Chapter 2 - 13: The village on fire
Awlin was riding the owl, and for the first time he didn't need to hold on to keep from slipping through the air currents. He felt more and more secure, even though what he saw was increasingly terrifying. But as he emerged from the tunnels, he had begun to understand that he wasn't the only one in trouble, and that others were dying in very unpleasant ways all around him.
The owl was flying high, so that they could both see what was happening on the ground. The owl was also happy to carry the ethereal creature, currently between death and life, not quite dragged down by the former but not much like the latter. It was true that he could communicate with some, as he could now do with the owl, but he still couldn't say that he was still alive.
Awlin felt the fire: the heat, the pain, the air consumed by the flames. But he knew that, although very uncomfortable, it could do little to him now. The owl was another matter: since it was not incorporeal like him, it could burn, and that was one of the reasons why it did not want to get too close, nor did Awlin ask it to.
Suddenly, they saw a house on the outskirts of the village, completely consumed and with only a few beams left, falling to the ground with little noise. Awlin told the owl that he had to go down to see some things on the ground. The owl nodded and waited.
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When Awlin reached the ground, he began to sense that there were dead bodies around: some dead before the fire, killed in various ways, and others burned or poisoned by the smoke from the fires. He rose a little higher again and went towards the main street: there he saw a dog carrying a small child on his back and he slid down, whispering to the dog where he could go to meet his friends. He felt satisfied that he had been able to help and continued forward: only then did he see the stone bridge that was the only thing left standing in that town. Several of the villagers had taken shelter above it, but if they did not get out of there soon they would have little chance. So he rose to where the owl was and told him that he needed them to be ready to help the townspeople, that he was going to try to get them off the bridge.
Foto de Terry Montague en Unsplash
But the circumstances were complicated. First, since he was not visible, he had no guarantee that they would follow him. And second, they were scared and so terrified that they could do little more than stare at the flames surrounding them.
Awlin noticed that there were several dogs and approached them. Immediately a medium-sized dog sensed him and moved its ears in his direction and then looked at him with an unfriendly expression. If it had not been a spirit, Awlin would have been scared but he knew that this dog, despite its fierce appearance, would not only be of great help, but would be able to save all, if not most, of those who remained on the bridge.
Foto de Oleksandr Horbach en Unsplash
And then, he noticed another presence: something was coming towards him, fast and swift. So he decided that he was going to observe it from above. He slid down as quietly as he could, moving as little air as possible, and climbed back onto the owl's back. There, he felt that the bird also had seen the same thing: a presence, like an oily cloud, was heading towards the villagers with evil intentions. He felt that he had to inform Frey Kaistos about it, but it was somewhat difficult because he was still on those rocks that could be seen in the distance, on top of the hill. The Ancient's Stone was clearly visible and he hoped that they would eventually know that something worrying and strange was happening there and that they should come down as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, below, the oily substance was sliding quickly but now it seemed... disconcerted: it went around several times and, in the end, it seemed to convince itself that there was no one else but the unfortunate villagers.
From above, Awlin understood what it was: he had heard of these creatures but he didn't know that they actually existed, much less that they had arrived there. He couldn't wait any longer, but he didn't know how to help either... until he saw the dog on one side of the bridge, barking insistently at the oily thing without help. He quickly slid down and approached some apples that were on the ground and that would soon be burnt as well. Then he stood on the side of the bridge opposite the direction Frey Kaistos and the others would go down and began to throw them with the technique he had already learned...
The people, surprised, ran away. In the confusion, the oily thing hesitated but, not knowing who was causing the disturbance, quickly disappeared going to the opposite side of the city, leaving him to continue trying to free the villagers. Within minutes, with the help of Frey Kaistos and the others, they had led the villagers who had escaped the fire to the Old Stonewall, where they took refuge in a small cave. It did not offer many defences, but it was enough for the moment. In addition, Níramal, completely covered, sat at the mouth of the cave, in case they received any unexpected visitors. Next to her, Ankrat, the duenxy, leaned on a stone and both watched the path up, although no one seemed to approach. Next to her, lying quietly, the molosser Uzo closed his eyes while Awlin and the owl prepared to watch from the highest point of the Stonewall.
Frey Kaistos, with Arturiano and the duenxies, was organizing themselves to heal all those people, although, without saying anything, they knew that the worst wounds would be those of the soul: they had seen something terrible, even more than the fire and the destruction of their town. And they needed to tell him, before it was too late. But he couldn’t force them to do it.
A natural source of water opened in one of the walls of the cave and, there, they were able to refill the waterskins to give water to all the villagers. They also shared their food and Sprogiar, the wise duenxy, went out into the surroundings and returned several times with an interesting load of berries and strawberries from the surroundings. In addition, he asked Uzo and the owl to hunt some small animals because they would have to eat and after a while they also returned with some partridges, hares and other small animals that they could find... and hunt.
Arturiano made a fire while Níramal looked around for how to cover the entrance of the cave so that the fire could not be seen in the distance. After a while, she found a stone that was big enough, but she would need help to carry it. She turned to warn them, but three of the better-off villagers had followed her and between them and four others who came out later, they picked up the stone by hand and carried it to the entrance. Once it was in place and taking into account the natural vents in the cave, not only was this solution comfortable, but above all, it made them feel much safer.
- “How are you?” asked Níramal.
Frey Kaistos, with a worried face, did not answer: he continued giving water, putting bandages and sharing recipes for ointments with Sprogiar. The third duenxy, Daliniar, had organized himself so that he could make some food, even if it was difficult. The good thing about being in a place like that was that there were all kinds of plants around, so it was even going to taste good, something that everyone needed.
Finally, Sprogiar answered:
- “Some better than others, girl.” She smiled when she saw herself called that way; He came closer. “Both the monk and I are worried about several people. First, that little girl who is clinging to her mother, who is in a very serious condition: not only are her wounds, which are already serious, but she is pregnant and we don’t know if she will give birth to the child she is expecting. But we are even more worried about that father at the end: his daughter has died but no one can separate them. Anyway, let’s hope we can find out what happened soon because what they saw could save their lives as well as ours.”
One of the men who had helped Níramal bring the stone sat down next to him.
– It’s simple, although it’s hard for me to explain. I’m Trumbar, the village blacksmith. Two days ago three strange people came to the inn. The innkeeper, Quirómar, told me about them and I went there: they were drinking beer and having dinner like any other guest. Since Quirómar has always been afraid, I started laughing: I told him to stop seeing ghosts and to act like any other day. Now, when I turned to leave, I saw the face of one of them and even I felt my blood run cold. So I went back into the stables and spoke to Quirómar: I told him what I had seen and that he should take the guests out the back. But he was even more scared. In the end, he agreed, but he came out again saying that the strangers were no longer at his table. What happened next I don’t know: only that suddenly everything seemed to be on fire. People, horses, dogs, cats, cattle, etc. everything was screaming and burning. I took as many as I could and took them to the bridge, but when I came back to save more people, many of them were already dead. Afterwards, everything burned down and the worst thing was hearing them scream and not being able to do anything… – the man began to whimper and covered his face: he didn't want anyone to see him cry.
– I understand. Has anyone seen who they were?
It was then that Frey Kaistos seemed to come to his senses:
– It seems that one of them was really strange. Has anyone seen any phenomenon that couldn’t be easily understand in the vicinity? – he saw their discomfort and said –. Come on, come on, It's not the right time to be shy.
A short, trembling man with a broken leg raised his hand as best he could:
– I am one of those that Trumbar saved from the inn. I come to the village a lot because I sell vegetables both at the inn and at a stand that I set up near the square. I have seen something very strange and no, I was not dreaming nor have I taken any strange substance. There was an oily presence for several days. But I thought my eyesight was failing me: lately, I can't see as well as before…
Frey Kaistos looked at him and said:
– It seems that your eyesight is better than you think – he approached him and looked at his eyes, took a bit of clean cloth and poured a liquid into it. Then he washed his eyes and then continued speaking –. Do not touch or scratch your eyes even if they itch. It is possible that it will soothe your eyes and tomorrow you will see much better than usual.
The man smiled with a kind and grateful smile:
– Thank you very much, Frey.
Níramal then continued asking:
– And does anyone know why they were in that place or did no one say anything?
A small woman, who was fine apart from a large bruise on her face and some wounds on her arms, approached:
– Yes, miss, we know: they wanted some people who were going to change horses at the post near the Arhuela River. They told us they were dangerous fugitives…
Níramal looked at Arturiano who had approached.
– And did they give a description of those dangerous fugitives?
– No, they didn't know how many people there were… beyond pointing out that one of them was a priest who practiced black magic…
Arturiano burst out laughing:
– Then, you can be sure that it's not us. That's right – he said, more seriously – we have to find another way to cross the Arhuela River: we can't go through the town. We don't know who else will be there.
Níramal looked at him:
– We'll look for those steps tomorrow. I think that's enough for today. I'll stand guard at the entrance – she said, looking at everyone –. Then it'll be Ankrat's turn.
– I want to help – said the blacksmith.
– We do too.
She turned and looked at them.
– Even if we're the same Group those people were looking for?
The big man smiled:
– In that case even more: Evil doesn't normally chase another Evil. This people were coming against us, you have helped us. I think it’s fair to say that we should help you in whatever we can.
Níramal looked at him and smiled:
– Okay: whoever wants to stand guard with me, it'll be easy today, unless I am very mistaken. We have to be alert in case someone comes this way… if they move the stone, we'll have to fight.
Everyone fell silent, then nodded and divided up the guarding hours.
Níramal sat down and began her nightly prayers. Arturiano looked at her and spoke quietly to Frey Kaistos, while he ate some of Daliniar's roast and some strawberries:
– Do you think Erevin has really fallen in love with her?
– It wouldn't be strange, but why do you ask me that? Don't be so nosy – and for the first time that day he smiled.
– I'm not nosy, but he would have chosen well…
– Ah, I have no doubt about that. They say that boy is a scoundrel, but he really has imagination and intelligence and he doesn't obey them, which is what really bothers them… and I'm not surprised, because you see what allies they have. It's becoming increasingly clear to me that they need absolute control, what I don't know is what their objective is.
– Do you know what that creature really is?
– I believe it's some kind of life-stealer, but I don't know exactly how it does it. And what is that oily substance? Is it that same being because it can transform itself or is it another being over which it has some kind of power? The sooner we can get out and get away, I will feel much calmer.
Suddenly, Sprogiar made a sign to him: an older man, who was one of the most seriously ill, wanted to talk to Frey Kaistos. The monk put his food aside, stood up and knelt beside him. Then he took his hand:
– Frey, I am dying – he said very quietly and breathing heavily. I thank you for everything you have done to heal me, but I am beyond any healing power in this world. You see, there is something you must know: that being you have seen transforms. I saw it with my own eyes. The horse exchangers had asked me to bring them some that I bred. The best horses around here. He came in and asked me why I wanted so many horses: I told him it was my job and if he needed any. He said no. The surprise must have been on my face: why would someone enter a horse breeding site, even a modest one, to ask something like that? Then, I imagine that to scare me, he transformed into that oily thing. It disgusted me more than scared me… and that was what made him angry. The horses escaped but it was much difficult for me. The house collapse by whatever he did: that is why I have almost all my bones broken.
The man sighed and seemed to fall asleep. He was still breathing, but he had little time left. Frey Kaistos noticed that Awlin had come closer since the man had begun to tell his story. Then he went down to the level where the man was and must have whispered something in his ear because the man smiled beatifically.
Then Awlin rose to the roof of the cave, where the owl slept.
Little by little, everyone fell asleep. The day had been difficult and everyone was brutally tired. In the peace of the night, the horse breeder passed into the domain of souls and, in doing so, he saw Awlin right at that moment and pronounced a blessing to everyone. Now he was where he would never feel pain again.
The next morning, they buried the horse breeder, whose name was Liunor, in the cave. They made a stretcher to carry the pregnant woman, who was very seriously ill, and they tried to separate the man from his dead daughter, but it was impossible, so they decided to think later about where it would be more appropriate to leave him to be cared for, since it was possible that he had lost his mind. Several people moved the stone and carefully went out to see what had happened outside. From the Pedregal they could see the village completely burned: now there were almost no flames.
They left and walked along the western part of the Pedregal towards a series of paths that descended from the summit. At the end, on one side, a path opened into the earth and, a little further on, there was a wooden bridge situated above the Arhuela River. They had reached the bridge and were going to be able to cross it without problems.
Foto de Alejandro Luengo en Unsplash
The bridge, which was several metres above the ground, did not allow many people to cross it at the same time. They agreed that several people always had to carry the stretcher with the pregnant and seriously ill woman, releasing Uzo from the task. Others would cross it with the father who continued to hold on to his dead daughter without stopping. The first group passed without any problem other than the difficulty of passing the stretcher through that narrow place. But, when the father began to walk across the bridge with his dead daughter in his arms, it was as if he returned to reality and without those around him being able to do anything, he jumped off the bridge and fell into the void. The current dragged them away without the rest of the group being able to do anything about it.
In silence, they were able to cross to the other side and, a little later, in a small clearing, they made a stop. But sadness was difficult to avoid and, in addition, slowly, they realised that now they would have to go to Os on foot: they would no longer have horses.
It seemed that that journey, initially easier, was becoming excessively difficult. Níramal approached Frey Kaistos:
– Do you think those people were trying to stop us from taking the horses or was there some other motivation?
– Why do you say that?
She looked ahead:
– I don't know, I have the impression that what they don't want is for us to get to Os. Because, why haven't they followed us?
Frey Kaistos looked at her and nodded.
– We'll have to change the route and go where the Empress's servants don't imagine we're going to go.
Arturiano, who had approached with the duenxy Ankrat, nodded.
– Yes, we need to get closer to the West and take one of the routes that go north. I'll see if we can go through another horse station, although I don't know if it will be convenient…
– Yes, yes – said Ankrat –, the sooner we get there the better. We need to know what is happening there... although I think they want to isolate the monastery more and prevent it from receiving people from outside.
Frey Kaistos nodded:
– Yes, something like that has been on my mind since we left Os – he then looked towards where he knew Awlin was and Awlin knew something was up. Then, Frey Kaistos looked at the villagers they had saved from Aronhuela, who, believing themselves safe, many had fallen asleep –. Let them rest – he said –, at least for now.
Even Uzo, who had dragged the woman's stretcher for almost the entire journey – seemed to have understood the need to rest and fell asleep.
Only Frey Kaistos remained awake: he reflected on everything that had happened. He needed to do so, because he knew that something had slipped his mind. Also, for the first time, he feared that something similar to what had happened in Sinningen had happened in Os and his heart sank. In the end, he could not resist sleep and also fell asleep. In the silence of the clearing, Awlin stood guard. The sky, full of stars, made him realize that, after such a complicated few days, this peaceful night was worth taking advantage of.
He climbed to the top of the trees and, in the distance, he saw a majestic bird flying towards them. The owl landed next to him, but did not make any sudden movements and, when he looked at it, it seemed to him that the owl's big eyes were smiling. Awlin understood that the bird was coming to his aid and a feeling of tranquility invaded him. At least, there was going to be some good news.
If you want to read the story from the beginning, click here.
Good story. And the photos are terrific!