Chapter 6 Chapter 8

- Chapter 7: River -

The next day Keir was supposed to help prepare for the journey's second stage by studying maps with Bautista, Black Muraga, and the twins. Instead, he wandered about the palace, admiring the handiwork of the Brimulung artists. It wasn't until his stomach grumbled, and he thought about returning to his room to eat, that he realized he was lost.

Glancing about, he saw no one. Voices drifted through the twisting hallways, but they were all distant. He tried to recall how he'd gotten where he was, but to no avail. Shrugging, he set off as best he remembered.

On the third hallway he tried, he was suddenly aware that he was no longer alone. Whirling, he drew Onaonte. His assailant of the previous night stood before him, a long dagger in each hand and a deranged gleam in his dark eyes.

"You will not destroy my work, child." The Brimuli's voice was hollow, ethereal.

Keir fought down the panic and fear that threatened to control him, a terror greater than even when he'd faced Pranzik.

"Who are you?" he asked slowly, struggling to keep from trembling.

The Brimuli chuckled, a grating laugh like claws scraping rocks. "I am He whom the wise are afraid to name." Keir knew instantly whom the Brimuli referred to, though he did not know the name of the legendary Demon King.

"O Holy Evesthar, help me!" he muttered even as he felt his grip on Onaonte forcibly loosened by an unseen hand. As the sword clattered on the floor, Keir watched a black nimbus surround the blades of the possessed Brimuli. Yet even as the Brimuli stepped closer, daggers aimed towards his heart, once again the power of the White Magic erupted. He was more aware this time as the bright white shell surrounded him.

"No!" cried the Demon King vehemently. "You shall not defeat me this time, Evesthar! I will have his soul to devour!"

"Thou shalt never prevail!" cried Keir, but it was not himself speaking. Someone or something was speaking through him! Then a pair of crushing blows struck his shell and he staggered. Another blow and Keir sank to his knees. His shell was weakening!

"Give him to me!" screamed the Demon King as his Brimuli slave rained down blow after blow. Then a knife blade pierced the shell and the white light began to disintegrate. The Demon King howled with a lustful glee.

"Now you are mine!" he screamed.

But then Keir remembered his father and brothers. Anger surged and white beams burst from his hands, wrapping around the daggers and ripping them out of the Brimuli's grip. Again the Demon King screamed but this time it was out of frustration. For several seconds the two strove, their lights clashing with a spray of sparks.

Suddenly, the black light disappeared and the Brimuli screamed in his own voice this time, a short scream of terror and extreme agony. Then the Brimuli also disappeared, although the echoes of his cry lingered. As Keir's White Magic faded, he realized that the Demon King's presence no longer remained.

*****

"Dear Evesthar," mumbled Bautista as they examined the site of Keir's magic battle with the possessed Brimuli. "Dear, dear Evesthar."

Keir had never seen the mage distraught. He'd had to tell Bautista his story three times, and never once without at least a half-dozen interruptions.

The wizard held up the remains of one of the assailant's daggers. "How could I have been so foolish?" The blade was scored as if by fire. Nothing remained of the handle. Bautista looked once more at the walls. No trace of paintings was left. The walls, floor and ceiling were white as ash for several paces. Statues lay smashed and friezes were worn as dull as if they had been facing the elements for millennia.

All present, including King Glorbain, Orudaza, the twins, and Black Muraga, as well as a squad of warriors, gazed open-mouthed at the destruction. Finally, Bautista took Keir's arm and led him away from the others, speaking softly.

"Son, you must learn how to control and wield this magic before we leave Alusia. You saw what happened here. If you don't learn now, you may destroy yourself as you obviously did that Brimuli."

"What did I do to him?"

"Why, you destroyed his soul, of course."

Keir was mortified. "I did what?"

"Keep your voice down," muttered Bautista as the others turned to look at them. "The last thing we need is a theological discussion with Glorbain. All those Brimulung think it sinful when an evil soul is destroyed."

"I don't understand. What do you mean, the soul is destroyed?"

Bautista glanced over Keir's shoulder as if to make sure no one was within earshot, then leaned close to the youth.

"Everyone who has the power of either the White or Black Magic, or has used an instrument of magic such as your sword or my staff, has in their soul a rahke. That is what you destroyed, and when you destroyed the rahke, the soul was obliterated."

"You mean he doesn't exist, not even in Meth?"

"Yes. It is as if he was never born."

"O holy Evesthar! That's worse than murder!"

Bautista shook his head. "I know that's what the Brimulung and others say, but the wise, the Grand Order, do not share that view. It is a casualty of the never-ending war between the White and Black Magics. Besides, it is more humane than being damned to eternal suffering and slavery in Meth."

Keir shuddered. He did not fully agree with the wizard, but decided not to press the issue.

"So how do I control this Magic?" he asked.

"Not here in the open. Too many eyes and now it is obvious that even here in Alusia not all may be trusted. Wait until we retire to your room."

*****

For two more days, while Black Muraga and the twins worked on some scheme of Glorbain's, Keir practiced with Bautista in learning to wield the White Magic, using Onaonte as a focus to channel the power. Progress was slow and agonizing. Heated discussions broke out often as Keir, impatient with his progress, argued about both Bautista's methodology and his theology. Once, when Keir had finally managed to coax a meager white beam out of Onaonte and had blasted a small patch of wall into a dusty hole, he had nearly thrown the sword onto the floor in disgust. Instead, he had rammed his sword into his sheath and stormed out of the room. The wizard, perplexed, had run after him.

"What is wrong, Keir? You did well back there. Do not give up now when we are so close."

Keir, whirling, had shouted back, "Close to what? Why do I have to destroy things with my magic? Why can't I just create like the Brimulung do?"

"Now you wait a minute here," Bautista had said crossly, shaking a finger in Keir's face. "You are coming close to blasphemy. Do not fill your head with Brimulung idealism. It borders on heresy."

"But this isn't right! I feel, oh I don't know, dirty somehow treating the magic this way."

"Dirty? Not right? Of course it is right! The Grand Order has spent its entire existence to learn the right way. And you must learn or you will never defeat Teivos or even Pranzik."

Keir had sighed. "I'm sorry, Bautista. I want to learn but I don't think I can ever use the White Magic to deliberately kill another being."

The wizard had wrapped an arm around Keir's shoulders and herded him back towards the practice room. "You will use it, for how else could you defeat any beings so steeped in the Black Magic? And kill Teivos you will, and Pranzik after him. You must be strong, for the entire world depends on your strength, Keir."

Keir had said nothing, allowing himself to follow Bautista's teachings. He had, however, pondered one thought in his mind over and over. I will kill Teivos and Pranzik, but not with the White Magic. The must be another way.

For several more hours they practiced until at last Bautista seemed confident that Keir would not destroy everyone and everything around him if he erupted again. Finally, the wizard dismissed the youth with a final warning.

"Do not dare to use your power until you have more control."

"But what if the Demon King returns and I can't control it?"

"In the name of the gods, Keir, how often must I say it? There is no 'Demon King.' Do you still think you could have overcome such a being?"

"Well..." Keir began.

"There is no such being!" Bautista pounded the table for emphasis. Keir had noticed such vehemence in the mage only when he might be wrong. Some of these issues would be worth discussing with someone more open-minded.

*****

They were up early the following morning. Keir wore his leather garments once more, now freshly restitched. The twins had also donned their traveling clothes, leather thongs on their wide belts now strapping famards to their waists, a favorite Brimulung weapon that could be used as a short spear or a long axe. Brabin beamed with pride as Keir examined the ornate shaft and blade of his famard, explaining that his father Hrogin had carved the miniature scenes of Brimulung warriors in battle along the haft in honor of a great victory over the Oomglas a few years previous.

Meanwhile, Black Muraga had traded his tattered tunic for dark brown trousers held up by a wide leather belt, a tan shirt open at the collar, knee-high boots and a green cape swept over one shoulder. He also decided to leave his chainmail and shield behind, keeping only his sword and a knife with a diamond-shaped purple gem embedded in its hilt. As they strode through Alusia's streets, the disavowed knight told Keir that the knife was an anniversary present from his wife a couple of years before.

King Glorbain and a score of mounted warriors met them at the gates of the outer wall. While Keir and his companions mounted, the king led his pony next to Bautista and the youth.

"I've decided to take your advice, wizard, and journey with you as far as the Zon River crossings at Oikhasia. I think after you leave, I'll travel to the northern reaches of my country, since I haven't visited there for several years."

Bautista nodded approvingly. "A good plan, your majesty. But do not linger there. Savonna could strike any time."

"Don't worry, old friend. We'll be ready, thanks to you. But come, let's be on our way."

They rode slowly up the long spiraling road. At several of the towns they were joined by merchants with jewels and precious metals to sell to traders at Oikhasia as well as delvers on their way to the outside mines, including Doimbur, Dhorun, and the sons of Gralin. By the time they left Glimsia, more than one hundred Brimulung had joined them.

Finally, they left the mountain and passed the thundering waterfall, the afternoon sun once again shining on the cascading water. For a brief moment, Keir felt as if no time at all had been spent in the depths of Mt. Alusia. Rather, it seemed as if he had just awakened from a pleasant dream.

As they reached the traders' town, however, they were greeted with a horrifying sight. Gallows lined both sides of the street, as well as a score of swinging corpses. All were esil-headed or wore topknots.

"That is more than I expected, your majesty," said Bautista casually.

Glorbain nodded grimly. "Black Muraga revealed the majority, but without those wards you provided, we would've never captured so many. Certainly, our loss of warriors would've been much greater than a half-score. My gratitude is yours once more, as well as Captain Muraga's."

"That Savonna knows you have discovered his treachery is certain. Whether he and Pranzik react with rashness is not. Your cautions on this journey must be extreme."

"They will be, old friend, they will be."

Alusia is so beautiful, Keir thought with a glance back at the mountain. Why did our Revolution have to spread here? He stared sadly at the bodies as they rode past. I guess Bautista was right. This war is between more than just my people and tyranny.

The paved road followed the Baas River until it split into the Lebec and Zon rivers after about twenty miles. There the road also split. One road, the one Keir had arrived on a few days earlier, followed the Lebec River northeast until it came to the Bridge of Calis. Another traveled northwest towards other parts of Nasaus, while yet a third worked its way south along the Zon River until it reached the Magalian border near Oikhasia. Doimbur and the rest of the delvers departed along the first two routes while the remainder of the company followed the latter.

The sun had reached the horizon by the time they arrived at Oikhasia and the large fellowship crowded both of the town's inns to overflowing. At The Golden Rooster, the innkeeper did everything possible to provide maximum comfort for his guests, even personally serving dinner to King Glorbain's table, at which Keir and his friends sat. Bautista blessed the innkeeper's brew and promised prosperity for years to come.

After dinner, the twins excused themselves and disappeared out a side door. Shortly after, Keir noticed a pair of cute serving maidens follow them. Meanwhile, local Brimulung came to Glorbain, who listened to their gossip, and learned much of the happenings in southern Nasaus. The only news which interested Keir was the sighting of many "strangely garbed bald men" sneaking around the area during the past two days.

When they heard this, Black Muraga leaned over to Keir and whispered, "Those priests are waiting for us, boy. And by now, they must know we're here."

Keir nodded grimly. "I hope Bautista can get us out without them noticing."

"Nobody's ever escaped from priests of The Voryaki. And judging by the numbers at Alusia and what we've heard so far, I'd guess that Pranzik has sent a good portion of his priests after you." Black Muraga was about to say more but Bautista glared at him and the knight kept silent.

Finally, the king yawned and rose, promising to listen to more grievances the following day after he'd had a good night's sleep. Keir decided to take a late night stroll before returning to the room he shared with Black Muraga and Bautista. Opening the door and stepping onto the porch, he began to take a deep breath of the fresh mountain night air when rough hands suddenly yanked him back inside.

"Oh no you don't," said Black Muraga tersely. "Not with those priests out there."

"Come on, Black Muraga. A few minutes can't hurt."

Bautista laid a hand on his shoulder. "You are going to remain in your room tonight, whether you want to or not. Black Muraga will stay with you."

"This isn't fair!"

Shaking his staff at the youth, the mage threatened, "I will use this if I have to and bar the door magically or maybe turn you into a mouse. Now go. I will join you shortly."

Black Muraga grabbed Keir's arm and half-dragged him up the stairs to their room. For the next hour, he tried to get the knight to tell him what the wizard was doing but his only answer was that he'd find out soon enough. Finally, the door opened and Bautista strode in, a look of satisfaction on his face. He motioned for both men to sit.

"Where have you been?" Keir whined.

The wizard glared up at him. "If you had chosen to join us the other day instead of trying to get yourself killed, you would have realized I was making some necessary arrangements for our journey."

"Oh," muttered Keir sheepishly.

"Now, as both of you know, if you studied the maps in Alusia," he said, looking at Keir suspiciously, "the Zon River has five major sets of rapids, four within the first fifty miles. After a long calm stretch ending about twenty miles from Magalia, the fastest, longest, and most difficult set of all hits: the Rapids of Meylin. The five of us, even with my powers, would not be able to make it to Magalia without help."

Keir interrupted. "Why are you so concerned about the rapids when we've got horses?"

Bautista narrowed his eyes and Keir was afraid for a moment that the wizard was really going to cast a spell on him.

"As I said before, if you had been around during the planning, you would have known about my decision to ride the rapids rather than risk a couple of weeks in that wilderness, especially after hearing that priests of The Voryaki are nearby. Now, because of the Rapids of Meylin, I have employed the aid of three of the best Eleshen traders in Magalia. They know the Zon River better than the backs of their own hands. They are trustworthy and rank high among their people."

"What are their names?" asked Keir.

"Earec Resgau, his brother Rulac, and their friend, Jiam Sheath."

*****

As they finished their breakfasts the next morning, three young men strode confidently towards their table. Keir hadn't noticed them previously, nor had he seen anyone enter the inn or come from their rooms. It seemed as if the young men had walked right through the walls. As they neared, Keir realized these were not men, but Eleshen as he noticed their distinctive characteristics: silky blond hair, fair skin, and almond-shaped silver eyes that seemed to sparkle with a light of their own.

They all wore sleeveless leather vests over long-sleeved light green tunics, breeches the color of fir boughs, and tan knee-high boots. Long bows were slung across their backs while a sword and dirk hung at each Eleshi's side.

None of the Eleshen appeared to be more than twenty-five or thirty at first glance, but the longer Keir looked at them, especially their odd eyes, the older they seemed. Then he remembered that Eleshen have life spans many times that of other men.

Bautista, Black Muraga, and Keir rose to greet the traders. The wizard made introductions while everyone reached across the table to shake hands. Keir noted that Jiam was a few fingerwidths taller than he was; thin, wiry, and yet graceful. The Resgaus, on the other hand, were both a little shorter. Earec was muscular and rugged, but moved quickly. Rulac, though not as robust as his brother, possessed the suppleness of a wild hiyaka cat.

Earec spoke, his voice both cheerful and boisterous. "Where are the Brimulung you said would be traveling with us, Bautista?"

The wizard frowned. "I do not know." He turned to Keir and Black Muraga. "Do either of you know where the twins are?"

"The twins?" exclaimed Rulac excitedly. "You don't mean the great warriors Brabin and Brobin, do you?"

"Why yes, I do," said the wizard, astonished. "You know them?"

The Eleshi chuckled. "I know them well. In fact, I spoke with them just a little while ago. They were headed towards the wharves with a pair of gorgeous Brimulung ladies. They mentioned checking on some canoes, but the way those women were gazing at them, I don't know."

Keir and Black Muraga both groaned but Bautista seemed pleased that the twins had been located.

"It sounds like we'd better get moving then," Black Muraga growled. "When those two get around women..." His voice trailed off ominously.

Keir and the others laughed knowingly as they went to pack their belongings. Soon they were taking their leave of King Glorbain and then were off for the docks. They strode slowly along the cobblestone streets, enjoying the crisp mountain air and filling their lungs with the morning freshness. Mt. Alusia's snow-capped peak dominated the view behind them while the eastern sun lit the falling valleys ahead. Keir felt relaxed despite the supposed presence of the priests, whom he hadn't seen any sign of since passing the gallows.

"Earec," asked Black Muraga, "How long do you think it'll take to reach Magalia?"

"Oh, on a perfect trip we can make it in three days, but often it's taken us more than a week. My guess is four days, if the weather holds."

"Nay," said Jiam solemnly. "Five in the least. I sense evil ahead of us."

"Jiam," retorted Rulac, "You're always pessimistic before a journey. If Earec says four days, it'll be four days."

A loud voice shocked them out of a possible argument. "Ahh my dear brother," boomed Brobin, "They have finally arrived."

Brabin and Brobin were less ready to go than the canoes, and their parting with their female friends was lengthy and drawn out. Finally, however, the group was on its way.

The three long, sleek trailion-bark canoes were of the finest Eleshen quality and everyone had room enough to stretch their legs. Built with the light-colored, sturdy wood found only in the forests of Magalia, Keir noted that the boats glided atop the water without sinking below the surface the slightest bit, even the canoe where Rulac and the twins chattered merrily, yet showed no signs of tipping. Another craft carried Jiam, Bautista and most of the supplies while Earec, Keir, and Black Muraga rode in the third.

The Zon River began slowly and smoothly. After the first mile, most signs of civilization dropped away. Soon, only the occasional huts of traders and river rats peeked out from among the soaring wilderness trees. But they saw no one as they paddled down the sluggish Zon.

At mid-afternoon they hit the first set of rapids. As they rushed through the rapids, it seemed to Keir that the canoe changed directions by its own volition, slipping past huge boulders and darting through rough currents with virtually no aid from Earec. He was amazed by the Eleshi's skill in handling the craft and saw that both Rulac and Jiam maneuvered their canoes with equal ease. When they finally popped past the last rock, Keir commended Earec for his incredible navigation.

The brawny Eleshi's face reddened. "Uh, well," he stammered, embarrassed. He glanced quickly at his brother and Jiam. Both were speaking to the men riding with them as everyone rested. Earec leaned close, whispering roughly in Keir's ears.

"I've gotta admit we've a slight edge over our competition." He reached under his vest and pulled out a small silver amulet shaped like a horned beast Keir didn't recognize. "I picked me up a few of these trinkets as a lark at a bazaar in Ikibz. Turned out that the little devil who sold 'em to me actually spoke the truth."

"The truth about what?"

"This amulet lets me control our boats' direction with my mind. The other two each have one as well. Makes it possible for us to get through the Rapids of Meylin without having to march around like everyone else." Earec's eyes narrowed. "But don't let my brother or Jiam know I told ya. They're always so worried about our reputation."

"I promise not to say a word."

"Thanks." Then the Eleshi called out to the others, "Come on ya lazy Oomglas! Get those paddles back in the water or we'll never make it to Magalia in time!"

*****

For two days they made good progress in the hot summer sunshine, with no sign of any priests. The river descended at an easy pace, forcing the travelers to paddle hard through the lethargic waters to keep up with Earec and Bautista's time schedule, although the first four sets of rapids helped to speed them along. Their mood remained bright and Keir knew that once again he'd escaped the priests.

Bautista, however, took no chances and had them paddle into the night both evenings. He told them it would be harder for anyone to spot their resting place in the no-light of the new moon than in the dim light of dusk. Only by the faint light of the orb on his staff, however, were they able to safely land. But, as they wearily dragged the boats into the brush the second night, Keir tripped over a branch and fell face first into the river, soaking himself.

The others laughed until Bautista hushed them. Keir approached the wizard.

"Can we light a fire tonight, Bautista? I've gotta dry my clothes." He wrung out his shirtsleeve for emphasis.

"No. We can't risk being seen by the priests."

"Besides," said Rulac, "the forest is much too dry. One spark and the whole forest would be burning."

"But I'm gonna freeze!"

"Keir," said Jiam. "Feel this bush." Both Keir and the tall Eleshi rubbed a broad leaf of a waist-high plant. It was damp.

"Do you know what it means when the forest is this dry during the summer and there's a heavy dew like this?" Keir shook his head.

"I didn't think so. What it means is that even if you did get your clothes dry, it wouldn't do you much good." He fingered another leaf, picking it off its branch. "When the dew's this heavy, it's a sign that a storm's brewing out on the Bel Sea."

"So?"

Earec raised a hand, a smile on his face. "I think I already know what you'll predict, Jiam. You're gonna say that this storm'll hit us at the Rapids of Meylin, right?"

"You said it, not me."

Keir rolled his eyes in disbelief. "No one can predict weather like that."

Rulac shrugged his shoulders. "We've never known him to be wrong, although it would be nice if just once..."

Jiam glared at Rulac and the younger Eleshi quieted. "Anyway, what I was telling you, Keir, is that you're going to get soaked tomorrow so forget about drying off and start worrying about the Rapids of Meylin."

Nodding, Earec said, "You're not kiddin'. There's nothin' as tough as those rapids, even with our, uh, abilities."

"Yeah," agreed Rulac. "Fifteen miles of hell."

"Kinda like living with my wife," muttered Earec.

Rulac laughed. "If you were ever home long enough, you'd find out your wife is really a sweet woman."

"Ahh, you newlyweds are all alike. Give yourself a century or so. Better yet, just wait 'til your twins are a little older."

"You have twins?" blurted Brabin and Brobin.

"They're only six years old," said Rulac, blushing.

"Oh, what a blessing for you," said Brobin as his brother thumped Rulac's back. "Twins bring greatness and honor to a family."

"Thank you." Rulac turned back to Earec. "Really, if you'd just consider part-time trading for a while..."

"I'd go crazy. No thanks."

"Old family argument," Jiam mumbled to Keir. Smiling wryly, he added, "I don't have that problem. My wife died years ago."

Earec gestured dramatically to Rulac. "If Sira's tongue was as gentle as your Karela's, I might. But when she suggested that I show up at home just once a decade, I was too happy to oblige."

"But what about the rapids?" asked Keir. "Can you get us through them?"

The Eleshen brothers glared briefly at the youth, then shook their heads and smiled. Earec laid a hand on Keir's shoulder.

"Don't worry," the husky Eleshi said jovially, "We've made this trip dozens of times. You've nothing to worry about."

*****

Black Muraga woke Earec an hour before dawn for his turn at watch. Softly, the Eleshi rose, stretched, and crept as silent as a panther about the edge of their small camp along the riverbank. He halted frequently, listening with one ear pointed away from his companions. Then he tensed, sensing that something was wrong. Silently drawing his sword, he sniffed the air. The dew-covered brush dominated, but with a hint of rankness. He peered into the dim, hazy shadows. Then the source of the smell appeared so suddenly that it startled him.