The Staff Of Naught Part 26

"The White Marble ruin is a two day journey to the west," said Seymour as he stood in front of the rest of the troupe while a campfire burned merrily behind him.

"Two days for you, or two days for us and the wagon?" said Tanner, his eyebrows raised and a skeptical expression on his face.

"Two days for Oliver, myself, and the girl who can ride Sutekha's horse," replied Seymour and looked down at the man who sat with a clay plate on his lap, its surface covered with a medley of vegetables and chunks of rabbit.

"That's not going to happen," said Lousa. "Ariana will not be left alone with you two."

"I will not harm the girl, I swear by Ras," said Seymour and touched his chest where his heavy robe covered the Icon of Ras although the glow of thing was still barely visible.

"It's not a matter of harming the girl," said Lousa. "I don't trust you or your dog. We go together and we destroy the staff together. I've already been betrayed once over that thing," the last with a motion to Ariana who sat next to Shalalee, their feud apparently over. The girl's satchel rested around her shoulders tied by a stout rope with a st.u.r.dy looking knot made by Tylan earlier that afternoon.

"Speed is of the essence," said Seymour and shook his head sadly at the woman. "The Queen of the Abyss knows that we have it and will send more of her servants as soon as she can. The faster we get to the ruin the more quickly we can dispose of the staff and keep it from her."

"We need to stick together," said Hazlebub.

"Thank you, Hazle," said Lousa and gave the witch a look with her lips pursed and eyes narrowed. "There is safety in numbers. We travel together to this ruin of yours and stand guard against any minions of the Queen of the Dead while you perform your ceremony.

"This is foolishness," said Seymour. "Oliver and I could simply slay you all and take the staff anytime we wanted."

"Oliver," said Tanner with a look to the warrior who slept fitfully nearby, "is still recovering from his significant wounds and even if he were at full strength I trust Lousa, Shamki, Humbort, and I could prevent you from doing any such thing."

"You are a fool then," said Seymour and again shook his head with a sad little motion. "I could burn you all into cinders right now if I so chose and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. The only thing that stops me is my belief in Ras and what is right."

"The only thing that stops you is Shamki's right arm," said Tanner his voice raised an octave. "Now, we will work together to destroy the staff so you don't have to concern yourself with that," he went on.

Hazlebub and Sutekha exchanged a short glance with one another but did not say anything aloud.

"I will work with you," said Seymour as he stared at the merchant for a long moment. "I do this out of kindness and the belief that you truly do want the thing destroyed. Once it is disposed of I will ride back to Tarlton and leave this heathen land behind."

"Good riddance," said Humbort out loud and the Priest of Ras gave him a narrow-eyed look and shook his head sadly yet again.

"Sutekha of the Golden Worms," said Seymour and turned to address his former ally. "I can a.s.sume you have broken your sworn word to help me in this matter and choose to cast your lot with these barbarians?"

"Nothing of the sort, oh great and mighty Priest of the Sun, Master of the Icon of Ras, I swore to help you destroy the Staff of Naught in exchange for my freedom. I will keep my word and help you, but once that is accomplished my life is my own to lead, my destiny is my own to make."

"Ha," said Seymour and spun away towards where his own sleeping blanket lay out near Shemu. The priest spent a few moments with the horse but its sleek appearance already suffered from the lack of care since the death of Levicus. Its coat was duller and its tail showed knots and dirt. The priest climbed under his blankets, did not brush the horse, and closed his eyes, although if he slept or not was a mystery.

The next morning everyone broke camp doing his or her part except the Priest of Ras who simply saddled his steed and waited impatiently for everyone else to signal readiness. Oliver was still too weak to ride on his own and managed to stagger to the back of the wagon with the help of Shamki and Humbort although did instruct Tylan on how to brush down his horse, Dovestar, properly. The beast was uncooperative at first but after a few moments the boy managed to gain its trust and begin the process.

"Does no one understand the importance of time in all of this," muttered Seymour to himself as he watched the pace of the breakdown. "Heathens, one and all, even Sutekha, a proud desert nomad."

It only took about ten more minutes to get the little wagon moving west but each second seemed to sour the priest's mood even more.

Ariana stayed in the wagon with Hazlebub, Shalalee, Sutekha, and Oliver while Tanner and Almara sat in the driver's seat and guided the donkeys on their journey. Shamki rode out front while Unerus and Tylan walked along beside him. Humbort flitted back and forth between Lousa, who walked alongside the wagon, and the others in the wagon, and Shamki did not say much but kept a close watch on Seymour and the countryside.

"I never saw horses like that before," said Tylan with a look at Dovestar and Shemu. "I thought Shamki's was a really good horse but he looks like a donkey compared to the others. Even Sutekha's horse is much more powerful. Look at the way they walk, the way they hold their heads up, maybe someday I'll have a horse like that."

"I don't know how to ride," said Unerus with a nervous look at the monstrous steeds. It was easy to see that Tylan was perfectly correct in his a.s.sessment. Even a man who never saw a horse in his life would easily be able to distinguish the Tarltonite steeds as superior at a simple glance. Their muscles were bigger, their flanks more powerful, their coats glossier, the look in their eye stronger; they were almost completely a different species than the dull gray horse that Shamki rode.

"You can't ride?" said Tylan.

The little urchin shook his head, "Never needed to," he replied.

"I can teach you," said Tylan. "It's not all that hard. The trick is getting up in the saddle but after that anyone can do it. Right, Shamki?"

The big half-orc nodded his head, "Not hard, but hard to be good."

"What do you think of Shemu and Dovestar," said Unerus to the warrior.

"Good," said Shamki in his normal short way.

"Do you think more of those things will attack us," said Tylan as he suddenly changed the subject and looked around the gra.s.sy plains for any sign of movement.

"Yes," said Shamki expansively.

"When do you think they will attack?" asked Tylan. "Dad won't let me carry the hammer around but it's in the wagon and I can help. Would you teach me to fight like you're teaching Unerus?"

The big half-orc nodded, "I teach."

Tylan smiled broadly and began to mimic the circular movements that Shamki affected every morning although not nearly as smoothly.

In the wagon Hazlebub poured a greenish liquid down the throat of Oliver who face remained impa.s.sive although the muscles around his eyes tightened ever so slight. "I know it tastes horrible," said the witch with a smile, "but it will help clean out your blood. You'll be up and around in a few more days. Now flip over so I can change the dressing on those bite marks."

The Orc rolled over onto his stomach without protest and the witch quickly went to work, "Here, Ariana, Shalalee, you should watch this. Someday you'll be needing to help wounded men."

The gangly young Shalalee came over readily enough to watch and screwed up her face but did not look away while Ariana simply sat in the corner, her gaze far off in the distance although she stared at the side of the covered wagon.

"Ara," said Hazlebub a little louder and this seemed to snap the girl out of her reverie. "Come help me with these wounds."

The girl looked at the witch for a moment not saying anything but eventually rose up and looked down at the terrible bite marks that were green and black around the edges.

"Now," said Hazlebub. "The green and black is bruising and perfectly fine. What we don't want to see is anything a lighter shade of green or black liquid. Clear fluid is fine as long as there isn't too much. See this rag, we dip it in the decoction of willow and c.u.min which is good for reducing the swelling and helps the wound heal."

"Decotata?" said Shalalee and looked at the witch with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Decoction, that's when I boil out the essence of the plant."

"Isn't c.u.min for cooking?" said Ariana as she suddenly seemed to take an interest.

"The seeds are for cooking but I take the stems of the c.u.min and small branches of the willow and boil it until it looks like this mush here," said the woman. "All of the plants have mystical qualities and it takes a long time to learn how to treat each one. Some of them are toxic, others are good for potions and the like, but many of them are very helpful in the healing process. You have to be cautious though, if you treat them incorrectly they can be very poisonous."

Shalalee's eyes opened wide. "I heard a lot of witches sell poison so you can get rid of your enemies."

Hazlebub sat back after she finished the new dressing on Oliver's wounds and paused for a moment to take a deep breath. "That's truth, it is, sweetie. Some of my witchy friends choose that path and it often brings in many clients and rich rewards but eventually someone comes at you for revenge. At least that's what me mother taught me."

"Oh," said Shalalee and Ariana in unison.

"I'm not that kind of a witch although but it helps sometimes to let people think what they will," she continued with a smile and a wink.

"I'm glad you're not that kind of a witch," said Shalalee with a look up at the woman. "Do you think I could learn all about the plants and things?"

Hazlebub looked at the gangly girl, her eyes filled with hope, "Of course, but only if you're willing to work at the craft."

"I'm willing, I'm willing. I want to be a witch!" said the girl, a bright and broad smile on her face.

"What about you, Ara?" said Hazlebub turning to the girl, and Sutekha watched her closely for a moment his eyes narrowed to little slits.

Ariana paused for a moment and her hand went to the satchel tied over her shoulder and then she spoke, "No. I want to be a wizard."

"A wizard," said Sutekha and nodded his head slowly. "The life of a wizard is difficult and often lonely."

"Who is Shinamar?" asked the girl suddenly and Sutekha's eyed opened widely for a moment and the look of astonishment on his face was quite noticeable. It took him a few long seconds to recover but then he looked at Ariana closely again.

"I already told you that," said Hazlebub.

"I want to hear it from him," said Ariana and pointed to the wizard.

Sutekha looked at Hazlebub with a glance and the witch folded her arms over her chest. "Just tell her the truth."

"Where did you hear that name?" asked the worm wizard while he stroked his pale and hairless chin.

"Tenebrous said it," said Ariana. "When I told him there were no G.o.ds."

"Who is Tenebrous?" asked Sutekha his finger worked at his chin with greater energy.

"The shade who works for the Queen of the Abyss," said Hazlebub. "It was he who told us that she wanted the staff."

"I see," said Sutekha, "and you said something about there being no G.o.ds?" this last directed to Ariana.

"It's true, there are no G.o.ds," said the girl. "Tell me about Shinamar."

"Have you ever heard of Das'von?" questioned the mage with a strange little motion of his hands.

"A little, not much," said Ariana. "What is it?"

"It is a place. The ancient King of Cities, the seat of the Ancient Empire, the Throne of the Emperor, the Sundered Gates, the most powerful city in the world," said the mage slowly and carefully. "When the Empire collapsed it also fell and was abandoned during the Deathly Years. Only in the last millennia did people reoccupy it. Missionaries from Das'von encouraged the settling of all the ancient capitals, Sea'cra, Stav'rol, Tarlton, Doria, and Caparal. The Mage-Kings ruled Das'von and they plundered the ancient magical secrets buried in the city. The last of these Mage-Kings was Elucidor the Omnipotent. He was supposedly in contact with all the great cities planning to rebuild the empire of old. His apprentice was a terrible half-demon creature named Shinamar. Shinamar the Loathsome was his name."

"Who says he is terrible and loathsome?" interrupted Ariana suddenly standing, a look of rage on her face and her hand clutching the satchel that held the Staff of Naught.

"All this was more than a century ago, maybe two," said Sutekha. "The stories all note Shinamar as a terrible creature, a sycophant who pretended to ally with Elucidor and learned the secrets of his magic only to betray him and bring about the destruction of Das'von. All that remains is the Desert of Death and any who venture there dies from the Wasting Disease."

"It's not true," said Ariana as she still stood and clutched the satchel.

"How do you know that?" asked Sutekha with careful look at the girl.

"Because he wouldn't have betrayed Elucidor, he loved him, he loved Das'von," said the girl.

"How do you know that?" repeated the mage of the Golden Worm.

"Yes, Ara," supplemented Hazlebub. "How do you know that, tell us?"

The girl paused for a long time, did not say anything, but simply stood there and looked at them. "You wouldn't believe me."

"I would believe you," said Sutekha. "I've always had trouble with the legends. It's never been explained why Shinamar wanted to destroy Das'von. I can understand he wanted to usurp Elucidor and become the new Mage-King but the destruction of the city never made any sense."

"It was in their battle that Das'von was destroyed," said Hazlebub. "That's what is always said. My mother told me and her mother told her before."

"Let the child speak," said Sutekha, his eyes still keenly watching the girl. There was something about her, some sort of an aura that intrigued him.

"He, Shinamar, he speaks to me when I hold the staff, and sometimes when I don't" said Ariana after her long pause.

"How can you be sure it's him," interrupted Shalalee. "Maybe it's just the staff trying to trick you."

"No," said Ariana firmly. "It's not that. He didn't even tell me his name. I figured it out."

"Even if it is Shinamar who's to say he isn't lying to you," said Sutekha. "What else did he say?"

"He said it's most important to remember there are no G.o.ds. That they are just creatures like you and me but older and with more magic; he says it is they who brought on the dark times and that he will destroy them all!"

"He said that?" said Hazlebub, her eyebrows raised. "Have you told this to Lousa?"

The girl shook her head, "No."

"You've seen the power of the Icon of Ras," said Sutekha, "can you deny it is divinely gifted to Seymour?"

"I don't know," said Ariana. "He doesn't talk much. I think he's hiding or trapped or something. He wants to do more but he can't."

"It is said the Demons of the Dark Worlds who were in thrall to Elucidor hunted him down and tore him limb from limb after the betrayal," said Sutekha.

"I didn't hear that story," said Hazlebub and took her gaze off the girl and onto Sutekha. "Tenebrous said something about thinking his brothers killed Shinamar long ago."

"Tenebrous again," said Sutekha and scratched his chin once more. "Who is he?"

Silence greeted this question and Sutekha could only scratch his chin and speculate.

The rest of the day pa.s.sed without incident and Oliver showed some appet.i.te at supper while Seymour largely kept his own council. The rest of the group ate mostly in silence and watched the strange Priest of Ras. Even the normally talkative Shalalee spent quiet time with Hazlebub and looked at the array of plants she laid out. Before bed both Tylan and Unerus went through the martial drills laid out by Shamki and Oliver watched the activity closely.

"I'm not sure I like Tylan getting involved with that half-orc fighter," said Almara to Tanner. "He should be a merchant like you, it's safer."

"I know what you're saying dear," replied the stocky man with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "But, learning the way of the sword is not a bad thing to know in these times. Even if he does decide to follow in my footsteps skill with the blade will serve him well. You know that I'm no good at it and that has been a problem more than once. Remember that time we were up at the Great Salt Fen and those Chalcos bandits waylaid us?"

The woman nodded her head, "But fighting them might have been worse than just paying their toll, they could have killed you."

"True enough," said Tanner and nodded his head. "But if they wanted they could have taken everything we had and killed us anyway. I think that's what would have happened if Baron Avakubia's men hadn't come by at the last moment."

Almara nodded her head and then started to clean things up in preparations for the night.

Two days later Oliver sat on Dovestar riding ahead with Seymour while everyone else was either back in the wagon or out front discussing the two Tarltonites.