The group rode on through the day, stopping as the sun had nearly set. Nihlen was exhausted, and his emotions were running high after the day's events. He just hadn’t been able to shake the feeling he had gained since their encounter with Siren. Cal and Marina were doing worse if possible, and Nihlen felt a twinge of fear at what else they were sure to encounter.
Not long after they had settled into their makeshift camp, Galen wandered in, looking far more exhausted than even they felt. None the less, it was clear with a glance that Marina couldn’t contain herself, and needed to talk about the issue further.
“Galen, what do you know about special powers or Illian?” Marina asked. The camp grew quiet in response.
“Not much more than you’ve already been told I’m afraid. Illian is a highly secretive group, and any evidence proving they truly exist is limited, let alone anything about them. As for special powers in general, it is a topic I’m highly interested in. I have seen nothing of this so far, except Siren and the corpse. I haven't even seen the Eye of Kings Nihlen possesses. So in that regard, I’m even further behind than the rest of you. I’m afraid I have no help to offer in this.”
“I see…” Marina said, disappointed. “What do we do about it?” She wondered aloud.
“There is no choice but to find what we need to know.” Nihlen stated. “While we rode today, I’ve been thinking. After seeing enemies use their abilities against us, we must know more about abilities in general. I’m not sure what kind of limit there is or toll taken for using the Eye of Kings. It’s going to be hard to fight against people with abilities if we don’t understand them at all. As such, we need to head in a different direction. Conflict is inevitable for us at this point. While we travel northward, we aren’t going to avoid towns and cities. Those are the only places we are going to have any hope of finding any information.”
“A sound statement, but cities are also the place we are most likely to be found by prying eyes.” Galen said.
“That is why we are taking this chance to escape and hide ourselves for a while. We should take some to train before we are discovered again. If conflict is unavoidable, we must strengthen ourselves so we can do what we need to do, and right now that is to head for Elharlia and search for information on abilities.” Nihlen said.
“I believe we should set our current destination for Cascadia then.” Galen said.
“Cascadia?” Marina asked.
“Cascadia is the capital of Miken, and probably the second largest city on the Tarlelian continent. It is seen as the midway point of all this land's nations, and so it is a popular gathering place as well as trading city. I believe our chances of finding any information would be highest there, because the city also possesses a strange power.” Galen said.
“A strange power?” Nihlen asked.
“I always believed it to be some kind of natural phenomenon, but after today I am no longer sure. Cascadia is built into a large mountain. There are two rivers which flow on the mountain. One goes down the mountain, known as Natu, and one goes up the mountain, known as Gai'shir.”
“A river that goes uphill? That doesn’t make any sense.” Nihlen said.
“As I said, it is a strange phenomenon. At the top of the mountain is also a large lake called Lake Berot. The river which travels uphill feeds into the lake, and the river that flows downhill starts at that lake. These routes are the only routes used to enter or leave Cascadia, and primary travel routes across the rest of the continent. It is a sight to behold indeed.”
“That does sound like some kind of strange power instead of a natural phenomenon.” Marina said.
“I agree, to reshape the natural flow of water, that is a remarkable power. We shall head for Cascadia on our way to Elharlia.” Nihlen said.
“I also agree that we should spend more time training. Tomorrow, in addition to the midday stop, we will make camp while there is still daylight left. We’ll reach Dalren the day after tomorrow, and then we can start heading toward Cascadia.” Galen said.
“Everyone should get some sleep for now. We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow.” Nihlen said.
With that, everyone headed off to sleep.
The next day, as they were riding, Nihlen was feeling pretty good. His senses, even when releasing the Eye of Kings, hadn’t picked up anything strange. It seemed they had finally disappeared, and after a slight hiccup in their plans, they were finally on their way once again.
Training was proceeding quite good as well. The midday session had yielded Cal a win. It was only one, and Nihlen wasn’t completely serious, but he was progressing well none the less. Nihlen still hadn’t worked with Marina though. Every time they began training, Galen always took Marina without word. It caused Nihlen to worry about her, but he trusted Galen to handle it. Cal was suited quite well to train with Nihlen in any event, so perhaps it was best it stayed that way for now.
The day passed with little event, and well before evening, Galen called them to a halt. They quickly constructed their camp, and grouped around.
“Let’s switch this time Nihlen. I’ll work with Cal, and you work with Marina.” Galen said. “Take my dagger as well. We've been working with the throwing knives since we started, so train her in dagger use.”
“Certainly.” Nihlen said, grabbing the dagger from Galen’s hand. “Let’s go over here Marina.”
Nihlen and Marina walked off from the camp. When Nihlen felt comfortable with the spot around them, just the waving grass of the fields of Leoradan, flat, smooth, and with no obstacles, he stopped. “Here will be fine.”
Marina drew her dagger from its sheathe, and Nihlen did the same. “Lets just start off slowly for now, and we’ll change pace accordingly.” Nihlen said, taking a ready stance. Marina copied him.
Nihlen began walking toward her. When he was in range, he struck out. Not very fast, but at a more moderate speed. Marina’s hand jerked toward the knife in Nihlen’s hand, clanging her dagger into his very hard.
She’s afraid of being cut… Nihlen thought, holding his dagger steady. The blow she struck him with could have been deadly if he hadn’t been prepared. This may be a little harder than I thought. Overcoming the fear of being cut can be very hard. Some people never can at all.
“It’s all right, I promise I won’t cut you. We are just going through the paces right now, all right?” Nihlen said gently.
“I’m not afraid of being cut…” Marina began, rather awkwardly. “I’m more afraid of accidentally cutting you, since I don’t know what I’m doing with this thing really…”
“You won’t cut me, not with the skill level you possess right now anyways. You’d be much more dangerous bare handed. Your hands won't work very well against weapons though, even with the gloves Galen gave us. So it is important you have another means to defend yourself.” Nihlen said.
“Are you sure? It seems so dangerous to train with the real thing…” Marina said.
“It is very dangerous, and that is why we must be extra cautious. Normally training wouldn’t be done in this fashion, but we have little choice since we are training out here on the run. Galen and I are experienced. We will make sure to keep the sparring sessions safe. And besides, even if you did cut me, I wouldn’t get angry or anything. It’s just training right?” Nihlen said, smiling warmly at her.
With that, Marina seemed to brighten up, and the training continued. She worked hard, Nihlen couldn’t have asked for more. But as the session progressed, her reactions were still too powerful, regardless of what type of attack came her way. For someone who was quite adept at fighting hand to hand, she was definitely a complete beginner in weapon use. Perhaps there is a deeper issue here… Maybe she really is afraid of getting cut, and just doesn’t want to admit it. Maybe it’s something else entirely… As she is right now, I can’t let her fight armed opponents. Until she overcomes this, she can’t fight with us. Unless...
“Perhaps we should stow the dagger away for now, and work with the staff. Would that make you
feel better?” Nihlen asked.
Marina nodded, immediately sheathing the dagger. She quickly ran back, and grabbed her staff. Within moments she was back, and the two were facing each other with weapons drawn.
Things were much smoother after that. Marina was light and agile, and she handled the staff well. Her movements were no longer jerking, but compact, quick, and powerful. Nihlen was highly impressed with her skill, and she had landed quite a few hits. Nihlen was nursing a sore body as they called the session to a close.
Shortly after they returned to camp, and gathered around the campfire Galen had built. Marina and Cal were talking, and Galen was cooking over the fire. Nihlen watched Marina as she talked, not really hearing what she said. She shouldn’t have to learn to fight in the first place. She’s already been through enough. She wants to be stronger though, and I’ll help her. I’ll protect her until she is strong enough. Hopefully battle will be avoided for now anyways.
Still, there was a twinge of guilt he was allowing any of it to happen.
When Galen had finished cooking, Nihlen took his bowl, excused himself, and walked away from the camp. Nearby, there was a single tree growing in the field. It was very large, its leaves making a humongous canopy. Nihlen sat against the trunk, eating a spoonful of the stew. This is the first hot meal we’ve had since we left the castle too… We didn’t dare light a fire while we were being pursued. It really feels so much more filling.
Nihlen was happy to simply sit and eat in silence. He was exhausted from the recent travel and training. If this is going to be my life style for the next while, I sure hope it gets a little easier…
These quiet times seemed to always lead him to thinking about his family. When he was traveling or training with the others, he didn’t really think about the actual adventure he was facing, but just those days of traveling. In these quiet times though, he would begin wondering what his family was doing at that very moment… If they were still alive. Most of all… What’s waiting for me there? What kind of fearsome ability was used to lay siege to Draven so easily? The thoughts of possibilities, of things he still didn’t know was nearly maddening. Guilt soon accompanied, guilt that he was free, living in the outside world. Even more guilt that he was enjoying it at times. More guilt still, because in many ways he had wished for this.
I wanted a way to diverge my Path, and its course has indeed changed. At the cost of all those around me, my wish was granted. That I should find enjoyment in it even…
“It’s very unhealthy to brood like that.” A voice suddenly interrupted the quiet night. Galen strode into the twilight canopy from behind where Nihlen was sitting. “Those who worry all the time succumb to an early grave.”
“I’m not brooding.” Nihlen stated flatly. “Just thinking is all.”
“You can’t lie to me, I can see it plain as day looking at you.” Galen said, moving around to Nihlen’s side of the tree.
Nihlen didn’t respond. He rested his head on his knees, not sure what to say to Galen.
“I’ve seen this a lot before, in the soldiers under my care while I was serving in Leoradan's military. I’ve experienced it myself as well. It’s not the battle itself that drives people mad. It’s the quiet time, when there’s nothing to do but think. Thinking about your problems can spiral out of control. In those times, turn to your companions. Keeping it to yourself will only limit what you are capable of. Even the greatest leader needs someone they can turn to. If they don’t, their burdens will eventually crush them.” Galen said.
“My burdens may crush everyone else as well… Besides, they are already familiar with my problem. Telling them every time I worry about it will serve no purpose.” Nihlen said.
“That is untrue, young Prince.” Galen said easily. “People respect a powerful leader. But they love and respect a leader who they can also see is human. Your comrades care about your well being, myself included. Do not ever think it is a trivial matter to tell them your worries or fears.”
“I will keep your words in mind, Galen. In the mean time, tell me more about your military career. I would venture to guess your career was a well respected one. You give off the air of a powerful military leader.” Nihlen said.
“Your eye is keen. I enlisted when I was fifteen years old. My family was rather poor, and I was another mouth to feed. So I enlisted to take the burden off my family. I was quite gifted at both combat and strategy. I was quickly singled out by my superiors and placed into advanced training. During my career, I led groups on many types of missions. We’d remove bandits plaguing towns and cities, weather relief from harsh winter storms, settle land disputes on royal authority. There were some battles at this time as well, but as you know it’s been a long time since the world has tasted real war. Things stayed this way, campaign after campaign. As I came back from missions successfully, my rank would continue to rise. For about twelve years this continued. At that point, I was pretty high in the command chain. Life hadn’t changed much though. I still led missions, the same as always. I was never one for doing the behind the desk work. In that twelfth year, a seat on the War Council became available. The War Council is the highest body of power within the military, directly subservient to the Queen. My name was one suggested for filling the seat, and in the end I was selected. Only a few months in that position though, a request came in. It was from the Queen herself, asking to speak with me. Astounded, I took the message, and headed off to the throne room at once. Once there, the Queen offered me the position to be her envoy and personal military adviser. My military career ended then, and I have been in the Queen's personal service ever since.” Galen said.
“You must have been very honored to be asked for personally by the Queen.” Nihlen said.
“I was very honored, but to tell you the truth… I wasn’t that happy about it.” Galen said. “When the Queen asks something of you, it is not really a request, but something you must do. Even after all the work I did building my career, it was ended in a moment. At the time it was a blow that put me in shock. Shock changed to anger later that day, as I thought of everything I had accomplished. The only way to leave the armed forces at that point was to retire. That was truly the end of my career.”
“So you hated to be taken into royal service? You didn't see it as a promotion?” Nihlen asked.
“I loathed the Queen inside for doing it to me. I believed my new job would be exactly what I had wanted to avoid, a behind the scenes desk job, only telling others what to do from a safe distance. Once I got into my new position though, I was no longer upset. I found I liked this new job a lot, and serving the Queen is a great honor.”
“Why the sudden change? Didn’t you want to avoid the job behind the desk?” Nihlen asked.
“I thought I did. But once I settled in, I learned there was plenty of joy to be had in my new position. I train the Queen’s personal guard as one of my duties, and those who I work with are like family now. I find great joy in watching their growth each day. The duties I perform as the Queen’s envoy are also important to Leoradan. Once I adjusted to the change, I found there was much for me to like, and no reason for me to cling angrily to what I had before.” Galen said.
“I’m glad you’re with us Galen. It helps to have a seasoned hand along the way.” Nihlen said. I can definitely learn many lessons from you. Nihlen thought, reflecting briefly on his own situation and Galen's words.
“I’m at your command for this expedition, Lord Nihlen. If you need anything, you need only ask.” Galen said. “It’s getting late. We should get back to camp and get to sleep. We’ll reach Dalren tomorrow, which is the first real step on our journey north. We'll no longer be in the relative safety of Leoradan.”
Together, the two headed back to camp. When they arrived, Cal and Marina were already asleep, the fire put out. They must be exhausted too, training on top of all this traveling. Nihlen thought. His eyes trailed over to Marina, resting on her sleeping form for a few moments. Then Nihlen crawled into his own blanke
ts, settling down into a deep sleep. For everything that had happened, the sudden changes in their plan, and heading in a new direction, Nihlen was thankful for it.
Thankful for a new direction.
Chapter 15
Encounter