The Second Coming
Chapter 8

Carly barely slept, unable to keep Lia and the slavers out of hermind. She had only glimpsed fleetingimages, but what she did see disturbed her greatly. Not for the first time since leavingCrossmoor she craved the wisdom of Thereza or one of the other moreapproachable Priestesses. Had Lia beenthe source of that power, or was the vision distorted? Lia was not telling them everything, she knewthat much. It was only a briefconversation the evening before, but it was enough to make Carly extremelynervous. She was kneeling by hersurprisingly comfortable bed and praying silently to Revan for guidance whenthe sun finally rose, an event she had been awaiting for hours. She looked to the other bed in the small roomwhere Lia was sleeping soundly. On onehand she wanted to speak to Lia again, hug her and pray for thanks that she wassafe. Unfortunately Carly was alsofilled with dread, and was unsure how she would react when she had theopportunity to ask her childhood friend further questions. The acolyte forced herself to calm, breatheddeeply, and drifted into The Peace without meaning to. It was after a short while she saw abuilding: it was a relatively flat structure that was round in shape with veryornate ancient runes on the doorway, which she could not decipher. There were some people in the immediatearea, apparently going about their daily business, which must have started veryearly.

Carly was jolted back to her room when she heard a knock at the door,followed by Michael’s voice. “Carly,Lia? Are you coming down? Olga is not serving breakfast for muchlonger.”

She looked around, wondered how much time had passed, and noticed Liawas still sleeping. “I’ll be down in five minutes, Michael. I was just preparing for the day.”

“I’ll let her know.” Michael’sheavy footsteps moved away from the door and back towards the tavern. Carly considered the new vision, and knew shehad never seen the building before.

Hurriedly changing into her robe, Carly moved down the stairs and sawMichael sitting with Olbane, the two of them eating quietly. When he saw her arrive, Olbane rose from hisseat. “Good morning, Carly. Did you sleep well?”

Carly felt remarkably refreshed, despite having almost no sleep, butdid not feel the need to be too honest. “I have had better nights, Olbane, but I feel fine.”

He looked concerned, but said nothing more, then waited until she tooka seat before returning to his.

Michael nodded a brief greeting. “Is Lia still asleep?”

Carly nodded. “I consideredwaking her, but if it is sleep she needs, then that is what she should have.”

Michael nodded just as Olga came into the tavern and smiled atCarly. “Good morning, my dear. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you. It is a verycomfortable bed.” It was not Olga’sfault Carly had had a terrible night.

The older woman smiled and poured Carly a drink of tea from a large potin the centre of the table. “A nice cupof tea is what you need; my grandmother always said you cannot start the daywithout one.”

Carly chuckled and accepted the cup. “That’s exactly what my mother says. I suspect she would live on tea if she could. The Priestesses in the temple also tend tolike their tea; when I first arrived there I wondered how they got anythingdone.”

Olga laughed, took a seat next to her and pouring herself a cup. “Now you have found young Lia, safe andsound, will you be starting the journey back to Crossmoor today?”

There was a silence around the table, which surprised Carly. She wasn’t sure where she wanted to go,particularly considering the image of the circular building. She had assumed Michael would speak up, butthe burly young man was looking across at Olbane, with an expectant look on hisface. Olbane shifted in his seatuncomfortably, and hurriedly finished a mouthful of cheese. “I have some unfinished business that leadsme south to Surian. I do not ask you tocome with me, though. This business ismy own.”

Michael objected. “But it couldbe dangerous! Are you sure you want togo alone?”

Olga rose from her seat, with a slightly uncomfortable expression onher face. “I have chores that needattending to; please excuse me.”

Olbane rose too. “Of course; pleaseforgive us, we should not have burdened you with our troubles.”

The older woman smiled as she left them. “I did ask, my young friend!”

Olbane sat down again, and answered Michael’s question. “Yes it will be dangerous, but you all haveresponsibilities. Michael, your fatherneeds you; I of all people understand that.” He turned to Carly. “I know what you gave up to come withus. You should return to Crossmoor to beat the temple. With what you haveexperienced over the last few days, I am sure they would like to talk to you.”

Carly shook her head. “I am notsure the temple will have me back, Olbane. I left without warning on the day of my Test; that is a veryserious misdemeanour.”

Olbane looked amazed. “But Revanclearly has not forsaken you! Throughyou, He saved our lives!”

Carly was slightly at a loss for words. “You are right, as usual. Whether the church would accept me back is another matter, however.”

“Well, what about Lia? Someoneneeds to take her back home and support her. She has just lost her parents.” Olbane was not going to take no for ananswer.

“Thanks for caring, Olbane, but my parents, especially my father, wouldnot want me mulling around Crossmoor in a gloomy state of mind.” Lia steppedinto the tavern, and was looking surprisingly refreshed.

Olbane appeared to stop and admire her, which if she noticed she didnot comment on. “I do not want to returnto Crossmoor, my friends, at least not now. There is very little for me there, although I would like to tell Spicerof my experiences.” She then returnedOlbane’s stare and he looked slightly uncomfortable. Carly admitted to herself once more shewasn’t the only one who had changed in the last week; Lia seemed even moreconfident than before, and there also appeared to be a harder edge to herbeautiful face. “Olbane, are you returning to Susanon?”

Olbane shook his head and Carly wondered how much Lia knew about hissituation. Carly and Michael knew, buthe had only told them recently. Heglanced around the tavern, but there was no-one else within earshot. “An associate of my father is involved in theslave trade.” Olbane paused to take in Lia’s reaction, but her face remainedimpassive, despite the reference to slavers the previous evening. “I have evidence that incriminates him, and Ibelieve the best place to present that evidence is Surian.”

Lia grinned. “So that’swhat you were checking was in your pocket every five minutes back inCrossmoor!”

Olbane looked slightly taken aback. “I see nothing gets past you, Lia.”

Michael interjected. “What he isnot telling you, Lia, is that some very dangerous men nearly caught upwith him in Crossmoor, and they are most likely to be looking for him when hegets to Surian. He also wants to go toSurian alone.”

Carly looked across at the two men. Michael was a fiercely loyal and good man, and despite the fact they hadonly known each other for a few days, he respected Olbane’s opinion. The fact that they were both merchant’s sonsmust have helped, and despite their very different demeanours theyfundamentally shared the same values.

Lia responded. “I will go withyou, Olbane, if you will have me as a companion. I have never been to Surian, and a change ofscene is exactly what I am looking for at the moment. Crossmoor can wait.” Carly raised an eyebrow and looked at herfriend closely, but said nothing.

Olbane nodded. “I would bedelighted for you to accompany me, assuming you understand the risks involved.”

She smiled briefly and nodded. “Do you want to leave immediately?”

“There is no reason to dally.” He patted his breast pocket. “The sooner these papers get to the properauthorities the better.”

Carly felt helpless. It wasunlikely that Priestess Thereza would have returned from her mission, and Carlywas not sure who to approach for assistance explaining her situation. To return to Crossmoor only to be expelledfrom the church filled her with dread. She was also concerned by whatever had happened to Lia: she needed tospeak to her friend urgently, but was frightened to do so. “I too will go with you.” Carly was surprisedhow easily the words came out; when Olbane raised an eyebrow and opened hismouth to object, she raised a hand. “Nowis not the right time for me to return either. I too have never been to Surian, and I can stop by the temple therewhile you take care of your business.”

Lia smiled briefly. “It will begood to have you with us, Carly. Westill have a lot to catch-up on.” Thatwas an interesting comment. Was Liagoing to tell Carly everything, or did she refer to Carly’s own experiences?

Michael had heard enough. “Well,I’m not going back on my own, I can promise you that much.”

Olbane threw up his hands in mock defeat. “Well, I tried. I am honoured you wish to help me.”

Lia grinned slyly. “I believe Francisca is smiling on you this day, Olbane Jonson. What better companions could you expect tohave?”

Michael grunted his approval, grinned, and then winced slightly, whichcaught Carly’s attention. “Your shoulderis still painful? Why have you not saidanything?”

“We have had more important things to discuss.” Michael’s response wastypical of the man.

Carly shook her head. “We’llneed to get it looked at before we leave here. I’ll speak to Olga and see if there is someone in the town who can help.”

Lia moved to Michael’s side. “What happened? Is it serious?”

Michael shook his head. “I wasslashed across the shoulder when those bandits ambushed us.” He smiled warmly at Carly. “Carly tended the wound, once she had tendedthe bandits of course. It is gettingbetter, but is still giving me some difficulty.”

Carly interjected before Lia could. “Well, we still need to get it looked at by a professional.” She quickly left her friends and went to replaceOlga.

Some time later Lia, Carly and Olbane waited patiently outside of asmall dwelling a short walk from The Old Tankard while Michael wastended to by an old man that Olga had insisted could help. Michael soon appeared in the doorway andgrinned. “Well, he didn’t exactly doa great deal, but he said the shoulder had been well tended to by whoever sawit before him, and that it was healing nicely. It will probably be a week or two before I can use it fully withoutpain, assuming we don’t get into any more trouble.” He grinned once more andlooked at Carly. “It seems you have yetanother hidden talent, my friend.”

Carly flushed and attempted to make light of her contribution. “Well, all acolytes are given basic trainingin tending wounds. Priestesses of Revanget involved in conflicts and help the needy from time to time.”

Michael noted her discomfort and nodded. “Bless Revan for that.”

Olbane clapped Michael on the back. “It is good to hear there is nolasting damage. Now we know you are notgoing to collapse on us, we can get back on the road and travel on to Surian.”

Michael nodded. “We could dowith picking up some fresh supplies first.”

Lia frowned. “How many horses doyou three have?”

“Two.” Olbane and Michael said in unison, before Michaelcontinued. “Carly and Olbane shared oneon the way here.”

Lia grinned. “Then I supposeI’ll have to share yours, Michael.”

Michael grinned back. “I’ll goand pick up some supplies; the old man gave me a contact locally. I’ll see you back at The Old Tankardin half an hour or so.”

While they waited for Michael, Olbane began to prepare the horses forwhat would be another gruelling day’s travel. Content to watch him at work, Carly sat down on a nearby step while Liawas inside the inn, talking to Olga. Olbane was very efficient, Carly noted, probably from years helping hisfather. While she didn’t know a greatdeal about them, the successful merchants had a reputation for being studiousand well-ordered. A few moments laterLia appeared and was looking happy. Carly started to stand, but Lia gracefully sat down next to her. “I’ve just thanked Olga for her hospitalitylast night; without her kindness I would have been wandering aimlessly, and youmay not have found me.”

Carly almost whispered in response. “We would have found you.”

“How did you replace me, Carly? Did you have help?”

Carly knew what Lia was referring to. Her friend knew all about her problems connecting. “I have been having visions, Lia. I am starting to believe I was meant to leaveCrossmoor to replace you. I heard youscream in terror last night, and that led us to you.” Lia’s expression was shocked, but Carlywasn’t finished; she lowered her voice so that Olbane did not hear. “I also heard you scream the morning yourparents were murdered. That’s how weknew you had been abducted.”

Lia had tears running down her cheeks. “I… I don’t understand. Why wouldyou experience this?”

Carly bowed her head. “One ofthe Priestesses in the temple at Crossmoor said that it is very rare for aPriestess of Revan to have visions, and even more so for an acolyte. It has been many years since the lastreported occurrence, but that one was of great significance: it averted thedestruction of Suria.”

Lia looked speechless, and it was at least a minute before sheresponded. “I do not understand how onegirl being kidnapped can be important.” Her tears had stopped.

Carly was not convinced she was telling her everything. “Lia, when I had the vision of you with theslavers, I experienced something more than your scream. It may have been a side-effect of the vision,but it felt like something of incredible power.” Carly’s eyes sought Lia’s, buther friend did not meet the gaze.

Lia opened her mouth to speak but stopped suddenly when she saw Michaelwalking towards them. He was carrying abag over each shoulder. She rose quicklyfrom the step and hurried over to assist him, and did not look back. Carly’s face betrayed her frustration: it wasnot something she wished to discuss in front of the others.

*

They rode all day with only a brief stop for lunch, and even though hewas a seasoned rider Olbane Jonson was tired. He had thanked Revan for helping them to replace Lia many times that day,and also thanked Him for giving them access to The Old Tankard. At least they had had one night of properrest before setting off to Surian. As herode along with Carly holding onto his waist, Olbane considered his situation: theirsituation. For reasons he was justcoming to terms with, his problem had become the problem of three others: amerchant’s son, a girl he had only just met and had been subsequently abductedafter her parents’ murder, and most bizarrely, an acolyte of Revan who shouldhave been a Priestess by then and was showing flashes of incredible power. Despite the situation, Olbane chuckled tohimself; no bard could tell a more unlikely tale. Once again, he absent-mindedly patted hisbreast pocket, which was something he had started doing again once he realisedLia was safe. Olbane looked to hisright, where Michael and Lia were riding together, forty or fifty yardsaway. He admitted to himself that hehad felt a pang of excitement when Lia said she would come with him toSurian. She was a beautiful woman, andalthough after her recent ordeal she was more distant and less warm, hecouldn’t help but feel the attraction that was there when they first met. For some reason the thought of doingsomething dangerous with her at his side was very exciting. Although part of him wished it was just thetwo of them, he was also very pleased that Michael was alongside him. While they were quite differentpersonalities, there was no doubt there was a mutual respect between the twomerchants’ sons. Michael was impulsiveand slightly uncultured for Olbane’s usual taste in friends, but there was nodoubt of his strength of character, as well as his sword arm. Michael would readily die to save a friend,which was an attribute that Olbane approved of greatly.

Then there was Carly. Olbaneviewed her in exactly the opposite way to Lia, in that he did not want to placeher in a dangerous situation at all. Earlier that day he had encouraged her to return home, to return to thetemple and attempt to be reinstated, but she had refused. Olbane knew that Carly was also a very strongperson, and she had proved that by saving their lives twice in the matter ofmoments, and she had found Lia when all appeared lost. Despite the fact she was mentally strong,Olbane felt that Carly was destined for more than just a normal life and shouldnot be caught up in his rather sordid business. Saying that, their mission was something that he might haveexpected a Priestess of Revan to be involved in: the church certainly did notapprove of slavery. Olbane consideredwhy Carly was with them once more, and tried to change his perspective. Perhaps she had been chosen to be withthem? Had Revan decided she was the oneto resolve his issue? Had Carlysacrificed her Test to chase after Lia, or was she living it? Olbane turned around in the saddle as best hecould and smiled at Carly, who smiled back with a slightly confused expressionon her face. “Is everything alright,Olbane?”

He continued smiling. “I believeit will be, yes.”

*

They camped that evening on a flat piece of ground a few hundred yardsoff the trading road. The trading roadended in another half-day’s travel, when it met the town of Frodsby. Although approximately two-thirds the size of Crossmoor, the town actedas a trading post between the two nations of Suria and Areza. The citizens of Frodsby arguably had one ofthe most picturesque towns to live in, as it had natural beauty surroundingit. To the east was Lake Moor,a huge body of water with Areza on the eastern shore. To the north-west was the Great Forestand in the distance to the north were the peaks of the Moorside Mountains. One day’s ride to the south was Surian, withits bustling commerce and fast way of life, which was every merchant’sdream. Surian was also the location ofthe central government for the country, which was why Olbane needed to go there. The further away from the main government atown, the more corrupt it was, at least in Olbane’s experience, and he couldn’ttrust the authorities in Susanon or Crossmoor to ignore bribes or otherincentives.

As they ate the semi-fresh food that Michael had bought earlier thatday and sat around a small fire, Lia recounted some of the events she hadexperienced in more detail; she didn’t, however, mention a great deal about themysterious Rastlin, or her encounter with the slavers. Michael then did the same and recalled howCarly had warned them of the ambush, and then single-handedly dealt with thebandits, much to the young woman’s embarrassment. Olbane was content to sit quietly and let theothers talk, and did his best to think of how he was going to approach his taskwhen they arrived in Surian. It waslate when they finished talking, and Carly had excused herself for herlate-evening prayers but had not returned. Olbane found her a short distance from the camp, lying on a blanket shehad taken to kneel on. She was fastasleep and had a troubled expression on her face. He kneeled and gently carried her back tothe camp, and set her down next to Lia. “May Revan bless you, my dear friend.” Olbane gently touched Carly’s shoulder and covered her with twoblankets, then bid the others good night.

*

Franklin cursed as he tripped over an exposed treeroot. “For Revan’s sake, Rastlin! Must we move around in the forest solate?” It was late-evening, but themoonlight was almost completely obscured by the dense growth of forest abovethem. Franklin forced himself not to curse oncemore. “And why can’t we use a torch orlantern?”

“Because, my dear companion, there are things in this part of theforest that are drawn to light, and I do not wish to attract unwelcomeattention to ourselves.” His voice became more chiding. “Not that your cursing isn’t doing thatalready.”

Franklin snorted. “Can we at least rest for a while and start again when it getslighter?” It was almost a plea.

“I am afraid not. We have notime to lose if we are to replace Lia again.” The reply was no more than a whisper.

“So you think she is going to be wandering around here too?”

“I would have expected that kind of response from that dead foolGoadsby.” Franklin imagined Rastlin shaking his head indisgust.

There was a very long pause, and Franklinexhaled in frustration. “And?”

The response was typically enigmatic. “You will see, my dear companion.”

They had walked for several hours at a tortuously slow pace when Franklin noticed thatRastlin’s soft footsteps had ceased. “Why are we waiting?”

Rastlin’s voice was very quiet. “I believe we are close to our destination. I think we can risk a little light.”

Franklin breathed a sigh of relief and lit his lantern,which illuminated the immediate area. The forest was extremely dense, and as the light spread they heard thesounds of various small creatures fleeing. Franklinturned around saw Rastlin was twenty yards behind him. “We have come a little far. I believe our destination is a short walk tothe west.” He started in that directionimmediately.

Franklin did not ask how Rastlin knew where they were. The forest was extremely dense,claustrophobic and the feeling was exaggerated by the lantern’sillumination. Franklin wanted to leave as soon as possible.

The two men walked for no more than five minutes when Rastlin stoppedsuddenly. “We are here.”

Franklin looked around the area. “So where is here? All I see are trees, trees and more trees!”

Rastlin chuckled briefly. “Things are not always what they appear, my companion.” He pointed to a dense looking clump of treesand undergrowth. “That is ourdestination.”

The expression on Franklin’sface was incredulous. “How on Eureza is thatgoing to replace the girl?”

Rastlin laughed again. “She will replace Lia.”