Rees a very long time to puzzle out what Jardine had been talking about.
Now he leapt to his feet, all smiles. Mei’An looked at him quizzically. She had never seen him so animated. Almost from the start of the journey he had been somewhat sulky, coming along only because his friends did.
Two of the maidens sat by Luan, giving him open looks of admiration. They knew a warrior when they saw one, and were soon engaging him in reluctant conversation about his many scars. The others were clustered around Rees, with arms around his broad shoulders, all smiling and talking at the same time.
Mei’An was content to let them enjoy the moment. She new why the warriors were here. She had sensed it the moment they had appeared. They had been sent from the village, and were many days ahead of the main group. Indeed they would know nothing of what was happening. Or very little of it anyway. They had only met with Elsa and Gaul at the desert spring, enough to know that Tharsians, and Morgoth were both involved, and help was needed from the clans. The great battle was being called again. They had each gone they ways almost immediately.
Nothing had been seen of the Trader who had left the inn a few days before. If this gathering of friends would put Rees in a better mood, it would be of much benefit to the whole party. Mei’An could hear their conversation. Much good humour at finding Rees here. Amazement at all his adventures, and disappointment that they had missed all the fun. They didn’t seem at all concerned that they had just travelled a thousand miles, and most of that at a steady mile consuming run. They were dusty, but looked ready to continue on. Soon Rees was calling for ale, and they all clambered for stools and chairs so they could sit at the table.
The other patrons of the inn had come back, and there was a lot of mirth at the need to scramble for safety every time someone new came in the room. The lame musician had been joined now by a man with a hammered dulcimer, and another with a stringed instrument that was played with a bow. They began playing and soon the recent tensions were forgotten amid the noise and clatter.