Almost three years had passed with no word from Tryte, Zayver, or the strange man she was supposed to meet. Thankfully, no one had shown up to try kill her either. But the world continued to get darker and more dangerous with each passing day. Villages were growing bare and destitute, people were starving, violence was rising, and the values Soliyah had grown up with seemed to have disappeared. Gone were the days where kindness and generosity flourished. In their place, fear, distrust, and so much anger.
Soliyah kept to herself, wandering up and down the east coast, moving from one village to the next, and the odd city, though there were few. She preferred hiding in the villages, but often found the cities allowed for more anonymity, privacy, and opportunity to work. In the beginning, she’d made a bit of a life for herself working on a farm outside a small village. She’d been able to stay for several months, and despite the constant nagging and worry in her mind about her supposed quest and her friends’ safety, she’d found a routine and comfort, and had made friends. It began to feel like a home. Or so she thought.
As news from the west spread across the country about a coming war, a growing division between creatures, and the atrocities that came with it, moods began to change. Everyone was on edge, worried for the safety of their crops, businesses, families, not just their luxuries, but their necessities, and their lives. One morning, when Soliyah had walked into the farmers home for breakfast, as she’d done dozens of times already, the air had felt different. The farmer refused to make eye contact with her and what had become routine and comfortable was now suddenly awkward. When Soliyah had risen to follow the farmer into the fields, the farmers wife informed her that her services were no longer needed. Not wanting to make things difficult, she’d left without any fuss.
From there, she’d worked on another farm outside another village, which had been a short lived opportunity, and then moved on to yet another village, finding work as a wood cutter in the nearby forest of Galardi. The woodcutter work brought her to over a year of waiting when a stranger had joined the ranks and made her so uncomfortable, she’d decided to move on. She often caught him working near her, despite the size forest, and caught him staring at her. She couldn’t read his intentions and worried he was an associate of the broken-armed man. So, she left. By then, the calm voice that had told her to practice patience, and trust in what Tryte had asked of her was getting harder and harder to listen to. She toyed with the idea of returning home, when the universe made it clear it wasn’t an option.
On her first night heading west, she was attacked and taken prisoner. At first she’d believed she’d finally been caught by the broken-armed man. And though she didn’t know why he wanted her, while being transported in a dark, windowless wagon for days, she’d convinced herself she was being led to her own execution. Thankfully, she’d simply been taken prisoner to the nearby city of Melica. Due to a case of misidentification, she’d been taken by the Lords Watch, arrested for a charge of ‘Forsaking ones duties’ and ‘Theft’. Apparently, a woman of similar description had promised to work for a cobbler, accepted a loan under the pretence that her employment would guarantee repayment, and then fled the city as soon as she‘d received the money. Soliyah couldn’t prove her innocence or that she was not in fact the woman they were looking for. She’d been imprisoned for several weeks, which hadn’t been as bad as all that considering it had provided her with free shelter, and two somewhat decent meals a day. Not that she had been hopeful to stay there indefinitely. She knew she had to continued waiting for the man Tryte had told her about, and it was unlikely he would search for her in a prison. As good luck finally came around, the cobbler had decided to visit her, thinking he could confront the woman who had duped him. He’d been surprised to see a complete stranger in the cell and had informed the Lord Watch as such. Though it took several more days, they finally released her. She’d exited the hold to find the cobbler waiting. He apologized and admitted how guilty he felt for her having been locked up for so long. In apology, he’d offered her a place to stay. Grateful, she’d agreed.
She’d stayed with the cobbler for several months, bringing her to almost two years of waiting. And the waiting had taken it’s toll on her. With any money she had, she found herself at an alehouse by the end of everyday. She was ashamed to admit, she drank a lot. And the cobbler had been more than kind to her. As the world continued to darken, he’d been a bright light of acceptance and comfort. He’d never asked Soliyah too much about her life, trained her in cobbling, paid her very well, never said anything about her drinking, and protected her when he felt she needed it.
One day, a man had come into the shop inquiring about the cobblers apprentice. Though Soliyah had been in the back of the shop, the cobbler wouldn’t reveal it. Instead, he lied stating that his young apprentice, ’lad by the name of Walum’ had stayed home sick the last few days and wasn’t sure he’d ever be coming back. The man didn’t appear to believe him, but the cobbler never showed any signs of fear, or wavering from his story. After the man had left, Soliyah had asked him why he’d done that and he’d told her,
”I don’t know your story, and I won’t ask. But clearly, you’ve run from something, though you might not yet know where you’re going to. It’s clear you want and need your privacy, and I can respect that.”
His words had touched Soliyah, so deeply in fact, that she stopped drinking and promised herself to get back to her quest. Within days, she was sober and ready to commit to finding the man Tryte had told her to wait for. Unfortunately, that meant leaving the cobbler. It didn’t make sense for her to hide in a large city as a cobbler’s apprentice, when the man would be looking for a woman travelling alone. From there, she decided to keep wandering the east coast, working tasks in exchange for food, shelter, and sometimes money along the way.
And now, here she was, almost three years to the day of leaving Beroun, coming up to the village of Zerr. She looked around, holding the strap of her sack over her shoulder tight. The village seemed familiar. Had she been here before? She walked through the main street, the only other one of two. There weren’t many people about and it was getting close to dinner time. Perhaps they were already eating, she told herself. She came across an Ale House, examining the picture carved into the door. The Horses Crown, she recognized. She had been here before. She moved to open the door and it refused. Strange, she thought. I’ve never known an ale house to close this early. She tried again, in case she hadn’t simply pulled hard enough, but still, the door remained shut.
”What the…?”
She turned away and walked back up the street to its beginning, not seeing another living soul. Her senses shifted to being on high alert, and she double checked to ensure her dagger was still attached to her forearm. It was. She heard several voices yelling and turned to a large stone house with a plaque on it. Leaders Lodging, it read. She walked over to look in a window, and saw what looked like a meeting. Soliyah could barely hear their voices. She bent down to try and get a better look when she realized the window was ever so slightly ajar. As carefully and as quietly as possible, she grabbed its edges and lifted it up an inch or two. Not wanting to be seen, she bent down to hide beneath the window and listen.
”What you’re suggesting is ridiculous, Bollim. We’ve no warriors or guards here to even manage its keep or watch,” a man was yelling. “Not to mention the cost.”
”It’s always about coin with you, isn’t it Alfid.”
Other voices began to rise until Soliyah could understand nothing that was being said. Finally, a banging noise grew loud enough to shut them all up.
”That’s enough!” A woman’s voice broke through. “This counsel will come to order or I shall have to make the decision alone.” Silence rang throughout the room as though someone had just announced a death. “It appears we’ve run out of time to debate this item any longer. The message I received from Arden, Keeper of Terim, states that the war is fast approaching. She and her townsfolk began forming weapons and barricades some time ago and have offered to take us in. She’s aware of the strength in numbers, and I am aware it is not simply an offer of refuge.“
”Precisely,” a man’s voice agreed. “It’s not as though we would arrive in Terim, rest and be sheltered. We’d obviously be expected to join their efforts in maintaining their fields, their businesses, and of course, their barricades.“
”Well, they can’t simply cater to us during a war, Korl.”
”I understand that. But while we help build and protect their village, ours will fall to ruin. If not by war, than certainly by time. We all know it doesn’t take long for things to spoil, rot, or die from disuse. Our fields, our homes, everything. Gone. And who knows how long we would need to stay in Terim.”
”We can’t simply ask our people to abandon their homes and livelihoods.”
”I agree,“ the woman in charge spoke up. “Then it seems we’ve a lot of work to do. Don’t we, Alfid?” The room stayed silent as they waited for a response.
”I will do as the majority rules, Keeper Lehn.” The voice didn’t sound very sincere. Soliyah could hear the disdain as clear as day.
”We must all work together, united as the counsel. There will be many questions, concerns, and people will be in fear. But we must stay strong, confident, and hopeful.” She paused. “I fear this war will bring about a great many changes, not all of them good.“
”I will ride to Terim tomorrow, Keeper Lehn, and bring back what plans they can provide on their barricades.”
”Thank you, Bollim. Come and see me before you leave in the morning as I will have a letter for Arden. As for the rest of you, go to your homes. Be with your families. We will announce what changes we can tomorrow at midday market.” A few murmurs could be heard until Soliyah heard the front door open. Quickly, she moved around the corner to hide. She watched, out of sight, as eight people walked off in different directions. She waited a moment and realized her mind was racing a mile a minute.
Before she’d left home, there hadn’t even been a war, technically. While there were people being killed and tensions were very high, she hadn’t been made aware of any outright battles. There were no armies, just a collection of murderous creatures wreaking havoc throughout the west and those trying to fend them off. Had the High Counsel truly formed an army and gone to battle? Is that where Tryte had disappeared to? The army? What about Zayver? And who was the army they were fighting? Who were who? That is, what creatures was the High Counsel’s army made up of? And who were the enemy? She’d heard no call. Then again, she’d been living like a vagabond for years now. She wasn’t part of any community to hear such things. Surely, she still would have heard rumour of it somewhere. Unable to contain her curiosity and need for further information, Soliyah stood and walked to the front door. She knocked gently and waited until she heard “You may enter.” She slowly pushed the door in and stepped onto the floor, her boots making a loud thud. The woman was standing alone near the fire when she spun to look at her.
”Who are you?” She asked. “You are a stranger here.”
”I come peacefully,” Soliyah nodded, bowed her head and showed her empty hands. “I’m a traveller just passing through.” The woman stepped closer, her eyes tightening as she examined Soliyah’s face.
”I don’t know you, and yet, you seem familiar. Where are you from?”
”A farm outside Terim,” she lied, hoping the proximity and relationship with the other village would work in her favour. She’d learned early on in her travels never to admit she was from the west. As soon as anyone heard ‘west’, they thought of war and grew uncomfortable. “My brother was called to the sea and I travelled with him to see him off, but that was months ago. I’m on my way home now, but I feel lost, as though I left a quiet room for a moment only to return to it on fire. Please, tell me what’s happened?” The woman stopped several feet away, but never took her eyes off of her. A smirk slowly crept across her lips.
”You’re a very good liar, westerner. I almost want to believe you.” Soliyah held her breath. How had this woman known? She pretended to look confused. ”Don’t bother,” she continued, laughed and then moved to sit in a chair, back by the fire. She motioned for Soliyah to sit across from her. “Please.” Soliyah nodded, walked over and sat down, placing her sack on the floor by her feet. “Now, who are you really?”
”I’d really rather not say,” Soliyah told her, deciding to finally be honest. “I’ll only say that I am in fact a traveller. Yes, I’m from the west, the small city of Wedern.” The woman nodded as though she knew of it. “I’ve been here in the east for years.”
”Escaping the war?”
”You could say that.”
”Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the war is coming east. There was a battle only a weeks ride from here. Though small, many were killed.”
”At the risk of sounding ignorant,” Soliyah started. “What armies are fighting?” The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and then tightened again, confused. “As I said, I’ve been here for years. I didn’t even realize war was coming when I left.”
”A sheltered life you must lead,” the woman said. She sighed, moved forward in her seat and poured herself a cup of tea from a pot sitting on the table next to her. She raised her head toward Soliyah, asking if she’d like some, but Soliyah politely declined. “When was the last time you heard news of the High Counsel?” Soliyah had to think. She was ashamed to admit she’d kept herself in the dark. She hadn’t meant to. She finally shrugged. “Some time ago, perhaps just over two years.”
“Well, the High Counsel has since formed borders to our lands.”
”Borders? You mean, like the sea?”
”The sea is a natural border, yes. But while east to west has remained the same, borders were created North and South, to form our land. All within those borders are now united as Serenians. The land is called, Serenia.” Soliyah could barely process what she was hearing. It was all very confusing. “The High Counsel did this in reaction to the Riggan and Goridians.”
”When I was last in the west, both the Riggans and Goridians were murdering Gigans and pitting others against them.”
”Yes. Many Gigans have been killed. Even more have simply vanished without a trace.” Zayver, Soliyah thought. “The Riggan and Goridians have formed their own lands north of Serenia. The Nanos to the south, and what remains of the Gigans are attempting to flea to an island southwest of here. Most creatures have moved into their own lands now, though some stragglers remain.”
”The war?” Soliyah had to ask. She wasn’t quite following what the woman was telling her.
”The High Counsel had hoped the creation of borders would appease the Riggans and Goridians. Giving them their own land to do with as they wish. And for but a moment, we were all graced with a moment to believe it was so. Unfortunately, not too much later, they began to invade our land. In fact, they wiped out an entire city, Berindu.” Soliyah gasped. That city had been larger than Beroun. And it wasn’t too far from it either. Her heart quickened as she thought of her friends, and those she considered family back home. Tears quickly formed as she assumed the worst. “To be honest, I’m not sure how the High Counsel did it, but they quickly amassed an army. Serenians all across the land answered the call to arms and war was informally declared.”
”Have they pushed the enemy back to their land?”
”I can’t be certain,” she replied honestly and placed her cup of tea back on the table. “News that travels from so far is often unreliable. But there may be someone who can offer you more, should you want or need it.” She raised her eyebrows at her. “I should think you have family and friends to be worried about.” Soliyah couldn’t find her voice to respond and simply nodded. “You shall travel to Terim with Bollim tomorrow. It’s only a day and half’s ride from here, but there is a man there you should speak with.“ She stood and moved to stoke the fire. “Well, not really a man, but a Nano.” Soliyah’s heart leapt into her throat. She had to cough and clear it before she could speak. “Nano’s are avid travellers but also have an insatiable desire and need for information. I’m certain he can tell you more…”
”A Nano? Do you know his name?” The woman poked the fire once more and then turned back to Soliyah.
”I’m sorry, I don’t. I don’t think Arden included it in her letter.”
”Please, will you check. It’s very important.“ The woman looked her over but then nodded. She walked over to a table where papers lay, grabbed the one on top and quickly skimmed it. Soliyah patiently waited, anxious and hopeful to hear the name ‘Tryte’ fill her ears, and then her heart.
”A very well spoken and quite gifted Nano has been of tremendous help during this trying time. I should think you would benefit in meeting with him.…” She mumbled a little more and then lowered the letter. “No. No name. I’m sorry.” Soliyah sighed and rested back into her chair. She didn’t feel the tear that escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheek. She had to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. The woman moved closer to her, genuine concern written on her face. “Have you a place to sleep this night?” Soliyah shook her head, no.
“I must get to Terim. Have you a horse I can buy?” She had little money left, but hoped it might be enough.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It is the time of no shadows. You can’t travel at night. Especially alone. You will leave in the morning with Bollim.”
”I appreciate your concern as well as your kindness…” Soliyah started.
”Stay and you can have my horse. I will also provide you with food and wine.” Soliyah wanted to protest, but suddenly felt tired and famished. “Whatever it is you seek in Terim, it’ll be there after tonight’s rest. I assure you, the Nano isn’t going anywhere.” Soliyah still hesitated, but then finally relented. It had been so long since someone had shown her such kindness. Not since the lovely cobbler, a year or so ago. She nodded and allowed the woman to show her to a room with a bed. She let herself fall onto it and relished the feel of a pillow behind her head, and sheets to protect her from the itch of straw beneath them. She turned to thank the woman when the door had already closed. She sighed, extinguished the light next to her and was immediately enclosed in darkness. The only light visible was that of the thin stream sneaking through the crack underneath the door. She sighed and closed her eyes, determined to focus on the hope of seeing Tryte so soon until she fell asleep.
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Ⓒ September 2022. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.