Red Leaves and the Living Token

chapter FIVE





Handers and Rinacht stood at the back of a long line of travelers that coiled back and forth in front of the ticketing office. Even though the city’s river port was extensive, the majority of the travel was commercial freight. There was a relatively limited amount of passenger traffic. Small enough that it could all be accommodated through this one large station. But if the line was any indication, Handers thought, more stations might be on the way.

Handers didn’t travel much and hated coming here to retrieve passengers. He would’ve sent Rinacht ahead to secure their passage if there had been time. After what could’ve literally been half the day, the two finally reached the front of the line and moved to the next open ticket window.

“Yes?” The ticketing agent greeted them.

“We’d like two tickets on the next barge to Shishkameen.” Handers explained.

The agent sunk back into his window and consulted a stack of papers attached to the wall. After a moment, he poked his head out again. “The next available tickets are for the 9:30 am boat, two weeks from today.

“Two weeks?” Handers stammered. “No no. We need something much sooner. We’ll pay extra.”

“I’m sorry sir. We are fully booked until then. Boats to Shishkameen are usually booked two to three weeks in advance. Do you have your foreign travel papers with you?”

“What? Since when do we need foreign travel papers?”

The ticketing agent stared back at them without emotion. “Since always.” He pointed to another line at the opposite end of the large hall. “You can apply for papers there if you do not have them.”

The agent leaned to the side and motioned to the next person in line. “Next!”

Handers didn’t move. “So how long does it take to get papers?”

“Three to six months, usually.” The agent answered calmly.

“Three to six months! Thats outrageous!” Handers shouted in protest.

“Next!” The agent repeated.



-



Rinacht set down two large pieces of luggage in the entryway as Handers came in the front door behind him. His home was warm and inviting, giving the impression that someone had spent a good deal of time worrying about making it so. It reminded Raj every time he came in of better times past. The best he could do was keep things tidy and arranged in the format that was left for him. Heaven forbid he ever have to replace anything. He’d be hopeless.

His wife had hand picked every piece of furniture. Making sure each was well crafted but not too audacious. She had fretted over the color and design of the rug for almost six months before finally deciding. The window dressings were even worse.

What would she think of this mess he’d made, he wondered. She was always better at communicating with people. Moslin probably would’ve confided in her, told her everything she was feeling. They would’ve talked about it, worked it out, and nothing more would’ve happened.

Handers dropped down into a comfortable arm chair.

“Six months? Unbelievable.” He muttered.

“I'm sure this woman must be running into the same problems.” Rinacht offered.

Handers shook his head in disagreement, “If you have the determination to take a child you have the determination to find alternate passage. Either that or she planned ahead.”

He rubbed his forehead, then got up suddenly and headed for the back of the house.

“Sir?” Rinacht called after him.

“Prepare the wagon and the animals.” Handers instructed.

“Sir?”

“We'll have to take the old roads.” He called as he hurried down a hallway.

“With respect, sir. I don't think that's a good idea. Without an escort or guide? Its incredibly dangerous.”

Handers turned around. “What choice do we have! It my son!”

The only people who travel the border by land are the ones who can’t get papers. The smugglers and criminals! The people who can’t get through legitimately. If we get caught, they’ll think we’re…”

“Then we can’t get caught!” He turned and rushed off again down the hallway.

“I leave in the morning. You are under no obligation to come.” He called back.



-



Rinach and Handers sat atop an old but sturdy wagon stacked high with disheveled luggage and supply barrels. It creaked and rattled as its large wooden wheels ground through the deeply rutted dirt road, rocking the loosely packed contents dangerously side to side..

The forest formed a wall on both sides of them, restricting Hander's clan animal escorts, four large black bears, to walk either in front or behind them. Each bear had a breast plate on its chest with the Oso emblem of Hander's family clan.

After what seemed like an endless repeat of the monotonous rocking back and forth, the dry road turned muddy. Raj watched the wheels with alarm, making sure they didn’t sink in too deep.

After a few moments, they came around a bend in the road. As they straightened out, they could see that the muddy road up again of them vanished all together down into the beginnings of a swamp. Raj pulled back on the reigns and stopped the wagon. After they jostled to a stop, he stood up to get a better look.

The swamp continued as far as he could see through the trees. And there didn’t seem to be any way around it either. It went on as far as he could see to the right as well as to the left.

“This doesn't look promising.” He grunted.

“No. No, it doesn't.” Rinach growled back.

Handers snapped the reins, urging his horses forward. The animals kicked their legs and splashed down into the swamp water, holding their heads up as high as possible. The bears growled and hung back on the dry road. Handers noticed and turned around.

“Come on!” He commanded.

They shook their fur then step down into the water with a loud displeased growl. The wagon continued to sink as they moved forward. After a few minutes, they seemed to level out. The water line stayed just below the bed of the wagon.

“See? Not so bad.” Handers smiled. They were still moving forward, that was all that mattered.

Ahead of them the forest was becoming less and less clear. The distant trees where disappearing into a grey mist. He started to wonder how they’d maintain a straight course. That was assuming the road underneath them stayed straight.

If they could get across the swamp, he imagined they’d be able to find the road again, if they had veered off. He turned back to check on the wagon and its escort. The water was still below his cargo. That was a relief. At least they’d have a dry place to sleep and food to eat.

The bears didn’t seem to mind any more. They kept pace behind the wagon, keeping their heads just above water.

He turned back around and noticed something in the distance. A shape emerged out of the grey mist. As they moved closer, it appeared to be a road intersecting their path. Parked on that road almost directly in front of them was a fancy black carriage. Two large black horses, tied to the front of carriage, shot out streams of hot breath in the cold, wet air.

“Woow.” Handers called to his horses as he pulled back on the reigns. He turned around quickly as his bears were moving around the wagon to intercept.

“Take the front but do not engage.” He called to them.

The side door of the polished black carriage opened and two men stepped out onto the running board then hoped down to the ground. They were exceptionally well dressed, in silky black suites that seemed entirely in appropriate for their location. One of the men disengaged the harness from one of the horses and climbed up on its back.

The horse and its rider turned sharply then splashed down into the water, heading quickly towards Handers and his wagon. Handers watched him approach, becoming clearer through the fog. He really hoped to avoid any kind of confrontation. But if there ever was a place for it, this would be it. He’d have to be ready.

The man on the horse was Zo. That was good, he thought.

“Hold there, sir!” The man called out.

Handers laughed under his breath and looked over at Rinach. Hadn’t they noticed he’d stopped as soon as he saw them? He wasn’t moving now, was he?

One of his bears rose up on his hind feet. Apparently the man was a little to close for him.

“Shhh... Shhh... Down...” He tried to calm him.

“You're crossing private land.” The man shouted.

“My apologies. We were on the road to the Shishkameen. Seems we've strayed. Could you point us back to the road?”

The door of the black carriage opened again, and a third man, just as well dressed, stepped down onto the dirt. He whistled to his companion on horse back then signaled to bring them back to the dry road.

The man on horse back turned back to Handers. “Follow me, please.”

Hander's brown horses dragged the wagon up out of the swamp tilting and swaying the payload almost enough to tip it into the water. The bears shook like wet dogs shedding the muddy swamp water.

“Looks like you could use some help.” Offered the man who had just climbed from the carriage.

Handers laughed, taking a quick survey of his wet, muddy clothes. “Yeah. You could say that.”

“I have a home not too far from here. You're welcome to follow us in. Clean rooms, warm water, and stables.” The man continued.

“Wow, that sounds really nice.” Handers answered.

“Sounds extraordinary!” Rinacht agreed quickly, giving Handers an enthusiastic smile and nod.

“But...” Handers continued. “We... we really haven't much time.”

Rinacht’s face sank into a furrowed brown. “We have to sleep somewhere, Raj.”

The man pretended to be shocked, over playing the expression.

“Please, I'm offended. The Lord of this valley offers you help, and you refuse? Where's your manners? Besides, you're in dangerous and unfamiliar land. You don't seem to have much protection, and you don't seem to know where you're going.”

“He speaks the truth.” Rinacht gestured towards the man.

“I'm sorry. My son. He's missing.” Handers explained. “We know where he might've been taken, but we've got to get there and head them off before we lose the trail.”

“My goodness, man. Why didn't you say so? How awful. I won't delay you any further.”

He stepped past the carriage and pointed out into the swamp in the direction they were headed. “Keep this direction till you get to the other side of the swamp. You'll find the road a little further to the right.”

“Thank you.”

“Be careful!” The man admonished.



-



Handers and Rinacht sloshed back and forth on the flat plank of their seat on top of the wagon as it trudged through the muddy swamp. The bears growled behind them. Their tolerance of the wet mud wasn’t going to last for ever it seemed.

Handers glanced over at Rinacht, who was staring blankly into the smooth water of the swamp.

“It wasn't just the issue of time.” He contended.

Rinacht didn’t break his stare.

“I don't know. Something just wasn't right.” Handers added.

Rinacht turned finally, “You just don't like people who have more money than you.”

Handers laughed. “That must be why we get along so well.”

Rinacht, snorted in response, his gaze drifting back to the grey ahead of them.

“I never did thank you, by the way, for coming with me.” Handers said, interrupting the silence.

“No thanks necessary.” Rinacht said.

The wagon sloshed back and forth in the water.

“But next time someone offers us clean sheets and a bath, if you refuse, so help me...” Rinacht clenched his fist and hit it against his open palm in a mock attack.

Raj laughed.



-



Handers woke to a hard jolt. The wagon had tipped back hard knocking him against the seat. He’d been staring at the empty grey ahead of them for so long he must have dozed off.

The bears had moved up ahead of the wagon. That must’ve spooked the horses he thought. But he couldn’t see any reason the bears would’ve moved up.

Then he heard it. A faint blare in the distance, muffled by the thick fog. It sounded like a horn of some kind.

“What was that?” Rinacht asked.

“I don't know.” Handers admitted.

They both stood up to get a higher vantage point. It was the same everywhere he looked, row after row of thick tree trucks fading back into the fog.

“Do you see anything?” Handers asked.

“No.” Rinacht answered.

Off to the right, several of the distant tree trunks, far enough that they were still grey silhouettes in the fog, grew in size faster than the others. As though they were moving forward towards them.

“Wait.” Hander signaled in the direction of the subtle movement.

The trunks appeared to be growing darker and larger as though they were coming towards them out of the fog.

“Are those trees moving?” Rinacht asked.

“Look.” Handers signaled to the other side of the wagon. More thick trunks moved towards them, clearly separating themselves from the rest of the trees.

Rinach turned to look behind them. Handers followed. Sure enough another handful of grey silhouettes slid towards them without making a sound.

“I think we have company.”

The silhouettes took on more and more detail as they got closer. The tall, slender trunks seemed to be made up of smaller appendages. At the base of the appendages, Handers could start to make out the features of a face.

“Botann Soldiers!” Handers yelled. “Bears defend!”

The Bears stood up on their hind legs with a series of ear rattling ROARS then quickly formed a perimeter around the wagon.

Without warning, thick vine like cords shot out of the grey mist and whipped around the necks of the Bears. Before they could react, another volley came at them from another direction, whipping with a snap around their legs and arms.

The Bears pulled against the cords fiercely, breaking all but the thickest. With any free arm, they ripped and tore with their massive claws.

Another volley of the cords came in a wild flurry, whipping and snapping. Then another and another until the bears were overwhelmed and immobilized. The cords tightened further, lifting the massive beasts into the air over the water.

Handers watched in horror as his buffer of safety vanished. He’d never seen anything like this before. Completely unprovoked. What could they have possibly done to warrant such an attack?

Another slurry of cords shot out of the fog, this time ensnaring Rinacht and Handers.

“Ah!” Handers cried as the rough vines ripped at his skin.

With a loud crack, the cords tightened and yanked them off the wagon. Handers sucked in a deep breath as he watched the surface of the water spinning up towards him. He felt the splash and immediate shock of cold. His mouth opened instinctively for air but got nothing but water. He opened his eyes in alarm, trying to find the surface.

He could see light above him. But as he tried to kick and swim his legs didn’t move. He was bound too tightly. Alarm turned to panic. He couldn’t move and couldn’t breath.

Then with a jolt something else moved him. The cords dragged him underwater towards something. He had no idea to what until his feet lifted up onto ground followed at last by his head. He was above water, spitting and gasping. Who was doing this? Why?

After he cleared his lungs enough to breath, he looked over for Rinacht. He was lying next to him a few feet away wrapped in vines like a cocoon. From what he could see they had been pulled up onto a small island of dry earth in the middle of the swamp.

He felt strong hands pulling at him, then his body rolled and he was on his back with a violent thump. A ring of Botann soldiers stood above him. One, who was standing in front of the rest, signaled to the other as he said something in a language Handers didn’t understand. Then he knelt down close to Hander’s face.

“I suggest you help us find what we're looking for.” The Botan said quietly in Zo.

The vine covering Handers mouth slithered back enough to let him speak.

“Take it! What ever it is, take it.” Handers exclaimed.

A loud crash erupted beside them. Handers craned his neck in the direction of the noise.

The Botann Soldiers had tipped his wagon, splitting it in half, and spilling his provision onto another small, elevated dry spot a few feet away. Two soldiers stood on top of the pile of provisions holding up a crate before tossing it down and smashing it open, it’s contents spilling into the swamp.

The Botan who had knelt beside him suddenly grabbed the vines around Hander’s chest and lifted him up into the air as he stood. He pushed his face nose to nose with handers.

“Tell me where it is before I lose my patience.” He snarled.

The vines tightened all over Handers' body, cutting into his skin and causing excruciating pain. He gasped, the air knocked out of him. The pain was so intense he couldn’t think. He couldn’t think of an answer to the demand.

A short distance behind the soldier, another who was standing guard turned from something he was watching and glanced back at the soldier holding handers.

“Captain!” He called in alarm.

The captain shifted his attention away from Handers and looked back at the guard. Immediately the vines around Handers loosened allowing him to gasp for air. The soldier standing guard gestures toward a ring of lights in the distance, glowing through the fog. The lights were bobbing up and down slightly as they grew closer, brighter.

“It’s an Attack!” Screamed the captain.

The Botann soldiers jumped down from the wagon debris and swooped into a formation around the captain.

One of the soldiers jumped towards the closest tree and wrapped his body around its trunk, slowly melding with it, conforming his body to its shape. The tree shook violently, then cords shot out from its branches, dropping down like rain towards the approaching ring of fire.

With a quiet swish, a single arrow with a burning tip cut through the air arcing down towards the soldier wrapped up with the tree. A burst of flame exploded with a loud crack as the arrow knocked the soldier down into the water.

The remaining soldiers tightened their ring formation around their captain.

“Hold your position!” He yelled.

In a sudden burst of speed, the ring of lights erupted out of the fog revealing a mob of horse men galloping wildly with crossbows, tips lit a fire, held out in front of them. In a blur of splashing water, they circled in around the tight pack of Botan soldier and stopped with their cross bows locked on their close targets.

Another horseman emerged from the thick fog and rode up behind them. The furthest horses parted quickly, allowing him to approach the Botans. He splashed his large horse through the muddy water up to the Captain, splashing mud on him. Handers recognized him immediately. It was the man from the black carriage that offered them help.

“These men are my guests on this property! Why have you attacked?” The man shouted with authority.

The Botan captain pushed his men out of the way and approached the man on the horse. “All Zo are guests in this land! We are acting under order to search and seize any Zo traveling off main roads in this jurisdiction. You would be wise to do as we instruct.”

“Who's orders?” The horseman asked.

The Captain laughed. “We don't answer questions of the Zo.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“I know what you are.” The captain answered with indignation.

The Zoen man on the horse signaled his men to move in.

“You are trespassing and will now be escorted off the property of the Manea Trading Guild.”

The Captain's eyes widened. He stammered, “Wha.. Ah... Lord Valance? I'm so sorry. I wasn't aware.”

He turned to his men and yelled, “Stand Down! Stand Down.”

Lord Valance put his hand up to signal his men to lower their crossbows.

“Again, who gave you your orders?” Valance demanded. “I would hate to think you were here of your own accord.”

“We're under the command of the Holy Cleric's Private Guard. They'll verify.” The Captain squirmed as he answered.

“Let’s hope they do.” Valance grunted as he dropped down off his horse and splashed towards the little island where Handers was still being held up in the vines.

“Put this man down immediately.” He demanded.

“Of course.” The Captain hurried behind Valance and grabbed one of the large vines holding Handers. Immediately the cocoon holding Handers lowered to the ground. The vines loosened but were still so intertwined the shell around him remained intact.

Valance knelt down beside him.

“I'm sorry for your troubles Mr. Handers. It pains me to see any Zo treated this way.”

He opened his palm near the vines causing those close to his hand to blacken, wither and drop away.

The Captain turned to the soldier next him. “Release the prisoners.”

The vines slithered back, unraveling Handers completely. Valance reached down and helped him to his feet.

“Thank you.” Handers whispered, his lungs still not fully recovered.

“Once more I'm here to offer you assistance. This time I insist.” Valance said with a smile.

Handers glanced over at Rinacht who stared back at him with a look of disgust.

“What? He didn't offer clean sheets or a bath.” Hander said with a laugh interrupted with a cough.

He turned back to Lord Valance. “I accept. We are humbly in your debt.”

“We'll keep some men here to salvage what they can from your wagon and see to your wounded animals. In the meantime, I suggest we move quickly least we find ourselves out numbered. I’ll have someone look over your injuries as soon as we’re out of this area. Can you ride?”

Handers nodded.



-



Raj’s heart jumped with excitement. Unless his eyes were playing tricks on him, just visible through the fog a line stretched across the horizon. It looked like grass and smaller shrubbery. Dry land! The edge of the swamp! He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed it until he saw it in front of him. The freedom to run away if he needed.

Sure enough, it was only a few moments before the hoofs of the horse he and Rinacht were riding splashed water and mud up onto the dry earth. Their horse snorted as it struggled to climbed up the steep embankment, forcing Hander and Rinacht to grab onto the saddle to keep from sliding off.

The Botann soldiers glided effortlessly through the water in front of their armed horsemen escort. Lord Valance had felt it necessary for everyone’s security to require the Botann soldiers to accompany them to Shishkameen.

Raj had no idea this kind of thing happened. They’d been on peaceful terms with the Botan for 50 years. People came and went across the borders without any problems that he was aware of.

Yet out here, without anyone else watching, they could be attacked and almost killed by Botan soldiers? And then take the same soldiers prisoner? Seemed like acts of war to him.

“Please tell me this is the end of the swamp!” Rinacht proclaimed with excitement.

“What? I thought you liked rocks and mud.” Raj said with a smile.

Rinacht's rigid stone like skin furrowed into a scowl. “Funny.”

Raj turned back to the front. Faintly, through the trees he could see a patterned arrangement of shapes.

“Uh oh.” Rinacht said.

Handers strained to make out a few wagons and carriages, then what looked like rows of tents weaving in and out between the trees.

“More company.” Raj said quietly, fear creeping back into his voice.

There were several rows of wagons. All angled to form a semi circle. And the tents filled in the center. He could even see smoke billowing up from several camp fires and Zo men in uniform rushing around. At least they were Zo.

“No, my friends, this is our logging for the evening.”

“You know them?” Hander’s asked.

Lord Valance laughed. “They work for me. We're establishing a new trade route along this side of the swamp to service the local growers.”

Handers let out a sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted right now was trouble. A bed and a hot meal sounded like heaven. So much so he didn’t dare let himself get too excited. Not until they were actually sitting in front of a fire with food in hand.

“What do you do, Lord Valance, if you don't mind my asking?” He asked timidly.

“I grow Manea.” Valance answered with a smile.



-



Handers carried a tin plate of food with his freshly bandage arm over to a small table and sat down on a cot. They’d been given a tent for the evening, small but clean and private. Two cots, a table with an oil lamp and a few boxes.

“Should be comfortable enough.” Handers said plainly as he tested the firmness of his cot.

“Enough? As opposed to what?” Rinacht asked. “Lying in the mud under the trees? It'll be more than comfortable."

Handers pushed on his cot, testing the firmness, then gave it a good bounce. It let out a low creak as it absorbed his weight.

“What's wrong with the muddy ground?” He asked.

Rinacht rolled his eyes as he pushed a big spoonful of food in his mouth.

Handers pushed himself to his feet and carried his plate over to the folded entry flap of the tent.

“I'm gonna go ask Valance how far we are from the Shishkameen. And you know... see how nice his tent is.”

“Have a delightful time.” Rinacht said with a wave and a fake smile.



-



Handers wandered past several orderly rows of tents and stopped as a group of uniformed men carried an open crate of equipment past him. The equipment looked strange, nothing he recognized. What had Lord Valence said he was doing here? He tried to remember. Ah yes, something about a new trade route. Manea. So they were here to build a road? Shouldn’t they be cutting down trees and hauling in dirt? But then, what did he know?

None of the tents looked any bigger than any of the others. Nothing to indicate where Lord Valance might be. Perhaps there was more of the camp on the other side of the ring of wagons that formed a perimeter around them. He turned down the next row headed for the outer circle of carts, carriages and wagons. They were pushed in together tightly except for a few places where they had left a large gap, as a sort of gate way through the ring. But the gateways were crowded, and he didn’t want to have to explain where he was trying to go and what he was doing in the camp in the first place. Best to keep low, he thought.

So he found a relatively deserted section of the ring and squeezed between the back of a wagon and a fancy looking buggy, popping out on the other side. His leg caught on the wagon’s hitch causing him to stumble and catch himself awkwardly. He looked about to see if anyone saw, hoping he hadn’t made a scene.

Fortunately, the area was just as empty on this side as it was on the other. Carts and wagons formed a second ring a couple of yards beyond the first, creating an alley way in between. Peaking through the second row, there was nothing but trees beyond. No more camp, as he had supposed. Perhaps this alley between the two rings would lead to something else.

The closest gateway wasn’t too far off to the left, so he decided to wander down the alley in the opposite direction. After a few minutes, the two rings began to converge causing the alley to narrow and then end abruptly. There were several large black carriages at the very end where the rows converged, much like the one he saw Valence riding in when they first ran into him in the swamp. These were perhaps his? Would he be camped near them? Possibly, he thought.

As he moved closer, he noticed one of the carriages rock slightly as though it were bumped. Then a moment later it rocked again. Either someone was knocking into it from the other side, or someone was inside.

“That’s strange.” He muttered, approaching it cautiously.

He heard foot falls behind him, causing him to whipped around, instinctively, just in time to see two large Zo guards rushing towards him. He ducked and turned to run, but it was too late. One grabbed him by the neck and pulled him straight, the other lifted him by the arms and slammed him up against one of the black carriages.

“What are you doing here?” One of the guards demanded.

Handers gasped for air, the soldier’s firm grip choking him. “Looking... for... Val...lance.” He tried to answer.

“You're looking in the wrong place.”

The guard eyed him suspiciously. “What business do you have with Lord Valance?”

“He… invited us… to the camp.” Hander squeezed out.

The guard eyed him for another moment as though trying to decide what to do, then dropped him. “We’ll verify.” The other twisted his arms behind his back and pushed him forward. They steered him in between the black carriages at the end of the alley.

Sure enough there was another small section of the camp on the other side. He’d have been happy with himself for guessing correctly if it wasn’t for the pain and embarrassment. They passed several large tents, each one easily five times as large as his own. Eventually, they stopped at the back of an even larger tent sitting in the center of this second camp.

Another large Zo man stood guard by a closed flap of the tent.

“We have a visitor.” The Zo, twisting Hander’s arm, said to the guard by the tent. He nodded and disappeared inside. A moment later the tent flap flung open.

“What the problem?” Lord Valance shouted as he stepped out.

“Oh.” He dropped his angry demeanor as soon as he saw Handers.

“OK, Let him go! Let him go.” Valance put his hands and Hander’s shoulders.

“We caught him back by the carriages.” The Zo that had been holding his arm said before releasing his grip.

Lord Valance raised an eyebrow at Handers.

“I was looking for your tent.” Handers explained. “I wasn't aware there were areas off limits.”

“My apologies.” Lord Valance lifted the tent flap and motioned for Handers to join him inside. “I'm afraid they have a tendency to over react.”

Handers rubbed his wrists as he followed him.

“I hope they weren't too rough with you.” Valance said.

“Nothing’s broken,” Handers grumbled.

“We do have some sensitive cargo, but nothing worth the assault. I apologize, again.”

The interior of the tent was impressive. Finely woven fabric hung from poles around the exterior to create walls of silk. A lounge chair and a couch sat opposite a large desk that Valance was moving towards. A Thickly woven carpet warmed the entire space.

“This is incredible.” Handers admitted.

“Thank you. I spend a lot of time traveling.” Valance said.

Handers turned his attention from the fabric walls to beautiful dark mahogany desk that Valance had just sat behind. He motioned for Raj to join him.

Raj smiled and wandered over to leather arm chair across from the desk. Before he sat something caught his eye, giving him pause. On the top of the desk, he noticed an old leather bound book. On the cover was the familiar image of the Token.

He realized immediately that he had just paused in the middle of sitting down and was staring at the book. Valance shot a glance back and forth between Raj and the book with a strange look of curiosity. Raj cursed himself silently and prayed he hadn’t revealed anything too important.

Its was the same book that Bedic had, he was sure of it.

“What can I do for you Mr. Handers.” Valance asked with an odd smile.

“I wanted to ask you about the trip ahead.” Handers said. “I was just curious how far out we are from Shishkameen?”

“Sure. We're four days out with the Caravan. I apologize for the slow down. That's the price of security.”

“That's a beautiful book.” Handers said. He couldn’t stop staring at it, so he might as well bring it up, he thought. “I'm a bit of an antiques collector myself. Do you mind if I ask where you found it?”

“I just picked it up from an old friend, actually. Are you familiar with it?” Valance asked.

“Not this book in particular. My grandparents passed down a lot of family heirlooms. Kind of got me started collecting.”

“I'm a bit of a collector myself. In fact, I pay quite handsomely for items in a particular vein of interest.” Valance lifted up the book and turned it to showcase the illustration of the Token on the cover.

“Sorry, I don't have any religious antiques.” Handers said.

“Who said it was religious?” Valance smiled.

"Oh. Just a guess." Handers answered, alarmed that he might have given even more away than intended. He couldn’t figure out why Valance had this book or what implications that might have. It was a subject that clearly warranted caution. Caution that he had probably already blown. He’d have to try to explain his interest in the book in a way that didn’t relate to the Token. The last thing he wanted was to answer any direct questions about that.

"You're right actually. Valance said. “This is a symbol of the Reds. An old one, though. Probably hasn't been used for 500 years. Have you studied the Reds much Mr Handers? I'd ask you if you were a believer, but that would be too personal to be polite."

"I've studied a little, but I certainly wouldn't consider myself a man of faith. You?"

"You might say that I have an interest in the Reds, yes.” Valance said, then leaned forward, putting his folded arms on the desk, as though he were about to whisper a secret. “It has been my observation that nothing in the natural world is permanent. All things come and go. There is an Ebb and flow, a rise and a fall. Birth and death, winter and spring. Even in the kingdoms of men, one rises to power, but then another rises to take that power. It is a constant cycle, nothing lasting, nothing permanent.

"But the Reds. They are constant. They are power unending, life unending, the antithesis to the ebb and flow of nature."

Handers was unconformable. This was turning into the exact conversation he needed to avoid. “I guess its a little out of my area of expertise. Most of what I've inherited is associated with the family clan OSO. Shields, crests, things like that.”

“Don’t discount them to quickly. You’d be surprised what you might learn from a family heirloom. There could be a wealth of information right under your fingertips.” Valance said.

“Interesting. Maybe you could take a look when we get back. Lend us your expert opinion. Can't say what I'd be willing to part with though. Family history and all.”

“Yes, perhaps I will pay you a visit once you're back safe with your boy.” Lord Valance put the book down. “I'm sorry I'm not able to get you to the Old Capitol faster. If I thought it was safe I'd put you on my fastest horse and send you on ahead.”

Valance stood up and circled around the desk towards Handers. “Do you know where you're going once you get to the city?

“I have a few ideas.” Handers answered.

“It's a very large city. I might be able to help.” Valance offered.

Handers nodded then stood himself. “Help would be most appreciated.”



-



Handers pushed through the flaps and stepped into his own tent.

Rinacht was laying on his cot, attention fixed on a book he was reading.

“Let me guess. Rinacht said without looking up from his book. “His tent is immaculate. You demanded that they upgrade our quarters, and we're moving to an officers tent?”

“No.” Handers answered quietly as he sat down on his own cot.

Rinacht looked over. “What? No witty retort?”

Handers sat staring at the ground.

“What's wrong?” Rinacht asked as he put his book down and sat up.

“I think we're in trouble.” Handers said, making eye contact.

Rinacht thew his arms up in exasperation and laid back down on the cot. “You know, you're possibly the most optimistic person I've ever met. You radiate sunshine and happiness. It's almost blinding.”

Handers stared back without response.

“This man pulled us out of the swamp twice, saved us from a band of barbarians, and offered us safe and secure passage for the remainder of our journey.” Rinacht almost shouted. “What else do you want? Angles from heaven?”

“I don't think it was a coincident that he found us in the swamp. That he happened to be passing through at the same time. I think he was looking for us.” Handers said.

“I don't understand. Why would you think that?” Rinacht asked, his tone suddenly more serious.

“I don't know.” He answered quietly.

“You don’t know? Or you don’t want to tell me?” Rinacht scowled at him. “What did you see?”

“What do you mean?” Handers asked.

“You came back here all doom and gloom. Something happened.” Rinacht said.

“The point is, I don’t think it would be safe for me to travel with our friend Mr. Valance.” Handers said.

“OK, assuming you are right, that leaves us in quite a predicament. Our wagon was smashed, our provisions are rotting in the swamp, and our protective escorts are all injured and miles behind us.” Rinacht exclaimed, staring at Handers with firm resolve. “Honestly, what choice do we have? We have to go with Valance.”

Handers stared back. Trying to read the reaction of his friend. Was he just being his stubborn usual self? Or was there something else? He looked away. That wasn’t fair, he thought. He hadn’t offered Rinacht any concrete reason for his concern. Of course, he’d be doubtful. And he was right they had no other transportation, food or protection. They wouldn’t get far on their own. That was for sure.

“You're right, we have limited options. Hopefully I'm just paranoid.” Handers said.

“You are paranoid.” Rinacht added.

Handers pushed back the entrance flaps to the tent. “I'm going to go see what they have for food.” He’d need as much as he could carry. As well as water and a small supply of Manea. Rinacht was right but only about himself. Rinacht would be safer with the caravan. No need for him to risk the danger of going out on his own just because Handers’s had a bad feeling.

This Lord Valance was obviously a extremely powerful man. Powerful men had ways of getting what they wanted. And if Handers was right, if Valance didn’t just happen to find them in the middle of the swamp, then he had something Valance wanted. Or at least Valance suspected that he might have it. How long would Valance wait to put that suspicion to rest? How long before he had him searched? What would happen then? What would happen after he got what he was looking for? Would he let them go on their way?

He even thought about just giving him the Token in exchange for safe passage. He’d choose finding his son over holding on to the Token without hesitation. But the Token was the kind of thing that the person you’re taking it from probably holds some importance too. Valance would probably want to know where Handers found it and how. He’d want to know what Handers knew about it. He might press him to talk about the experiences he’d had with it.

He wasn’t going to let him just walk away. Valance was the kind of person that, if he want a person to stick around and keep him company, he could make that happen. He’d be stuck for as long as Valance decided.

No, it would be much better to leave now while he still could, before Valance made his move to force the issue.

“Food? You just ate!” Rinacht shouted after him as he hurried out the tent.



-



Handers trudged through the underbrush, the moonlight shining down through the thinly wooded forest. He wished he had never brought the thing with him. But how could he have known it would’ve caused such a frustrating problem.

That raised another question in his mind. How did Lord Valance come to suspect he had it? If he hadn’t have just made it all up in his head, that is. How would this man have come to know anything about him? Even more, how would he know he was passing through the old roads on the way to Shishkameen?

He stopped and opened his overcoat. Then slid a hand down into an inside pocket and removed an object covered in black velvet.

“What did you drag me into?” He asked aloud, staring at the object in his hand.

Maybe he could just ditch it here in the forest and go back to the camp. No longer having anything of interest to anyone, they’d let him pass through, and he’d be on his way to find his son. But… He thought. The way Valance spoke to him, he was pretty sure he already suspected Handers had it. If his men found it in the forest close to the camp, they’d know who put it there. He’d still be in the same mess.

He unwrapped the velvet exposing the forest to a bright white light from the tiny object. Handers covered his eyes with his other hand.

“What are you?” He asked, holding it up higher.

“More importantly, why am I talking to you?”

He turned his attention back to the forest, back to the journey ahead of him. He had a lot of ground to cover before he ran out of food.

In front of him, lit brightly by the glowing Token was the same stone archway that had visited him so many times already. The same stone path extended out in front of him, starting at the base of the arch and winding off into the forest.

He looked back at the shining Token. Then, a surge of images raced across his mind. All of the things he’d seen in Bedic’s book. All the things he’d seen touching the archway, touching the token. Maybe to understand the rest of this puzzle, all he had to do was ask.

His brought a finger down gently to rest on the white surface of the token.

His vision flashed to white. As the glare faded, he saw himself traveling along the stone pathway, weaving quickly through the trees then exiting the forest into a wide meadow with mountain peaks visible in the near distance.

In the middle of that meadow rose a beautiful white structure. Tall and magnificent, more beautiful than any building he’d ever seen. In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever actually called a building beautiful before. It’s flat walls, intricately carved with patterns and symbols, hit at irregular angles, then extended up into the sky as pointed spires.

How could such an incredible structure have been built in such a remote place, he wondered. It would’ve taken thousands of men decades to build.

Then the world spun, thing went white and he was somewhere else. Standing in a forest somewhere. His son was lying crumpled up on wet pine needles and rotting leaves. He remembered this place from the first time he saw it. This was the question he needed the answer too. What was happening here in this place with his son? He tried to look around, to expand the scope of his vision. To his right he followed the edge of a beautiful red glow as it swept towards him. He wanted to see what was producing it, what it meant.

With effort he was able to push his sight further into the glow. There growing up out of the forest floor was a tiny red plant with brilliant red leaves.

“Dad?” A small voiced called. He turned back and saw his son calling out for him, standing.

With a jolt he felt himself being sucked backward violently. A moment later he was back in the moonlit forest, his finger hovering over the token.

“OK.” He nodded his head, wrapped up the token and stepped through the archway onto the stone path. His feet clacked against the hard stone as he quickened his pace.

-

A dozen yards back, hidden in the underbrush Rinacht watched through bent branches as Handers paused on the forest trail talking to himself then left abruptly on a new course off the path. He moved quietly through the underbrush to follow.



-



Sinesh peeked out from behind a large barrel. It was dark and the wagon hadn’t moved in hours, so she was pretty sure they were camped for the night, where ever they were. The wagon was packed tight enough that she had almost no room to sit. That and the bumpy road had left her pretty sore. Sore and hungry and cold.

But she couldn’t think about those things. Not until she found her grandpa.

The back of the wagon was uncovered and looked as though it had been pushed up against the side of another wagon. That should make it easier to get out without someone seeing her, she thought. She pushed out from behind the barrel and squeezed her way to the back where she could get a better look of where she was. It looked like her wagon was parked in a row with a whole lot of others. That was about all she could see. Trees on one side and wagons on the other. Most importantly, though, she didn’t see any people.

She scrambled over the back gate and dangled the few inches before dropping to the ground. The last thing she remembered seeing was her grandpa being tied up and thrown into the back of a wagon. There was a decent chance he was here still in the back of one of these wagons. But which, she wondered.

She climbed onto the rear bumper of an old covered cart that seemed to stand out from the rest and peaked down into the shadows of its contents. Nothing but crates and canvas bags. She dropped down. But then, just as she was about to turn the other way noticed out of the corner of her eye a slight movement in an old carriage.

She rushed over and climbed up on the back. Sure enough, her grandpa was curled up in the dark with his hands tied behind his back. He rocked back and forth violently against a knotted rope at his wrists trying to fray it. "Blasted…!" He cursed.

"Grandpa!" She shouted.

"Sinesh?"

She pushed her face against the bars of the back window.

"What are you doing here?" He hissed in a loud whisper.

"I followed you!" She replied sternly.

"You did? Thank you darling. Can you open the door?"

She pulled on it, but it wouldn't budge. She shook it back and forth. "Uhg. It won't open, Grandpa! I think its locked."

Soft footsteps pattered across the forest floor. Bedic stopped fraying the rope. "Sinesh, hide!"

She peaked around the corner of the carriage and saw two large men with swords walking towards her. Why'd they have to come now, she thought. She didn't want to go back to her hiding place. Not when she had finally found Grandpa.

"Sinesh, hurry." Grandpa whispered.

She hopped down off the back and crawled underneath. “Ah.” She exclaimed in excitement. About midway there was an empty storage compartment entirely obscured by the wheels and side walls.

She climbed up and curled into a ball. She was so sick of hiding. But at least she could stay close now.