“I do not know,” admitted the mage, “but I have seen enough of your feelings to have trust in them. So should you.”
“I am committed,” nodded Lord Marak. “Are you sure Mistake cannot detect the Air Tunnel you are using on them? You have trained her in its use.”
“She could detect it if she was looking for it,” declared Klora. “She thinks of the Air Tunnel as a trick though and has not considered the possibilities of her new power.”
“Well, keep spying on them until they leave,” Marak ordered. “The more I know the better I can plan. I should try to get some more Fakarans recruited in case this one goes astray.”
“I will keep you informed,” Klora said as she left the office.
***
The caravan pulled off the main road and turned on to a small, seldom used path. Mistake rode up next to Rejji as they passed between the sheer faces of narrow cliffs.
“We have been here before,” she said softly. “This is the same camp Sebastian made the first night out of the Pikata estate. Remember, where he tried to get us to flee?”
“I remember,” Rejji replied. “It seems so long ago and yet it is not. That means we will be in Sintula in the morning.”
“Much has changed since that time weeks ago,” commented Mistake as she turned and looked at the three wagons and the column of black and silver soldiers escorting the caravan.
Rejji watched as the Torak soldiers fanned out and filtered through the trees, as if clearing the enclosed forest of any strangers. There had been no commands given; yet these men seemed to know what was required of them and did it professionally. Squad Leader Botal, Gunta, and Halman continued down the small path, leading the three wagons and the Fakarans to the campsite by the stream. The three soldiers remained silent and alert as the wagons circled the stone fire ring. Slowly, the rest of the Torak squad appeared from the trees and continued through the camp and into the trees beyond.
The Fakarans dismounted and the wagon drivers unhitched the horses from the wagons. In moments the squad reappeared and dismounted.
“The canyon is clear,” one of the Torak soldiers reported as he saluted Botal.
“Perhaps we are blessed with another safe journey,” the squad leader retorted. “Gunta, see to the wire.”
Rejji handed his reins to Bakhai and ran after Gunta as he headed back up the path. “Do you mind if I come?” he asked the Torak soldier.
Gunta stopped and stared at the Fakaran for a moment and eventually shook his head and continued to the mouth of the canyon with Rejji on his heels. Rejji watched silently as Gunta reached through the foliage and extracted a long coil of wire. The Torak soldier ran the wire across the trail and secured both ends. Rejji tried to keep the wire in sight as Gunta prepared the trap. It was hard to see the wire and Rejji knew in the dark of night it would be impossible to see. He began to understand why Sebastian had disappeared as he had that night. It became clear that Sebastian was no ordinary merchant, but a well-trained member of the Torak clan.
“Lord Marak has placed much faith and trust in you,” Gunta declared softly. “Do not betray that trust. We teach you our ways because he wishes it. If others learn of our tricks, many good people will die.”
“I will never betray him,” smiled Rejji. “He has given us back our lives and even enriched them in the process. I only wish I could live up to his expectations.”
“Then do so,” Gunta stated. “We have all thought at one time or another that his expectations were unattainable, but they are not. He does not place his trust foolishly. If he thinks you can do well for Fakara, then you can. The only block to your success lies in your own mind.”
“Have you known him long?” Rejji inquired as they walked back towards the campsite.
“I was a Situ soldier in his care when he was a squad leader,” Gunta stated proudly. “Even then I knew he was someone special. He cares for the people under him like nobody else in the world. I have seen him risk his own life to help a lowly soldier escape from an enemy stronghold. There is nothing Lord Marak would not do to help the people he cares about.” Gunta halted and looked into Rejji’s eyes as he added, “And the people who love him will gladly die for him. Betray him and you betray thousands who will hound you until your dying days.”
“I have said that I would not betray him,” retorted Rejji. “Do you not take me at my word?”
Gunta broke eye contact and stared at the ground. “You are a good lad and I believe you,” cautioned Gunta, “but your lass is another story. She strikes me as one who cares only for herself. She is pleasant enough, but many have sensed the tenseness she displays, as if she is looking for some profit to be gained in every situation.”
“She has some habits learned over her lifetime that are hard for her to break,” conceded Rejji, “but she is a good person. I will stake my life on her.”
“You are staking your life on her,” frowned Gunta as he turned towards the campsite. “I hope your trust is not misplaced.”
They returned to the campsite to smell a hearty stew cooking and Rejji saw Mistake holding two bowls. He headed over to her with Gunta’s words echoing in his mind.
“Where did you go?” questioned Mistake. “I looked everywhere for you.”
“Just for a walk,” Rejji replied. “Thanks for getting the stew for me. I am famished.”
“And a bit sore from riding?” chuckled Mistake.
“Not as bad as yesterday,” he laughed and then turned serious. “Mistake, what if we cannot find this Sage you seek? He may not even exist. At what point will you admit that the search is futile?”
Mistake looked at Rejji quizzically, “He exists. We will find him.”
“What if we don’t?” Rejji persisted.
“I don’t wish to discuss it,” Mistake said stubbornly.
“Why is family so important?” Bakhai queried as he moved closer to his two friends. “Are not friends more important than a family you have never known?”
Mistake scowled but it was Rejji who spoke. “Have you never known any family, Bakhai?” he asked.
“No,” answered Bakhai. “The forest has been my home and the animals my friends. I do not understand how the sharing of blood can mean much when people have never met.”
“I guess it is hard for you to understand then,” Rejji conceded. “I do not think I can explain the feeling, but the bond I had with my grandfather was more than friendship. It was a total and absolute trust, and a kinship that could never be torn apart. When he died, it was like a piece of me went with him. It is hard for me to believe that he is gone.”
Squad Leader Botal approached the three Fakarans and nodded. “Tomorrow morning the caravan reaches Sintula,” he informed them. “Once the wagons enter the city, the squad will escort you eastward to the Fortung Mountains. We will attempt to get you to the foot of the pass before nightfall, but we will continue into the dark if necessary. It will be a very long and arduous ride. I suggest you get as much sleep as possible tonight.”
***
Brakas entered the tent while the Chadang warriors held the flaps for him.
“Greetings, Vrylok, Leader of the Chadang,” Brakas said. “Thank you for allowing me into your tent.”
“Welcome, Brakas of the Zaldoni,” returned Vrylok as he waved his visitor to a cushion on the floor. “My apologies for our humble surroundings, but we no longer maintain a permanent fortress. The Jiadin seem to be everywhere since that farce of a meeting at Vandegar.”
“Indeed they are,” agreed Brakas. “The Zaldoni have gone over to them. I fear it is a matter of time before they rule all of Fakara.”
“The Zaldoni have joined with Grulak?” Vrylok queried with raised brows. “This is fact? What of you? Are you with the Jiadin now?”
“Not I,” declared Brakas. “I could not abide by their decision. And to think I followed Wyant faithfully all these years. To give into the Jiadin without a fight is disgraceful. Now the Jiadin are stronger than ever. Other tribes have joined as well. The Galtok, Madren, and Ublix have joined in the last fortnight. Soon it will be everyone under Grulak’s rule.”