THE HOUR
THE HURDAR ARMIES

Kirestle was soon united with her son and daughter and felt content.

“We have not been apart for that long a while mother!” Wully exclaimed laughing, “And Tesma feared you might have grown accustomed to life without us.”

Tesma giggled as her mother embraced her saying, “Such silly thinking! Where ever did you dream it up?”

“Ah… it is untrue!” said Tesma and all there, laughed.

It was some time before Xeira had a few moments alone with Tesma.

The men had gone away to join the others outside the front of the cave and Kirestle and Wully sat talking and having a meal.

“Do you not wish to have a meal with your mother and brother?” inquired the Truole Lady kindly; “Rest is entitled to us while Time is still blind to our doings… It shall be not so, much longer.”

Tesma nodded understanding, “I am aware Lady Aengomiern,” she looked toward the hills where tiny groups of men descended toward the cave area, not one after the other but at varying intervals. “I wish to await Oliukus’s return, the commander of the men must not have his meal alone.”

Then Xeira smiled for she knew what the Earth Protector truly felt in her heart.

“Surely Brave Oliukus may take his meal with his men, might he not?” Xeira’s tone of voice suggested amusement though she wore a sober expression as she stared at the other full in the face. Tesma looked away, this thought had not occurred to her and she felt something like a disappointment but did her best to hide it from the other.

She said, “Let it be done as the brave one sees right.”

Xeira then went outside and Tesma was left to herself.

Descending the hills were a dozen groups of men, well over a hundred in each and they all came at varying intervals and from different starting points. It was decided that after a certain amount of distance was covered, one by one the groups should split and go on to the cave ground. And in this way tiny battalions of men would find their way into lands beyond and fight their purpose.

Fiel as soon as she heard the whispered say, she began to push at the trapdoor with all her strength and below her feet the nurt ladder shook but remained on its feet.

“Maybe this door requires a stronger push,” Fiel said looking down, “Trejeth, maybe I ought to take your place down there and you take mine up here.”

“I would try it but there is no fair reason why you should be made to bear the weight of grown male nurts.” Trejeth replied feeling something like shyness that someone like Fiel should stand below the lot of them; she was a hero!

“Trejeth Boint! Is that a slight shyness I sense in your tone?” Fiel smiled to herself, she knew his train of thought and appreciated him for it.

“Now listen here,” she said sternly, “I am just as strong as you and can bear well to stand where you stand now but I am not the taller of us both so down I come!” Without waiting to hear the protests that followed she climbed down and was soon facing the ladder from ground level.

“Lady Fiel,” Astra said, “It is unfair that we allow you to do what you have asked that you be allowed to do.” He shook his bowed head and stood his ground.

“I believe your heart feels it but I do ask whether it is fair to be where we are. Is it Astra?” asked Fiel. They all knew there was not a thing fair about their being there, in the dark dungeon and so Fiel had her way.

It did not surprise anyone of them that she took Trejeth’s place on the ladder while he went on up and soon began to push at the door. The task was tiring but giving up only meant that they were giving in to Nauoljath’s cruelties willingly and that, they were unwilling to do.

“The gamhnurts of Wyoungthed fight for their freedom!” exclaimed Astra stoutly.

“And they shall be free!” Added Korehk confidently. All these thoughts and words were not lost on Trejeth who up the ladder was running his hands carefully across the inner surface of the door studying it, seeking a trick so as to get it open without another push.

Some doors such as the one we are talking about have been built on their inside with a trick mechanism, it was for the sole purpose to torment the prisoner within.

Nauoljath had had such mechanisms put to his dungeon door and many a time in the past had tortured his captives by ordering his men to show the prisoner how it worked and then leaving the captive locked away unable to reach the door. Not ever did Nauoljath hold such folk as the ones he held now though, these were gamhnurts and by no means were they ordinary folk!

Trejeth made out the many crisscross figure-like carvings on the rough inner surface of the door but did not quite know which one to press.

“Korehk,” Trejeth’s voice interrupted the silence that had followed the exclamations. “My fingers touch carvings of three kinds.”

“A trick mechanism!” said Korehk in an awe filled voice. “Do you think you could describe the carvings, Trejeth? Myeopike once did say to me, he spoke of these trick doors.” Korehk said, “He of course knew Nauoljath had these doors specially made to torment his captives, he himself being one of them.”

“Ah, if only that dug out earth had made a wider hole, we might have had a bit more of that light in here.” Untholio muttered,

“Untholio, for the light from the other side of that gap to fall this high up, we would have had to break that entire wall down.” Trejeth said, “If it is the task of my describing the carvings that you concern yourself with, do not worry. My fingers know shape and recognize it better than my eye would in a half light.” His confidence was exactly what the rest needed to hear. So, he began describing the carvings out loud to Korehk and the others.

The Hegleok Council was having a busy day. As each member present reviewed case after case, Lady Hegleok found it increasingly hard to understand what the cases were about.

“You speak of land that your brother here stole from you,” she addressed a peasant couple, the husband had come to Gregieo Hegleok for legal council on the matter and the issue was settled thus; that as long as the head of Council remained so, the brother, in this case the thief, must share his crop produce with Duart, the other. Now of course Gregieo was head of council no longer and Aliyha had the case in her hands. She pointed at the accused while the other brother nodded.

“Sesho refuses to give the share of produce which is mine by right, by word of this council.” He glared at his brother while his young wife quailed at the sound of her husband’s voice, so filled with rage it was.

“And why is it you do not hold up your end of the bargain, Mister Hapledert? It is clear that this council has set its rule on this matter.” Aliyha frowned as she looked at the heaves of yellowed documents before her, reading about the present one and noticing that while the people involved talked of the produce from stolen land to be given as a way of keeping peace, that the head of Council must reconfirm and reestablish the fact that the present head was in full accordance to what the previous one had written as law, the document before her also said that if it ever came to this, the Hegleok council’s only act would be to take away the right of the peasant to use the land thus giving the council the right to own it. That was odd, she thought to herself as she waited for her question to be answered, maybe her husband had later changed his mind on the matter.

“Well?” she glanced up at the three, and then catching Zetreh’s eye, she beckoned him near.

“This is a jumble of a case Zetreh,” whispered Aliyha pointing at the written scrawl with a frown. “The Haplederts, they say one thing and this here document states quite another. What is to be done?”

The Haplederts brothers had begun quarreling right in front of the council in loud voices they cursed one another and there was just a thin line to cross before either of them got physically violent.

Duart’s wife had stepped back and away from the men frightened, being unable to stop her husband from raising his fists and voice. Dreke and Ermal both had left their seats to pull the brothers apart; the two had finally gone at each other’s throats.

Zetreh meanwhile considered Aliyha’s question for he knew the full fact. His actions were lost to the present head of council and its members, yes even to Ermal and the only other person beside Gregieo Hegleok who would be aware of the actions were she here, was Edsoniea Hegleok; her father’s rightful heir. Now, he had to give an answer and soon as he could see Lady Hegleok getting impatient with it all.

“I think Lady Hegleok,” said he without a further thought, “You shall decide better than any other mind ever will as to what is to be done.”

So she, Aliyha Hegleok head of the Hegleok Council, did in accordance to the written word and the land, it got taken by the council leaving the angry Hapledert brothers something new to quarrel about.

“This is your fault Duart,” an angry Sesho yelled as he made to hit the other. “If just you could have kept this between ourselves!”

“And watch while fed your fat self on my share of grain?” barked Duart dodging the blow, “Never!”

“The commotion in the council room became unbearable.

“You dare fight in my presence,” Lady Hegleok was up on her feet and glaring, her voice thunderous, “I have spoken, your land belongs to you no more but to me and the Council.” Everyone in the chamber knew it already but to Aliyha it did not hurt to repeat it. The brothers had ceased arguing but none knew for how long this silence between them would last.

All council members had their eyes on Aliyha; she stood tall, “Leave my Council chambers now!” At that moment there was an urgent scratch of quill on parchment and a message was quickly passed on from hand-to-hand until it reached Lady Hegleok’s and a word was whispered in her ear by Dreser.

“Wait,” Aliyha said to the Haplederts as she read the scrawl, “Mrs. Hapledert, you must remain at the service of this council’s members. And until the day I free you, you are to do my bidding.”

“First my land and now my wife?” snarled Duart, he advanced toward Lady Hegleok fists in the air when Dreke and Brestuev held him back.

“How dare you?” Aliyha merely stared at the man with amusement, which gradually turned to disgust. “You dare speak to me, head of Hegleok Council in this manner? I order you and your brother to leave.” She looked at her sons, “Would you show these men the way out, kindly?” The two nodded, “Certainly Lady Hegleok.”

The young woman threw herself down on her hands and knees and cried, “Do not condemn our life this way, I beg,” tears flowed freely and her voice showed the wretchedness of her very soul. “Your wrath has been misdirected Lady Hegleok!” she exclaimed this with much disbelief in her eyes and she remained on her knees weeping silently for a moment. By this time Aliyha had left her seat and had walked around to the front of the desk, and there she stood unmoved through all the woman’s say. Nobody had moved, the silence only proved its loudness when Aliyha spoke shattering it.

“By what name is it you call yourself, woman of wretchedness?” her voice cold. In the days of Gregieo and the day when the case had been brought to the Hegleok Council, Duart Hapledert was unmarried hence the woman’s name was not in the document; actual or otherwise.

The struggling Duart stopped his doings and looked at the head of the council. “No one speaks to my wife in such a manner.” He appeared enraged; “It is you and this unjust company of men who call yourselves the Hegleok Council who have caused her all the wretchedness you see in her eyes! It comes from her very soul because of your ruling.”

Aliyha turned her sight and stared at him. “By the Hegleok name! I am glad to hear it is so,” she smiled cruelly, snapping her fingers she spoke to her two sons, “Wait not a moment longer for my time is not to be wasted by such petty minds; they have not a thought of cleverness in those heads.” Her eyes bore into Duart’s and in her grasp she held his wife’s wrist, she said, “Consider your communion with this woman finished; by the Hegleok word I say to you both you are no more wife and husband!”

The brothers were then thrown out of the council room and out of the Hegleok house and the young woman locked away.

“I shall speak to her at a later hour. Keep her in the chamber that once was my murderous step daughter’s.” Aliyha said this and her words were hard for Ermal to hear. He caught Zetreh’s eye as she was being led away and much Zetreh understood of the other’s feeling.

The entire morning after this case was dismissed, many more such matters were brought to the Council’s attention and with each case, Aliyha Hegleok judged by the written word thus causing more trouble and tumult among the people who came to her council for legal help, on the other hand, she made her family and estate richer by a hundred percent.

It turned out to be a very significant day for the Hegleoks; not only did they become powerful in the word of law but they were now the richest council in Stompsledge and all lands beyond.

Word spread quickly and people knew and told those who did not and they in their turn sent word to far away places…

“The Hegleok Council is the devil’s mind at work!”

Time made certain that in a single half a day the name of the Hegleok family brought fear to peoples’ minds and was envied by other councils in other lands for the riches it had acquired in such short a time span. This Time did by making every single moment of that half a day in the Hegleok Council room about as long as an hour and every hour she made as long as ten of its kind so that while everywhere in places neighbouring Stompsledge and lands not so near heard of Hegleok Council’s decisions over various meals and gatherings of the day.

“See them will you not?” said Time looking down from her high window, Okir and Yiolj were with her and in the background there paced Dsarest, in thought.

Okir laughed saying, “Aliyha must believe she is strongest, how much like unwise Rieah she truly is!” Yiolj merely looked on.

“Unwise does as unwise is!” added Time and Dsarest agreed.

Rieah’s wise mind’s spirit flickered despair.

“Time has begun to authorize destruction in the form of law and the world stands afraid of that name which once long ago meant peace and fairness.” Elagust’s wise mind’s spirit was heard whispering to Olaliefe in a concerned sputter as the flame flickered burning bright an instant.

“Do not be concerned Elagust my friend,” said Rieah’s wise mind’s spirit, it took heart in the situation, it recalled Zetreh and felt reassured. “Power is a thing of great enormity…it shall soon be in the right grasp, my grasp.”

In the Tree, the Wise One paced to and fro, the whole place was alight, even more branches had fallen away and still no snowflake reached The Tree’s earthen floor. The Wise One was slowly transforming from the gnarled bent thing to a powerful being.

“Well done Zetreh, you have done right by my thoughts!” Word had for certain reached The Tree of the happenings and the Wise One simply had nodded.

“Foolish woman has a mind of little use! Time is merely using you Aliyha Slyionthe and I am the only one besides Lady Time who knows it. Pity, all your riches will amount to nothing when the hour comes. I do hope you choose your allies well then.”

The five companions had found one big enough room for all of them to rest at the Strangers’ place.

“I will send some food to you from the kitchen,” said the landlord after seeing that they were comfortable with hot water to wash their weary faces and sore and cold feet. “From where else might I bring it if not from the place where it has been cooked?” he chuckled uncertainly at his own joke though it was no joke at all.

“He is strange!” exclaimed Kwairha staring after his retreating figure far down the hall.

Inckle who had remained quiet for a long time now spoke. “If Mister Strange is not strange how then will he be known? And if strangeness were not a part of his life, this here house would not ever be home!”

The ladies laughed and a moment of lightness refreshed them more than any amount of food and rest could have.

It was later that same day when after having had a pleasant meal and the ladies rested, Inckle sat up nibbling a bit of herb; it tasted not a thing like floherb but it was good enough to eat. He thought through his whole journey.

“Land of men,” he said to himself, “I have reached it and here I am thinking already of going back.” He bit a mouthful and swallowed it down distastefully, shaking his head.

Kwairha lay awake and though he did not notice her watching him, she saw the grief that embraced his being. Her feet were hurting less so she got upon them and quietly walked to where he sat.

“Tell me about Wyoungthed,” she whispered to him, he started and then smiled sadly.

“What is it you would like to know about my land, Lady Kwairha?” Inckle asked quietly.

“Merely everything.” And she wrapped her arms around her knees staring at his face like a child would wait the telling of a great tale.

Inckle sighed and turned to face her, the last of the herb he threw aside, “I feel you might tire quickly for it is a long tale in the telling.” He waited for her to change her mind as he felt certain that her interest was simply a momentary one.

“Long stories not ever tire if the one who tells them is at heart a part of the tales,” Kwairha smiled, “And I do think that to be a part in this long tale means you are a hero worth a listen.”

Aliyha decided it time for a second meal, “Let us adjourn this council for a quarter of an hour, I am certain you are all weary and hungry.” She stood up and walked toward Dreke.

“I wish to speak with you son.”

Dreke nodded. “Mother, I must speak with you too but it has been an unusually long morning and –”

“And you feel like having a morsel to eat?” Aliyha cut in, “That is well for I could not deny you that but first,” she paused and noted that the two of them were alone.

“Why did you request it of me, the imprisoning of the young woman?”

Her son tried to look hurt. “People need to know of your power mother!”

Aliyha walked back to her desk. “You are an honourable liar, Dreke Hegleok,” sitting in her high chair she eyed him. “I have power to disown you son and I will if you lie one more time.”

The young man stood up and walked up to the desk “Mother, say not such words, I beg!” he stammered, “I have an interest that my mind believes to be important to my heart…” he stared at her, she smiled.

“Yes, what might that interest be?”

“I wish to marry.” Dreke blurted.

“You must realize that I could not ever disown you, you do know it, do you not?” Lady Hegleok stepped toward the door. “I frightened you into telling me what you otherwise would have taken days to say or perhaps might not have spoken of it yourself but through the say of another, Brestuev or Ermal or just about anyone with a mouth.”

Then she laughed and patted her son on the shoulder, “Come along, we can talk while we eat.”

It had been many wakings since Myeopike’s Lady Reign had fallen into the arms of deep slumber and the Spekai himself lay beside her for long whiles simply singing to the love of his heart the ancient songs of his folk, he did little beside have a bit of herb and a sip of honey every now and then and sing to her.

The grand hall grew very quiet in the wakings that followed Reign’s sleep, the ants guarding the entrances wondered what had occurred for the voice of the Spekai’s fair companion no longer reached them in song and the duty of guarding became to the ants of Derumdorum a dreary task. Even The Squadron chief Redtuth, though he would admit it to no one, missed reprimanding the warriors as regards with pleas to enter the grand hall for a better listen or a closer look, the human had ceased singing. The only time the warriors got a hint that the silence from the Spekai’s lady friend bothered their chief even a little was when one waking he sent for one of the warriors.

“Come Urhu,” he said to the other when the warrior announced himself. “I have but one question for you,” he went on as soon as Urhu stood facing Redtuth, “Does the Spekai still keep his word in respect to my Squadron’s needs as regards to meals?”

Urhu nodded, “The master of the grand hall has been as generous as the weather permits and our needs are being met.” At this Redtuth looked and felt displeased, though he knew he should not. “Very well,” he muttered, “Go about your duty.”

As the soldier turned on his heel and was nearly outside, he heard his chief grumble.

“Sing human being, sing! I cannot bear the discipline of guarding much longer… it is too orderly!” Of course Redtuth was unaware that the other had heard him and so, Urhu escaped unnoticed to tell the others.

Oliukus and his battalion reached the cave ground on the third waking of Kirestle’s counting*, since she was still weak and rested more than the others and longer too, the three wakings turned to be a short wait for her but Tesma, she saw the three wakings as one single very long one. She did have a morsel of herb and yielded not to rest.

“I feel not even a touch of tiredness,” she insisted when Wully tried to convince his sister to give up the wait.

“Oliukus will be here for certain,” he said reassuringly, “Worry not my sister for he is strong and no harm came come to him, not when Time has made certain of it by gifting the Hurdar men unending youth.”

Hearing this Tesma said, “Wully Redgate! Who ever made you think I have been awaiting that hill man?” she stared at him fiercely so that Wully felt a little afraid. “I watch over mother, she remains not so well and needs care and you, you say foolish things!” Tesma walked over to Kirestle who sat by the dying fire.

“I apologize my sister,” muttered Wully, “Mother does need care but I am here as well. Let me take your place for just a while, and you can rest.” Tesma scowled and her brother smiled kindly, and before the next argument formed its way into words Kirestle was up on her feet.

“Say not another word you two,” she spoke angrily, “I need no fights between my children when one of my child is somewhere and we may never see your brother Untholio again…” she swayed on her feet but still her voice was strong when she demanded that they both go their way and leave her be in peace. Now Untholio had been a perfect reason to scold the two and make them realize how silly they were both behaving. Sure they would see Untholio again and Inckle too. She would think it no other way.

“Mother, we apologize,” said Wully solemnly, “Tesma and I were being silly and not thinking about the seriousness of this entire situation.”

He turned and walked out of the cave into the cold while Tesma sat herself a little way back deep in thought. By her side a tiny patch of the cave floor was made of soft soil unlike the rest of the cave floor that was of rock and it was there that with the tip of a finger, Tesma wrote words in the soil, words of much significance. ‘Time has my heart turned around.’.

Now it so happened that just as this argument was under way, Xeira had been about to enter the cave from being among the hill men talking to them of what lay ahead. The Truole Lady had gathered a handful of chieftains of those troops that were to head out to villages near the ancient Kourass around the back of the cave when she heard it, every word and now the Truole Lady made her way to the front and upon entering went straight to the still standing Kirestle.

“Why, why did you have to speak to them about their brother Untholio in that way?” Xeira said quietly, she caught the other’s arm and the two sat. “One must be glad for the little distractions that creep along one’s way, however silly they may seem to be.” Kirestle stared at the Truole Lady uncomprehendingly.

“Do you mean to tell me Lady Aengomiern that it is my mistake in scolding my children for the petty arguments they were having when there are more serious and perilous matters to spare thought to?” Kirestle’s voice had changed in tone from a one of uncertainty to that of indignation, she glared at the other but Xeira merely smiled.

“That is what I am saying precisely,” she turned to look at the sitting Tesma, her face was drawn and her entire being to the Truole Lady appeared to be shuddering with every breath she took. “What has been gained by thinking the worst of a difficult situation? Is it not hard enough to face every waking not knowing what cruelty Time has in store and when she will toss it our way?”

At this Kirestle’s angry gaze dropped, “I do see my fault,” she sighed and covered her face with both hands. “But what is a mother to do when her daughter who has for long wakings held close to heart another who comes from the same roots as she has, and now has begun to consider a stranger dearer?”

It was sometime before Xeira answered and when she did, it was not unkindly. “Was it not your wish that Tesma find affection in her heart for someone other than Inckle Vilksumer on the waking when he lost the game challenge? And Tesma did she not consent that it was what she desired as well?”

“I did wish it and Tesma did turn Inckle away from her heart’s affection,” said Kirestle, tears starting in her brown eyes.

“Foolish folk should not be granted the realization of their wishes, and that is what I am and what I have wished for must not ever be granted.” Kirestle turned her gaze to where Tesma sat, still the same sad expression on her face.

“Time does not see it the way you do,” said Xeira looking into the fire, replenishing it with logs of wood that lay piled up close at hand. “Time grants those wishes she knows will ensure her the power she desires, and will bring the one who has wished it feel a fool.”

A silence followed during which the Truole Lady had a blaze going again.

“This time however,” she said at length, “Time has made a very big mistake in her haste to grant you and Tesma your wishes and that mistake she shall realize before too long,” the Truole Lady smiled, “Hold faith close to your heart for though foolish desires be granted, not everything shall be lost.”

Then she left the other to think over these words and walked over to Tesma and sat herself facing her. “You think about what your mother has said, I know.” Tesma looked up with such despair in her eyes, “My mother speaks a fact, we may not ever see my brother Untholio again, and instead of feeling worried about it, Wully and I were acting like the gamhnurts of old*.”

Xeira laughed softly and her laugh made Tesma feel light hearted for a moment.

“And have you two decided on the appropriate social titles to call each other by?” The two then laughed hard and Tesma’s whole being transformed, she was no more slave to uncertainty. “You will see him again you know,” said Xeira as she rested her head against the wall, “It is only a matter of time.” The other nodded, “I believe it, Lady Aengomiern.”

It was not long afterwards that Oliukus having reached at last to cave ground, entered and set his sight on Tesma before all else. He appeared cold and fatigued but still a fire burned in his eyes as he spoke.

“Fair Earth Protector, how gladdened I am to see you!” Oliukus greeted Tesma solemnly.

“Brave Oliukus, you have come and it delights us to see you; some more so, than others.” Xeira approached him smiling and she laid a hand on his shoulder and all tiredness that plagued his being left him.

“Come, have a meal,” Lady Aengomiern said turning and pointing towards where Tesma now stood. “Your fair friend has been waiting to share a meal with you.”

Oliukus took no time in reaching her and once the two stood facing one another Tesma said quietly.

“Oliukus of the hills, if the sight of me gladdens you, then why are you not smiling?” Then they shared a smile and had a meal. Oliukus spoke of his journey and Tesma of her own, thus before long the two were lost in conversation and all those around within the cave and outside of it knew that two hearts were forging a very special friendship.

Some days had passed since young woman Aiker’s death and Hachael and his father barely spoke to each other. Deituk had left the boy’s mind free from influence during these days, the spirit needed rest too and had decided that what he had done so far was enough, he would act again just when the pupil needed the master. Meanwhile, he took to finding the young lad’s friend and planting in her heart a somewhat similar seed of passion for Hachael as he had for her but in Chyle’s mind Deituk sowed greed and the feeling of superiority that would in time grow to cause animosity between the two as Time and her second hand adviser would intend it to be for none can remain happy in the eyes of Time.

Hachael had turned away from his family, he saw no one, not even Chyle for she had in her mind decisions to make and when they had last met, the two had agreed to not see each other for some days.

Hachael and she would soon be changing lands, ridding them from stupidity and ridiculous beliefs, that was the pact and to her it was an honour to keep such a pact after all, the two of them had pledged themselves as one in heart and mind, one in aim.

“Do not act like you are cleverest, Chyle,” said her grandmother wisely, “Hachael Aiker has your head filled with what shall bring to you a downfall, do not be what you know you ought not to be.”

The young lady frowned as she heard this. “My mind is enlightened not burdened old woman,” she said this with such distaste that old woman Kere realized it was far too late to make her granddaughter see truth, she sighed sadly.

“Hachael Aiker has the power to change the world and he has two minds to think of how; his very own and mine, and my heart now belongs to his so that I might love him and gift him courage should he ever lack it… it is a big task he has set for himself and me.” Chyle spoke with pride.

The grandmother said nothing after this but silently pleaded with fairness* that in time her lovely Chyle would acknowledge the foolishness of her own beliefs in such a lad even if the boy did not recognize his silliness in the matter.

Old woman Kere and Chyle were seated at the table having their evening meal when these words were exchanged, the sun was a few moments away from setting when the young lady got to her feet and announced that she was stepping out.

“By the day star, you are not!” exclaimed the old woman getting to her feet in anger,

“That is all well grandmother,” said Chyle lightly as she cleared the table, “The day star has gone to bed and so should you!” It was at that very instant that the sun hid itself under a veil of dark and Deituk peered in through the closed window at the scene.

“You dare speak to me in that manner!” shrieked the old lady, “Only demons behave like you now do.”

Chyle laughed as she heard this, “Finally, you have said something nice to me.” She bowed in mock gratitude.

“I take the compliment graciously as well as your hand.” So saying Chyle made to grab her grandmother’s hand but the old woman stepped back some paces.

“Never, not ever will I step outside after dark with you or any other for I know that is your intention. Leave this house evil!” Alas! Old woman Kere’s feet stumbled and she nearly fell but Chyle had her by the hand and fighting against the other’s strength got her to stand firmly before dragging the old lady toward the door.

“Chyle, my dear child,” gasped the old woman, “I beg you, do not let stubbornness control your doings… It is against our law to step outdoors at this hour.” Chyle paused, she had one hand on the door, her face contorted and her eyes afire.

“Laws that have been engraved into petty minds such as your own by fickle hearted folk like you grandmother!” she screamed angrily, and opening the door at last led herself and the other outside.

“No, please,” old woman Kere had her eyes shut tight so that she saw nothing of the dark and for a brief moment felt no danger but then Deituk was in the air she breathed and he to her was like thick smoke that made it hard to inhale and she choked and coughed and spat but despite all this, could not breathe.

Chyle stood busy gazing up at the dark sky. “Well, such beauty does the dark hold!” and she breathed deep while the other sank to her knees clutching her throat. An instant later the choking feeling ceased to trouble the old woman and she was able to breathe freely, it was the scent of sweet blossom* that she inhaled.

“Dear me, it is not yet winter and somehow, I breathe the scents of spring!” exclaimed the old lady, “Spring has not visited Syuolika in so long… Where are these marvelous flowers, Chyle tell me.”

Chyle laughed. She helped the other to her feet. “Grandmother, if you will only open your eyes, the dark is nothing to fear.” She smiled to herself as she saw by the little light which came out through the curtained windows inside the house, her grandmother had blinked open her eyes and stood looking around.

“It is not yet winter and you say the air holds the scents of spring, you are right. Is it not a wonder grandmother?” Chyle had left the old woman’s hand and now Old woman Kere took several steps forward.

“Where are the blossoms, child?” It appeared a new person now filled her shoes, old woman Kere was no longer aged as her spirit and thinking ways were concerned, she was as young as her granddaughter and even her age which showed plainly on her features had no power to contradict the new person she had changed into. “There are none,” replied the young lady, she walked about the little patch of garden, “It is the wind, she brings to us to breathe what we wish we were breathing. Do you still fear the dark grandmother?”

At this the other shook her head, “I fear nothing about it and feel like I would wish the whole of Syuolika should feel this way.” She trotted back to the other’s side, and raising her wrinkled face to the inky sky said with hands raised high, “Such fools have the generations of Syuolikans been! No more though will the folk here hide from the dark, no more will they follow the rules and laws of superstitions!”

Chyle knew that she had somehow turned the old woman into a follower of such belief, an idea struck her and she understood Hachael’s plan to rid the world of fickleness better.

“Consider me no more a fool, child of my son,” said the grandmother, “If I may, I offer myself to the two hearts in power, I wish to be of service, to help in ridding the land of beliefs that are shameful and silly.”

Chyle put an arm over the other’s shoulders, “You may most certainly offer your service but I must tell you,” she looked straight into the old woman’s eyes, “It is not just the land of Syuolika that needs eliminating of silly minds but the entire world as well.”

The old woman smiled grimly as she saw the look in the granddaughter’s eyes, “Did you believe that by speaking about the world and what it needs that you would have me revert my say? If you did believe it, you are silliest of all and I should get rid of you!”

Then she laughed loud and harsh, Chyle stared, and she realized that the old woman would not change her way, not ever. Hachael would be pleased to hear of her plan and of all that had happened. She would go to him at dawn.

Deituk witnessed it all and was most pleased as to the outcome of the whole affair. He silently praised himself for his own doing, especially the way he transformed his repulsive self into the very scent of spring, was, he believed a genius at work.

He knew Chyle too had done her task very well and that made his doings all the more interesting, he read her mind and realized that she had a desire to speak to him about it all, she, Chyle, would go see Hachael in the morning as a certain tiredness had come over her and sleep called.

Deituk, however, decided the young Aiker would come to her before the dark turned to dawn. He drifted away taking with him a bit of the girl’s scent from her hair, he let the wind carry him to where the Aikers’ lived, and there he found young Hachael by the window, looking out, a deep frown sat on his brow.

Hachael breathed deep as he stared afar, thinking of Chyle and all that had passed between them both. He felt power in his very being and knew she felt it too. “I must set my sight on you before too long, Chyle,” he muttered, “What we need to do, shall be done. How otherwise shall the pact remain unbroken?”

Kwairha heard every tale there was to hear of Wyoungthed and Inckle, he did tell her everything there was to tell. When talking of a humorous tale he would laugh but that laughter was a mere ghost of the actual feeling and then when there was telling of sad incidents, the gamhnurt’s every word was like a giant tear drop dampening the already sad spirit.

The fire had burned low but she felt not the cold that outside was harsh, the others were asleep; Westeria and Nuorta. Swulirha lay awake in the far corner of the room. She appeared asleep but her eyes were open and she watched and heard the whispered says from the gamhnurt and her sister.

“How can it be that from such a happy land, a being of so much sadness should step forth upon the lands of men?” said Kwairha, she had his hand in her very own.

“You find me a sad storyteller?” Inckle asked this and there was surprise in his tone of voice. “I had hoped to win the ‘jovial’ nurt ever you knew prize!” he laughed. “I was not always a sad nurt, Lady Kwairha…”

To this Kwairha said, “If you say it, why is it you laugh like you would rather be weeping and weep as if sadness and sorrow are two words not enough to describe the pain within your heart?”

Inckle looked away, he had all this while not ever let his gaze drop from her face, her fair face, and now he stared at the dying fire.

“I live a law and laws are harsh to one like me,” he paused and returned his gaze to her face, “I am an outlaw, a cast aside. My only task now is to take back a stranger from these parts so that, that one person might learn of my people and our land but tell me Lady so fair, to what will I take back the stranger, to what land when there is no Wyoungthed remaining alive and none of my kind live? I am alone!”

A short silence followed for even Kwairha did not quite know how to answer this nurt whom she felt close to with every passing moment.

“Take the stranger back to the spirit of Wyoungthed and its folk for the spirit lives…” it was Swulirha who spoke; she left her place and came toward them. “As for being alone, Inckle, one never is alone… The memories of the past keep company to the heart until that moment when the present becomes a memory for the future.” Swulirha settled next to her sister and smiled.

“Inckle, maybe not all of Wyoungthed has perished in the fist of Time,” Swulirha went on and in her voice there was earnest hope. “What you have not seen by your own eyes, you cannot and must not ever judge by the say of another’s words…” she patted the other’s arm, nodded to her sister by way of greeting and left the room.

For some time the room was quiet, Westeria and Nuorta remained undisturbed, Kwairha and Inckle said not a word to each other, and finally when each had thought through what all had been spoken, it was Kwairha who broke the silence.

“My sister,” she said slowly freeing her hands from his so as to wrapped her arms around herself, it was cold within the four walls for having stepped outside Swulirha had let in the harsh cold.

“Swulirha is wise in her says and thoughts,” Kwairha spoke through chattering teeth, “Listen to her and lose not faith.” Inckle who had decided long before now to do just that frowned concerned, he looked around him and caught sight of a blanket in the far corner, it was one of the two Swulirha had wrapped herself in while she had sat there. Getting to his feet so quickly that he frightened the lady before him, he crossed the room and before Kwairha had had even a chance to get to her feet so she could escape him, he returned and threw the heavy blanket over her shoulders.

“I shall go to the strange man who owns this place and ask nicely for a few more logs. It is cold, is it not?” he came around to face her and saw the look on her face, a mixture of fright and relief, and at once understood.

“Lady Kwairha,” he said softly, “Why did you fear me? And do not tell me I imagined the look on your fair face, you feared me for a moment, did you not?” he looked crestfallen.

Kwairha regretted the silly thought that had her frightened, the thought that the nurt might hurt her.

“I—I I thought you must be angry because of the way I spoke before,” she stammered and tears welled up in her eyes, she bowed her head and wept.

“Hmm,” Inckle tapped his foot as he pretended to think it over, “Me, an angry gamhnurt from Wyoungthed, an outlaw too… I could hurt such a fair lady as you for speaking what is true…” the tapping ceased abruptly as did his loud musing, he left the room.

Kwairha knew she had done wrong in fearing him and she felt it like a whip upon her gentle heart, “Oh what have I done!”

On his way down the rickety and creaking stairs, Inckle found it hard not to smile as he thought of the scare he had given Lady Kwairha, she had felt certain that he would be angry with her and maybe that he would cause her hurt…

“I shall surprise her in proving her wrong,” muttered Inckle as he neared the bottom stair, “Gamhnurt folk are not villains!” he exclaimed and hurried on, he caught sight of the owner of the guest house, the man stood by the door, perhaps he was leaving so thinking the nurt rushed on to meet him. As his feet took him quickly to where the man stood, a memory of the waking on which the game challenge had been played, came flooding back before his eyes and Inckle saw Astra Deins as the two of them stood on the verge of winning the challenge, the Hammer had pleaded silently and… Not for a moment did Inckle regret losing on purpose, and even though this tale so far has not mentioned it, the Earth Protector often wondered what became of the Stone Lover.

“Mister Stranger!” called Inckle, he snapped out of his reverie, “I am with the ladies two floors above and the firewood, we have run out of it, it is cold.” The gentleman spun on his heel, one of his gloves hung loosely, half way up the palm of a hand,

“The name is Kabbeas, Mister Kabbeas, do you understand, you strange person who travels from distant lands in company of fair ladies? Who are you, the prince or the pauper?”

Inckle stood staring, he was at a complete loss for words. Mister Kabbeas merely watched him.

“Well, who are you?” Inckle took a step closer, “I sir,” he said a little confused*, “Am a gamhnurt, an Earth Protector from the once Wyoungthed.”

Feeling that he had answered well, Inckle ventured to ask the other a question. “What may I know is a ‘prince’? And a ‘pauper’, what is it?” Mister Kabbeas simply chuckled, “I have not the time to tell you all that now,” he wore his glove, still laughing quietly, “I shall send more firewood up to your room, goodbye now gamhnurt you say,” he raised his hat and bowed, “I will be on my way.”

The waking when the Hurdar armies were to march forth in troops of a few hundred each into the various lands had dawned and Xeira was the first to arise. She walked among the huts in the cold, bare of blanket warmth were her shoulders but the cold bothered her not. The men of Hurdar, Rieah’s allies were still in slumber, “Wise Rieah,” whispered the Truole Lady, “Reveal to these young men of an ageless lifetime, reveal yourself to them…that your power be their strength.” And in their deepest sleep, the men dreamed a fair sight; the Wise One said to them words of strength and her voice was power. So it was with a war cry on his lips, and a great respect for the Wise One in his heart that each soldier awakened, ready to begin their war.

“Rise brave men, rise!” called Xeira standing amid the men as they awakened and prepared themselves for an age long personal fight against time.

“The moments near when all of you must take a step forward and finally challenge the words of Time* as you remember them, as they were spoken.” Oliukus had silently crept close behind her, he recited the unforgotten say in a low voice, his eyes shone bright; a fire burned inside the very depths of his soul.

“May courage be your friend and Wise Rieah, may she be your strength till the end, Brave Oliukus!” the Truole Lady had turned to face him, “Lead well, fight not with violence for it will not let you win your war.” She said this quietly to him, he who stood before her and then to all the rest she said in a clear voice, “The prize you were awarded for your faithfulness to Wise Rieah must now be relinquished, return it to the generous giver that Lady Time herself might in the future live by its very rules.”

Kirestle and her children stood about in the cold cave, a fire had not been lit as they too were to leave along with the armies. No one among them spoke a word but each had a thought of great concern weighing the mind. Presently, Xeira entered and seeing the looks on each of their faces at once knew what thoughts troubled each of them.

“I know your mind wonders as to where Inckle Vilksumer can be,” she addressed Tesma stepping close to her, her hand on the other’s shoulder, “Though you and I cannot see him with our own sight, he is well and has taken the path with the ladies of the Mount mountain.”

She went on, “Lord Zetreh has asked to see him and therefore, he is now in Stompsledge.” Tesma looked at the other in disbelief.

“Lady Aengomiern, have you travelled to this land where he is now while we have all been resting?”

Xeira laughed softly, “I have done nothing of the kind,” she said, “I am a Truole Lady and have the gift of seeing and knowing.” She made to turn away from Tesma but the Earth Protector caught her hand.

“I wonder… does he miss me, his friend, his love?” The Truole Lady answered quietly, “Alas! That is not for me to answer…”

A pause, and then the Truole Lady spoke again. “Before your doings in the lands of men are acknowledged as great deeds and your name is spoken as the name of one of the heroines, your answers you shall have.” Xeira bowed to her companion and walked toward Wully who stood embracing his mother.

“Do not weep just yet,” she addressed Kirestle, she was indeed in tears upon her son’s shoulder, “There shall come many moments where every tear will wish it were shed in the joy of the moments… Spare your heart such grief, it does not deserve to feel pain.”

Kirestle lifted her head and stared with bleary eyes at the Truole Lady.

“It is for the Wyoungthed of the gone by wakings that I ache,” she said, and in every word her ache was plain, “I have been a fool like all the others of our kind…my faith in Inckle should have been worth more than just the outcome of a silly game challenge…”

Xeira nodded, “My friend, you speak fair but you must remember that your folk when faced with rules that are turned to serious laws, you live by them. Inckle has been living by the laws that bind him from the moment he lost,” the ripples on the wave spun Xeira wore reflected Kirestle’s tears as she stood facing her.

“Inckle did what he, like any other nurt would in his shoes do,” said the Earth Protector, “Lest he be treated worse than a loser, an outlaw but…” she gestured helplessly, pointing a shaky finger at her heart.

“Do not,” said the Truole Lady, she caught Kirestle’s arm, pulling it away, “It is unfair to blame yourself for your doings,” she said gently, “You merely obeyed the laws and did well by it.”

Outside the Hurdar soldiers were forming battalions and to each of these Oliukus appointed a leader. This momentarily distracted the nurts’ thoughts and even Xeira stepped out to be a witness to Oliukus’s doing. When all regiments were appointed a chief, Oliukus spoke to the men words of courage and reminded them all of the says of Time all those wakings ago.

“For mothers who gave us our lives, for our sisters and our wives,” said the brave Oliukus, “Each battle we must win my brothers, my friends…” in his mind’s eye he saw his mother’s face, how fair her heart had been! “May the Wise Rieah guide you and lead you to your own victory.” A hundred and more voices called the Wise One’s name and every time they did so the air around the cave ground quivered, and back in the hills where Strong Hurdernut remained behind so as to guard the homes and stay at the ready if needed to attend to the injured if they be brought back to the hills, for he thought it was to be a war of violence, he heard it too.

Soon many groups of soldiers were moving away from the cave ground, each troop heading in different directions to the many lands beyond cave ground. Wully and his mother along with Tesma and Xeira remained in the cave and this was when the Truole Lady spoke to Wully. “Your thought dwells on the battles ahead, I know,” she said to him quietly, “And Brave Oliukus knows it too.”

Wully who had his eyes on the armies now turned to look at the Truole Lady, in his eyes there was amazement and in his voice awe. “Lady Aengomiern,” his voice was hoarse, “I merely wish to find Inckle, that together we may join in the war against Time.”

Xeira nodded understandingly, “Your friend, you shall find but he has a deed of his own to do and you have yours,” she looked at him keenly, “Oliukus requires just one more warrior to complete his troop, it is for you to take, the place…is it your wish to take it?”

Wully swallowed drily. He was unable to answer, his eyes darted from his mother’s face to his sister’s who stood near each other, the nurt’s face was lined with worry.

“I could not ever leave my mother and sister Lady Aengomiern,” he said finally, “My mother already believes she shall no longer see her youngest son, it will break her heart if I should walk out of her sight too.” He walked to cave entrance and stood bracing the cold wind.

“You will not be leaving them alone, do you not see?” Xeira spoke gently, she stood close behind him, “Your sister and mother, they shall remain with me and I too shall join in the war but we will not be together you and us for I return to Kourass and with me I take your mother and sister. There is much to be done, ships to be built and treasures of my people lying on the river-bed, they need to be found and restored to the Truole name…indeed, the dying of an entire Truole people shall be avenged.” Xeira’s face as she spoke the last few words had turned serious and her eyes shone bright like jewels in the night sky.

“What is it you two talk of?” Tesma had crept up on the two, and now looked on searchingly into their faces.

“I was saying to your brother that the death of an entire sea people must be avenged,” said Xeira in answer, “And that you and your mother are to be the first to help me begin that very task, you are to come with me to Kourass.” Tesma gasped, “To the ancient Kourass?”

The Truole Lady nodded, “It flows again, my river home.” She stepped about back and forth. “There are ships to be built and lost treasures that must be found, if there is to be a new generation of Truole people, the lives of the long gone, their souls must find rest in the memory of the future peoples.”

While Tesma listened, she sensed her brother’s discomfort. “My brother,” she said sweetly, “What is it that troubles your heart and mind?” Wully started, he had not been aware that his worries had revealed themselves to her. “Why would you think something is troubling me, Tesma?”

Tesma smiled kindly, “Have you forgotten? I am your sister.” A short pause followed this say and then a quiet outburst from Wully. “That is what troubles me, you are my sister.” Tesma simply stood before him, her eyes brimming with tears. “It is not the fact that you are my sister but that I must leave you and mother… I have a place and a task to do and it must be done.”

“It is with the hill men you mean to fight alongside with, is it not?” Tesma asked, and even though she already knew the answer she wished to hear it from him. “Yes, sister dear, it is with the Hurdar men I must fight beside,” Wully nodded. “Brave Oliukus has a place for one more soldier, I mean to take that place if he will allow it.”

Tesma smiled, she felt proud. “My brother, a warrior,” she embraced him, “Be certain you shall be welcomed by Brave Oliukus.”

As they were in conversation, neither noticed that Xeira had gone away from them, she went to where Kirestle had been left standing by herself when Tesma had come to speak with them. Now the two were startled by their mother’s voice.

“A fine warrior you will be, my son!”

Wully and Tesma both embraced Kirestle.

“I shall return to you both, that is a promise I make.” Wully said in a muffled tone.n“For sure you will, as will your brother and Inckle and with his return all that is good in the world shall be restored.” said Kirestle embracing the two to her.

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