The Call (11 page)

“By which you mean blades, I take it?”

Serdra flashed one of those little smiles of hers.

“Yes. We and the remains of the Shades have had plenty to do for the last few centuries, but by now there are few areas left where they have great influence. The espionage of the Shades and our sensitivity occasionally reveal a community concealing demonic rituals, or a dark magic grimoire or people like that sorcerer you saw in your vision.”

“Was he one of them?”

“We never found out for sure. I suspect he was in disfavour among his brethren, given how crudely he did his deeds. It is possible he was unconnected to the Black Blood and learned dark magic on his own, but given the location it would be quite a coincidence.”

“But back to history. The Brotherhood tried to seize power in Kampara in the chaos following the Dusk War. It was really the last time they willingly revealed themselves to the world, and ever since they had stayed in the shadows. Their new policy seems to be to marry into powerful families, influence things in secret and try to tame the old magics their ancestors commanded.”

“Centuries later?” Katja said with a bit a smile. “They don't give up, do they?”

“Since Zakari managed it others can as well,” Serdra said and didn't smile back. “I'm told some have even gotten quite close to it. Fortunately the covens seem to be ever more divided with each generation. Each one sits on their own secrets and magic and they don't seem to share. We have even known them to come into conflict.”

“But anyway, their secret influence often made it difficult to get to them. Have you heard of the Rakasia family?”

“The blood court? Who ruled in Miralua?” Katja answered.

“The Brotherhood had great influence within that powerful clan. The tales have been exaggerated, but they were still a menace. Until-”

“Until...” Katja interrupted, and thought for a moment. “Torgeir Stonefoot wiped them out, correct?” Serdra's face told her she was correct, and Katja felt rather pleased at being able to follow the lecture a bit.

“Yes. The Spring War. He led his army out of what is now the Stone Seat and conquered Miralua. So the Brotherhood moved south.”

Serdra dragged her finger down along the map, and stopped north of Amerstan, in the Inner Sea.

“Here. To the lands around the Inner Sea: Kossus, Amerstan, Farnar, the Golden Plain, Rodon and your Baldur's Coast. THAT was the evil I mentioned the day we set out.”

Katja bounced up and leaned forward.

“Hold on! We... we aren't some demon... scum, around here!”

Serdra looked her in the eyes.

“Do you care for your nation?”

“Of course. I-” It suddenly occurred to Katja that she'd never won an argument with her mentor, be it due to a lack of counter-arguments or because the woman simply never changed her mind.

“Well, that may be fine,” Serdra said. “But you are also young and ignorant. And if you want to survive what is coming you must accept that dark sorcerers hide among your countrymen.”

“I haven't heard of anything like what you're describing! Not here!”

“I am positive you must have heard of things you simply didn't know were related to them. As I said, the Brotherhood keeps a low profile. Of course not all your countrymen have connections to Zakari's heirs. Or even most. BUT,” she held her index finger up, “They are still numerous enough to spread messages around quickly and gather a death squad if they have cause to. And how are you going to tell who are Heirs and who aren't? Of all the people you know, and have met?”

“I...” Katja shook her head with irritation and wanted to tear this whole thing apart, but the counters were slow in coming to her mind. “I know farmers! And merchants and blacksmiths and potters and healers and quarry workers!”

“And do you know what those people do in their homes, when no one can see them? Or what they discuss with their friends and relatives, at evening get-togethers or in forest clearings? One's inner nature isn't visible on the outside.”

Katja sneered in her search for words and felt a very unpleasant sensation begin to settle within. Faceless enemies? Could
anyone
be doing the same things as the sorcerer in the vision?

“One should keep one's eyes and mind open when enemies are unknown, Katja. That is yet another thing for you to keep in mind.”

Katja said nothing.

“This whole thing is known as the Silent War; us and the Shades against the Night Hand and the Brotherhood, and they against one another. And all done in secret, without official support of kings or chancellors.”

She stood up and put the map back in the chest.

“That was the history of the world, Katja. Admittedly in highly simplified form, but you can figure out the details over time. For now it is time for you to take part in it and shape the future to the best of your ability.”

She turned and looked into Katja's eyes.

“I can see that appeals to you,” she said.

“Yes,” she responded with quiet intensity. She buzzed with tension, as before a thunderstorm. Something monumental was beginning. She still couldn't quite wrap her head around this rapid change in her life, self-image and world view but sensed that now it would begin in earnest. She would get to satisfy her urges and it was terrifying and
wonderful
.

Serdra nodded slightly.

“Let's examine the past,” she said after a brief silence and took a small leather pouch from the chest. Katja had seen her put it there on the first day, but forgotten about it.

The woman put a bit of water in the small pot and placed it on the fire. She opened the pouch and poured dried leaves into her palm. They were small, blackish green and round.

“These are the leaves of the skyplant. Are you familiar with it?”

“No.”

“I didn't expect so. It didn't grow wild here when last I knew and there are few good reasons for cultivating it. Mortals sometimes use it as an intoxicant. Some believe it grants them visions, but usually they get nothing out of it except madness and addiction. It is a stupid habit and a large dose can be dangerous. But we are more resistant to such than most and under the right circumstances a small dose, such as this one, can aid us in using the sight.”

Katja looked at the dry, cracked leaves in her mentor's palm. She'd heard what certain plants could do to people.

“Can leaves really do that?”

“Receiving a future vision requires discipline. A degree of mental strength and neutrality which you are simply too young to possess. Especially considering that past visions seem to be your true strength. These leaves can loosen your mind up a bit and help you see the future on purpose for the first time.”

She ground the leaves between her fingers and let them fall into the pot.

“But I have a new rule for you: Don't try something like this on your own. Careless experimenting can have negative effects. And you will be left vulnerable while the effects last. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.”

Serdra stirred the pot slowly for a bit and then poured the brew into a mug.

“Sit in the chair.”

She tapped the chair's back.

Katja sighed and reluctantly got to her feet.

“The last time you said that I didn't enjoy the results.”

“Oh?” Serdra wagged the mug a bit. “So you're planning to thicken your skin by avoiding discomfort?”

Katja restrained her own mouth and sat down. There had never been a choice.

Serdra handed the mug over her shoulder and Katja took it. The smell of the brew was bitter and less than tempting.

“Now breathe calmly as before, but look forward. Concentrate. Don't open yourself to what
was
; try to see what
will
be.”

“And,” Katja sniffed the brew again. It was no more appetising a second time. “Just how do I do that?”

“I can't describe it any better than that. Just try. It's in your nature.”

“That's helpful,” Katja mumbled. She closed her eyes and tried to empty her mind. The same doubts and worries as the last time rushed in from every direction and she fought the same battle for silencing them.

Eventually she didn't think herself capable of being any more relaxed and sipped the 'tea'. The taste was stronger than the smell and lingered far too long. She shivered.

“Finish it,” Serdra commanded and Katja braced herself and poured the entire thing down in one gulp.

And now what?

“Look ahead.”

Katja waited and tried to obey.

She slowly started to feel a strange numbness. Unlike the previous instance, when she sensed indistinct but close shadows of the past, now it was as if there was nothing around her. Or at least nothing that mattered. But it also made it possible for her to apply her mind differently.

“What do you sense, Katja?”

It took her a little while to understand the question. Her thoughts were so clear. Crystal clear but distant. Like a ball made of glass, hidden somewhere in darkness.

She tried. She kept her eyes closed and tried to understand this level her mind was operating on. Tried to feel about for the future.

But what is the future? It hasn't happened yet, and in times becomes the past. A past clear and stable as a tree trunk which actions branch out of. Farther and farther, branching into ever smaller possibilities.

“Like a tree of light,” muttered a distant voice. Her own.

“What do you sense, Katja?”

We leave the fell. Follow a branch off the tree. The Call. But there are so many.

She walked through a fog in a darkened forest. There she found a tub filled with various fruits. Some of them were under-ripe and some rotten but on the whole they looked very appetising. She reached for an orange but was startled when a serpent rose from beneath the fruits. It bit her hand and her blood made it stronger. It grew and stretched itself high in the air as she staggered backwards. Venom dripped from the sword-like fangs and down onto the fruits. The fog and the darkness began to hiss and growl and the serpent circled the tub.

Katja fell on her knees as the venom coursed through her veins. She looked down into the grass and saw it change into paving stones, fire and water and finally blood.

“This will do.”

Serdra shook her gently and put a finger on each of her eyebrows and manually opened her eyes.

“
The bird
.”

“Katja!”

She slowly returned to reality. She was dazed and confused, as if she had a tingling inside her head.

What did I say?

“Whaaaa?”

“Easy,” Serdra said and the world span a circle as the woman lay her in bed.

“Whaat?”

“Relax. Get your bearings.”

Katja kept her breathing calm and rubbed her face as reality pieced itself back together. Was it the vision or the leaves doing this to her?

The numbness in her head lingered for longer but faded away at an even pace, until the only things remaining were the vision and feelings she didn't quite understand.

“Wow,” she finally said and looked up at Serdra. “You sure know how to confuse me, old woman.”

Serdra flashed her smile.

“What did you see?” she asked.

“I-” Katja closed her eyes and tried to remember. The whole thing had started to fade and vanish from memory when she returned, like a dream in the morning. “I saw something about the rise of a hidden threat, which then spreads its venom about and grows and grows. Fire. Killings. Danger. Could it be in a city? I thought I saw paving stones.”

“Yes,” Serdra said and looked to the east even though they were indoors. “I think we should turn our attention to Baldur's City. If some hidden evil is growing in strength in this country odds are overwhelming that the Brotherhood is responsible, and the city is the centre of power around here. And if they aren't up to something there then at least it's the best place to get news.”

“And you know nothing more?”

Serdra watched her silently. Katja composed the reply in her mind.

“How am I to learn something if I'm told what to expect?” she recited and waved her hands melodramatically with a sigh. “Is that the answer?”

“Maybe,” said Serdra. “But how are you to learn something if you know exactly what I'm up to?”

The woman turned around and began rinsing the pot and mug. Katja sat up in the bed and looked around the cabin. There was almost nothing they needed to do before leaving. They just had to pack what little food and luggage they had and close the shutters carefully.

“So is that it?” she asked. The words were almost a whisper and she felt a different kind of excitement grip her.

“Yes.” Serdra looked up from her work. “It's time for you to leave the nest, little raptor. I have fed you for weeks. Now you must learn to fly.”

--------------------

Katja turned in the saddle and looked back. The cabin where she had learned the basics of a Redcloak's life grew smaller and smaller with each step the horse took. She suspected the sight of it would live long in her memory.