Chapter: News Most Disturbing: 20 of ?
Author: Sam
Series: A Deeper Magic
Last Chapter: Jeb and Mariah have to sneak through Central City and get closer than Jeb expected. Raw and Kalm try to heal Toto and get injured. Arista heals Jeb.
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Troubled, Lavender scanned the horizon: acres of spring grasses mixed with the dried, brown of the previous cold season. Patches of muddy snow still littered the vast fields. An occasional animal burrow could be discerned in the mucky, treacherous ground. Come summer the Thousand Years Grasslands would be a sea of undulating green blown by hot breezes. The vast, stark loneliness of the plains didn't bother the queen; the ease with which she and her consort entered through the border did.
Easing around in her saddle, her body stiff from long hours on a horse and her late night fall hours before. She met her husband's eyes and offered him a small frown, not hiding her emotions from the man she'd loved since she was nineteen. She saw her own worry mirrored in his fine brown eyes. She drew her horse up, letting him come about.
"Ahamo . . ." her light purple eyes scanned the way they'd come. She supposed it might be hidden clan members, the Nature People were supreme hunters, but she couldn't ignore the feeling of being followed.
Her spouse read her easily, as he often did. "I feel it, too," he said, voice kept low. "Odd that they might keep a watch on us when we were unchallenged at the pass into the Grasslands."
She nodded, once again scanning the horizon. Leaning painfully over in order to speak lower, Lavender said, "do you think the Nature Clan has been attacked? That group of men seen recently . . ."
Sliding a hand carefully over hers on the reins, Ahamo merely nodded silently. He gripped his own reins again as his horse sidled silently. "We aren't far from Kiamo Ko, my love. Another day before we reach the mountain."
"Nodding once, the queen nudged her mare into a brisk trot then up to the much smoother cantering gait, her consort not far behind.
They traveled only another mile or so before being forced to rein in their mounts. Quickly, a group of men and women slipped from various hiding places, spears, bows, and swords in hand. None of the group smiled, eyes distrustful as they surrounded the mounted pair, far enough away to prevent easy attack by the horses.
A man stepped forward, young and athletic, light green eyes sharply focused, like some predatory bird. His black hair had been pulled back into a thick braid, though many of his party, male and female, had short hair. All had scars in ritual patterns, but the black-haired man sported facial scarification as well as a recently healing gash from his left temple down to chin, barely missing his bright eye. Unlike his fully clothed compatriots, this man wore only a pair of sturdy leather trousers and boots. His naked torso, deeply tanned from a life spent mostly out of doors, was set off by a double row of woven cords set with beads and shells round his neck. His injury continued down his left shoulder and upper arm. An armband made of braided dark metal set with an oddly shaped uncut amber set on his right bicep. The odd style of dress marked him not as a common hunter; this man held some importance in the hierarchy of the Nature Clan.
Lavender wondered if he might be a high-ranking guard.
The man raised his empty hand, the other clasping a spear. "Talk quickly. Speak wisely," he said, a touch of anger in his surprisingly light voice.
Lavender kept her touch light on the reins, not wishing to spook her unfamiliar mare. In a loud, clear voice, she said, "I am Lavender of the House of Gale of Ozma the Great. I am attended by my husband and royal consort." Here she bowed her head to the unknown man. She would not point out their lack of security. "I have come to speak to Gyles of the House of Erede."
Lowering his hand, the stranger said, "and what would you discuss with him?"
Knowing that this young man was not Gyles, but uncertain if he were related to the former head guard of the House of Terrae, she pressed her lips together without comment. Unable to produce the magical passcode, Lavender was forced to go through more tedious means of identification, including appropriate silence for an impertinent question.
A long stretch of time passed before the man nodded. "Leave the animals. Accompany me."
Ahamo slid from his gelding then stepped over to help Lavender from her mare. She gripped the blond's arm as her legs gave way and he caught her around the waist with one strong arm, easing her to the swampy spring-flooded ground. Pain radiated throughout her body, reminding her that she had not taken it easy since the news of the attack . . . despite her injuries.
Instantly, the young man was beside her, handing his spear to another clan hunter. Without a word, he reached into a small bag at his hip and pulled out a couple of river pod seeds, bringing them to her lips. She obediently let him feed her, waiting for the small comfort the narcotic would bring, though the dose was not strong enough to bring the drifting lassitude it was well-known for.
Gently, the Nature Clan hunter scooped up the Lux Clan queen, glaring at Ahamo as the royal consort reached for his wife. As if he carried something personally precious, the man began to walk through the sodden grasses and old growth, his eyes trained ahead on a small mud-brick cabin.
Ahamo lowered his hands and quickly stood to follow, his eyes worried.
Protesting in a strong voice, Lavender informed her erstwhile rescuer "I fell from my horse earlier and need to work out the pain. I have not ridden in many annuals." She did wrap her arm around his shoulders for support, careful of his wounds, as he seemed little interested in letting her go before their destination. She remained fully aware of the group of well-armed hunters following behind Ahamo.
"Umpa," the young man called as he approached the cabin. "I bring you . . ."
The door swung open before the young man could finish. An older man limped out of the way, face scarred into a grotesque snarl on one side, a bloody bruised gash across his head and receding into his thick hair. He was dressed in the brown and gold of the House of Gale, though there was blood and dirt staining the once fine fabric. He watched intently, light green eyes matching those of the younger man. "Fynch . . . quickly," he said softly, lifting his eyes to scan the horizon then apparently frowning at what he saw.
The young man carried Lavender into the one-room cabin, past the older warrior, followed by Ahamo. The rest of the group stayed outside. Closing the door, the black-haired man turned and bowed his shoulders and neck in respect for his visitors, apparently recognizing them.
"You are well come, your majesties," he greeted them.
Carefully, the younger man placed Lavender on a low-set pallet before straightening, still frowning.
"Gyles," Lavender greeted her host, holding both her hands out to the man she'd known for most of her life. "Our letters this past month have not been answered. Now we've heard disturbing rumors." She paused then said, "the pass is unguarded, and you are injured . . ." Worry laced her tones.
With a solemn nod, briefly taking her hands in greeting then releasing them, the dark-haired man dropped to his haunches with a wince, shooting his crippled leg out straight to the side. He watched silently as the younger Fynch retrieved a pair of wooden drinking cups filled with fresh spring water. After Fynch gave their guests the cups and went to stand by the door, Gyles finally addressed the queen's concerns.
"Three days ago a group of men broke through our pass defense and killed the guards there before an alarm could be raised. We are weakened from illness and the long winter rationing. Most of our healthy warriors are need to hunt for the Clan. Our hunters were not aware of the murders and did not challenge this group of invaders, thinking them invited guests. Thus they arrived at Kiamo Ko, and I am mortified to relay that I let them in the fortress. They attacked the princess and took her."
Tangling his hands together, grief and worry filled Gyles' light green eyes. "Without the boy, we lacked the magic to block this assault. Fynch is strong, but not alone," he mourned.
Fynch flushed, narrowing his eyes, anger radiating from his tense body.
Gyles sighed. "The boy's been gone an annual and we've heard nothing from him." His shoulders shook with repressed emotions.
Lavender studied Fynch carefully then turned her light purple eyes back on the royal Tin Man. "The Western Tower has fallen under attack to a group of men previously serving the witch of the darkness. My most trusted advisors and Tin Men are seeking aid from the Clans. My consort and I come to Nature for aid and go on to Phlogiston next. Are your enemies still in Kiamo Ko?"
"No," Gyles met her eyes. He shook his head, looking puzzled. "They left that very night. They left no one behind as guard and no one moving. Fynch hid me in a storage cellar before we came here, or I'd be a casualty with the other servants." Gyles turned a proud look on the young man then turned back to the queen. "They left chaos and grief . . . and they took the princess."
Carefully sipping her water as she studied the men once more, Lavender let the silence stretch as she considered the plight of the Nature Clan and her missing cousin. Lowering the cup at last, she finally said "Gyles of House Erede." Painfully, the queen rose to her feet, slowly, nodding at Ahamo to let her go once she was balanced. She turned carefully to Gyles. "Gather the people and get them to Kiamo Ko for safety. Barricade yourselves if you must. We go to Phlogiston but will send a message to the resistance for Commander Cain. They will dispatch a group to come in defense and to provide food and hunters. You will rule in the absence of the House of Terrae until the House is restored or defeated."
Formally, Gyles bowed at the shoulders and intoned softly, "I, Gyles Erede, accept this honor on behalf of my House and my people." His eyes dropped to watch the queen's hands clasping the cup. Just as softly, he asked "who will carry the message, your majesty?"
Nodding, Lavender turned to the obviously injured younger man and ask, "perhaps Fynch can be spared to carry the message?"
All three elders turned to study the younger. Gyles straightened his back and finally signalled Fynch over to him. The man left his station at the door and stepped over to the pallet, squatting down.
Gyles asked, "Son of my sister, daughter of my father, will you carry this task until it is completed or you are deceased?"
Stiffening his back in apparent pride, he replied in a firm voice. "I, Fynch Terrae, accept this honor on behalf of my House and my people.
Surprise shot through Lavender and she turned an intense look on the young man, though she spoke to the uncle. "Gyles, your younger sister married into the House?"
As proud as his nephew, the Tin Man nodded and said, "she married the youngest brother, your majesty, after the boy's birth and his parents' murder. The princess kept this union close so that we might grow in strength and defeat this evil. Then we would present the royal family as still strong and able to rule our lands." He sadly shook his head, studying his nephew with worried light green eyes. "But with the boy gone, and my sister and her husband deceased, the last of the House would be Fynch."
Lavender smiled gently, feeling pleased that she could bring good news. "Fynch is not alone," she reached out to touch Gyles' arm. "I have met his cousin, who aids in our defense. When this evil is ended, he will come home and claims his throne . . . and Fynch," she smiled at the frowning young hunter, "can assume his rightful place as leader of the Tin Men of Nature Clan."
Fynch looked stunned, apparently surprised to have been found out, but Ahamo chuckled. "She knows not everyone has the heart for ruling, Fynch. There's no shame in protecting the rulers instead." The royal consort smiled for the other man.
Making a sound low in his throat, Gyles nodded once. "Will you leave for the Altar immediately, your majesty?"
"No," Fynch jumped in, tone harsh. "She needs healing, Umpa, before she can travel to meet the barbarians of the sands."
Gyles frowned and shook his head severely, "not barbarians, son of my sister," he still used the formal speech. "They are some of our strongest warriors and dedicated . . ."
Interrupting, Fynch continued in a disapproving tone, "They have hidden away these many annuals as evil upon evil heaps at our doors. They send lone travelers out to ply their fire trades, but do nothing to aid the people who employ them."
Lavender gently said, "not true, Fynch. I know of a very dedicate soldier from the Phlogiston Clan. I would not be surprised if his name will be linked with Clan unity for generations to come."
Fynch continued to frown but bowed at the shoulders in acknowledgement of her words. "She is still injured, Umpa. She was thrown by her horse before light and is suffering from continued travel."
"I would expect nothing less of our queen, son of my sister," Gyles finally smiled, a grotesque twisting of his scarred face looking more fierce than friendly. "Stay the night in my pallet, your majesty. You will be refreshed for your journey."
Seeing the wisdom in his words, Lavender nodded. "Thank you, Gyles. We accept your hospitality." She smiled at the Tin Man.
Springing to his feet and moving quickly, Fynch began setting up a pallet on the floor next to the raised pallet. As he finished, but before Ahamo could sit on it, Gyles struggled to his feet and retrieved an earthenware jar of ointment. He slipped the container into the consort's hands.
"For her muscles, your majesty," Gyles said then lead his nephew from the one-room cabin without further comment.
Once the pair was outside, with the door closed, Ahamo turned to his wife with a smile. She smiled in return and moved gingerly as he massaged the ointment into her strained muscles. Shortly, he had her resting somewhat comfortably. She touched his cheek. "Thank you, my love."
Some time passed before Gyles and Fynch returned, bearing food from a communal fire the rest of the hunters had built outside. As Fynch set up two more pallets, one in front of the door as a means of protection, Gyles turned to the queen.
"You are being shadowed?"
"I felt as much," Lavender replied, accepting the dried meat, flat bread, and spring greens. "I do not know whom by, but I do not trust this shadow, either."
Gyles nodded. "Then Fynch will accompany you until you leave our lands. You may part ways and go to the Altar while he goes north to . . . the meeting place for the resistance?" His questioning tone reminded the queen that she had yet to inform the young man where he would be taking his message.
Ahamo answered for her. "Shiz Academy."
Light green eyes widened then Gyles nodded. Fynch nodded his own acceptance, and the foursome settled down on their pallets to eat. Lavender knew the sunrise would bring many changes for the people . . . and not just the Nature Clan.
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Continued in Chapter Twenty-One: Control Issues
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The Twelve Clans of the Outer Zone with the Ruling House of Each Clan:
Aquam Clan/ House of Rimi . . . (Ice- Mount Runcible)
Cogitatio Clan/ House of Idae . . . (Milltown)
Corde Clan/ House of Animum . . . (Viewers)
Fortitudo Clan/ House of Greyhatt . . . (Guilds- Munchkins)
Lux Clan/ House of Gale . . . (formerly House of Ozma- Gillikin)
Mortem Clan/ House of Shiz . . . (Alma Mata- Gillikin)
Nature Clan/ House of Terrae . . . (Vinkus- Thousand Year Grasslands)
Papay Clan/ House of Somniabunt
Phlogiston Clan/ House of Pyre . . . (Fire- Desert surrounding O.Z.)
Sapientiam Clan/ House of Quinolui . . . (Quadling- Realm of the Unwanted)
Spiritus Clan/ House of Aeris . . . (Air- Lake Country)
Tenebris Clan/ House of Fugae . . . (Witch's Dark Tower- Gillikin)
