Days 235 - 237 (213th - 215th)

Day 235 (213th):
We awoke to a cold dawn. Janesh got us up and moving in order to warm up. Mountains slowly rose from the snow-covered plains and forests. At first, it was hard to distinguish them from the rolling ground and snow shrouded tree tops. It was not until the sun was well above the tree line could we truly distinguish the mountains from the lower lands. To normal sight, the view was probably beautiful. To my sight, however, they looked dirty and stained. Janesh pointed to a gap in the mountains and informed us that Scarnac was between the two parts, "guarding" the gap. I could not see the town to distinguish it from the grayness around me. Set sneezed twice more before nightfall, but caused no damage. We found a shaded area to make camp where little snow had fallen due to the thick mass of dead vines and hanging limbs.

Day 236 (214th):
Our site protected us from a bitter morning. Still, we ate on the move, using motion to warm us and the horses.
Early in the afternoon, I felt something that prompted me to call a halt. Puzzled looks surrounded me. I pointed as I spoke.
"Several miles ahead, people are waiting for us, evil intent pours from them."
Janesh and company strained, but could see no one. On alert, we proceeded. Not a mile further, Sarah, Alice, Anna, and Gretta let out a combined gasp. Startled, Janesh whiled about, trying to find the cause of their shock. Seeing nothing, they looked at us to explain.
"People have been hurt here, many people, gravely wounded and killed," Sarah sobbed.
"Much property has been stolen, anything remotely of value," Gretta said softly, her hands over her heart and tears in her eyes.
"Desperate people," Alice chocked out, "acting out of a desperate situation. Too many days with too little food, drinking caught snow and unfrozen springs. They do not trust the snow on the ground."
Anna pointed at a bare spot that was flat, covered by less than an inch of snow, "Dirt and snow cover their victims. We are standing by graves."
Janesh and company looked at the spot and each other. They saluted the spot and told us to ride on. Out of sight, Janesh spoke up.
"So, that is the Sister Speak our royalty told us about. One train of thought from many lips, each from their unique point of view. Let us ride on and hope these bandits are too weak to put up a hard fight."
As we rode, Alice, Anna, and I kept a near continuous reporting of the area, the actions that had happened recently, and the bandits current positions. Janesh and the others tried to keep an outwardly calm appearance, but I could see their emotions racing as we closed the gap between us and the bandits.
When we reached their area, a weak shout brought our attention to about a dozen people emerging from the surrounding forest. They were thin, haggard, and many limped. They surrounded us, holding farm tools, broken swords, and poorly-fashioned weapons. One man stepped forward to speak.
"Hand over your goods and we shall let you live. Fight us and you will surely die."
Our soldiers appraised our "attackers". They came to the conclusion that the three of them could, easily, take all of these weakened peasants.
Sarah approached the speaker, "I am a healer. Let me treat your wounds in exchange for safe passage," she implored.
The bandits looked at each other. The speaker and two others spoke huddled together. When they parted, the speaker addressed us again, crossly.
"Lies will not save you. No one and nothing can heal us. The very land has cursed us. We are surrounded by poisoned food, undrinkable water, even our sleeping area is barely livable. Your insincere offer is declined."
Sarah searched for words, but retreated in silence. Lisa spoke to them harshly while comforting Sarah.
"Instead of trying to earn an honest living, you have resorted to a coward's living and blame the land for you lack. If I had the authority, I would clasp you in irons right now and march you to the nearest town."
The bandits looked at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. Her seriousness came across, to them, as funny since they felt they were in control.
As they laughed, Set and I felt more people racing towards us. They were coming from the town, not the woods. There was no evil preceding them. I felt strong emotions of protection and defense. We concluded that they were guards from Scarnac.
"Set, we need to keep these people busy so the guards can get here," I told him secretly.
"I can to that. They will pay attention to me," he responded as he took to the air.
True to his statement, the bandits focused solely on him. They tried to hit him with their weapons or rocks, but Set avoided it all easily.
While watching him and them, the guards crested the hill. The guards stopped and produced some sticks. They put these to their mouths. Suddenly, four bandits fell to the ground. The other bandits noticed their fallen and looked for the cause. Four more dropped. They, finally, noticed the guards and began running for the woods. They did not make it. The final four bandits fell in mid-run. We noticed some feathers sticking into the fallen bandits. The four guards rode to us, followed by a cage-like wagon pulled by a pair of horses. Two of the guards separated, dismounted, and began pulling the feathers out of the bandits. Set returned to our saddle as the other two approached. They saluted. One wearing a star spoke.
"Our scouts saw these people around this area. We got most traffic to go around them. You were spotted, so we got here as quickly as possible. They are unharmed, just asleep. These dart are covered with a potent sleeping potion. We are loading them up to take them to Scarnac, where we can deal with them properly. As you are royal guard, I am guessing you are headed to Crialas?"
We confirmed. They told us their outpost was just an hour's ride away. The bandits were hoisted into the cage wagon. The two with us began leading while the other two finished loading the last sleeping bandits. We heard the wagon creaking behind us.
We saw the outpost long before we reached it. It was dark when we got there. The wagon went behind the building. We would not see it nor the bandits again. We handed our mounts to another soldier who took them to a stable. Our guides showed us inside the outpost. Another guard asked for our gear to stow for the night. Reluctantly, we handed our gear to him, save our swords and companions. We continued to the dining hall, which was full of more soldiers. We were led to a nearly empty table.
"Get comfortable. Dinner is being served."
We sat down as the food was being served. As we ate, we were told the commander wanted to speak with us. The soldiers at our table spoke freely with us, even feeding Set, Dawn, and Bo from their plates.
A soldier offered to escort us to the commander at the end of our meal. Accepting, we followed him from the hall, through the bare corridors, to a single, plain door. The soldier knocked once. The door opened and an older officer looked at us. He dismissed our escort and told us to enter. He showed us to seats around a conference table. Without preamble, he launched into why he had asked us to see him.
"Scarnac is highly militant and very paranoid. We, at this base, are more lenient than those inside the city. I did that on purpose, since we interact more with the outlying communities than those in the city. I am telling you this for your own safety. The Royal Guards' authority is not recognized. These three cannot save you should anything happen. Most of you can go through there without incident. The bird and dragon must be hidden. They would attract too much and the wrong attention. The snake won't bring anything bad upon you. Purple and sea-green eyes must be hidden, as well as red hair. Actually, it may be best if all of you girls were similarly cloaked. Nuns and monks travel through Scarnac all the time and should be a good cover. We have some robes if you need them."
We thanked him for his concern, offer, and warnings. We informed him we could disguise ourselves and did not need his robes. Pleased that we understood the risks, he bid us good-night and summoned an escort to take us to our rooms. The guards were given one room while we seven had another. The bunks were comfortable enough that we didn't need our mats. We discussed Scarnac before going to sleep.

Day 237 (215th):
A horn startled us awake. It was just before dawn. We were getting dressed when a knock shook the door. The three guards entered, pleased to see us not still abed. We finished dressing as five soldiers entered to collect our gear and get our horses saddled. We were handed a traveling breakfast as we headed out.
At the threshold, large cloaks appeared upon us, mine and Alice's being larger to hide Set and Dawn. The guards and soldiers were surprised by this. The commander was pleased that we were heeding his warning. They apologized for not having spare horses. We told them not to worry about such small things. In parting, we spoke a blessing over the soldiers and the outpost. I could see a subtle change as we turned to head to Scarnac.
The closer we got, the stronger Scarnac's presence pressed upon my senses. My sisters also felt it. We told Janesh that we were pulling our senses inward to prevent injury. He didn't quite understand, but said he agreed. By the time we entered the gates, we were down to a sliver of perception. Still, the city pressed hard and cold. The strictness of the place drained all color from my sight. Everything was awash in shades of gray, including the people. No one laughed. Very few spoke. For a town this large, it was strangely quiet. Our horses' hooves sounded loud in that stillness. Our procession was watched by nearly every eye, from nearly every door, window, and gate.
We had been in Scarnac for a few hours when several soldiers stopped us. Their uniforms were similar to Janesh's and the other Royal Guards. Odd additions made a noticeable difference.
"Hold! What business do you have here? You know that you have no authority here. State your business."
As Janesh explained that we were just passing through on the way to Crialas, all but the leader encircled us, looking at us critically. Mentally, we told Set and Dawn to be as still as possible. The leader pondered Janesh's statement as a crowd began to form. I kept my head down and avoided eye contact. The other soldiers formed a living barrier between us and the citizens. Before their leader could come to a decision, a shout came from the crowd.
"Make way for his Holiness! Make way! Make way for his Holiness!"
From the crowd, more soldiers appeared, followed by a man in ornate robes and a very fancy hat. Everyone bowed. The robed man approached the leader of the soldiers.
"Good work, captain. Very good, indeed. The Order felt a strange energy enter our city. Several of us were sent to find it. I have been following it for some time."
The captain bowed again. The new soldiers joined the others in the circle around us. The citizens were many paces away, encircling all of us. The robed man turned to us and eyed us critically.
"The Crowns' lap dogs are not the source."
Our three guards and their horses were separated from us. The circle tightened.
"Seven young ladies. Where are you headed?" he asked no one in particular.
"To Crialas, you Holiness," Sarah quickly responded.
"Crialas, eh? Are you to meet the Crowns?" he asked us as if talking to idiots.
"Yes, your Holiness," we responded, accidentally, in unison.
He stepped back, "My, your order must be strict if you can respond like that. I suppose your mission is to try to heal the land. Am I correct?"
"Yes, your Holiness," we, again, said in unison.
He laughed, "Strict, but naive. I guess no one told you what the Crowns do to young maidens?"
"Spare them your lies!" Janesh ordered from behind the robed man, "Your wild stories will not sway them."
The robed man laughed again, "See how thoroughly the Crowns have corrupted them. They plan even worse for you, ladies. You are destined to be sacrificed."
Gasps came from the crowd. He walked around us, inside the circle of soldiers.
"I am wondering why they have called for you lot? Someone here radiates strange energy. Maybe I can save the Crowns some time and find out who has real power? Let us see."
He approached Lisa, "No, this one is not it."
Lisa, Bo, and her horse were moved over to Janesh and company. He went over to Alice.
"Faint, but not the one."
Alice, Dawn, still hidden, and her horse joined the others. He culled out Callie, Gretta, and Anna in a similar manner. The circle tightened after each girl left. Now, they stood nearly shoulder to shoulder around this man, Sarah, Set, still hidden, and myself plus our horses.
"One of you two is the source. Hm, which one? You both feel odd, but one far more than the other. Separate them," he ordered the soldiers.
The circle became two, one around each of us. Parted so, the robed man zeroed in on me.
"This one, she is the source," he announced.
Sarah was allowed to join the rest. I was doubly circled by the other soldiers. I still had my head down, staring at my horse's head with my hood blocking their view. He tried to peer around it.
"What kind of maiden hides so?" he pondered aloud.
"Let me flame him. We can go then," Set insisted.
"No, we have to get out without harming anyone. We don't want to give them reasons to hurt us or anyone else," I mentally explained. Vanity vibrated in agreement.
"Child," the man interrupted, "are you having some sort of internal conversation?"
"Um, yes?" I replied, trying to avoid the whole truth.
That caused a great murmuring among the citizens. He called for quiet then turned back to me.
"Do you hear voices and see strange visions?" he asked with serious and genuine concern.
Still staring at my horse's head, I told him I did. The crowd began, again, with shouts of "Possessed!" and "Purify her!" heard plainly. He, again, called for silence. Several hands pulled my cloak off with a jerk, revealing Set, my purple eyes, red hair, and sword. A massive gasp went through the crowd, the soldiers, and the robed man. Set jumped on the saddle to put himself between me and this man, hissing and growling as well as shooting small flames towards him. The man regained his composure.
"Now I see, since the Crowns have forsaken the heavens, they turn to the Abyss for aid. None of you shall reach Crialas. Seize them!"
Before a step could be taken, a great shadow fell over the city. Many looked up and fainted. A strong wind beat down on all of us in pulses. I looked up and saw a familiar dragon's belly, but could not place who it was until he looked down.
"Brimagor!" I exclaimed involuntarily.
More people fainted.
"Brimagor?" the man asked, "The dragon god? You are truly evil if he is here for you. Kill her, now!"
The soldiers, those who found their nerve, advanced on me with drawn weapons. I felt the familiar pull into kirlan and flowed with it.
Upon arriving at our destination, I saw we were still heading west and the mountains were, now, far behind us. My sisters, the guards, Set, and all of our gear were there as well. Many paces from us, a smaller Brimagor landed in the snow.
"Well, that was interesting. Is everyone alright?"
We looked at each other, assessing each other's health and mental state.
"Yes, we're fine," Sarah informed him.
"Good, some have had bad reactions to being taken through kirlan, especially without warning or preparation."
"Excuse me," Janesh managed to speak, "What just happened? Where is Scarnac? Where are we?"
"I understand your confusion. Scarnac is three days ride to the east. I sensed Kayla's distress and watched closely. When it became obvious she was in danger, I intervened. I applaud you all for not using the swords against them, as that chaos would have caused untold damage."
"Sir," I politely interrupted, "How did you know I was in distress? I'm glad you did, but I am confused."
Brimagor chuckled, "Kayla, I am with you always. The bracelet I made for you links us. Through it, I can see and hear what you are doing. Watch."
I looked at the eye-like stone in the center ring. It darkened, then Brimagor's eye blinked at me through the ring. I looked back at him in surprise. He chuckled again.
"I began watching you from the outpost. Your normal confidence was faltering and it troubled me. I kept watch, hoping that no harm would come to you or that I would not have to aid you. The holy man who confronted you had designs to 'purify' you, which, I was told, few survive. That was when I appeared, hoping to scare them into releasing all of you. When he called for your death, I knew just hovering overhead was not enough, so I snatched you."
"While I appreciate being rescued," Janesh spoke up, "but why only three days? You are a god, why not all the way to Crialas?"
Brimagor gave him a hard look. Sighing a stream of smoke, he responded, "We gods have agreements. Since Crialas Kingdom is not my territory, I have little influence here. I can only do the minimum to save you from harm. A three day head start, if they choose to pursue you, in an unknown direction, should keep you from harm."
Janesh sheepishly accepted his explanation. We bid Brimagor good-bye and he took off. He had saved us several hours of travel just in this day, so we still have a few hours before sunset to continue our journey.
Fortunately, we happened upon an unused shed that was snow-free. The guards did not speak to us. They found the furthest wall away from us to lay their bedrolls. We did not press them, so they could sort out the storm of emotions they were feeling. We all went to bed in silence.