The Baldari (Book 3) (41 page)

She was surprised to see a small smile form on his lips.

“S’erom
,” came back the strange sounds that she was certain was supposed to be his name.

It had been easier this last time.  It was as if an inherent ability that had long been neglected was being brought out after a long period of disuse and flexed to see if it still functioned.

Suddenly her mind was filled with a host of strange sounds, and she realized the others had replied, each giving their name.  They had come too fast and had mixed together, so she wasn’t able to sort out a single one.  S’erom turned and snarled at the others, who looked contrite.

Nycoh realized the differences in language didn’t matter.  One thought in his own language, and however the transfer was made, the one receiving the information somehow interpreted it in his own.  When a term or word was unknown, the mind must try and put something together that matched to some degree the intent of the other.

Nycoh also wondered at the range of the communication.  Obviously the Brryn woman could make her desires known over vast distances, and could cause harm to these Baldari if the protective shield were to be dropped.  Could they communicate equally far?  Without the barrier in place, would they be able to contact their fellows back in the southern jungles?  It was something to consider until this was sorted out.

As it was, Nycoh didn’t know how much she was doing and how much was the result of S’erom’s efforts.  Was she actually broadcasting, or was he somehow pulling the information?  It had to be the former, she decided, otherwise why would the others have reacted as they did?  The question now was how to move forward with this conversation.  There was much she wished to ask, but complex sentences were beyond her at the moment.  She had barely managed to single word exchange.

“Comfortable?”
she mentally asked. 

S’erom looked at her oddly.

“Food.  Do you have enough food?”

This he appeared to understand.  “
Enough
,” he agreed. 
“But, boring and without appeal.
”

“What is missing?”
Nycoh tried.

“
Ler’ver’ar
” came the reply.  The sound seemed to rasp at her mind as the unknown word brought forth no image or understanding.  She shook her head to show that his reply meant nothing.

Their communication seemed to be getting easier.  S’erom was better at understanding her nods and head shakes, and she could pick out the sounds in her mind with greater ease.  She didn’t know if they were becoming louder, or whether she was becoming attuned to them, which made their detection more automatic.  She could form the words she wanted to pass more readily, but couldn’t sense whether she was doing a better job of sending the information.

S’erom surprised her once again.  She suddenly pictured in her mind a vast field of red.  She knew the plants he was referring to.  She had seen them on one of the trips to the south.  It would be easy enough to have some harvested.

“Preparation
,” she asked.

S’erom seemed to understand her meaning.  “
Many ways
,” he replied, “
but even raw would be most welcome
.”

Nycoh was wondering how to move forward, when S’erom asked, “
Why are you the only one of your kind who can communicate thus?”

How to answer such a complex question?  Nycoh passed along a few thoughts.  “
Surprised.  First time.  Dormant skill
.”  She was certain the last had little chance of being understood.

Both were silent for a moment.  Nycoh decided it was time to try something more to the point.

“Controller?  Where?”
She forced into her mind.  For good measure she concentrated on her own picture of the woman assembled from the descriptions Mitty had provided from time to time.

She could sense that something had gotten through by the sudden widening of S’erom’s eyes and the flare of his nostrils.

“
The Controller determines the actions of the Baldari.  She has forced the war upon your people
.”

That was the longest communication passed as yet, and confirmed what they had come to believe.  The Baldari were puppets to the Brryn.

“I know
,” Nycoh responded.

“
You know?  Then why did you come into our lands?  Why did you attack our villages?”

“You....attacked....us
,” Nycoh managed.

S’erom sneered, and Nycoh suddenly sensed his intense anger through the link.

“
You claim you know.  We had no choice.  We were forced to attack you.  If you knew this might happen, why would you force an encounter
?”

“We...must...stop...Controller
,” Nycoh managed.

“
You will fail
,” S’erom replied.  “
Just like us, you will be her slaves.  Already she uses many of your own to fight against you.  Your magic will be used to destroy you
.”

“We...must   try.”

No words followed, but Nycoh could sense how little S’erom thought of their chances against the Brryn.

“Do....you....know....where....Controller?”
  Nycoh was pleased at how her sentences were growing and the ease of passing information improving
.

S’erom’s response was quick and abrupt. 
“I have never seen the Controller.  I don’t know where she is.  There are none among the Baldari who would know
.”

Once again the harshness of his reply was somehow conveyed through the link.  She could also see the anger in his eyes.

“Why . are . you . so angry?”

“
Your people destroyed my home.  You killed everyone I know, including my mate and family
.”  An image formed in Nycoh’s mind of a female Baldari and a couple of youngsters.  The power of the emotion that came with the image was almost enough to force Nycoh to step back.

She realized what needed to be done.  The decision is not hers to make, and she had gained enough for now.  Her head was aching and she needed to think.  First, she must speak with Ash’urn.

“
I’m sorry
,” she managed to communicate.  Then she stepped back and turned toward the door.  As she walked away, S’erom’s thoughts followed her.

“
The jungle is larger than you can imagine, and the number of Baldari far greater than you realize.  They will finish this.  You have no chance of winning
.”

“That’s remarkable!” Daim exclaimed when Ash’urn explained what Nycoh had been able to accomplish.  She had asked Ash’urn to take the lead in this meeting, and had asked the attendance be limited to a small number, and those people she knew well.  She was still uncertain what kind of response certain revelations were going to receive.  Rigo was here, as were Mitty and Jeen.  Ash’urn and Daim completed the small group.  Nycoh couldn’t help wishing that Daria and Kaler were here as well.  She even had a strange wish that Lyes were here.  This might help him understand why she could do what he couldn’t, and maybe mend some fences.  Of course, he might react quite differently.

“How is this possible?” Rigo asked.

“I was as surprised as anyone,” Nycoh said.  “When I was visiting the Baldari, I sensed something in my mind.  I went and talked to Ash’urn about it.”

“But why you?” Jeen asked.

Ash’urn came to Nycoh’s aid.  “From what Koess has told us, the Brryn blood was spread among the commoners over the years, and that gave rise to the wizards that eventually overthrew them.  That means, you all have Brryn blood in your systems to one degree or another.  Without it, there would be no magic.  I suspect it is true of Casters as well, although the percentage must be far lower.  Nycoh apparently has a somewhat larger percentage than the rest of us.  That has given her access to greater powers, and now, it seems, this useful ability.”

“Have there been any other indications?” Rigo asked.  “Have you known of this before?”

“Actually, yes,” Ash’urn said.  “Nycoh approached me a while back, and explained her suspicions.  She wished to keep the knowledge secret, and I agreed there was no harm in doing so.  Now, there is reason to make this all known.”

“What other indicators have there been?” Jeen asked, smiling at Nycoh to help put her at ease.

Nycoh reached into her shirt and pulled out the small flat container and handed it to Jeen.  Looking at the container uncertainly, Jeen opened it and looked inside.  She looked back at Nycoh.

“Hair?” she asked.

Nycoh nodded.  “It’s mine,” she said.  “Hold it up and look carefully.”

“I don’t have to,” Jeen said.  “It’s clearly a faint purple.  Is that what made you suspect?”

Nycoh nodded uncomfortably.  “I’m not like her,” she said unhappily.

Daim snorted.  “Of course not.  No one would think so.  It wouldn’t be so even if all your hair were to turn purple.”

“Some might,’ countered Nycoh.

“Only a fool,” Rigo added.  “Is this what you wanted Ash’urn to keep secret?”

Nycoh nodded.  “With all the concern of late about the Brryn, I was afraid what some might think if they were to learn I appear to be developing some of the same attributes.”

“It doesn’t mean a thing,” Jeen said soothingly.  In all the years she had known her, Jeen had never seen anything affect Nycoh so strongly.

“I don’t think it is necessary, but if you wish, this secret will remain between the members of this group,” Daim said.

“I would be more comfortable,” Nycoh said, “but it is only a matter of time before the secret will be out.  The rate at which the hair is turning has been accelerating.  I fear one morning I will wake and find my hair is as purple as the woman Mitty sees in her visions.  I have been hoping we would have captured the damn woman before then.”

“With your ability to communicate,” we might be closer than ever before.  Why don’t we keep this between us as long as possible, or until you feel ready to reveal it, while we see what we can learn.  Personally, I consider it a great thing.  It suggests that we have someone who might be able to challenge the Brryn woman should she escape.  I suddenly have more hope than before.”  Daim looked directly at Nycoh to emphasize the sincerity of his words.

Nycoh found her voice a bit hoarse as she looked around at her friends.  She hadn’t known for sure how they would react, but now she realized she should have guessed.  Ash’urn had told her as much, but the change had been so unexpected.

“He thinks we killed his family,” she said finally when she was more certain of her voice.  “I can sense his anger.  I also sense he knows something that he isn’t revealing.  He says he has never seen the Brryn woman, and I believe that is the truth.  But he might have a clue where she is hiding.  It would be good if we could somehow make him see us as friends.”

“What do you propose?” Daim asked.

Nycoh told them.

Daim nodded.  “It seems like a good idea.  Perhaps you and Ash’urn can see to it.”

Nycoh was given supporting hugs from all of those she considered closest to her.  Jeen had lingered to see if there was anything she could do.

“You’ve done enough,” Nycoh said honestly.  “I’m glad to have it out, at least among those of you I’ve considered family for so long.”

“It’ll be all right,” Jeen assured her. “You will see that others will react the same.”

“Perhaps,” Nycoh replied.  “But it would be easier if we had ended this, and I had a part in bringing the Brryn down.”

“Somehow I suspect that will be the case,” Jeen said, and gave Nycoh a final hug.  “I’ve got to go.  I’ll be back tomorrow night if you need someone to talk with.”

“Where are you off to?”

“I’ve got to go to the dig at Roin.  It appears they have found something.”

Around midday the next morning, Nycoh stepped into the room where S’erom and the others were being held.  Two large soldiers followed after her, each carrying a double handful of the tops of the red Ler’ver’ar plant that S’erom had shown her in the mental image the previous day.  The plants weren’t that heavy, but the unusual, and frankly, very unpleasant odor they gave off was difficult to withstand.  No matter how hard she tried, Nycoh couldn’t get past the thought she might have been stepping in horse droppings on her way here.  The men selected to bring the plants here clearly wished they had been unavailable when their commander had been looking for someone to help.  They had thought at the time the duty would be easy, getting them away from the more laborious tasks usually assigned as work duty.  They would rather have been out in the sun sweating with their compatriots than carrying these foul smelling plants.

The eight Baldari must have caught a whiff of the pungent Ler’ver’ar, as they looked up almost immediately as Nycoh and the guards entered the room.  She hadn’t been certain S’erom hadn’t played some kind of a joke on her, but the moment she saw the happy smiles on the faces of the captives, she knew they really liked this stuff.  They were practically salivating as the guards walked over to the cell and passed the harvested plants through the food opening.  Once they had the plants inside the cage, they quickly stripped some of the red nodules off the top of the stems, and with a twisting motion pried them apart.  Inside was a waxy appearing, nearly circular, yellow mass.  This they picked out of the shell, and with great gusto began snacking upon the odd looking substance.  Several of the Baldari glanced in her direction and more than one faint “
thank you
” reached her mental ears.

S’erom had watched the whole process with interest, saying nothing, and watching as his fellows went to work on the fruit, if that’s what it was.  He accepted a couple of the yellowish masses from one of the others, and nibbled on it while he waited to see what was going to happen next.  Nycoh could still sense the anger simmering below his calm exterior.  While all of this was happening, Kaler stepped into the room to signal Nycoh that they were ready to go.

Daria and Kaler had been at the Outpost for other reasons, and had agreed to accompany Nycoh and Ash’urn out into the Ruins today.  Nycoh always felt better when they were along, having learned that magic wasn’t always the solution to every problem.  She had revealed to Daria and Kaler the transformation she was undergoing earlier this morning when they had met.  After the support she had received from the others, she was more comfortable with doing so, and she had known these two for a very long time.

“I want you to go somewhere with me
,” she thought toward S’erom, but she knew she hadn’t mastered the ability of directing her thoughts as the other Baldari glanced her way as well.  She pointed at S’erom to make her intentions clear.  She was getting better at putting together longer thoughts.  “
We will be going into the Ruins.  There is something there you need to see
.”

S’erom glanced at the massive Kaler, who stood off to one side.  Nycoh caught the glance and nodded.

“He will be going with us, as will a couple of others
.” 

S’erom shrugged, and then nodded.  It wasn’t as though he had any choice.  He knew he could go willingly, or they would find a less dignified way of taking him where they wanted him to go.  He wondered why only him, and wondered for a moment if he had let too much of his anger show and they had plans to kill him.  He didn’t sense that from this Tall, but time would tell.  He was in no position to resist anyway.

A short time later Nycoh, Kaler, and S’erom, who was now enclosed in an individual version of the protective shield, gathered together.  He was inside the shield with Kaler, which allowed Kaler ready access to the Baldari should he decide to prove troublesome.  Kaler wore both his belt sword and the massive two-hander over his shoulder today.  Compared to the smaller Baldari he looked like a giant, and not someone to be trifled with.  The effect was not lost on S’erom, who had glanced at Kaler several times.

They escorted their charge outside, where Daria and Ash’urn waited for them.  Daria carried her bow over her shoulder, and less obviously her usual complement of knives.   S’erom must have somehow sensed she was more than she seemed, as he stared at her as if he knew very well she was also someone who shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Ash’urn stood, hand on his large staff, smiling as they approached.  He nodded his head in the direction of S’erom, as if in greeting, something that the Baldari found curious.

Nycoh opened a
Bypass
without any special preparations, and Ash’urn led the way through.  She indicated that S’erom was to follow, and he and Kaler of necessity walked through together.  Being inside the same shield, their movements were somewhat restricted.  Daria and Nycoh came through last, closing the masked
Bypass
behind them.

The oasis they were visiting was by far the largest that had been located in the Ruins thus far.  It featured a very large lake in the center, a great many trees with their accompanying shade, and a large grassy area off to one side.  It was large enough that several thousand individuals could find space comfortably, although there was nothing in the way of a food source.  That had to be brought in, as did the fuel for fires, and materials to build shelters.  The number of trees would have been consumed in short order otherwise.  Nycoh was starting to understand what an effort holding prisoners could be.

They arrived inside one corner of the extremely large protective field that had been created around the entire oasis.  It had taxed the abilities of the wizards to create.  The protective barriers did not provide a barrier to the creation of a
Bypass
to the inside.  Used as personal defense, the barrier couldn’t be penetrated by a
Bypass
because there was no room, and the person using it was too frequently on the move.  A much larger barrier, the kind used around structures, and in this case an oasis, didn’t provide that protection.  If one knew where the location was, he could create a
Bypass
and overcome the blockage.  That is, unless other means were used to block an unauthorized
Bypass
.  That had been done at the Outpost, using Daim’s method to limit who had authorization.  Nycoh was certain the Brryn had other, most likely better, methods of accomplishing the same thing.

Daim’s approach to blocking access didn’t work for an open area such as the oasis.  But that wasn’t the intent.  The hope here was that the Brryn wouldn’t learn of the existence of this place.  The protective barrier was to keep the Baldari held here from wandering off, and more importantly, prevent their existence from being discovered by the Brryn.  If that happened, they would almost certainly be targeted for extinction.  If they could be held secretly, they wouldn’t be exterminated, nor would they be available as a weapon to be used against Sedfair or the Three Kingdoms.

S’erom stared at the large groups of Baldari moving freely around the central area of the oasis.  He hadn’t known the Talls had taken so many prisoners.  He wondered why he and the other seven had been singled out, but apparently he was to be brought here.  The Baldari were busy building structures from the supplied materials.  Cooking fires could be seen scattered around the oasis, and from a
Bypass
adjacent to the one they had arrived through, huge loads of the Ler’ver’ar plant were being brought into the oasis.  Nycoh had ordered a large supply of the plant to be brought to the oasis once she verified that it was indeed a favored food of the Baldari.  He savored the sweet aroma, and noticed that some of the Baldari were already walking over to pick up bundles and carry them off into the camp, their pleasure at seeing the familiar staple clear on their faces.

S’erom was about to ask the Tall a question, when he was shocked to see someone he recognized.  The Baldari who had just picked up a load of Ler’ver’ar was from his own village.  He had been at the battle with him.  S’erom had assumed he had been killed with everyone else, but somehow he had managed to survive unharmed.  He had been captured and brought here.  S’erom looked at the Tall called Nycoh, and struggled to form his question.

“They are from your village
, Nycoh said to him before he was able to ask. 
Feel free to ask around if you see anyone you know.  Your family is here somewhere
.”

S’erom was afraid to believe what she had just told him.  It had to be some kind of a trick, but aware that the shield between himself and the massive Tall had been removed. He hurried toward the retreating back of the man he had recognized.  If there was the slightest chance, he had to know.

Nycoh smiled as she saw him hurry off.  Rigo and Daim had insisted that whenever possible the attacks against the Baldari be constrained to the stun magic that Ash’urn had stumbled across.  They knew the Baldari were victims as much as anyone else.  They were being used to fight a war they had no interest or stake in.  If they could be spared, it was the right thing to do.  There was also the hope they could build some kind of relationship with them.  The idea wouldn’t find much favor among many of the residents of the Three Kingdoms or Sedfair, many of whom had lost family to the invading warriors, but eventually they would understand.  Or perhaps, even if not, once this battle was won, the Baldari could hopefully be returned to their homeland.  It was so far away, that interaction between the two races could be limited to those who understood the situation.

The attack near S’erom’s village had been predicted.  It was a likely maneuver, given the Brryn must have determined the location had been disclosed somehow.  Some of the attackers had been killed.  There had been no choice.  But the majority of those who had been part of the assault had been brought down with the stun magic.  While they had been unconscious, almost five hundred guardsmen had been brought in to move the Baldari to the oasis.  It was necessary to do so before they recovered, because it was feared they would be subjected to the control that resulted in their spontaneous deaths.  The bodies they had found at the nearby camps had confirmed the correctness of this concern.

The Baldari in the camp were not aggressive toward their captors.  Freed from the controlling mind that drove them to battle, they were more inclined to follow their normal ways.  The fact they had been provided for, and that a number who had been hurt in the encounter were given marvelous care via the magic of the Talls hadn’t hurt relations either.  They were unhappy to have been moved from their village, but some suspected the reason.

Almost half a glass passed before Daria tapped Nycoh on the shoulder and pointed.  A familiar figure was making his way through the swarm of Baldari and headed their way.  Walking beside him was a smaller, female Baldari, and a pair of youngsters.

“I’d say he found them,” Ash’urn said with a hint of a chuckle.  “I would have liked to see that reunion.”

S’erom walked up to Nycoh and performed some kind of formal bow.  She had to assume it was a means of showing respect or thanks.

“
They are alive and well as you said
,” S’erom said. 

Nycoh smiled.  She could see that both S’erom’s eyes and those of his mate were somewhat red, and the two children were animated and excited to discover that their parent was well and had returned.  It was readily apparent how much anguish the separation and not knowing had caused.  Nycoh felt horrible, but at the time S’erom had been captured there had been no way to know who his family was, and the ultimate goal had been to try and gain intelligence.

“
Since I was not here with everyone, they assumed that I had been killed
,” S’erom said.  “
A number are missing
.”  He looked at Nycoh for confirmation.

“
I know
,” she said.  “
In the attack, some could not be saved.  I’m sorry for that.  We did the best we could
.”

S’erom nodded his understanding.  He hated that some of his village had died for little reason, but the fact the Talls had tried to prevent the deaths of those who were attacking them said a very great deal.  He would have to speak with the other Baldari, and think about what had been revealed.

“
What of the seven back in the cage
?” he asked
.  “Must they be kept there
?”

“
I will have them brought here
,” Nycoh replied.  It was becoming easier all the time to communicate this way.  “
They were not from the village, and it was thought it might be useful for you to interact with some of your kind who had been our captives for some time.  Baldari captives normally do not live long, and we have only recently found how to protect you.  We must talk about that
.”

Nycoh felt her head throb from such a long exchange, but S’erom nodded indicating he understood.  He then reached for his mate’s hand, and somewhat formally introduced her, and then pointed out his children.

“
Would you have food with us
,” S’erom’s mate asked.  “
We now have something appropriate for guests
,” and she pointed at the growing pile of the pungent Ler’ver’ar that was growing a short distance away.