TBC: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Bright rays from Elsaria's day stars had long left the grounds of Feyla Forest. The glow of Elsaria's moons was blanketed across the night sky as if favor had been granted to the Kolar warriors' need for extra cover as they journeyed through the trees. Tarak's and Aderes's cloaked silhouettes blended with the rest of the dark armor that camouflaged the team.

On Nolas's command, the warriors tethered the horses and continued stealthily through the trees on foot. The Kolar Cloaks—petite female warriors wearing black masks and attire—maneuvered swiftly into the tree canopies. As they leaped easily from branch to branch, their pace was difficult to keep up with from the ground below. The party did not slow as they stood several miles from the raiders' camp.

"The Vaznaun will be watching for us because we generally swarm the raiders in the middle of the night," Nolas stated to Tarak and Aderes as the group found a place to rest. "They attack just before morning light to catch the villagers by surprise, but they do not know that my brother, Hensál, arrived at Faun two nights ago to warn the villagers. We will catch them before they even enter the outer areas."

Nolas turned to Aderes who gazed in the direction of the Vaznaun camp and moved ahead, away from the group. "Do not go far, Master Aderes," he said in a low voice. "We do not want to give our location away."

Aderes paused and gave Nolas a silent nod before continuing through the trees.

Nolas looked up at a Kolar Cloak watching Aderes from above. "Follow him, Shenia."

She nodded and moved along with Aderes through the thick branches of the trees.

After a half mile, Aderes stopped abruptly. "I know that you are there," he whispered into the dark.

"You are to go no further," she replied from above him as she crouched low on a branch. "You'll risk giving away our position."

"I won't," Aderes responded quietly, "but, there is something wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Something is off. I can feel it." He looked up at her. "Come with me to the edge of the camp. We will not be seen."

Shenia remained quiet.

"Your hesitation means you know the feeling I speak of."

Shenia jumped to the ground beside Aderes. "Let's go."

The two moved forward quickly. They slowed as they approached the dark tents that marked the Vaznaun camp. Aderes crouched beside a large tent. He took his alneil dagger and slowly made an incision in the side of the tent while Shenia kept watch nearby.

Aderes sighed and stood. He moved to another tent and repeated the same move. "It's as I thought."

"What is it?" whispered Shenia.

"No one is here."

"What?" she replied in alarm.

"Come. I will show you."

Aderes led her through the camp and opened several entrances to the large empty tents.

Shenia looked to the sky. "It is almost light. We must hurry back to tell the others."

"No need," Aderes replied. "I can reach Master Tarak telepathically from here."

Tarak jumped up from where he sat against the trunk of a large tree as Aderes relayed their news. "Shen-Nolas."

Nolas quickly approached Tarak. "What is it?"

"Master Aderes and Shenia have investigated the camp. There are no Vaznaun present."

Nolas looked sharply in the direction of the camp. "They are certain?"

Tarak nodded. "Master Aderes felt something was off. They searched all over. It is barren."

Nolas turned to his warriors. "We move now."

The group retrieved the horses, joined Shenia and Aderes, and raced as fast as possible through the forest. Morning light seeped over the horizon as the group reached the outskirts of Faun and re-tethered the horses. The warriors continued quickly on foot until they approached the thick-stoned wall that gated the village.

It is quiet,Aderes told Tarak. But, eerily so.

I do not like it either, he replied as his eyes searched the large wall before them. There are guard stations along the top of the wall, but they appear empty.

The large double gates blocking the sight of most of the village buildings opened wide.

The leader of the village—a tall, thin-framed man with shoulder-length, curly brown hair—stood at the entrance wearing a forest green winter cloak. His worried gaze sought the open, empty area on the other side of the village gates.

"Faun," he shouted shakily, "welcomes the—the Kolar warriors!"

"It is Laki," said Nolas to the warriors, "the village leader."

"His heart is racing," Tarak said. "He is frightened."

"It is a trap," Aderes added. "The Vaznaun must be already inside with the villagers."

"We have no choice but to address him," Nolas replied. "They will be slaughtered otherwise. I must find my brother, as well."

"Shenia," he whispered, "take your warriors and go to the trees." He turned to the large-statured warrior who stood behind him. "Kayan, come with me. The rest of you move closer to the gates and fall in quickly if something goes wrong."

As Nolas moved toward the clearing, Aderes nudged Tarak and pointed to a place on the wall behind a stone building. The building stood high enough so that only the roof was visible to outsiders.

Tarak nodded and the two hurried over to the wall. I will boost you with my charisma as you climb, he said. Just reach for the crevices between the stones to steady yourself.

Aderes did as Tarak stated. Tarak narrowed his eyes in concentration as he focused on Aderes. His eyes lit up briefly. With Tarak's energetic support, Aderes easily scrambled up the enormous wall. He quickly flattened himself against the building and surveyed the length of the wall.

Tarak jumped and grabbed the edge of a stone with his large hands but slipped back down to the ground.

The wall is too high for me to reach you, Aderes told Tarak. Use your charisma on yourself, like how Lorcan did to jump.

I'd have to concentrate on moving my entire body forward rather than just focusing on where I'm going, Tarak replied. It's a different way of moving.

Now's a good time to try something different.

Tarak stared at the wall for several moments in concentration.

Now, Tarak, Aderes said as he scanned the ground below. Nolas has almost reached the entrance.

Tarak's eyes lit up again as he reached for the stone before him and scrambled up the wall. He exhaled as he removed his cloak and flattened himself against the building next to Aderes. He gave a reassuring nod. That felt strange, but effective, nonetheless. He took a deep breath. The villagers are here but are hidden. You can sense the tension and fear even without using Relasu to find their energy.

Aderes nodded.

Nolas and Kayan made it to the village gates where Laki stood. Nolas touched two fingers to his lips in greeting as he studied Laki's face closely. "Hin-Laki."

Laki placed his right arm across his chest in a return greeting. "Shen-Nolas." He gave Kayan a nod, then turned and walked further into the village.

Nolas remained at the gate. "Where is my brother, Hin-Laki?" He gazed around at the empty village streets. "And where are the rest of the villagers?"

Laki returned to where Nolas stood. "I will take you to him," he stated quietly.

"I cannot agree to that," replied Nolas.

Laki stared intensely at Nolas. "Many…many of the villagers are out gathering," Laki cleared his throat, "supplies to prepare for possible attacks."

Nolas quickly drew the long blade sheathed at his waist and grabbed Laki's cloak with his other hand. He yanked Laki forward, so he was only inches from Nolas's face.

Kayan drew two short-handled, crescent-bladed spears from his back and crossed them in front of his body as his alerted gaze watched the surrounding area carefully.

"I'll ask you one more time," Nolas said in a deadly voice as he pressed the blade close to Laki's neck. "Where is Hensál?"

Laki's eyes widened in fear. "Take your warriors and run," he whispered frantically. "The villagers are in dang—"

Nolas released his hold on Laki and looked around as he heard the soft whistle of an arrow as it sailed through the air.

Laki gasped. His back arched as the arrow pierced through his left shoulder.

Muffled screams emerged from further into the village as Laki dropped to his knees.

Nolas quickly moved through the gates into the village, followed closely by the rest of his warriors. "Hensál!" He stopped abruptly as he rounded the corner of a building and into the village center. His eyes widened in surprise.

Women and children were gagged and bound together in a circle, surrounded by piles of dry brush. A group of Vaznaun guarded the circle.

"I would step no further if I were you," a deep, accented voice called out.

Kar, a large-statured Vaznaun with a thick vertical scar beneath his left eye, stepped into view with a flaming torch in one hand. Throughout the village, dozens of Vaznaun moved into view and surrounded the warriors.

"Shen-Nolas—the Night Warrior of the Kolar." Kar smiled. "You have earned your title well, which is why I have been summoned here. You have outwitted and killed many of my raiders, but not this time." He glanced at the trees that stretched over the walls of the village. "With new orders from Mordán, my team is finally free to do as we please to the villages of Uthar. Attempting to stop me has only brought more fire to the game." He gestured to the bound villagers with the torch.

The children whimpered as the surrounding Vaznaun sneered at Nolas.

"I have also heard of your female arkaí—the tree walkers," Kar continued. "They call them the Kolar Cloaks." He called out to the trees overarching the village. "I know you are there!" His smile turned to a sneer. "Call them back and drop your weapons, or I set flame to the villagers."

Nolas stared hard at Kar but remained silent.

Kar moved the torch closer to the dry brush. Some of the children shouted muffled cries. Dirty tears soaked the binds covering their mouths.

Nolas lifted his left fist to indicate for his warriors to stand down. He then placed the spears, the bow strapped to his back, and his blade on the ground before him. Kayan and the other warriors mimicked his move.

The Vaznaun swarmed the Kolar warriors and kicked their weapons out of arms reach before binding their arms behind their backs. Other Vaznaun gathered the weapons and placed them in a nearby pile.

Shenia and the other Cloaks remained ready, their bows drawn.

Kar looked at the trees again and then raised an eyebrow at Nolas. "And where are your Cloaks?"

Nolas glanced at the trees and gave a nod. All except Shenia jumped from the branches overhead.

Kar glanced at two Vaznaun standing near him as the Cloaks' weapons were added to the pile. "Scour the trees."

Shenia looked down sharply at the two Vaznaun moving her way and quickly climbed higher.

"Where is my brother?" Nolas said, his gaze unwavering as he stared at Kar.

Kar glanced at the top of the stone wall surrounding the village, opposite the front gates. Vaznaun arkaí emerged from a guard station on top of the wall. Between them stood a man with dark, braided hair. He was blindfolded with his hands bound before him. A cut above his right eye left a trail of blood down the side of his face.

"Hensál!" Nolas shouted.

Hensál turned toward Nolas's voice. "Nolas! Do not do as they ask!"

The Vaznaun near Hensál pulled him to the edge of the wall and held him out over the ledge. Loose stones from the wall fell to the ground.

"No!" Nolas dropped to his knees.

Shenia, her bow still readied, gazed down at the two Vaznaun below her as they tilted their heads to search the canopy of the tree that hid her. She lowered her bow as they moved on to the next. Moving like a snake along the branches, she made her way slowly to the tree closest to Hensál.

"Time for you to repay the blood you stole from my warriors," Kar said in a flat tone.

"I'll do as you ask," Nolas said in a defeated voice. "Just do not hurt my brother or the villagers."

"No!" Hensál shouted. "You will not give up for me, Nolas!" He struggled against his binds.

The Vaznaun next to Hensál jammed the hilt of his sword into Hensál's back, and Hensál dropped to his knees.

Kar handed the torch to a Vaznaun nearby and walked to where Nolas was kneeling. He stared at him in disdain for several moments before backhanding him across the face. "That easy? The Night Warrior…" he sneered, "…weak. You will die in shame." He lifted a finger and the surrounding Vaznaun arkaí pointed their readied bows at Nolas.

Nolas spit blood from his cut lip, a look of pity etched into his eyes as he stared at Kar. "There is never shame in dying for love. It is only shameful to never seek it."

Kar scowled in response and lifted his right hand, his fingers spread out wide.

"If you give the order to kill him, I will drive this arrow through your skull." Tarak's deep voice cut through the streets.

Kar turned sharply and squinted against the glare of light reflecting off Tarak's alneil bow, which was drawn as far as it would extend.

Tarak continued forward slowly into the village street, his gaze narrow and unwavering as he stared at Kar.

Kar lowered his hand. "Ah…if it isn't the warrior traitor. We finally meet again. I thought I smelled your traitor scent. I never forget a scent, especially one of my own kin." He sniffed the air. "Where are the rest of your team? They left you alone to tend to village scum?" He scoffed. "Not surprising, given they have other worries to deal with at the moment."

Tarak squared his shoulders and adjusted his aim.

Kar smirked. "You may want to rethink the way you treat your family—your own father even."

Laughter rang out from the Vaznaun nearby.

Tarak's gaze faltered. Although he held his aim steady, a look of disgust covered his features. "You are no father to me."

Kar smiled. "Master Anstice was her name, I believe. Isn't that right? Your warrior mother? I will never forget," he pointed to the scar under his left eye, "because she gave me this."

A look of fury filled Tarak's expression. A flash of light flickered through his eyes as he pulled the string of his bow back further.

Kar's expression remained unchanged. "The warriors have taught you of your power, I see. No matter," he shrugged in dismissal. "I believe, like the Night Warrior here, that your heart will win over your duty." He lifted his arm and spread his fingers again.

"My heart is my duty," Tarak responded.

Kar smirked. "What is it with you warriors and love? Allow me to relieve you from your misery."

Tarak glanced around him. Every Vaznaun arkaí had their bows pointed at him.

Suddenly, the Vaznaun holding Hensál over the edge of the wall shouted out. "Let them go, Kar. I am going to release the Kolar warrior!" The Vaznaun shook his head several times and blinked slowly. "We must leave."

With his hand still in the air, Kar glanced up in irritation. "What are you shouting about, Vral?"

Kar's eyes widened as he saw Aderes matching boldly across the top of the wall, his gladaé out and his narrowed gaze set darkly on the Vaznaun grasping Hensál.

"The light warrior is controlling your thoughts, Vral!" Kar shouted. "Fight him!"

Vral shook his head. He released Hensál and backed away from the edge of the wall.

Aderes never broke stride as he drove his gladaé into the group of Vaznaun along the top of the roof on his way to Hensál.

Kar turned his attention back to Tarak, whose gaze was still locked on him.

"Now where were we, traitor son?" Kar said. "Oh yes, you were about to die."

Tarak exhaled slowly and released his arrow.

Kar's eyes widened. He rolled his left shoulder back at the last second. Tarak's arrow whizzed past Kar, leaving a large gash across his cheek and ear. Kar grabbed his ear and looked at Tarak in fury, who was already readying another arrow from the quiver at his hip as he strode forward.

Kar closed his hand into a fist to give the order to release the arrows. At the same moment, he grabbed a small black disc attached to the belt of his trousers. He threw the disc hard at the top of the wall with his other hand and bolted in the opposite direction.

Multiple arrows flew at Tarak. He closed his eyes and disappeared into light just before the arrows reached him. He teleported directly in front of Nolas, who was already scrambling to his feet. Tarak pulled his gladaé with his free hand and sliced the binds on Nolas's wrists. He quickly handed over his bow and quiver to Nolas.

More arrows stopped mid-air around Tarak and dropped to the ground as he deflected them with his charisma. He continued to move closer to the village women and children.

Nolas shot arrows with Tarak's bow at the Vaznaun guarding the captured Kolar warriors, who threw themselves into combat with their wrists still bound.

Aderes's eyes widened as he heard Kar's black disc latch onto the wall near him. "Shenia!" he shouted.

Shenia dropped onto the wall from the tree branches above, grabbed Hensál, and jumped.

The wall exploded.

The villagers screamed.

"No!" Nolas shouted as he ran toward the falling debris.

Tarak's eyes lit up brightly as he saw Hensál and Shenia fly from the wall. He yanked the energy around them forward with his charisma to expand the distance of their jump and then slowed their descent to soften their landing.

Aderes appeared in a flash of light next to the two. With his eyes shining brightly, he jerked the two out of the way with enormous strength and the three rolled out of the way just as the rubble from the explosion crashed down over them.

The remaining Kolar warriors scattered throughout the village, weapons in hand once more as another swarm of Vaznaun raced through the village gates.

"My reinforcements are here, warriors," Kar shouted with a nasty grin. "You are outnumbered, Kolar."

"Do not stand down," Nolas shouted to his warriors.

Kar's eyes narrowed as he saw Tarak sprinting in his direction. He searched the ground, his eyes coming to rest on the flaming torch now lying on the ground.

He dove.

His fingers wrapped around the bottom of the torch's stave, just as Tarak's gladaé came crashing down over him. Kar rolled out of the way with inches to spare as Tarak's sword hit the ground near his head.

Tarak moved to attack again. His eyes shone as he used his charisma to stop another arrow from piercing his leg.

Shenia's arrow instantly hit the neck of Tarak's attacker. She, Kayan, Aderes, and Hensál ran past him to the Vaznaun flooding into the village.

Using Tarak's distraction to his advantage, Kar somersaulted backward to his feet. He ran toward the bound villagers, torch in hand.

Tarak bolted after Kar again at full speed.

The sound of multiple horse hooves suddenly reverberated through the village grounds, followed by the blaring blast of a horn just outside the village gates.

As Kar threw the torch at the dry brush, an arrow sailed past Tarak and smashed into the stave of the torch, carrying it away from the brush and into the side of a stone building.

Tarak slowed and glanced behind him in surprise. A brown-cloaked girl was riding hard into the village on horseback—her loose black hair flying behind her, her bow already loaded with another arrow. A black circular marking capped by a crescent black moon shone on the girl's forehead. A red glow seeped from her eyes and beneath her marking. Two diagonal stripes of blue paint extended across both her cheekbones.

Muffled cries of the women and children turned into cheers as numerous warriors with blue-painted faces rode into the village behind her and engaged the Vaznaun.

Other newly arrived warriors dismounted and helped unbind the women and children as the surrounding Vaznaun ran in the opposite direction.

Kar sprinted toward a large gap in the outer wall of the village created from the former explosion.

The female warrior with the marking on her forehead rode past Tarak. She briefly met his eye with her fierce gaze before shooting more arrows at the Vaznaun standing on the furthest parts of the village wall.

Tarak raised his eyebrows. "Sufina?" He grabbed his shoulder and suddenly cried out as a long-bladed knife pierced his shoulder through. The point of the blade jutted out from the front of his right shoulder. He stumbled; his face twisted in pain.

Kar's large frame was silhouetted against the light from where he stood atop the wall rubble. "A scar from your father—for you to remember!" He smiled, jumped from the rubble, and bolted into the forest.

A nearby Vaznaun grabbed a small horn hanging from his belt and blew hard. He followed Kar as the remaining Vaznaun ran toward the busted wall in retreat.

Tarak dropped to his knees. He looked down at his arms in confusion at what appeared to be black liquid surging through his veins, causing them to bulge out grotesquely. He closed his eyes and swayed with dizziness, inhaled sharply, and fell face forward to the ground.