Chapter Three

Hunter lay tossing and turning in his bed. The garage was cold in the morning as usual. He was fighting to stay asleep, trying to dive back into his dream, but it would not budge. He felt his mother shaking him and knew that soon she would be hitting, forcing him out of bed. Why couldn't his dream have been real? [PC1] [JE2]  The shaking became more violent.

"Hunter, get your ass out of bed!" the shaking voice commanded.

Hunter opened his eyes expecting a blow from his mother's hand, but when he focused, he saw that it was Sayer. Realizing that his return home had been a dream, Hunter rolled up to a sitting position and began to weep. Sayer sat down next to him, with his arm around the crying boy, who then turned toward his friend and embraced him in a sobbing hug, hanging on as if he might lose everything if he let go.

"What is it, man?" Sayer asked returning the hug tightly.

"I dreamed I was back home, that my mom was shaking me. And I wanted to be back here so badly, and I thought that this was a dream and I was losing it. Oh shit!"

"Well this ain't no dream, and you are definitely here. So get your sorry ass out of bed and get ready. We have to go to village center and meet with the overseer. I'm getting assigned to a master today and I don't know what you're going to be doing but if you don't get moving, we won't be doing anything!"

Hunter wiped his tears away and smiled. He got up and took himself to the bathroom where he quickly relieved himself, washed his teeth with a finger, splashed water on his face and ran his fingers through his long brown hair in a feeble attempt to comb it. He pulled on his jeans, t-shirt, and grabbed his jacket. In the cool morning air, he realized that he was on this journey with only one set of clothes and nothing else except a pocket knife and the keys to his house.

Sayer was hyper, jumping around like fat in a hot skillet. His mother, trying to calm him down, knew how excited he was to meet his master. She didn't know who it would be, nor did she or any women know what the training involved, other than that it would enhance the riding skills that she knew Sayer possessed.

"You'd both best eat something now," she suggested. "You meet the overseer at the Middlemost in about an hour."

Hunter didn't know what to say. He still worried this might be a dream, but with each passing moment, the reality seemed stronger. He tucked into eggs, a potato-like preparation and some grilled meat, all delicious, especially when accompanied by the rustic bread, butter, and preserves.

Sayer ate some as well, but in an unfocused, absent-minded way, mostly just pushing his eggs around the plate. It was obvious his thoughts were about the upcoming day. Hunter wished he could read those thoughts, but he was pretty sure what his friend was thinking about in general, anyway.

Jayner accompanied the boys as they walked along the dirt road that was the main street for the village. The houses at the beginning of their walk gave way to small shops, restaurants and an inn. They were all rough-hewn wooden buildings with fireplaces, and in some cases walls, of stone. Hunter thought it looked like something he might have seen had he lived in England a couple hundred years ago.

"Tell me about Lorenwood," Hunter suggested. Sayer looked at him, a bit frustrated, but Jayner smiled at Hunter and put an arm around his shoulder. Hunter immediately thought how pleasant it was to feel a mother's caring touch.

"I'm not sure I know a whole lot about our village," she began. "I am told it was started as a secret refuge from hostile tribes in the other holdings. In the wayback, it seems that our people were a peaceful lot, not wanting to fight about anything. Maginar didn't have any more or any less than the other holdings. We had streams, rivers, mountains, foothills, forests and some plains land, like what you see here. It was a pretty well balanced place. I guess that when a group that is perceived as being peaceful or docile, more aggressive and confrontational groups feel like what we had was for their taking. It was around that time when some of the males noticed they could sense danger, almost predicting it ahead of time. So they began to practice the focus. Sort of hone in on a particular individual and see if they could find out what he was thinking. Some of them were better at it than others and so, over the centuries, I guess it evolved as an important trait for our survival. They started to call it riding because they said that's what it felt like. Sort of like being on what is a horse in your parallel. They could tell what the person was thinking but had no control over it. But with enough practice and knowing which of the aggressive leaders to ride, they were able to at least prepare for the aggression, and invading forces would find little to take or few to battle. Then there is a gap in our history[PC3]  -- we don't, or I don't anyway, know what happened, but alliances began to form in the other holdings, for protection, I assume, and for dominance.

Jayner sighed and looked at her boy, about to enter a new life and one that already taken one of her sons.

"So what's happened to change things?" Hunter asked.

The four alliances spent years fighting against each other until one raiding party crossed our borders and captured Korlin. His basic riding skills gave a huge advantage to the alliance that captured him. When the other warring alliances finally figured it out, raids on Maginar became increasingly frequent and violent -- they kidnapped children and teens, making sure they had hostages that would allow them to control boys that potentually could ride. The masters, those with the highest level of riding skills, searched for a place that could remain secret, where we could train our most talented boys in the riding skills. So that's why Lorenwood exists. It is hidden but we are told, now vulnerable."

"Wow!" This was all Hunter could say as he processed the brief history.

It was obvious how the Middlemost had gotten its name, being in the middle of Lorenwood's central square. Sayer became quiet as they approached its double wooden doors. It wasn't as if he had never been there before. Everyone had -- everyone but Hunter. This was the central meeting hall of the village. Everything of any importance happened there: town meetings, graduations, funerals, award ceremonies, even private parties. Jayner opened the right-hand door and motioned for the two boys to enter. They looked at her, expecting her to follow, but she did not. She simply closed the door behind them. Although the building looked square from the outside, the cavernous main room was round with several doors leading off to other spaces embedded in the circular walls. In the center of the room stood the overseer. Sayer had explained that the overseer was like a mayor of sorts. He was responsible for the day-to-day operation of Lorenwood and responsible to the people, who could replace him if his work was not acceptable.

"Hello Sayer," he said as the boys approached.

"Hello Seer Dorin," Sayer answered with a short bow.

"You must be Hunter," Dorin said, reaching out to grasp the alien boy's hand.

"Yessir," Hunter responded, taking a cue from Sayer and making a small bow.

"Well this is a big day for both of you I guess," Dorin smiled. "although I must say it is a strange day as well. For the first time in perhaps two hundred rotations, neither I nor anyone else in Lorenwood has been privy to what you boys will be doing next. All I have been told is that Master Grafin will meet with you in the ceremonial chamber. He told me he is not allowed to divulge anything else, for utmost security reasons."

Dorin paused with a concerned look on his face then continued. "It appears that you two have some special task to perform, one of great magnitude. It seems odd that boys of thirteen should carry what is suggested to be a heavy burden. Maginar has never been more threatened, and all of us here wonder how long Lorenwood will remain hidden from our enemies. So may I wish you both success in wherever your journey takes you. It appears we're depending on you." With that, the overseer motioned for the boys to follow him to the crystal glass doors that opened into the ceremonial chamber.

Both Sayer and Hunter looked at each other with a mixture of fear, curiosity and uncertainty. Sayer merely shrugged, riding Hunter's whirling questions that were unspoken. As Jayner had done, earlier, Dorin simply opened the door and motioned for the boys to enter.

Sayer had been in the rest of the alcoves around the central room, but never in the ceremonial chamber. Reserved for the masters[PC4]  and whomever they invited for whatever reasons they might have, it was bathed in a beautiful hue of violet and lime green light. Sayer could not tell where the light was coming from, but it played through cut crystals, which refracted it. Peaceful but not really dim, the room evoked solemnity and calm. At the far end of the chamber stood a tall, lean man who appeared to be in his early thirties. Sayer recognized Grafin as one of the most respected masters, despite his youth. Sayer found him attractive and was even a little jealous of how quickly this master had risen in authority since entering training shortly before turning sixteen.

Grafin extended his hand to both boys smiling broadly. "It is an honor to have you both here," he said.

"Thank you," Sayer replied. "Are you to be my master?"

Grafin laughed. "You don't waste any time do you Sayer? I suppose under the circumstances that's a positive trait. And to answer your question, I am to be your escort or guide. I will instruct you in some basic skills that all trained riders must have but in your case, you will have more than one master."

Sayer looked confused. "And what about Hunter?"

Grafin looked seriously at the boy who had only been out of his own parallel for less than two days. "Hunter is a mystery to us, Sayer. Although we knew of his unhappiness, only you were able to make the connection. Only you were able to ride him, without any training. You bonded with Hunter in a way that none of us could, and he bonded with you as well."

"Have you been riding my thoughts?" Hunter interrupted.

"Yes. I have ridden your thoughts since you were brought through the gate. I've also ridden Sayer's."

"Shit!" Hunter exclaimed, realizing the word had escaped his mouth before he could suppress it.

"What?" Grafin asked with some alarm.

"I gave Sayer permission to ride, not every male in Lorenwood, or Maginar for that matter! It's like I am totally naked -- no privacy, no escape from prying intruders who don't ask permission to find out what is going on in my head. Maybe it would be better if I did go back!"

There was an awkward silence and Hunter felt the blood rising to his cheeks in anger and embarrassment.

"Please sit," Grafin requested, motioning to a seat carved into the crystal with a soft fur pelt on it. Sayer did as he was told, but Hunter stood firmly in the middle of the chamber.

"Come on, Hunter," Sayer pleaded, motioning for his friend to sit next to him. "Hear what he has to say, please."

"What the fuck," Hunter shrugged, not caring about his colorful language at this point. "I don't have any secrets anyway, whether I like it or not." He slumped down next to Sayer.

Grafin seated himself on a small stool facing the two boys. He seemed not the least concerned with Hunter's reaction, except his comment about going back.

"I have a story to tell you both," he began. "Hunter, if after hearing it, you still want to return to your parallel, you may do so, as you were promised."

Both boys focused on the young master as he began speaking. "Long ago Maginar was in danger of being overrun by a monstrous swarm of united savagery from the other holdings. Because Maginar has always been independent of other holdings and alignments, they concluded that we were hiding something important and must be conquered. Actually, they were very close to the truth. We were hiding something important but nothing that they could ever possess -- our newly developed ability to ride. We knew they were planning an attack we could not withstand, but we were powerless to prevent it. It was then that two boys who seemed inseparable were noticed. Both were exceptionally gifted in riding, even before they entered training. Their names were Pandor and Farin."

"The channelers!" Sayer exclaimed.

"Yes," Grafin continued, "The only channelers that have ever emerged here. Within months of beginning training, they easily outpaced their trainers. Soon they were able to block all attempts at riding, from anyone, and although blocking was a skill the masters possessed, they couldn't block the two boys from riding their thoughts. That in itself was very alarming, but, as you know," Grafin continued, looking at Sayer, "they were soon able to control the thoughts and actions of those they rode. Pandor and Farin remained inseparable. They lodged in a secret hall somewhere within the rocky highlands of Helmshill range. They bonded even more closely, their powers increasing, and within a year the boys, now barely fifteen, met with the masters[PC5]  in the middlemost. They organized a covert operation to infiltrate the high officials of the other holdings preparing to attack. Master riders, in essence, lodged themselves into the minds of those enemies and knew every move that was being planned. Pandor and Farin were riding the masters, and when it became apparent that the attack was about to begin, they entered the minds of the generals and created doubt. They forced them to reorganize, placed distrust in each warring leader's thoughts that the others would betray them and enslave their own holding. Arguments ensued and in the end, they attacked each other, leaving all thoughts of overwhelming Maginar forgotten.

The boys were heroes for our people, but they wanted no glory, no power, no wealth. They simply asked to be allowed to live their lives together privately in the forest and streams near their hidden retreat. They went back to what they had always been, friends, inseparable friends who obviously had no need of any others. Our people honored them the only way they knew how, by providing food, clothing and furnishings, which the channelers accepted, but when the masters asked them to explain how their powers came to be, they would not. They said it had just developed, and they couldn't or wouldn't give any hint as to how they had attained such an advanced skill. As they grew older, it seemed they did know how they became channelers but told the Doyen, the grand master, that in the wrong hands or minds, this knowledge would be dangerous to everyone. So when they passed out of our parallel, we were left in peace with highly skilled riders, but no one of their abilities.. Their hall is somewhere in the Helmshill range, but it's never been found. We now suspect that hiding it was their last task, ensuring that no one would ever find their place of solitude."

Both boys were silent as Grafin brought the story to a close. Some of it everyone knew, but a good portion of Grafin's tale was not known to anyone other than the masters, Sayer realized. Sayer looked at Grafin questioningly, knowing that the master could read his thoughts but Sayer could not enter Grafin's mind.

"Good questions," Grafin said solemnly.

"What questions?" Hunter asked, a bit irritated.

"Sayer is thinking questions, Hunter. He wants to know what all of this has to do with both of you. Those are good questions."

"So what does this have to do with us or him or whatever?" Hunter asked, still obviously feeling left out and upset.

"We believe you two might be channelers. Sayer is one of the few to display the early riding talent. We have tried and failed with all other attempts, although very fine masters have emerged as a result. I was one," Grafin sighed.

"This is nuts!" Hunter said standing up. "I can't read a fucking thing! You guys have been jumping in my head for the last six months according to Sayer. Now you tell me you think we are channelers? What's with this we shit? Are you saying you need me to hang with Sayer so he might become a channeler?"

"That is possible," Grafin agreed. "But from our intrusion into your thoughts, we believe you have the ability as well. We are unable to explain it, because you come from a different parallel. But, for whatever reason, your thoughts penetrated the gap between the parallels. You found Sayer; he did not find you. He felt you. He seemed to be an empath for you; when you called, he connected. So we believe your thoughts give you potential we thought none outside of Maginar possessed. We have little time left, Hunter. We know forces are gathering to defeat us, to overrun us, to enslave us. Our embedded riders have told us the alliances plan to kill every male in Maginar, to remove the threat of riding from Tethra. If there is any hope to challenge this, you two seem to be our best chance."

"So if Hunter stays," Sayer asked, "what happens next?"

"You will be taught to block," Grafin stated. "My job is to give you the skill to prevent others from invading your mind. All the masters know what your thoughts are now."

It was Sayer's turn to blush now as he looked over at Hunter.

"And what about me?" Hunter asked, ignoring Sayer's embarrassment. He was almost glad that the boy was experiencing some of what he had endured.

"To be honest, we don't know. You have connected with Sayer. He is the youngest, most talented rider since Pandor and Farin. They were both almost 13 when they were summoned. We think that while Sayer is training, you may make the connection, too. That is why we want you to stay."

"You don't want to go back, do you, Hunter?" Sayer asked with a worried voice. "I need you, man. Maybe you don't need me, but I really need you. Even if you don't develop riding, it would be better for you here than where you have been. Please stay, even for a little while to see where this goes."

Hunter sat down again. "Well, you're right about me having nothing to go back to. Maybe if it's possible for me to learn to ride, I could help. But if you leave me, get trained and run off with the masters, I'm outta here. You're the reason I'm here now, and you're the reason I'm staying for the moment."

Grafin breathed a sigh of relief. "Then it is time for you to hear the terms of your entry into training, and travel to meet your master. Are you willing and ready?"

Both boys nodded.

"Stand facing me then," Grafin ordered. The boys complied.

"You will need to swear to the terms I now recite. Should you ever violate them you will be hunted and imprisoned. We are still trying to capture Korlin, as he is the one who has caused this threat to be visited upon us, not those who have since been taken."

"By the powers of the Master Riders, you agree to devote yourself to the training and secrets of the masters' order. You agree to be bound by this oath of loyalty and secrecy to the techniques you are taught, and to pursue your study to the best of your abilities. You promise to inform your brother masters of thoughts you discover that will affect the peace and independence of Maginar. Your thoughts may be our thoughts and our thoughts may be yours, only by permission of your brothers in training and masters. You will block all riders unless it is necessary to share knowledge with one or many. You, Sayer, agree to this on penalty of life imprisonment and you, Hunter, in penalty of return to your home world with no memory of this place. Do you agree?"

"I do," both boys said in unison. Hunter shivered at the thought of being returned to the hell he was living before he got here.

Again, Grafin sighed with relief. "It is time for you to meet your master, then."

Grafin moved a small crystal near the far end of the chamber. A low rumbling was heard and then the sparkling wall opened and the boys saw a dimly lit tunnel leading out of the chamber toward what Sayer knew to be beyond the Middlemost. Grafin beckoned for them to follow, and as they moved into the tunnel, the crystal opening slid shut behind them.