Valmir and Brader worked at the blocked entrance. Andalor joined them. Their silence troubled him but there was naught he could do. They'd chosen different sides in the coming duel between the Jewels. He hadn't picked the Black. Its ties to the Brotherhood worried him. Yet, when Reena had named him as her Chosen, his choice had been made.

By the time they had a pa.s.sage cleared, the sun was well beyond mid-day. Andalor stretched to relieve the kinks in his shoulder muscles.

"We'll begin our trek tomorrow," Brader said.

Though Andalor wanted to rush, soon dusk would arrive and add shadows to the treacherous slope. He stared at the pa.s.s and the mountain crest then frowned. The face of the slope above the pa.s.s looked as though it had been sliced by a giant knife. Could the avalanche been other than an act of nature? For a moment, he thought about his brother, the one taken by the mages. He recalled the winter morning when his brother had turned rain into snow.

"We're low on supplies," Disa said.

Valmir pointed to the dense green valley below. "Mayhaps we'll find good hunting there."

"And villages where food can be bought," Brader said.

"What will we use for coins?" Liara asked. "We spent most of ours in Quato." She reached for a mug of kaf.

"I have a goodly supply of coins," Disa said. "So does Andalor."

"And if I don't choose to spend them?" Andalor blinked as a knife appeared in Valmir's hand.

"Then we might just take them." The Desert Rider returned the knife to its sheath.

"There is no value in fighting," Stilenta said. "We still have to reach the foot of this mountain and that will take all working together." Andalor smiled. At the foot of the mountain, surely there would be a village. While villages weren't the sites of Guardposts, someone would know where the nearest one could be found. When he reached one, he would find a way to send a message to Reena. * * *

Three days pa.s.sed before they reached the foot of Stone Mountain. Since there were but four ponies, only Valmir or Brader rode to scout ahead.

For five full days, they followed a winding stream through a forest filled with game and a variety of plants gleaned by the women for additions to their meals.

Near dusk on the sixth day, Andalor heard rustling in the brush. He whirled as a ma.s.sive swine with dagger-like tusks burst from the undergrowth. Andalor drew his sword and wondered what use it would be against the beast.

When the swine charged, Andalor slashed with his sword and jumped aside. A line of blood appeared on the beast's side, but the force of the charge caused Andalor to lose his grip on his weapon. The beast wheeled and pawed the ground. Andalor grabbed an overhanging branch. He swung his body and barely missed being gored by the swine's lethal tusks.

An arrow thudded into the beast's side. Valmir threw his spear. The entire point and part of the shaft penetrated the thick hide.

Andalor jumped to the ground. "We feast tonight."

"Do ye now?"

The deep, unfamiliar voice made Andalor turn. A group of men surrounded Valmir and him. He noticed the others being herded toward the dead swine by men dressed in antel skin clothes.

"There's enough food for all," he said.

"So there is, but I like to know about my dinner companions." A tall bearded man with long brown hair spoke. "Who are ye and what are ye doing in my forest?" His deep blue eyes demanded an answer.

Andalor bowed. "Andalor, minstrel and Chosen of the Queen. The others are traitors to her cause."

The man nodded. Two men stepped forward. Before Andalor could react, his hands were bound behind his back. "What goes here?" he asked.

The man faced the rest of the group. "Welcome to my forest. Will ye share yon beast? I'm Nalor, once a member of a wealthy and influential family until our home came to the notice of the mages. I've no use for those who serve the Queen and her dark mages. Because of them, my home is in ruins, my wife and son are dead, my wealth is gone, and the rest of my family pa.s.sed to the next plane. Who might ye be?"

CHAPTER 25.

From The Lore of the Jewels In the early days when the Jewels first came to Earda, there was no queen. The Holders traveled through the land to the places where there was need. They listened to the woes of the people and settled disputes. Though each Jewel had a different sphere, she who held the White guided the Jewels and ministered judgment to the people.

Liara studied their captor. His words were bitter and she wasn't sure he would listen to her explanation. "I'm Liara and I must go to the Screaming Hills."

"And ye must make this journey in secret for 'tis the only reason ye chose to cross Stone Mountain and to cross the Great Desert." Nalor's eyes held a hint of humor. "Do ye think one Holder will make your journey safe?" He stepped closer. "What do ye seek in the Hills?"

"My heritage. Something my mother sought but could not touch because she once held the Black."

He laughed. "Then ye are my niece. My oldest brother was Chosen of two Queens. He suffered greatly when your mother vanished." He grasped her arm. "So ye would be Queen?"

She shook her head. "Not Queen. I seek to destroy the Black. Mayhaps the White will be lost as well."

"'Twould be best, I think. I have no use for queens and those who hold Jewels that have been corrupted."

"Not the Blue," Stilenta said. "Ere long, the Black and the Brotherhood will feel the touch of the White and thus the other Jewels will be cleansed."

Nalor moved closer and stared into the Blue Holder's eyes. "I see." Abruptly, he turned to Disa. "What Jewel do ye hold?"

"The Yellow. I'm Disa and hardly one fit for this high company. Once I was a tavernmaid who had no

desire to serve abovestairs."

His soft laughter brought a smile to Liara's lips. She knew they had pa.s.sed some test. Then she saw the way his gaze lingered on Stilenta and knew part of the reason.

"I don't know if ye have a chance to win your battle," he said. "When ye leave, I will come with ye." He

reached for the reins of one of the ponies. "Come to our camp. We'll feast on the food ye have provided and add some of ours."

"And Andalor?" Disa asked. "What will ye do with him?"

Nalor shrugged. "We have no taste for the Queen's minions. He'll make a good target."

"Ye can't," Disa said. "I owe him a life and 'tis mine ye must take."

Liara moved to Disa's side. "There are other reasons to spare his life. Though he may be the Queen's Chosen, he has a role to play in the confrontation."

"So be it," Nalor said. "I will cede his life to ye, but he will be well guarded." He looked at Brader and

Valmir. "Your names?"

After the pair introduced themselves, Nalor strode away. Liara saw men had already begun to butcher the swine. Four men escorted Andalor. One hefted the minstrel's sword.

Disa walked with Liara. "I thank ye for your help. I've no desire to become a target. Do ye mean what ye say about Andalor?"

"I don't know more than he must be with us."

Disa sighed. "I would be free of this bond with him. There is another I'd like to make."

"The time will come."

"I pray ye are right."

They entered a clearing where a number of crude stone huts with thatched roofs stood. A group of children burst from one of the huts and dashed around the strangers. Through the trees, Liara caught sight of a burned sh.e.l.l of a manor house.

Nalor nodded. "'Twas the home of my ancestors. Once it was destroyed, the Brotherhood lost interest in the area." His blue eyes flashed with anger.

"And these people?" Liara asked.

"Some were tenants and servants. Others lived in the village or were local farmers. The Great Desert

edges closer. Soon even these trees will be eaten by sand. 'Tis one reason I join ye. To give my people a chance to regain their lives."

Valmir nodded. "'Tis why I sought the Blue Holder. Not only does the desert grow, but it ails."

"So I have heard." Nalor turned to Liara. "Milady, my sword is yours."

"Just Liara. Your company will be welcome."

Stilenta sat on a tree stump. A group of children surrounded her. She opened the pack of medicinals.

Liara waved. "Let me see if I can help."

"'Twould be most welcome," Nalor said. "There's been no Healer here since the mages burned our

Healer's House."

Before long, not only children but adults cl.u.s.tered around Liara and Stilenta. Some of the ills they could treat, but others needed a Healer, and for a few only the Red Holder could bring a cure.

Liara knelt beside an aged man. He reached for her hand. "Ye be the one."

"What?"

"I succored your mother when she came from the Great Desert. Hid her from the Guards. Tended her

raw feet and sang ye to sleep. When she was healed, I took her to Quato and saw her aboard a ship for Thanis."

"My thanks," Liara said.

He smiled. "Once there was a thriving village on the banks of yon river. Those of the manor cared for the land and the people. May those times come again before I leave this plane."

That night, they feasted on roast swine. Andalor was released from his bonds but two men shadowed him. After dinner, he played his lute and entertained.

Liara sat with her friends and listened. Nalor hunched beside her. "We relieved the minstrel of his coins

and your hill ponies will not take to desert travel. I'll send men to purchase balalas and other things we'll need."

"Let Valmir go with them," Liara said. "I'm sure he knows what we'll need."

Disa pulled a pouch from beneath her shirt. "Add these coins to what ye have."