TBC: Chapter Twenty-Eight

Shamira, Tarak, Aderes, and Danika sped east through Jeweli Forest toward the borders of Uthar. The clearly defined forest path leading directly to the San River made it easy to maintain a high speed on the lumrays. The group moved steadily for several hours until they neared the bank of the river.

Shamira slowed to a stop and the others followed suite to survey their options. "Master Tarak, the Feyla Forest begins on the other side of the river. Since we are near where you grew up, do you know of the best crossing?"

"We just have to go north for a short way," Tarak replied. "Then, we should see a white cloth tied around a post, marking the entrance of a wide bridge that crosses into the forest. The bridge is stable enough for the lumrays."

The warriors traveled north and then sped onto the bridge crossing the San River. Tarak caught Danika's smile as she looked out over the rushing gray waters beneath them.

This isn't even the best part of the river, he told her privately.

I hope to explore more of this area someday, Danika replied. There are so many colors in the forest. I keep seeing new shades everywhere.

If we make it through all of this, I will give you a tour of the entire forest.

I will go wherever you ask. She smiled as she heard Tarak gasp.

His gaze followed her as she laughed and sped up, holding both arms out to her side.

The group neared the end of the bridge and skidded to a quick stop as they took in the sight before them.

A large party of brown-skinned men on horseback wearing blue, yellow, and green tribal attire blocked their path further into the forest. Some of the tribal warriors were holding spears, while other arkaís had arrows pulled back into position, their bows aimed directly at the warriors.

Aderes immediately reached behind him for his gladaé. Tarak pulled his alneil bow out and readied an arrow as he leaped from his bike.

There is no need for alarm. Shamira's voice entered the warriors' minds. The Kolar people have just taken it upon themselves to protect their village despite the claim of neutrality that Lord Mohan has issued.

Tarak lowered his bow hesitantly.

Shamira raised a hand as she approached the group slowly and bowed. The other three, still watchful and alert, followed her lead.

A large, muscular man, wearing a multi-colored, beaded browband over his long black hair surveyed the warriors through a narrowed gaze. "Lower your weapons," he told his group. "They are light walkers."

"I am Master Shamira. This is Master Tarak, Master Danika, and Master Aderes."

The large man giving orders scrutinized each warrior for several more moments and then put two fingers up to his lips in greeting. "My name is Shen-Nolas," he said in a deep accent similar to Tarak's, "the Guardian of Kolar."

His eyes fell on Tarak. "There have been rumors of a Vaznaun light walker among the Order. I did not believe it until now."

"I am of the Divakae," responded Tarak, "not of the Vaznaun."

Nolas replied with a silent nod. "Follow us."

The masters guided the lumrays behind the Kolar warriors down a winding forest trail that led into a wide clearing. Large, dome-shaped buildings and homes painted with a variety of elaborate colors came into view. Colorful beads and lanterns hung from surrounding tree branches within the painted village. Everywhere the warriors looked, the Kolar citizens were busy making weapons and working vigorously on a barricade to secure the village.

"I see you are preparing for an attack," Shamira stated.

"We do not follow Lord Mohan's advice," Nolas replied. "Although he has proved a stable guide for this country in the past, he fears war. A leader who fears war will bring it to his doorstep. We make decisions based on the visions and guidance of the elders here. Mordán refuses to acknowledge the attacks that have already occurred."

"So, it is true that raids have begun in the forest?" Shamira questioned.

Nolas nodded as he led the warriors into a large domed building at the center of the village. "Wait here while I will retrieve the elders."

The group turned to scan their surroundings as Nolas disappeared from the building. The furnishings of the room were made of wood and cloths woven entirely by hand. The natural settings were a stark contrast from the more modern furnishings of homes throughout the cities in southern Uthar. A winding wooden staircase led up to a large loft.

"I love this," Danika as she touched the fabric of a blanket hanging on the wall.

"Elsaria is one planet in which most kingdoms honor the balance between evolution in knowledge and living in respect for the foundation that nature provides," Shamira replied. "Most leaders understand that one does not replace the other and that there is always a solution to maintaining a balance between both. The two can work in harmony."

"Let's hope Mordán is stopped then," Aderes said as he leaned against the edge of a circular counter at the back of the room. "Otherwise, this balance in Elsaria won't be maintained much longer. He destroys the land of his own country, so he will not hesitate to do it everywhere else."

Nolas entered the building along with three older village members—all wearing colorful, beaded jewelry and flowing garments of various shades of green and blue.

"Shen-Ardúl, Shen-Montán, and Shen-Telia," Nolas said. "These are the light walkers."

The warriors bowed to the village elders as the elders surveyed the warriors in silence.

"Shen-Ardúl is the oldest tribe member," Nolas stated.

Ardúl shuffled slowly toward Shamira and grabbed both of her hands in his. Her eyes registered a look of surprise as the elder stared up into her face with a gentle gaze. "You will find your healing," he said in a soft, raspy voice. He lightly touched her forehead with two fingers. Shamira blinked rapidly as a single tear escaped her left eye and rolled down her cheek.

"Shen-Ardúl is also a shaman," Nolas explained. "He sees into the heart and soul. Your greatest issue is what he sees in you at first gaze."

Montán, a tall, large-statured elder with black hair longer than Nolas's, continued to gaze upon the masters before him with sharp eyes. Although his face did not demonstrate the years of Ardúl's, wisdom radiated from every part of his being. "Shen-Telia is my wife and Shen-Ardúl is my father," he said.

Telia, a petite woman with a fiery look, approached Danika slowly. The beads she wore on her head intertwined with her thick, red braids and made a soft clanging noise as she moved. She gazed intensely at Danika, who shifted uncomfortably.

"Shen-Telia reads your heart," stated Nolas.

Telia looked across to Tarak, then back to Danika, and smiled. She placed a hand on Danika's cheek and nodded.

She moved to face Tarak. "You are to visit your mother, soon," she said as she tilted her head up to look into his eyes. "Her heart calls for you."

Tarak swallowed and nodded.

At the same moment, Ardúl shuffled his way over to Aderes, who shifted his feet and stared at the floor. "Your soul is hidden, my son," Ardúl said in a voice so none other but Aderes could hear. "You have no distinct path. Your senses are scattered, like those of a wandering ghost." He placed a hand on Aderes's chest, and Aderes released a small gasp. "But, the passion here—that which you attempt to hide in your gaze—it remains pure. This," Ardúl nodded slowly, "it is a good thing…However, anger will dominate your heart if you do not release it to love in time." Ardúl took his hand from Aderes's chest and nodded to Montán.

Aderes remained silent.

"Follow me," Montán said as he led the elders and warriors into an adjacent room. Nolas lit a lantern in the middle of a low-sitting, round table. He gestured for the warriors to sit on large green cushions that encircled the table. "We will share with you what we know and of our plans."

The warriors obeyed his request.

"Through the visions of the elders we have seen Mordán's army preparing," Montán stated. "We do not have the numbers to protect all the villages, but we are doing what we can."

"We have decided to take the role of the aggressor rather than waiting for Mordán to bring damage to our people," Nolas added. "There has been only one successful raid so far because initiate the first move. Now, we track the raiders and drive them away before they reach the villages whenever possible. Tonight, we follow another that is nearing the Village of Faun."

I wish to join them,Aderes told the other warriors.

I do as well,Tarak replied.

"Have any of the surrounding villages attempted to speak with Lord Mohan?" Shamira asked. "Our orders were to help secure the northern villages for the time being and then return to Velian in attempts to persuade Lord Mohan to prepare the Utharian armies."

"We have journeyed to Velian once," Montán answered. "Lord Mohan would not see us."

"We must force him to hear us," said Nolas. "My warriors move swiftly on foot and through the trees. Except for one small village, the Vaznaun have not been able to attain their goals due to our methods of attack. However, when it comes to technology used in war, we are of no match. We cannot fight against the modern weapons of the cities. If Lord Mohan fails to deploy his army, Uthar will fall to Mordán."

"If you wish it, Shen-Ardúl and I will go with you to speak to Lord Mohan," Montán stated.

"If there are no objections, then Master Danika and I will journey with you both into Velian, and Master Tarak and Master Aderes will journey tonight with your party, Shen-Nolas," Shamira stated.

Nolas nodded. "Eat and rest," he told the warriors. We leave at dusk."

After the warriors had eaten, Shamira radioed back from her lumray to headquarters to give an update on what had transpired. "It seems as if Mordán is issuing small attacks sporadically throughout northern Uthar, rather than bulldozing his way into Velian first. We do not yet know if he will split the Nardan soldiers up and continue the same strategy or if he will launch a large attack head-on."

"I will transmit your message to the others," Sholan replied from headquarters.

"Thank you."

"We are leaving, Master Shamira," Tarak said from behind her.

Shamira looked past Tarak to the Kolar warriors who sat waiting on horseback, each adorned in black tribal armor. Black markings covered the warriors' faces and forearms. Aderes sat near Nolas, a look of eagerness in his eyes.

Keep an eye out for Master Aderes, Shamira said to Tarak. He becomes more difficult for me to read as days pass. I cannot tell of his mindset. He may need your help if he becomes unstable in combat.

Tarak gave Shamira a quick nod and mounted a large, black horse. He held Danika's gaze, who watched him from where she stood near the elders, as the warriors passed by through the village streets.

"Where are we to go?" Aderes asked Nolas as they reached the outskirts of the village.

"Faun is north," he replied. "It is a slow journey until we reach Nos Pass, but there the trees thin and we ride hard."

Nolas turned to look around at the group members and raised his fist in the air.

The villagers shouted cries of support. He sped up his horse to a trot, and the others followed him on the narrow trail further into the forest.