The light wielders, p.21
The Light Wielders, page 21
“We should find the guide,” Kemala said.
Angkasa studied them surreptitiously. None of them had spoken. How had they understood that each was thinking the same thing? When Diah had said they were all thinking about the guide, the others hadn’t disagreed. Is that what happened when warriors worked together long enough?
Diah was sent away into the forest to find the guide and bring him to them.
“Would you really try to teach me more wielding?” Elang asked as he sat down beside her.
She turned to him. “Of course. Though I don’t have any idea how good I will be at it.”
Elang grinned. “Some teaching, however poor, will be better than none.”
Angkasa chuckled. “It might be very poor indeed.” She was silent for a while. “When I wield, I feel connected to everything around me. I feel part of nature. If I concentrate, I can see the tiniest building blocks of life. In the air, in water, in wood, in leaves. In everything. I also see the bonds between them and then I am able to manipulate them. Is that true for you?”
Elang chewed on his lip for a moment. “Yes. But it is not so clear as you describe. It is more… blunt than the refined way you seem to see things.” He smiled. “When I reach for light from flames to draw into me and use as the energy, I don’t have to think about what I’m doing. If I ever look at other light sources, I see the energy held there but it doesn’t just flow into me like firelight.”
“You have become used to using firelight and no longer think about it. If you concentrate on another flame source, see the tiniest part of it and its bonds, become familiar with it and try to draw it into you, well, maybe something will happen.” Angkasa lifted her shoulders, suddenly embarrassed that she was trying to teach wielding. Who was she to be doing so?
However, Elang was nodding eagerly. “I will try it with candlelight. They are very similar.”
“There are parts of the light from the sun that are similar too,” Angkasa said, though now she was talking to herself. “Still other parts that are very different.” Her voice trailed off as she sank into her own thoughts.
She was brought out of them by the return of Diah. She had with her the guide. The man pulled up short, his eyes widening and his mouth falling open when he caught sight of the dead lizard. He refused to take another step closer. Diah rolled her eyes and took the water skin he proffered with a shaking hand.
“It is the only one he has. You may drink first as your need is greatest,” Diah told Angkasa as she handed it to her. Angkasa took it gratefully yet didn’t drink as much as she wished to. Diah’s words made her conscious of the need of the others to also drink. They had fought hard against a terrible creature and must be nearly as thirsty as her. Everyone passed it around with slurping sounds and sighs.
“Come then, we will head back,” Kemala said. She turned to Angkasa with an assessing gaze. “Will you make it?”
Angkasa got her legs beneath her and pushed up. Elang steadied her with a hand on her elbow. Her legs felt weak and she had a moment where the world spun madly, but it settled.
“I will manage,” Angkasa said, making her voice sound strong. She was not entirely sure she could make it all the way with no help, though she wasn’t going to admit this to Kemala.
“I will help you,” Elang murmured. “If it turns out that you need it,” he added hastily.
Angkasa gave a grateful nod. He seemed to understand her need not to appear weak before the indomitable Kemala. Angkasa wished she knew more of her story. Where had she come from before the temple? Perhaps on the next part of their journey she would ask.
The guide reluctantly turned his back on the dead lizard. He seemed mesmerised by it. Just as they entered the forest, he turned back for one last look.
“You will provide proof that the creature is dead,” Baskoro said. “That we fulfilled our part of the deal.” Baskoro’s voice left no doubt that there would be trouble if the Elders tried to back out of their part.
“The Elders will honour the deal,” the guide said. “Others might not be so pleased you have done this.”
“Those that believe it was some spirit creature?” Elang asked. The guide dipped his head in agreement.
“But surely, if it were a spirit, its corpse would not now be lying at the lakeside beginning to decay. A spirit creature would have risen to the other realm,” Elang said, sounding sure of himself.
The guide turned thoughtful eyes on him. “This argument may hold sway with some. I will mention it.”
“What do you believe?” Angkasa asked.
The guide blinked at her, clearly surprised that anyone had asked for his opinion.
H hunched one shoulder before replying. “It killed my cousin,” he said. He pushed ahead and spoke no more. It seemed that he no longer cared whether it was spirit or magic-warped beast. It had killed someone he knew so it had to be stopped. A practical man. A stab of anxiety caught her in the ribs. Would they find trouble when they returned? Would they end up having to fight the villagers after all?
Chapter Twenty
Angkasa
T he walk back to the village seemed to take much longer than the walk to the lair. By the time the houses came into view, Angkasa was leaning surreptitiously on Elang’s arm. Vikal was helped by Diah. Vikal was extremely pale and was covered by a sheen of sweat. She feared that his wound might be infected. Hopefully it was simply blood loss. Hopefully, the village had a healer who would examine him.
A shout rose from ahead, followed by voices from all across the village. As they neared, Angkasa could see that villagers were gathering between them and the nearest ramp that led up to the raised community.
“It seems you were correct, guide. Some people don’t seem as pleased as they should.” Kemala’s voice was dry and she fingered her sewar. Baskoro’s hands clenched. Angkasa couldn’t see Diah and Vikal, but she imagined the grim expressions on their faces.
“What has happened?”
“What have you done?”
“Is it dead?”
“You will bring ruin on all of us!”
“I am glad; it killed my uncle!”
The voices called and clashed against each other. Some curious, others fierce, some angry. Angkasa and her friends halted. The guide stepped forward towards his village.
“The creature is dead,” he shouted. “I saw it, back by the lake.”
Mutters rose at this, an ugly murmuring. The guide held up his hand. “I saw a dead beast. A corpse. Just like any other lizard or crocodile would be when killed. It was just a dead beast. Bigger and meaner than any other round here, yet still just a beast. No spirit creature would remain like that. It would return to its own realm if defeated.”
Angkasa stared at the guide. He was far more eloquent than his earlier demeanour suggested. The villagers still muttered, though the mood was a little less dangerous. The villagers began to move to one side or the other as two armed men shoved through. They opened a gap and Putra, followed by Elders Dachen and Cetan, slowly stepped out.
“Do we hear right? The creature is dead?” Elder Dachen asked, his voice eager as he peered at them.
“Yes,” Kemala said.
“I saw it with my own eyes,” the guide added.
Elder Dachen bobbed his head in the manner of a river bird after grubs. “Good. Good. We thank you for helping to save our people from this deadly lizard beast. Come up and rest. We will fetch a healer, and food.” He turned to Putra.
“Disperse! Go about your business. Don’t you all have work to do?” Putra demanded. Some of the villagers simply turned away and began to filter back toward their homes or the lake. A few lingered.
“But what if the spirit is angry?” a voice asked. It sounded frightened.
Angkasa didn’t accept for a moment that any spirits had been involved, yet she could understand fear.
“We did not kill the beast,” Elder Cetan said. “If any spirits are involved, their anger will be directed at the warriors, not us.” He sounded rather pleased with himself. All angles were covered, in his mind at least. The last of the villagers moved away, though there was much muttering and many dark looks. But at last, Angkasa and her friends were led back up the ramp and to the same building they had first entered. Angkasa slumped to the mats, as did Vikal.
Angkasa watched as if from a distance the bustling activity around them. First hot drinks were brought, and she sipped on her refreshing tea almost absently. Then food arrived. Someone placed a spoon in her hand and held up the bowl. It seemed easier to spoon in the food than to resist. A tiny shrunken woman with hair whiter than any cotton Angkasa had seen came hobbling in leaning on an ornately carved stick. A young girl shuffled at her side, carrying a large basket. The woman was helped down to the mats next to Vikal. She rooted out bandages and fig-sized pots and demanded in a cracked voice for water and cloths. Soon Vikal’s wound was clean and dry. He made no noise through this process, though he grimaced. The old lady was not gentle, though neither was she overly rough. She was practical and efficient. She opened one of the pots and the pungent aroma of a variety of herbs tickled Angkasa’s nose. She smeared this onto Vikal’s wound and then bound it with a clean bandage. She pronounced him ‘done’ and then waved for Diah to come sit before her. She peered at Diah’s cut above her eye, sniffed, and wiped a tiny amount of her salve upon it.
“Next,” she croaked.
“No one else is injured beyond bruises and scrapes, Aunty,” Kemala told her with respect in her voice.
The elderly lady peered around the room and her beady eyes settled on Angkasa. She pointed a gnarled finger at her. “What is wrong with her?”
Angkasa’s spoon clattered in her bowl. “I am fine,” she murmured.
“She over-used her wielder powers,” Elang interjected. “I believe rest is all she needs.”
Angkasa relaxed her shoulder muscles. She hadn’t been aware she had tensed them at the thought of this lady poking and prodding her.
“Oh? Think you know better than a healer, eh?” The old lady hauled herself to her feet and shuffled to Angkasa’s side before lowering herself, with much grunting, to the mats once more. She took hold of Angkasa’s left wrist, feeling for her pulse. Angkasa tried to pull away, her face heating. The hand was covered by her sleeve. The old lady ignored the hand and resisted Angkasa’s tug. Angkasa darted a gaze around the room, but no one else was watching. The old lady leaned in close and squinted at her eyes. She released Angkasa’s hand - Angkasa slid it back into her sleeve - and raised her own hand to Angkasa’s face. Angkasa sat stone still as the woman’s hand touched her cheek, her dry skin rough. She pulled down one of her eyelids and peered in.
“Hmmm. Rest. Lots of rest.” She turned and glared at Elang. “Plus…” she clicked her fingers and the unobtrusive girl that had entered with her hurried forward, carrying the basket. The elderly lady rummaged and brought out a small packet. “This tea. Very good. Very restorative. You,” she pointed at Elang, “make sure this is brewed now and later today.” She turned back to Angkasa. “You will drink the tea.”
Angkasa found herself nodding vigorously.
“Hmmph. Good. It will revive you like nothing else. Re-settle your internal energies. Girl!” she called. The girl helped the lady to her feet, and they shuffled away. For a moment there was silence.
“Well. You had best go and get someone to brew that tea, Elang. I don’t think you want to annoy that lady,” Diah said with a half laugh.
Elang peered at the packet and shrugged before making his way to the curtain. Angkasa wasn’t sure how she would fit another tea inside her, yet if she didn’t drink it the old lady might come back. Vikal was asleep on his mat, but his colour was returning to normal, and he was no longer sweating. The old lady might be a little scary, yet she knew her business. When Elang came back with her steaming tea, Angkasa forced it down. It was bitter and grainy. A few minutes after swallowing the last dregs she blinked around at her companions as if coming out of a dream. Strength began to return to her limbs. Deep inside her body and her mind things settled and she smiled. Maybe she could ask for the recipe.
A couple of young women entered with a selection of clothing to replace their torn and tattered garments. They took turns dressing in one of the small rooms that were curtained off from the open area. The room held little except spare mats and pillows. Perhaps needed if they ever held a village meeting here. Angkasa had found a plain long-sleeved top and boy’s’ trousers that would fit. She had been surprised to see the boys’ clothing, certain that the Elders didn’t approve of the way she, Diah and Kemala dressed. But perhaps it was a sign of just how grateful they were for them having solved their problem so neatly.
***
The companions were not disturbed for a few candle marks and most of them took the opportunity to doze. Eventually a polite cough came from the other side of the curtain before Elders Dachen and Cetan entered along with a couple of attendants, one of whom was Putra. Perhaps he was next in line to be the next Elder. Was he related to one of them? There could be a resemblance to Elder Dachen. His grandfather perhaps?
“If you are rested, we have a boat ready for you. And supplies. The villagers have been most generous,” Elder Dachen said.
From his tone of voice, there was no doubt that the villagers had been given no option. Angkasa regarded her companions. They were all sitting up and grabbing for their packs. Even Vikal appeared much better. He was prodding at his bandage and wincing. Diah gave him a glare and he stopped.
“We are ready,” Kemala said.
Elder Dachen smiled. “Come then.”
They followed him, Elder Cetan and the attendants out of the building once more. But this time they headed in a different direction. Again, villagers were out and about. Some ignored their progress. Others stopped and watched. Angkasa’s neck prickled under the constant scrutiny. She tried not to search for any hostile gazes. Yet as her own gaze roamed around, she locked eyes with one young man. His regard was dark and angry, and she shivered as she pulled her attention away. She would be glad to leave this place behind. Though she was grateful to the elderly healer who had consented to give Angkasa the recipe for her special tea. Angkasa knew the plants and herbs and would search for them on their journey. There were likely to be more occasions when she needed the tea on this journey.
Putra pointed them down a final ramp that led into the lake itself. Bobbing gently at the bottom was a boat with oars. Angkasa stared. It was piled so high with supplies that she was unsure she and all her companions would fit in with them. Elder Cetan handed a piece of paper to Kemala.
“This is a map of the region. This is where we are now, and this is the best route to cross the wetlands.” He pointed at things on the map and Kemala scrutinised it with pursed lips before nodding.
“We do thank you again, for what you did for us. The other villagers will come around once they see that the village is safe.” Elder Dachen and Elder Cetan and Putra placed their hands together before them and bowed. Angkasa and her companions reflected the motion back. Then they began to step into the boat. It rocked as Angkasa settled herself and rocked alarmingly as Baskoro’s large frame made it sink a couple of fingerbreadths. Soon they were all aboard and one of the attendants untied the rope and gave them a push. They floated gently away from the village onto the smooth surface of the lake. Over towards the eastern bank, a group of fishermen were busy. Some were dragging nets over the side of their boat and Angkasa caught the occasional flicker of silver. Others were flinging nets out into the water.
“I will row,” Baskoro declared, taking up the oars.
Kemala narrowed her eyes at him before laughing. “Well, you are built like a mountain. Why not?”
Baskoro raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Angkasa was certain she saw the flicker of a smile around the edges of his mouth. She hid her own grin. He was a large man, which she found reassuring. Baskoro rowed steadily and the village became less defined as it grew more distant. Light sparked off the water and into her eyes and she had to squint to prevent it dazzling her. Her attention dropped to the supplies piled around their feet.
“I wonder what they have given us?” she asked absently.
“Let us find out,” Diah suggested as she reached for one of the bamboo baskets.
“Oooh! Dried figs,” she said with a wide smile. She snatched one and stuffed it in her mouth. “Anyone else?” Angkasa held out her hand and the others all cried ‘yes’. Baskoro eyed them hungrily.
“Here.” Kemala took one for him and offered it to his mouth. He opened it and she popped it in.
“They are good,” Baskoro said, his mouth full. He smiled. Angkasa blinked. Was that the first time she had ever seen him smile? She glanced back and forth between him and Kemala. A tiny smile sat on her face too.
Angkasa and Diah found baskets of vegetables that could be eaten raw or cooked, rice, more fruit, fresh water in leather containers and some carefully packed cooked meals. The villagers had also packed spare clothes, including more boys’ trousers. Angkasa was pleased when she found a handful of candles carefully wrapped in banana leaves. She could fulfil her promise to Elang, to try and teach him how to utilise other flame sources as the energy for his wielding. This had to work.
“We should try to fit as much of this into our own packs as possible,” Kemala said. “We won’t be able to take anything with us that won’t fit. Leave some water and some of the cooked food for this boat trip.”
Angkasa and Diah portioned out as much of the dried food as they could and Elang helped them tuck it into everyone’s packs. Plenty of food still remained for the boat journey. Angkasa knew how to forage for food, and she was certain the others did too, but they were in a hurry and having supplies would make the journey much easier and quicker.
Baskoro rowed on and on, though Kemala had offered to take over once they were halfway across the lake. “You may row through the narrower channels tomorrow,” he said.
