Jay - Ahern's Burden

“All is well at home?” Quinn asked opening the door.

“They are well,” Barclay said, entering the room.

“Good to hear,” Quinn responded.

“They were not ill, and they looked in good spirits,” he confirmed. “I do wish I could stay with them.”

Barclay walked to Kel. “I do apologize for my tardiness. I had a difficult time leaving.”

“I understand,” Kel said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “I envy you.”

“You envy me?”

“Yes. To know that you have unconditional love waiting for you is envious.”

“It doesn’t make this easier,” Barclay admitted.

Kel smiled back. “We are almost ready.”

Barclay nodded and sat in a chair.

Maybe I should go back to them, he thought, looking around the room. Jay had three additional guardians. Does he need me anymore? He thought about speaking to Jay about it, but remembered his charge. No, he decided, Jay is my responsibility.

“Are we ready?” Allon asked when Kel joined them at the table.

“Yes,” Kel answered. “I wanted to….”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Kel’s words were interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

Allon stood and removed his ax while Quinn grabbed her bow. Kel approached the door. “Who goes there?”

“My name is Flog. I need to speak with the boy’s guardian.”

Everyone turned to each other with the same question on their faces.

“And I’ve come to warn the rest of you,” he finished.

“A lone man in Groodarian garb,” Quinn whispered after peeking out the far window.

Jay altered his vision, causing his eyes and hands to glow yellow. He looked through the door and beyond and turned in a quick circle. “He’s alone but heavily armed,” Jay whispered.

“I am alone,” he said. “I will disarm myself, except for one item.” He began removing his sword and continued with his bow and other knives. “This dagger belongs to the guardian.” He held the knife in his open hand.

“Teach and protect the child all your days.”

Jay’s glow disappeared. He and Barclay shared a look.

“You know this man?” Allon questioned.

“We’ve met once before,” Barclay said in a calm voice, “in the Library of Cedar. He had a wolf use a muzzle to take away my teleporting.”

Allon readied his ax and Quinn drew an arrow. Kel grabbed his sword but kept the sheath over the blade. They had never seen a muzzle, but they knew what it would do.

“Time is short,” Flog said through the door. “My intention is to have a conversation. You may bind my hands if you prefer.”

“Let’s leave,” Kel said gathering his items. “Come together.”

The five joined hands and Kel nodded to Quinn. Jay closed his eyes but didn’t feel anything. He opened them again to see Quinn’s confused face.

“What’s wrong?” Allon asked.

“I can’t teleport,” Quinn answered.

Barclay and Allon let go and moved to the door.

“He’s brought an Obfuscator,” Barclay said.

“Or he is an Obfuscator,” Allon suggested.

“I am not an Obfuscator,” Flog said through the door. “You do not have much time.”

Jay again looked through the wall. “I don’t see the same instrument that was used on Barclay.”

“Open the door,” Kel said to Allon.

Allon unlocked and opened the door. He filled the entry with his huge frame, flexing.

“Hello,” Flog said looking up. “May I enter?”

“Let him in,” Kel instructed.

Allon stepped back and to the side. Flog held his hand out and passed the dagger to Allon before stepping through the doorway. Once inside, Allon closed and locked the door.

Quinn had her arrow ready but no tension on the string.

Kel stood in the center of the room. His sword was still sheathed and pointed straight into the floor. His hands rested on the butt of the hilt.

Flog put his hands together and Allon tied them with one of Kel’s many ropes. He mimicked the action on his ankles.

Allon handed the dagger to Barclay.

“You’ve grown over the summer,” Flog said to Jay.

“Do you have a muzzle with you?” Kel asked.

“No,” he said calmly, “and no wolves either.”

Barclay walked forward and lifted Flog in the air. His hands grew a dark green and he slammed Flog onto the wood floor. Barclay walked over and put his large hands around his throat. “Because of what you did, I never know if my family is safe.”

Flog had the wind knocked out of him and Barclay easily cut off his efforts to refill his lungs.

“Why are you here?” Barclay demanded, and let him go.

Gasping for life, Flog rolled onto his side and coughed.

Jay stood beside Quinn and watched the man regain his strength.

Flog rolled over to his stomach and pushed himself onto his knees and then stood, still coughing. “My name is Flog Rolla,” he said, locking eyes with Barclay. “I am the descendant of Groodaria’s last ruler, King Rolla.”

Everyone shared a look.

“Tonight, I come to you as a different man. Tonight, I come to you as your servant.” He bowed his head and fell to his knees. “I can offer you nothing that will return what I have taken from you.”

Barclay didn’t know what to do. He looked to Kel for instruction, but he shrugged him off.

“I have not always made the best of choices,” Flog continued, “but I do not seek pity. I come seeking retribution, and if possible, forgiveness.

“I was led astray by vain ambitions. I believed I had to prove myself. I have realized my error. I am sorry I did not realize before the night in the library.”

Barclay looked on the man who took his power. He wanted to kill him. He wanted him to suffer. How dare he come here tonight and expect forgiveness?

“I understand my appearance is unexpected,” Flog went on. “I also know that my word is all I have. I have nothing to prove to anyone except you and the boy. I did not expect open arms. And I know I may never receive them.”

Barclay looked around and they each left the decision up to him.

“Tonight is not meant for retribution,” Barclay said. “But you may start by delivering your warning. Who else knows we’re here?”

The others had forgotten Flog’s earlier words.

“I do not know how anyone has followed you,” Flog explained. “My last few hours were a struggle to knock on the door.”

“You’ve been watching us?” Allon asked.

“Yes. But in my hesitation, I’ve learned that an army is approaching.”

“How do you know that?” Kel asked.

“I saw two of the locals running past me mumbling something about soldiers marching towards Etheral. I ran after them and had them explain. They confirmed a rumor about a large body of men falling on the city within the hour.”

Allon opened the door and stepped onto the porch. He looked around but saw and heard no one. He tried to fly off the porch but stayed routed to the spot.

“They have brought an Obfuscator,” Kel whispered from the doorway. “Everyone prepare for a fight.”

“I don’t feel ill,” Allon said. “Are you sure it’s not something else?”

Jay used his vision again. “I see hundreds of soldiers moving towards the house,” he said, scanning the hills.

“I don’t see soldiers,” Allon said, looking beyond the porch.

“They’re coming from the southeast. Beyond the hills.”

Allon tried to throw fire but failed. “They have made me angry.” He twirled his huge ax between his hands.

Kel threw the table over. The noise surprised Jay and he looked in his direction. Beyond the north wall lay the sea, and six warships taking position.

“I see ships,” Jay said.

A faint low pop stopped everyone.

“Cannon fire!” Allon yelled.

Jay saw a small object fly through the air. “It won’t hit us.”

Beyond the house a loud thud was heard when the ball hit the sand. Another low pop followed.

“They’ve fired again,” Allon said.

Barclay and Jay joined Allon outside. The ball was invisible in the darkness.

Jay followed the whistle and saw a sparkle of moonlight reflect the instant before it hit the house. He reached for it and produced what looked like a bolt of lightning out of his hand. He held the ball for a moment before throwing it out to sea.

Allon didn’t know what to say.

“That was beautiful,” Quinn said in awe, standing in the doorway.

This was the third time Barclay had seen Jay stop objects in mid-flight and he knew his technique was getting stronger.

“Here they come,” Allon said when he saw the soldier’s armor reflect in the moonlight. “Quinn, Kel, I will need your assistance.”

Quinn shook the adoration and ran off the porch. Kel followed her outside, strapping other weapons around his belt.

Flog hopped to the door. “Free me.”

Barclay ignored him.

“I am not here to harm you,” he pleaded. “I am an excellent swordsman. I can help.”

“I’ve seen better,” Barclay said. He was far from trusting him.

“Why would I have warned you?” he yelled.

Jay caught another cannon ball and threw it into the water.

The first wave of soldiers arrived, and everyone took on more than a normal person could handle.

Allon’s large ax whirled through the air, swooshing through several soldiers with each powerful blow. He cut his own path through the waves of men. Quinn stuck to his back and fired arrows at a pace more rapid than anything Jay or Barclay had seen. Their tandem motion prevented the soldiers from getting close.

Kel fought another squadron without their assistance and from how quick he stepped, Jay thought he looked more like a jumping spider with a sword in each hand.

The defensive stand Kel, Allon, and Quinn produced left little for Barclay to do but admire their skills. But before long, a small group managed to get through. Barclay spun and dropped a soldier with one swing and knocked another unconscious with his elbow.

Jay stayed behind the fighting, near the house, watching the sky for additional cannon fire. After throwing three more out to sea he knew what he had to do. The next ball he caught, he held until another ship fired. The brief flash gave away the ship’s location. He threw the ball towards the ship before catching what they had just sent. After three of the ships began taking on water, the others stopped firing.

Flog managed to free himself using one of Kel’s spears and ran onto the porch. He grabbed his weapons and headed for Jay.

Barclay saw him and tried to grab him, but the soldiers demanded his concentration and all he managed to do was trip him into the sand a few times. “Jay!” Barclay called out, but he was too far away to penetrate the noise of the battle.

Jay was watching the sea for more cannon fire and failed to notice three charging soldiers.

Flog blocked the downward swing of the lead sword and removed his head with his follow through. Jay turned around to see a headless man still standing and Flog stabbing his sword through another soldier’s chest. The third soldier lost courage and ran.

“Stay safe,” Flog said, before running off. “I’ll help Barclay.”

Jay watched Flog join Barclay and immediately the two were encircled by a sea of soldiers. The others fared better, but they too had their hands full.

Jay knew if he stopped watching the ships that they would fire again. He needed to gain an advantage. Looking seaward he altered his vision to see the outline of the ships. Once he saw them all, he dug deep and grabbed hold of each one. He knew it would take all his strength and he focused until he had a firm hold. A white glow covered him, and six spider web tandems exploded to the sea and surrounded the ships. With the ships in tow, Jay slowly raised his hands over his head. The motion lifted the ships out of the water and gradually launched them into the sky. Jay agonized at the weight. He heard some of the men shouting and some jumping overboard. When the weight became too much he released them all. The glow disappeared, and he steadied his legs. When the ships hit the water, they broke to pieces and sank, causing a brief pause in the battle. The noise shook some of the soldiers and many fled.

Some heard stories of whom they were seeking and the stories of the previous battle at the Condle Bridge. Most however, stayed, and when Jay turned around he watched the battle intensify again.

Jay saw a group of archers take position to the left of Kel and he popped beside him just as the soldiers backed off to clear a path for the archers. When they fired in unison, Jay grabbing their array of arrows, blinding the soldiers standing on each side with his brilliant glow and threw them back at the archers. Jay then teleported back to the house.

Kel started to talk to Jay before he noticed he was not at his side. He called out to him and tried to wave him over, but Jay didn’t see him.

Jay watched Allon and Quinn continue their dance, but the soldiers were pressing hard. He looked around for options and remembered a stack of split wood behind the house. He hurried around the house and stood in front of the large pile. He decided on a similar technique Allon used and picked up a small log. Concentrating on the log, he set the top half ablaze. He moved around the corner again and propelled the log towards a soldier nearest Allon. The log knocked the soldier square in the face.

Quinn and Allon looked in Jay’s direction when they saw the area behind the house grow bright. Some of the soldiers saw it as well and watched countless half-burning logs rise above the roof, connected to delicate white tethers.

One of the logs shot at a soldier, knocking him to the ground, then another and another, and then at once the remaining logs hurled at the unprepared men.

The confusion allowed Quinn and Allon enough time to regain an advantage, but it also attracted the attention of a large host towards Jay.

He teleported down the beach and squatted behind the boulders. He watched his friends hold their ground but saw additional soldiers poured over the hill.

Behind him, Jay heard the men splashing in the sea, some swimming, others drowning. Several men crawled out of the water and collapsed in the wet sand. Another man walked out of the sea and sprinted past him towards the fight.

After the man passed, Jay noticed a faint light on top of Point Yeath. He squinted, but the distance was too great. He decided to take a chance and teleported to the edge of the cliff. He appeared behind three individuals standing with their backs to a low fire. The moment he appeared, two men on the outside of the group turned and sent arrows. Jay didn’t blink before white light shot out of his hand. He grabbed the arrows and sent them back to the men who shot them. The three around the fire turned and froze.

Jay stood more than thirty feet away from the fire and his face was hard to make out.

“Who is it?” Philo asked. “Is it him?”

“Who goes there?” Seneca yelled.

“Don’t listen to them,” Baid said, calmly walking past the three Idols, stopping next to the fire. “They fear you.”

“Who are you?” Jay asked.

“My name is Baid,” he answered. “I have searched the world for you.”

“Why?”

Baid held his tongue and let a sinister smile stretch out on one side of his face.

Jay grew uneasy at his hesitation.

“This is an historic evening,” Baid said, looking to the Idols. “Truly historic.” Baid looked deep into Jay’s eyes when he spoke the last two words.

Jay looked past him and saw his three pockets of friends surrounded by an endless army. They could not gain an advantage. “End this!” He demanded.

“You want to end this?” Baid asked. “Stand still.”

Jay watched Baid clinch his fists and punch them together. His mind went foggy and the ground began to spin, but he shook it off and stood erect.

The Idols were amazed. Baid’s eyes widened.

Jay tried to teleport back to the beach but didn’t leave the Point.

“Grab him,” Baid commanded.

Another man, hooded in a fine robe and breathing like an animal, ran up the slope at a blistering pace. He grabbed onto Jay’s arm and stood still.

“Take him,” Baid said.

“I cannot,” the man said more like a bear.

Jay was terrified of the man’s appearance, but in his mind, he screamed, get away from me, and the man let go and teleported behind Baid.

Baid had no explanation.

Jay continued to try to leave and after winning the battle in his head, appeared back on the beach.

He looked up to the Point and knew he and his friends had to leave.

“You let him go,” Seneca said, stepping towards Baid.

Jay looked at the countless men and thought hard about the best way to stop the fighting. The soldiers were so close to his friends and he feared being struck by a swinging sword if he teleported near them.

The swords, he thought, that’s it.

Jay stood on the boulder and thought hard about every weapon carried by the soldiers. After a moment, he closed his eyes and connected to a single sword. Blocking out every distraction of the battle, he systematically grabbed hold of each sword and dagger. From Point Yeath, the Idols, and Baid, watched a brilliant spectacle grow from a single strand until the entire beach and distant hills were covered. The fighting stopped, and everyone looked on in wonder.

When Jay knew he had all the weaponry, he raised them above the heads of the soldiers. Some tried to hold tight, but those men fell hard to the sand. Jay kept his eyes closed and swiftly moved the hundreds of blades high into the air towards Point Yeath.

Awestruck and confused, Baid and the Idols watched the weapons gather over their heads and descend. The Idols came together around the fire. Baid disappeared.

The swords continued their gradual descent until they created a dome around the Idols. They were stuck in the most unique prison imaginable.

Zane ran up the hill and shielded his eyes. He was forced to watch from the outside.

Jay opened his eyes and thought about killing them, but he withheld and backed the swords away before dropping them around the Idols.

“Zane!” Seneca yelled.

Zane ran across the bladed ground and took Seneca’s arm. The two others grabbed onto Zane’s legs.

“Go!” Seneca ordered.

Zane allowed himself a gentle smirk before they left Point Yeath.

Jay watched the men vanish and returned to his friends. A few of the soldiers tried to fight, but without weapons they were helpless.

Jay teleported to Kel first.

“You can teleport?” Kel asked.

“Yes,” Jay said, not realizing he controlled their exit.

“Take me to the porch and get everyone together.”

Jay nodded and brought Kel to the porch.

“You can take us to Dek. We’ll go from there.”

Kel ran inside while Jay teleported behind Allon and Quinn. He brought them back in a blink and looked for Barclay. He and Flog were in a tight fight again, clanking swords with the soldiers. Somehow, they had retained their weapons. The two were fighting for their lives. They were surrounded, and Jay didn’t see how to get to him.

Barclay glanced to the house and saw the group together and realized what they were doing. He knew both of them were not going to make it and pushed deep within. “Hold onto something,” he yelled.

Flog punched away his attacker and stabbed his sword into the sand.

Kel came back on to the porch.

Barclay dropped his swords and punched the sand hard with both hands, digging deep beneath the surface. The effort propelled a thick wave of sand, shoving the soldiers back. He grabbed Flog around his collar and picked him up off the ground. “If you harm him I will kill you. Earn your penance.” Barclay moved his hands in front of Flog and used his last ounce of strength to throw him at the feet of the others. He made eye contact with Jay before the hooded man in a fine robe appeared behind him and the two disappeared.

The group ran onto the sand.

“Barclay!” Kel yelled.

“He’s gone,” Allon said, in disbelief.

“Are you alright?” Quinn asked.

Jay was staring at the ground when his eyes turned blood red and a thick, crimson mist seeped out of his garments.

Flog remembered the last time Jay turned red and shouted a warning. “Hold on to something.”

Jay let out a scream, followed by an explosive pulse, knocking his friends to their knees, forcing them to hold on for their lives. The soldiers were less fortunate. The continuous force compressed the sand at his feet. The floating chunks of broken ships were pushed away from the shore. Soldiers were thrown in every direction. Most didn’t survive.

“Jay!” Quinn screamed, holding his name in a long tone, trying to get through. She held tight to Allon’s ankle. “Jay, you have to stop. We will find Barclay. I know Ahern can find him.”

Her words had no effect.

“Jay! We need you to stop,” she continued pleading. “We need you to come back to us.”

Her words were like talking against a strong wind. Only she heard them, and she feared her grip would fail soon. She called out to him one last time and felt the winds ease. Her efforts began to settle Jay enough for the others to stand against the heavy, sand-filled wind. Once the red began to dissipate they ran down the slope of the small crater and came to his side.

Kel picked up Quinn.

“Let’s get out of here,” Allon yelled.

Jay fell to his knees, smashing the thin crust of crystalized sand that had formed around his feet. He covered his face and sobbed.

Kel and Allon looked around. Kel’s house was ripped in half.

Flog stepped to Jay and knelt down. “I do not intend to replace him, but I will fill his shoes until he returns.”

The three still didn’t trust him but knew Barclay had saved him for a reason. They had no choice but to bring him along.

“I swear it to you,” Flog finished, extending his hand.

“Are you good?” Kel asked.

Quinn teleported ten feet away and back to the same spot. “Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

Quinn grabbed Jay’s arm while the others joined hands. She looked around one last time before they vanished from the beach.

The softly falling snow stuck to the ends of Jay’s frazzled, sand-filled hair. The smell of the sea was gone, replaced by fresh mountain air. He didn’t know where he was, and he didn’t care. He let go of Quinn’s hand and hugged himself. His glow was gone.

Kel walked around the group and squatted in front of him. He thought hard about what to say but the words felt inadequate. He looked up to Quinn, but she shook her head, releasing a tear. “Jay,” he said softly. “Jay, I need you to listen. I know how you feel. And I’m not saying that to make you forget your friend. Quinn was right when she said Ahern can get him back. And he is the man who wants to meet you.” He turned his head and stood.

Jay licked his lips and turned his head. Beside them stood a well-kept, simple home, made of stone and logs. The short pathway to the home was lit by two steady rows of tall torches with several more burning near the house. Tall pines surrounded the front and back, partially protecting it from the coming storm.

The rest of the group took a moment to admire the old, homely appeal.

Quinn wiped her eyes and extended her hand. “Come Jay. Let’s get out of the cold.”

Allon walked past them and headed up the steps. When he reached the top, he turned around and scanned the area. His ax was still at the ready.

Jay looked up at Quinn and then to her hand. Slowly, he reached up let her pull him to his feet.

Flog didn’t know what to do. Almost by accident he arrived in Etheral and through the misfortune and sacrifice of Barclay, he stood on the doorstep of the most powerful man in the world. The picturesque home was a type Flog envisioned sharing with Spree, if he ever saw her again.

Kel walked to Flog. “What do you see?”

“I see a home,” he answered.

Kel nodded. “How many lights do you count in the second-floor window?”

“There is no second floor.”

“Good,” Kel said. “Now I trust you.”

Flog’s look begged an explanation.

“Ahern is the most wanted man in the world,” Kel explained. “The Idols are searching for him everywhere. He knows he must stay hidden to protect himself and those he cares for.”

Flog waited for Kel to tell him something he didn’t know.

“The home has a powerful concealment spell,” he explained. “One can only see the house if he intends no harm to Ahern or his friends, now or in the future.”

Flog looked at the house again and back to Kel.

“That is why I trust you.”

Moving away, Kel reached the bottom step with Quinn & Jay.

Allon still looked out for trouble. He saw Flog rooted to the spot. “Ahern will want to meet you,” Allon said, strapping his ax on his back.

“Come inside,” Quinn said, “this storm will last all night.”

Flog walked the narrow path already turning a solid white, and slowly climbed the steps. He waited in back while Kel knocked twice with the large metal ornamental knocker.

They heard the wood flooring creek as someone made their way through the house. The person didn’t ask who they were and removed a latch before opening the door.

Partially hiding behind Kel, Jay still held onto Quinn’s hand. He peeked inside and saw a middle-aged man with a large grin.

“Kel!” the man said, and he took a step forward and embraced him. “It’s been too long.” He put his hands on his shoulders to look him in his eyes. “What has happened?”

“Ahern,” Kel said, stepping to the side, “this is Jay Plough.”

Ahern smiled wide and went to one knee. “Yes, you are,” he said, taking his hand. “You look like your father.”

Jay was glad to finally meet Ahern, but he didn’t return the smile. He didn’t say anything.

Ahern looked deep into his eyes and his smile faded. “What has happened?” he asked again.

“Barclay was taken,” Allon said.

Ahern broke from Jay and stood.

Jay slid back against Quinn.

“We were ambushed in Etheral,” Kel began to explain.

Ahern raised his hand. “Before you say more, come inside.”

“Ahern,” Allon said, stopping him before he could turn around. “I apologize, but we have a spare.”

Everyone parted to give Ahern a clear line of sight. Ahern took two steps towards him and stopped. He stared for a moment, looking him up and down. “You are King Rolla’s great-grandson.”

Flog nodded in surprise.

“Come inside,” Ahern repeated, “all of you.”

Jay felt the warmth of the fire when he walked through the foyer. Quinn led him across the room to a chair near the fire.

“Put your weapons here,” Allon instructed Flog. “You have no need for them.”

Flog did as he was told.

“Allon, Quinn, it is good to see you,” Ahern said. “I know we have much to discuss, but the hour is late. We should retire until morning. Sleep will clear your minds. We will discuss what happened after breakfast. Kel, will you show Flog where he may rest?”

Kel nodded and led Flog out of the room. Quinn rose and followed. Jay stayed in his chair.

Ahern walked to him and looked down. He saw a young man with a broken heart.

Jay, Ahern thought.

Jay looked up.

Do not trouble yourself with Barclay. He is in good hands.

Jay lost some of his sadness, confused at Ahern’s voice in his head.

It is talent I will teach you, but not tonight.

“Allon, will you take Jay to the room next to mine?”

Allon moved forward, but Jay did not rise.

“Rest,” Ahern said, patting his shoulder with a smile. “We will have time to talk in the morning.”

Jay walked away, finding it difficult to feel anything but deep sadness. He wanted to be alone. No, he wanted to be with Barclay and Nuvi and Arina on Taq. He resented his decision to accept Ahern’s invitation and took the ring off before he reached his room. Once alone, he sat on the edge of a soft bed and looked around. Three candles burned on dressers to his right and left. He ran his hand over the soft blankets and thought about what to do. How could Ahern bring Barclay back? He wanted to teleport to Taq but arriving without Barclay would cause more problems. He had no place to go, and though he didn’t like it, he had to trust the others.

He crawled under the covers without undressing and pulled the blankets tight around his neck. His loneliness would not leave. He wanted his living nightmare to end. He tried to clear his mind, but the final image of Barclay disappearing wouldn’t leave. He slid deeper under his sheets and pulled them over his head but even in the darkness he saw Barclay’s face. Jay had never felt this level of destruction. He closed his eyes and pleaded for the day to end. Eventually, his request was granted, but his dreams did little to comfort him.