Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 17:40:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Corrinne S <quasito_cat@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dark Wishes Installment 36: Part 5 Chapter 9

This is the ongoing sequel to `Dark Wishes', both
copyrighted under Nifty and International Common Law.
Sorry for the time lapse but work got hectic and a
tedious cold reared its ugly head.  And I had to stop
and write an actual outline of `Dark Wishes' to send a
potential literary agent, and select three chapters
from 90,000 words.  The entire thing left me
exhausted.

Unspoken Wishes

M.C. Gordon

Part One: Markel

Chapter Nine

     Tynan and Iashain were greatly heartened as they
made their way slowly westward toward the large lake
that marked the furthest western border of Elanen.
Lake of Sorrow it was called, for it had formed
through the centuries at the eastern base of the once
mighty Chennai Mountains.

     Their journey took them through deep forests and
the Qell decided that each camp would last several
days, casting a gentle magic that would summon all
living things, man and animal, to be counted.  It was
time to determine to what extent wildlife remained,
what grains still grew, and what knowledge man had
kept alive in scattered gatherings of humanity.

     They had not traveled far from Aolane, perhaps a
journey of only three or four days, when they came
across Perinel's great harem, slowly making its way
toward the ruined fortress.  Tynan was pleased at the
number of young, male and female, traveling with their
dames.  He was equally surprised that two young men
and a young woman were riding three of the mares.

     "Our forefathers lived in Aolane," one of the men
explained.  "They numbered among the horse-masters and
stable boys.  We heard that the Kings have returned
and were journeying to offer our services when we came
upon this herd and joined them.  I am Dil.  This is my
brother Filen and his good wife Yashidra."

     "We welcome you to our service," Iashain replied.
 "We will need all of Elanen's people to rebuild the
land."  Glancing at Yashidra he added, "and all of the
land's children."

     The shy lady blushed at the acknowledgement that
she was with child.

     "Join us and share our meal," Tynan added.
"There is enough sweet grass for the horses and we
would hear more of your people."  As he asked he held
up his arms and assisted Yashidra from the height of
the dappled mare she rode.

     Iashain aided Dil in removing the pack from
another mare, deep chestnut in color, and a fire was
soon started and the iron kettle from the pack in
place.  Efren drew water from a nearby brook for the
kettle and Yashidra added dried vegetables from a
pouch.  Markel drew his sling and was soon able to add
two fat quail to the simmering stew.

     "Our home lies not far from here," Filen said
when they had all finished eating.  "Our father,
Bidwent, is the village elder and will welcome you as
visitors.  We have a herd of smaller horses than
these, and my people raise a few sheep and grains.
Your blessing for abundant young and harvest will mean
much."

     "We will use our magic where it is needed," Tynan
assured him.  "It is our purpose serve as those before
us have done, the reason we were summoned."

     Their talk continued through the evening of
villages known to Dil and Filen, who often traveled
with their father to conduct trade.  Yashidra had
little to add as she had spent her entire life in the
village and had never before ventured beyond her
mother's sight.  Markel took one of the hides from his
pack and sketched maps as Dil and Filen talked.

     "You can draw and write?" Yashidra quietly asked
him.  "I should like to learn."

     "I will ask Iashain to teach you when we return
and he has time," Markel told her.  "Efren is learning
as we travel.  Perhaps more people will journey to
Aolane before the next winter and the ancient archive
will be restored.  Much knowledge was lost that needs
to be learned again."

     Night finally took day from the sky, leaving only
distant stars and moonlight.  The travelers made what
comfort they could and quickly fell into sleep.

     "Ask Elder Bidwent for the use of more horses
than Perinel," Yashidra told Markel the next morning
as they prepared to go their separate ways.  "And ask
my mother, Narcia, to see young Efren.  He is too thin
and the blue beneath his eyes shows against his pale
skin."

     "Tynan believes his skin reflects his gray eyes,"
Markel whispered, for he too worried.  "Efren was ill
during the winter and is recovering slowly."

     "That may be," Yashidra returned, "or it may not.
 My mother will know for she is from a village of
healers who tried to keep that knowledge alive.  She
trained me in healing enough to believe that she
should see Efren, for her knowledge is far greater
than mine."

     "Then I will seek out your mother, and thank
you," Markel said.  "Aolane will need a healer and I
will put your name to Iashain.  There are many old
scrolls which King Trelaine held safe by his magic,
but only the Kings can read them and they do not
understand all that is written for much of it is
knowledge of the ancient crafts.  There might be
healing scrolls among them which you will understand
when you have learned to read."

     Yashidra impulsively kissed Markel for his
friendship and thoughtfulness.

     "What is this?" Iashain asked, appearing
suddenly.  "Are you about to run off with a married
woman who is with child, Markel?"  The tone of his
voice told that he spoke in jest.

     "Lady Yashidra holds many surprises," Markel
responded in a teasing manner.  "If I had been born
other than I was, and she had not already pledged her
heart to Filen, I might court her.  But she has chosen
her love, as have I.  Instead of plotting to run off
together we have been discussing the future of Aolane
and the chance that you will teach her to read."

     "Then the future holds hope indeed, Lady
Yashidra," Iashain replied.  "The kingdom will need
those who are willing to learn and share their
knowledge.  It is my dream that others will be drawn
to Aolane through the coming months and I will spend
this next winter teaching many to read and write."

     "Come, lass," Filen said as he approached them.
"We must be on our way for the horses must go to
Aolane and we have our own work to do there."

     They all bid each other a fond farewell and
Yashidra hastily said, "Remember to ask to see my
mother."

     "I will," Markel replied.

     "Speak to Hanrad," Tynan told Dil.  "He has great
plans to rebuild the castle but tell him I require
that his first task be to build cottages for all who
journey to Aolane.  The horses will need warm shelter
for the next winter.  Storehouses are required for
grain."

     "Yes, Majesty," Dil replied.  "All will be ready
when you return."

 . . .

     The Qell were amazed at the number of people who
greeted them when they approached the small village
described to them by Dil and Filen.  The huts and
cottages, placed at odd angles connected by narrow
paths, could comfortably house no more than two
hundred yet twice that number appeared.  Elder Bidwent
introduced himself and explained that villagers from
the surrounding area had traveled to his small village
with the knowledge that it was one of the Qell's first
destinations.

     "How could they have known when we did not know
ourselves until a few days past?" Tynan asked Bidwent.

     The elder smiled and replied, "The doves,
Majesties.  They speaks to each other and those of us
who give them warmth in the winter."

     The cottages were small and Bidwell insisted that
Tynan and Efren use his humble home during their stay.
 Iashain and Markel were welcomed by Yashidra's
mother, Narcia, for the woman lived alone since her
daughter's marriage and was anxious for news when she
learned that the Kings had met her only child.

     Iashain assured her that Yashidra was well, as
was the child she carried.  They were not many days'
journey from Aolane and another woman lived there who
would be of assistance when the child came into the
world.  Narcia was grateful for the reassurance and
almost as equally pleased when the Qell advised her
that Yashidra would be taught to read and allowed to
study any ancient scrolls of healing that had been
found.

     "I have other apprentices I would like to send to
Aolane when they are ready," she informed Iashain, and
gained his immediate approval.

     Markel had no time to speak with Nacira regarding
Yashidra's concern about Efren for the Qell and healer
talked long into the night and the weary lad drifted
to sleep.

     Aolane sat in a valley where the weather had
warmed, but this village was further north and in the
foothills of a small mountain.  The nights still grew
cold and the air was damp.  It was in the early
morning hours before the sun began to burn away the
chill that Bidwell burst into Narcia's cottage
calling, "Healer!  Come quickly.  The King's lad
cannot breathe!"

To be continued:

Comments to quasito_cat@hotmail.com or
quasito_cat@yahoo.com
This is the ongoing sequel to `Dark Wishes', both
copyrighted under Nifty and International Common Law.
Sorry for the time lapse but work got hectic and a
tedious cold reared its ugly head.  And I had to stop
and write an actual outline of `Dark Wishes' to send a
potential literary agent, and select three chapters
from 90,000 words.  The entire thing left me
exhausted.

Unspoken Wishes

M.C. Gordon

Part One: Markel

Chapter Nine

     Tynan and Iashain were greatly heartened as they
made their way slowly westward toward the large lake
that marked the furthest western border of Elanen.
Lake of Sorrow it was called, for it had formed
through the centuries at the eastern base of the once
mighty Chennai Mountains.

     Their journey took them through deep forests and
the Qell decided that each camp would last several
days, casting a gentle magic that would summon all
living things, man and animal, to be counted.  It was
time to determine to what extent wildlife remained,
what grains still grew, and what knowledge man had
kept alive in scattered gatherings of humanity.

     They had not traveled far from Aolane, perhaps a
journey of only three or four days, when they came
across Perinel's great harem, slowly making its way
toward the ruined fortress.  Tynan was pleased at the
number of young, male and female, traveling with their
dames.  He was equally surprised that two young men
and a young woman were riding three of the mares.

     "Our forefathers lived in Aolane," one of the men
explained.  "They numbered among the horse-masters and
stable boys.  We heard that the Kings have returned
and were journeying to offer our services when we came
upon this herd and joined them.  I am Dil.  This is my
brother Filen and his good wife Yashidra."

     "We welcome you to our service," Iashain replied.
 "We will need all of Elanen's people to rebuild the
land."  Glancing at Yashidra he added, "and all of the
land's children."

     The shy lady blushed at the acknowledgement that
she was with child.

     "Join us and share our meal," Tynan added.
"There is enough sweet grass for the horses and we
would hear more of your people."  As he asked he held
up his arms and assisted Yashidra from the height of
the dappled mare she rode.

     Iashain aided Dil in removing the pack from
another mare, deep chestnut in color, and a fire was
soon started and the iron kettle from the pack in
place.  Efren drew water from a nearby brook for the
kettle and Yashidra added dried vegetables from a
pouch.  Markel drew his sling and was soon able to add
two fat quail to the simmering stew.

     "Our home lies not far from here," Filen said
when they had all finished eating.  "Our father,
Bidwent, is the village elder and will welcome you as
visitors.  We have a herd of smaller horses than
these, and my people raise a few sheep and grains.
Your blessing for abundant young and harvest will mean
much."

     "We will use our magic where it is needed," Tynan
assured him.  "It is our purpose serve as those before
us have done, the reason we were summoned."

     Their talk continued through the evening of
villages known to Dil and Filen, who often traveled
with their father to conduct trade.  Yashidra had
little to add as she had spent her entire life in the
village and had never before ventured beyond her
mother's sight.  Markel took one of the hides from his
pack and sketched maps as Dil and Filen talked.

     "You can draw and write?" Yashidra quietly asked
him.  "I should like to learn."

     "I will ask Iashain to teach you when we return
and he has time," Markel told her.  "Efren is learning
as we travel.  Perhaps more people will journey to
Aolane before the next winter and the ancient archive
will be restored.  Much knowledge was lost that needs
to be learned again."

     Night finally took day from the sky, leaving only
distant stars and moonlight.  The travelers made what
comfort they could and quickly fell into sleep.

     "Ask Elder Bidwent for the use of more horses
than Perinel," Yashidra told Markel the next morning
as they prepared to go their separate ways.  "And ask
my mother, Narcia, to see young Efren.  He is too thin
and the blue beneath his eyes shows against his pale
skin."

     "Tynan believes his skin reflects his gray eyes,"
Markel whispered, for he too worried.  "Efren was ill
during the winter and is recovering slowly."

     "That may be," Yashidra returned, "or it may not.
 My mother will know for she is from a village of
healers who tried to keep that knowledge alive.  She
trained me in healing enough to believe that she
should see Efren, for her knowledge is far greater
than mine."

     "Then I will seek out your mother, and thank
you," Markel said.  "Aolane will need a healer and I
will put your name to Iashain.  There are many old
scrolls which King Trelaine held safe by his magic,
but only the Kings can read them and they do not
understand all that is written for much of it is
knowledge of the ancient crafts.  There might be
healing scrolls among them which you will understand
when you have learned to read."

     Yashidra impulsively kissed Markel for his
friendship and thoughtfulness.

     "What is this?" Iashain asked, appearing
suddenly.  "Are you about to run off with a married
woman who is with child, Markel?"  The tone of his
voice told that he spoke in jest.

     "Lady Yashidra holds many surprises," Markel
responded in a teasing manner.  "If I had been born
other than I was, and she had not already pledged her
heart to Filen, I might court her.  But she has chosen
her love, as have I.  Instead of plotting to run off
together we have been discussing the future of Aolane
and the chance that you will teach her to read."

     "Then the future holds hope indeed, Lady
Yashidra," Iashain replied.  "The kingdom will need
those who are willing to learn and share their
knowledge.  It is my dream that others will be drawn
to Aolane through the coming months and I will spend
this next winter teaching many to read and write."

     "Come, lass," Filen said as he approached them.
"We must be on our way for the horses must go to
Aolane and we have our own work to do there."

     They all bid each other a fond farewell and
Yashidra hastily said, "Remember to ask to see my
mother."

     "I will," Markel replied.

     "Speak to Hanrad," Tynan told Dil.  "He has great
plans to rebuild the castle but tell him I require
that his first task be to build cottages for all who
journey to Aolane.  The horses will need warm shelter
for the next winter.  Storehouses are required for
grain."

     "Yes, Majesty," Dil replied.  "All will be ready
when you return."

 . . .

     The Qell were amazed at the number of people who
greeted them when they approached the small village
described to them by Dil and Filen.  The huts and
cottages, placed at odd angles connected by narrow
paths, could comfortably house no more than two
hundred yet twice that number appeared.  Elder Bidwent
introduced himself and explained that villagers from
the surrounding area had traveled to his small village
with the knowledge that it was one of the Qell's first
destinations.

     "How could they have known when we did not know
ourselves until a few days past?" Tynan asked Bidwent.

     The elder smiled and replied, "The doves,
Majesties.  They speaks to each other and those of us
who give them warmth in the winter."

     The cottages were small and Bidwell insisted that
Tynan and Efren use his humble home during their stay.
 Iashain and Markel were welcomed by Yashidra's
mother, Narcia, for the woman lived alone since her
daughter's marriage and was anxious for news when she
learned that the Kings had met her only child.

     Iashain assured her that Yashidra was well, as
was the child she carried.  They were not many days'
journey from Aolane and another woman lived there who
would be of assistance when the child came into the
world.  Narcia was grateful for the reassurance and
almost as equally pleased when the Qell advised her
that Yashidra would be taught to read and allowed to
study any ancient scrolls of healing that had been
found.

     "I have other apprentices I would like to send to
Aolane when they are ready," she informed Iashain, and
gained his immediate approval.

     Markel had no time to speak with Nacira regarding
Yashidra's concern about Efren for the Qell and healer
talked long into the night and the weary lad drifted
to sleep.

     Aolane sat in a valley where the weather had
warmed, but this village was further north and in the
foothills of a small mountain.  The nights still grew
cold and the air was damp.  It was in the early
morning hours before the sun began to burn away the
chill that Bidwell burst into Narcia's cottage
calling, "Healer!  Come quickly.  The King's lad
cannot breathe!"

To be continued:

Comments to quasito_cat@hotmail.com or
quasito_cat@yahoo.com