Legends Lost Tesnayr

  Chapter VI

  Through the Mountains

  “What’s on your mind?” asked Nigilin as he and Tesnayr walked together.

  Now that they had reached the ancient road of Elven lore, the trek was easier, but Tesnayr wondered how long that would last. “Nothing.”

  “Nothing is never on your mind,” said Nigilin.

  Tesnayr eyed his friend for a moment. “I could never fool you,” he replied, “It’s the dragons. Ever since Selexia bound them to my service, I have not been able to figure out how best to use them. And I feel foolish for calling them a few days ago.”

  “Don’t,” said Nigilin, “You stopped a lot of people from being killed.”

  “I’ve been thinking. Perhaps we can use the dragons to fly to Hemίl.”

  “I wouldn’t recommend it. These people are frightened. I doubt that they could handle being carried by a dragon. Besides, can you imagine how Hemίl would react to see a bunch of dragons coming for them?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” admitted Tesnayr.

  “Using them is a nice idea, but might not work in this case. We’ll get there just as easily on foot.”

  “There has to be some way to utilize them.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find it. Just think it through carefully before you use the power that the dragons have given you. The chance of abusing it is too great.”

  Silently, Tesnayr agreed with Nigilin which was why he rarely thought to use the horn. Most times he forgot he had it.

  The mass of people came to a sudden halt. Tesnayr pushed his way through the crowd to see what had stopped them. A massive sheet of ice greeted him.

  Tesnayr and the others looked out at the frozen lake with disappointment. It stretched before them as the road they were on ended. Deep within the valley, the prospect of turning back wearied them. Halfway to Hemíl, they had to push forward.

  “Where is the road?” asked Arnin.

  “Under the lake,” replied Tesnayr with dismay. He was afraid something like this might happen. The road they had searched for and spent the better part of the trip traveling on was thousands of years old. It was a miracle that bits of it still existed.

  “Is there a way around?”

  “No,” said Tesnayr. “Even if there was, it would take too long.”

  “Scouts report that this entire valley is under water,” said Idæas. “It is still frozen so we can cross, but we must do so quickly. It has already begun to thaw in this early spring weather.”

  “I am really beginning to hate this trip,” commented Arnin.

  “Beginning to,” said Tesnayr, “I reached that point when we first started.”

  Turyn charged onto the frozen water. He hopped around scratching and jumping with ease. The cat darted from point to point on the ice stopping at various places to sniff.

  “Turyn, what are you doing?” yelled Tesnayr.

  Turyn trotted up to the man with pride. “Testing the ice. As I am the smallest it made sense for me to do it. It seems solid enough but there are places where it is thin.”

  “Crazy feline,” said Tesnayr, “I appreciate the effort, but next time check with me first. We cannot cross in a group. We will spread out across the ice forming three lines. The horses will make up the rear. Send the women and children first.”

  Soon, the soldiers had everyone ready to cross. Tesnayr gave the signal and the first line of people stepped onto the ice. It creaked and groaned under their weight despite the fact that they were the lightest group. Many jumped back to land.

  “You either cross or freeze to death here,” said Tesnayr to them.

  Tentatively, they stepped back onto the ice and hurried forward to the other side.

  From his vantage point, Tesnayr watched their progress, gauging the distance. “Send the second group,” he said.

  With more courage than the first, the second group walked onto the ice barely registering the erupting pockets of air. It groaned even more and cracked in places. Steeling their will, they moved forward. Guided by Tesnayr’s men, the refugees strode slowly across careful not to cause any breakage.

  Finally, the third and final group walked onto the ice with the horses. Sensing the danger ahead, the horses whinnied and snorted afraid of going forward. The men whispered soothingly to the beasts in an effort to calm them, leading them onto the frozen lake. Gradually, the horses trotted across the ice toward the other two groups.

  Tesnayr glanced around them studying the surroundings as they moved. It’s too quiet. He hated the silence. It told him one thing, danger wasn’t far behind.

  Steadily, the three groups of people moved over the frozen expanse with Turyn in the lead. His keen senses alerted them to hazards allowing them to pass unharmed. But he could not foresee it all. The sound of their footsteps eerily echoed as they squeaked on the ice while they crept across.

  A horse whinnied fearfully. “Whoa boy,” said Arnin stroking the beast’s mane.

  The horse whinnied again jerking its head violently as it reared up on its hind legs ripping the reins from Arnin’s hands. It kicked and snorted swinging its head at any who tried to control it. With one last jerk, the horse galloped across the ice in the opposite direction.

  “Let it go,” said Tesnayr stopping Arnin in his tracks. “We cannot afford to go chasing after it. Just let it go. Keep moving all of you.”

  The refugees pushed forward with unease. The horse’s actions filled them with dread.

  Crack!

  The sound echoed through the valley stopping everyone. People looked around warily. They stood their ground unsure of what to do and not wanting to move forward.

  “Keep moving,” shouted Tesnayr. He detested this delay. Though the sound unsettled him, he knew the longer they stayed on the ice, the better chance there was of them drowning.

  Following his lead, Jenel looked around at the first group of people. “Come on, all of you,” she said, “You have faced snow storms, and an abyss. We’ve faced starvation and not once has death claimed us. Now keep moving, or we will all surely die.”

  She walked proudly across the ice after Turyn hoping her display of courage would motivate the scared group behind her. Inwardly, she wanted to curl up in a ball. One by one, people followed.

  Slowly, they reached the center of the lake. Many slipped as water formed on top of the ice. Some had to be carried because fear froze them on the spot. Onward they went despite the increase of the creaking and groaning. Growing used to the sounds, Tesnayr pushed them harder. He wanted across the expanse quickly. Almost there. As though reading his thoughts, another loud crack sounded. It resonated in people’s ears as they all knew that it did not bode well.

  Water spurted from beneath the ice as a section broke off. Poppings and bangs moved beneath their feet and cracks streaked across the ice. A section of ice flipped over flinging those upon it into the icy water. Screams escaped their mouths as they landed in the water scrambling to get out. Soaked, their efforts proved useless as they slipped on the ice only to be buried by it as the ice closed over them cutting off their pleas for help. The others watched helplessly as they drowned.

  Panic swept through the crowd. Breaking ranks, they darted across the lake making a mad dash to the other side. Ice broke away beneath one unsuspecting woman. She fell into the darkness below and disappeared. Going in every direction people ran across the ice unaware that their actions increased their chances of drowning.

  “Make for the other side,” yelled Tesnayr.

  He didn’t bother trying to control the panicking refugees. It would waste valuable time. All he could do was guide them in the right direction. He snatched the reins of a fleeing horse pulling it to a stop. He jumped into the saddle and charged across the ice screaming to get people’s attention hoping that they would follow him.

  Water gushed over the ice increasing people’s fears. Frantically, they screamed with each step they took and trampled each other.

  Nelyn herded a group of childre
n toward the shore. A chunk of ice fell away beneath her feet plunging her and a boy into the water. She dove to catch the boy around his waist and kicked for the surface. Nelyn grabbed onto the slush while keeping her hold on the boy. She desperately tried to pull them onto the frozen surface but the slickness of the water and ice made it impossible.

  Arnin charged for Nelyn. He pushed his way past everyone. His feet pounded on the ice as he ignored the danger before him. Nelyn struggled to keep her hold on the frozen sheet and the boy. Unable to maintain her grip, she started to disappear below the surface of the water.

  Arnin dove for her sliding in his stomach until he reached her. He pulled himself to a screeching halt to avoid diving in the water. Wasting no time, he grabbed her free hand and hauled her and the boy onto the ice. Panting, Nelyn breathed deeply. She had little time to catch her breath as Arnin pulled her and the boy to their feet and pushed them towards safety.

  Jenel stood on the shore of the lake helping others off the ice. “This way,” she yelled. She watched despondently as people fell beneath the cold barrier and drowned. She held back the impulse to run out and help them knowing that it was too late and she would only endanger herself.

  Tesnayr pulled his horse to a halt. Only a few remained. “Don’t waste time with your possessions,” he shouted.

  People dropped their bundles and dashed to the shore. The soldiers gripped many who had fallen and refused to move. They dragged them to land as the ice wobbled beneath their feet. Many lost their balance and tumbled rolling across the frozen expanse only to get up awkwardly and continue onward.

  “Hurry,” yelled Tesnayr to five of his men as they scrambled to safety.

  A large chunk of ice flipped them in the lake and trapped them underneath it. Tesnayr saw the pregnant woman struggling to walk to the other side. Kicking his horse, he raced toward her. He leaned over with his outstretched hand and snatched the woman up and onto the horse. The horse’s pounding hooves broke the ice as Tesnayr barely made it safely to the shoreline. He handed the woman to others and dismounted. “Count them,” he said to Nigilin.

  He wandered around the rag tag mass of people. Soaked and many of them nursing injuries, they ignored him. Tesnayr felt for them. Anger ebbed beneath the surface at their suffering. The elf was right when he called the mountains deadly. He kicked himself as he began to second guess the decision to travel down the spine of the mountain range.

  “Tesnayr,” said Nigilin.

  “How many?”

  “Twenty,” replied Nigilin, “Five soldiers and the rest refugees. Believe it or not, we were lucky. It could have been worse.”

  “Indeed,” said Tesnayr.

  “Follow me,” said Nigilin, “There is something you need to see.”

  Tesnayr trailed after Nigilin up a hill and to a flat area. Before them was a path of the same stone as the one on the other end of the lake. “Idæas’ road,” Tesnayr whispered.

  “The elf was right,” said Nigilin. “I hope the going is easier from now on.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it.”

  A sharp scream pierced the air. The two men headed for the scream and found the pregnant woman crouched on the ground with a group around her. She screamed again.

  “What’s happening,” demanded Tesnayr.

  “She’s going into labor,” said Jenel.

  “She can’t,” snapped Tesnayr. He immediately regretted saying it.

  “Like it or not she is,” said Jenel. “Nelyn you’re with me. Nigilin, if there is a midwife among us, find her. Now help me carry her to a more secluded place.”

  “It’s too early,” moaned the woman.

  Two men carried her to a tent. They placed her on blankets and then set out to gather water and start it boiling. Others dropped off more blankets and cloth. Nigilin ran up with an elderly woman. She took one look at the situation and took charge.

  “Keep the men away from here,” she ordered, “The moment that water boils bring it here. We need more blankets.”

  People cleared away from the area.

  “You two,” the midwife pointed at Nelyn and Jenel, “Hold her down. I may need to turn this baby around.”

  Tesnayr paced the ground with unease. His anxiety rubbed off on the others. Back and forth. The ice wore through where he walked unceasingly. Even the bitter cold did little to calm his nerves. He didn’t know why, but the fact that the woman had gone into labor rattled his nerves. It wasn’t even his baby, but he felt responsible for it.

  A part of him thought that his efforts to save her caused the baby to come. He hoped all would go well. For a day and a night he paced. He never knew such things could take so long.

  “One would think you were the father,” commented Nigilin. He handed Tesnayr a cup of hot tea.

  “Where is the father?” asked Tesnayr.

  “Dead,” replied Nigilin, “Calm yourself. You’re making the men nervous.”

  Tesnayr stopped his pacing and sipped his tea. He knew his anxiety was unwarranted. He hoped they were doing the child a favor by bringing it into a world as harsh and cruel as this one. Though a part of him knew the chances of survival were slim.

  The tent flap flung open. The midwife stepped out with Nelyn, their expressions grim. A bad feeling welled in the pit of Tesnayr’s stomach. “What happened?” he asked.

  “The child is dead,” said the midwife. “It was never alive in the womb.” The elderly woman walked off disheartened. She had seen this many times, but each time it ate at her heart.

  Tesnayr went to the tent to console the woman. He felt partially responsible. Inside, he saw the woman clutching her stillborn child, tears streaming from her eyes. Jenel consoled her, but nothing could take away from this loss.

  “I am sorry,” said Tesnayr. He didn’t know what else to say.

  The woman looked up at him. She forced a small smile. “It’s not your fault, Captain. It was too early. Perhaps it’s for the best,” she broke down in another bout of sobs.

  Tesnayr left the tent. He slammed his fist into his thigh. Why? What was he fighting for when things like this happened? A child born was a chance to hope. Now even that had been ripped away from him. Curse this world.

  The sharp cry of a bird punctured the air. Tesnayr looked into the star studded sky and noticed a dark shape swoop toward him and into the tent. Quickly, he wrenched the flap back. Inside a magnificent bird sat before the dead infant. Tesnayr recognized it immediately. The phoenix. Silence ensued as everyone stared at the bird. The phoenix eyed the child sadly. Tears fell from its feathered face. The woman held her baby before the phoenix. “Please,” she pleaded.

  The phoenix tapped the forehead of the baby three times. It spread its massive wings and flew away. Suddenly a loud cry filled the area as the baby wailed. Its strong cries drew a crowd around the tent. Onlookers watched in amazement as a once lifeless baby now cried with the strength of one brought to term. The mother wept and laughed with joy. Even Jenel joined in the merriment. She grabbed another blanket and wrapped the infant in it to keep him warm.

  “What will you name him?” asked Jenel.

  Wiping her tears the mother replied, “His father’s name was Zolo. That shall be his.”

  Tesnayr left the woman alone with her baby. “Clear out of here all of you,” he said to the gathered crowd. “Give the woman some privacy.”

  Slowly, the crowd dispersed murmuring among themselves at the miracle. The soft cry of the phoenix caught his attention. Tesnayr watched the bird as it flew in front of the moon. So you’ve proven me wrong once again. He went in search of food. Perhaps there was some hope left in the world.

  Jenel hugged a blanket around her as she stared into the fire. Never before had she witnessed someone give birth to a stillborn child. The thought of it shook her.

  “Drink this.” Rybnik held a cup of tea out for her.

  Jenel took it. She sipped it slowly appreciating the warmth, even if the drink tasted bitter.

  “You did well,
” said Rybnik.

  “You always say that,” replied Jenel.

  “Because you always do.” Rybnik looked at the stars with an unreadable expression. Bits of sadness snuck through.

  “Why do you do that?” asked Jenel.

  Rybnik glanced at her questioningly.

  “Why do you go silent like that and stare longingly at the stars?”

  “No reason.”

  “Yes, there is. You just don’t wish to tell me,” said Jenel. “In all the years we have known each other, my father never suspected. He forbade our contact.”

  “Your father is a wise man,” said Rybnik.

  “Some think him a fool,” Jenel said.

  “He is a fool.”

  “You just said that he was wise.”

  “A man can be wise and a fool,” said Rybnik.

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Rybnik remained silent.

  “Sometimes I think you wish I had died instead of my sister.”

  “That’s not it at all.”

  “I don’t blame you if you do. I miss her as well. I know my father does too. He does his best not to show it, but there are times I catch him holding one of her things with tears in his eyes. He’s never been the same since her death. None of us have.”

  “Death is a part of life,” said Rybnik. “And your father was right to forbid us staying in contact.”

  “How can you say that?”

  Rybnik breathed out loudly. “Sometimes I wish I could do things differently.” He jumped to his feet and left.

  Jenel gazed at him as he disappeared. His manner puzzled her. She brushed it off. It wasn’t the first time he acted like this.