Pali smiled and chuckled softly. “No. I suppose I wouldn't want to do that either, if I were you. And if you knew her better, that feeling would become even stronger.”
“You said that you'd never seen wolves attack like that,” stated Gewey.
“No I have not.” He looked sideways at Gewey. “Nor have I seen their eyes glow green light. Something evil has entered the sands.” He pulled the blanket closer. “Perhaps the Creator had you save me to find out what it is… and destroy it.”
“Perhaps,” Aaliyah agreed. “Still, I will not have you go beyond the border of the Oasis. From there we go on without you.”
“I go where I please,” said Pali. “Besides, it seems to me that it is unwise to camp alone. If the wolves will attack the three of us, they would certainly attack a single elf.”
Aaliyah thought hard on this. “Perhaps you are right. But the dangers within the Black Oasis may be far worse, if what your mother says is true.”
“Whatever dangers are out there,” said Pali. “I would rather face them with friends at my side.” He smiled at Gewey. “Even if those friends are human. Though I must admit, you fight like no human I've ever seen. I am grateful the Soufis are not as fierce as you.”
“I was trained well,” said Gewey.
The rest of the night was quiet, though none slept, and they continued on an hour before dawn. Gewey flooded himself with the flow listening for any sign of danger.
“We will arrive at the Oasis by sundown,” said Pali. “I suggest we wait until tomorrow to enter. I would not want to brave the Black Oasis at night.”
“Agreed,” said Aaliyah.
By late afternoon, Gewey was becoming increasingly and inexplicably anxious. It was as if an aloof presence lurked just beyond his senses. From time to time he would glance over at Pali and Aaliyah. They seemed untroubled, although alert.
An hour before sundown the dunes began to flatten and Gewey noticed a jagged black stripe peaking over the horizon. It stretched for miles in either direction and even in the waning sun, heat radiated above it causing the air to ripple and twist. Gewey tried to use the flow to see it more clearly, but his vision was reflected off the surface, causing his sight to fail.
“We're here,” said Pali. “The Black Oasis.”
“Indeed,” remarked Aaliyah.
“It's enormous,” said Gewey.
“Yes, it is,” agreed Pali. “It is twice as deep as it is wide, and so thick with trees and brush, one can hardly move. A path exists, but we'll have to find it.”
“We should stop here.” Aaliyah eyed the Oasis warily. “This is as close as I want to be at night.”
“Then we rest here and look for the path in the morning,” said Pali.
That night Gewey's sleep was troubled by a dark presence. Several times he awoke hand reaching for his blade, and Aaliyah did not sleep at all. She sat hugging her knees close to her chest, peering into the blackness. Pali drifted off almost as soon as he lay down.
Finally, Gewey decided restful sleep was out of his grasp and he sat next to Aaliyah. The presence remained. “Do you feel it?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “Something resides there. Something ancient. Something with fury in its heart.”
He glanced over at the sleeping figure of Pali. “How can he sleep so near this place?”
She pulled the blanket tight around her. “It could be that he cannot feel it. Or…”
“Or what?” asked Gewey.
“Or perhaps whatever lives there chooses not to trouble him.” She shuddered. “If so, then it knows we are here. Either way, I am pleased that our guide will be rested. I feel that we will need all of our wit and strength very soon.”
Chapter 14
Theopolou led the army at a pace that would have astounded any human warlord or general, only pausing briefly once a day to rest and take a quick meal. At night they made camp alongside the roads and trails, sleeping for only a few hours, then marching before the sun broke the horizon.
Kaylia and Nehrutu continued with their lessons, though only for an hour each day. Still, she progressed rapidly, and by the third day of the march, was able to allow the flow to pass through her with ease. By the end of the first week she could move small amounts of earth and use the power to heighten her senses far beyond that of even the most experienced seeker. Scouts brought news of Valshara preparing for siege, with sightings of at least a dozen Vrykol roaming the area outside the temple. A guard of twenty men blocked the path leading up to the gates, and bowmen patrolled the ramparts day and night. Theopolou hoped that they may be able to enter through the rear passageway, but learned that it had been completely blocked off.
The army turned north to avoid coming too close to Valshara before joining with the human forces. It added an extra day, but Theopolou felt it better to hide their numbers until the last moment. The terrain became rocky and jagged, causing them to twist and turn to avoid spots where they could be ambushed.
The day before they arrived, Theopolou called a council of the elders. Nehrutu and Mohanisi joined them, as did Linis and Kaylia. Theopolou had received word that the soldiers from Althetas awaited them ten miles north of Valshara.
“This means that they will be expecting an attack to come soon,” said Chiron. “A human army is loud and easily spotted.”
“It is likely they know we are coming as well,” said Theopolou. “It is not the battle that will take them by surprise. It is the weapons we bring.” He motioned to Nehrutu and Mohanisi, who stepped forward.
“We can break open the gates,” said Nehrutu. “But from the way they are described, it may take both of our efforts. The approach is narrow and exposed, so we will need to dispose of the enemy archers.”
“Our bowmen can give you the time you need,” said Bellisia.
“I assumed so,” Nehrutu continued. “But if the gates are held by these Vrykol, we may find ourselves faced with a different problem. If they can only be slain by removing their heads, then we will lose many elves before we can overcome them. The narrow passage will make our numbers count for nothing.”
“Let us not forget our human allies,” Bellisia reminded. “Their city is close, and they may be well-supplied with siege engines.”
“I have not forgotten,” said Theopolou. “But they have not made war in five hundred years, beyond petty border squabbles. The human armies of old were cunning and powerful, but I doubt a single soldier today has ever seen true battle.” His eyes grew dark and distant. “And many of us have.”
“Still,” Linis interjected, “they are our allies, and perhaps we should wait until we arrive to make any final decisions. Otherwise they may take it as an insult.”
“Linis speaks wisely,” said Nehrutu. “Though it is clear that Mohanisi and I must breach the gates, you would be well served to include your new allies in your planning. And as Lady Bellisia pointed out, they are near their home. It may provide assets we cannot yet account for.”
“Then we wait,” said Theopolou. “We will join with the humans tomorrow.”
The knowledge that the elf army would soon join with humans had caused palpable tension among the ranks. Many were still unsure, not having been present at the Chamber of the Maker. They accepted the word of the elders, but this did little to calm their unease. Many had never even seen a human, and all had grown up with the hatred.
That evening they halted early and slept until dawn. Theopolou wanted his army rested when they arrived. By midday, they could hear the sounds of blacksmiths’ hammers ringing out in the distance. The ground had become even and far less rocky, and a few trees struggled out of barren soil. When the camp came into view, Theopolou and the other elders gathered in front, and called for a halt.
Moments later, trumpets blew and the sound of human commanders barking orders carried over the still air as the soldiers scurried to form ranks.
