There often comes a time in the lives of those who are friends to determine where their allegiance lies.
There are often great surprises in the lives of each of these instances, but often the matter of friendship is ever more tightly wound through trust and concern for the other.
It is rare to find true friendship existing among men. We, of those who watch, have often seen such a function between men as shallow and pretentious.
Our story follows two young friends who have become more adventurous than possibly they should be, but for such a cause as there now is, these great and dangerous efforts are inevitable.
These two have seen the results of evil. They wish for nothing more, nor less, than to stop what they each foresee, even if only in their dreams, shall come to pass if nothing is done.
So they followed the allusive path to find their friend and the Ahar'n and hope it can bring to an end this thing they both now fear.
Let us see what they've discovered as we watch . . .
It took them only a short time to reach the old road though they came out at a different place than the one from which Borny'a led them . They dismounted to rest the horses after the long climb up from the valley. Geth'n, deciding they should protect both of the men in the valley below, scouted toward the north a short way and found an alternate route to the top of the ridge.
"Just over that ridge," he said quietly as he pointed above them, "was where we were two days ago. I think if we follow this old road, we'll probably make better time and should be a great deal safer than if we use the new road."
With that, he swung into the saddle and Anisah followed, mounting quickly after swinging her pouch up and hooking it over the horn. It felt good to be back in the saddle again. Geth'n looked around to see if she was ready, she nodded to him and they began their journey toward the north again.
They had traveled for several hours not talking, unless they needed to choose a direction, when they noticed an increase in bird activity overhead.
Remembering Borny'a's comments about that pattern, Geth'n raised his hand and Anisah halted. He eased himself to the ground and walked toward the small clearing ahead.
At the edge, he cautiously stepped forward and surveyed the area. It was quiet; too quiet. He motioned to Anisah to come closer. She walked to the edge of the clearing and almost cringed.
"There’s something wrong here. I sense it. I can't see anything unusual but this is another place of death, you can almost taste it," she said, turning away.
"You're right. Something definitely is wrong. I get a sense men have died here too, just as those with our injured soldier. But, if this is true, where are the bodies, the weapons, the horses. Where is anything you'd expect?" Geth'n asked, thinking there was too much mystery.
He knitted his brow, still looking about for some signs to confirm their suspicions. They left the horses at the edge of the clearing while they walked about.
He walked slowly to the center of the area, carefully looking around, anticipating a surprise attack. Anisah, resisting an overwhelming urge to run, walked by his side, investigating the ground and their near surroundings.
Suddenly, she reached out her hand and touched Geth'n to stop him. On the ground, a few feet away, lay a human hand. A little further on, there was what appeared to be a helmet, again they saw an arrow protruding from the ground.
They circled slowly. Geth'n ever watchful while Anisah made a small inventory of the other small items. All this indicated some sort of massacre had occurred here. But there was nothing more substantial to prove anything, just those few things. And there was the sense of imminent danger.
After a moment, they looked at each other and nodding their agreement of a need to leave began to back their way toward the edge of the clearing and the horses.
Anisah turned and scoured the path back for danger; Geth'n, backing toward her, watched the clearing.
They reached the horses, climbed into the saddles quietly, backed the horses into the shadows, turned quietly and walk back into the forest before they stopped.
"There was a horrible slaughter here," Anisah whispered to Geth'n, "many men may have lost their lives. But where are they? Where are the trappings of such a group? Where have all those things disappeared?" She looked all around her, her eyes wider in fear of this thing that had no explanation.
Geth'n answered quietly, as though he might disturb something he didn't understand. But he had an idea.
"I believe there was a battle here, but I also think Voravia's creatures, as Borny'a called them, have come and scavenged practically all the remains. We don't know what manner of beings these are though I suspect they're not quite human anymore.
They've taken it all away -- horses, men, clothing, weapons and anything else laying about. Undoubtedly, all of the people were slaughtered and there was no one to defend them. It's a horrible fate and I hope I'm wrong. Maybe there were some who survived and they have taken the others to safety and to secure their wounded. But I fear that isn't true."
Anisah, still looking about, turned to him, nodded and motioned she thought they should leave. Geth'n turned his horse back the way they had come to retrace some of their steps. Anisah followed without speaking.
They soon reached the old road and noticed it was bending more toward the northwest. They decided to continue follow the route and broke into a fast canter to cover ground more quickly.
They rode hard, resting the horses near streams they saw by the road, but continued with deliberation. They were beginning to worry more about Pet'r and their haste emphasized their concerns.
Soon Geth'n noticed the mountains rising above the trees and decided they should begin to use more caution. It was certain Voravia's men would be watching the land more closely near her castle; they assumed it wasn't too far away.
Anisah and Geth'n knew from their experiences they would need to be extremely careful about when and how they traveled. It was midday and they felt it would be folly to travel during the daylight hours now, so they decided to wait for nightfall.
They sat and talked about a plan, but they really didn't have one. So they mostly waited impatiently for the day to end.
Just after twilight, they noticed lights moving along the ridge of a nearby hillside. There were about ten torches wavering through the night and then, at one point, there was a brief stoppage in the movement and each light disappeared until all were gone.
Anisah and Geth'n made no movement toward the spot but each tried to remember dim landmarks to help find the entrance later.
They kept themselves hidden and waited quietly, making certain no other group of creatures was passing their way.
"There has to be a cave," Geth’n finally whispered to Anisah, "probably an entrance to caverns under the castle. Those may have been Voravia's people returning for the day. Maybe the ones who scavenged the scene of death we saw today. Come, let's go find this cave."
"I'm ready," Anisah said softly.
Geth'n rose from their hiding place, looked about the area, and walked slowly toward the place where the lights had disappeared. Anisah followed closely. They didn't want to get separated so she was keeping Geth'n's back clearly in sight especially as it got darker.
They crept along, avoiding open spaces, using the trees to hide, and carefully approached the spot where they thought the cave entrance was hidden. They stopped when they thought they had reached it, but could find nothing indicating there was an cave.
"Where is it?" Anisah whispered harshly, frustrated they couldn't detect the entrance, "I know it’s close. I can sense it almost, but I can't tell where it is."
"Me neither,” Geth’n answered softly.
Just as he finished speaking, they heard sounds from down the path of others talking among themselves.
"Up here. Quickly!" Geth'n reached down, grabbed a rock from the ground and tossed it down the hill in the direction from which they had just come, grabbed Anisah's hand and pulled her up the hill.
Scrambling up several yards, they flattened themselves against the ground behind some low lying bushes, covering their faces to limit the contrast with their surroundings and the dark.
"Wha wuz dat noise?" one of the group shouted. The whole group scrambled toward the spot where Geth'n and Anisah had just been standing and, holding their torches high, began searching for the source of the noise.
The creatures were jostling and pushing each other trying to find something in the dark; it hadn't occurred to them there might be something, or someone, moving in any other direction. Finally they quieted and began to organize themselves again.
"Wuz nuthin. Wuz animal. We go. Now!"
The one talking walked to a boulder nestled into the hillside. He waved his torch in an arch over his head, struck the rock twice with a pole he was carrying in his other hand, stepped back several steps.
Geth'n raised his head enough to watch. The boulder slowly sank into the hillside; dust puffed about in the torchlight, soon the group of creatures began disappearing into the hole hidden by the boulder.
When they had all entered, the last threw the torch he was carrying to the ground; the torch threw sparks into the night air but then only smoldered, a stream of blue smoke rising into the moonlit night.
The boulder pushed outward into the night and came to rest, hiding the entrance. The air was still again, with only the night sounds from the forest below.
After a short wait, Geth'n whispered to Anisah, "I think it's safe now. Let's get back to the path." They rose, dusted themselves off as they worked their way back down onto the path. Geth'n motioned to Anisah to follow him and they walked over to the boulder where Geth'n had seen the creatures disappear.
"What now?" Anisah asked.
Geth'n looked around, spotted the torch the creature had dropped, picked it up and began to blow on the embers.
"What are you doing?" Anisah asked, thinking they needed to remain hidden yet Geth'n was trying to revive a flame that would expose them.
"We have to emulate the entrance procedure used to access the caves," Geth’n said then returned to blowing on the stake. The embers began to glow again and suddenly a small flame, then a larger one, grew from the end.
Geth'n quickly turned to the boulder, waved the flame high over his head twice and struck the boulder with the torch. The boulder began to rumble and move backward into the cave.
"Come, we have to hurry," he said. Grabbing Anisah's hand, he rushed into the opening, pulling her in with him.
As the boulder moved back into position, Geth'n held the torch, which he had wisely kept, over their heads so the light spread out ahead of them exposing the cave and the directions they might go.
"Do you think this will lead us to the passages taking us to Pet'r?" Anisah whispered. They both felt Pet'r was down one of these passages and had no need to discuss whether they should be in these caves, or not.
"I don't know but it seemed a wiser choice than walking up to the castle gate and asking," Geth’n answered her sarcastically, but smiled.
"Fine. Since you're now in charge, do you know the way?" Anisah swatted him lightly with her hand.
"Not really, but then there seems to be only one way offered at present. Let's follow that until we have to decide," Geth’n answered.
He took the lead and began to walk carefully down into the caverns. Anisah stayed close enough to reach out and touch his back, not wanting to get separated.
She occasionally took a quick look behind her to achieve some sense of security, but she couldn't help feeling apprehensive. The cave behind was too dark to see anything and that made her more nervous than if she had known there was something there.
They walked down on a long slope carrying them further into the mountain. Geth'n paused often, listening for other sounds. All they could hear was their own breathing and the sputtering of the flame. The light cast strange and unusual shadows on the cave walls, changing the shapes dramatically as it waved about.
These caves were dug through the hill; the marks of the tools remained vivid. Voravia had apparently ordered these passages built so her creatures could get to all points in her realm and not be exposed. A surprise attack on an enemy was one of the obvious attributes of such an underground system.
"Wait. We have to decide which way to go now."
Geth’n had stopped suddenly. Anisah bumped into him gently before she could stop.
Ahead of them, the cavern split into two passages. Anisah was perplexed by the possibilities. If they chose the wrong one, they could become lost and waste the torch they had and never find Pet'r.
Geth'n paused for a moment, bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes. Anisah realized he was trying to reach out to touch with his mind what he felt was real. He was searching for Pet'r; she could sense his mental probing. She too took up the search.
"This way,” Geth’n said raising his head and pointed the torch to the left, "this way to the main caverns under the castle. Pet'r is there." Anisah looked down into the cave Geth'n had pointed out, looked into Geth'n's face, and nodded her head. They walked into the new opening with no doubts about their decision.
After making another similar decision some time later, they arrived at an opening to a larger cavern. They stopped and peered into the great room. No one else was about, so they stepped softly through the portal.
Looking about, they saw several large tables, all randomly covered with a large number of parchments; some opened and lying with their edges curled a bit on the corners; some rolled tightly and tied with leather thong; some flattened with a heavier object on the corner to hold them.
"Someone's been researching these scrolls, it appears,” Geth’n spoke, not too loudly but not in a whisper, "I have to wonder for what?"
"What a horrible place. How could anyone choose to live here? It's so huge, cold, and hard. There's no warmth to it," Anisah was looking around the cave in wonder and pity.
"You're right, it certainly wouldn't be called charming unless maybe you were a bat," Geth’n agreed, looking over one of the scrolls lying open on the table.
"In fact I think there may be a few bats in here now." He peered upward into the darkness above them where no light could reach.
"Let's look around a bit and see if we can find anything more interesting than the inhabitants," Anisah turned away from the table with the scrolls. She searched the various chests and smaller hutches she saw sitting at various angles along the many rows of shelves covering the walls of the cave. Most were easily opened and there was very little of importance she could see.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Anisah said from across the cave where she was kneeling in front of an old trunk, raising her head to look in Geth'n's direction.
"A map hopefully, maybe, at the least some directions on how to get through these caverns with some knowledge of where we are going and what to expect," Geth’n answered, not really looking up from the scroll he had pulled into the light to read more thoroughly.”
The Ahar'n is somewhere in these mountains. Everything I've ever read confirms that. Unfortunately, we don't have several lifetimes to search for it. More importantly, Pet'r is here somewhere and possibly in danger. We have to find him. We need a bit more help, something that will get us closer."
They shuffled about for a while longer, looking at various pieces of information, when Geth'n growled, throwing his hands into the air in disgust, "Blast the gods! What we need could be anywhere here, or not at all."
Anisah stood. "It does seem rather hopeless," she said. Propping her hands akimbo, she looked around the enormous chamber. She wandered over to the large table in the center of the room. The table held half eaten bits of food, glasses of stale ale and wine, writing quills, ink pots, parchment, and more great books and scrolls.
Behind her there was a great shelf full of scrolls and other documents, covered in dust; the shelves hugged the wall of the cave and turned a corner into the shadows beyon
d.
Anisah moved into the new area, apprehensive because of the darkness, but searching for anything to help them find Pet'r.
She noticed, in the dim light, a scroll partly crushed beneath some loosely stacked books, pulled it out gently, unrolled it, and tried to press the corners down so she could read the bold strokes across its face.
"Geth'n! Look! This thing is huge. I haven't seen another one as large," Anisah yelled.
She rolled the canvas and lifted it,carrying to the table, grunting from the effort. Once there, she began straightening it, holding the scroll in place on the table with one hand, she swept some of the trash away with the other, finally spread it across the table and held each corner flat by placing books on them.
“Geth'n, you need to see this,” she called out to him. He came around into the area and walked to the table to look at this new find and help position it to be read. In a moment, the scroll was spread out almost the entire length of the table. They had to move other scrolls, books and the remains of the food and drink off the table to have enough space.
They stood staring at the writings for a moment when Geth'n began to laugh.
"You'd think I would know better," he scolded himself.
Walking around to the opposite side of the table, he gazed only a moment more at the scroll.
"I think you've found something that provides us with many of the answers we need." He looked up and grinned at her, "and it was just laying here all the time we, and others, have rooted around looking for these messages."
Anisah ran around to Geth'n's side of the table, stood back a bit from the giant scroll and realized she was looking at a map.
"It must be a map of these caverns. You can see here are the mountains," he added as he pointed to a ripple drawing, with a name they couldn't read written above it, "and this must be the great mountain range cutting across the whole continent just north of here.”
“And these,” he reached and touched different spots on the map, "must be the entrances to various caves permeating these mountains all along its base. This is all very simple, but the caverns and tunnels are defined in much greater detail than the other smaller maps."
He ran his hand along one of the passages. The line crossed through the dark indicators for openings into the caverns and weaved its way in a singular direction though it crossed many other lines slicing their way back and forth across the map.
"Is this going to help us find Pet'r, or your Ahar'n?" Anisah had turned away, leaning on the table out of Geth'n's way, looking at all the openings leading into this room alone. "There are so many passages. Can you understand the map, or what is written on it?"
"Yes, I can. Or, at least, most of it. Here, see here, is a passage referring to a crystal cave inside these mountains," Geth'n explained, tapping the map to show what he saw, "and here there is another reference to an even greater cavern buried far beneath the great desert to the west beyond the mountains.”
“And it's noted a gathering of immortals met to form this world," he reached, pulling the map around so he might touch another portion. "And over here is a cave, the 'Cave of Areb’l', it has a magically sealed entrance no one but the Guardian of the Ahar'n and the Esfer'n can access. It must be where the Ahar'n is.
“And here then,” he pointed to another area, “all these passages lead to the west and seem to converge and then seem to be sealed."
"Who are the Esfer'n? And who is the Guardian?" Anisah asked, turning as she watched Geth'n's hand sweeping across the map as he explained the important elements to her.
"I don't know. But here it talks about the Crystal Cave -- meeting place of the immortals," he pointed to an enormous cavern near the bottom of the map.
Geth'n's hand was sliding quickly over the map now, searching for distinguishing marks, stopping on another mark.
"I think we are here. This entrance we just came down goes to here," he moved his hand quickly to what was definitely a portal to the outside, "and if I move my hand laterally, I see by going through this passage," he stopped, looked around one portion of the room and pointed, "we should be able to gain access to Voravia's castle without much trouble.
There are many references to the Ahar'n and to another stone, but no answer to what, or where, they are. Did the wizards, or the Esfer'n, or the Guardian find these stones and divine their uses; did they make it for some magical purpose; or is there some other hidden meaning yet to be discovered about the Ahar'n and the other stone?
I haven't read about the other stone in any documents I have researched, but it must have similar presence in our myths and legends. Now there is more I don't know about these stones and their purpose," Geth’n continued, puzzling over these new mysteries.
"Quite a lot of questions, young man. Do you think the answers will help you at all?" Geth'n and Anisah both jumped in surprise, whirled about looking for the source of the deep voice disturbing the quiet.
"Thank you for finding something I need. You've been a great help," a tall man stepped from the shadows near the entrance they used.
"Well, hello again, I believe we've met before. You and your friend on the road to Varspree, I think. It's a pity I don't see your friend here with you; he and I have a few things to discuss. It might be you won't recognize him now. I venture he isn't the same as he was," he added as he walked slowly toward them, a contemptuous smile on his face.
Geth'n and Anisah instinctively backed away from the intruder and away from the table. Geth'n casually picked up an old knife lying with the refuse and slid it inside his sleeve.
The man walked over, touched the map without picking it up, turned back to look at them, "However, despite your helpfulness, I fear you two are more nuisance than I need, so I must tell you I must be rid of you."
"Who are you?" Anisah asked, standing very close to Geth'n. Geth'n had, behind her back, slid the knife from his sleeve and was clasping the grip tightly.
The man looked at Anisah, eyelids drooping as he peered from under heavy eyebrows, dropped his eyes to look at the map again, without answering.
"Kings, queens, and learned men have been searching for this map for centuries and yet it took two innocents to stumble across it. Quite remarkable, I must give you credit. It's the least I can do, literally. By the way, I think you would be wise, young man, to put down the knife. You will certainly have no chance to use it," he talked to them quietly, as though they should not be alarmed their lives were being threatened.
"Rab'k,” the man said suddenly, looking up from his investigation of the map, "that's my name. Executor to, and of, Lord Garv’n – rest his soul.
But I'm no longer interested in talking. I think we'll just be done with you, and I'll be on my way."
Rab'k began to move around the end of the table toward them. Geth'n pushed Anisah behind him and brandished the knife though uncertain what good it was going to do.
"Anisah, run. Run, Anisah!" Geth'n suddenly shouted and threw the knife at Rab'k. Rab'k raised one of his arms, covered in armor, and the knife glanced away harmlessly.
With his other hand he grabbed Anisah by her arm, as she tried to run by him. But Anisah was able to twist out of Rab'k's grasp and started running across the cavern. Geth'n turned, saw what direction Anisah was running, started to follow, but was grabbed harshly by his shoulder, pulled back, his arms clamped to his side, and lifted from the ground.
Meanwhile Anisah, running as quickly as she could across the floor, turned to look back for Geth'n, saw he was captured. She hesitated, turning back with intent to help him. Abruptly, she was knocked backwards as she walked into one of the creatures just stepping from the mouth of another cave. She screamed, stumbled back trying to regain her balance, and screamed even more loudly when the creature reached and grabbed her about her shoulders and lifted her off her feet.
Several more creatures rushed around their companion into the cave, but came to a halt at the sight of Rab'k. There was a sullen stillness in the cave; the
sound of breathing could be heard in hushed tones echoing from the lost ceiling above.
The creatures were rocking back and forth. Some were lurching forward then scampering back to a former stance unwillingly to risk any attack. Some just stood and stared and seemed to be waiting for something to happen.
Suddenly pandemonium erupted, Anisah began screaming and kicking; she was striking her captor as hard as she could. The creature turned his head a bit to avoid being struck in the face but largely ignored his captive. Geth'n yelled at the creature to leave Anisah alone, trying to jerk free of Rab'k's grip. Rab'k bellowed for him to keep still.
All the creatures began to scream and jumped about, banging the cave floor with their clubs, throwing dust into the air, frothing at the mouth in their anticipation of a fight. From out of the cave mouth, another creature appeared and screeched loudly as he pushed his way through the group. The other creatures instantly stopped their aggression but continued to shout and cower, rocking back and forth on their feet again, waiting.
This new one walked boldly toward Rab'k, stopping only a few feet from him.
"You!" he shouted at Rab'k, seemingly with great courage but obviously cowering as he spoke. He shook his staff at Rab'k, menacing, but all at a safe distance.
"My mistress, she say wez not kil vou," he hissed through his twisted mouth, "she wants talk at you." The little leader strutted about, haughty and cocky.
Rab'k lowered Geth'n to the floor. "Don't move," he told Geth'n.
"Little man, I am not afraid of you nor your motley crew here," he waved his hand to indicate the group of creatures. The little leader flinched when Rab'k's hand came near him. Rab'k smiled but showed no other sign he noticed.
"But I am here to meet with your mistress, so if you wish to lead then I am willing to follow. These two we will take with us; they were rummaging through these papers. It seems they made a discovery she might be interested in. Tie them and we'll leave."
The leader shrugged, glared at Rab'k, turned slowly toward his group watching Rab'k closely as he did.
"You!" he pointed at one of the other creatures. Brings rope. Tie he and she,” he shouted, indicating Geth'n and Anisah.
They were quickly bound with their hands in front of them; a line wrapped around their necks and knotted with the line being held by one of the creatures.
"You hold tight," the little leader warned the holder. Turning back to face Rab'k, he shouted, "Wez go!" He marched away toward one of the exits without looking back.
Rab'k watched the procession leave the cave, looked around the cavern noting all the documents lying about, thinking about what he was taught and wondering what these young people had uncovered. He smiled to himself as he left the cavern.
Wonder what I might do to catch Voravia's attention?
They traveled through the darkened caves with only the light from the torches wavering along the cave walls.
Anisah and Geth'n, the rope about their necks chaffing them, were yanked along, stumbling and bumping against the walls and trying not to fall for fear of being dragged. Rab'k came along behind walking quietly, knowing this meeting with Voravia was to be an important step in his future.
Soon they arrived below the castle and climbed the long stairs up into the chambers above. Geth'n tried to make certain Anisah was safe, following as closely behind her as he could, in case she fell.
When they finally stopped, the little leader pointed down a long hallway below vaulted ceilings. Anisah and Geth'n stumbled to keep afoot, stumbling into Voravia's large private chambers. Rab'k followed them.
The chamber was empty when they entered. Rab'k motioned for the creatures to take Geth'n and Anisah near the windowed side of the room.
"Tie them to the table there," Rab'k commanded quietly, pointing.
The little leader stopped, frowning at Rab'k and at his people who were going to follow Rab'k's order, walked quickly to the edge of the table holding a length of rope and shouted.
"Bring they here. Yous vill hang from win'ow by rope. Mistress will be pleased."
Suddenly Rab'k moved swiftly and without hesitation.
Rab'k was at the little leader's side before the other could turn to look at him. He grabbed him about his neck with his massive hand. There was only small sound, a brief squeak, from the being. Rab'k opened the window with his other hand and threw the creature into the air. Its screams could be heard for some time, but then were silenced.
Rab'k turned back to the couple tied, waiting.
"Put them up on the table," he ordered. Some of the creatures moved quickly, with fear in their eyes, and did what they were told. Anisah and Geth'n were hoisted into the air and now stood on top of the table, afraid to move. Rab'k looked up toward the ceiling, sighted a great beam traversing the space above.
"Throw a line over that beam. For each one. Tie up their hands and lift them over their heads," he commanded, pointing upward to the beam.
The creatures, with their leader's fate still fresh in their feeble minds, were moving more quickly than before and soon completed Rab'k's orders. Geth'n and Anisah soon stood with their toes barely touching the table; the ropes held their arms stretched above their heads.
"This should be an interesting surprise for your mistress," Rab'k chuckled. He looked around at the beings standing about, waiting.
"Now leave before I throw all of you away." He pointed at the window and laughed. The creatures began to back quickly toward the door, pushing each other and then panicked and rushed the door, shoving the weaker aside as they scrambled for safety. The room quickly emptied.
Rab'k sat and waited.
Geth'n managed to turn about and face Rab'k.
"What are doing to us? You are not acting like the man I met on the road, the one who help my friend and I escape from the thieves," Geth'n was shouting at Rab'k, who was barely attentive or offered any recognition Geth'n was speaking. "There is no need to treat us like this, we've done nothing wrong."
Rab'k looked around at Geth'n. "I have no need to explain myself to you. But it is all quite simple. I am the same man but I now have a different quest since I have dealt with the first. But now I also know what you are, whether you do or not."
"What are talking about? Who do you think we are?" Geth'n couldn't believe this man was acting in such a cruel manner. "We are looking for a friend? We thought he might be here," he offered.
"You search for the Ahar'n. It does exist, my young friend, despite your limited knowledge of it. I also believe you would have become much different than you are had you found it, or your friend had brought it to you. Then you would have become a formidable foe."
Rab'k answered deliberately, "It is therefore necessary you be destroyed, and the girl faces the same fate."
BORNY'A