The Sage Seed Chronicles: The Unraveling Read online

  He left Bure where he was and dragged his equipment out of the way. Bure could now see that two other paragliders were coming in. He stayed bound as he watched, which increased his rage. ‘How dare they ignore him! Bure! What were they going to do? Maybe he could overpower them. He was strong.’ His rage took on a sly tone. Erin could still see under the emotional intensity and detected movement around Bure. The three wing men disengaged their prisoner from his harness but didn’t untie his arms and hands which were secured in front of him. They hauled him to his feet and walked-dragged Bure to the far lip of the ledge. Erin could see as they stood on the edge that they were looking down into a green valley inside a massive extinct volcano. The sides were glass smooth gold obsidian. While Bure was looking down a terror was building inside him and he momentarily stopped struggling. The wing men, taking advantage of his fleeting quiescence, quickly wrapped him in a padded blanket and hauled him to a small, man-sized chute. He started to struggle in earnest now as he finally realized that the slide would take him into the valley where he would spend the rest of his life. He wasn’t going to get the chance to escape. He really was going to be a prisoner inside Obsidian crater! The walls were so slick that there would be no climbing out! ‘NO!’ he was screaming in his head as they let go of him and he was propelled by gravity down the slide and into his new home.

  The ‘shout’ stopped and Erin blinked back into her own unencumbered mind. Drune looked over to her to elaborate. She shook her head. “He has been delivered to Obsidian to live in banishment. I don’t think he really believed that he would have that fate. The valley inside the crater looks green and habitable. Lovely in its own way. I think that that there were some things in his wrappings to aid him to survive. It is up to him to live. I wonder if his father is still there and what sort of ‘homecoming’ that meeting will be. Any way you look at it, it is a more merciful sentence than the ones he bestowed on his victims.”

  They rode in silence for awhile and camped in early evening on the plains near the border between Duluse and Khanlund provinces. They set up campfires every second or third wagon and the guild members ate in small groups. Lor, Alliz, Drune and Erin shared a fire. It was not common knowledge, but the four were all sages, three of which had been sent out on this particular guild train to try to find the reason for the planetary disquiet that the Great One had sensed. They had the answer now but not the solution to setting things back to rights. The fact was that the realm was now short seven or eight sages and the stabilizing bond with the planet was dangerously weak. They had caught the killers but those men had set in motion things that were causing ripples of incredible magnitude throughout the realm.

  Tempo was out hunting while the four prepared their own meal. They had eaten a fine supper of camp bread, roasted tubers and grilled sausages. They were ranged around the fire talking quietly. When the conversation lulled Erin spoke. “Bure is in Obsidian. They transported him today and he was shouting his emotions. I could get beneath the agitated energy and see parts of it. They moved him by paraglider. He was bound and traveled tandem. There were two other wing men who assisted when they got there. Up until the last moment he thought that he would have a chance to escape because he was smart and strong. When he finally realized that he wouldn’t be given the opportunity his anger and fear were incredible. He fought being put in the chute though he was padded humanely and given some things to assist his survival. He truly didn’t believe he would end there. I really think he somehow thought he would be the Great One.” She shook her head.

  Alliz stood and started to collect the plates. “Well that takes care of those three. It is too bad that Bure wasn’t stopped before he planted all of those rumors in the minds of the susceptible. We will just have to deal with it.”

  Lor got up and brought the bucket of water for washing the plates and eventually for putting out the fire. “Kennet came by and mentioned that Ruke, the musician guild assistant, wouldn’t mind driving Raz’s wagon back to Khanlund if you needed to leave Drune.”

  The young man nodded. “I haven’t heard where Gyan wants me. I don’t mind driving until I do.” He stood, “Good night everyone.” Luna was part way up in the sky and Cear was just emerging above the horizon as everyone returned to their respective wagons. Erin got her bed roll out of Lor’s wagon and stretched out under the wagon, as was her habit, and drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t much after that that Tempo came and curled up against her to find his rest.

  Chapter 2

  Help Wanted

  Gyan strode into Aerie. He had lived there for centuries and it had been named that for longer than he had been alive. It was the home of the Great One and was located higher up the mountain and above the city of Kunscap. Both were founder built. He had just returned from sending Bure into banishment. He had not had to do that often. The people of the realm worked admirably together and the few laws they had were usually respected. Their civilization functioned well but every once in awhile a really unstable person emerged and caused all kinds of problems. Bure was the son of one of those and he apparently had inherited or perhaps developed those sociopathic traits.

  Because of Bure’s actions they now had a very large problem. He had been spending much time in the Ancient’s Library trying to find the solution. He had more books to go through than he had time. There were some areas of Aerie that were off limits to everyone but the Great One, though he could use some carefully chosen help in the library. It was restricted to a few chosen sages but not forbidden like the granite enclosed Realm Room. He had some ideas of who to hand pick but wanted to ask council from a sage near to his mind.

  He went into his study and closed the door. This was his personal sanctuary. The room was somewhat multi-leveled in that the main room had a very tall ceiling height with a mezzanine, which could be reached by a circular stair, in the far corner. The upper level had some bookcases as well as drawers and shelves for things that were very special to him. The room had all of his favorite things. A rich silk area rug in deep reds, blues and greens covered the floor and a beautifully carved desk dominated one side. He went to the comfortable chair by the fireplace and settled in. Clearing his mind of extraneous thoughts he visualized his friend.

  ‘Ree, I need your input on a matter.’

  She answered quickly. ‘How may I help?’ ‘I have to find a solution to our current dilemma and have been pouring through the mountains of books in the Ancient’s Library. I need some agile sage minds that can help me get through the enormous amount of information and extrapolate possible solutions from any information we find. Though the characteristic of the sage seed is intelligence, you and I both know that some are just more flexible and intuitive than others. We simply do not have time. I would have you here but I need you anchoring with the planet where you are. Who can you recommend?’

  He could hear the smile in her voice when she answered. ‘Your youngest three sages would be my choice. Erin has shown remarkable problem solving ability and maturity in the last few months. Her skills just continue to grow at a surprising rate. Drune is mature beyond his years and he can easily unearth information and scrutinize it for how it is applicable. Lor is quick to pick up on clues and to see the ramifications. I must say, though, that Drune and Erin lead him in these skills. Bas wouldn’t be a bad choice but he is a bit of a scamp and can’t resist pushing buttons. You don’t need that disruption right now.’

  ‘Thank you, my friend. I will take your words under advisement, Gyan answered graciously.

  Now he indeed heard Ree laugh. ‘You don’t fool me, Gyan. I’ll bet that you were already thinking the same.’

  He chuckled. ‘You would win that bet.’ and disengaged the conversation. Gyan sat thinking for a moment. He would call in Drune and Erin and allow Lor to make his way back with the guild train. He could always tap him when he arrived.

  He cleared his mind again and focused. ‘Drune, this is Gyan. Is it possible for you to turn over Raz’s wagon to someone else and to make hast
e to the Aerie? I need you for a project.’

  Drune was intrigued. ‘No problem. Lor told me tonight that one of the musician apprentice’s would be willing to drive it if I had some other place to go.’ Gyan smiled. ‘Fine, please arrange that so you and Erin can leave at early light. I need to talk to her now. I will see you soon.’ Gyan slapped his hands on his knees. One more to go.

  He threw is thoughts out one more time. ‘Erin, I have a favor to ask of you. This is Gyan. Would you come to the Aerie with Drune? Your wild companions can safely hunt and associate with their own kind in the area. There are many raptors that live and fly the peaks here. Nuit and Keir will have no trouble finding family and I told you that the skunk population is untouched in Khanlund. Your companions are welcome to come and go as they please in the Aerie.’

  Erin smiled. ‘You know how to make a favor irresistible! We will be there as soon as possible. I assume we will leave at first light. It will be nice to meet you in person.’

  ..........

  Erin had just fallen asleep when Gyan had contacted her. She propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Tempo, who was looking back at her. ‘I guess we are going to help the Great One. That suits me fine because I would rather be working on a useful task than just waiting for my world to destruct around me. We need to get some sleep because I think we will be traveling hard tomorrow.’

  Erin’s last words before settling down proved very accurate. Drune woke her in the pre-dawn and they ate breakfast, loaded the pack horse, and were ready to go almost before Tempo could circulate through the camp to catch vesi for his breakfast. It had been the little skunk’s pattern to be nearby when the campers were preparing to put on their boots in the morning. Vesi, nasty little stinging rodents, were attracted to boots so people would shake out their footwear before putting them on. Tempo would pounce and eat the crunchy pests. It was a great system. Tempo found an easy breakfast and the guild members appreciated elimination of the loathsome creatures. The little skunk made his rounds rapidly and managed to return in time to be placed in a hollow on top of the packs. Goodbyes were said and they were off.

  The road they traveled wove through a narrow valley in the most mountainous province in the realm. They were surrounded by peaks and the valley, though flatter than the surrounding countryside, climbed steadily. It was much too hard on the horses to gallop the whole way but what they were able to do was cover a lot of distance then get off and walk for a while to let the animals cool down. Tempo would forage as they stretched their legs. It was on one of these slower spells that Erin noticed steam coming from a few of the peaks. She pointed it out to Drune who stopped dead in the middle of the road and stared. “Erin, those volcanos have not been active in many centuries. I have prospected on that one,” he pointed to one with a steam plume, “for rhenon and gemstones. That they are waking up is not a good sign. We can’t make the city in one day but we can get closer. We need to move!”

  Erin held up her hand. “Let me talk to the horses.” She went to each one and explained briefly the urgency. ‘Let me know when you need to change pace. I don’t want you injured but we need to cover more ground.’ The pack horse answered for the other two. ‘I’m carrying a little more weight than the other two. If I get tired we could switch the packs to Shep or Fos and someone could ride me. Right now we are good to go.’ Erin relayed the message then scooped Tempo onto the pack horse and mounted Shep. They quickly moved into a lope to warm the horse’s muscles, then into a gallop.

  By communicating with the horses they were able to travel further between walks. They did switch the burden of the packs and that allowed the horses to be less tired. It was late afternoon when Tempo gave a loud growl and spoke in Erin’s mind. ‘Quake’ Erin yelled the same word to Drune who was ahead. She simultaneously told the horses and reassured them. ‘We need to watch for rocks and ground moving but we are in this together. The quake won’t last long. Stay calm.’ They slowed to a walk then stopped because they didn’t want the horses to stagger and fall as the ground moved beneath their hooves. The animals didn’t like it and laid back their ears but for the most part remained calm. As soon as the ground stopped moving they were walking again. They had increased speed back to a lope when just behind them there was a rumble and a clutter of house-sized rocks slid down a nearby slope and half way across the road. If they had been slower they would have been at that spot when the slide hit. It was a chilling thought. Drune and Erin looked at each other. ‘Are you three up to getting out of here?’ She asked the horses. The answer was a universal tossing of heads and all quickly broke back into a lope.

  They had gotten to a wider section of the ascending valley and could see the lights from Kunscap in the distance when they ran out of light. Being surrounded by mountains it seemed to take longer for the moons to rise. The horses were tired. They had made phenomenal distance that day and deserved a good night’s rest. Drune took the packs and saddles off the horses and set up camp. Erin made sure that each horse was fed, watered and groomed after they cooled down. She talked to each and praised their efforts. Tempo was off hunting and Keir was nearby settling down for the night. Erin and Drune were quiet as they ate. It had been an exhausting day and all they wanted to do was get some rest and resume travel as soon as they could tomorrow.

  Erin was completely asleep in her bedroll when Tempo curled up against her and closed his eyes. He had a full belly and had detected skunk scent in the area. He was a satisfied little animal. Nuit was nearby keeping watch.

  Chapter 3

  The Repository of Knowledge

  They reached Kunscap by mid-morning. It was the provincial ‘seat of law’ but because it was also the home of the realm’s Great One it was a bigger founder city than any other. The entire foot of the mountain was honeycombed with businesses and homes. Looking at it from the front there were tiers of windows several stories tall with walkways and balconies strung between. Erin knew, by being in the other founder cities, that they were powered by geothermal vents in the mountain and that all of the shops and public offices were on the ground floor. There were several large archways into the city and a large plaza out front paved with glow stones in an intricate pattern and flanked by beautifully gem encrusted columns. On either side of the old city were streets of outbuildings.

  Erin couldn’t see how they were going to get to the Aerie which she had spotted higher up the mountain and further back from Kunscap. Drune had been here before and instead of going directly to the front arches, after leaving the horses in the immense city stable, he led Erin down a street to the right of the city entrance. Tempo kept pace with them and Keir flew up ahead. They carried their packs down the street and around a spur of the hill to another road that climbed up the mountain to Aerie. The road was cobbled with old glow stones so tightly fit that there wasn’t a blade of grass growing in it’s entire length.

  They climbed the old road until they passed though a large open gateway. The posts on either side of the opening reminded Erin of those in Ree’s garden. Keir was waiting for them on the top of the gateway. Drune slipped his pack off just inside the courtyard and gave it to a couple of lads to take to their quarters. Erin did the same. Tempo looked up at Erin. ‘As one of your companions and not a ‘pet’ I would prefer to walk beside you as you meet the Great One.’ Erin nodded. She wouldn’t think of insulting the little skunk’s dignity.

  Keir landed on her shoulder. ‘I think riding on your shoulder would be safer for me than flying through hallways.’

  Erin grinned. ‘Both of your preferences are very wise.’

  Drune led the way into Aerie where they were met by a dignified older man. He was short and slender with thick snow white hair. He looked up at them with bright black eyes and nodded his greeting. “I am Sterling. I’m to bring you to the Great One.”

  Drune responded with the need to get out a pressing message. “We need to first report that there has been a rock slide across the road several miles back. It happened right behind u
s or we may not have been able to get here.”

  Sterling nodded. “I’ll see to relaying your message. Thank you. Would you like to freshen up before meeting Gyan? It is up to you entirely. You will be having lunch with him and it is not quite ready.”

  Erin nodded. “I would like that immensely, particularly since there is time.”

  Drune nodded in agreement. “That sounds wonderful.”

  “Then come this way and I will show you to your rooms.”

  Sterling led them through the great hall and up two staircases. Erin was keeping track where she was but was also taking in the beauty of the place. Nothing was ornate but the materials used were beautiful. Occasionally lintels or posts were lightly carved. Sometimes the motif was natural like a small bird perched on a branch with leaves. Other times it was a design similar to the celtic knot that she had seen in Ree’s home. There seemed to be a pattern to these small embellishments. It was like they were indicators for the room name or use. Sterling stopped beside two rooms. One had a small carving of a squirrel sleeping with its tail wrapped near its head. The other had an owl perched on a branch. Erin smiled that her guess was somewhat correct. Sterling pointed to the room with the owl. “Erin, this one is yours and Drune, yours is the other.” indicating the one with the curled up squirrel above the door. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes to show you to lunch.” He nodded to them and left.

  Erin pushed open her door and stood in the opening, taking in the beauty of the room. There was a balcony. Currently the doors were open so Keir and Nuit could come and go as they wished. She was sure they could tap on the panes if the weather was cold and the windows shut. There was a lovely area rug in the middle of the room done in burgundy, rust, a deep forest green and touches of the palest of pink. The bed looked very comfortable and had a green comforter that matched the shade in the rug. A desk and chair were near the balcony doors. There was a bathing room off of the bedroom and just to the other side of the central heating panel. She didn’t know how long she had been absorbing the beauty but she needed to wash up.