Chapter Eleven

Talen never saw it coming. The blow to the back of his head was almost hard enough to kill him but as intended, he slumped to the ground unconscious. Both Hunter and Sayer turned toward the attacker and prepared to fight.

"I wouldn't do that!" Bandor advised with a wicked grin on his face. "You two heroes are no match for us. And if either of you say anything about this little response to that day in Lorenwood, I'll make sure every boy here knows what a couple of faggots you are. Everyone knows about Talen and Rory but you heroes will be a big surprise. Might even cost you your place at Pandor."

Hunter started to move against them but Sayer held him back. "Just leave us alone!" he screamed. Bandor was forbidden to ride them but nothing was beyond him it seemed. But maybe it was obvious.

"Oh my, the little hero begs now!" Bandor whimpered sarcastically. "We'll leave you for now but Portin, Nagy and Dambler here still have some repay to deal with. Just watch your backs!"

Bandor could see other boys beginning to run toward the excitement. "Come on guys, let the little faggots tend to their fallen dirtbag. We'll be seeing you again soon," he promised.

Rory was the first to arrive, joining Hunter and Sayer leaning over the unconscious boy. "What happened," he screamed as he held Talen's head.

"We'll tell you in a minute," Sayer said. "Right now, let's get him to One."

"We're not allowed in One," Rory wailed. "What happened?"

"Fuck what's allowed and not allowed," Hunter said. "Come on, help us carry him."

The three boys lifted the limp body of Talen to their waists and gently carried him over the floating bridge to Lodge One. Sayer opened the door with his key and took Talen to one of their beds. Talen began moaning.

"Are you going to tell me?" Rory shouted.

"Bandor and his stooges caught him off-guard. He hit him in the back of the head," Sayer said looking down at the semi-conscious boy.

Rory's eyes began to tear then to rage and he turned for the door.

"Don't Rory. Stay here. We know you can beat the shit out of Bandor but you can't handle four and we're no good at it. Help us bring Talen around. Get some ice out of the chest in the other room." Sayer looked Rory straight in the eyes making his request more of an order.

"I'll go with him!" Hunter said forcefully. "Why the fuck did you stop me anyway?"

"Because you were about to get yourself seriously beat and it was a stupid move Hunter. You know it was. We need to figure out how to deal with this without being ready to explode." Sayer said. "And," he thought at Hunter, "I have a whole bunch of stuff to tell you that makes it even more important that you not put yourself in danger right now!"

Hunter blinked, realizing the last part was unspoken. "Ok then," he said out loud.

Rory brought a bag with ice and placed under the back of Talen's head. The injured boy moaned as his eyes fluttered open.

"Oh shit!" he exclaimed. "What the fuck hit me? Damn this hurts!"

"It wasn't a what, it was a who and the who was Bandor," Rory said.

"That bastard. I'll make him pay," Talen said almost breathlessly adjusting the ice pack under his head. He looked around. "Where are we?"

"You're in One," Sayer said.

"Oh fuck! If getting my head bashed in wasn't enough, now you've brought us into One. We're forbidden to be here on penalty of expulsion!" he said trying to lift his head and letting it fall back down on the ice.

"No one's getting expelled here," Sayer said. "If you are expelled, we will be going with you. Hunter and I brought you here."

The front door to the lodge exploded open with Grafin raging in. "What are these two doing in here?" he demanded loudly.

Before anyone else could answer, Sayer stood up. "Hunter and I brought them in here. Talen got attacked but didn't see who. Rory caught up with us when we found him so we brought them here." He paused for a moment then stared hard at Grafin. "And this is where they are staying sir. They are staying here or none of us is. Are we in prison here?"

"They are not permitted here," Grafin repeated.

"If they are not, then we won't be staying either, sir. Unless of course we truly are in prison."

"Well when Talen is back on his feet, he and Rory must return to Squeek," Grafin ordered.

"Are we in prison?" Hunter repeated Sayer's question demandingly and stood up as well.

"No, you are not," Grafin answered, his voice softening. "But you know why you are here, why you must be here."

"We know," Sayer said also backing down a bit. "Please tell Doyen Parfell that we have decided that we need to have Talen and Rory here with us in One. Ask him to have someone bring in two more beds please. I will talk to the Doyen by tomorrow or whenever he wants between now and then. But as of now, there are four in Lodge One or, perhaps as you prefer, zero. Talen and Rory are in danger by befriending us and they will stay secure with us."

"I will convey your `request' to the Doyen," Grafin responded sarcastically, turning and exiting the lodge.

When the door closed, Sayer looked at Rory and Talen. "Guys, Hunter and I need to just go calm down quietly in the main room. Please give us some time alone. It's really important."

"I'll stay here with Talen," Rory agreed. "And thanks for your support with Grafin. I don't know what will happen but you guys are the best. We're with you no matter what."

Talen painfully nodded his head in agreement.

"Come on Hunter," Sayer said. "We just need to sit down and be silent for a few minutes."

Hunter instantly knew what was going on. Although the room would be silent, both of them would be talking mentally.

"I want to fuckin' kill that bastard!" Hunter thought-shouted at Sayer.

"We can't and you know it," Sayer thought back. "I have a lot of stuff to tell you and you need to shut up and listen. I don't know how much time we'll have before Grafin gets back and I don't want to take the chance of anyone riding us before I've told you this stuff."

"Ok Sayer, but I have had it with bullies at home and now here. If you put Bandor in front of the one hundred and twenty-yard target tomorrow, I won't miss!"

"Shut up, Hunter!" Sayer thought, looking sternly.

Both boys were quiet for a few seconds and then Sayer began, "I'm going to give this to you quick and short. Parfell and I talked and he answered our questions without suspecting. At least I don't think he did."

"First, no one has been able to or can do what we are doing right now, talking telepathically. Riders can find out another person's thoughts but they can't talk to them."

"Second, two riders can't be riding the same person at the same time. So, it's an automatic block."

"That's cool -- you can just ride me all the time then!"

"Just shut up and let me finish! There's a catch I'm not supposed to tell you. The masters can mask their riding -- mount us without our knowing. Doyen says in case of emergency or suspected disloyalty. Who knows what they might think would be reason to do that."

"Third, you have to be within range of the target you want to ride."

"How do you know the range?" Hunter asked.

"Fuck if I know, Hunter. Parfell said around here, no problem, but not between here and Lorenwood."

Hunter just looked worried. He could ride now, at least for the moment yet he was so new to this place. He was in love and now in real fear for the first time.

Sayer's gaze softened and he desperately wanted to slide over and hug Hunter. "Just keep it our secret like before. I'll try to teach you basic blocking tonight. It's not hard and it will keep dumbshits like the four lummoxes from getting in."

"What about Rory and Talen?"

"Talen already knows, you say. They were right there for us when those assholes first challenged us. I think you are right that we need to let them in. Let's see what happens for today though -- how this all comes out." Sayer said.

"Yeah and I rode Talen, he knew it, and he told me that he and Rory connect with us like no one else. And how the hell did he really know it was me. Something else is going on here but I think we need them." Hunter recounted.

"I want them with us, Hunter; here in One. If we have to defend ourselves, four are better than two. And they both have hand bolts."

At that point, Talen, walking unsteadily entered the room being held stable by Rory.

"Awfully quiet in here," Talen said weakly.

"Sit down guys. We have a lot to tell you and hope we have time before we all get ejected from this place," Sayer said.

Talen and Rory began to sit down when the door to One burst open with Grafin in the lead followed by Doyen Parfell both obviously raging with anger.

"Talen and Rory!" Grafin screamed, "Both of you return to Squeek this instant. Sayer and Hunter don't move a muscle to interfere."

Talen and Rory bolted for the door, neither of them ever having seen a master mildly angry, let alone as furious as Grafin was and obviously the Doyen as well.

"Stay here!" Hunter commanded in a shout. "Rory, Talen, you both stay here until we know what this is all about!"

"How dare you challenge us!" Grafin countered as the two boys lingered to see what was going to happen. "No one in the history of Pandor's Fen has had the unmitigated audacity to even remotely come as close to the disrespect you have shown me and Doyen Parfell!"

The Doyen was still silent but obviously seething internally.

Sayer stood wide-eyed as he watched Hunter rise in a combative pose.

"Excuse me, Master Grafin and Doyen Parfell!" Hunter responded loudly, commanding attention from everyone. "I am really tired of bullies. There was nothing but bullies where I came from, we have been attacked by bullies in Lorenwood, bullies here and now you two slam in here giving us orders. Well masters, you are not my masters. I did not ask to come here. Yes, I was fucking miserable in my own world and I was screaming at it in my head."

The other three boys grimaced perceivably at Hunter's choice of language.

"But for whatever reason, Sayer heard my screams. He didn't jump in and whisk me away, he rode me. He knew what I was going through and eventually was allowed to connect with me. Sayer is part of me now, like Farin was part of Pandor. Swell! So, because you all have been looking for another pair like them to ride in and save your asses, you feel you have the right to tell me where and how I will live and who I can and cannot be friends with here. Ok, so if that's the rules, send me back home. You at least taught me to use a bow and arrow. I am not a citizen of Tethra and unless you do truly intend to keep me as a prisoner, I have the right to go back!"

Sayer was shaking at Hunter's words. Grafin and Parfell were dead silent as were Talen and Rory.

"Is that what you really want?" Sayer asked looking on the verge of tears.

Hunter walked over to the boy and put his arm around him. "Of course not! But the two powers standing here in this room feel as though we have no rights, you, me, Talen or Rory. But they expect something of us. They want us to become Farin and Pandor. Maginar is desperate and all of a sudden, a connection with another parallel is made. I know what they want and if they want to get it, they are not in a position to make all the rules. If that's the way it is, then pull the damn plug. I'll go back."

There was total silence and then Doyen Parfell moved in front of Grafin and it was obvious that his demeanor had changed. "You, Hunter, are beyond our legal right to hold you as you say. You are right that we need you and Sayer in hopes that you might be a return to Pandor and Farin. The similarity is striking and you both know it. You were placed in One to be protected from the rest of the students here. Talen and Rory are Squeeks and at the beginning of their training. They do not have the skills to compete with the more advanced students here. But they do have the ability to ride and although sworn not to, temptation is mounting with everyone here."

"Have you ridden Sayer or me?" Hunter asked a little less aggressively.

"No."

"Has Master Grafin?"

The Doyen looked over at his colleague who shook his head and said, "No."

"When you read the lore, did anyone interfere with Farin and Pandor as they developed their skills?" Hunter continued.

"No," Doyen Parfell said motioning for Talen and Rory to come back into the center of the room. "The masters had no idea what to make of them. They simply hoped for a miracle and they got it. May we all sit down please?"

The tension in the room dissipated considerably as Grafin and Parfell helped themselves to the two overstuffed leather chairs. Sayer sat in the middle of the couch with Rory and Talen on either side. Hunter sat on the arm of the couch next to Talen.

"I am sorry for my behavior masters," Hunter said. "But where I come from, people who want something they cannot control don't give orders. I think Sayer and I would both like to become what you want. But like Pandor and Farin, you need to allow us to find our way, not theirs. Since our first day here at Pandor, Talen and Rory have been our closest friends and support. The four of us are finding things out Doyen. Four of us, not just Sayer and me. We need some time to explore our relationship without the influence of, well, both of you. You have not ridden us; you don't know what is going on inside us. We don't either and we need time to find out. So, I am asking that Talen and Rory be allowed to join us here in One. And that while we are in here, our privacy and friendship be respected, just as you expect and deserve our respect. We are boys, we need to learn for ourselves and obviously we need you and you need us. So please just let us have a little say in our own lives."

Grafin still looked a little disturbed but Doyen Parfell smiled. "Hunter, you may not have any extraordinary skills that we know of, beyond the bow and arrow perhaps, but you are skilled in communicating forcefully. As far as friends go, I don't think you could have chosen two better than Rory and Talen. So, as you wish, they may stay in One with you. We will make the arrangements for additional beds. In return, we ask that you share any unusual progress you make with us and only us. And we request that, as before, One is locked when you are in or out. No one has lived here before now although there is lore that suggests that Pandor and Farin did use it long before our school was here. One was apparently designed to, well, provide seclusion. We have kept it locked and maintained for the appearance of boys who we hope might become another Pandor and Farin."

"Thank you, Doyen Parfell," Hunter said softly, rising as he did. "Again, I am sorry. I meant no disrespect but I don't do well in tense things. Forgive me and thank you for letting us stay together."

"We will send over what you need in the next hour and perhaps it would be best to have your evening meal sent over for the four of you as well. I wish you well in your shooting tomorrow Hunter. You are beyond expectation."

"Thank you Doyen Parfell. The opportunity to stay here for the rest of the day would really be great. One other thing," Hunter interjected. "If by some chance I should be able to win that extra half day in Lorenwood, would it be possible for all four of us to go, rather than just Sayer and me?

"I will make it so," Doyen Parfell smiled. He and Grafin left the lodge and closed the door behind them.

"Holy shit, Hunter!" Sayer exclaimed. "Where the fuck did you come up with all of that?"

Talen and Rory were smiling broadly and slapping Hunter on the back.

"I'm tired of bullies and I'm tired of orders. Talen got ambushed and I could do nothing. It really pissed me off."

"Best not to piss you I guess," Rory laughed.

"No shit!" Talen exclaimed with a wide grin.

"Well now that the drama is over," Sayer began, "And our dinner is being catered, maybe we can just sit down and have that chat I was starting before the headhunters got here."

"Just a sec," Hunter said. He swatted everybody off the couch arranging it to face the fireplace and moving the two chairs to each side facing the ends of a low table between the couch and the fireplace so that everyone could see the fire and the each other at the same time. He then trotted into the provision room. The other boys could hear the clatter of glasses and dishes after which Hunter reappeared with a tray of snacks and cold drinks for everyone, setting them on the table.

"Well, thank you so much Miss Fletcher" Sayer stammered out and then paused. "It has just occurred to me that I don't know the last name of anybody in here except Hunter." His face was a picture of shock.

"Fuck me! Fletcher?" Talen laughed. "Really?"

"What?" Hunter demanded.

"Don't you know what a fletcher is?"

"No."

"A fletcher makes arrows! No wonder you're so good on the range!"

"No shit?" Hunter grinned. "Awesome. So, what's your last name?"

"Tregate," Talen replied.

"Forester," Sayer announced.

Now only Rory was left. Talen merely grinned at his friend. "It's Beiciwrlori. Ancient Magin."

 

"Sounds kinda important," Hunter said seriously.

"It fits," Rory said. "It means `lore rider'."

"Well Miss Fletcher, now that we have all been formally introduced, and you have served snacks and drinks, might we get down to the business at hand for the evening?" Sayer quipped.

"You gonna tell `em how I got to be able to ride?" Hunter thought at Sayer.

"I don't know. Hadn't thought about what we should tell them. Now they're here and we have to find out how this new situation is going to work I guess," Sayer thought.