The Destiny of Amalah (84 page)

Chapter 29

Things were going well for the six young men and they felt as though they were on top of the world. In many ways they were: they were in the prime of their lives and they were becoming more powerful as each day passed.

The six men and their dark army had left Basimine with an abundance of food and materials and they intended to spend the winter in the snowy mountains of Equer, resting, recovering, feasting and making weapons and supplies and then training their army, so that they would be ready to ride through Equer, Parades, Lansten and then to Amalah.

Once there they would bring the people of the nation to their knees and any of the powers that were still alive at the end would also be on their knees. Rakan liked to think of the moments when he would rule from Amalah and Amara and everyone else would yield to his will. He could picture it in his head so clearly and so vividly and the vision pleased him so.

When the army entered Equer Cador arranged for the soldiers to guard the nation’s perimeter. They left behind four hundred soldiers to guard against any of the Empresses’ guard making any surprise visits or attacks. They left them some food and supplies and clear instructions and when the soldiers had their orders and the guard was set up; Rakan, Rufus, Waldon, Kenaz, Luxor and Bryce led their army into the heart of Equer.

Equer was a mass of snow covered mountains and caves and at the foot of some of the mountains stood forests that were mostly made up of snow covered pine trees, all the trees in Equer were tall and each and every one of them was covered in snow. To me, Equer was majestic in a way and so were the people. Not because they had airs and graces or regarded themselves as regal, it was the opposite in fact. They were a warm, decent and humble people and that is what gave them that sense of majesty.

It was a brutal winter in Equer, the most brutal winter there had ever been. The snowfall was heavier, the winds were fiercer and there seemed to be more ice than anyone had ever remembered. As Rakan and the others led their army deeper into Equer the soldiers soon showed their discontent at having to walk and labour through such conditions; morale was low and resentment and frustration was common.

Many wanted to part company with Rakan and the others but they were too scared to do so and so they carried on grudgingly. They wondered if they would survive the terrains and cold of Equer and they wished to be back in Basimine where the weather was pleasant and there was plenty of food, water and shelter.

Waldon, Kenaz and Cador could see that the soldiers were losing the will to go on and so they marched with them and encouraged them and did more than their fair share of the carrying. They knew that the journey was a harsh one, they felt it too but they were going ahead regardless; they would not stop until they reached they reached their destination and they would not let their soldiers stop either.

‘I feel their discontent,’ Rufus said to Rakan.

‘As do I.’ said Rakan.

‘Will they all make it?’

‘They do not have much of a choice,’ Rakan said dryly. ‘They can give up and die in the mountains or they can go on, where the end is in sight.’

‘Why do we push them so hard?’ Bryce asked.

‘If they can survive Equer then they can survive anywhere,’ Rakan said. ‘We soldier in these conditions on purpose, not least because it gives us time to prepare but also because it tests the mettle and resolve of the soldiers.’

‘They are faring well,’ Rufus said, turning to look behind him.

‘Better than I expected, although there are a few who persistently whine –but that is to be expected,’ said Rakan.

‘Indeed,’ Rufus said, looking at his friend and smiling slightly. ‘Still, I wonder how they would have fared if we had taken them over Qomolangma.’

‘Not well at all,’ replied Rakan.

Rakan, Rufus, Waldon and Kenaz, Bryce and Luxor soldiered on with their army in tow. Eventually they came to the foot of a snow-covered mountain that had a complex network of caves that was characteristic of Equer. The six men and Cador patrolled the mountains and they found that the four northern most mountains were not only empty but suitable for their needs. After inspecting them closely they decided that this was where they and there soldiers would settle. Once again, Cador began giving orders and organising the army and soon, the soldiers were settling into their assigned caves and organising their supplies.

The caves varied in size and housed between two and five soldiers in each one. They had clearly been dug out many years ago and they were spread all throughout the mountains. The caves had been designed well for they had an intricate web of contained fireplaces with crude but effective chimneys that allowed the smoke form the small fires to rise up and escape through the mountains and into the air.

The soldiers set small fires in their caves and began to warm themselves; soon the whole army was settled in to the northern most mountains. As each cave was occupied and a fire was lit in each one the mountain began to warm up.

The six young men took caves at the top of the northern most mountains and settled themselves in. The soldiers were now glad to be settled in their new location, for the journey through Equer had nearly broken many of them and had made many more thoroughly miserable.

By night time the soldiers were warmed through and well nourished and their morale had been boosted and once again Cador had stood his soldiers down for two days and two nights and they greeted the news with roars and cheers and claps. After dinner some of the soldiers ventured around the mountain or in and out of each other’s caves to share stories or just talk but many simply retired and slept through to the next morning.

At the end of the two days and two nights rest the soldiers were put to work again, but they were happy that they could work from the warmth of their cave and as such they set to work. They utilised the materials they had carried from Basimine and made clothes, shoes, boots and weapons. Sometimes a party would go into the forest and collect wood and they would spend their time chopping and distributing it for firewood or making arrows.

As the days, and then weeks went by the army was well clothed and fully armed and equipped to travel through any weather and terrain. They spent the rest of the time sharpening and practising with their weapons of choice and improving their fighting skills. Waldon, Kenaz and Cador spent much time with them training them and guiding them. It was hard work but they were enjoying their time in Equer now and they were all eager to learn for they wished to stay alive for as long as possible.

Rufus, Rakan, Luxor and Bryce practised their magic and as their power grew, the darker their magic became. At the end of the day the six men would eat together and make plans for themselves and their soldiers. Sometimes Cador would join them and other times he would spend his time with the soldiers. One evening as the six were taking dinner in the cave they became aware of a noise around them. The noise grew louder and louder and soon a man’s voice could be heard.

‘I thought we were in the top caves,’ Kenaz said.

‘We are,’ said Luxor.

‘Then what is that?’ Rakan asked, getting to his feet.

He reached for his sword and made his way out of the cave. The others stood up and followed him out into the darkness. They were all surprised by what they saw. There in the dark night they saw another cave with a glowing light.

‘Another cave!’ Bryce said, incredulously.

‘But how?’ Kenaz asked. ‘That cave was not there when we arrived.’

They heard laughing and then an old man spoke:

‘The cave was here when you arrived, long before you arrived – and I suspect it will be here long after you have gone.’

‘Who is there?’ Waldon asked.

‘Just an old man,’ the voice replied in a friendly tone.

‘Then show yourself old man,’ said Rakan.

‘Very well,’ the old man said, as he appeared out of the cave and stepped in front of Rakan and the others.

‘Who are you?’ Rakan asked.

‘I am Maddox,’ the man replied; ‘and who are you?’

‘I am Rakan.’

‘Yes you are aren’t you?’ Maddox replied.

Rakan gave the old man a strange look and then stared past him at the newly appeared cave.

‘Why was your cave hidden?’

‘I saw you all come,’ Maddox said. ‘Equer does not get many visitors, not in these parts and not at this time – certainly not this many. I thought perhaps I would remain out of sight.’

‘Why come out now?’ Kenaz asked.

‘Why not?’ Maddox asked, before he gave a wry smile to the warrior before him.

Kenaz gave the man a strange look also and he also raised an eyebrow.

‘How did you survive?’ Waldon asked.

‘The cave has much to offer and when I needed anything, I usually acquired it in the dead of night. You all sleep so soundly,’ Maddox said, quite amused at the thought of them sleeping. ‘The question is, why are you here? You look like an army and yet, you are not of the Empress’s guard.’

‘No, we are not,’ Waldon replied.

‘And yet you have an army – why?’

‘They are not of the Empresses’ guard
yet
,’ Rakan answered.

‘So they will be?’ Maddox asked.

‘The armies will become one,’ Rakan said.

‘Is there trouble in Amalah?’ Maddox asked.

‘Not yet,’ said Rakan.

‘How long will you be staying?’

‘A while.’

‘And how long will a while be?’

‘A winter.’

‘Quite,’ said Maddox.

‘There is no need to fear us Maddox,’ Waldon said.

Maddox laughed softly. ‘I don’t fear you.’

Rakan nodded and smiled at the old man; he was quite odd but he liked him nevertheless. ‘It is good to meet you Maddox,’ Rakan said, walking towards him and extending his hand out.

Maddox took it and shook it. ‘It is good to meet you too – all of you.’

Maddox looked at the six young men and wondered what had brought them to Equer. He felt no uneasiness in them and so he relaxed and welcomed them into his cave.

If the six men were surprised by the sight of the new cave; they were even more surprised by what they saw inside. The cave was carpeted with thick rugs and fully furnished with beautifully crafted draws and dressers and a bed. They were taken aback by the size of the cave as it seemed to stretch far back into the mountain. It was separated into three parts; holding a bedroom, a lounge and a store room with a stone cooker.

‘It’s incredible,’ said Luxor.

‘Thank you,’ said Maddox.

‘How have you managed to transform the cave in this way?’ Kenaz asked.

‘I have been here for quite sometime now. You gather things with age.’

‘How do you keep it hidden?’ Rakan asked.

‘Magic – old magic,’ Maddox said with a twinkle in his eyes.

‘Why are you the only one in this mountain?’ Luxor asked, out of curiosity.

‘Many did not want to spend the winter so far north; for they knew that this winter was going to be the bitterest they had ever known. Some have gone to the other mountains further south and many more have left Equer.’

‘But you stayed?’ Kenaz asked again.

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Why?’

‘I have been to many places, seen many things, loved and lost and raised a family. That was my prime, now I wish for solitude and familiarity – they are constants and that is what I wish.’

‘Then we are disturbing you?’ Rakan asked, as he ushered everyone out and he and Maddox followed.

‘No you are not disturbing me; people come and go in these parts. The mountains belong to no one and yet they are inhabited by anyone. Stay for as long as you like.’

‘Thank you,’ Rakan said. ‘If you need anything from us Maddox, just ask.’

‘Thank you young man, but I don’t think so. I can get up and down these mountains quicker than many of your soldiers and I know where to find food and water.’

‘Well the offer is there.’

‘Thank you,’ Maddox said looking directly at Rakan.

‘Now I will bid you goodnight and return to my home,’ Maddox said as he turned on his heel and walked back into cave that was still glowing with a warm amber light that looked inviting to all who saw it.

Maddox entered his cave and turned to face the six men who stared back at him. He raised his arm and waved at them and as Rakan raised his arm to arm to wave back, Maddox had disappeared from sight and so had the cave. All they could see was hard mountain stone that seemed to make up the rest of the mountain.

‘Curious man,’ said Rakan.

‘Curious magic,’ Luxor replied.

‘Indeed,’ agreed Rufus.

The six men returned to the cave where they had been dining and resumed their conversation; they talked of Maddox for a while before they moved onto other things and they talked of home and what life was like for them growing up. They talked of change, of how things used to be, how they were now and how they would be. They talked of Adriel and they talked of their plans. They sat in the cave for hours talking, laughing and drinking until the early hours of the morning until they retired to bed.