The Stone Key – Chapter 40

Chapter Forty

So yesterday’s time in the Earthtemple isn’t over, the overguardian still has something from Kasanda to give Elspeth. Taking a new path out of the panel cavern, they approached the front of the temple and Elspeth could see Templeport and the vast ocean beside it. The overguardian, who isn’t exactly the ‘nicest’ of people, but being chosen as the overguardian is probably a huge burden and it would be wearisome hearing thoughts and seeing into the future, tells Elspeth to grab something from a crevice. Inside was a stone sword, and the overguardian tells her to keep it until she finds the person who it rightfully belongs to. Who that is, Elspeth is going to have to find out?

And that is apparently all, the overguardian has nothing more, she cannot answer any more questions because she does not know any more. Except that Kasanda, who obviously made it, said it had great value and it was the ‘key to all things’. And no Elspeth there will never be an end to all of the mysteries, I almost feel like Isobelle Carmody is toying with us at that point trying to highlight our own frustration about the never ending mysteries with Elspeth’s. But a stone sword is a really strange object to make in the first place, so confusing! Is this the STONE KEY, instead of the other thing?

Returning to the settlement, Elspeth isn’t going to join the dancing and frivolity, she has been reminded that she is the Seeker, and that her path is one which she alone must go down. She tries to ponder the sword and why Kasanda would make such a thing, and who it could belong to, but she really has no clue. But at this point I think Elspeth just has to trust that there will come a time when the answer is clear, and she won’t really have to search for answers, they just seem to come to her eventually. But some answers that Elspeth doesn’t have is what the other signs and things are going to do, and I think that they must be the commands to destroy the weaponmachines, this device is just to get into the place, not destroy things.

But something that I completely missed was Cassy saying that she had ‘defied time twice and in more than one way’. What on earth does she mean? I guess this is one way she defied time, but what was the other? And she also said that it had cost her much to get this computer, but what exactly was that? Was that in the Red Queen’s Land, and it means her husband? Did he go off to get it and died in the process? Or was it during the Great White that she lost something to get the computer? But then she would have had to keep it hidden for ages, so maybe she found it when she was a captive of the Gadfians, but what did she lose there? We haven’t heard much about her time there. In fact I find it curious that Elspeth has only ever seen Cassy before the Great White, and never during her life afterwards. Is that because we only need to see her Beforetime life, and we can hear more about her other parts from the Gypsies and Sadorians? A little strange how that works, but I guess seeing the Beforetime and understanding how and why the Great White happened is more important.

Another great mystery is Maruman! How did Cassy know about his ‘other name’ Merimyn, and why did she use that name? Is Maruman actually Merimyn? And if so, why did he tell Elspeth his name was Maruman, or indeed how did Elspeth come to know that was his name? I mean the fact that Maruman seems to have somehow existed in the Beforetime with that vision of a girl calling Merimyn, is just so puzzling. One explanation I guess would be that somehow Cassy sent him to Elspeth’s time, since she said she defied time twice, maybe this was the other way?

I do like that the Sadorians take theft so seriously, and regard every crime as theft. If you kill someone, it is theft of life, if you steal a thing, it is theft of property, if you keep someone captive it is theft of freedom, there is also theft of love but I don’t know if that means you cheat on your partner, or seduce someone’s bondmate, it is a little ambiguous. And if you steal freedom or life, you are sent out to the desert naked, and if you find your way back you are free to go anywhere but Sador. Of course it wouldn’t make sense to send out the experienced Sadorians since they would find their way back without trouble, they are given a potion though, that means they can no longer see long distances, so they are unable to make out the stars and unable to navigate there way back. Apparently that effect is permanent, so most people don’t really want to return even if they could. So I guess crime is so low because of such harsh penalties. The punishment actually acts as a deterrent because it is so severe, some might argue it is unethical, but why should you break these laws in the first place?

Elspeth decides to go for a swim in the pool at the base of the cliffs, and finds Bruna and a lot of other young women there. It seems Jakoby’s plan has worked and Bruna and the other women are preparing for the hunt, by cooling down in the pool. As for whether Dardelan has put in a stone, we do not know yet, but Bruna has three, so there is a good chance. Elspeth is reminded about Miryum and Straaka, who have been missing for a long time now, Straaka is dead of course, but as for Miryum we do not know. There was a kasanda who said that they walked together but no under the moon or sun, which could mean that they are now together but in death. But that is a mystery that is once again, not really solved, maybe we will never know where Miryum took Straaka’s body and what she did after. And just before the hunt begins, there is a strange moment where Elspeth sees two honey coloured women, and she wonders where they have come from, not the Land, Norseland or Sador, because they don’t look like anyone Elspeth has seen. So where have they come from, and how on earth did they get here? But sadly we don’t get to find out, MORE MYSTERY!

Instead it is now time for the ‘hunted’ to depart, before the hunters leave themselves an hour later. And as Bruna departs, we find another person Elspeth knows, Daffyd. He is still searching for Gilaine, his brother and Lidgebaby. Of course part of that is to try and bring down Salamander, but he hasn’t been to Sador has he? Daffyd thinks so, but doesn’t elaborate, instead talks about the Land’s own victory against the Hedra. Elspeth pushes him again, and Daffyd explains his theory that Salamander is a Sadorian tribesman. Even though Sadorians hate slavery, there are always ‘bad eggs’, so maybe it is true.

He tells his tale, he came to Sador in an attempt to reach the west coast after the rebellion, but soon found that nobody was sailing there. So he got a job here, and began to ponder why Salamander had never attacked one of the Sadorian greatships (apart from the one that was burnt) and why he never came to Sador. Continuing his story, he was sent on a kar-aven, and when he was travelling through the desert he heard something that made him realise that maybe Salamander didn’t come from the Red Queen’s Land after all. He talked to a woman who was originally from the Land but had married a tribesman. The woman was once a shipgirl on a small vessel, which was attacked by Salamander’s ship, the crew were taken as slaves, apart from one who was sent adrift, and if lucky would reach land to spread word of Salamander. But this woman had climbed over the edge of the boat and hung onto a rope connected to the boat while it was raided. The woman then swam back onto the boat, and unbound the man, and they were brought by currents to Sador. The woman remained here, but the man returned to the Land.

But during her time in the water, clinging to the rope, she saw something nobody else has ever seen. She saw in one of the windows of the ship, Salamander who had been wounded. His slave tended to him and gave him stitches. The woman saw that Salamander’s skin was ‘as brown as choca’. Elspeth thinks this makes him Gadfian, but that also means that he is likely to be Sadorian, since Gadfia (or what remains) isn’t exactly around the corner. Daffyd then thought that Salamander would be so secretive simply so he was then able to come to Sador and do as he pleased, without his disguise. This gives Daffyd a chance to get onto his boat, if indeed his theory is true, but how he would know it was Salamander is impossible. But he seems to think he must just find a Sadorian who disappears and then reappears after a long period of time, but after all these are nomads so that isn’t an easy feat.

But now with the expedition to the Red Queen’s Land coming into place, Daffyd will tag along and find Gilaine and the others. Rushton wants him to propose his theory to the tribe tonight, just as he puts his request forward, so that the tribes have even less incentive to refuse. And that on their venture to the Red Queen’s Land they will find out who the hell Salamander is, and can put at stop to him, though I don’t see how they will do that, even with the four ships they won’t have a huge force, and Salamander can just sail away with Ariel and all his people to wherever the hell he wants! So I think they are slightly optimistic to think they will stop him. But what seems to be true is that the slavers of the Red Queen’s Land are in fact Gadfians, but not the same ones that stole the Sadorian women. Since Gadfia was a huge place, this seems likely. All of this has come from Daffyd’s time here with the Sadorian people, who know an awful lot about Gadfia and the Beforetime, but prefer to keep such information a secret, and don’t like sharing the knowledge because they don’t like dwelling on the past, preferring to see it as a lesson not to go down their path.

Daffyd is taken away by Gilbert, who is happy to see the man after such a long time, but first we find out that Dardelan has apparently retired and gone to bed. But I don’t know, Gilbert just hasn’t seen him for a while, and the hunt might be a good reason why. This is as the first hunter catches his ‘prey’, honestly it is very barbaric thinking and writing about this in these terms, but it is the Sadorian way, and the women aren’t really caught unless they want to, so it is just a display of their love, and the man’s dedication and determination to get what he loves.

Elspeth and Maruman head off to bed, and I’m going to leave it here, even though I haven’t finished this chapter, and since the epilogue is REALLY short, it makes sense to stop now, and finish it all off tomorrow! A lot has happened already, but there is still some room for something else, who knows!

The Keeping Place – Epilogue!

Epilogue

Wow, we’ve made it to the end of The Keeping Place. Something that began at the end of August, yes we’ve had a few distractions, namely The Casual Vacancy, and a few occasions where I haven’t been able to blog, but we’ve made it!

Now that Elspeth, is a very good point. But, nobody wants to know the answer to that. Once the story is over, we aren’t too interested in what happens next (unless we are heavily invested in the story and want to know every little detail about their remaining lives … *cough*Harry Potter*cough*). Especially for fairytales, we just want to know that the princess and prince are together and that they live ‘happily ever after’. Exactly, we want the events not the what happens after as the prince and princess settle down and have kids. But the story here, is still ongoing. Rushton is still recovering, but is finally back as Master of Obernewtyn, and has been meeting with the rebels, presumably so that they can do something about the west coast.

Unfortunately, Elspeth and Rushton haven’t made amends. Rushton appears to be avoiding Elspeth. Whether that is because of his torture and drug-addled time with the Herders, or the repressed memory saga, is not known. Dameon seems to think that Rushton is fearing Elspeth’s contempt. And that is an interesting concept. Because Rushton is not as he was. And Elspeth wants him to be exactly who is was, and she wants him to be open with what happened, but he isn’t ready.

As for Dragon, she is awake, but she remembers nothing about Obernewtyn or Elspeth. Dameon doesn’t understand that Elspeth was counting on Dragon remembering the location of the sign, but so far, she seems to remember nothing. The rebellion on the other hand, is under control, though Vos is in danger of losing his control, since he is more ruthless than the councilman he replaced. It is interesting that nobody has joined the dots and figured out that Elspeth was involved in Dragon’s as well as Rushton’s recovery. She isn’t too sure how much of the dream was real, and how much was a tapestry. But it is clear that Matthew saw a carving of the Red Queen, and was convinced that it was Dragon. I wonder if he thinks that Dragon is from this land?

When Dragon woke she seemed only to recall her time on the west coast in the ruins, and only Dameon had been able to approach her with his empathy. Upon seeing Elspeth, she barred her teeth, which is not the best sign. Elspeth does a quick roundup of all the things that have happened recently. Apparently Domick is still nowhere to be found, and Miryum, did not go to Sador. Daffyd is also missing. The rebels were optimistic that their ships will be ready the following spring, which is a year away. That is quite a long time for both sides to get ready. A lot could happen.

Elspeth thought over her quest, and all the different signs. She was a lot more confident that she would be able to find them all. Hannah Seraphim’s grave, she believes the Tecknoguild will eventually find. As for the monument for Kasanda’s son, that is on the west coast where ever the pact between the Gypsies and Council occurred. And then there is also the one over the seas in the Red Land. Elspeth is still coming to terms with the revelation that Cassy is Kasanda. Honestly it doesn’t seem so shocking, but since I already knew that, that is probably why. And Elspeth is convinced that Ariel is the Destroyer, but I’m not so sure.

Maruman tells Elspeth that time waits for nobody, and asks her if she is so eager to walk towards her journey where the Destroyer, H’rayka and glarsh await. She really does need to enjoy the time she has, before venturing out on her lifetime quest. Patience is a virtue, but one that is hard to remember. Elspeth decides that maybe she’ll ease up on Rushton and Dragon. And sends to Rushton that she wants to go for a walk together, and then go for a swim.

That’s it, The Keeping Place is over. I’ll do a wrap up post tomorrow, with some ‘news’ about the final book in the series, before launching into The Stone Key.

The Keeping Place – Part 3 – The Dreamtrails – Chapter 24

Part Three – The Dreamtrails (does this mean Elspeth does get time to investigate these dreams?)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Elspeth returns to Obernewtyn after having attended the meeting with the rebels, and agreeing to assist them not only in communication, healing and scrying out traitors, but also leading out soldierguards and taking them to be surrounded. On her arrival, Alad told her that there was no news of Rushton, from any of their sources. Elspeth sets about gathering up the guildleaders to tell them the news of the meeting. It will take some time to get Garth to Obernewtyn, but Elspeth doesn’t mind if they don’t all come at the same time. Miryum would be coming as the knight’s representative, even though Elspeth asked her to come for Gevan’s representative, so the break between coercer and knight seems final. Elspeth thinks about how to broach the subject with the other guildleaders. Technically, what she and Gevan did wasn’t right, she wasn’t supposed to agree to Malik’s plan without checking with the guildmerge, but there was no time for that. Elspeth was sure that the guildleaders would not mind though, and would accept her decision.

Aras came with some food, and Elspeth realised that she did miss Ceirwan and his help. What they are doing in Sutrium, now with Domick’s appearance, I do wonder about. Elspeth naively wishes for everyone to be at Obernewtyn, safe, hidden away with a frozen pass, get she has just agreed to send even more of her people away far flung from Obernewtyn. Alad arrives, and he mentions he has seen the Hide (the caves they were going to use for an evacuation) and he thinks it ideal as a refuge point, but they don’t really need to leave now. Miky and Zarak shortly arrive, with the others on their way (Angina is having a well earned sleep).

Elspeth outlines the events of the meeting, and Malik’s suggestion about using Misfits as decoys to draw soldierguards into an ambush. She is telling them about this, not wanting their approval, but asks for a list of suitable candidates to be sent across the Land, and also to be involved in this ruse. Alad tells Elspeth that the beasts will be happy they are now part of the rebellion, because it will allow them to plan more beast raids. Tomorrow, when Gevan returns, there will be a guildmerge to decide on who is to go. But a good question is, how many people are going? Elspeth and Gevan decided that 3 Misfits for each of the 13 rebel groups, so 39 in total. Three people could take care of each other much better than two. Zarak likens it to a whiplash, and he has some good news about their progress.

They don’t have too much time to prepare, as there are now 6 days until the rebellion, and people will need to leave tomorrow to get to Morganna. Those only travelling a short distance, can leave later. In a way it is lucky Obernewtyn was preparing for evacuation, because they have supplies all organised, and it is just a matter of dividing it all up and organising horses for travel. Alad voices his concern about Malik’s plan for the Misfits. Elspeth agrees, and announces she will be going to Guanette to keep an eye on Malik, but Alad tells her that nobody is going to agree and let her go, since she is their Master of Obernewtyn, and they’ve already (temporarily) lost Rushton. Elspeth doesn’t lose hope straight away, and says she will be as safe in Gunatette as Obernewtyn if Maryon is correct, and she is more than capable of handling herself. Miky reminds her that her powers will be useless against Malik, and that an empath must go to Guanette, but Elspeth reminds her that there will be so much hatred there, that an empath will have to be able to cope with it all, not an easy task.

Miky says she will go, since hatred is the hardest emotion to bear, but Elspeth denies her this chance, by saying she has to stay for Dragon. Miryum and Rhianon (the coercer stand-in) enter, and stop conversation as they are brought up to speed. Miryum wants the knights involved as much as possible, but there are only 10 of them, including Straaka. Elspeth suggests five of them go to the West Coast, and the other five can plan Malik’s decoy plan. The decoy group will have to have empaths, in case there are demon bands, and there will have to be beastspeakers to control the horses. Rhianon suggests that those going to the West Coast, travel as magi, since they will be known around there by now, and they will get a pleasant reception.

So much discussion, is again stopped while Maryon is debriefed, but of course she was already aware that they would be involved in the rebellion, this morning, she was certain. She cannot say if this is the strife she predicted, as her guild have been having confusing readings recently. Given their involvement in the rebellion, the future has appeared to chance, there is less bloodshed, but now far from Obernewtyn. But there still is treachery. One piece of good news, she has seen that Rushton is alive. Elspeth tells her that her people won’t be involved with the rebellion, but Maryon tells her that Dell will be going to the West Coast. Alad tries to ask her why Dell and why the West Coast, but she does not answer.

Roland enters, (smelling foully, having prepared a ointment for Javo) and he too is filled in, and he says that a healer must go with each group. Elspeth says that they must have a second ability, and the rebels will have their own healers too. Roland is not pleased, as he suggests that Elspeth really believes the rebellion will be bloodless just because they want it to. Elspeth leaves it to him to come up with a list. They briefly discuss the demon bands, before talking of the meetings between the Herders and soldierguards on the west coast. Roland believes it has to do with coin, which isn’t surprising.

Elspeth is reminded of her dream about Matthew, and tells the group. Roland says a few of his people have dreamed of Matthew, but there has been no talk of a pit or the Red Queen. Maryon tells her that it is possible the pit or the Red Queen are symbolic and have a different meaning if they recur from mind to mind. Elspeth recounts her dream in detail, and Maryon says that nobody has mentioned Gilaine and Jow, but that would be because nobody else knows them. Whoever goes to Sutrium will try to find Daffyd and pass on this news, as well as look for Domick. The issue of communication comes up. How will they communicate between the rebel groups, and back to Obernewtyn? Good thing they have been working on a whiplash technique just for this sort of thing. But last we heard it wasn’t very successful, and the groups had to be selected specifically so it could work, so how would random Talents go about doing it? We’ll let Zarak answer this question, next time.

Ashling – Chapter 41 Part Two

Chapter Forty-One Part Two

After the first two Battlegames, all 10 Misfits are remaining, while only 9 rebels remain. I think the rebels are confident that they have been successful so far, but I still see the Misfits as winning, but the qualities they are portraying are probably not suited to fighting a war. We will have to wait and see how things change up this time, and how many games will actually take place overall.

Game Three. The dice are again rolled, and this time, it is ‘The Pole’. Three competitors are needed for this game. I’ve just had a thought, what would they have done if on the previous game, three, four, even the entire ten, competitors were chosen? Because one person could not possibly carry two people up that wall. Would it be a different game, would there just be pairs climbing up the wall? Or would this never happen because of the Earthgoddess? So the group huddles up to decide which three should tackle The Pole. Hannay offers himself as if the pole is a weapon he has had experience, but feels dejected at his previous failures. Angina tells him that he did not fail, and was able to conquer the wall without her making him feel brave. Miryum offers herself because pole fighting is her ‘speciality’ and now they know aggression is rewarded, she thinks she can give them aggression. Rushton also offers his own services, because of his skills with a pole. Daffyd makes up the three.

Dameon warns that it might not be fighting with a pole, which was the basis of their selection, but it is too late and Jakoby calls them over. The chosen six went over to the armouring tent to get ready. When Jakoby announced the game, it was clear they had made another wrong decision. This game had nothing to do with the ‘common sport’ of pole fighting. Instead, the poles were long thin pieces of wood high up in the air connecting two ledges, two such constructions were only an arm’s width apart. They have to get all three members across to the other side, one at a time, without falling. But, Miryum is the stronger coercer, and she fears heights the most out of everyone. The rebels though also seemed concerned and unhappy with the explanation of the game, and they were probably thinking the same as the Misfits. The six returning holding short staves to use as balancing poles.

Miryum was clearing concerned about the task she will have to do. As they move into position, it is Rushton that goes first, and he does so with the grace and balance that allowed him to remain steady out at sea. The first rebel however, went slow, clearly fearing the task. Daffyd was already making his way across as the first rebel finished. The second rebel was much more agile and went out with confidence. He decides to employ the violent tactics that the others have used, and without warning, he strikes Daffyd with his stave. Daffyd dropped his own stave and was clearly unbalanced. But, unfortunately for the rebel he was too busy laughing to see that the stave had fallen onto to straddle the two walking poles, and he stepped forward only to trip on the stave. I would say that such thing is karma, and he had no chance to stay on the pole, and fell with a terrible scream. Considering he was trying to knock Daffyd off the poles, I am not overly concerned with the rebel, but still it is a terrible way to go.

But Daffyd was still in a precarious position, trying to regain balance. Rushton shouts some advice, and after a while he stepped forward again, but misjudged it, and he too fell. Instead of falling off completely, he caught hold of the pole with his arms. He hung there for a while, before going hand over hand to the ladder. Coming back to the ground he sees where the rebel fell, who is now motionless, he is dead. What is sad and terrible is that neither of the two other rebels had even looked at the man or tried to see if he was alive, they don’t have very good comradery, and it is each man for themselves. The first rebel to cross yells and pushes the remaining rebel, making him hurry to cross. Clearly they don’t even care that their ‘brother’ was just killed and are just concerned with winning.

Miryum was not fairing well, she could not take her eyes of the dead rebel. Rushton was concerned and tries to make her focus on him. The two of them climb the ladder together, and the third rebel is also fearful of the height, and is making his way slowly along. The first rebel, again stooping so low, decided to start yelling abuse and taunts at Miryum, and to be honest, I wish it was he who had fallen. Rushton was on the finishing side of the pole, Miryum at the start, transfixed on him. He tells her to move across at whatever speed she likes, but to not look down, and to keep focused on him. She stood still for some time, but then started to move. She inched out to the exact middle of the pole, and made the mistake of looking down and seeing the dead rebel.

Both Rushton and Daffyd yell encouragement, and Daffyd suggests she swings the rest of the way like he did. Hannay doesn’t think she can do it, but Miryum cries out that she is strong and she can do it. Rushton walks out to her (much to the anger of the rebels, who are protesting his actions) and speaks to her softly, coaxing her along. The third rebel had made it to the end, and just like the first rebel was jeering and exorting the coercer to ‘join the dead rebel on the ground’ (WHAT AN ***************************! Now I don’t even care if all of them die, in fact I wish death upon them, they are terrible human beings, that don’t deserve to live.). Rushton slowly grabs Miryum’s stave and slowly pulls her forward, all the while encouraging her. She started to walk, and the true dexterity and skill of Rushton is shown as he is able to walk backwards, whilst leading Miryum across.

As they both made it to the other side, all the Misfits were crying and cheering. The rebels on the other hand were accusing them of cheating, and formally puts it to Jakoby. She is not sure of how they cheated. Malik uses such foul language that I want someone to slap him, and if nothing happens I want to jump into the book and strangle him. He claims that without Rushton’s help Miryum would never have made it across (and he calls Miryum some terrible words that no one, especially not a man, should say about a woman). Bram (in my mind he is telling to stick the protest where the sun don’t shine) says that the Misfits showed great courage and great devotion to one another. He says that maybe there was too much devotion as Rushton would have fallen with her, had she lost balance and taken their leader down with them. And thinks that a wise leader does not risk himself in that way, not for any of his warriors (sorry I really disagree. A true leader is willing to assist their ‘warriors’ because no individual is more important than one another, sure the leader directs the others, but without warriors the leader is nothing. Rushton did a great thing, and showed great courage and compassion, something a leader needs.). Bram then goes on to PRAISE (how can he praise such a thing oaorsjtouishgo;uahr;oghae;roihja;os) the single-mindedness of the rebels in trying to thwart their opponents. But suggests they had better reduce their zeal, as it had cost another of their players, they now only have 8.

He expresses regret at the death of the rebel, and says that they can’t lose all their warriors in one battle, in case in the larger scheme of war, there are many more battles to come. Not a single (as far as we are told) of the rebels look concerned or regretful or upset or sad or disturbed that one of their own had DIED. I guess they are warriors and must come to terms with death, but you shouldn’t just throw your fellow warriors aside once they have died, especially when it is really in vain in a GAME.

Elspeth tells us the next game is called ‘The Ride’. Hopefully the Misfits can better judge this game and chose the most suitable candidate/s for it. I wonder how long it will be before Elspeth gets involved, after all she is the main character and will surely want to get involved. Same goes for Malik, will he risk himself at any stage, or does he think himself too valuable to risk?

 

Ashling – Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Most of the group set about clearing their patch of land, and then erecting a tent that they bought in Sutrium (which they did on the advice of Jakoby). Daffyd and Freya were sent to get some water, and Elspeth and Fian were sent to exchange their small amount of coin for some Temple tokens. Dameon also decided to join them, and because the temple and the source of water are close by, they all walked together for a while. At least Elspeth did not have to be alone with Freya, though it seems that her presence does not annoy Elspeth as much as Rushton’s. Which is very odd, since ‘she is the one who stole ‘her’ man away’.

By the time they reached the shade of the cliffs they were all gasping for air, because of the intense heat and blinding light, things they are not used to. They quickly drank their fill in the spring of water, and sat down in the shade. The heat is so surprising to them, and Fian is not impressed that they will have to walk up the cliff to gain access to the Temple and exchange their coin. The shade is no longer providing much coolness, and they soon felt hot again. They sat for quite a while, regaining their energy. Elspeth noticed some half-breed Gypsies, and remembers that Powyrs said they were treated well here, and Elspeth thinks that if that is the case, more of them will escape persecution in the Land, and try to bare the heat.

Then Fian spotted soldierguards, high ranking ones at that. Are they still here? Sure both ‘countries’ need diplomacy, but the fanatical Herders and the power-hungry Councilmen will be looking to gain control of Sador. There were two Herders with them, and it looked like there were a number of Sadorians hanging around them, have they possibly been converted? Daffyd suggests that they may want to start their journey, and get away from the Herders and soldierguards, because who knows what would happen if one of them recognised them as fugitives, would they detain them? What would the Sadorians do about that action? Freya doesn’t think Dameon should go with them up the cliff, but he assures her that he is not ill and only blind, and Fian wants to have one final drink before beginning the ascent but Daffyd stops him, saying he will be sick if he has a stomach full of water and goes out in the heat.

It was a steep walk (predictably) to get up to the top of the cliffs, and they were beginning to doubt they would be back to the camp before dusk, as they appear to be half way to the Temple. Elspeth ponders how the Sadorians can survive in such an extreme environment. Templeport was actually a ‘spit’ and the spring was at the base of the cliffs, a road wound up to the top of the cliffs, and then a path cut wound away from the cliff into a deep fissure, this was the way to the Temple. In this fissure was the ‘second face’ of the Temple, the other facing the spit and the ocean, which was intricately carved and had windows. This face only had one doorway, which must serve as to the entrance of the Temple.

There were around 30 people lining up outside the doors in various queues. One line had elderly people, worried parents with sickly children, and others with rough bandages or terrible coughs. That line was for those sick looking for healing from the Temple. The next line had more animals than humans, and must be where they were brought to be checked for diseases (interesting that they still have a sort of ‘customs’ to check for disease). Though these were all smaller animals, the horses must be examined elsewhere. In the third line were Sadorians carrying bags of spices, to trade their tribe’s quota of spice of tokens. Elspeth was surprised that none of the lines were moving, but then saw that there were some barefooted men and women moving around the lines, who must be the Temple guardians, clearly the work is done outside the Temple rather than inside. I share Fian’s disappointment that we do not get to go inside and explore the interesting temple.

Elspeth moves closer to hear the exchange between on of the guardians and a Sadorian woman. The guardian asks her, “What do you seek of the earth?” Elspeth could not see the man’s face, as all the guardians were cloaked. The woman told him a great list of her ailments which he listened to intently, and then he gave her a stick, which he told to boil in water and then drink. Fian noted that it was just a relaxing herb that he gave her, and thinks that this makes the guardian a fake and is giving her something that isn’t really treating her. Elspeth paid little attention to Fian, and wondered what the fourth line was for, as people did not look ill or carrying spice or trade-wares. Elspeth heard another guardian speak to a person in that line, and found that it was for people seeking wisdom and guidance. Hearing what the guardian suggests for dealing with his worry about his son marrying, Fian thinks it just common sense, and I can see that he thinks this whole thing some sort of sham, but I think having someone say what you are thinking makes you a lot more confident that think is right, actually is right, and we just need to hear reassurances to get us over the line to act. Something Dameon agrees with.

On the fifth and final line, a guardian is holding a two bags, clearly exchanging coin. Elspeth tells the others to wait as she goes to join the end of that line. The guardian approaches Elspeth, and she asks again what she is seeking of the earth, and Elspeth responds that she is paying respect to the earth-goddess and here to exchange tokens. She exchanges the coin for the earth tokens, she lifts Elspeth’s arm and makes a sign, but whatever she says is drowned out by a scream. A youth that Elspeth saw earlier in some sort of fit, has come running towards Elspeth, and she thinks he is going to attack. But instead he asks her whether she has brought the Moonwatcher. The women with the youth, rush over to take him away and tell Elspeth that when such fits come over him, it looks like he is possessed by demons. The guardian asks, when the women have left, who she is in a strange tense voice. Elspeth tells her that she is a visitor from the Land, and the guardian wants to know who. Elspeth tells the truth and mentions Jakoby, an answer which seems to calm the guardian and she bades her to find harmony and nurture the earth. What just happened? Why did the guardian get so odd, is the Moonwatcher some sort of evil thing? What is the moonwatcher or who is it? I have no idea.

Just as they thought it was dusk by the time they returned to Templeport and the spit. The moon had already risen, and people were starting to light fires and cook their dinners. Fian suggests that they buy some food to take to the camp, and the trade area was one part of Sador that felt familiar to Elspeth. All the traders jostle for their attention, and ask them if the have things to sell or want to buy this or that. Even here, one person commented ‘Filthy Gypsies’ which is just disgusting that this prejudice has spread to here, all they did was refuse to buy something. Some people. Then a woman asks Fian if he would like a pretty girl, which is just something not right. Fian backs away and crashes into one of the kamuli, which snorts at him. Elspeth tries to speak to the kamuli, but either it could not or didn’t really want to understand her. They continue through the market, and Fian still comments on how hot it is even though it is dusk, Dameon however predicts that the night will be cold, and I’m sure it will be.

Fian thinks the Sadorians mad to live in such a place, and a familiar voice agrees with him. It is Jakoby, newly arrived from her journey. Literally out of nowhere Rushton appears and bows and says how honoured he is to meet Jakoby (where did he come from?). Jakoby was lucky not to get becalmed like they were, and (somehow now at the camp) she inspects everyone, who in return is staring at her in wonder. Jakoby comments that everyone looks quite young, but she acknowledges that that may not be a bad thing. She asks Rushton and Elspeth to go with her and Elspeth tries to decline, but Rushton accepts for the both of them. They are going to see Bram, the judge of the Battlegames, and he will explain the rules of the games which will start tomorrow. Rushton asks if all the rebels are here, but all are not, those who were coming are now here though. There are more rebels than Brydda expected though, and the last of them arrived at the same time as Jakoby, who was lucky to have strong winds, as they were a day late in their departure.

They were just about to leave when they heard Miryum’s voice call out angrily, and also the sound of a blow. They hurried back and found Miryum standing over a Sadorian man holding a bloody nose sitting on the ground. They try to find out what happened, and Miryum says that he was trying to make fun of her. The man tries to explain that she is mistaken, and that he was speaking ‘ravek’ and is sorry for causing offence as it was not intended. He enquires whether he should kill himself. Well that’s very extreme. Miryum is shocked, and Jakoby prompts her, asking again whether she wants him to kill himself for insulting her. Clearly this is some sort of custom, I wonder how many people have committed suicide because of insulting someone? Miryum of course doesn’t want him to kill himself, and doesn’t believe that he even would, especially for a joke. Jakoby dismisses him, and Miryum refuses to elaborate as to what he said to her. Jakoby asks them whether they can go and see Bram now, he is only a short walk away.

Again I’m going to leave it there, as there are still a large amount of pages to go, and this is one of the longer posts, I don’t know how I will be able to complete the next book which has even longer chapters, without breaking them into two. So either I need to cut down on what I write or split up chapters, any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

 

Ashling – Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

Kella has to help all the Misfits adjust to the rocking boat, and make them not nauseous. Bizarrely some of them respond to her treatment more than others. The empaths, were only mildly affected, Elspeth on the other hand, got it bad. Elspeth’s mind, which is primed to fend of intruders, needed to be help open by Elspeth to allow Kella to help her. And this is not an easy task, as I can imagine, but even after the treatment, she was still disorientated. She asked Powyrs if there was some remedy for her seasickness that they did not know of. He tells her that it is not a physical illness, but she is resisting the ocean, and it is causing her to feel nauseous. She must surrender to the ocean, it is too great a power to fight, and fighting only causes suffering. It was the coercers who were worst affected by the ocean, and they had expected this, as coercers aren’t happy when their sense and balanced were affected. The stronger the coercer the worse the response. Miryum was the worst, and Kella had to put her into a sleep to stop her being violently ill.

The days were going to be uncomfortable for Elspeth, and she found a room to herself to try to rest in. Over a light nightmeal, Kella (and Elspeth) are filled in on the events at Obernewtyn. The horses had suddenly decided to teach some of them to ride, and not all of them were beastspeakers. They had tried the new mindmerge, but there was little success. There was a confrontation between some miners (odd to think there are miners, something I had not considered) and the coercers, but it does not endanger Obernewtyn, as they think it was Henry Druid’s men. It does however mean that a soldierguard camp is sure to be set up soon.

Elspeth tries to figure out why she was so unsettled when she was relieved she did not have to rush to Obernewtyn and convince the others of the Battlegames. With the loss of Matthew and Dragon’s state, with the added fact that they could not find Maruman anywhere (and I guess Gahltha did not join them on the boat) she has reason to be upset. Maybe it was the strange stillness and lull of activity that was awarded to her on the boat, she did not have to do anything as they travelled, just enjoy the ride. She can’t just accept life as it comes, she needs to do things and try to figure out things, when she should just go with it.

But her real torment lies with fate, and Maryon’s dreams. She feels as if she is at the whim of Fate, and whatever she thinks is her own action and she is in control, the control is taken away back into the hands of Fate. She felt like a boat travelling along the ‘sea of Life’, but she did not know who the captain was, was it Maryon, or Atthis, or her? That would be the worst feeling, if there is one thing I like, it is being in control. I like things done how I want them done, and how I would do them, when things aren’t done this way, it doesn’t feel right. I’m not a control-freak, I don’t wrest control from others, and demand everyone do things as I would, but not being in control just feels wrong. Elspeth then considers what it would be like for Maryon, whose life is controlled by her dreams, which tell her what to do and who to tell what. It mustn’t be easy to know the future.

Rushton enters the salon, and out of all of them, Rushton was the fasted to adapt to the tilting deck of the ship. He is enjoying his sea journey, like a seasoned seaman. The cloaked beggar who talked his way onto the ship, also enters, but Hannay tells him that he can’t be here (why I’m not sure, that just sounds completely rude and discriminatory). But he throws off his hood, and who should it be, but Daffyd! He has had a bit of a beating, and he tells Elspeth that he escaped from Ayle. He tells them, that he wasn’t found out, but somehow Salamander had known he was a spy, and told Ayle to deal with him. How could he possibly know? Salamander had told Ayle of this, the day he took the slaves, and told him to lock him up until he returned. Thank goodness, Daffyd escaped, I would hate to think of what Salamander would have done to him. He escaped and then tried to flee the city, but found it guarded by Ayle’s people, so he went to the safehouse, where it was all locked up. He tried to locate Elspeth, and he used all his energy to find her near the ocean, but he had locked on her location. And he pushed Powyrs to allow him onboard. He now makes 12 of them (still one short of Maryon’s 13 though).

Rushton asks Daffyd about the possibility that Ariel was on the slaveship. This is shocking news for him, and Rushton can’t see any connection between the slavers and Ariel. But there is one, and Daffyd wished he had had time back at the safehouse to explain his story further. He starts back at the beginning (I did think we would hear the whole story eventually) when he left Obernewtyn with Kella and Domick. He travelled to the Druid’s old encampment, he wanted to see where any survivors would have gone, he found no hope and trekked through the Gelfort Ranges. He found a few old camps, but he did not know whose they were. He travelled around, and talked to people in small towns, posing as a Councilman or a Herder agent. Then he found one of the armsmen from the camp. He told him that a few days before the camp was destroyed, Ariel had come to speak to the Druid. He had advised the Druid that the Council had knowledge of his location, and prepare for a battle, and that the young, elderly and frail should leave the camp. He offered to lead those people away from the camp through the Gelfort Ranges, until it was safe again.

The Druid did as he suggested, and later sent out a small advanced party to see the soldierguards advancing, they were saved from the firestorm. Those three who had left, returned to find nothing, and there was no sign of Ariel and women and children. And in the coming days, no soldierguards came to attack them, Ariel had lied. It is likely that Ariel had dreamed of the firestorm, and saw it as an opportunity to eliminate the Druid, and made sure everyone was in the camp when it happened. Rushton was shocked by this news, as the Druid had once treated him like a son, and finding out he had been killed because of Ariel, was upsetting.

The three men split up to try and find the women and children. Two men went up the coast on a small lead, and the third, was the man Daffyd was talking to. The two, travelled together, but found no evidence of where their missing fellows went. They feared that Ariel had killed them and only took them as a ruse to leave the camp. Soon they parted, and it was Gilbert who was the other armsman, which is interesting news for Elspeth, that he should pop up again (I swear everyone keeps doing this, as long as we don’t see the Druid’s evil daughter again). Even Elspeth considers the odd coincidence of three people coming back into her focus long after they first met. Gilbert spoke of Elspeth, and thought she had died.

Daffyd went to Sutrium, and found a woman who claimed to be from the camp. But she was lying, she was once a slave and escaped because a seaman fell in love with her. She pretended to drown, and she could never speak of it to anyone in case they were found out and killed. Daffyd found out that she was not taken by the slavers, but given to them, tricked and betrayed by someone. She had escaped but those with her were sent over the seas. It clicks then for Kella, that Ariel must have sold the surviving people from the camp to the slavers. This woman had witnessed the camp burn, and there were men ready to take the women and children as prisoners and then sold as slaves to Salamander. He reflected how close he and the others were after the firestorm, and how he could have saved them, but of course Elspeth sent him to Obernewtyn.

So he tried to learn where the slaves were taken, and it was a tricky process to get into the slave business. He comments that no one, except maybe Ariel, has seen Salamander’s face, and it was after the Druid’s people were sold to him, that he took control of the business. What exactly does Ariel get out of a partnership? Is it just that they are similar evils, both who love to hurt and destroy people? Who knows? But Daffyd is not going to give up and will find Ariel and find Salamander, and find Gilaine and the others!

Ashling – Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

Reuvan verbalises his concern with going any closer to the warehouse, the soldierguards are still running their drills, and them wandering around is something they are going to find suspicious. He proposes that they wait until night, when they should surely leave, but of course, they cannot wait. Brydda cannot believe that the slaves are being moved now, with the seamen and the soldierguards so close by. They cannot ask Daffyd for any further advice or help, because he is unreachable over the water. One of the rebels, voices his confusion that the only boat scheduled for the wharf is a Herder boat, so unless the slave boat is not scheduled, it doesn’t make sense. But Brydda says that Herder ships are for hire, at the right price. Brydda asks Elspeth if she can cloak them to get them closer, she can only cover two of them, so it will obviously be him.

Elspeth can sense Daffyd once again, and she connects with him. He tells her that they have very limited time, as Matthew is in the last lot, but that will be moved soon. Once onboard, they have no chance of saving him, unless they have an army. He also expresses his frustration that Salamander has not yet come off of the boat, making his attempt to reach the slave master, impossible. Brydda wants Elspeth to ask about the Herders  and the soldierguards, but he disappears, moving back into the taint. Brydda is not overly surprised that Salamander has stayed on the ship, attributing that to his keen instinct for trouble.

Elspeth and Brydda go closer, under the coercive cover. Elspeth could feel the strong taint from the river, interesting that higher up the river is clear. They could see the ship and the warehouse, and there is plenty of activity going on. The soldierguards nearby seemed oblivious to the fact that slaves were being loaded. Brydda thinks that the soldierguards are here for a reason, but not all of them could have been paid off. But a certain soldierguard captain might make his men train in a particular spot. Elspeth can’t take them any closer, as the seamen are just around the corner, and there are too many to coerce. It is starting to look hopeless, they are vastly outnumbered, so there is no chance of a fight. Even though Gahltha has crept up behind them, they still cannot attack them all. Daffyd appears again outside of the warehouse, and he tells her that Matthew is in the next lot to be taken on board, and it does not matter if they scare away Salamander there is no hope of getting any information from him today. It is Matthew they need to help.

Elspeth decides to get on Gahltha and ride, ignoring Brydda’s concerns. She approaches the ship and can clearly see that it is a Herder vessel. The seamen Elspeth had sensed, were no longing doing anything, and were watching the slaves being loaded. It is clear that they are corrupted as well. Elspeth hears some of their conversation, and it seems that the seamen are happy the slaves are being taken away. They comment that the Herders should have done this a long time ago, but they don’t see how they can heal any of these people, even if they are skilled on Herder Isle. The seamen think that the slaves are defectives being taken to Herder Isle for treatment! No wonder no one is reacting. They spot Elspeth, and say that the Herders should round up them too. Elspeth had forgotten to continue her boyish appearance, and the soldierguards could recognise her, so she commands the seamen to continue working and turned herself into a seaman’s lad. But this all takes energy, and soon she won’t have any left.

She is now quite close to the warehouse, as the next batch of slaves are being taken out. Matthew is among them, and now they can communicate. He urges her to leave, to protect Obernewtyn. He was now so close to her, but she cannot do anything. She pretends to examine Gahltha’s hooves, as she tries to figure out how to save Matthew, when he is only steps away. Matthew continues to urge her to leave, as he knows they cannot save him. Elspeth suggests a diversion she he can run, but he is chained up to all the other slaves. Elspeth is desperate and suggests pretending to recognise someone, and say that they are not defectives and try to get the soldierguards to intervene. But Matthew knows that the soldierguards will do nothing, and that will probably cause Elspeth and the rebels to be caught as well. Matthew has accepted his fate, but he tells Elspeth that he will be back from wherever he is being taken. And he will try to find Gilaine and the others while he is there.

Ayle comes near Elspeth and tells her to move off. Matthew also tells her to leave, as there is no hope. And Elspeth must leave, and with that Matthew is taken on board, saying to Elspeth that he loves her and that he is sorry for Dragon. And then he is gone. The ship quickly leaves the wharf, and sets sail. Elspeth keeps her eyes on the boat, as it drifts away, with the feeling that she will never see Matthew again. She sees a tall, blonde youth on the deck of the vessel, he was beautiful and extremely pale. He reminded Elspeth of Ariel. No, he didn’t remind Elspeth of Ariel. He was Ariel! It is a Herder ship, and he was last known to be with the Herders, but why is he involved with slavers? Poor Matthew, being stuck on a ship with Ariel, what if he recognises him? Would Ariel kill him, torture him, or not even care? Will we ever see him again?