Alphande'

“These should make you feel more like yourself.” Tet had said earlier today as she gave me a thick coat of nala hair. The undershirt was light cotton and held close to my chest. The pants and boots were quite similar in make to those I wore back in Au Valley. I was heartened by the familiarity of the clothes but as I stood across from my other three competitors I was the furthest thing from comfortable and with the hundreds of slanted eyes upon me. I felt quite out of place.

I was on the extreme left and closest to me was Vykros of Lowther. His long black hair was tied behind him in a leather tong. He faced forward ignoring the crowd around us.

Beside him was Ballahad. A childlike innocence radiated from all around him. It was sinful that he should be chosen for such a task as it was too arduous for one a delicate as him. I had the urge to ensure that no harm came to that one. If it was not I who won this race I would definitely want it to be him.

On the extreme right was Ashbeth of Kulkar. He was as short as everyone else, but was stockier in build. His black hair was cropped short at the neck. His stance was tense as he seemed ready to pounce at any moment. He exuded danger and daring from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. Tetje was right, he seemed like the one to beat. His silver eyes flashed along each of us before landing on me. He held my gaze as if trying to sum me up. There was no sign of what he thought on his face as he turned away.

We were all to face the unknown in a matter of minutes and we were only given the choice of a single weapon to protect ourselves from everything else out there. Ballahad had refused to take anything stating quite clearly that his greatest weapon was his mind and that he would not stoop to barbaric means of slaughtering. I didn’t see how that was going to help if he so chanced upon an Ulgana, but it was his prerogative.

Ashbeth had stepped forward quickly grabbing a hand and a half sword. He looked at the blade of glittering steel once before returning it to its scabbard and hitched it along his hip. Vykros took up a bolas, which as a cattle farmer I supposed he had the most knowledge of. He wound the cord around his arm until the three balls clung closely to his skin.

There were only two weapons left to choose from that of a small dagger and bow with a single arrow lying across it. Archery was undoubtedly my best skill and unlike the dagger I could use it to kill from a distance. I looked for a quiver there was none, just a single arrow. On the way I could make more arrows but then I would require a knife to whittle the wood I found into the correct shape. I am sure this was some sort of test or trick, something else to amuse the people that stood around us.

“By Babu’s boots.” I cussed softly as I grabbed the bow. “I may yet live to regret this, but what is done is done.” I said as I slung the bow over my shoulder. As soon as I did a leather quiver appeared at my side and to my great surprise and delight it held eleven other arrows each as finely fletched as the one I held in my hand. Ha! I thought as I smiled relieved and I stepped back in line.

The crowd that was abuzz with murmurs suddenly fell quiet and I could tell that something significant was to happen.

There was a shimmering of air followed by a sudden burst of light so brilliant that I had to shield my eyes from the glare. When I reopened them where only moments ago was bare earth and empty air stood a great arch of solid gold.

I tried to find Tet amongst the crowd hoping the familiarity of her face would help to settle my roiling stomach. When I did find her face among the crowd she smiled slightly, but I could tell that she too was anxious. Tetje on the other hand grinned from ear to ear unable to control his excitement. I saw him whisper something to her and I saw her elbow him in the abdomen. He winced slightly but then he started to laugh again, she too seemed more amused.

“At least someone is enjoying this.” I muttered to myself and then turned back to the golden arch which the four of us waited to be open

The air around us trembled slightly as the portal shimmered. The forest in front of us disappeared and the gate seemed to be filled with a liquid mirror which rippled slightly as a figure stepped through it.

My heart thudded heavily against me chest as I waited for this stranger to speak.

“After life there is death and after death there is rebirth. So it has been and so it will always be. Welcome all to the commencement of the Great Race.” It was the guardian that stood at the gate. I recognised the voices that made his immediately, but seeing him was a whole other experience.

He stood clear of seven feet and his silver mane whipped slightly around his face. His eyes were like millions of trapped souls being contained within his body. With each movement his eyes seemed to shift shape, form and colour. In one hand he held a wooden staff while in the other he held a falchion of pure gold, in its pommel were four gems: crimson, turquoise, white and emerald which shone out brightly from the beautiful yet lethal looking weapon.

“Four now stand here but only one shall return as the victor and Grey Mage. Kill none except the enemy, save none except thy self. The gate is now open and the race begins.” Immediately the other three changelings charged through the portal. I on the other hand hesitated as I found Tet’s face once more. She nodded once in encouragement and I nodded back. I held my breath and then stepped through the golden arch.

Portal travelling was just as unnerving as I remembered and my landing was just as poor as the first time. Face first I fell into a bank of snow. I could feel my feet dangling in mid-air. I pulled myself forward but my hands slipped into nothingness. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as I realised that I was lying transversely across a narrow path, which if I tilted too much to the front or back would send me hurdling to my death on the rocks that were two miles below.

“Isn’t this view lovely?” I muttered as I turned myself so that I would be parallel with the path.

Tet and Tetje had predicted the place correctly, we were indeed in Manaus. I looked behind me and all I could see was the continued upward path of the mountain that disappeared in a bank of clouds. The way was definitely forward and I could see clearly the pass between the hills that would lead to EnkÐáfheetra. Not that my previous knowledge of where the portal would take us seem to matter. By now everyone else seemed to have figured out where we were and I could see the three figures already way ahead of me in the valley heading swiftly towards the Ulgana city.

“Last place, I need to get a move on.” I said as I crawled to my feet. Balancing carefully I made my way down the hill. At least elevated I could see the path that each of my rivals chose. I spotted Ashbeth just before he disappeared into the thick block of trees which was the smarter course as it would provide both food and cover. Vykros and Ballahad took the clearer pass that was much easier to traverse but left them open to attack on all sides. Usually I would want to travel as Ashbeth did, but I had lost enough time already and I needed to get in front. The clear path was more risky but I weighed that against getting ahead quickly and decided to take the risk.

There were two sets of foot prints along the pass. I chose to travel along one set as it made walking through the snow a lot easier as a path had already been ploughed for me. It snowed here just as much as it did in Talithá but the magic of the city shielded it from the cold. Here all the elements were at their worst. I kept my fingers safely tucked away in my folded arms as exposing them to open air would have made them blue in no time. I now missed my locks as they would have given my ears more cover as the cold nipped away at the tips. Darkness had set in and I knew that I would not get lost if I continued to follow the straight path I was on.

Thankfully it had stopped snowing and the night sky was clear and open before my eyes. I realised that I recognised none of the stars here. I was brought to a stop as I noticed a cloud of green light as it danced across the sky. Soon there were other colours; striking reds, light blues and rich purples. Some of the colours I have never seen before and I didn’t know their names. The light show continued and I started to walk again with my eyes fixed firmly to the sky. It was after the lights disappeared that I noticed that it had become more difficulty walking through the snow. I looked down and the path that was usually clear cut ahead of me was gone and there was nothing but untouched ground moving forward. I looked behind me, but it was a daunting task to turn back now as I must have travelled several miles off track already. The best I could do was to push forward.

My lids were heavy for the want of sleep as I pushed through the night. I knew that the Verdans at home were most active at night and I didn’t want to be caught off guard here in an unfamiliar territory where my enemies would have the upper hand. I came upon a hill planted firmly in front of me. I knew from the maps that behind the mount was EnkÐáfheetra.

My night travel had put me further ahead than the others I thought. But if I was to walk through an Ulgana city I needed to do so after having some amount of rest. I found a shallow enclave carved out along the mountain side. I started to dig the snow away. It was much deeper than I had expected and I was virtually in a hole when I found dirt. I settled along the rock face. My teeth chattered and I had bit my tongue several times as the cold sank into my bones. I wrapped my coat around my body tighter. It was a cold night and as I settled in, I sent a quiet prayer up to Avandor that the cold wouldn’t take me while I slept.

I woke with a sudden jolt as I heard a sound loud and feral coming from above me. I crawled up to the edge of the snow bank I’d created and peeked outside. It was then I saw an Ulgana much taller and thicker than any of the others back home. His scales were the colours of sunlight against snow. Before him, a great bear with three massive paws at the front and two at the back.

The creature reared itself up on its hind paws making it as large as four houses stacked on each other snarling from its two heads. The Ulgana looked diminutive in front of the great beast. It however was not running away from the creature. He was fighting it; that alone with a single axe which he used to hack against the creature’s hind leg. The bear growled in anger and using only a single paw it swiped at the Ulgana slicing him in half. The bottom half of the corpse was mashed into the snow when the bear’s paw landed. The torso was then kicked with such great force that it came hurdling towards me. I sunk lower in the hole covering my head and wrenching my eyes shut. There was a clink of metal against stone, but it was quiet otherwise. When I opened my eyes I found myself face to face with the Ulgana. He was alive. He hissed and swiped at my face once before falling silent. I looked behind me and saw that he was really not grabbing at me but was trying to reach his axe that had become lodged in the rock inches away from where I sat.

I grabbed the handle of the axe and jimmied it back and forth. I smiled triumphantly as I finally got it loose. Another weapon could come in handy soon.

My smile was short lived as what started out as a single crack, spread into several that promulgated quickly up the side of the enclave.

“By Avandor,” I hissed and I clambered out of the space quickly. My foot hitched against the Ulgana’s shoulder and I tumbled forward just far enough that I could turn and see as the alcove collapsed, hurling chunks of rocks and snow around me.

I pushed myself of the ground breathing a sigh of relief. I looked behind me. The bear was still there and around him two other Ulganas. They took notice of my presence and stepped towards me. They however stopped abruptly, looking over my head and began to retreat quickly.

I too turned and looked up. Coming towards me was a massive river of snow and rocks that mowed down everything in its path. I only had a couple of seconds left. I scrambled to my feet quickly chasing after the bear. I ran looking behind me as the avalanche advanced faster than my feet were taking me. I collided into something sturdy yet soft as the bear suddenly sat over me.

The weight was not as much as I had anticipated as it seemed that I had become trapped in the crux of his thigh and belly. The clambering of snow, rocks and debris was very loud against the protective wall of the bear’s hind leg but I felt none of impact as I was cushioned from every blow.

The rumbling finally settled and I thought it safe to come out. I struggled against the mass of hair and fat bursting through to find air which I took in gratefully. It was a tight squeeze coming out but I managed to climb out of the debris and snow. I seemed to be the only one that had survived the avalanche as I spotted parts of the other Ulgana sticking out from the snow.

I looked to the sky giving silent prayers to Avandor as he had saved my life, him and the bear. I heard a muted whimper and only a flicker of movement coming from the mass of white fur behind me. I traced the outline of the creature until I was standing in front of it. One of its heads had a boulder sitting on it. Crushed bone, blood and brain created a crimson splotch on the ground. The other head moved around as it tried to get up. It didn’t growl as it took notice of me as it only whimpered in pain. His eyes were dark brown and instead of ferocity they seemed to beg for help. There was no way that this animal would live as it was bleeding quite profusely from the other head, the most merciful thing I could do was to end its life quickly.

I climbed on top of its heavy shoulders and I ran my hand through his thick fur once. “I cannot save you great bear as you have me, but I give you release.” I said getting up. I nocked an arrow in place. The warm eyes watched me helplessly. It blinked once and I let my arrow sink through his eye and into his brain at once the creature ceased moving.

I climbed down and patted the neck of the bear once and it was then I noticed that I was being watched. He didn’t move as his arms were against his sides and axe in one hand. I armed my bow quickly and aimed it at him. The Ulgana let his axe fall to the ground and he raised both hands in surrender. Slowly I lowered my bow and watched as the creature trudged closer.

“I do not wish to harm you, but I will if I have to.” I said to the Ulgana who was standing only a few feet in front of me. He said nothing but only moved to the head of the bear, running his hands through the thick fur around its nose. He then stooped down brushing the snow from around the paw of animal. He seemed to be admiring the thick curved claws. It seemed as if he wanted them badly.

I lowered my bow and walked up behind him. Dominic had taught me some of the words of the Verdan language, but the harsh sounds were difficult to pronounce properly, but I decided I would try to speak with the creature regardless. “You want the claw?” I asked in his tongue.

He looked at me more carefully now standing slowly. “You look like the Alkarbrafä , but not quite the same. You smell like them but are different. What are you?” he asked as his eyes flashed with intuition.

“I am what you said.” I said as I didn’t quite know how to express my chuman-ness in his tongue. “But you have not answered me. If you want the claw then perhaps we can trade.”

“You wish to trade with me?” he asked surprised.

“Yes, where I am from it is not an uncommon practice.”

“You must come from a strange place as it is not so in this land. What do I have that you want Alkarbrafä?”

“I am headed to Llyn Morir and I want safe passage through your town.”

“I cannot do that. If I am discovered we both die.” he said as if every part of his being was repulsed by the idea. He turned away immediately and started to walk away from me.

“Even for the claw of the bear? It seems to mean much to you, are you willing to give that up? All the fur and meat would make one comfortable for many days. I suppose you would be elevated among your kind for achieving this feat on your own.” This stopped him in his tracks and he did not turn around as he seemed to be deliberating.

“Fur and meat are the least.” he said as he continued walking away, he bent to take his axe up and stood. “You Alkarbrafä would be worth much more.” he said as he raised his axe to throw it at me. He was quick, however I was much quicker as my first arrow lodged in his left wrist causing him to drop the axe. The second arrow sunk deep into his chest.

I lowered my bow as I approached him. “I said that I didn’t want to hurt you.” he garbled heavily accented words which I was sure were insults before he was still on the ground. I moved his corpse once with my boot to ensure that he was gone, when he didn’t respond then I was comfortable.

I was about to leave him then I noted that his cloak had a hood which would cover my ears from the cold and could be my disguise to get into the city. I rolled him to one side tugging the sleeve off. It was harder than I had anticipated as this was one huge Ulgana. After freeing that arm I worked on the other side. I flashed it out as the scent was repulsive but it was warm. I flung it over me. The sleeves and hem were a bit long but I had to make it work.

I took up his axe, having another weapon couldn’t hurt. I then walked back over to the bear.

I looked at the claw that was exposed. It was dark, thickly curved, deadly and it seemed to be worth much to the Ulgana here. After several hacks I removed the claw from the carcass. I tucked it away in cloak pocket. I unplugged the arrows spent in the wrist and chest of the Ulgana as it didn’t make due to leave weapons here when I was to face a town of enemies. The one in the bear’s skull was buried deep and it was too much of a grisly matter to go digging for it, so that one would have to remain behind.

I then restarted my trek to the city behind the hill.