The truth is, we don’t sense any love for his wife from him. It will certainly make life less complicated if he is happy to go off and make a new life for himself.
As the Kabetu Cherinians arrived, we learnt that they already knew about the return of Ofkertis and though many were awed and wanted a glimpse of him before being taken to the Sparkler World, some deeply resented him. Those were the ones who had lost loved ones whom they believed deserved a second chance more than Ofkertis does. They might be right, but this has not been about Ofkertis, not at any stage; this has been about freeing Kiris of a guilt that could sour a part of his soul.
Campbell made a quick visit on-planet so as to leave with a clear conscience. Arriving Kabetu brought enough food to feed those visiting in Freddie (most will be in the Sparkler World and will not need food) as we did not want to dedicate more food machines for a temporary need. When Kiris confirmed that all his Cherinians have arrived, Freddie jumped to another reality for us to sleep in comfort. The next morning, he waited for us to enjoy our breakfast before jumping to the dream mountain planet.
Only those who had been with us the previous time jumped to the forest. After we have warned our hosts of the Kabetu visitors (and how many there are), we will then send a message for them to join us on planet. Our Firmziani hosts in general, and their elders in particular, showed the same simple delight at seeing us again without pressuring us for explanations, inviting us to sit in their clearing to exchange news. As guests we courteously asked for their news and we sat through two hours of details about small adventures, news about a number of homes being destroyed when a tree collapsed because of a nest of insects eating the roots; ideas discussed that had shaken them by giving them new insights thanks to those we had brought back to their home planet and descriptions of beauty that had sparkled for them - eleven of them being the births of new children to their tribe. None of us smiled openly when Robbie ended up with a group of children sitting around him, the smallest sitting between his stretched out legs.
They do not depend solely on their small farms as the forest supplies them with the majority of tubers and fruit they consume, so they have little interest in the weather. Whether it rains or not is only to be remarked upon if it happens or does not happen on schedule. They believe that the planet itself decides what it needs and arranges weather patterns accordingly. If they happen to lose crops because of the vagaries of their weather, they accept that they must have erred by planting at the wrong time and concentrate more on the awe of having a planet that makes decisions for their good which they do not always understand. If it sounds as if they are too simple for us to enjoy their company, you would be very wrong to think so. They are sophisticated in ways that matter to them, such as the communal rearing of their children in gentle and loving ways without detracting or interfering at all with family love. They are one of the very few races that show such tenderness and caring for the children who are the equivalent of our teenagers. They do not feel the need to force them into acting like adults.
Since we are determined to retain all the characteristics of mankind, to the extend that we can avoid some of the evils without altering the ‘character’ of our humanity, even though we are Cherinians there are still those unconscious (or subconscious) posturings and tiny hints of aggression between us as we shuffle up and down the pecking order. The best is when we do so, without it being deliberate, for the purpose of boosting a loved one up the ladder for a while. I like the way we are and don’t want to change, but I admit, being with the Firmziani who have none of those instincts, each only happily aware of belonging to their community, it is like sitting by the side of a waterfall and feeling enervated by the negative ions. I don’t know whether they can sense we are different, would their minds be able to identify instincts they do not possess? I hope not.
When it was our turn to share our news, only Jade, Meli and Goldi did the telling, keeping it simple and uncomplicated, glossing over whatever they would not understand - we were not being patronising, when a people are presented with ideas they are not able to mentally digest because the instincts are alien to them, it can cause them real distress, even unpleasant physical symptoms.
Meli ended off the telling by saying, “We have also returned for the purpose of helping a few of us who want to go on a dream journey.” She then explained about the Kabetu waiting on Freddie. They did not seem to understand how such large numbers could have an adverse effect on their ecology and pleaded with a radiant joy to be allowed to greet them as soon as possible. We asked our Kabetu friends to teleport to an area outside the jungle, in a clearing that has a good view of the dream mountain and we all went there to meet them.
For this once, Kiris was not at center stage, Kainas holding that position as the elders asked of him his reasons for wanting to create a dream life. He found it difficult to understand why they could not comprehend his reasons so Ashia explained their lack of violent instincts. An elder was listening closely as Ashia explained and when she ended, he spoke.
“You think we do not understand fear and courage?” Ashia blushed as she realised they have the words. Kindly, he continued, “Perhaps it is not fear and courage we do not understand, but the reasons for both?”
Robbie asked, “What do you fear?”
“There is something that the having of it is frightening and so is the not having of it.” He only paused a moment. “Love.”
Robbie stopped smiling. He glanced at Cherine and then answered the elder, “The not having of it is to be feared far more.”
“Perhaps the difference is not so big Robert? I do not understand what it is our new friend Kainas fears. How can the dream wilt his fear?”
Robbie tried, “He fears fear. He is a Cherinian and thinks he has nothing to fear and he wonders whether he would have the courage to face his fears if he was not a Cherinian. Only the dream can give him the opportunity to face life without having the gifts of being a Cherinian to protect him.”
“Cherinians fear nothing, not even love?”
Robbie laughed. “Most of us do, both the having of it and the not having of it. It is not what troubles Kainas, there are times when we face a danger, the loss of life or maybe the loss of a limb. That kind of fear is what Kainas wants to know he can best.”
“To lose either without reason, not only would be foolish, but should be feared. Where such danger is faced to save a life, any life, then how can there be fear?” Wow, talk about being alien - none of the species we know well found it easy to accept his point of view. Not even our Haven. She says that all danger should be faced with fear, but also the courage to overcome the fear. Apparently, the Firmziani do not feel the same way. As far as they are concerned, if a life is in danger, they do not need to overcome fear because they only concentrate on the need of the other, not their own life. Allan muttered in his mind that they do not face many dangers and that is why they think that way. He was surprised when Jessie told him that our Robbie is the same as the Firmziani and he has faced many dangers. Allan and Eleni held Jessie to them as she reeled from the love all us girls sent her.
The savage layer of his barbarian past dictated what Barvin did next, for he was not following what he thought the Kiandra Rules were any longer. With the tip of his blade he cut off the clothing of Ivgos and then slammed the tip into the ground close to his tiny hand for him to grab at should he be that desperate or foolish. Seizing his tiny body he raised him to his swollen penis and thrust into his unprepared anal opening. Done without gentling the mind for the muscles to relax and without lubrication, the shock of his entry tore a scream of protesting psychic and physical pain from Ivgos and he lost consciousness. In spite of the bleeding, the physical pain was not as bad as it looked, despite Ivgos being so small-bodied compared to Barvin, for the species of Barvin all have very small, reed slender sexual organs. They admire the male with the smallest organ for it means they are not as easily attacked at such a vulnerable part of their body - and Barvin is greatly admired by his fellow warriors, for it is rarely that a warrior of their race does not enjoy a painful engorgement when in battle, making the penis an easy target if it is noticeably large.
Ivgos awoke to find himself bound with leather strips and lashed to one of the warriors, the strips cutting into him as he hung just off the ground as the warrior clung to his sleeping pole. Although he slept, Ivgos knew that should he move, the warrior would awaken. Taking one last shuddering breath, Ivgos split off from the memory of the rape, but kept the scenes of the death of his father - he would want to taste the memories of that time many times so that he used them as his father would have wanted of him. Ivgos, being so young, had never been trained to host the spark of life of another and he tried hard to sense it, wondering where it hid within him and whether it could share his thoughts and experiences or whether it slumbered as it waited. Despite having followed his father on their last hunt, it was while still young enough to cling to his narrow furry back and he had not yet reached the age when such knowledge is passed on.
Ivgos did not bother with hate; despite his innocence, he understood he was to be held for a long time, to be taunted and tortured on a regular basis and he expected hatred to weld itself to his life force soon enough. It is not the way of his people to grieve when they hold the essence of their loved one. Without hatred and grief, all that was left to him was fear and the dark despair it clothed his mind with. He feared learning to hate, for it seemed darker and more evil than the rape he had endured, but he did not know how and whether he could resist giving in to it.
From the formation of the eleven moons presently visible, Ivgos realised he still had most of the night ahead of him. His large glistening black eyes vainly searched for a dark shape among the sleep poles, for the body of his father had been left behind a few hours ago. A small movement in a bush close by caught his eye and he stared, hoping it would be something poisonous so that the warrior he was strapped to would die, leaving him free to find a place to hide before the others waken.
Seuria had watched from within the thorny foliage of an algeseo bush as the father of Ivgos was killed and then the son tortured. She trembled as her cilia empathetically identified with his feelings, making them hers also. Seuria was puzzled, for she sensed a warning that if she used her gift for drawing his pain from him, it would endanger the young being she was linking to. Mercifully his consciousness faded, leaving her free to slowly work out which would be the best way to help the young one without risking his life. She watched as he was tossed over a bone-hard shoulder and carried away. At intervals, when she would not be seen, she would puff up her side membranes so as to glide all or most of the way to the next tree or bush. The young one did not awaken when his captors stopped to eat and she worried as she saw him being strapped to the warrior who had carried him. She moved to the closest tree and waited until she sensed he had woken. She jerked, puffing up her membranes so that her cilia would sparkle in the moonlight. When she felt him respond, she launched herself, landing on him, mid-body. She did not understand the terror he emoted as she landed on him, but she gently drained it and whispered softly in his mind, *I am Esli-e-a, I come help you.*
Ivgos nearly protested aloud that there is no such creature, that they only exist in stories for children and females. He remained silent because he feared being heard and he realised he would sound foolish contradicting what is now fact. He saw her about to cut a strap and sharply hissed in warning and she stopped. As softly as he could he whispered, “If you free me it will sense my weight is gone and we will both die. Wait until it is safe.”Seuria’s eyes glittered like cut jewels as she stared at him and then at the massive body holding him. *Seuria go, find help, Seuria too small, you too small, move too slow for escape.* Without waiting for his reply she leapt and gliding to the ground she ran into the shadows.
It was not safe for her to move openly during the day and she was further constrained in her search for assistance because she had to follow Ivgos as he travelled alongside the warrior holding him prisoner. Her link of empathy was further torture for her during the hours of midday which Barvin spent taunting and hurting Ivgos. Holding back her gift so that he suffered needlessly went against her nature, but life among other species had taught her to exercise some caution. Seuria was aware that many of her species had lost their lives because they could not come to terms with the fact that empathy must not always be the sole dictator of action taken to help others. She was unique among her people in that she had found it possible to learn that there are times when suffering of others must be borne until it is safe for the other to be helped.
After the worst of the heat of the day was over, the group that held Ivgos marched onwards again, obviously aiming for the road to Targeuisk and the north-east divide. Seuria began to panic, for once they were on the road there were no safe areas for her to help liberate Ivgos.
Suddenly she saw the warriors split, moving apart. Quickly she climbed to the top of the tree and saw a strange sight. She had thought the warriors were the largest beings of her world, but she now saw a strange being that was nearly double the size of the warriors and it was spiked down its back and looked fearsome. As it approached her tree, Seuria tried to sense what the being was emoting and found herself confused, for it seemed to be emoting with two minds that were in some way also one mind. It had almost passed beyond her before she was able to trust what she sensed and leaping, she only had a short glide before landing on the back of the being. If it sensed her, it ignored her and its rapid gait continued without pause. She realised it would soon take her beyond the range she needed to remain within so as to maintain her link with Ivgos. So as not to be dislodged by its rocky movements she dug in to its rough hide with every step as she climbed upward. She arrived where the two shoulders met and rushed to the shoulder to her right. She stopped above the face she had seen from earlier on and though she was in the wrong position to see the face in detail, she clearly recalled what she had seen. The right shoulder face has a long thin snout that continually moves and has eyes facing forward, with red-black pupils. The skin has a rough texture with a design resembling ◊. She did not know whether they were a type of scale or just coloration of dark lines. Urgently she sent a message to the mind that controlled that face. *Seuria need help. Seuria too small, you help?*
As Ardrigio had hoped, Barvin sent most of his men after Seuria. When Barvin heard them crashing through the undergrowth and swearing as she eluded them, his temper rose at their perceived ineptitude. She momentarily appeared between two bushes, but he could hear his men were nowhere close to her. Leaving the one warrior who was in charge of Ivgos to watch over their animals and provisions, he rushed after her, shouting to his men. Ardrigio calmly stepped forward with a look of curiosity, while Argidsi covered her eyes with her thin, three-fingered hand. Her wide lipless mouth appears to be in a permanent smile as it almost splits her puffy face in two and as they stop in front of the warrior she seemed to forget she is covering her eyes and her fingers reached down to scratch at her flat, spongy nose and the warrior who is watching for signs of hostility is captured by her brilliant blue eyes that seem to stare deep into his soul.
Ardrigio softly comments, “You have trapped an animal for eating?” The warrior looks down at Ivgos and frowns as Ardrigio continues, “It looks too scrawny to me, you’ll only find bones and fur to eat. I would like it as a companion, will you sell it to me?”
Ivgos cannot believe what he is hearing when the warrior quotes a price, the monster facing him makes a counteroffer and he finds his leash is given over to the monster. Ardrigio leads him away and as soon as they are behind some bushes he picks up Ivgos and runs. Bushes and trees blur and Ivgos clings to the muscular arm that holds him, afraid that if he hits the ground at such speed he will be killed.
Once the warrior was freed of the eyes of Argidsi, the spell that enthralled him broke and he realised what he had done. With a battle cry he rushed after Ivgos, preferring to face the monster that held his prisoner in battle rather than tell his leader he has sold his toy. He expected to find it easy tracking the monster for it had to be heavy and since it was moving fast, there should be tracks on the ground and broken bushes and branches. Within a short distance he had to stop and search. He found nothing to show him which direction they had taken. Knowing that his life is forfeit if he returns, he thrust his sword into the ground as a message to his leader and ran to save his life. When the sword was found, Barvin believed what custom meant it symbolised and accepted that the man had gone to search for the place where he would shed his own blood. He assumed that Ivgos had escaped and sent his men in search of the long-limbed thin youth. That evening they all clung to their sleep poles with empty bellies and none dared speak in case his voice draw the attention of Barvin to them. As Barvin drifted off to sleep, he ‘spoke’, as if to Ivgos, “I’ll see you in Haramf little one, at the end of your days. You will come.”
Ardrigio saw that Seuria was not at the agreed place. With grunts and groans he bent his legs and came to rest against the tree trunk. “Turn your back to me young Leussan.”
“I prefer to face my death.”
“Death?!” The eyes of Argidsi open for a moment to stare at him, as if she too were startled and then they closed. “We have just risked our lives to free you, why would we kill you? Turn your back for me to undo the leash - I would not have the Esli-e-a return to see you leashed like an animal, it would cause her pain for no reason. They can only endure so much pain in others before they give up and die - would you wish to cause her death?” Ivgos quickly turned and after a brief fumbling at the back of his neck, the strap fell to the ground and then snaked away, rolled into a ball by Ardrigio and stuffed into a pouch. Solemnly he said, “Waste not and a life might be saved someday - maybe yours?”
Ivgos asked, “Am I free?”
“If you wish to leave, do so after the Esli-e-a has seen you, or else it may think I ate you.”
“I thought her species were but a story for children and females. She really feels the pain of others?”
“She does, her people have the gift of taking the pain of others for their own, saving others from their pain at the cost of their own lives, for they cannot suffer pain for long. As for her species being of stories, so did I think of your species. Your people still survive in the mountains?”
“A few, soon to be none. I am the only child born for many years.”
Ardrigio shut his eyes as if in pain. “It is the truth for many species. It seems that life has had its time on Seirak.”
“Seirak?”
“The planet we live on.”
“Oh, Saira.”
“Many species have their own name for her. Your friend arrives, think happy thoughts for her.”
As Seuria came out of shadow and a slanting ray of amber sunlight caught her, she seemed to explode in a light show that stole the breath from Ivgos. She sensed him and it eased the pain of guilt she’d carried, pleasing her that she could provide him with so much joy. As they settled and Ivgos was provided with a sparse but healing meal, they began to ask questions of each other. Ardrigio asked most of the questions, directing them almost exclusively at Ivgos - he was obviously in awe of Seuria and terrified of saying or doing anything to hurt her.
“Ivgos, I have seen that your father was killed. Do you know why?”
“There was no reason. My father did as our people asked of him and questioned many for reasons why our people are not bearing young ones. He had no weapons and said and did nothing to cause his death. I think Barvin was looking for an excuse to kill him.”
“He did not give your father a reason?”
“He…he told him that he was avenging the death of his family.” Almost plaintively, he added, “How could we have killed them when we live in the mountains far from all others? None came to us to be turned away at any time, we always see them out of the snow before leaving.” His shoulders sagged, “I am too young, I know nothing.” Sadly he asked, thinking Ardrigio to be wise, “I took my father, I hold his spark and welcomed him, but I cannot sense him, why won’t he speak to me?”
Compassion forced Ardrigio to provide a reason that would tide the youngster through his early grief. “He is tired and will have to sleep a long time. It is very painful losing a body and that tires a spirit.” He disliked the cold he’d endure up in the mountains so he first joined with Argidsi and only then said, “Tomorrow we will return you to your people.”
“I cannot.” Seuria tightened her focus on Ivgos and then pulled back in dismay.
Ardrigio saw her reaction. “Why?”
Suddenly Seuria echoed him in their minds, *He must try.* She paused and then with a note of wonder, her sweet voice changed the lives of eleven beings - and none of them, herself included, had a presentiment of what she was bringing them to. *We all go Ivgos, eleven go with you and your father, but one who is not one but all, arrives.*
Those were not odds calculated to inspire and neither Ardrigio nor Argidsi liked them. As gently as he could, Ardrigio said to her, “I wish I could precious one, but we have our own journey to complete.” *Journey end. You come for him and now we go.* The shock was so strong that Argidsi opened wide her eyes and furiously scratched her nose while Ardrigio spluttered and fell silent. Ivgos was torn by his needs and what he considered honourable. He knew that at his age, alone, he would not survive long. To want others to share his journey when so many dangers would be faced that all would die, that was unacceptable. He started to open his mouth to protest and Seuria cut in again, *We come. We come.* Before anyone could gather his or her wits to argue further, a ghost appeared amongst them and slowly it solidified. Fearfully it turned to Ardrigio, “You go on a journey to distant lands? Please, may I join you?” Angered by the sudden turn of events, Ardrigio curtly replied, “We go into danger and you will die - that is, if you are alive.” It bowed to him. “I am Grosts and I prefer your danger to mine.” “Grosts?” Ardrigio asked, “I have heard of a myth about such creatures that become ghosts when they are frightened. Is Grosts your species or name?” “Both. I am the Grosts.” “You mean there is only one of you?” It stared at Ardrigio until he realised why Grosts was looking at him that way. “Yes, only one of my kind.” Ardrigio demanded, “You spoke of danger; what is it? Will it come after us should we allow you to join us?” Grosts drooped. “Fear and loneliness steal from my essence. My danger cannot hurt anyone else.” Ardrigio saw the cilia drooping and curbed his anger. “We travel as companions to protect the young one. With us, our kind of danger could kill you - do you accept the risk?” “Accepted.” “Then welcome.” Grosts slightly stumbled as he lost his fear and became fully corporeal and gravity returned in full. The cilia of Seuria stiffened and she approached Ivgos. He placed his long and twiglike fingers on the ground and she climbed up his arm. He brought her close to his face and inhaled; pleased by the fresh scent that reminded him of a plant from home, he raised her to his right shoulder and she settled there, her eyes glowing like two tiny golden moons. Her mind crooned her pleasure and the others all forgot themselves as they floated on tides of a delicate joy.As the sky darkened, Ivgos began to exhibit a mild panic. Ardrigio saw that Seuria was not affected so he remained calm as he asked, “What troubles you Ivgos?”
“We have no sleep poles.”
“Did you use them at home?”
“I slept in my family home which has a stone floor. I was also told that the tendrils down here are more vicious.”
Ardrigio smiled. “They only wished to frighten you Ivgos. You may sleep on the ground safely, you will not be eaten. The tendrils only seek flesh without life, yours is too warm and vibrant for them.”
“The one who held me lashed to him told me that the most humiliating death for anyone is the corpse death. He said that sometimes when we sleep very deeply, life in us grows weak and tendrils think we are a corpse and they slash our flesh off our bones within seconds.” Ardrigio was about to ridicule the warrior for his superstitions, but then he realised that the fear in Ivgos was real. He offered to lash him to a branch of a tree and Ivgos calmed down. Seuria climbed above him so that she could see for a distance around her and wrapping her legs around the branch, she fell asleep. It took Ivgos longer to fall asleep as he kept his eyes on his friends who were sleeping on the ground. When Dorfos rose above the horizon with the silvery little temptress Aviesi dancing around him, he recalled his mother telling him the two moons are the protectors of travellers so his heart was eased and he fell asleep. He woke up two times from nightmares, but calmed down when he felt Seuria nestled against him, her heart emoting sweetness and peace.
They did not begin their journey the next day. Grosts discussed with Ardrigio the list of tools, herbs for the bites of all kinds of poisonous creatures they were likely to encounter within this land and various spices and provisions. To live off the land was possible, but without their purchases the food would be bland and missing in minerals needed. Seuria was asked what she needed and she timidly asked for a fine powdery sugar. She explained she would not eat the sugar, but needed to replace the flower nectars she would sip with the sugar so that she does not deprive others of their food. Ardrigio reassured her that sugar is very cheap and not heavy to carry and since she had never lived in a town or village, she did not know he lied, that sugar is considered a luxury by all species.
They hid themselves close to the nearest village and since Ardrigio would be a better protector, Grosts was given money for the purchases, including clothes for Ivgos. They worried when he did not return before the midday heat and Ardrigio muttered oaths and threats under his breath so that Seuria would not hear him. She did not hear him as she was concentrating on Ivgos, both trying to teach him what she knew and trying to learn from him. She found his knowledge too alien for her to grasp the meanings, but she was determined to succeed and persevered. As the day cooled, Grosts arrived with a companion.
It was obvious the new arrival did not enjoy walking as the skin between his legs gave him a gait that resembled a waddle more than anything else. He also seemed to be carrying most of the shopping, Grosts hardly bearing anything.
Urgently Grosts explained, “It is not my fault I was delayed. I tried to convince Morbo not to follow me but he would not listen. He is a priest and insists that he must join us on our travels.”
Ardrigio was furious and because of his anger, he did not trust Morbo. In addition, not only was Morbo unsuited for travelling by foot because of his webbed legs, he was also very fat and struggled with his breathing. “You, Morbo, what is your species and habitat?”
*Time not same for my people. I eldest here but I youngest. I spend time and time living by me so I learn how to control empathy because I want learn about other people but not die. Ivgos, I not remember good and forget what make me adult, so I very young.* Ivgos decided it meant she was young like him and after that he often confided in her. Seuria’s empathic connection to him sensed it released him from his fears and loneliness, so she tried to encourage him. The only one who understood was Ardrigio; Grosts and Morbo tended to think of her as a slightly intelligent animal, unable to formulate abstract thought - despite her proving them wrong many times.
The next morning Ardrigio sketched a map of the area and showed them the route they should take - such route was not inspired by ease or comfort or saving in distance to be covered; it was inspired mostly by the need to avoid meeting Barvin and his band of warriors. As he explained to the others, they would be travelling by the foothills of Mt Diav, which meant they would have to climb up and down almost all the way. “In the olden times it was the only known way for travelling to Owrin, the town of the clouds, where Mt Diav meets Mt Oviad. Once there, we will have to choose one of two routes, if we can learn which mountain route leads us towards Haramf.”
Ardrigio stared across the clearing at Morbo who obstinately waited there. Morbo had not argued when Ardrigio refused him permission to join them, but he did not leave, only moving far enough so as not to give cause for offence while keeping them in sight so that he could follow them once they depart. The knowledge that the safety of Ivgos rested solely on him worried him and Ardrigio reasoned that the larger the apparent size of their party, the safer it would be for them as none would guess he was surrounded by those who would not fight to defend their group. He asked Ivgos to carry a message to Morbo.
As Morbo settled on the ground and was about to speak, Ardrigio cut in. “Yours is a foolish God if it demands you only serve it and give no thought to your companions. You wish to join us for safety in numbers, hoping that way to increase the likelihood you will survive to complete your mission, but if you will not fight for us, then we will not defend you either, so what safety do you and your jewels buy you?”
“If we are attacked, will I not have to defend myself? Will that not reduce those you have to fight?”
“We do not have time to waste, will you go with Grosts to town to buy us four pack animals and a cart?”
That evening Ivgos found the courage to volunteer to sleep on the ground with them. Gruffly Ardrigio told him to leave it for another night as he would not sleep well the first time he did so and he needed a good sleep since their journey would start in the morning. Seuria came to sleep on his shoulder, her head tucked in under his chin and her presence sweetened his dreams so that he awoke the next morning filled with energy.
Morbo was even more deferential towards Ardrigio since seeing the blue eyes of Argidsi. They played an important role in his determination to follow, whether as part of the group or not. He had to be there to protect Argidsi. To those of his faith, blue eyes were evidence of the presence of their God and Morbo was afraid that he had failed some test set for him by his God - why else would Argidsi have opened her eyes to show him that his God lay within her and would be with them on their journey? However, despite his awe, Morbo could not find it within him to agree to travel on the cart. Ardrigio had little patience for his arguments but decided to set a fast pace and thus force Morbo to ride on the cart. Having eaten and tidied the area, their rubbish buried, he raised Ivgos on to the one beast and showed him how to use the reins to guide the animal. Seuria was happy to perch on the shoulders of Ivgos as it provided her with the height she preferred. As the day wore on, she sensed how her slight weight began to weigh upon Ivgos and she found an alternate place to perch; she sat on the head of the beast, remaining just far back enough for the animal not to see her.
Ardrigio mused, “In the old days there were many bands of robbers along this route. Once the new road was built they abandoned it. However, I admit I am puzzled, for it is obvious this path is still used by others.”
Grosts answered him, “There are small villages along this route and those people still need to carry their produce to town. We should not eat of our provisions until we are past the furthest of the villages.”
“If you know what they produce and we hold the same, we must use ours so that we stock fresh produce for later, instead of keeping stale food going bad.”
Ivgos was happiest when Seuria was close to him, so that meant Seuria was happiest when she was close to Ivgos. Surprisingly, it was Grosts who pointed it out to Ardrigio so that he did not just take it for granted, but was forced to give it some thought. “It is not good for the child Ardrigio, he needs to be himself and if he runs and falls and hurts himself, he must be allowed to feel the pain. How do we help Seuria understand?”
At midday, they camped by the side of a fast stream that ran with icy water. Not happy with the temperature, Morbo sank into the water, turning over and over to get all of his bulky body wet. The large trees provided a shade that felt cooler so that most of them had no difficulty in sleeping for a few hours. Ardrigio forced himself to remain awake and once Ivgos fell asleep he called Seuria to him. He walked off into the trees with her on his shoulder - in the center of his upper body, there were other creatures normally have a neck and head. He would lift his arm now and then so that he could catch a glimpse of her as he talked. As gently as he knew how, he explained how she may be damaging Ivgos and asked her to try and leave him the freedom to live his life - at least during the day. He felt her distress as she struggled to understand and to fight her compulsion. He sent her back to the others so that he could weep on his own, for it felt as if he had hurt a small child, a child pure and innocent of all selfish thought.
As the day cooled and they prepared to travel, Morbo spoke softly to Ardrigio, “I tasted in the water the presence of a number of beings not more than half a day from here. Perhaps it is the first village?”
“Did you taste what species they are?”
“It is not a known taste.”
“I hope they are peaceful and willing to trade.”
They travelled until dark and then continued in hopes of either arriving at the village or else finding a good camp area that is safe from surprises. They did not notice that the stream moved away from the path and by the time they made camp, the stream was too distant for Morbo to use it again. The next day they eagerly waited for the village to appear but after climbing a long and steep rise in the land, they gave up, accepting that somehow they had missed it.
When they arrived at their first village, it was barely more than a handful of farmhouses without any shops. They negotiated with the farmers for some fruit and vegetables and made camp early for the pleasure of hearing new voices. Nobody asked them where they were going since the locals could only imagine they were on their way to the next village which was at least five times the size of theirs.
Four days later they entered the next village and Ardrigio shared the pleasure Grosts exhibited when he saw that the village had an inn. He pulled out some coin and told Grosts to indulge in a few mugs while he saw to accommodations. He reminded Grosts that for him to take his turn at a drink or two, Grosts would have to return to watch over Ivgos and Seuria. She had been very nervous of entering a built up area and Ivgos promised to watch over her. None of the villagers had noticed her for Ivgos had wrapped her in a cotton shirt and held her under his arm.
Despite the village having an inn, the people were surly and openly loth to answer questions. When asked about the distance to the next village, one of them answered that there are none and that the path ahead is a deadend. When they showed they did not wish to accept that information as fact without having a few more questions answered, the locals mumbled among themselves about stupid aliens and refused to speak to them again. Ardrigio wondered whether his presence had soured them so or whether they were naturally inclined that way. He decided he is definitely a likeable person so it must be their nature to be sour.
For the next two weeks the path seemed to travel almost exclusively at an upward slant and it grew colder. When Ardrigio saw that Seuria suffered at night he raised a tent and with everyone inside it soon warmed up as the small fire cooked their meal. Apart from Seuria, only Morbo obviously suffered from the cold, but within another two days of climbing the ground whitened with snow and all seemed to suffer, even Grosts - but not Ivgos. He was excited to see snow and was invigorated by the chill in the air.
Ardrigio could not understand why Morbo and Grosts did not perceptibly give off any body heat, but he urgently had to find a way to help Seuria. If nothing worked, he was determined he would turn them around, for he could not bear the thought that the last of her species should die while in his company. The thin fingers of Ivgos were nimble and clever as he urgently worked at fashioning a bag out of a threadbare fur blanket so that Seuria could fit snugly within the bag itself while the rest of the blanket that extruded from one side could be wrapped around the number of times needed to ensure Seuria was warm without stifling her. Ivgos shyly explained, when he was praised for his clever idea, that he had learnt how to make it from the mothers of his people who use a similar idea for protecting their babies when they go gathering or hunting.
For the next nineteen days they travelled slowly as the ground was covered with snow and they did not wish to risk damaging their cart or losing an animal to a broken leg. Not one tree or bush could be seen and only the odd rock formation gave them respite from the constant freezing wind. In the end, only Grosts was not bundled in every scrap available as he’d lose substance every now and then and the extra clothing would become uncomfortable since he was only able to affect the clothing directly against his skin. Ivgos wore a light cotton sheet wrapped around his spindly form and his eyes glowed with health. Morbo complained that Ivgos has no layer of fat to protect him so he should have been a frozen icicle by now. Ivgos found his comment funny and irritated Morbo by repeating what he’d said a number of times or he would suddenly stop, standing in the snow as if frozen.
Because Ivgos missed having Seuria sleep wrapped against him, he came up with an innovation that helped her survive the nights in comfort. He fashioned a small tent out of his own clothing. The small tent would be placed inside the larger tent and close to the fire. Ivgos would seal himself and Seuria inside after their meal and she would sleep with her head outside her cocoon so that Ivgos could see the gleam of her lovely eyes.
The old path could still be seen often enough to reassure them that they were not lost. The path had taken them very close to the high cliffs to their left and they noticed a darkness ahead. As they drew closer they saw that a sliver of the cliff had collapsed. Ardrigio groaned and called a halt for setting up their camp hours earlier than usual. He watched them enter the tent and then walked off by himself to moan and swear at himself and his stupidity. He felt shamed, for he was convinced that most of his companions were going to die because of him. Now that he had seen the split in the cliff-face, he recalled the story he’d read that explained why the new road had been built. It mentioned the collapse and the masses of snow and then torrents of water that had gouged the land below. The path ended at a deep canyon that could not be crossed. No wonder the people at the village had talked of the path being a deadend!
Ardrigio, on awakening, was frightened to discover that Ivgos and Seuria were not in the camp. As he raced out of the enclosure, he shouted to waken the others. There had been no wind since dawn so the tracks of Ivgos could be followed and he found them, Seuria still wrapped carefully and held against Ivgos as he examined the cliffs and mentally mapped the sharp drops that were not quite as sheer. Ivgos pointed. “Could Morbo climb down that side?”
It was just a matter of luck that Morbo happened to be holding the reins of the animal drawing the cart when the earth itself began to thrum and tremble beneath their feet. They froze in fright and then Ardrigio grabbed Ivgos and pulled away from the lip of the canyon. The thrum grew in strength until it was like a drumbeat or the heartbeat of a mountainous giant. As they struggled to keep their feet, the beat accelerated until it left them dizzy. With small squelch-popping sounds the snow erupted all around them and even between their feet; for as far as they could see an uncountable number of varied coloured worms exploded into the air. They seemed to lazily complete a spin in the air and landing back on the snow they quickly burrowed for cover before their enemies could feed on them.
They looked at each other, stunned by the beauty they had so briefly seen. The pulse of the land was slowing and growing fainter when Grosts asked, “What caused that?”
Morbo answered, “It is said that when some part of the dividing mountains collapse, the stone from the heart of the planet sends new fangs to block the way.” He looked around anxiously, “We don’t have time to discuss it, we must cross the canyon before dark.”
“I fear you will have the most difficult time of it, of all of us. Have you the endurance?”
“My God will see to it that I do. Worry about getting the animals and cart across, for we have a further four days journey through difficult terrain ahead of us before we are clear of snow.” While Ardrigio questioned him, Ivgos strayed, his attention captured by something new.
When the worms had danced, Ivgos had noticed clumps of snow falling. Because he had seen it, he could now discern the white on white that held the shape of a low tree. He pointed and asked why it is white.
“You have a keen eye to have noticed the snowtree. Ivgos, keep your distance from them, they are not really trees and should you stray within reach, those long thin branches will whip out to capture you. Within minutes it will have sucked you dry and it will then feast on your flesh over a day or two, if no scavengers contest its meal.” Ivgos noticed that when Ardrigio spoke, Argidsi opened her bright blue eyes. Because he was paying attention, he realised that she did not fully close her eyes. He could just barely see a glint of blue now and then and knew she watched everything.
They stood at the edge of the spot they considered the safest for them to begin their descent to the river far below. Morbo seemed to take command. “Ardrigio, you and I are the heaviest and strongest. Thread the rope through the cart with enough for you to hold the one end and I the other. I shall thread the rope around my midriff. The two of us can bear the weight, even with the equipment tied within it so the first part of our descent should be accomplished without harm to any of us.”
“Why not use the beasts?”
“We do not have the equipment to slip the rope around their bodies for lowering the cart. We’ll panic the beasts and I do not wish to risk losing everything.”
The first part of their descent was steep and rocky, so they chose to lower the cart down the side of a cliff, resting it on a shelf further down. They then led the beasts down the rocky route. At the cart, they stopped to examine the safest descent, chose the way and lowered the cart once more. This was repeated a number of times and then Ardrigio saw they were at a flat area that was large enough for them to make camp while also providing some dry grass for the beasts.
“We better stop here for the night. I had not realised how much time it would take us lowering the cart and convincing the beasts to climb down. Not that I blame them, some places were frightening, the rocks beneath our feet rotten and giving way till I thought I’d end up flying to the river below us.”
If not for Seuria, they might have been tempted to sleep without erecting their tent since the area was protected and the night felt slightly warmer. It was just as well that they did sleep in the tent for the temperature dropped suddenly during the night and they had to be careful for the first hours because of ice on the rocks. They lost a couple of hours as the beasts found the ice too slippery and it would have been foolish to risk losing any just for saving a little time. When the sun rose high enough to enter the canyon all the way to the river it was nearly midday, however, they would not need to stop until early evening so the adults remained calm about the delay. Ivgos being the most agile of them and filled with energy because of the cold, spent the morning clambering on his own and by the time they were ready to continue their descent, he already knew the best way for the cart and animals.
They had all expected the going to be easier once they were at the bottom as they had not known the rocks and soil would be covered with a moss that has a very slippery surface. By the time they rose above the moss on the other side of the river, they all, apart from Seuria, had a number of scrapes and bruises. It took another two days for them to climb over the lip and stand on the upper surface.
