The Rise of the Sea Ghosts (from The Gelid Times Trilogy)

Chapter 14

The Tree of Lux Brumalis; To the North

Fara had not yet emerged from the other side of the Tree of Lux Brumalis and the day was drawing in. Vega was running out of wood to feed the fire and as she kept watch, she rubbed her hands over the fire letting its warmth penetrate her gloves. Even if Fara emerged now, they would not be able to start their return journey in the dark and waiting until dawn would require more firewood. Vega concluded that either way, whether Fara returned or not, she would have to wait until morning. Vega shifted uncomfortably as she knew full well that the more time that passed, the less likely it was that Fara would successfully make her way back.

As First Decision Maker, Vega knew that she would have difficult choices to make, and her first difficult decision was whether or not she should return without Fara. That decision, Vega resolved, was best left to the morning. The night would be long and anything could happen. Mama Knowe always said that it was best to cross one bridge at a time – there was no point worrying about something until you absolutely had to. The first bridge that Vega had to cross, with or without Fara, was to keep the fire going through the night. Decision made. Vega rose and hoisted her heavy rucksack on her back. She would not venture too far from the fire, but she would not leave the precious topaz, tucked at the bottom of the rucksack, unattended. The rucksack would accompany her everywhere, even to collect wood, until she returned to Terretown and presented it to her village.

Vega turned and faced the forest. She walked twenty paces to her right, turned and collected as much wood as her arms would allow as she returned retracing her footsteps to the fire. She dropped the wood next to Fara's rucksack. Turning back to the forest, Vega walked another twenty paces directly behind her. Again, collected as much wood as her arms would allow. She repeated the process a final time, taking the pathway to her left, however, as Vega neared her twentieth step, she heard voices.

Vega bent down and quietly lowered the branches she had collected and spread them out. Stepping off the pathway, Vega adjusted her rucksack, retreated behind a tree and removed her hunting knife from its leather sheaf. Vega closed her eyes and listened intently. Mama Knowe had reminded her before she left to use her senses – all of her senses – not just her sense of sight – because there would be times, she emphasised, that there would be more than just what you see and her sense of smell and hearing would be a far greater indicator of danger than her sense of sight. Mama Knowe made her practice by covering her eyes with a scarf for hours on end in the weeks prior to her journey. With her eyes closed, her other senses were heightened. She relaxed her shoulders and leaned against the trunk of the tree. Her sense of hearing now acute, Vega was able to focus on the direction and distance of the voices. Three voices. Heavy steps and light steps. Men or women of different sizes. She heard no children. The voices grew in clarity as they neared, their footsteps breaking branches on the frozen ground. Vega shifted her weight and tightened the grip on her knife. She kept her breath steady breathing in and out slowly. She could smell their scent now – the sweetness of honey and jasmine combined with leather permeated the air. They were close. The fragrance of pine grew strong as they disturbed the needles underfoot. Their voices rose and fell and came to her from slightly different distances; it was as if they were spread out – like a hunting party.

Who – or what – were they hunting?

Vega opened her eyes and felt the weight of her rucksack – in any fight, it would put her at a disadvantage with her movement severely compromised. Vega considered removing the rucksack to maximise her biggest weapon – her agility and speed – but this would go against her purpose and her purpose now was to protect the topaz and return to Terretown.

As the voices neared, Vega needed to make a decision. Should she be discovered or be the discoverer? Should she be weighed down or free to move? Should she stay or should she run?

Vega opened her eyes and returned her knife to its sheath and pushed the holder along her belt so it rested slightly behind her out of sight. She tightened the straps of her rucksack to minimise the movement. Sometimes in war you retreat, sometimes in war you surprise your enemy and sometimes in war you meet your enemy head on. Vega decided to protect the topaz, to be the discoverer, to meet her enemy head on.

With her chin high and shoulders squared, Vega stepped out from behind the tree and blocked the pathway standing where she had dropped the branches and waited.

From beyond the trees in darkening wood, three figures emerged and were spread out like Vega had spread out the fingers on her hand; they created a semicircle around her. All tall, they glistened in their cloaks of silver, as though they were a part of the Tree of Lux Brumalis. Their beauty was blinding; Vega could hardly see what they actually looked like so powerful was their aura.

Vega knew that in war one must never be surprised by their enemy, but she was not expecting the overwhelming effervescent nature of these beings.

The figure in the middle moved forwards and stood in front of Vega. Vega reached behind her and held the handle of her knife. She was prepared to battle when the figure spoke – their voice was of this earth, yet somehow not of this earth.

"You choose to stand and fight. You choose to protect the stone. You choose to risk your life. By choosing you have been chosen. Release the grip on your knife Vega. As the number one Decision Maker you have demonstrated the stratagem of a skilful leader. As the number one Decision Maker you have demonstrated sagacity. As the number one Decision Maker you have demonstrated a valiant nature."

Vega blinked. The figure moved closer to her and spoke in a forceful whisper.

"Vega – you have been chosen, but you may not return to your people yet. A great threat comes to the Kingdom, a threat greater than the Gelid time. You have been chosen to stay and lead the fight to protect the Tree of Lux Brumalis. Your sole purpose is to protect the Tree of Lux Brumalis. Your sole purpose must be to protect the Tree of Lux Brumalis. Let it be felled and woe betide the people of this Kingdom for they will know no greater pain than that of the fire and anguish that will ensue. Protect the Tree of Lux Brumalis Vega. Protect it."

Vega caught her breath and held it. She blinked as the brightness of the figures blinded her and when she opened her eyes fully, the darkness of the forest was before her. The figures had vanished.