The Book of Korum

  Chapter 23 - The Power of Garnthalisbain

  His gear and lute all carefully stored away, Ambori slung his pack over one shoulder and exited the hut heading out into the morning's brisk, cool air. He covered his eyes with one hand and focused on the location of his traveling party. Seeing Hal's head above most of the crowd, the bard hitched his belongings higher up onto his back and began to trot forward. The spring was back into his step and the tacky green hat and cape were back in place, bouncing along with him as he whistled softly.

  After two solid days of rest and relaxation, Ambori was beginning to feel almost human again. The frostbite had gone down, he could now feel every part of his body without a great deal of pain. His reflexes were almost back to normal although his flexibility still needed a bit of work. But he shrugged that all aside knowing that he'd have more than enough time to get back into shape during the journey up the Dragon's Tooth.

  Skarlett Black and Hal were busily tying the last few straps to the traveling bags that they needed to carry on the journey. Both packs were immense, but Skarlett easily slid one arm through a strap and set it comfortably atop his broad back. Likewise, Hal tossed his pack casually over one shoulder and looked ready to carry it that way during the whole two week journey.

  Hal's recovery was nothing short of stellar. After fighting off pneumonia during the first night, a few days of rest and good food had restored his health and vigor. Of course, he was a little bit slimmer than normal, perhaps a whole ten pounds lighter in weight from the rigors of their harrowing winter journey. But other than that, he seemed fine.

  Hal and Skarlett were casually chatting with the wemics that were to guide their party to the base of the mountain and point out the easiest path up. Apparently, there wouldn't be much in the way of actual climbing. Reportedly as they neared the top it was like climbing a steep staircase.

  Tasha was sitting cross-legged off to one side with her eyes closed. The expression on her face was completely blank, no emotion showing. Her hands twitched from time to time and her breathing was constant, but slow. Probably doing some of that mind stuff, Ambori thought to himself. I wonder what good she thinks that'll do? It's not as if she could just... think us up the mountain. He laughed.

  His heart stopped though when Tasha's voice answered him from right behind his eyes. Maybe not yet, bard-boy. But give me some time and we'll see.

  Ambori refused to look in her general direction for the next few minutes, quietly bemoaning the unfairness of it all.

  To distract himself, Ambori once again went over his mental of everything that he might need or want to use on the journey ahead. Food and extra clothing aside, Ambori checked that his lute was properly secured so that it wouldn't be affected too directly by the weather. All of his daggers were in place and properly sheathed, including the two strapped across his back for emergencies. After much debating, Ambori had decided against taking along one of the spare short swords. The odds were against him needing it and with that at his hip the climbing would only get hellishly difficult.

  That done, Ambori placed his pack down on the ground and began to stretch out his still sore and tense muscles. The bard winced at the slight pain he induced upon himself as he tried to force his limbs to their normal level of flexibility. After a slight pause in which he took several deep breaths, Ambori began again.

  Hal walked over to him and peered down at his friend. Squatting down on his haunches, Hal visibly winced as Ambori forced his legs wide. Several moments of scrutinization later, Ambori flicked a glance over at the big man. "Something troubling you?" he asked with only a trace of strain in his voice.

  He didn't speak for a moment or two, then he ran a hand through his long, wavy hair and winced again. "How can you do that?"

  "Do what?"

  "You know... " Hal explained, making clutching and pointing motions with his hands as he continued to watch the bard. "That thing you're doing right now. With your legs?"

  Ambori grinned, toying with Hal's amazement. "What? The splits?" Hal nodded. The bard shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. You get used to it after a while. Why don't you try it Hal? You might like it."

  "Oh, I don't think so" Hal said, shaking a finger at his colorfully dressed friend. "I'm in pain just watching that." Ambori laughed as Hal went on. "Besides, that ain't my thing, y'know. Too much... I mean, y'gotta be kinda graceful to do that sorta thing, right?"

  "I suppose that it helps, yes."

  Hal smiled ruefully. "Well, if there's one thing that I'm not, it's graceful. Thick as a rock and maybe about as smart as one... but graceful? Nah."

  Ambori shook his head this time, his blond curls bouncing to and fro. "Don't sell yourself short, Hal. There are times when I'd rather have your strength and size then all my speed."

  "Yeah? Like when?"

  Ambori shrugged. "I don't know off hand. But what I'm trying to say is this. Don't look at what you don't have, and make the best of what you do. And if that happens to be strength, well, more power to you."

  Hal thought about it for a second. "Yeah, I guess." Then he levered himself back up to his feet and offered a hand down to the bard. Ambori waved it off with a smile and rolled back onto his shoulders. Then he kicked out with both legs and arched his back, consequently snapping him forward and up to his feet. Hal watched the display enviously, while Ambori reached up and patted him on the shoulder.

  "Do you ever stop showing off, Ambori?" came Tasha's tired voice from behind them then. Both men turned to her though Ambori could feel the slow flush creeping up his face. Is she never going to let that go, he thought disgustedly.

  Nope, she answered, causing him to literally jump in surprise.

  "Something wrong?" Hal asked concernedly.

  Tasha waved it off with one hand and a smile. "Nothing to worry about Hal. Nothing at all."

  "If you say so, milady." Hal responded.

  "I do say so." Tasha looked from them to Skarlett then. The wemic was busily speaking away with his Pridefolk and settling some final business before the journey. Skarlett's decision to join them up the Tooth came as a slight surprise but after coming to fully understand the reason for their quest and enjoying their camaraderie, Skarlett Black had volunteered his services until the 'Rift was closed or he died trying'.

  Tasha turned back to the unlikely companions. "Are you two ready to go?" she asked. Both men nodded their heads in an affirmative. She smiled. "Good. Because we're going to be leaving shortly but before that," she paused, shifting her gaze to Hal. Ambori watched as the big man unconsciously straightened his posture and tried to appear more attentive. "Hal, Ceorn wants to speak with you about something. he wouldn't tell me what, but I think that it's important. He said that it wouldn't take long, but that he had to speak before you left. All right?"

  Hal casually placed all of his items on the ground before him. "As you wish, milady." He said before turning away and striding over to the still ill kelt's hut.

  "I wish Ceorn were healthy enough to come along," Ambori muttered.

  "Me too," Tasha affirmed, shaking her head ruefully. "But we can't afford to lose him on this one. Besides, the weeks that it'll take for us to climb the Tooth and come back will give him and Garn enough time to recover."

  "If we get the Book," Ambori reminded.

  "Do you have to be pessimistic at a time like this?" Tasha asked testily.

  Ambori grinned boyishly and shrugged. "What better time?"

  Tasha sighed woefully and stared up to the heavens, both hands out to the sides. "Why me?" she asked.