The Adamant Key
By: Trivnar Silversword
Chapter seven - Old memories
Rowan rolled over and pulled her blanket higher up under her chin. The ground under her was hard and lumpy so she rolled over again, trying to find a softer spot. Finding none, she gave up and opened her eyes.
Very little light was filtering through the cloth walls of her tent, suggesting that it was overcast outside. Rowan sat up and fished around the scattered blankets for her clothes.
The trader girl was still in shock from the events of the previous day. She had been carried away through the forest for hours, until it became too dark to see. The leader, Scucca had called a halt. Within minutes, ten one-man tents were pitched.
Rowan had watched them, dazed, as Scucca came up and introduced himself. "My name is Scucca, second in command under Tyuru. We are, as you might have guessed, the Free Riders." He brought her attention to the daggers which hung from his belt. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to hold on to these for you."
"What are you going to do with me?" She asked impassively, not really caring.
Scucca shrugged. "Tyuru must have a reason. I'm going to assign a guard to you. Under her eyes, you can go anywhere, as long as you stay near. No one will hurt you unless you give us cause."
Rowan blinked. Freedom to go wherever she wanted? Shaking her head, she turned to a more worrisome topic. "What about Kepa? Did he escape?"
"We shall see."
He had then showed her a tent. "You can sleep here. Your guard's name is Galatea; she will be positioned outside." Not having any choice, Rowan had stumbled inside the tent and fallen asleep.
Rowan frowned to herself as she tugged her top on. They really weren't treating her like a prisoner. More like a welcome guest. Perhaps it was only a front to keep her calm. She pushed the tent flap open and strode out, pausing to take a good look at her bodyguard. Galatea was a woman of medium hight. A long brown braid hung down her back. Two iron balls hung from the end of the braid, and they clicked together as the mercenary moved.
"Can I get some breakfast around here?"
To Rowan's surprise, Galatea grinned and nodded. "Sure! Follow me."
The Rider moved off through the tents, not bothering to look back and check if Rowan was following. The day was indeed overcast, the skies heavy with dark clouds which threatened rain at any moment.
"Are there more tents now then there were last night?" Rowan asked.
"Yep! Leader Tyuru came back last night with the rest of the party. He was a bit disappointed because we didn't manage to capture the blaziken, but glad that we got you."
Rowan heaved a sigh of relief. So he had escaped again. Good. Hopefully he would not come to rescue her this time but head for the temple, where he would be safe.
"I am to take you to Tyuru after you eat. He'll probably explain why he wants you." Galatea shot her a sideways glance. "You don't know, do you? Everyone is wondering."
Rowan frowned, "I assumed it was because I'm bait for the blaziken. Isn't that why?"
"Oh. Well, I guess that's possible." Galatea shrugged, unconvinced.
The Free Rider finally stopped in an area devoid of tents. A large fire was burning brightly in the center and several mercenaries stood around it, cooking and eating. Galatea passed her a clay bowl of hot stew and a hunk of dry bread. Rowan wrapped her fingers around the bowl, warming them while she followed her guard over to a fallen log, where they sat.
"Tell me, Galatea," Rowan asked around a mouthful of stew, "tell me about your gang."
Galatea grinned. "Why? Not what you expected?" She continued before Rowan could reply. "We were all once mercenaries, but at one point or another, we missed having the strength that comes from an organised group. Under Tyuru's leadership, we control most of this area."
Seeing the proud gleam in Galatea's eyes, Rowan didn't doubt it for a minute. Using the hard bread to soak up the last bit of stew left in her bowl, she rose. "I'm ready to meet Tyuru now."
Kepa Nur staggered, barely managing to keep himself upright as he jogged away from the battle. He couldn't hear any more noises coming from behind, but that might have been because a muted roar now filled his ears.
The blaziken's vision was blurry and he felt lightheaded. Still, he stumbled on. Kepa's back was ablaze with pain, for it had been savagely torn apart by the black scyther's blade. Dark red blood dripped freely from the wound, leaving a shining trail behind. His other cuts stung slightly, but they simply blended in with the pain from his back.
He was no longer aware of his surroundings, had no idea where he was going. Rowan... had she escaped? Was she safe? Or had she been killed in the battle, a battle that wasn't even hers. Rowan... I'm sorry...
Kepa tripped on a tree root and fell forward, barely managing to outstretch his hands in time to break his fall. Breath coming in short, heavy gasps, he forced himself upright and trudged on.
He must get away! He must not be caught! This terrible thing he carried within him must never be revealed! Kepa inwardly cursed his foul luck. Adamantine had ruined his whole life! What was the point of continuously running?
Kepa fell again and this time did not rise. If he could just lie here... if life flowed out of him in a red stream... no one would ever get hurt on his account again. And Rowan... Rowan would be free to live her own life.
In his mind's eye, the blaziken saw Indigo plateau once more being destroyed by Loth's Kaijuu, families crying as their home were destroyed. I'm sorry...
Loth was in a towering temper. Her scouts had reported that a group of bandits had assaulted her prize. The blaziken was severely wounded and his location unknown.
Kaijuu and humans jumped out of the way as Loth strode down the halls of her home, hair bristling about her head with the passion of her fury. Her heavy, thick soled leather boots thudded against the floor and reverberated through the fortress.
Only one Kaijuu dared weather the storm. The faithful alakazam Lorelei followed in her mistress's footsteps, occasionally "catching" ornaments Loth flung around in her temper.
"How dare they steal my prize right under my nose and make me look like a fool! They will pay! We are keeping an eye on them, aren't we?"
She glared at a healer that hadn't had the chance to run and Lorelei hastily teleported her out of harm's way. Yes, my Lady. A new message was sent to the alakazam, who delivered it tonelessly to her mistress. Closer observations show that they are not mere bandits but a group of Free Riders.
Loth halted in her tracks and glanced back at her companion in surprise. "Really? What do they want from the girl, I wonder. It is not like the Riders to take captives, especially if their earlier attempt failed. The first bandits were Riders as well, I presume?"
Yes, my Lady.
Loth turned around and continued storming, although no more objects were thrown. "We will have to be more cautious. One should not underestimate the Free Riders or Tyuru."
No, my Lady. Tyuru can be quite devious. However, in the end, he is no match for you.
"I want that blaziken found as soon as possible. Take care of it yourself if you have to, but find him straight away!"
Lorelei bowed. Yes my Lady. He will be found.
Loth's temper suddenly cooled and she stopped dead in her tracks. Lorelei had to teleport to avoid walking into her mistress.
"Take me back to my bed chamber, Lorelei, and prepare a scrying glass. I need to contact Viridian."
For the first time, an expression crossed Lorelei's face. It might have been fear. Viridian, my Lady?
Loth frowned. "Yes Viridian! Why? Is there a problem?"
Lorelei was expressionless once more. None, of course, my Lady.
Both blinked out of the corridor. Slowly, the personnel crept out of their hiding-places and started going about their business once more.
Thavron moaned softly as he regained consciousness. Ever so slowly, he opened his eyes and blinked, trying to place his surroundings. He was on his back, the trader finally decided, staring up at a cloudy sky.
His chest felt strangely warm, so he glanced down. Rhynea the vulpix was curled up on his chest, solemnly regarding him with her large eyes. Thavron chuckled and sat up, holding on to Rhynea with one hand.
He appeared to be still on the battlefield, for he could see the charred remnants of his wagon. Thavron felt himself all over, checking for wounds. After deducing that his most serious injury was an egg-sized lump on the back of his head, the trader stood and looked around.
His entei lay not far from him. From the gentle heaving of his sides, he was asleep. Rowan's two Kaijuu, Mist and Coal, both lay beside the entei, fast asleep as well.
There was no sign of Rowan or her blaziken, nor were there any corpses. Apart from the bloodstained, charred and generally flattened grass, no one would have guessed it a battlefield.
Thavron absentmindedly wondered for how long he had been out as he wandered over to the wagon to see what could be salvaged. Not much of anything, he thought sadly, peering through his charred supplies. The wagon would not move again, nor could he sell anything that was left. Good thing he had made so much profit on his last trip, or he would have never lived down these losses.
Abandoning the wagon for a bad job, he walked over to Dace. The Kaijuu woke at once, pressing his large head against Thavron 's chest to show his delight in seeing his master hale.
"Hey, we've been in tighter spots." said Thavron optimistically, patting the dog's head. "If you guys are well rested, we should go look for Rowan."
Mist jumped up on Coal's back. "Vapor!"
Thavron took this as an enthusiastic reply to his suggestion, so he climbed onto Dace and settled right behind the entei's head.
"Alright Dace, start sniffing!"
The Kaijuu lowered his head to the ground and started making long sweeps across the area in which they had fought.
Suddenly Dace barked and turned into the forest. Thavron peered down and saw the trail his Kaijuu had found: large splotches of blood were scattered throughout the undergrowth. Thavron's heart leapt wildly. I hope this isn't Rowan's blood...
The trail wandered, but continued in one general direction; away from the fight. Thavron's head ached and the rest of his body was sore as well. Every step the entei took jarred him unpleasantly.
However the thought of Rowan lying somewhere, maybe even dead, made him grit his teeth and hold on harder.
He was so absorbed in holding back his pain that it took him a few seconds before he realised that Dace had stopped.
Rowan's blaziken lay under a tall oak tree. Thavron felt a surge of relief as he saw the body, then felt instantly ashamed. Poor thing had been nearly split in half and was still bleeding, although sluggishly.
"I wonder why he came way out here to die?" he wondered aloud. Thinking to at least give the Kaijuu a decent burial, he slid down from Dace's back, wincing as the landing shock jarred his head.
Thavron lay a hand on the Kaijuu's leg. He pulled it back instantly as if he had received an electric shock.
"Gods above! He's still alive!"
Thavron pulled off his shirt and tore it into strips. These he wrapped around the blaziken's back, trying to staunch the bleeding.
"Rhynea, go see if you can find me some of those leaves that Rowan showed us. You know, the ones that are supposed to encourage clotting."
The vulpix jumped down from Dace's back and dashed off, closely followed by Mist. Thavron pulled back from the blaziken and turned to Dace.
"I think I'm going to risk moving him. Can you carry him?" In answer, the entei crouched down on his belly. Thavron gently hooked his arms around the blaziken's and dragged him towards Dace. The Kaijuu moaned as the trader positioned him on the entei's back.
"Walk him back gently." Thavron instructed. "Coal, will you carry me back to the wagon?"
"Ponyta- po!"
Thavron and Coal charged back to the wagon while Dace followed at a more stately pace. Rhynea and Mist were waiting for him when they arrived. The vulpix carried a thin branch covered with leaves in her mouth.
"Thanks Rhyn! Now if you and Coal could gather some firewood for a fire while Mist and I look for a bucket..."
The Kaijuu went about their tasks as Thavron found a blackened bucket in the back of the wagon.
"Least I have some luck left... Mist, will you fill this with water?"
"Vaporeon."
Now I understand why Rowan insists on travelling with a water Kaijuu. No need to worry about fresh water!
He placed the bucket on top of the fire and went back to rummage around in the wagon. Any bits of cloth he could have used as bandages had been incinerated, but he found an unexpected treasure; a small metal box in which he kept needles and thread.
Feeling quite proud that he had kept such important supplies in a fire-proof box, he chose a needle and dropped it in the bucket of boiling water to sterilize it. As he waited for Dace, the promise which he had made to Rowan came back to mind. If anything happens to me, will you make sure Kepa reaches the Temple?
"I guess that means I have to take care of him and not rescue you." He muttered.
Dace arrived just as Thavron finished his preparations. The trader carefully lay the blaziken onto his stomach and undid the remains of his shirt. Using the cleanest bit he could find, he dipped it into the hot water and began cleaning the wound.
The other Kaijuu sat around him, watching his every move curiously. Thavron couldn't help but feel nervous as he washed the dried blood away from the wound. Once that was done, he had Rhynea fish the needle from out of the bucket.
Fighting back revulsion, Thavron stitched the wound together. Luckily the scyther's blade had not cut through anything vital, just missing the spinal cord. Muscle had been torn, but there was nothing Thavron could do about that.
After the wound was closed, he wrapped up the wound with the same bandages, which Mist had helpfully cleaned with blasts of cold water. The blaziken was then propped up against Dace and Thavron faced his toughest problem.
He fingered the branch Rhynea had brought, hearing Rowan's words. This plant could be useful to you, as it helps to stop bleeding, but it is very dangerous. Too much, and the blood will thicken to a dangerous level. Now, how many leaves was he supposed to use?
Thavron finally decided on three, and dropped them into the boiling water. He let them boil for five minutes, then fished them out. Rhynea brought over a metal cup which she had found and he filled it with the light green liquid.
Patiently, he dribbled it down the blaziken's throat. Suddenly the Kaijuu started to cough and his eyes opened.
"Rowan... where is Rowan!"
Thavron was so startled by the talking blaziken that he could only splutter, "T-take it easy! This i-is medicine y-you should dr-drink."
Kepa eyed the cup in Thavron's hand then took it and downed it in one gulp, pulling a face at the bitter taste.
He looked the trader straight in the eyes. "You would have been better off letting me die."
Galatea led Rowan back the way they came, threading in and out of the tents. This time, Rowan didn't look around, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on Galatea's back. Anxiety gnawed at her and she felt her stomach churn, threatening to rid itself of the stew.
Why had she been captured? The thought burned in her mind. She tried, without success, to cast her thoughts elsewhere. Come on, now. It can't be a really bad thing, can it? I mean, what have I ever done?
"Rowan? Tyuru." The trader blinked and focussed on the Free Riders' leader. He sat casually on a fallen log, fletching arrows. Tyuru was a surprisingly large man, with broad shoulders. He wasn't particularly tall, but his feet and hands were large. He looked somewhat like a bulldog. Tyuru's head was shaven clean and he ran a hand over it as he looked up at Rowan.
The leader dismissed Galatea with a glance and she moved out of hearing distance. Rowan watched her leave out of the corner of her eye.
"So!" Tyuru boomed in a deep voice, " you are Rowan, trader and Kaijuu healer." As he spoke he kept his eyes down, paying attention to his work.
Rowan nodded.
"You heal by using herbs, I have been led to understand. Is that all you use?"
She frowned. This was not the direction in which she had expected the conversation to go. Maybe he was trying to make her relax?
"Yes," she said coldly. "I use various herbs and oils to sooth pain and drive out infection. I also sew wounds together with needle and thread. My abilities may also be used on humans."
Tyuru nodded and raised his hand. The blue-haired second-in-command, Scucca, came over and stood beside his leader.
"I trust you have already met Scucca?" Rowan gave a barely imperceptible nod. "Scucca has several useful talents," Tyuru continued. "Among others, he is an empath."
Rowan blinked. An empath? Scucca? He certainly didn't look the type. Empaths could sense the feelings of others, were sensitive to the moods around them.
"He sensed something different in you, Rowan, something very strange. So he delved into you, trying to discover what it was."
Tyuru said nothing more, merely continued fitting the flight-feathers to the wooden shafts while the empath stared ahead impassively. Rowan swallowed, her mouth unbearably dry.
"Did he... find anything?" She finally gathered the courage to ask.
For the first time, Tyuru looked up and into her eyes. "Yes. He found a natural healing ability, buried deep under the surface. With it, you could be able to heal others by simply touching them. You are quite powerful, Scucca says.
"However you have not yet learnt how to use your talent and to judge by the expression on your face, did not even know of its existence."
Rowan simply stared at him, her numbed mind barely registering his next words.
"My warriors get wounded almost daily, and your ability would be invaluable. Yet I already have herb-healers in my group. Unless you discover how to use your talent, I have no use for you."
Tyuru returned his gaze to his fletching. "You have a week to discover how to use your talent."
Galatea led Rowan back to her tent. If the trader had not noted the way on the way there, she certainly didn't notice the way back. She lay on her back in the tent, staring up at the shadow-dappled canvas.
To heal others... simply by touching them! Rowan held up her hands and studied them in the dim light. She had always had that ability, but never discovered how to use it? But then... she could have saved... him.
Rowan had only been seven years old when her brother, two years her elder, had fallen sick. He had always been a sickly child, the first to catch chills and colds. Despite his frail health, he had always been beside Rowan's side, teaching and guiding her.
He had helped her take her first steps and his name had been her first word. Their parents had watched, bemused, as the pair would toddle off, lost in their own world. He had a gift with Kaijuu, and could call them to him. Her vaporeon, Mist, was a present from him.
Then, on his twelfth birthday, he had fallen sick. Rowan's parents, traders both, had done all they could to fight this sickness, but in the end, he died. Her parents caught the sickness as well and although they survived, they were crippled and unable to continue working as traders. But by that time, Rowan was numb and uncaring.
It was then that she vowed to become some sort of healer, to compensate for failing her brother and apprenticed herself to the healer Sorrel.
With remembrance, old wounds opened again. I wonder if it was my gift that kept me from getting sick too. H-he had always been there for me and I ... I abandoned him! Not only that, but I could have saved with but a touch of my hands!
Rowan rolled over on to her stomach and wept.