All Things Begin - The Anmah Series Book 1

Two days later, Ga’briyel was teaching his first class of the day when he saw Nikale standing on the edge of the square. She looked troubled, and he shrugged his shoulders to rid himself of the blanket of fear that abruptly covered him. He walked over to her and asked, “What is wrong, Nikale?”

“I must speak with you, Captain. It is urgent,” she said, wringing her hands. She glanced over her shoulder as if afraid someone was listening.

There were only a few minutes left in his class, so he dismissed his students and gestured for Nikale to precede him into the house, but she shook her head.

“No, Captain, I must speak with you in private.” She walked away from him in the direction of her home, and he followed without a word. Once they reached it, she barred the door and faced him as he stood by the fireplace.

“What is it?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders once again in a vain attempt to lessen the suffocating pressure of her fear. “What are you frightened of?”

“You must leave Grama. Immediately,” she whispered as she drew him down onto the bench by the table.

“What? Why?”

She waved her hand as if shooing away a poka bug. “It is a feeling only, and my feelings are rarely wrong. You must head northeast into the Parbata Mountains.”

“Into the mountains? But it is almost winter. We will freeze to death.”

“No, you will not. At the base of the mountains directly east of here is a village called Mirstone. There you will find a priestess of Yisu. Her name is Manali. She will give you what you need to survive the mountains. You must leave now, Captain. You must reach your destination in the mountains within a sennight.”

Ga’briyel dropped his head in his hand. “What will happen if I do not?”

“A tremendous evil will be released, Captain.”

He looked up. “How am I supposed to know where to go once we get to this village?”

“I do not know. Perhaps Manali will have more information for you. That is all I can say except that you must take everyone with you.”

“Everyone? Even Mathi and Zahin?”

“Especially them. They are vital to your fight, Captain Mistri. You will need them by your side.”

With a sigh, Ga’briyel stood up. “I will do as you say, Nikale.” Then he gave her a wry smile. “So much for my moment of peace.”

She put her hand on his arm as her eyes filled with tears. “You knew it could not last, Ga’briyel. I will pray for you.”

“Thank you, my friend. I hope to see you again someday,” he said and then walked out the door to find the others.

Within an hour, the six who were leaving Grama had eaten the midday meal, packed their saddlebags, gathered their weapons, and were standing in the stable.

“That is all she told you, Ga’briyel?” Dinton said as he tightened the cinch on his saddle. “Go to Mirstone and find Manali?”

“That is all. That and if we do not reach wherever we are going in the mountains within a sennight, a very great evil will be released into the world.” Then he looked at the boys. A wave of mixed emotions covered him from everyone there, but he could clearly feel their excitement cutting through it all.

Zahin had his long bow and quiver, and Mathi had his staff. He had made it himself from a limb of a gacha tree after Ga’briyel said he needed a weapon that would not slice off his leg as he trained. The staff was over six feet tall and an inch thick, and Mathi was getting quite good with it. The boys stood and watched everything that was happening, practically bouncing up and down, and Ga’briyel smiled at them.

“Zahin, you will ride with Tero, and Mathi will ride with Dinton. Hopefully soon we can get you each your own horse, but that may not be possible before we reach the mountains.”

The captains all mounted, and then Tero and Dinton held their arms down to the boys, easily lifting them up behind their saddles. The horses danced sideways, lifting their feet high, pleased to be going somewhere after so long. It had been Zahin and Mathi’s job to exercise the horses, so they had learned to ride, but they had never gone far from the town. Something in the demeanor of the humans told the animals that this time it was for real, and Kumar stamped his forefoot impatiently as he snorted.

“All in good time, boy,” Ga’briyel said as he patted the animal’s neck. When Sophyra swung into her saddle, he led them out into the square. What he saw widened his eyes with pleasure.

The entire population of the town was gathered in the square, and most had tears in their eyes. Thanks and well-wishes filled the air as Ga’briyel guided Kumar through the crowd. When they reached the eastern gate, Nikale was there, and she held up her hand. In it was a scroll, and Ga’briyel took it from her.

“What is this?”

Nikale smiled. “It is just in case Manali does not have the same feeling I do. It is a letter telling her who you are and what has happened. Keep it safe, Captain.”

He stuck it inside his jacket. “I will, Nikale, and thank you for everything.”

“You are more than welcome, Captain.” Then she patted Kumar on the rump, and the small party was headed east into the forest surrounding the town.

THE END OF BOOK ONE