***
Javin felt much better now he was dressed. He and Sauros had been able to obtain clothing from the Pontu’ Gi replacing the tatters of a uniform Sauros had been wearing and the loin cloth Javin had fashioned. Now they both wore the same type of leather breeches and vest with soft soled leather boots laced up their calves. It’d been hard to find anything to fit Sauros, but the Pontu’ Gi women had been quick with their needles. Javin’s bare chest and arms didn’t bother him at all when compared with being almost naked. The material was made of dark tanned leather with a hint of greenish-blue. Javin had smiled when told it was made from the hide of Birta’ Fah, the great blue lizard.
He’d kept the backpack he’d fashioned, but was glad to burn the loincloth. He felt almost human now. Though with his memory still gone he was surprised he would recognize how a human was supposed to feel.
After everything, Javin and Sauros had been warmly welcomed by the Pontu’ Gi village. It was amazing. Javin didn’t think he’d have been able to trust that quickly if the situations were reversed. When he’d asked Preegha, he’d been told it had something to do with their feeling; that and having been proven by the statue.
Javin asked if they’d trusted the Other, Yah’ Winn, the same. Preegha had said nothing then changed the subject.
Javin still didn’t understand, but again, there wasn’t time to sit and work things out. They had work to do, a city to save, a princess to rescue, all the stuff any hero was expected to do.
He was glad whatever happened to his memory, his sense of humor hadn’t gone with it. It was the only thing keeping him sane -- if he was sane. He didn’t have anything to measure against.
In leaving the Pontu’ Gi’s land, they’d decided quickly to press on to Sauros’ city. Four of the Elders had asked to come. Preegha the Sahrzaa had left Luuhzho, his second, to watch over the village, then detailed off three more Elders to come with him. Two looked old, but capable of fighting if needed. The last had been Muusthaa, the Mohrta Mohr or Warrior’s Warrior. Preegha had explained he was responsible for the all the training of their young warriors.
Javin had looked him over and was surprised. He didn’t seem like much, but then again, he supposed looks could be deceiving. Muustha had smiled back, shrugging his shoulders as if he could feel what Javin was thinking. Heck, maybe he could. Then Javin saw a spark of amusement in his eyes. And Javin remembered that warriors, the best warriors, were seldom large and bulky.
He was smart, this one.
The young warriors, Preegha had gone on to explain, would listen to their old teacher, even when they wouldn’t listen to their Sahrzaa.
They’d moved quickly through the jungle, carefully approaching Sunzah’ Nu Geeza. It had taken twelve agonizing days for Sauros, who kept prodding them on to a faster pace. Now they sat hidden by dense foliage looking out at the city from their vantage point. Already they’d avoided several sweeping patrols. Sauros told Javin it wasn’t normal practice to send out as many patrols unless the city was on alert. They had a good idea the alert had something to do with Nemesis and the Pontu’ Gi.
They watched for a time, neither one speaking. Javin didn’t want to interrupt his friend’s thoughts. It must be hard, thinking of his city being in the hands of an enemy they didn’t understand. The beauty of Sunzah’ Nu Geeza had distracted Javin. It was about as different from Putra’ Fi Sorro as it could be. Where Putra’ Fi Sorro had been built upon a level plain carved out of the jungle, Sunzah’ Nu Geeza looked like it had been carved out of white rock gradually climbing up the side of a hill, accented with lush greenery, tall trees, and bright pennants flowing in the breeze. It had an excellent vantage, looking out over all the surrounding terrain, with the jungle cut back to reveal a lush green sward of ground reaching far out to all sides. It made them stay far enough away, to remain hidden in the dense jungle, that details of the city’s structure were almost lost in the haze of humid air.
That wasn’t all. In what Javin recognized must have been an engineering masterpiece, the large city was surrounded by a spectacular waterway, preventing any approach to the city save for the two roads on either side. The waterway was wide enough that it would take several minutes for a boat to make it across and longer to swim. The defensive walls of the city rose directly from the water, preventing any ground on which an enemy could gain a foothold.
Javin’s thoughts were interrupted as Preegha silently moved up beside him and Sauros. It was hard to see him as he blended in with the foliage. The Pontu’ Gi had taken to traveling nearly naked so their blending would act to best advantage. They wore only a loin cloth. The only gear they carried was a long belt knife strapped to their thighs in a scabbard, and a scrip for various items of personal gear looped over their shoulders, all made out of a splotchy, tanned leather that blended in with the jungle almost as well as the they did themselves. It’d been odd to know they were walking beside or in front and barely be able to catch a glimpse, even though you knew they were right there. They moved so silently the sounds of the jungle drowned out their whispery movements. Javin thought he and Sauros by comparison made a total cacophony of noise that could be heard for miles.
These Pontu’ Gi were just as Javin had remembered the other; the one who’d saved him from the Birta’ Fah. Chahzuu, their Chahkzaa.
The Pontu’ Gi seemed lost without him. They’d acted sure when Javin and Sauros had been captured, zealously keeping the commands of Yah’ Winn, their Mulda’ fi. Now they were uncertain. They acted as if they wanted to believe Javin, but without their prophet, they seemed unsure what to believe.
“We feel our young brethren inside your city.” Preegha said. “We must get them out.”
“Can they feel you?” Sauros asked.
Javin knew what he was worried about. If they could feel their brethren inside the city, then those inside could feel their Elders. A trap could be set.
“They cannot,” Preegha said. “We won’t allow knowledge of us until we meet face to face.”
“How can you do that?” Javin asked.
Preegha stared. “You cannot?”
Javin shook his head. Never enough time for answers, he thought.
Sauros looked back and forth between them. “Good. They won’t know we’re here.”
They had planned on their way to Sunzha’ Nu Geeza. The Elders had agreed if their warriors were in the city, it would be best to take them home until they knew what was right. Preegha had kept staring at Javin, as if expecting him to take charge of his people . . . to guide them. There was no way Javin was going to do that. He didn’t have the slightest idea what should be done with these people. He didn’t know any of their prophecies . . . except that he seemed the focus of most of them.
“How do we get inside?” Javin asked.
“There is a way I can get us inside. When we do, I think we all should stay together until we know the situation.” Sauros turned to Preegha. “I must seek out a friend there. We must know what is going on before we seek to contact even my father. It will be difficult as strange as Javin looks. Maybe you can teach him to fade?”
Preegha grunted. “He is Mulda’ fi. He does not know how already?”
“This is going to be a long day,” Javin said.
“How can the day be longer than it is? Do you hold back time too?” Preegha stared at Javin in obvious wonder.
There was a moment of silence. Sauros stared at Javin.
“Forget I said anything,” Javin said, his voice dead pan. Then he turned to Sauros. “You’re assuming trouble?”
Sauros looked at Preegha, then at Javin and smiled. “With Javin Cox, I’ve come to know there’ll be trouble.”
They moved far around the city, still careful to avoid patrols. If anything, the patrols had increased. It helped to have the Pontu' Gi. They seemed to be able to sense the patrols then avoid them. Especially the Pontu' Gi patrols. That w
as a new twist, sending them out. With their silence and blending ability, they'd never be seen until it was too late.
Javin had a nagging worry in the back of his mind. He didn't say anything because it wouldn't have done them any good. If the Elders could block the other Pontu' Gi from feeling their presence, what was stopping the Pontu' Gi patrols from doing the same?
"We're here," Sauros whispered. They stood in front of a thick stand of trees. Sauros was caressing one of the trees like it was a cherished pet.
"Do all cities have the same type of secret entrance?" Javin asked.
"They took you into Putra' Fi Sorro by the secret way, too?" Sauros seemed surprised, but then his eyes cleared and he shook his head. "Of course they would have. They didn't want anyone to see you . . . or the Princess . . . any more than they wanted anyone to see me." Sauros' eyes kept scanning, looking for any signs of detection. "I don't know if all cities use this same secret way. I hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised."
Javin tilted his head. "It wouldn't be that secret then, would it? Anyone would be able to find the trees and get through."
"It's not that the way is secret. And it wouldn't be simple." Sauros patted the trunk of the tree he'd been stroking. "These trees are so strong they can't be cut. Many have tried. They are trained to respond only to a certain song. And only when sung by someone they know. I'm lucky. I know the song . . . and they know me." Sauros smiled with affection at the stand of trees. "Besides," he continued. "There are several stands around that look just like this. All trained the same way. With surprises for anyone they don't recognize. Unpleasant surprises."
Javin backed away from the trees.
“It’s best we get started,” Sauros said. He turned to the trees, resting both hands on the nearest trunks. His voice started low, almost whispering, then grew to a soft keening. Pitch and timber varied to a certain pattern that Javin tried to pick up. It would have been complicated for anyone to learn something like that, much less know a bunch of trees would recognize your voice and do what you were asking.
Is that what Sauros is doing? Javin wondered. Telling the trees what he wants them to do?
Soon the trees began to wriggle, starting high in the branches. Then the trunks began to quiver and vibrate, started to bend, flex and form a shape like he’d seen before, creating an opening to the center of the stand.
Preegha stared in wonder. The other Pontu’ Gi held watch around the perimeter, but they, too, were fascinated, darting glances back from where they were standing, then out into the jungle, sending their feelings out to detect any intruders.
“It’s a wonder they don’t have this watched,” Javin said to Sauros as he stopped his song. His hands still rested on the trunks and he was smiling at the trees.
“Only my family knows this stand of trees.”
With a last pat, he turned to the Pontu’ Gi on the perimeter. “Come, we must hurry.”
Javin ducked through and down the stairs he knew would be there. At the bottom he waited in the small room, lit again by a glowing ball set on a stanchion.
“The entrance has closed,” Sauros said. He was the last to descend the steps. “Now, this way. There will be several branches all leading to different places. I must guide us.”
Javin moved aside. They moved up a narrow, damp hallway. Occasional lights lit the way. Branches to the passage veered off every so often. In one small room that branched out into several other passages, Sauros hesitated a moment, going into the openings of each passage and studying some slight markings on the walls. It was only a series of dots and circles grouped inside a small raised square high on the wall. It wasn’t language. Code.
“This way,” Sauros said, and started off again.
After a while, and many branching turns, Javin was thoroughly lost. He’d never be able to retrace his path. It’d been even more circuitous than at Puntra’ Fi Sorro.
Maybe it didn’t have to be that way. Maybe Sauros was taking them on a varying path so that the Pontu’ Gi would be confused too. Maybe he didn’t entirely trust the Elders of the Pontu’ Gi. Javin thought about it. He’d probably have done the same.
What about him? Did Sauros trust him?
Then Javin noticed a difference in their traveling. The passage was inclining steeply upwards. They must be coming near the surface inside the city. Sauros slowed his pace then stopped. Javin was bringing up the rear at this point, and Sauros called them all together.
“We have reached our destination. Wait here while I go and check to see if the way is clear.”
And protect the entry mechanism’s secret, I’ll bet. Javin understood, but he wondered just the same. Shrug it off. You’d do the same.
Sauros came back. “It’s still light out. We must wait until dark to move. The place we must go is near.” He looked at Javin. “I don’t know what to do with you. If you are seen, it would certainly draw attention.”
“I know.” Javin had been thinking the same thing. But he saw something in Sauros’ eyes. Apology?
“Would you wait here for a time after we’ve left? I could gather some coverings that would hide your appearance then come back for you.”
You don’t have to ask my permission, Javin thought. “Sounds like a plan. Go ahead. I think you don’t have to worry about the Pontu’ Gi. They’ll just blend in.” Javin smiled at the joke, but the others only stared. After a second’s hesitation, Sauros nodded.
They waited maybe an hour then Sauros moved off again. When he came back he beckoned the Pontu’ Gi to follow.
“I won’t be long,” he said to Javin and smiled.
“Good luck.” Javin said then Sauros ducked up the hall with the Pontu’ Gi.
Javin settled down to wait . . . And wait . . . And wait.
He didn’t know how long it’d been, but he knew for sure it’d been too long. What’s happened? Javin wondered while he sat. He got up occasionally and paced, trying to keep the dampness from making his limbs stiff. He was getting thirsty too -- and hungry. Had they been discovered? Had the younger Pontu’ Gi in the city been waiting for them? Had the Elders somehow communicated with them through their feelings and tipped them off? Maybe they’d been set up from the moment the Elders figured they couldn’t kill them. This could all be part of a trap. Javin thought they’d given in much too easily.
One thing was sure. Javin couldn’t just sit there and wait. They’d be coming for him if they were found out.
He couldn’t go back. He’d be lost for centuries back that way. The only way was ahead and hope he could figure out how to get out into the city. From there he’d have to take his chances.
Javin strode up to the front of the hall where it came to a dead end. It was dimmer than further back down the hall. He almost missed a slight seam in one side of the wall. It had to be part of the doorway mechanism. The only problem was how to make it work.
He ran his fingers down the seam looking closely in the dim light, trying to determine where the catch mechanism was. Nothing. He brushed his hands across the top searching for any irregularity, any indentation he could press. Still nothing.
He stood back from the wall, squinting.
A low rumbling vibration started and the seam widened. Javin stepped back as a section of wall swung inward. A huge silouette stood in the dark opening then moved forward.
Javin instinctively went to a defensive stance, then breathed a sigh of relief as the image came into the dim light and resolved itself as Sauros.
"Sorry to be so long," he said. "It took longer than I thought to convince my friend the Pontu' Gi with me were not enemies. Here, put these on." He tossed Javin a bundle of dark cloth. It was a long flowing cloak with a hood to pull forward, covering his face. "This should keep you covered until we make it to my friend's home."
"Is everything okay?" Javin had noted Sauros' pensive mood.
"No
. It's not," Sauros said. "My city is under siege and its people don't even know."
"I'm sorry," was all Javin could think to say.
"Thanks, my friend. Now we're here to fix it!"
Javin smiled. "That we are." Javin clapped his friend on the arm. "Let's go."
They stepped through the opening into dark, dense shrubbery blocking the passage way from the sight of others. The passageway had come up through the wall of a building set just off one of the broad streets of the city. Sauros reached up and touched a seemingly invisible spot on the wall. The slab of heavily balanced stone swung shut. There was a soft click as the catch took hold and Javin was relieved his friend hadn't tried to hide it. He knew it was silly, but it meant his friend trusted him.
"Come," Sauros said. Javin followed through the shrubs along the building. They had to crouch low and move as stealthily as they had through the jungle near the city. They crept for several minutes until there was a thinning. Sauros paused, gesturing for Javin to stay behind while he moved up. Then he heard a quiet, "come."
Javin stepped out. Just past the shrubbery was a walk and across that a broad avenue. No one was present.
"There." Sauros pointed at a dwelling across the avenue. "That is my friend's home. Let's go." They ghosted across the avenue and up a short path to the door. Javin noted the size of the structure. The front was not taller than the other buildings, but something about it indicated a sense of some depth. It would be a large home. Well appointed, from the detail he made out from the doorway.
Sauros tapped on the door three times, waited, then tapped three more times. The door immediately swung open. In it was framed another lion man, almost as big as Sauros but Javin could tell he was much older. When he caught sight of Javin's face under the hood, his eyes widened. He looked at Sauros, then back at Javin who chuckled inwardly. And I thought you looked strange to me!
"Come in," the man said. "Hurry."
They stepped through and the man quickly shut the door behind. "This way." They moved deeper into the home.
Javin noted the floor was a slate tile, the walls a smooth earth color plaster covered here and there with rich colored tapestries and hangings of wildly colored floral works. Every so often there was a painted picture, even a portrait of a female. His wife? Javin wondered. It was strange. He hadn’t considered that these people would have art such as what he was used to.
And just what am I used to?
Javin shook his head. He should have remembered he saw similar in the palace at Putra' Fi' Sorro, but he'd been a little distracted then.
"He lives alone," Sauros said under his breath as they followed their host. "He was my father's chamberlain for many years, since retired five years ago. Still, he's been my family's eyes and ears out in the city since."
Javin nodded.
"Please, sit," their host said as they moved into a large open room sunken down two steps from the main level of the rest of the home. The room was richly appointed, filled with cushions and chairs. At one side sat the four Pontu’ Gi Elders. Javin had a knack of picking them out now, even though they were using their blending ability. He felt like telling them to ease off but realized it must be a natural response to their nervousness. Maybe they couldn't control it.
Javin found a chair on the far side of the room and sat next to a low burning fireplace. He stretched out his hands rubbing them together. Although it was warm out, the passageway had been damp and cool. His host brought him over a goblet full of spiced fruit drink. "Here," he said, then looked over to Sauros for the introductions.
Javin got back to his feet.
"Dahken' Zho," Sauros said, gesturing to their host. "Meet my friend, Javin Cox."
Dahken raised his right fist and placed his over his left breast and bowed. "I'm honored to meet a friend of my Prince."
Javin repeated the salute and while bowing said, "Thank you for your hospitality. This is only the second place on your world I have been welcome . . . and grateful for it."
He stretched out his hand. Dahken looked at it, and while glancing at Sauros extended his own hand. Javin took hold in a firm clasp and shook it. "I'm pleased to meet you."
"It’s a greeting where he's from," Sauros said.
"Oh, yes." Dahken said. "Come, sit. We've much to discuss." He spoke to Sauros, but encompassed them all with a gesture.
"My Prince, I must tell you as I said when you first arrived there is trouble in the city. It was only a few cycles ago things began to change."
From there Dahken went on to relate how he'd heard rumors. Rumors he'd since confirmed with his contacts in the palace. A strange being (and he had looked at Javin) had come with the Pontu' Gi. He claimed to be Mulda’ fi. The Keeper had backed him up. He went on to explain that since that time the king had not been seen outside the private audience room. It is rumored he is ill, though he's sent proclamations and orders out allowing the Pontu' Gi and others from Putra' Fi Sorro to take command of the city defenses as well as the palace guard.
Javin kept watch on Sauros as the report continued. His face was somber, nodding with each point Dahken related. At the end, Dahken turned to Javin. "Do you know this Mulda’ fi? I have not seen him, but from his description, he must be the same type of being as you."
“I . . .” Javin wasn’t sure what to say. “I know of him . . . I think we’ve met.” Flashes of standing in front of the one who called himself Nemesis came to the forefront of his memory. Still he didn’t know whether it was the past . . . or the future . . . he’d been seeing. “He’s not who he says he is. And he’s definitely not a friend.”
“Mmm.” Dahken nodded his head. “I’d gathered as much. Many of the nobles have too, but they’ve not spoken out. The King is still the King.”
“Thank you, Dahken,” Sauros said. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes. There’s one more thing, my Prince. I just heard a few days ago that your brother, Sohorken had been seen within the city. He was being escorted to the palace. Since that time, no one has seen nor heard from him. No official word has been made of his arrival.”
Javin saw Sauros’ jaw clench.
“I assume,” Dahken continued, “that he’s in the palace with your father. That there’s been no mention made of his arrival causes me great concern.”
“Me too,” Sauros said. “But now that I’m here,” he looked at Javin then to the Pontu’ Gi Elders, “now that we’re here, we’re going to do something about it.”
“You have a plan?” Javin asked.
“Something like the beginnings of one,” Sauros said. “It will of necessity have to be quite flexible, but it will be the best we can do. Much depends on how things flow from where we begin.”
“We’re listening,” Javin said.
“First, I need to have some idea of the powers of our main enemy. Javin, do you know of what Yah’ Winn can do?”
“I’m not sure.” Javin was silent a moment, thinking, trying to pull something, anything out of his memory. Nothing came.
“I don’t have any idea. But leave him to me. If he shows up, I want him!” Javin knew that Nemesis was the nexus, the heart of all that was happening here. Not only was he the cause, he was also a source of the answers Javin was looking for.
Sauros glanced over to the Pontu’ Gi Elders. They were watching intently. Dahken had taken a seat.
“First, we will wait until tomorrow night. All of us should sleep as long and as deep as possible. We’ll need the rest. Going at night provides for more cover, but also will keep the innocent out of harm’s way.”
“You expect fighting?” Javin leaned forward in his chair. “You’re the Prince.”
“The people holding the palace are not my people. They will resist anything that threatens to remove them . . . especially me!
“I am counting on you, Preegha,” Sauros looked at the Elder, “to stop your people from fig
hting us.”
“They will listen,” he said. “Still we must wait to reveal ourselves until we are facing them. If we allow them to know of our presence too soon, it will confuse them and alert our enemies.”
Javin was surprised to hear Preegha characterize Nemesis’ followers as enemies. He didn’t know how, but they were making progress.
“We will all stay together until we reach the palace. It’s important that we secure the palace first then move out into the city from there.”
Preegha nodded. Sauros looked at Javin. “Let’s do it,” Javin said.
Sauros nodded then looked at Dahken. “Can you discreetly go out to the nobles we know we can count on. I don’t want them to mobilize. I want them to keep their people out of the way. I think the relieved guard remaining in the city will still be loyal once they see me with the king. I’m not sure of the soldiers from Putra’ Fi Sorro. What I want is to have the Pontu’ Gi quell any resistance from them so our peoples, the people of Putra’ Fi Sorro and Sunzha’ Nu Geeza don’t have any cause to fight each other.”
“I understand,” Dahken said. “It will be hard for them to stay back, but I think once they understand the situation, they’ll obey. Especially if they know you are here . . . and the king will be himself again.”
“Can your warriors do that?” Sauros again turned to the Elders. “I don’t want them to kill, but if they have to they must, to protect the people of my city from those who’ve come to try and take it over. Do you understand?”
“We understand, Mulda’ fi. It is our role. We will protect your city.”
Javin was taken aback by the formal use the title. But Sauros had proven himself to these people. And there was something else. When Preegha had said it was their role, a flashing surge of warmth had spread through his bosom. The crystal again, confirming something important was happening. He wasn’t quite sure what, but it had just begun.