Seers of Verde: The Legend Fulfilled: Book One (30 page)

12

Arista Holser was slow to regain consciousness. She tried to open her eyes, but her head throbbed so hard any movement was painful. The young woman was thankful for the cool compress someone had placed on her forehead. She lay in a fetal position; her whole body throbbed with pain.

Strange noises started to seep into her subconscious. Noises that ordinarily would have alerted her that others were in trouble. Arista opened her eyes again, forcing herself to focus. It took her a moment to realize she was lying underneath the giant shade tree in her village’s marketplace. Huddled around her was a cluster of youngsters about her age.

One of the older girls was on her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Several other girls tried to comfort her, but they all looked to be in shock. All of their clothes were torn and splattered with blood. Three older boys sat cross-legged in the grass, nursing various wounds to their bodies and faces.

“Cousin, thank Mother Verde you were spared,” a familiar voice whispered hoarsely. Arista turned her head to see Gustaf sitting close. Despite her condition, she gasped when she saw Uncle Deter’s son.

One of his eyes was closed and swollen. His shirt was covered with dried blood that had poured from a terrible gash in his neck. Seeing Gustaf’s wounds sparked the memory of those terrible events from the past night. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she recalled being dragged out of her room to witness her parents being brutally murdered and then her horrifying violation by the two killers.

Gustaf tried to blink away his own tears, but he was not successful. Arista shakily held out her hand, which he clasped tenderly. “I don’t remember what happened last night after the celebration,” he said softly. Obviously it hurt for him to speak. “I woke up barely being able to see. My throat was on fire.”

He stopped and shook his head at the awful memory. Arista had never seen Gustaf so sorrowful and in pain before. Her strapping cousin was always eager to do a man’s work to show off his prowess, but now he looked more like a lost and wounded little boy.

Choking back tears, he continued. “I tried to call for Mama and Papa, but they didn’t answer. I crawled to their room and found them still in bed. Their throats had been cut. Their blood was everywhere.” Arista sobbed as he spoke.

“I didn’t know what to do, so I ran to get Uncle Hans, but found your parents …” Gustaf’s voice trailed off. “I thought you were dead, too. Your face was all bloody. But you groaned a little when I was about to leave. I wrapped you up in a blanket and carried you out here.” He gestured at the tree. “Some of the others saw me, and we all gathered here to help each other.”

Arista squeezed her cousin’s hand and propped herself up on an elbow to survey the scene. “There are only eight people here,” she gasped. “Where is everyone?”

Gustaf looked off in the distance. “Dead. Everyone else in the village is dead. Stanis Osten and I checked every house. Everyone had their throat cut—well almost everyone,” he said softly, remembering Arista’s father, who had been beaten to death. The girl, who had been crying hysterically, had finally stopped. She lay in a crumpled heap on the ground. The other girls stroked her hair, trying to comfort her.

“Why? Why did they do this?” Arista asked shuddering. “We told them we had seen no Sankari, but the Defenders kept demanding Papa tell them and they kept hitting him and hitting him. Then they tied me up and they…” She curled back up and sobbed into her blanket.

“I know, cousin. I know. They attacked the other girls, too.” Gustaf patted her shoulder while she cried. He did not know what else to do.

After an hour or so had passed, one of the older girls approached Arista. “Are you able to walk?” Irina Nodeu gently asked her. “We need to help some of the younger ones. We all will have to eat eventually.”

Gustaf started to scold Irina, but Arista stopped him. “No, I can help,” she said, pulling herself up slowly. Irina took one of the pieces of cloth she was carrying and wrapped it around Arista’s head to cover the gash. Earlier she had applied a healing salve to Gustaf’s wound. Now, she carefully placed another strip around his throat to aid healing.

Arista rose a bit wobbly, but steadied herself and looked at her cousin. “Gustaf, go the drying house and get us fish. We can cook them in the fire pits where we ate last night. I will try to help Irina with the others.”

Gustaf eased himself up and slowly made his way to the drying house. A sharp pain jabbed his throat with every step, but he knew his father and uncle would expect him to help. The survivors ate in silence. Their solemnity was a stark contrast to the laughter and joyous event of the previous night when the entire village celebrated the fishermen’s bountiful catch.

Arista and Irina made sure everyone ate something, even the poor girl who had been racked with hysterics earlier that morning. They managed to get her to eat a few bites and drink some water even though she stared off into space, a sad look frozen on her freckled face.

“What do we do now? Should we bury everyone?” Arista asked after the meal was over.

Gustaf sat deep in thought, resting his chin on his folded hands. “No, I think we need to leave and get help. We need to show others what happened. Besides, I don’t think we should spend another night here. We can’t protect ourselves if those Nuvens decide to return.”

Arista could not help but look up at the eerily quiet cabins, where their family and friends still lay where they had been killed. Although small, the village had been a bustling place, where children played and people went about their daily lives — cooking, washing clothes, working in the gardens, or helping the fishermen with the catch of the day.

Irina agreed. “But how will we leave? Some of the young ones are hurt or unable to move very far.”

Gustaf pointed to the boats still in place where their fathers had docked the day before. “Maybe the Nuvens left us a way out of here. We can get everyone into two boats and make our way upriver to the next village.”

He slowly made his way to the docks. To his surprise, none of the boats had been damaged. Gustaf stopped at the boat his father and uncle rowed out every day on their fishing forays. The young man often had been allowed to accompany the older men while he learned the family trade.

Seeing the boat brought a flood of memories washing over him. He had been the strong one among the survivors so far, but clutching the side of the vessel made him think of his parents. Gustaf slipped into the boat and lay face down, sobbing loudly. He had not cried this much since when he was a little boy after his father told him he was too small to go fishing with them.

Two hours later, three boats quietly slipped from their home docks. Gustaf and Arista rowed one of the vessels, while Irina and Stanis helped guide the others. None of the youngsters said a word or looked back as the boats glided down river en route to the next Verdan village, which would be almost a day’s journey.

13

Farro had never been so ashamed in his young life. He and the other three Defender trainees stared at their feet, not daring to make eye contact with an angry Aron Nels and Steward Witt Peyser, who shook his head displaying his disappointment. Circle Sankarikiller had recently returned after two days on patrol and Aron had just learned about the Seer’s daily forays with his cousin.

“All I asked you to do was to keep an eye on my kinsman and keep him away from that Seer,” Aron said, glaring at the four youngsters. “I was gone for two days, and she outwitted you and even took Tevan from you. How did this happen?”

The Defender was the last person Farro and his future circle brothers wanted to disappoint. Aron and Circle Sankarikiller had become heroes to all the trainees after the young men had helped wipe out a Sankari troop, successfully avenging the slaughter of an entire Nuven village. The trainees had immediately idolized members of the new circle, who were barely four or five harvests older than themselves.

A trembling Farro took a deep breath and related in exact detail how the Seer had slipped past them that first day and contacted Tevan, who insisted on accompanying her. Much to their chagrin, Verinya had managed to intercept them almost every day as they tried to look after Tevan. It had seemed as if she’d known where they were going even though they changed the time of day and route.

“Please, Defender, do not blame the others,” Farro said. “It was my plan that failed.” Aron was impressed with Farro’s leadership qualities, although he was still irritated the Seer not only had contacted Tevan, but also found out his circle had left the temple.

“Perhaps you should not be too upset with these young men, Defender,” Witt said thoughtfully. “From Farro’s account, this Seer seemed very determined to get to Tevan, quite different from an accidental meeting. Oh, and the trainees might be interested in how the Seer and Tevan met the first time. Hmm, I believe your kinsman was wandering the marketplace unescorted,” he said, smiling at Aron.

The Defender shrugged and shook his head. His frown changed to a sheepish smile. “The Steward is correct in reminding me who was the culprit who first allowed the Seer and Tevan to meet — me,” Aron said, pointing at himself.

Witt smiled. “Perhaps even the prowess of a Defender may not have prevented the meeting. It seems Tevan’s friend has carefully planned her actions. I believe it’s time to find out why she is so interested in the two of you.”

Aron agreed and turned to the four youngsters, who all looked a bit more relieved. “My thanks, trainees, for looking after my kinsman. It was not an easy task I asked of you. Tevan is healthy and happy. I am grateful to you. May I call on you again for assistance with my kinsman when I am away?”

Beaming with pride, Farro did not need to consult with the other three youngsters. “Aye,” they called out in unison.

¶ ¶ ¶

After first meal the next morning, Aron guided a confused but willing Tevan around the labyrinth of secret passageways that snaked through the temple complex. The Defender paused at one of the lookout points that was hidden on the outside wall by a statue of Juban Caleria, one of the original eleven Nuven heroes who crossed the treacherous mountains to find the Verdan Valley.

From their vantage point twenty meters above the marketplace, Aron and Tevan easily watched the activities below. Tevan giggled with delight as he peeked unseen at the vendors and shoppers. The Defender brought his kinsman here to watch for the Seer who was so insistent on being with Tevan.

Aron wanted to surprise the mysterious woman, hopefully to unsettle her enough so she might reveal her intentions. “Tevan, watch for Verinya. Tell me when you see her.”

His kinsman chuckled. “Tevan look for Vera.”

Aron knew his cousin had the mind of a child, but his eyes were sharp. He often spotted familiar people in a crowd long before others saw them coming. It was not long before Tevan chuckled softly, then tugged on Aron’s sleeve. “Vera coming. Vera coming.”

The Defender studied the crowd carefully, but could not locate the Seer. Knowing his kinsman was seldom wrong at finding people, Aron patiently kept scanning the area until he finally saw a red-headed woman at the far end of the marketplace.

He did not know how Tevan saw her from that far away, but congratulated him on his find. The two kinsmen watched Verinya make her way through one of the aisles among the vendors. As she drew near, Aron could see she was not seriously shopping. The Seer would stop at a vendor, casually examine the wares, but kept looking around, searching for someone.

Just as he was about to lead Tevan down to the marketplace to surprise her, the Seer stopped. An odd expression came over her face as she stood with her eyes closed. An uneasy feeling filled Aron as he watched Verinya spin slowly around. Her head raised in their direction. Her eyes were still closed when she smiled with recognition.

The Seer glanced up quickly at the statue that hid Aron and Tevan, then slowly made her way down the aisle. Aron had never seen someone act so strangely. She seemed to know where they were, even though her eyes were closed.

The Nuvens knew very little about these Seers, the keepers of the Verdan religion. Aron memorized her movements and expression so he could describe them to Witt later. With his surprise apparently spoiled, Aron and Tevan waited to emerge from one of the hidden exits in the temple wall. The Defender did not want to reveal this secret to the Seer.

As he watched Verinya, something Farro told Aron edged its way into his mind. The trainee said the Seer seemed to always know where Tevan was going, even showing up at a vendor’s booth before they got there.

Just as Aron was about to lead his kinsman down one of the tunnels to the exit, Tevan started to giggle at a squabble between a vendor and a customer immediately below them. Aron smiled as he watched his cousin’s delight with the scene. A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Verinya had turned around and also was watching the argument. As she viewed the scene with amusement, Aron caught her stealing a look at their hiding place. Somehow she knew where they were hiding. It was as if she could see what they were watching.

Tevan grew bored when the vendor and his customer finally worked out their differences. He started to scan the marketplace for other interesting amusements. Aron keenly watched as Verinya also went back to her “shopping,” at the same time as Tevan lost interest. The Defender looked from his kinsman to the Seer as he formulated an experiment.

Reaching into Tevan’s pocket, Aron pulled out one of the handkerchiefs his kinsman always insisted on carrying with him. Smiling, the Defender folded it long-ways and placed it over Tevan’s eyes. His cousin started to protest, but Aron gently quieted him. “Shh, Tevan. It’s a game. Let’s surprise Verinya.”

Tevan tugged at his impromptu mask, but chuckled at the plot. “Surprise Vera? Yes, yes, surprise.”

Taking Tevan by the hand, Aron carefully led him down a passage that ran the length of the fortress wall. His plan was to get ahead of the Seer. The Defender wanted to know if she would sense their presence again.

The two kinsmen stopped when they reached another lookout point. Aron peeked out and easily spotted Verinya making her way down the aisle. This time, when the Seer closed her eyes she looked puzzled. Again, she turned slowly in a circle, but she did not look up to where Aron was watching.

The Defender guided Tevan down some narrow, winding steps to the exit, which was hidden behind a giant sculpted bush. When no one was watching, the two young men stepped out into the marketplace behind the vendors.

Tevan complained about his blindfold, but followed obediently as they walked ahead of the slow-moving Verinya. Aron stopped at a large booth of a garment seller. He knocked on the back door and spoke briefly to the owner.

¶ ¶ ¶

Verinya had been pleased with herself when she had used her sight to find where Tevan and Aron were hiding and watching her. The Seer was now slightly troubled. For some unknown reason, she could not see through Tevan’s eyes. Everything had gone black as if the young man had fallen asleep, but she knew that had not happened.

She was disturbed by not knowing where her watchers had gone. The Seer stopped at every vendor’s booth to listen carefully. She easily could distinguish Tevan’s guffaws out of a large crowd. However, she could neither hear nor see her friend.

When she paused to examine a merchant’s goods, a familiar voice startled her. “Ah, pretty lady, may I help you find some beautiful garments?” She gasped with surprise as Aron and Tevan stood behind the kiosk’s counter, holding up bolts of cloth.

She didn’t miss Tevan’s laughter this time. “Surprise, Vera!” he shouted with glee. “We surprise! We surprise.” Even Aron displayed a self-satisfied smirk.

Verinya stood there dumbfounded. Being taken by surprise was a new experience for her or any other Seer. These women prided themselves in watching others in secret.

“Greetings, Seer. I understand you have been asking about me,” Aron said, delighted in seeing her discomfort. “It seems you did not bother to look among the vendors for me. What a shame.”

Verinya shook her head in disbelief. Words escaped her. The Seer was so rattled she did not notice Tevan scurry out of the kiosk. She jumped when he gave her an enthusiastic hug, which sparked another round of raucous laughter from him.

Tevan’s hug actually helped Verinya calm down. She allowed an embarrassed smile to creep across her lips.

“Why, yes, Defender, I have been asking about you,” Verinya admitted, then smiled when she saw his eyes narrow with suspicion. “My, are all young men so curious when a woman asks about them? I was told you Defenders are wise in the ways of romance. Perhaps this is not so?”

She then flashed Aron a sly smile, gently said good-bye to Tevan and strode away. This time it was Aron’s turn to look dumbfounded.