THE HOUR
THE MEETING AT THE CAVE

The Foliek had led Xeira a long hard way over patches of ground strewn with jagged little rocks, coarse greens sharp as thorns under a fine cover of ice, which burned the delicate feet of the Truole Lady. It broke sometimes, this ice layer under the pressure of her feet with steps she took and then the greens would do their bit of hurt but not once did Xeira complain or show any sign of fatigue. She followed the Foliek by night and by day walked out the directions they gave her to follow so she could get to the next meeting point. Many a times it turned out that she found a better way then they had and she would leave them small signs of which direction she had taken and where the Foliek would find her waiting.

It was but the second daybreak after Xeira had set off and the Foliek Erwufj had been about to flee for cover when Harfj swooped down in front of her path. He was young and smaller than the other Foliek, almost like an ordinary bird.

“They have been getting increasingly impatient. They awoke last evening and are now…” Harfj stared at Xeira apparently only just seeing her.

“They are now, what?” Erwufj asked, “This is Lady of the Truoles Harfj. Now, please complete what you were saying.”

“Lady Xeira,” Harfj greeted her and Xeira smiled. “You are indeed a very gentle young Foliek.”

The young Foliek intent on impressing the Truole Lady further spoke urgently.

“You must hurry to Wyoungthed leader Erwufj, the gamhnurts want to know what all goes on.”

“How are they?” Xeira asked, worriedly.

“Less tired and a shade younger it would appear.” was the response.

“Erwufj my friend, before the day grows any lighter fly me on your wings to Wyoungthed!”

Cold it was despite the blazing fire in the Redgate home but Wully sat hunched, looking alert at Tesma. She was talking quietly with one of the Foliek by the closed door, he, Wully, turned away and stared directly at the blazing flame feeling energy return to his body slowly. He closed his eyes for a moment and saw Inckle’s face when he had taught him how to play the string cracker, a happy memory… How he wished that he could see his best friend’s laughing face again.

Without so much as a thought, he started getting up but was stopped before he could get all the way up to his feet by a long large greenish brown wing belonging to another Foliek sitting behind him. The wing had flapped down on his shoulder.

“Allow me to wander out there,” pleaded Wully, “I must find Inckle while he could still be in Wyoungthed, please!” The Foliek shook its head sadly from side to side meaning to say no. It was very clear that Wully had lost track of wakings and moments so that now he still thought Inckle to be in Wyoungthed. His mother Kirestle Redgate heard him and beckoned her son to her, she sat in the corner of the room chewing a floherb. Wully went to her and gingerly crouched in front of her.

“Inckle would appreciate how you feel,” her wrinkled hand caressed his cheek, “He would think you no less a friend now… Untholio will find him Wully and he will return to his land, our land…”

“I want to find Inckle and—” Tesma’s voice cut Wully short.

“None of them will tell me anything… They know nothing of Inckle’s whereabouts or they know but will not tell. There has to be someone who can tell us what goes on outside that door.” Tears had streaked down the sides of her old young face as she leaned against the wall sliding down in a sitting position next to Kirestle.

“I have come with news as I can give, am I allowed inside your home, Earth Protectors of Wyoungthed?” a voice as gentle as a fine breeze had drifted in from the half opened door where the Foliek guarding it now bowed at someone standing there on the threshold.

“And who is that calls us by our rightful name?” Wully walked over to the bowed Foliek and peered outside, saw no one and for a moment thought that he had imagined the voice and that the Foliek had not bowed but rather had bent its head examining the floor when from the side, out of Wully’s range of vision and into it there appeared a woman who appeared to be wearing the sea for a garment.

“The Truole Lady greets you and asks for entrance into your home.” Erwufj stood behind and beside her Harfj looked transfixed.

“I am Wully Redgate and I implore with the Truole Lady that she step over the threshold and enter into this humble gamhnurt home.” Bowing, he stepped aside, making room for Xeira and the two Foliek to enter. Tesma had silently come up behind Wully, one arm supporting Kirestle whose strength had not still enabled her to walk by herself; she swayed a lot with every step forward. They stared as the three made their way in.

The gamhnurts looked at Xeira in awe and Tesma whispered, "I have heard tell of her, Xeira of the Kourass… a ghost but I see now she is not so.”

The Foliek bowed as Xeira stood in the center of the circle. A moment passed in silence while cold wind entered through the now wide open door, the nurts shivered but had not the nerve to tear their senses away from the Lady before them.

“Erwufj,” called Xeira softly, “Will the Foliek retreat into the next rooms?”

Without delay the Foliek retreated and the four were left alone in the front room, the door wide, the wind biting through every sweater the nurts had on. The fire seemed a joke in the face of the roaring wind. Walking to the door and touching a delicate hand, Xeira closed it. The room appeared a lot darker now and the burning fire cast a glow about. Xeira moved bare foot toward the fire, beckoning the three to her.

“Let us not waste another moment,” she said quietly, “Time has her hands full. She holds in them the future of the world, of every being. Be it man or Gamhnurt, Truole or beast, wise minds controlling the seasons and greens… Time is set to win the war this while around. She has won the spirit of the wise minds controlling seasons already, you can feel it, can you not?” the wave spun garment she wore rippled like tiny waves as she sighed, hoping that these fair heart beings had understood what she had said.

After a short pause, Tesma who had been staring at the ripples on the wave spun, warming her hands spoke, barely above a whisper.

“We know all about what Lady Xeira has told us.” she looked at Wully and their mother who nodded. “That is why we have aged, have we not? It is why Wyoungthed is near gone, erased from existence, is it not? But tell me, tell us, what has become of Inckle Vilksumer and my brother Untholio, he left to look for Inckle… he has been gone for so long… what of them?”

Xeira smiled even as tears trickled down the sides of Tesma’s face and Wully looked sad as did Kirestle. “Gamhnurts, you Earth Protectors do have your heart in the right place and your mind Tesma Redgate thinks with passion of those you love. Your brother is well. He is with four other nurts, two Stone Lovers and two Earth Protectors one of which you should know is Fiel Vilksumer and the other, Trejeth Boint.”

Relief showed itself on each of the three faces but quickly vanished.

“Who are the Stone Lovers with them?” asked Wully. “They are nurts who want the same thing – to find Inckle so he can find Rieah the Wise One and restore her mind back to her physical self. You do know who Rieah is, do you not?” Xeira asked in a worried tone. When only Kirestle nodded but Tesma and Wully remained puzzled, Xeira’s slightly anxious expression cleared a little.

“You must know,” she said to Tesma and Wully, “That Inckle is a means for you and me and everyone in this world to win the war Time fights against us. That, he will do, by finding Rieah’s wise mind’s spirit. In Flemezour it dwells with other wise minds’ spirits most of whom have turned their hearts to Time, denying the world the chance of life free from harsh attacks from Time and her allies.”

She looked into the fire, dancing flames reflected on her shiny eyes.

“Let us go out there and find Inckle… I can go to Flemezour and take Rieah’s mind’s spirit back that way Inckle will be safe and home.” Wully spoke determined.

“I know your heart will gladly and boldly let you through the journey to Flemezour but you my dear nurt will not ever find the land of Flemezour, only Inckle can find it because Rieah the Wise chose him to be the one who would find her when Wyoungthed crumbled under the touch of Time.” Xeira said gently.

Silence fell upon the four and it was broken only when Erwufj cleared his throat, “Lady Xeira of the Aengomier, Deituk gets stronger. It would be wise to leave now and return to the Kourass, I am requested at his hiding place.”

Xeira turned slowly to face him, “I am staying in company of these fine nurts and Kourass shall see me soon. The Foliek may leave … I remembered not for a brief moment how true on the Wise One’s side you are!”

There was a restless fluttering of many wings as the Foliek prepared to depart. “Lady Xeira of the Aengomier, are you certain you wish to remain here? The Foliek do not need to say how unsafe it is for a Truole Lady to be away from her home, the hand of Time moves to strike a blow and when it does—”

“When she strikes,” Xeira said quietly, “The force of her blow shall shatter Time’s own fist. I am not alone Erwufj, I have them and they have the others who seek the Wise One’s most loved… Everyone must do their bit Erwufj. Go, do yours.” With that said Xeira turned back to stare into the fire, her face calm. The Foliek could be heard leaving through the back door, one by one taking off.

In Flemezour the spirit of Rieah the Wise One’s mind wandered in the cold bare garden. Xeira of the Aengomier had promised her alliance, from the beginning and at the moment Rieah knew, she was in Wyoungthed helping what nurt folk she could. How many of her dear people had already been lost with the slightest caress of Time’s calloused fingertips? Nearly all of Wyoungthed she knew had, because even though many knew her to exist, read her tale on greens and earth, they were frivolous. That was fine, Rieah thought as there were a handful of her folk that were unlike the others and it was this lot that would make all the difference. The tiny flame flickered before burning bright. In the cold it spread its warmth as it passed, step by step and as it flickered past Olaliefe and Elagust who both appeared whispering, yearning to break free from the cold shell that held them in its winter embrace their tiny flames resolute in slowly freezing Summer and Spring to lifelessness the spirit of Rieah’s wise mind saw the ice cold shell of winter threaten to melt away as the flames within grew strong and bright for a moment. Elagust and Olaliefe were still on her side. Old Dsarest’s mind’s spirit came wandering from the opposite direction. Flickering violently, as if repelling the cold and intent on burning but as it approached Rieah’s wise mind’s spirit, it flickered and diminished nearly dying out. Rieah’s mind understood only one thing from this occurrence and sadly knew that the old friend she had cared for was now in the clutches of Time and that was like a severe cold wind to the heart of the flame making it burn weakly. She rushed in and closed herself inside Ailieth, flickering indignantly the tiny flame burned alone within the otherwise empty chamber and willed Inckle to rejoin her to her physical self.

The wise mind’s spirit sputtered a message to Xeira of the Truoles, ‘To Hurdar you must go for there dwell men of great valor. My allies.’

Flemezour never felt less homely than now and Time sat in the hall of decision planning the turning of the entire world into a replica of the present Flemezour.

Inckle sat hunched as he watched the ladies talk in low voices in the next room. He had just told them the story of how he came to be amongst them. Telling them his story had seemed a good idea but now, it felt he had made a mistake. He had to leave, crossing the room to the door Inckle thought of the mission that lay in front of him. He still had to find a man, a stranger and take him back to Wyoungthed… betray the beauty and life of his homeland and its people to strangers. His face burned with shame, it was his doings that was the reason Wyoungthed was about to be intruded on by a man led by him, Inckle Vilksumer Earth Protector… tears welled up in his eyes but even as he pressed them shut letting the tears roll down, a different feeling crept into his heart, the feeling of saddened fear and as his fingers touched the doorknob he knew something was quite not the same. And then the feeling intensified, he knew in his heart that someone needed him. His mind filled with the vision of Wyoungthed the beautiful, the ageless… The door opened and Inckle stepped out. The wind hit him hard across the face and his hands reached over to pull his cloak tighter about himself when a hand clamped down on his shoulder and a voice whispered in his ear that even over the wind, he caught every word.

Next moment he stumbled back into the cabin and the door shut. Swulirha stood beside him; it was she who had spoken.

“Why do you not want me to leave Lady Deulore? Duilo Nacckle of the Ministry has decided my fate and his word has become my law. I cannot stay here, I must live by the law.” Inckle’s voice was a tremor as he spoke and he looked miserable.

“I know and I do not or would not ask you to break that law but only that you let me help you in following it.” Swulirha said kindly. “One of us you may take back with you to Wyoungthed,” she continued, “I ask you remain with us until my sister and I return from Stompsledge, a place across these woods.”

Inckle breathed. “Why? Lady Deulore, I am of little importance to you… I am thankful to you for showing kindness to a nurt but my life is a law and I must—”

“Live by it though the very soil you come from falls prey to Time’s cruelty and the people of the land die?” Swilrha inquired though not unkindly.

Inckle stood horrorstruck, “You have not to lie to keep me here Lady Deulore,” he smiled weakly, “Nothing of the kind has happened to my fellow nurts and the soil of Wyoungthed is—is…” he stopped talking at the look on Swulirha’s face.

“Not a thing remains the same of the land and the folk you so love. Time has struck it a blow and is intent on turning Wyoungthed and the rest of the outside world into an image of herself—forever cold.” Swilrha whispered in a pained tone.

All breath escaped the nurt and every thought of a smile weak or otherwise vanished from Inckle’s mind. He stared disbelievingly at Swulirha hardly seeing her or the others who had quietly grouped near the door. Swulirha took his hand and led him toward the low burning fire. She shot a meaningful look at the other three and Westeria hurried forth to place more timber to get the fire going.

“Sit yourself here I beg and warm by the blaze.” Inckle slumped down, face in his hands he said in between ragged grasps of breath, “Tell me, exactly what has become of my homeland and its people?”

“I have told you already,” Swulirha said, “Time has struck.”

“How do you know of this Lady Deulore? You live so far from Wyoungthed and you have been friends with no nurt…”

“True. I live far from Wyoungthed and I am unfamiliar with nurts, we all were until you came along.” She smiled as the others nodded as they murmured in agreement.

“I have Zetreh the Wise One’s aid to acknowledge for all that I know, all I told you.” Swulirha let a moment of silence pass.

Inckle mused this over before speaking again. When he did, it was in quiet seriousness. “The Wise One, Rieah is mother of Wyoungthed I know. My mother spoke of her to me long whiles before now.” He looked up at the ladies before him, a glint of sadness in his eyes. Kwairha moved closer concern embedded in her every movement.

“You fear for those you love I know,” she touched his arm gently, “I fear your fear will lead you homeward where nothing remains. Swulirha has told me that the Lord of the Mount mountain has a message from the Wise One for you which only he can deliver and so,” again a pause so that Swulirha could talk.

“Inckle Vilksumer, you must remain here until we return from Stompsledge with Zetreh.” The gamhnurt remained in thought for a very long moment. Finally standing up he began pacing the short distance forth and back between the fire and where Swulirha now stood.

“You intend bringing this man, Zetreh here to meet with me?” he asked Swulirha looking at her, pausing a second in his pacing. Swulirha nodded. Inckle resumed pacing and talking.

“If I came along, time would not be wasted, it is one thing no one has much of, these wakings on their side. Let me come with you.” Swulirha sighed. She thought back to when she had listened to Zetreh talk of how every chance one let slip by, Time grabbed and she destroyed in her greed for control.

“We leave at the crack of dawn. I think it better to pack a bit of herb, blankets and,” she gestured to Inckle, “The two of us shall search through the wreckage, the remains of the other cabin. Maybe we will find something of use. Clothes, warmer blankets… Come!”

Three men from Hurdar were wandering out in the cold weather far from home. On the hills’ edge when out of nowhere it was that they found themselves looking down at a distance where a small speck appeared to be moving at great speed toward the hill they stood on. The distance far to big to make out who or what it was that moved toward them, the three stood ready to cry war and call the rest of Hurdar to their aid if need arose but even as the three decided what they would do, the speck neared the foot of the hills and voices carried in the wind. The tallest of young men took command and voiced it so.

“The Commander of the hills demands that whoever you are, Stop!” Having assumed authority made him frightful and the other two beside him quivered.

“Oliukus, shall I go for help?” Urmier ventured a whispered question.

“Are you afraid Urmier? I shall have you know that if you fear with me in command, it is an insult!”

“He is not afraid great Oliukus,” Yesew assured the other putting on a brave face. “Urmier was just –”

“It does not matter… It approaches, the men of Hurdar are friends of no one, remember that!” Oliukus pointed at the speck that now clearly revealed two kinds of folk. The leader stepped up the foot of the hills and glanced up.

“Greetings Oliukus, commander of the hill folk!” At the stunned looks on the faces of the hill men, Xeira smiled. “We come in times of need and not to initiate war. Let us nearer, that is our request.” And without waiting for a sign of permission she began climbing, the others following in her wake.

Oliukus though fierce in appearance could not hide the astonishment at the mention of his name by this stranger. Surely these visitors could be friends of the enemy of the Hurdar men – Time or one of her allies, the men of Hurdar needed to prepare to defend their life and way of living it as it was.

He sent Urmier to alert the actual chief of the hill men Hurdernut the Strong and others across the hills that unfriendly intruders had set foot on their soil, sent no doubt by Time. Yesew gulped loudly beside the other.

“They appear not dangerous Oliukus. Do you really think they are?” The young commander gave his friend a sidelong glance, seriousness written in every line of his weather beaten face.

“Yes Urmier. I would not hold it against you if you call me ‘Commander’ but I will speak to Hurdernut if you do not. Would you like that?”

“N-no Commander.” Urmier shook his head.

“Good. Now follow my lead and speak and act only when I say so.” Oliukus stood his ground.

They watched as the others climbed, as the cold wind whipped at them relentlessly. First one to step in front of them was Xeira.

“Again I say to you Oliukus, greetings from me and my friends!”

Oliukus frowned, “The men of Hurdar accept no greetings from strange and threatening folk who come from nowhere it would appear.”

Kirestle stepped forward, her face flushed from the stinging cold, her eyes glaring. “Do you not know who you speak to?”

“Kirestle Redgate,” Xeira spoke calmly, “It is only fair this man asks what he needs to know. Time has turned Hurdar and its inhabitants from friendly to suspicious and hostile folk. Do not hold that against him.”

Xeira turned to Oliukus, “I am Xeira of the Aengomier, I am a Truole and these are my companions the Redgates. They are Gamhnurts from Wyoungthed.”

Oliukus paled slightly but held his ground. These folk could lie he thought, Xeira of the Kourass dwelled on a wrecked sail, she certainly would not walk great distances with three gamhnurts from the ever green Wyoungthed to just come and stand before him.

“The Truole Lady lives in a broken sail upon an empty, marshy Kourass” he spoke slowly and his eyes fixed on Xeira’s face. “And the gamhnurts do not leave their land to wander around these or any other parts outside Wyoungthed for pleasure. My point, what would they be doing here standing on the hills of Hurdar talking to the Commander of the hill men.”

Wully fought to keep control over his anger, Tesma had her eyes fixed on her feet, Kirestle looked from Xeira to the hill man until the Truole spoke.

“The ancient Kourass has returned to its old way, it floods the banks washing clean horrors of the past. Time has caressed Wyoungthed and the land withers. We are allies to Rieah the Wise One.”

Oliukus staggered from the impact of the words, tried to speak but words failed and his mouth moved noiselessly.

“Feel no shame, you are a man worthy of praise and of the title and post of ‘Commander’ if ever there is need of a new one for the Hurdar men. Much like your parents you are. Brave!” Xeira touched his arm lightly and everyone relaxed. “We have come to declare war against Time and all her allies and I wish to see Strong Hurdernut and speak with him of this. Lead me and my friends to him Oliukus, it is what the Wise One sent me here for.” Silently nodding assent, the hill man and his companion turned and walked away into the heart of the hills leading the others to their requested destination.

Stompsledge was abuzz even though the weather was harsh and dull. Behind every closed door folks knew of the sudden marriage of the much talked about couple. Though no one spoke it, every person knew what the wedding must mean. In the Hegleok household activity was at its height. Aliyha hurried forth and back seeing to the cleaning, and arrangement of the hall and living room and not forgetting the Council Room where the wedding ceremony was to take place. The chamber of the bride and groom was left to Brestuev to supervise its cleaning and redecoration, a bore of a task for a man but someone had to oversee it being done. Brestuev sat in one corner leafing through some old sheaves of ancient parchment that one of the maids had clearly taken out of the corner of a desk drawer. As he read the faded writings, his mind else where, Brestuev did not realize that what he held in his hands was a bundle of two lovers’ letters to each other from long before. If he had paid a bit of attention, Brestuev Hegleok would have seen the chamber held significant vestiges of an old romance between two highly passionate persons, a love interrupted, gone bad. But being human made it impossible for him to notice any of the things of such a nature that stared openly at those in the room. Aliyha had chosen this room so her daughter and her husband could share moments of quiet and peace. Little did she remember that this very room had been the one she had occupied a few nights after her marriage to Gregieo Hegleok, and long after their first child was born. The place where she told her beloved man who had followed her a long way from the ancient house on the Mount mountain through Fordust Creek and its woods, through yet more forests and lands until Gregieo Hegleok’s doorstep that she had decided to stay and was now wife of the most powerful man. An argument followed which had ended in a long kiss goodbye. That night had gone by slow but next morning Aliyha Slyionthe recalled it not and wandered out of the room thinking it very odd she had slept in a room which clearly was some kind of a storage place where maybe one of the maids slept in. Now as it was being cleaned the spirit of the woman that was left behind all the whiles ago awakened from her sleep and watched, waiting. The illusory man had said they would be together in only whiles after she awoke, his words held truth.

Dreke walked in the Council Room intending to talk to his mother about his and Brestuev’s attire for the fast nearing ceremony when, upon entering the he found her in a state. “Mother, what is it? What has gone wrong?”

Aliyha, her face ashen stood in the center of the grand room shaking from head to foot as if somehow the chill from outdoors had seeped inside the house through invisible cracks in the stone walls and tightly shut windows all concentrating in that one room. The hearth was alive with flame and the fire cast a glow around the entire place, indeed it was well decorated. What with the furniture cleaned and polished, the candle holders in every corner holding gold flames upon wax fingertips and Dreke noticed the huge pile of documents that normally never left their spot on the desk now were nowhere to be seen. The entire chamber looked marvelous but his mother did not. Walking towards her, Dreke cautiously touched her hand and came to stand in front of her.

“You look unwell mother, why do you not rest a bit. You have been awake since before dawn… There is no more to be done and even if there is,” he paused and held Aliyha’s face in his hands, “Brestuev and I shall see to it. Come, let me help you to your room, rest a while.”

Tears slid down the sides of Aliyha’s face, her lips moved and a slow sigh escaped her.

“Your father… How dearly I loved the man Dreke.” And her head drooped on his shoulder as she broke down.

“Mother, we all loved father and miss him.” He embraced her hard, “Father would not have wanted to see you this way, not today.” Aliyha lifted her eyes and stared at Dreke, a wild fire burning behind them and her next words were bizarre, making no sense to him at all.

“The time nears the moment when he and I unite again… he said this would happen and now, now I believe him!” her features appeared pained, somehow frail yet tough. To Dreke she felt a whole new and different person, a stranger.

“Mother! You are not making sense unless you are telling me you are about to breathe your last! Is that what you are saying?” he snapped more out of disbelief than anger. Aliyha started as if she had been in a deep sleep all the while, the wild look died to a distant glow in her eyes, which could have been the reflected firelight, and she smiled up at her son.

“I must be tired out of my mind… Forgive me Dreke dear, I have acted the part of an old woman, tired and overwhelmed on her only daughter’s wedding day. I am ashamed!” Her face turned away from his as she said this but her mind drifted to a place she could not quite recall and there, they were there… one had her very eyes and the other … they were so young, so small… they were calling to her, she, Aliyha shuddered at the thought, certainly she was indeed tired.

“—there is no need to apologize mother,” Dreke’s voice drifted toward her from nearby. “It would do you a bit of good to rest a little before the ceremony.”

She smiled again. “I think you are quite right, thank you son.” And she swept past him, her garments swishing.

“One thing before you leave mother,” Dreke held up two dress robes. One had a silk pair of cuffs and was a dull gray in color and the other a velvet pair of cuffs; this one was dark blue.

“Which of these would look their best on Brestuev and me, well me really?” Aliyha laughed and nodded, “Definitely the one you hold over that arm she pointed at the gray robe and Dreke sighed relief.

“Mother, I knew you would choose right!”

Several wakings had slipped by in the Wyoungthed wood. Myeopike and his Lady Reign grew closer by the moment. Indeed one waking after a meal of herb and fruit and honey, Reign said contentedly. “If you were to have a child with me, an heir to this grand hall and the woods so rich in youth, what name would you want your heir to have?”

Myeopike blinked rapidly and stared lovingly at her. “Myeopike thinks, if a dream such as the one you ask of could be true then it would be not one but two children, two heirs…” he let the thoughts drift for moments.

“Myeopike love, your dream is my reality. One of your, our child it is I carry. I have been uncertain of this for the past many wakings but now, this waking I am uncertain no more.” She walked toward him, wrapped her arms around the Spekai and smiled.

A painful feeling tugged at his heart as he hugged her back. The Wise One had spoken of this to him, had made him promise that until the child came to be, he would treat her as if the two of them were together, each other’s companions in a bond of love. He, Myeopike loved this fair Lady but she had been under a spell of unreality and when the spell lifted …

He had to play his part in the war against wrong doings of Time and faithful allies, he smiled slightly.

“When do you, my lovely Reign reckon the two halves of our hearts met within you?” She smiled and then turned away shyly.

“Myeopike, that is a matter to speak of within the bed chamber not the grand hall… if the birds were to hear!”

“They would not be surprised!” he chuckled and let her go stepping closer to the entrance of the hall, “I hold you dear and the life inside of you dearer still, I shall return with a name powerful as your compassion and beautiful as you are. Rest now, Myeopike will be back soon.”

The Wise One, he needed to see the Wise One.

The Wise One sat awaiting her friend the Spekai. Edsoniea had just told Myeopike they were going to have a child, their first born, she would not know it until later that it was not just one but two and that they were not anymore of Spekai blood as she was herself a human, a Hegleok. Poor Myeopike! Rieah sought council with her mind’s spirit, as she began pacing the length of The Tree.

Ermal and Zetreh were on the outskirts of Stompsledge when Ermal abruptly stopped. It took not a moment for Zetreh to realize what the other had done.

“Do you not wish to see your sister Cineon wed, Ermal? Or do you prefer camping out here, on the edge of this forest?” He asked.

Ermal frowned, “It is Edsoniea I wish to see more than anyone and anything else. It is her I wish to embrace and hold close to my heart again…it is my fault some strange creature has her!” He fell on his knees and wept.

“Do not point the tip of the sharp blade to your own heart young Hegleok. There are enough folk who soon will do just that, not to themselves but to one another. You too shall face the sharpened blade tip and even though you stand to win against the other, against your own self, you might lose.” Zetreh pulled Ermal to his feet, “Guilt in place of comfort is evil Time places high value on. Your sister is safe with Myeopike. The Spekais were noble and kind hearted. Sad, there is only one of them folk left. I say again, your sister is in caring hands, hands that belong to an unique creature who loves her deeply and who will let no harm come to her.” A smile, then, “Come, sundown is not far off.”

The two began trudging in the heavy snowfall and cold wind. Before too long they had come within sighting distance of the house.

“When I was growing up,” Ermal said, “I always dreamed I would be like father – just and kind. Look at me now.” He shuddered at the thought and fact of what he had become.

Zetreh laughed softly, “Do not judge yourself Ermal,” he said, “It is unwise to do so. Mistakes pave the way to righteous deeds.”

The young Hegleok looked at his companion for a long moment before saying, “It feels like my doings have paved the way to a –”

“Do not finish your say, I pray,” Zetreh cut him short, “You do not know yet but soon you will know what your part, your doing has played in this entire affair. Until that time comes, please do not judge yourself by what you have done. You are every bit like your father.”

They were just a few running steps from the house, “Will it not appear suspicious for the two of us to walk in together?” Ermal wanted to know.

“It is quite simple my friend,” Zetreh patted the other’s shoulder. “And I will show you.”

After the Folieke left Wyoungthed under dull skies they headed to Deituk’s hiding place. Winter had settled in lands and the sky hung threateningly overhead with clouds so gray and menacing, a snow and rain storm promised to break forth any moment Time decided to turn the already cold weather worse.

“Foliek Harfj, you are young and therefore need to maintain a quiet of respect while in the presence of Deituk the Cunning. Foliek Weulfoul and myself shall talk with him, he is cunning and you are inexperienced, you are unknown to his ways and that he will use to trick you into saying what might need not be said.”

Harfj replied bowing his head as he flew among with the rest. “I can be tricky myself Foliek Erwufj, I can lie to protect the truth but quiet I will remain. It is the Wise One’s wish and your command, fear not,” he looked up ahead, “I obey.”

They past over lands in various stages of winter and the on coming storm would prove deadly to many of these lands and their folk.

“Such is Time’s ambitious greed and hate to all that lives well in friendship and peace!” sighed Weulfoul as they soared high over a place where most homes were buried and crumbled under moulds of snow and ice. The women and children huddled together around feeble fires while men looked for food and built shelters as best they could of what remains they dug from under all the fallen snow. It was a pitiful site and the Folieke rose higher into cloudy skies; they neared the edge of all lands and soon would be swooping down before the entrance to Deituk’s place.

Oliukus and Yesew had led the Truole Lady and her friends a long way into the hills in a very short time span, seeing as they were all fast on their feet.

“Only a short way from the nearest cluster of dwellings, I myself live nearer to chief Hudernut’s home.” A sigh escaped Oliukus’ lips; he spoke more to himself then to the others. “A long while it has been since women have wandered across these ways…” Tesma quickly threw Kirestle who gave a nervous smile and Xeira a frightened look, Wully moved closer to her. Xeira’s face was calm and kindness was etched in her every word as she said in short rhymes what every heart in Hurdar felt.

“A man without his companion

Is a life of little hope,

The soil will say

Of how long it has been,

Since strong and delicate feet

Have strode this way.”

Her voice carried off and Oliukus glanced at his friends but neither said a word, they let the rhyme fill the air around them and Xeira’s voice caressed their hearts. On they walked, a second verse followed the first and this is how it went.

“Who of you

Can claim to remember,

Life, how it was

With ‘mother’ friend,

A sister’s love

And the touch of a lady’s hand?”

Now the group neared the cluster of dwellings, smoke could be seen curling up toward treetops.

“The men of these hills have forbidden themselves to think of such matters,” Oliukus murmured to no one in particular, his face sad. “It does none of us good, it is a matter of the long ago past.”

“Oliukus, Urmier must have alerted the men and Hurdernut—one of us should go to the chief first and tel—” Yesew never finished what he was saying, they had walked straight into a wall of men.

“Oh by my gamhnurt toes!” Tesma cried and Wully’s arm began to hurt where his sister’s grip tightened. Kirestle looked around at Xeira fear clear in her every breath. The Truole Lady however smiled. She had seen what none of the others had. Oliukus and Yesew talked rapidly in Hurdarel* to the others.

After what felt like a long time to the nurts, Oliukus turned to Xeira.

“Urmier, the man I sent to warn the chief has done well and so,” he gestured to the armed hill men, “They are here to take you four to the chief of the hills of Hurdar where Urmier and Strong Hurdernut await you.”

“What shall be our fate, at the hands of these – these…” Tesma wept and sank to the ground and Wully tried to keep both, his sister on one hand and his mother on the other from collapsing.

“Be strong, you are gamhnurt Ladies and Earth Protectors! Show it!” Wully whispered furiously to them. “How can we hope to ever find Inckle if you fear where there is nothing to fear?” Both looked at him stricken with shame. “Lady Truole is with us and she will let no harm come to us. Get up you two!”

Yesew who had overheard the rebuke now glanced at Oliukus who nodded. “They came with thought of fighting the enemy but when the words the Truole Lady spoke reached them… they want not to hurt you lot but wish to escort you, our friends, to the chief. Will you not come?”

Xeira smiled solemnly and took a step forward, her hands extended. She spoke softly.

“Ageless men of Hurdar

Faithful to the Wise One,

You are.

The moment draws near

To show whom you,

Truly do not fear!”

Slowly the wall of men split leaving a large gap for the Truole Lady and her companions to walk in, they did and both sides of men then surrounded the four. Oliukus walked in front of Xeira and Yesew behind Wully. Silently they trudged on toward the heart of Hurdar.

Hurdernut dwelled within a cave carved into the hillside by nature and Time. The cave was bare for most part but for a cot constructed crudely of wood from old tree branches. The hillside forests were what surrounded the clusters of the hill dwellers and wood was easy to come by.

Urmier paced restlessly, “This could be the end of our peace with the world,” he frowned deeply.

“Oliukus, when he sent me to you, he felt afraid…” The men of Hurdar, since the moment Time invaded their lives, they abandoned the use of surnames, which meant that they all lived as a large family. It was not surprising then that Hurdernut knew exactly whom Urmier spoke of.

“Oliukus is brave, he has his strength of mind and body and for certain,” the chief gestured to the surroundings at large, “He has the entire Hurdar with him, he has his father too.” A smile lightened the otherwise serious young old features of the chief.

Urmier was thoughtful; he bent low over a pile of wood and began lighting a blaze. It had begun to get cold as a wind started to blow.

“He would make a wonderful father if the situation was different—” Urmier murmured.

“Why do you speak in such a manner, like there shall be no wakings when that could happen?” Oliukus had appeared in the tiny clearing, behind him silent and calmly stood Xeira and the nurts and behind them Yesew. The men stood at a distance, heads bowed and down on one knee.

“Oliukus!” Urmier exclaimed relieved and surprised at the same time. “I do hope my feet carried me fast enough to the chief and that I spoke correctly of the predicament you were faced with.” He nodded toward the strangers, a look of dislike on his face.

“Indeed you were quick Urmier, you see me unharmed as Yesew there,” affirmed Oliukus stepping forward and patting his friend’s shoulder. “It would seem my worry was fruitless though,” he turned to the chief, greeted him with a nod.

“Chief, I bring to you four friends of the Wise One.” Oliukus swept his hand in the direction of the four. “Lady Truole and the three Redgates. They are gamhnurts – Earth Protectors from Wyoungthed.”

To them he said, “Chief Hurdernut the Strong and also my father.”

Before Xeira could speak, Hurdernut acknowledged their presence. “And how do we know for certain you are who you say you are, pray?”

“There is not a thing my friends here and I can do to prove to you, Strong Hurdernut that we are not Time’s allies,” Xeira spoke, an amused look on her face.

“It appears however that you, chief of the Hurdar men have over looked a detail…” Hurdernut smiled despite of the seriousness of affairs. “And what might I have overlooked Lady Truole?” Urmier snorted but said not a word.

“Fool!” it was Wully who had stepped to the front in anger, keeping silent had cost him every ounce of patience and now all of it had drained out, he had to have his say.

”Do you think for a precious moment Time’s allies would not have killed all these men and you by now? Think, chief of Hurdar men, think!”

“Wully Redgate! This man has his reasons for his mistrust. Apologize, companion!” said Xeira not unkindly, her eyes gleamed, the corners of her mouth twitched as she suppressed a smile.

“I have just one answer I seek from you Strong chief of Hurdar, that, you may find in it the very answer you seek from us."

Wully said seriously.

No one spoke, even Xeira looked at the nurt who a moment earlier she had rebuked, it felt she had somehow misjudged him all this time. There was a certain firmness in his voice as he said not disrespectfully, “Tell us Strong Hurdernut, if we were friends of Time,” “Yes,” Hurdernut leaned forward frowning in concentration, “Would we be standing here amidst you and all these men asking you this question? Of all the folk that have survived Time’s birth and first strike I would think the men of Hurdar would know of her quickness and merciless way in which she strikes… Was I wrong or are you simply strong and silly?” Wully breathed. “And now, I apologize for calling you a ‘fool’, do accept my apology…” he bent down in the manner of the Hurdar men behind.

A hush fell on the tiny clearing at the entrance of the cave, the men were still on their knees way back for Hurdernut had not noticed them and had certainly not dismissed them. Tesma and Kirestle stared from one to the other face surrounding them but none showed signs of noticing them stare. Every pair of eyes stared at the ground or at their owners’ feet. Xeira alone never took her eyes off of Hudernut’s face. Finally, Tesma and her mother resolved that they would stare at Wully instead of at the ground or their stocking clad feet.

Silence followed for long moments until somebody cleared their throat, Wully slowly looked up chancing a glance.

“I have been a fool,” it was Hurdernut who spoke. Wully bowed his head again a thin smile lighting his face.

“Step forward Wully Redgate, I wish to see you when I say this.”

Wully did not need telling more than once. Getting to his feet he walked over to where Hurdernut stood and faced him. The chief of Hurdar men studied the nurt with a respectful expression.

“Praises to Rieah the Wise! Your words were proof of her presence in her creation. I thank you for speaking those words Wully Redgate, Earth Protector.” Hurdernut clasped a hand on Wully’s shoulders.

“The men of Hurdar are honoured by your coming, and yours as well Lady Xeira Aengomier of the Truoles,” he then turned to look at Tesma and Kirestle, “Lady Redgate and her daughter, please pardon my not mentioning you two, your presence is just as esteemed for you are Rieah’s children and the men of these hills have been great friends of the Wise One for wakings uncountable.”

Kirestle and Tesma moved toward the front where Oliukus stood.

Xeira stepped gracefully closer to the chief of Hurdar men, a smile she wore as she said. “You are not called ‘Strong Hurdernut’ for silliness my friend. May we now talk of matters concerning the reason that brought us to you and your men, Time waits not for either of us.”

The chief nodded in agreement and turning led the way into the cave. Over his shoulder he said to Oliukus, “Come with us my son, Yesew and Urmier too shall join us.” And upon reaching the mouth of the cave he turned, addressing the army of kneeling men he said, “Go to your homes men of Hurdar, you shall be called upon soon enough.” Then he was gone inside the cave, followed by Xeira and the nurts, Oliukus, Yesew and Urmier.

Just as they had entered the cave, Hurdernut said, “Tell me Lady Aengomier, speak to me of your journey before we talk of anything else. Has Time swung a blow on lands from where you come?”

Xeira settled on the cot while the three nurts gathered by a small fire, which Yesew had built for them.

“Very well,” said Xeira calmly. “That shall be a better way to bring about the talk of such unpleasantness as Time.” Seated on the floor at Xeira’s feet Hurdernut and the three Hurdar men gazed eagerly up into the Truole Lady’s face, they waited for her to start speaking and she knew it.

“The tale of our journey is harsh, do not look so eager to hear it my valiant friends for even the bravest may lose heart when they hear of the horrors Time is capable of.” Xeira said to them in a way that made them shudder.

There was a murmur and Oliukus said, “Lady Aengomier forgets that the men of Hurdar live the horror of a companionless life which Time has bound by agelessness. We fear not a thing more than our lonely selves. Tell us of your journey.”

Wully had moved away from the fire and stood now close to the cot. Tesma and her mother too left the fireside and came to sit beside Xeira.

“We left Wyoungthed early two Hurdar wakings ago, it was harsh weather that followed us and the desolation, a constant reminder of Time’s control over their land and beyond.” The Truole Lady stopped talking, standing she walked to the further side of the cave. Hurdernut sighed.

“Surely such people as yourselves - the gamhnurts stand as one army. Where are the others from your land?” he asked the nurts who in turn looked at Xeira.

“Only few remain. Wyoungthed has nearly perished but for a handful of Gamhnurts, Rieah’s beloved land and her children have faded from Time’s sudden assault.” She answered, her voice and the impact of her words cutting through Hurdernut’s heart like a jagged blade.

“No life remains, no homes stand. The earth ages rapidly in Wyoungthed land.” These words were met by a stunned silence and fear from the Hurdar men and by quiet sobbing from Tesma and Kirestle, Wully fought back tears but they leaked out of the corners of his eyes anyway.

“To wipe an entire land clean, almost clean is an insult to life.” Urmier mused aloud, resentful. “It is frightful but these deeds deserve not fear,” he looked at the others, “Such doings call for rebellion!”

“Yes!” came the chorus agreement from the other men but the chief and the four visitors were silent, thinking. It was Tesma who broke the quiet.

“Only Rieah can fight Time.” she said and turned to the Truole Lady who nodded. Tesma then got to her feet, stepping close to the fire she began to speak.

“And to find Rieah the Wise we need to find Inckle Vilksumer, Earth Protector and the chosen nurt.” Tears flowed freely down her face now, “He is her most beloved and once I was his dearest until I chose to lose faith in him. How I regret it now!” Tesma broke down and wept, Wully rushed to her side.

“Inckle is a champion not just of a game challenge but of our hearts too! The Wise One must be found but only by Inckle Vilksumer before it is too late…” He seemed unable to go on and Xeira walked over to them.

“Leave us now. My dear Redgates, take yourselves around to the back of this cave, there you shall find what food we brought. Have your share…” she turned her attention to the whispering behind them, “I will come to you in a while.”

When the nurts had left Xeira walked back to the cot and sat, the whispering ceased. “You have heard but part of what is an endless tale… Five nurts have departed from Wyoungthed long wakings before this one in an effort to find Inckle Vilksumer.”

The men listened intently. The fire dimmed, a cool breeze blew inwardly and Yesew got up so as to replenish the firewood but was stopped.

“Let the fire die. Very soon you and I shall be plunged into Time’s cold grasp with nothing but the strength of our hearts and the hearts of those out there trying to fight Time’s horrors.” Yesew slumped back down. He trembled visibly. “What is special about this Inckle Vilksumer, apart from the fact that Wise Rieah—” The chief was cut short by the sight of Xeira holding up her hand.

“The Earth Protector is her child no less than the other nurts but more than all of Wyoungthed weighed together, she loves him most.”

The men continued to appear confused. “You do know the tale, old tale of the Wise One and her great love the guardian of rain and sun, do you not men of Hurdar?”

They nodded and Oliukus said, “Surely there is no truth to it…it is a story.”

Xeira stood so suddenly that her wave spun garments rippled, a rough river before their eyes. “You dare mock the past of an entire race? You say you are Rieah’s allies, when none of you believe her past!”

Hurdernut gave his son a scalding look, “Pardon my son’s foolish say Lady Aengomier,” he touched the hem of her garment, a gesture of pleading. “I believe the tale to be true.”

“Teach him to believe it too then for not knowing what is true is critical.”

Hurdernut the Strong bowed to these words, “Yes.”

Xeira moved to the cave’s entrance. “Inckle is compassion, he is love and Rieah’s first born,” she turned to the men and looked straight at Oliukus, “Rieah loves him in much the same way as your mother loved you.” Xeira went on, “Only he shall be the one to find her for it is in him, the secret whereabouts of his mother. Am I correct in thinking that you understand what I am saying?” Oliukus averted his gaze saying nothing.

Walking back toward the nearly extinguished fire she said, “I have known for a very long time the secrets none know… I am here to ask the men of Hurdar to stand as you stand now. You are Rieah’s army, her own people have perished and few remain. When the moment nears,” she breathed slow and her eyes glistened, “The fight shall be your strength’s judge.”

“Hurdar men shall not fail Rieah the Wise.” Strong Hurdernut spoke with assertion.

“Very well,” Xeira said, “Rest now and send message to the others to do the same while time permits. We will talk again soon when you shall accept or decline on behalf of all Hurdar your part as Rieah the Wise One’s allies.”

They were resting after a quick meal of herb and to quench what little thirst they felt, they had chewed on a handful of falling hailstones. All was silent and under the blankets they were under, the nurts dreamed of bright wakings in ageless Wyoungthed. Behind each pair of sleeping eyes each saw what to them was precious.

Meanwhile, the men of Hurdar in their small homes rested too. No man had spoken since the moment they had left the chief’s cave, each one’s thoughts revolved around the sight of the four strangers, more than that each man could not get out of his mind’s eye the loveliness of the three ladies. Long whiles it had been since the feet of a woman had touched the soil of Hurdar hills and its earth reawakened and breathed. Oliukus dreamed as he slept at the mouth of the cave. He saw his mother…dark and tough looking but kind in heart and caring. He knew, even in his slumber, knew he would fight to destroy the one who took his dear mother away.

Lady Aengomier rested not a bit, instead she wandered over the hills and in and out of every cluster, every simple home seeing every dream, sensing every emotion. She smiled as she headed back to the nurts, soon the hills would awaken.

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