TBC: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hoshi, Brogan, and Valora readied themselves to exit the Xita-8 as their pilot, Sade, landed the ship on the outskirts of Sethian Territory.

"Gyan and Jarek are lucky they get to see Eltia," Hoshi said as they entered the lower compartment to retrieve their lumrays. "I hear it is even more beautiful than Alsar."

The three cringed against the bite of the cold wind as they pushed their lumrays out of the ship.

Brogan surveyed the area. His eyes took in the glistening, silver shine of the trees within the Frosted-Leaf Woods. "Way warmer than here," he said with a shiver. He threw the hood of his cloak up over his head.

"The lumrays will warm you some," Sade said as he came down the lowered ramp of the ship. "They emit heat when the external temperature drops." The unshaven, tall, broad-shouldered pilot smiled as he approached the team. "I will wait at the ship for your return. There is a device installed in the armband of your uniform that connects to the Xita. If there is any trouble, squeeze the band to alert me."

The three nodded.

"I have taken you to the head of the easiest trail into the Lundar Mountains," Sade continued. "The lumrays should cover the distance quickly." He pointed south to the peaks of three mountains standing before them. "The Spear warriors make their base somewhere between the western and middle mountain of the Three Peaks. However, when you get close enough, they will find you before you find them."

"Why don't you just drop us off closer to their location?" Valora asked. "I mean, why here?"

"If they spot the ship, they will not approach you," Sade replied.

"Thanks, Sade," said Hoshi.

He smiled, his eyes lingering on Valora, then gave the team a quick nod and ran back up the ramp of the ship. "Check in with me soon," he shouted into the wind as the ramp rose to a close.

Thick snowflakes dropped from the sky as the three rode into the trees. The ground elevated, but the lumrays held their tracking along the wide pathway leading to the Three Peaks.

I'm not even that cold because of the heat coming up from the bike, Valora said.

Fane is a genius, agreed Hoshi.

After several hours, the warriors came to a steep, rocky upgrade and slowed to a stop.

"We'll have to leave the lumrays here," said Brogan. "The grade is too steep."

"I think we will be able to see the northwestern side of Three Peaks just over the next ridge of this mountain," Hoshi said as they slid the bikes behind dense brush at the edge of the trail.

When the three reached the lower ridge of the small mountain, they took a short break.

"I see a light through the trees over there," said Hoshi as she looked east. "Can you see it? I think there's a home built on a flat terrain within the trees."

"I can't see it," said Valora. "How are you seeing it?"

Hoshi shrugged.

"I don't see it either, but let's go that way," Brogan replied. "If it's a cabin, maybe we can warm up."

The snow stopped, but the three remained close to each other as the wind picked up, their breaths visible in the cold. Snowflakes swirled around them, creating a white, puffy fog throughout the area.

"I see it now," said Valora as a tiny lantern of light came into view through a group of trees. "I still don't know how you saw the light from where we were before, Hoshi."

"If you squint, you can see further," she replied as they made their way to the small cabin. "It gives me a headache, though." She pointed to the roof. "There's smoke coming from the chimney."

The team slowed as they reached a small shed that stood near the solitary cabin.

"Who would live way out here all alone?" Hoshi stated as they approached the door.

"If you get tired of being around people, it makes sense," Valora replied.

Brogan banged on the cabin door. "Hello? Is there anyone here?"

No answer came. He pushed the door and it slid open easily.

"Let's go in," Hoshi said as she pushed past the other two.

"Hoshi!" Valora said.

"What?" she asked innocently. "No one's here—Just for a couple of minutes, okay? I'm freezing."

Brogan and Valora followed her inside. Each rushed directly to the fireplace, where soft flames swallowed the surface of charred logs.

After a couple of minutes, Hoshi suddenly gasped. She and Valora looked sharply at the door.

"He's back," Brogan said as he strode to the door and threw it open.

The blue eyes of a dark brown-skinned man with long auburn, braided hair followed the length of Brogan's towering frame. The firewood the man carried fell to the ground. He cleared his throat and swallowed.

"Sorry…uh, Sir," Brogan said with a quick bow. He bent to retrieve the firewood. "I didn't mean to scare you. We were just passing through and saw the light from your cabin. The fire drew us in when we saw no one here. I apologize."

The man looked past Brogan at the other warriors. "It's all right, warrior," he said in a thick accent as he helped Brogan pick up the wood. "I wasn't expecting any company this winter is all."

Brogan stepped back as the man moved past him.

The warriors introduced themselves.

"I am Sarkan," the man said as he removed his thick outer attire. "You're a long way from Alsar. It is not safe in Uthar at the moment, but I'm sure you're aware of that, so I must conclude that you are here on assignment."

"We are here to seek council with Saldon-Fa, the head of the Sethian Spear warriors," Brogan said.

"I see," said Sarkan. He hung a kettle of water in the fireplace to warm. "You believe my brother will help you fight against Mordán, is that it?"

"Your brother?" asked Hoshi with a look of surprise.

Sarkan chuckled. "Not all the mountain tribe villagers carry spears and are marked by paint, Master Hoshi."

"I just didn't expect you to be alone up here away from the tribe if your brother is leading the Spear warriors."

"After several disagreements with my brother regarding his views on guiding the Sethian villagers, I chose to leave with the elders' permission. Some of his views regarding outsiders and trespassers are too rigid for my taste." He sighed. "But his beliefs have kept the village safe for many years, so I understand his ways." He looked out the front cabin window. "I suppose I can take you safely to see him, but do not expect any cooperation. Although he has no issue with the light warriors, he can be stubborn in his reasons to help anyone outside of the tribe unless he sees merit in it for him or our people."

"Thank you," Brogan stated.

"We will have tea to warm up, and then I will guide you to the base of the Three Peaks where the guardians will greet you. I would normally not suggest going today, but the snow has stopped for now. Another storm is expected to blow through tonight, so it will be to your benefit to make it back to your ship by then."

"How much further to the Three Peaks?" asked Brogan.

Sarkan took four cups from a small cupboard hanging over a wooden counter in the corner of the cabin. "Not long. We have a steep ridge to go over and then we will begin our journey down to the valley. There is one other mountain that stands between this one and the Peaks, but there is a path only the Sethian villagers know of that trails into a lower cavern. It will save you time and lead us directly into the valley near the village." He handed the warriors a cup of tea.

Each mumbled their thanks.

Sarkan answered a couple of more questions about the Sethian tribe and their customs while the warriors drank their tea in the warmth of the cabin. After only a short time, he looked out the front window of his cabin. "If you are ready then," he said. "We should not delay."

The warriors placed their empty cups on the table as Sarkan grabbed his winter gear, and the three followed him reluctantly back into the cold air.

Heavy snow began to fall again as the group made their way south to the next ridge. As they reached the top of the ridge, the view opened wide before them. A large valley separated them from the small mountain that blocked a full view of the Three Peaks.

As she looked out across the valley, Hoshi's eyes suddenly narrowed. She looked around wildly.

"I sense it, too," Valora and Brogan said at the same time.

Sarkan squinted and scanned the surrounding area.

"There is a dense vibration of dark energy near," said Valora.

The four continued to scrutinize their surroundings but could not find anything.

"We need to keep moving," Sarkan said after a few minutes. "The wind is picking up."

Valora and Brogan followed Sarkan down a rocky terrain scattered with the dead wood of retired trees. Hoshi remained still, squinting as she gazed far across the valley.

Valora glanced back. "Hoshi?"

"Wait," Hoshi said. "There." She pointed to the base of the small mountain. "I think I saw movement on the mountain nearest to us."

Everyone's gaze followed her pointed finger.

"There is no way you can see that far," Brogan said as he turned back to her.

"Yes, I'm sure of it," Hoshi replied as she relaxed her eyes.

Brogan let out a surprised breath. "Hoshi, the halo in your eyes has turned yellow," he said.

Valora's eyes widened as she hurriedly climbed the short distance back to Hoshi. "Let me see. The change in color must be linked to why you can see that far." Valora studied Hoshi's face and smiled. "Double stripes are appearing—glowing yellow vertical and horizontal markings around your eyes too."

Hoshi smiled. "Nice." She looked past the two to the mountain again. "I'm certain of it now. I don't know who, but there are five people."

Her eyes suddenly widened. Brogan and Valora shared her look of alarm. Seconds later, a solid beam of violet-red light slammed into the mountain just above their heads.

Brogan dove to protect Sarkan. The two tumbled together down the slope several feet.

There was no delay before the next attack—the next beam smashing only inches away from the first. The attacks hit the mountain one after the other. Rocks, mud, and snow flew out in every direction.

Hoshi flew back off her feet, the beams narrowly missing her.

Valora's eyes flashed and she disappeared and reappeared just west on the ridge near a dense group of snow-covered trees. Hurry and teleport, Hoshi! Valora said in a frantic tone.

There was no reply.

"Get off the ridge, Sarkan!" Brogan shouted as his eyes glowed brightly.

Sarkan nodded and the two scrambled to their feet.

Brogan looked around quickly in search of the source of the warriors' attacker as the peak above the warriors began to crumble. Valora! he called as he raced back up the mountain, dodging loose rocks. Hoshi!He moved as fast as he could back up the sliding rocky terrain.

Over here, Brogan!Valora replied. She waved as she made her way closer to him.

Brogan cast her a look of relief.

Find Hoshi—I can't sense her, Valora said with concern. I can't even sense where the attacks are coming from—this is the worst place to be in. We have to get out of here now.

Valora grabbed her armband and squeezed.

"What is it?" Sade's voice carried through her armband.

Valora opened her mouth to speak but froze as she looked past Brogan. Her mouth opened in a shrill warning, "Brogan!"

A small black ship, invisible behind the peak of the mountains only moments before, shot into view just above Brogan. The ship slowed and maneuvered so that the side was exposed to the warriors.

An open doorway on the revealed Akila, cloaked in black with her hand grasping a dark red staff topped with a large, blue stone. She pointed the staff directly beneath Brogan's feet. Before he could even turn around, a beam of violet-red light shot from the staff's tip.

The ridge beneath him exploded.

Brogan failed to teleport in time as a large piece of rock flew straight to his head. He fell unconscious with the mountain debris and smashed into a lower ledge.

"Brogan!" Valora yelled as he rolled rapidly toward the cliff's edge. Her eyes flashed as pieces of boulder flew at her. She teleported and appeared belly-down against the edge of the cliff. Her hands grasped Brogan's wrists as he slid over the edge. She cried out in pain as Brogan's weight caused her arms to slam into the side of the cliff, but her eyes widened in surprise as glowing red bindings instantly wound around her back, chest, and shoulders like a hungry snake.

"NO!" she screamed. She shook her head and twisted her shoulders hard against the bindings. Her movement had no effect as the metal strips locked around her and sealed. The glow on the bindings brightened.

Valora's eyes narrowed as she willed her light to Brogan—a flicker of light flashed in her eyes, but quickly faded.

"Brogan!" she screamed again in desperation as he began to slide from her grasp. Her eyelids closed and her head drooped against the cliff as the suppressing magic of the binds drained her energy.

Brogan dropped from the cliff like a bullet through the air.