The Journey of the Marked (The Miyran Heir Book 1) (25 page)

A flibbit. A blasted flibbit. The
marked ones possessed a flibbit!

Gornith stood rock-still, arms
crossed, legs stiff and slightly apart, watching his men attempt to move the
boulders now blocking their path. He relished the hunt, anticipating the
movements of his prey. What he had failed to anticipate was a flibbit. He
berated himself for his mistake. His men enjoyed a hunt, enjoyed a kill. In
this instance, they had allowed themselves too much time, and that stalling
tactic had cost them dearly.

A large boulder rocked precariously
at the top of the wall of boulders, as his men worked to loosen rocks that lay
lower on the wall. Two men acted as spotters and alerted others to the risk. Moments
later, the boulder rocked away from the wall, balanced on the edge of the
boulder below it for a few seconds, then toppled down the side of the wall. The
men jumped out of the way in every direction. As the boulder fell, small and
midsized rocks loosened and fell with it. The dust settled, leaving a gradual
slope to the boulder wall. A few more similar efforts and they could climb over
the wall. Gornith scanned his men, noting none were seriously hurt. He nodded
as an indication they should resume the work.

Gornith loathed the markings Lady
Anyamae placed. Destroying all of the marked would appease him, though this was
unlikely to ever happen. As a child, his father had taught him the evils of the
old Miyran alliance. Long before the arrival of the Miyrans, the Graeliths had
lived on Zolei for centuries. This was their world. The Miyrans had presented a
strong case for settling on part of the planet rarely used by the Graeliths and
protecting the world from reckless species that would plunder its wealth. While
the Graeliths prided themselves on their hunting skills, they lacked knowledge
of worlds beyond their own and accepted the Miyrans’ assistance. What a mistake
that was! More and more species landed on Zolei and spread across the land. Granted,
they remained in a fairly small portion of the planet, but it was only a matter
of time before that changed. The Miyrans promoted peace and acceptance, yet
almost every species loathed his own. The Graeliths were considered beasts, at
best.

Another boulder crashed down the
wall, creating a cascading effect along the left side and a gradual incline
that would finally allow them to climb over the wall. As the dust settled, they
identified two men with injuries. Gornith scowled, as one of the injured was
his only warrior with the skill to shoot an arrow. The man insisted he could
continue, not wanting to miss the fight. Not knowing what perils lay ahead of
them, Gornith decided the risk of losing the warrior was too great. He selected
his four weakest men to ensure the two injured ones returned safely home. The
remainder of the group loaded their gear and began the climb over the rock
wall.

Gornith then focused his attention
on the task at hand. This group of marked ones, their prey, must not be
underestimated. He must locate and kill them before they reached the protection
of the training camp. Anything less equaled failure.

The marked ones walked swiftly
through the cave, using the light from their electric torches to guide the way.
While the cave walls were smooth, the floor and ceiling prickled with
stalagmites and stalactites, which required caution and careful progress. Tip’s
agility allowed him to skirt the obstacles without much difficulty. The others
in the group, particularly Azetan, found their legs and arms nicked and
scratched many times over.

“Ow!” Azetan exclaimed as he
brushed against another rock, ripping a hole in his pants and pricking his skin
once again. “Slow down,” he called to Tip. “These rocks are like razors.”

Tip paused and looked back at the
group moving slowly behind him, surprised to see they were at least forty feet
back. He crossed his arms and waited, thinking not for the first time that he
was hardly the weakest link in the group after all. While the others might have
strong fighting skills, he possessed survival skills and right now those skills
were definitely a strength. He watched Azetan attempting to negotiate around a
large rock in the middle of the cave floor, his bulky, muscular frame hardly a
benefit in such a cramped space. Tip was equally gratified to see Kenrya also
struggled among the rock, while Prizene floated effortlessly through the cave. Eros
was somewhere in the back of the group and out of his sight; Tip hoped he was
finding the path manageable. Once the others reached him, Tip turned around and
started again through the cave at a swift pace Azetan could never maintain. Azetan
swore beneath his breath and Tip smiled to himself as he sped along.

Despite their differences, Tip
truly belonged with this group. His skill with the rope had helped them several
times, his endurance saved Spike, who was now a highly revered part of their
team, and the others even laughed at his jokes. After his brothers had been marked,
Tip stopped spending time with his friends. They visited the house from time to
time, but the time he spent with them felt forced and awkward.

Tip felt a catch in his throat and
he slowed his pace.

For the last four years since Sri
was marked, he had avoided his friends and others in Kentish. Now he enjoyed
laughing again. He actually missed home less than he did just days before. Yes,
this was where he belonged.

After what seemed to be hours, a
faint light appeared ahead. While Tip had enjoyed his jaunt in the cave, his
stomach now rumbled loudly and he hoped they would soon find themselves back in
the forest where they could prepare something to eat. He shifted around a large
rock and walked quickly toward the light. He reached the lighted area to find
there was no exit at all, only a large crack in the rock ceiling about two feet
across and one foot thick, extending through to the daylight. He switched off
his electric torch and peered upward through the crack. The sun shone brightly
overhead, meaning despite the time in the cave, it was not long after midday.

“What do you see?” Azetan called
from farther inside the cave.

Tip answered absent-mindedly, while
still focusing on the light, “A crack in the cave that extends to the top of
the mountain. Sunlight filters through, but I don’t see an exit yet.”

Azetan swore again and Tip supposed
this wouldn’t be the last time. He wondered if Kenrya carried enough medical
supplies to treat the Plinte. He chuckled to himself, until a shadow moved
across the opening above. The movement was too quick to be a person walking
overhead. He moved his head to different positions, trying to see more clearly.
Then another shadow flitted across the opening, moving in the opposite
direction. Perhaps it was a circling bird or a transport vessel, though the
latter was less likely, given its size.

As he continued staring into the
light, Azetan reached his side. “Anything interesting?”

Tip shook his head, while still
peering through the crack. “Only something circling overhead. A bird, I think.”
Azetan joined Tip and looked through the opening. Tip pointed when the shadow
passed again. “There. Did you see it?”

“Yes,” Azetan replied, “too large
to be a normal bird. As many times as it has circled, I think it might be one
of the Graeliths’ hunting fanes. They’re tracking birds, larger than any bird
you’ve seen before
–
massive claws and sharp beaks. Their eyes can follow prey both night and day. They
hunt for us.”

Tip continued to look through the
opening, hoping Azetan couldn’t see his hands shaking. “Well, guess it’s good
we’re in the cave.”

“We’ll have to exit sooner or
later.” Azetan looked closely at Tip. “Hopefully the forest cover will help
shield us from their sight.”

Tip nodded in agreement, flipped
his electric torch to light and proceeded through the cave with less enthusiasm
than before.

After navigating the cave a short
distance farther, Tip turned to the others. “I think we should stop and eat. I
see nothing but darkness ahead.”

With no response except for some
sounds of disappointment, Tip found a large enough space for them to unload
their packs and started removing the supplies. The others joined him and began
unloading their packs as well.

Eros arrived last and continued a
short distance beyond them. He flicked off his electric torch and stared into
the darkness ahead of them. “Wait. I see an exit.”

Tip looked in the same direction. “Eros,
there’s nothing there but more darkness.”

“You’re right,” Eros agreed,
causing Tip to raise his eyebrows. “We seem to have reached the darkest part of
the forest. The old men said it would take two days, but perhaps either the sun
has set or we’ll walk one day in the dark of the forest. Either way, I see the
trees.”

Kenrya joined him, staring into the
darkness. “I can’t see them, but preparing food outside the cave will be
easier. Let’s continue a little farther.”

“Wait!” Tip held his arms waist
high and patted the air. “We saw something circling through the crack in the
cave roof. Azetan thought possibly hunting fanes. Maybe we should eat inside
first so we’re less exposed.”

“Fair point.” Kenrya nodded in
agreement. “Let’s grab a quick bite, then keep moving.”

Eros agreed. Still, had Kenrya just
acknowledged Tip? Perhaps she had a change of heart after their talk last night.
Stranger things had happened, though he doubted her current positive mood would
last.

After eating, they gathered their
packs. They flicked their electric torches to light again and continued through
the cave. Eros led the way with Tip right behind him. With each step, his
ability to navigate the cave without the torch improved. A breeze rustled his
hair. He inhaled the moist, warm air. The end of the cave was near.

The ground began to grow softer
under Eros’s feet, indicating that they must have exited the cave. He took a
few more steps, then stopped to assess their surroundings. He was amazed how
little the light varied between the forest and the cave; here in the darkest
part of the forest, only a small gleam of sunlight pierced the canopy and bounced
off the rock wall behind them. The ground beneath the forest canopy showed not
an inch of light. The trees growing here stood far more massive than before
with twisted, gnarled trunks, like angry warriors poised for battle. The limbs
curled from the trunks in a disorderly mass and hung heavily toward the ground,
as though ready to snatch an unsuspecting passerby. The roots dipped in and out
of the ground, toppling over one another and covering the barren ground.

Eros sensed an evil in this place. The
darkness posed no concern for him, but he feared something else lurked there
among the trees. The others had joined him and they all stood staring into the
forest. He glanced around, noticing a second path running to his right along
the rock wall.

“Let’s go.” Kenrya declared. “The
Graeliths still hunt us. We should use the rock fall to our advantage and stay
well ahead of them.”

She started down the steep path
into the forest, when Eros stopped her. “No. We shouldn’t travel that way. There’s
a second path here to the right. This is the path we should take.”

Kenrya looked up at Eros and let
her eyes follow the path he wanted to take. “The old men told us to travel into
the darkest part of the forest. That path leads us this way.” She pointed into
the dark forest. “While the path may not look welcoming, it’s our path to
follow.”

Eros shook his head, as much for
himself as for the others. “No. I feel ... evil lingering there, calling to
us.” He closed his eyes and grimaced. “I’m telling you, we must turn away from
that path and follow the other.”

Prizene glanced first to Eros, then
Kenrya, and suggested, “Maybe the pendant can guide us? I know we’re uncertain
of its power, but the men gave it to us for a reason.”

Kenrya crossed her arms and started
tapping her foot impatiently. Eros removed the pendant from his pocket,
unwrapped it, and placed it in his palm. As before, the pendant began to glow. He
placed the cloth back in his pocket and covered the top of the pendant with his
other hand. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the emotions rushing at him. A
barrage of images, feelings, and thoughts hurled themselves through his mind. He
tried to understand them, but he only sensed a jumbled mass, which confused
him. Then he tried a different strategy. He concentrated on the path running
along the rock wall and almost immediately, he sensed an irresistible force
pulling him in that direction. Next he focused on the dark forest and he felt
crushed under the force of danger that raced through his mind. He quickly
opened his eyes and dropped the pendant on the ground. His breathing was rapid,
his brow wet with sweat. He removed the cloth from his pocket with shaking
hands and carefully collected the pendant, storing it once again safe from
harm.

*******

Hail, the mighty Eros!
Kenrya
stood scornfully with hands on her hips. She was growing weary of entertaining
him, accommodating his every whim. And what words of wisdom would he now share,
to which the group would bow? Finally she prodded, “Well?”

Eros’s eyes held a glint of fear
the others had not yet witnessed before. “The forest is treacherous. We must
take the second path.”

Naturally, he would use the pendant
to sway the others. Why he chose this moment to ignore the old men baffled her,
but this was ridiculous. She’d had enough! Kenrya walked back up to the rock
ledge and stood directly in front of Eros. “The mighty Eros has spoken, but his
words convey only his own weaknesses and fears. The old men told us to go into
the darkest part of the forest and that lies ahead of us!” She threw her arm
out in the direction of the forest. “Take the second path, if you will, but I
won’t be led by your fear.” She turned on her heel and started back down the
slope toward the forest. She looked back at Azetan, knowing he was the greatest
asset of the three remaining. “Will you follow the easy path as well?”

Azetan looked toward the forest and
then back at Eros. He hiked his pack securely on his back and slowly followed
Kenrya down the path leading into the forest. She glanced at the other two,
raising her eyebrows indicating they could join. Then she turned with
confidence and strode into the forest with Azetan at her back.

Eros sighed and turned to face
Prizene and Tip. “You have the right to make your own choice. Will you travel
with me or with them?”

Tip swallowed hard as he thought
about entering the forbidding forest. For the most part, he thought Eros had
made the far wiser decision. He glanced at Prizene, who seemed to have reached
the same conclusion. Tip replied, “I’m with you, Eros. While I don’t possess
the ability to sense danger, the forest frightens me. I prefer the second
path.”

Prizene agreed, “I do, as well. I
only hope, for the others’ sake, that your feelings are wrong.”

Eros nodded in agreement. Tip once
again took the lead, with Eros in the rear. They began picking their way along
the path that hung close to the rock wall.