CITY OF THE GODS: FORGOTTEN (60 page)

Morea emerged from her tree.
 
“All of our trees have guardians. But mine are the only ones able to carry riders. She made a low sound that was a cross between a moan and a grunt. A few seconds later, two large deer came bounding into the tree circle. One had a majestic set of antlers that had ten points on each side. Both of them had light reddish brown coats. Their legs were lighter in color and they had cloven hooves, unlike the horses D’Molay was used to riding. They had long, graceful necks and keen black eyes that looked lovingly at Morea. The deer walked over to her, bowing their heads and awaiting her next command.
   

“Deer - a stag and doe?” D’Molay exclaimed with a degree of amusement. He had never heard of anyone riding deer before. Aavi watched the deer with curiosity. She had seen a few in the distance on their way here, but never up close like this.

“Yes.
 
Next to my sisters, they are my closest companions,” Morea said, as the doe ate a handful of mulberries out of her hand. The stag stood on guard, keeping a watchful eye on D’Molay and Aavi, with quick glances out to the distance beyond the tree ring.

Ptelea walked over to D’Molay. “Morea will instruct them to take you further towards your goal, but each of you will have to ride one of them.”

“They are not used to taking riders, but I have asked them to do this for me. I will be without my guardians while they are away.”

D’Molay realized that Morea was taking a risk by letting them use her deer for transport.
 
“I understand,” he promised, standing up. “We will take care of them, I promise.”

“See that you do. Though the promises of men usually do not amount to much.”
 
Morea gently stroked the face of the stag, which had drawn in close to her. She made some soft cooing noises to the two deer. They both nuzzled her softly with their noses and walked over to stand near D’Molay and Aavi. The deer then got down on their haunches and folded their legs underneath their torsos, making it easier for their riders to mount them. “They are ready.
 
It would be best if you rode the stag and let your female companion ride the doe.”

Aavi spoke up.
 
“I - I don’t know how to ride.”

They all turned to Aavi, who gave them an apologetic look of embarrassment. “Can we both ride on the stag?” D’Molay asked Morea.

She shook her head.
 
“No, even a special deer like him cannot carry two people. She will have to ride the doe somehow. I will instruct the doe to follow you and not let herself be guided by her rider, but you will have to keep that in mind as you lead.”

Walking over to Aavi, D’Molay put his hand on her shoulder.
 
“I’ll help you as we go.
 
We can travel slowly until you get comfortable riding, all right?”
  

“I’ll try.
 
What do I do?”

Morea instructed the doe to remain as still as possible as Aavi climbed on. The doe grunted in annoyance as Aavi wobbled unsteadily on its back as it stood. While D’Molay secured his pack on his back so that it would not be in his way, Aavi got used to the feeling of her legs hanging loose along the sides of the doe.

“Very good, Aavi,” D’Molay encouraged. “See? It’s not too different from being on the elephant or in Mazu’s boat. Ready to try to move forward?”

Aavi just nodded, knowing any words she spoke would sound very unsure. Morea faced the doe, taking three steps backward and beckoning for her to follow. Slowly the deer walked as Aavi clung to its shoulders. Then it stopped, craning its long graceful neck to look back at Aavi.
 
She saw its passive face and dark, intelligent eyes. At first Aavi was a bit fearful.

“She just wants to see who is on her back, don’t worry,” Morea said.

“Your deer has long eyelashes. She’s very pretty.”

“You two make a perfect match then,” D’Molay added.

Morea offered Aavi a handful of mulberries. “Here. Let the doe eat out of your hand, but remember to keep your balance.” Aavi took one of her hands off the doe’s back and took the mulberries. She held them out to the doe, which happily nibbled them out of Aavi’s hand. That ended the nervousness Aavi had about the deer. After that, she was more comfortable riding and Morea was able to walk them around the tree ring as D’Molay stayed close by.

Ptelea greeted one of her sisters. She was carrying something. They walked over to D’Molay. “I see your companion has adjusted to being on Morea’s doe.”

“Yes.
 
Looks like she’ll do all right,” he said, keeping his gaze on Aavi.

“Balanos has brought the scrying seed.”
 

He turned and looked at the two hamadryads. He had seen Balanos among the dryads, but had paid her no more attention than the others. Her long dark green hair had small leaves and acorns growing among her curly tresses. She wore a simple woven cloth that was draped over one shoulder and tied with a vine around her waist. The seed she carried was about the size of a loaf of bread. It was yellow-brown in color, with swirling lines of darker wood grain running vertically across its length.
 
Shiny and smooth, it looked as if it was made of polished wood and carved by a master craftsman rather than grown from the earth.

Balanos held it out to him. “It took almost a hundred years to grow. Please take good care of it. It is not easy to get my tree to grow something like this.”
 
She had a pained look on her face.
 
He could tell that it was not something she easily parted with. D’Molay took the seed, which weighed about ten pounds. It felt warm, and for just a second he thought he felt a small surge of energy run through his hands.

“I will do everything in my power to get it to your sister dryads.”
 
He bent down and carefully put it in their knapsack, which now was filled with various items
 
D’Molay took out a small writing stick and a piece of folded vellum he kept in a coat pocket. “I’ll need those directions to the other enclave,” he said, turning back to face Balanos and Ptelea.
 

“Yes, of course.” While Ptelea gave him directions, Aavi practiced riding the doe. She lost her balance a few times, but didn’t fall off. The impatient stag finally walked over to the three of them, sniffing at Aavi and looking for mulberries. D’Molay finished making his notes, looking up to see how happy Aavi was on the deer. He realized the sisters had indeed placed a great deal of trust in him.

“I’m sorry I ever doubted you or your sisters. You have been nothing but gracious to us.
 
I may have misunderstood your ways, but I know better now. I am in your debt.
 
I only hope you can forgive this foolish man for his lack of wisdom.”
 
He bowed his head slightly.

“Perhaps you are more ready for a harmonious life then I first thought. Our ways have confused others in the past as well.”
 

“No. I have a suspicious mind. The fault is mine, Ptelea.”

Morea called from across the trees. “The stag grows impatient for its rider.”
  

D’Molay strode over, handing Aavi’s bag and a water skin to her. She carefully put their straps over her head so that the sacks were slung diagonally across her body.

“Hurry up, D’Molay,” she grinned. “Get on your deer.”

“Yes,” he laughed at how quickly enthusiasm had replaced trepidation. “I don’t want you to have all the fun.” He fully embraced the effect of the hamadryads now that he was certain it was safe to do so. He went over to the stag reaching out to it, gently stroking its strong neck.
 

“There are some things you need to know,” Morea instructed. “I told the stag that his doe will follow him. The stag will follow your lead. Riding it will be much like riding a horse, but the stag will be more headstrong. They are not used to being ridden. They do this only as a favor for me. Do not try to make them go anywhere they would not normally travel. You will not be able to take them into a village or they will panic. They do not like caves and are likely to flee from predators.”

“I’ll be careful.
 
Can I use reins?
 
I could make some from rope.”

Morea got an indignant look on her face. “Of course not. I told you, they are not horses. Reins would certainly panic them. Just gently tug his antlers for the direction you want him to go.
 
Pull back on them from both sides to make him stop. Remember, gently. He will set his own pace, so don’t try to make him go slower or faster, unless you absolutely have to.” She gave D’Molay the look of a protective mother.

“You made them lie down. Is there a way for us to tell them that?”

“Just stand in front, hold your hand out palm down, then bring your hand down to your side quickly, like this.” Morea demonstrated as she stood in front of the stag which obediently lowered itself down to the ground. “Do the opposite to get them to stand up again. But remember, they are not domesticated like your horses. They may not always do what you want. They feel no allegiance to man. Quite the opposite in fact, for it is man who hunts and kills them.
 
However, they should get you to the next village about a day’s journey to the east.
 
You might as well mount up while he is down,” she finished.

D’Molay then moved to retrieve the bow and quiver he’d been forced to leave in the grove. With a last check to ensure that all their things were at hand, he straddled the stag’s back and sat down gently. Morea gave it the sign to stand up.

Ptelea gently touched D’Molay’s arm and gave him a serene, peaceful gaze. “Travel well, and safe journey to you both. When you find the other dryads, tell them that we look forward to sharing our knowledge with them.”

“I will. Goodbye, and thanks for everything,” Aavi said as she avoided falling off her doe.
 
She had tried to wave to the dryads, but quickly put her hand on the doe’s back and steadied herself.
 
Ptelea smiled and waved back at her.

“Remember what I told you.
 
Gentle tugs on his antlers, and if you get too close to a village or other humans they will stop. Then you’ll just have to walk the rest of the way,” Morea reminded them. She made another animal sound and the stag led the way as it trotted out of the tree circle and across the field of grass towards the east. As they moved towards the edge of the field, D’Molay looked back at the enclave. The women were gone and only the stand of trees remained.

Kastor broke away from the commanders’ meeting with mixed feelings. He was about to tell his men that they weren’t his men anymore. He had been reassigned to coordinate the archers atop the fortress walls and was told to promote someone into his old position as soon as possible. His choice would be crucial. Ares himself had conceived a special role for his old squad in the upcoming defense.

His soldiers stood watching as he made his way toward them through the inner courtyard. They knew he had been meeting with the commanders and were eager to hear their orders. Herikos was anxiously drumming his thumb on the edge of his shield. “So what’s it to be?” he asked as Kastor drew near. “Glory in the front lines or drudgery in the reserves?”

Kastor spared him a tight smile. “Neither. But you’ll have to get the details from them.” He gestured at the general staff still conferring some distance away. “Ares has a special assignment for you.”

“You mean for us,” Herikos corrected. Kastor shook his head.

“No. I have new duties. You, Herikos, are the new captain.” He extended a congratulatory hand to his stunned friend. “Pick your second-in-command and pay your respects to the general with the blue cape. He’ll explain your mission.”

Herikos was flabbergasted. “Me? But I don’t have any command experience. Surely -” Herikos turned back to the rest of the unit in the hope that someone would put themselves forward as a better candidate. He was met with neutral stares from everyone save Dolates, who had a cheeky grin on his face.

“Surely you need a man like me as your second,” Dolates said. “If Kastor is deserting us I’ll just have to keep you out of trouble.”