Chapter Twenty-One

 

All four boys had a strange feeling the instant they left healing facility. Without words or telepathic communication, they turned to the north-east and walked for several minutes. When they reached the boundary wall gate, it was unattended and slightly ajar. Rory pushed it open and as soon as they were on the other side, the gate closed and virtually disappeared as part of the wall.

 

Wordlessly, they followed what seemed to be a break in the underbrush and walked for about half an hour before they reached the edge of the River Teth. They emerged at a small clearing completely enclosed by trees and undergrowth that prevented them from going further.

 

"Well, it was easy enough to get here, but where is here and why are we here and what do we do now?" Sayer asked.

 

"Wait," Rory answered.

 

"Wait for what?" Talen demanded. "There isn't an opening on the other side and we can't swim this thing without going back where we came from or drowning first!"

 

"I don't know," Rory said. "Just wait."

 

So they sat down on the sand and waited. "This is crazy," Hunter said after about fifteen minutes of silence. "He said we would know where we were going but here isn't the place. Maybe we should go back along the trail and see if we missed a turn."

 

Rory stood up. "I've been here before," he announced. "It was the first time I met Fellsmane alone. I was about six and somehow I got beyond the wall and ended up here. I was crying and lost when he came up from behind me. He must have followed me, I guess. He took my hand and suddenly I felt very calm. I remember feeling like nothing could ever go wrong. He walked me back to Lorenwood, spent a few moments with my mother and then left. After that I only saw him when he came to town for supplies, I guess, and time with my mother."

 

"Well, it's time you got beyond this place then," a voice spoke from behind them.

 

The other three boys jumped up, startled by the surprise voice. Rory turned and bowed as Fellsmane stood smiling and acknowledging the bows from the other three.

 

"Ah," the old man said, "our boat has arrived."

 

The boys turned to see a fairly large boat, similar to those used to navigate up to Lorenwood from the Fen, swaying gently at the river's edge.

 

"Please join me," the sage beckoned as he deftly climbed into the craft. The boys obediently followed, completely bewildered by the whole experience. The boat pushed away from shore; they felt the cable grasp the underside and were in a moment rushing madly upstream. No one dared question where they were going, although some telepathic comments were being fired back and forth for about a minute before Fellsmane laughed uproariously. All looked at him.

 

"You boys need to scale back on the telepathy, you know. If you keep doing it this much, you will be noticed. From this moment on, you must use your skills when you are sure that you will not be observed as anything but normal boys. Talk normally. You will learn more shortly."

 

"You rode us!" Hunter exclaimed in his usual direct way that was uncommon to address adults, in Maginar especially. "I was blocking while I was talking to Sayer."

 

"I was too," Sayer confirmed.

 

"You all were," Fellsmane laughed as the boat skimmed even more rapidly north-east. "Let us wait to continue this conversation when we reach our destination. One never knows what ears might be about, even though I detect nothing. Unfortunately, I do not have your telepathic abilities, but by riding, I now know you do."

 

There was total silence of both words and thought between the passengers when the boat slid into a brush covered passage and found its way to a small dock. Fellsmane disembarked and the boys followed a short distance to a wooden lodge whose rear wall appeared to be a cliffside. The old man opened the heavy door, motioned for the boys to enter with him and closed the door, sliding the lock closed. A blond boy stood in the center of the room, looking as confused as the other four boys.

 

"Kevyn, these are Rory, Sayer, Talen and Hunter," the old man said in introduction. "They are the reason you are here. There are things to be tested and lore to be told. All of you, please have a seat in the great room while I get us some refreshments for the afternoon." He hurried off to what appeared to be a large kitchen while Kevyn, bowing to the younger boys, led them to the large room with a fire burning brightly in a huge stone fireplace. There were comfortable chairs into which the boys collapsed and a large low table that was soon laden with various pastries, fruits and drinks. Fellsmane sat in a large chair that faced the boys.

 

"I have observed all of you since Sayer went through the gate into Hunter's parallel," he began. "Sayer heard the call that no one else did. I was aware that Sayer had been experiencing Hunter's cries for some months and began to wonder if this was the lore track that had been predicted. I asked the Doyen to allow Sayer to answer Hunter's call by going through the gate."

 

"You're the Overlord!" Hunter exclaimed. Fellsmane simply bowed. The other three boys stared in amazement. Kevyn only smiled slightly.

 

**********

"Kelna is complete," Korlin stated matter-of-factly to Ebalt as the rotund leader shoveled mounds of breakfast into his mouth.

 

"You have done well, advisor. It is time we made plans to make use of Kelna's forces."

 

`Could it be that the idiot was able to read my mind?' Korlin thought to himself.

 

"As always, my lord, you are ahead of the game. I have prepared a training simulation that I have brought with me this morning. It seems you know my thoughts." Korlin allowed a small smile to come to his face. He placed the sheaf of papers on the table far enough away from the food to prevent splattering.

 

Ebalt pushed away his plate and grabbed the documents. He was not a slow reader and his intellect, although not brilliant, was uncommonly suspicious and self-protective. He flipped through the pages, noting the maps, maneuvers and timing. There were only a few grunts and breaths to evidence his thoughts but Korlin saw that all his planning was being adjusted. Ebalt wanted no training exercise; he was planning an invasion of Leeside. He knew Korlin's fawning loyalty was just a cover until he could escape. If the other alliances were capturing Maginar boys, Lokinar would not be left behind.

 

"The strategy you have proposed is well designed, advisor," he said, beginning to share his thoughts that had already been ridden. "But we do not need to play at this on Illsbury when there is an opportunity to acquire boys of Maginar. You are proof of the abilities of prediction that the boys seem to have and should you be lost, Lokinar would be vulnerable to the other alliances. Revise your plan to make a quick attack on Leeside and present it to me within a day."

 

"My lord, I still think it is in the best interests of Lokinar and your majesty to at least have one trial before we launch a real assault."

 

"Your thoughts are noted and dismissed, advisor. We are ready. Bring me the new plan by breakfast tomorrow!"

 

"There are many more obstacles to be considered in an assault such as you propose. I respectfully ask for at least a week to make the modifications. I do not wish to be responsible for failure."

 

Ebalt stroked his chin and looked at his thin advisor whom he knew not to be trusted if there was a chance for his escape. He looked again at the maps of maneuvering and the timing. "I will give you three days, no more. If you delay, I will adjust the plans myself and leave you locked in a place you will not find comfortable while we take to sea without you."

 

"As you wish, my liege. I am at your service always. You need not threaten. I will work day and night willingly to build a successful plan."

 

Ebalt waved him away and Korlin realized his thoughts had returned to food. He left the room and went directly to his own quarters. How would he ever get a message to Pagnor in time? Why couldn't that stupid boy have stayed for a response? He threw the papers on the table and paced the room. He could make the changes in an hour, but how could he get word to Pagnor within three days? Korlin was shaking.