The Forgotten Land of Myria

Chapter 14 – Bad News and Rock Climbing

ROY

The disaster in Brisbane. Just thinking about it terrorizes me. But there was one moment, right around when the wave crashed and I hit the water, where everything in me stopped. My blood went solid, pulse stopped, my lungs seemed to have dried up completely and every fiber of muscle, up to the tip of my fingers, felt like glass. That was probably just a split-second, but it felt like a whole minute.

This was longer. It was too intense. I could barely hear the horns playing, or the hundreds of storming feet that marched their way towards the monument. I could barely see the elders that stood in front of me. Images and glimpses circled my mind. I looked down and the glass floor seemed to be getting closer and closer, and only when my knees slammed onto the cold tiles did I come back to my senses.

Alice. Little Alice. Completely defenseless. Harmless. What would Theon want with her? It angered me. Too much. I pounded the glass tiles uncontrollably with my fists.

“It-it can’t be! It can’t,” I yelled in anger. “I’ve been with her forever! I know her better than anybody else!”

I was furious. Bitter tears streamed down my face.

“What do you know about her?”

“Quite more than you think!” the Chairman in the far right snapped, as he rose, towering over me.

There was dead silence. Their expressions were plain, no more sympathy, and I realized how loudly I had said that--I didn’t care. I felt a strange heat begin to swirl in my stomach, rising like a volcano. The gloves were off. Eleazar swooped me up, just as I lunged at the Chairman, who proceeded with no reaction. Eleazar’s grip sent icy waves through my ribs shutting down the volcanic sensation until it dissolved in my belly. I continued thrashing with no aim, exhausting myself completely. Eleazar’s frozen hands melted into a comforting hug--a softness I’d never felt before.

“Both of you will commence training tomorrow. In a week’s time, you will report back here to embark.” Still a bit embarrassed by my reaction, I simply nodded and headed out as fast as I could, Angus following up behind me.

“Well,” Eleazar said out of earshot. “Those aren’t exactly the right people to set off on.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, avoiding eye contact. “I just--”

“Save it. Don’t be sorry, for it wasn’t wrong what you said. Impulsiveness can come in handy if you know how to handle when it comes, and when it doesn’t. It’s all about your posture.” He chuckled a bit, reassuring me. “As for today,” he began, “for the time being, we have arranged a campsite for you two, where your training venues will be near at hand.”

He gestured towards the same wooden carriage that had brought us. Eleazar climbed onto the driver’s seat, gave the rein a yank and we were off. Again, the horses were surprisingly fast and the ride was quiet. I was just too tired to fight anymore. If training was what it would take to save Alice then I would do it.

“Just behind these woods is your campsite. It’s a tad away from Roonbottam, the dwelling of the Grogans.”

“So we’re in Timbervale?” Angus asked.

“Just right. Well, look who’s been picking up on things!” Eleazar grinned. “I’ll be off. Sky and Livia will be waiting for you at the camp. Just follow the smoke signal.”

They were. And it was some campsite. Four sturdy striped tents were stretched out over a large field. In the center of the field was a fire that had five dead rabbits roasting on a stick. I wolfed down one after another and, still hungry, was shut inside my tent in no time. I blacked out immediately. Completely drained.

The next day Sky and Livia waited for us outside. They wore full armor under leather robes, tied with belts. Sky held a thin crisp metal bow, with a quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder and a hard-brown paper case, and Livia had three sharp daggers with red carved hilts dangling at her belt and a huge spear almost her size strapped behind her back. I turned to Angus.

“Your first camping trip?” He looked as if he hadn’t slept all night. “So are we a duo?” I asked, curiously.

He glanced at me maniacally. “I’m just as surprised,” he snapped back.

“You guys won’t necessarily be a duo,” Livia said. “In fact, you’re each going to be on your own. You’ll just be going through some tests together. And here--”

She opened a small satchel and took out what looked like a fruit salad cookie. She tossed one to each of us. Needless to say, it was delicious. At that moment, we heard a loud horn sound in the woods near us--I swear, Myrians used horns for literally everything. This one, however, was different from the one at Musgrave Pen. It was high-pitched and melodic, almost like a singing voice.

“What was that?” Angus asked.

“One of the guilds, Teva, is holding evaluation trials. They have a camp set up by the lake just a few minutes into the woods.”

“Evaluation trials?” Sky contested. “For what Order?”

“I believe it’s the Hunters,” Livia responded.

“Do you think Kazko can get promoted to Lower Warden?”

“I doubt it,” Livia said. “Safira looks like a pretty good candidate.”

That name rang in my ear. “Safira?” I asked. “Who’s Safira?”

“No one of your interest,” Livia snapped, “for now. Do you have your things ready?”

Angus and I nodded simultaneously.

“By the way, you two will need these boots,” Sky said, handing me a pair of rusted metal-armored boots. “Off to Sodamhill!”

After we had put on another one of Livia’s ridiculous robe things, we began on a boggy swamp trail topped of tree trunks, gunk and slime. My feet sank into wet dirt with every pace and cold mud clung to our ankles in between steps. The boots Sky had given me felt like they weighed over 20 pounds, coming off as a lot heavier now that they were covered in mud. We hopped logs and waded through ponds. The whole thing was exhausting. Although, I could tell Angus had to make a much bigger effort since his feet came up short for the boots.

At one point, we were surrounded by quick sand that we had to run through for half a mile, meaning if you fell or hesitated, you would sink. During the whole drill, Sky and Livia would take easier paths so while we were drenched, they barely broke a sweat.

By midday I thought those “exercises” were over, until we came across a 35-foot rock wall. Livia, who had been leading stopped in front of it.

“So, uh, there’s a way around, right?” said Angus, with a terribly frightened look.

“Why sure,” Livia responded.

“Great, where is it?”

Sky grinned. “You’re not taking the way around. You’re climbing.”

I heard Angus gulp hard.

“See you on the other side,” Livia said, waving as she began to walk away.

“Hey, wait! How are we supposed to climb this?” I asked. No response. Sky stayed with us just a couple of feet behind to ensure we had a secure start. Angus walked up to the wall and attempted to reach for a small dent to get an impulse, but stumbled back onto the ground. He tried a few times, only to make Sky laugh harder, and make himself look like a bigger doofus. Embarrassed, he backed away.

I then decided to try. I was exhausted, but I took a few steps back and pinpointed a small bump within my reach. Taking a deep breath, I trotted towards it through the clanking boots, and took a leap, grasping it with two hands and yanking myself into a start. The weight of the boots made my legs cramp and ache, but I ignored it and started climbing, bit by bit. Angus hadn’t left the ground yet, giving Sky even more excuses to joke around. I noticed he was getting angry.

When I was about halfway I found a lump a few feet up. Pushing down with all my might I mantled myself up and reached for the lump, pressing my knee against the previous hold I was hanging onto. The next hold turned out to be hollow and it broke apart when I grabbed it. Falling off balance, the knee I was laying on slipped and I skidded down the wall. All my muscles tensed. In a desperate act, I skimmed my hands over the wall until I felt a gap. Hanging by one hand, I grasped it through slipping fingers and flung myself to a safe hold. I had dropped down about 7 feet. I noticed a gash on my left knee. The pain stung and my legs felt heavier than ever because of the boots.

“Careful, you little waskaway!” Sky yelled.

“I’m fine,” I muttered.

Angus had finally gotten a start and was grunting around 6 or 7 feet off the ground. I took another deep breath and proceeded climbing, trying not to use my left leg. Bump by bump, dent by dent, I inched my way towards the last hold that stood 4 feet from the top. My legs began to cramp violently and my fingers trembled. I pressed my head against the rock wall. Slowly, I released my legs from the hold. My hands slipped slightly, but I held my grip as I dangled, holding on with my sweaty hands. I concentrated and swung myself from side to side. I felt my hands slip some more and in one fling, I pivoted my whole body to my right, and my legs met the top. Slowly, I picked myself up until I was standing over the ninety-degree steep wall. Angus was inching up about 10 feet down. I let out a cry and waved towards Sky, who applauded briefly.

“Not bad,” Livia said behind me. I sat down on top of the rock wall, admiring my effort. Angus showed up around ten minutes later, staggering in pain, with Sky right behind him. I could tell he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

“Where to now?” he asked, going straight to the point. “How about a nice cool down,” Sky said.

The path ahead led to an enormous dark shimmering lagoon that, after all the suffering back at the rock wall, seemed like paradise.

“You can take off your boots for now,” Livia said. Hearing that was music to my ears. I yanked them off and tossed them behind me, not even bothering with where they landed. Saying that I felt light as a feather was too little to describe it. When I jumped, it felt as if I was in the air for five seconds longer than usual. I felt a rush of relief as I dove into the black lake. A few of my cuts and bruises stung a bit, but it was soothing. I closed my eyes and it felt like I was swimming in the billabong under a waterfall I always went to in Brisbane.

Angus, finally built up the will to jump in as well and we relaxed for about half an hour before climbing back out.

“So what’re we doing now?” I asked, fully pumped.

“Combat,” Sky said. “Hand to hand combat.”

We arrived at a place that was organized sort of like a naturally formed arena. Short, thick, rock walls rose up around it, and light brown sand covered the floor. Around the borders, five cone shaped trunks, one on each corner, arched to the center point and met, about 15 feet above head reach.

Outside, the “sandbox” tall pine trees surrounded the perimeter.

“Let’s see what I have to work with,” Sky smirked.

At first, he had us try to immobilize him. We took turns and Angus was first. Obviously, he went for the head lock, only to find himself being flipped over Sky’s shoulder onto the sand. Next, I was up. In no time, I found myself coiled under Sky’s sturdy arm.

Various attempts. No results. Sky then proceeded to the teaching. He taught us quite a few handy things. Things like where to punch or kick someone most effectively, and the ideal spots that, if hit hard enough, would cause effects like fainting, paralysis, or even death (“Those are the only things that will come in handy in this quest,” he would say.)

“How about we step it up a bit, shall we?” Livia said, taking out two daggers, and tossing me one. It was light, but tough to wield. It took some getting used to. Angus and I took turns, until we had a small spar against each other, which ended with him losing his grip and almost digging the dagger into my shoulder--if I hadn’t dodged it and ruined his chance.

“Well, since you two seem to like each other so much,” Livia said, “let’s get to our next task. Arrows and spears.” She undid the knot on her leather flap and pulled out her spear. Sky strung his bow. Another bank of sand, this time similar to a shooting range, stretched just around the pentagon, except where you would usually find targets or dummies, you found-- nothing. Just the field and muddy margins.

“What are we shooting at?” I asked. I couldn’t help but admit that I was eager for such a task. Back home, Jenna and I loved going to shooting ranges. I first learned to shoot when I was thirteen, though Ben was completely against it. Of course, back home we used guns. I always thought these weapons--arrows and spears--were the coolest things, but never imagined having to use them now, on a soon-to-come life-and-death journey.

“I guess it’s a good time to teach you this,” Livia replied. She stepped into the field. Towards the middle was a small shrine with an open scroll and a sharp wooden shaft. Placing one hand on the scroll, she carved three symbols into it with the same blade she gave Eleazar to carve into that tree the day we arrived.

One by one, three beasts materialized right in front of us. Yes, beast would be the best way to describe it. They had spikes that ran down their spines and heavy hooves for feet. The only thing that wasn’t startling about them was the fact that they barely seemed to notice us.

“Don’t worry,” Livia patted my shoulder. “They’re just summoned creatures. They won’t do you any harm unless told to.”

“Comforting,” I replied, still keeping an eye out to make sure they wouldn’t charge at me.

After getting used to their presence, we were allowed to wield the weapons, “upon instruction”. I went for the spear first. It was only a head shorter than me, with the metal end shimmering in the sunlight. Since it was so intimidating, it stood out the most to me.

Angus got the bow and arrow, and Sky instructed him while Livia had me with the spear. It took me about an hour just to get the right throwing stance down and learn how to aim. As I predicted, my first shot at one of the beasts was a disaster. The spear barely sailed five yards, like a wobbly rugby ball. Angus wasn’t doing much better either. He had gotten stung in the arm by the bowstring in his first try.

I tried a second time. This time it flew pretty straight, but fell practically right in front of me. Third time. No less embarrassing. Fourth, fifth, sixth. I realized this would take triple the training I was getting, because by the end of the day I had thrown around forty-five times without hitting any of the beasts, or getting any farther than 10 yards. I wondered if it had anything to do with me being exhausted and not having enough strength to throw the large spear. At some point, I had tried the bow and arrow, but I ended up almost ripping the feathering apart because I wasn’t holding it properly, so I decided it was best to leave shooting to Angus--who had had about as much progress as me. Basically, none.

Although I was beat, I couldn’t seem to doze off that night. I tried my best to ignore the aching, but all I did was toss and turn in the small cot until I gave up trying and got up and went out. The night was cold and gloomy, but I figured it was better than my tent so I sat for a while. I took some time to gather my thoughts, thinking about my disappointing training day. It wasn’t all pessimism though. I’d had a pretty good feel of the places, learned some things to get me started, and, despite making a fool of myself, I found a perfectly suitable weapon. The spear. Anyone else would think I’m crazy for liking it, since I was a wreck, but I couldn’t really explain it. I just identified with it. That’s when the thought of Alice came back. I felt my fists clench tightly. I had started to get my mind off it with the training but here it was again.

I hated this. I hated the fact that my memories of her had been stained. I couldn’t think of anything cheerful about her without falling back into the reality that she had been kidnapped. I just couldn’t stand not being able to do anything about it right this second. I couldn’t stand the one week wait.

I looked up towards the starlit sky, and the star--I could swear they smiled at me. I had never seen a sky so full--even in Noosa...

At that moment, I realized something kind of heavy—but kind of cool, too. I wasn’t alone. I had a whole society that had probably gone through far worse stuff than me at my side. For the first time, there were people willing to train me and help me get through this. Knowing everyone was asleep, I let down my guard and cried desperately.

It’s okay I thought, consoling myself. Just let it all out, now. I bawled like a baby, for many reasons, and for the first time, as well, I truly believed I was part of it. The Forgotten Land of Myria. Just something about it. From then on, I no longer ignored flashbacks from my past. Instead, I started setting goals for the future.

The next day we repeated the same drills of running in the heavyweight boots and climbing the rock wall. It seemed to have gotten a tad easier. That day we focused on survival, learning methods of camouflage, animal traps, ambush, and plain survival. We learned how to carve out our own weapons, and, with only what’s at hand, make our own clothing and armor. The basics. We had another shot at combat, but this time with short swords. According to Sky, they’re lighter and more agile than long swords, but drew less damage.

On the third night of training, I had another session of tossing and turning in my tent. This time, excitement kept me up. Excitement, and a bit of nervousness, I admit. In a way, I knew that despite all the training I was unprepared to take on a quest. Even if I had a bunch of skilled fighters with me. I was way unprepared. I would need around double the preparation I was getting to at least keep up with them.

That’s when I had an idea, that, after much debating, I decided to go through with. I would have to train on night shifts as well. It took me another half hour to build up the courage. Silently, I slipped out of my tent and clunked the boots on. Livia’s spear was leaning on a tree. I checked around like I was committing a crime, and strapped the spear onto my back.

Even though I knew the easy way, I decided if I was going to do this, I’d have to do it to its fullest, so I forced myself to take the “warmup” way. It was even tougher at night. It seemed as if the quicksand had gotten quicker and I had to double the effort, not knowing where I was stepping exactly. The stars only lit up so much of the night under the trees.

Fortunately, I had watched Livia that day and figured out how to summon the beasts. In no time, I was throwing, gradually getting better. My throws were getting farther and straighter, and even my aim was spot on. It was as if I had come alive during the night.

At one point, I actually hit one of the beasts. It was nothing much- it barely grazed its arm- but it counted as progress. That’s when I realized the field had already started to shimmer, so I decided it was good enough for tonight. I scurried back to the camp, arriving by dawn with just a few minutes to spare before Sky gave the wakeup call. I did my best to make everything look untouched and it was pretty convincing, except I was sweating. I used the excuse that the tent was scorching, which it was, but I knew I hadn’t fooled Livia. Before we headed out, she dragged me aside.

“You know I’m not very fond of people taking my spear without permission,” she whispered. I staggered.

“I- uh- I don’t know what to say,” I responded.

“Say nothing,” she snapped back, “because I won’t either.” Her straight face slipped into a grin. “Listen, I know how hard this can be for you. All of this. I know that you’ve been sleeping in tears.”

“You-you do?” I tried to hide my blushing, but her face lit up making me comfortable with it.

“Of course. But more importantly because you’re fighting with a purpose far bigger than just defending Myria. You have a value. Your sister. I know how determined you are to save her and that’s why I’m not going to stand in the way of that.” She smiled once again, and I smiled back.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” I began but she interrupted me.

“Thank me by keeping it up,” she said. “Oh, and one more hint. When spear-throwing, people like to aim either for the heart or the head of the opponent. Do me a favor and ignore those two spots. Go for the neck.”

“The neck?” I frowned. She nodded. “It’s the most vulnerable part of your opponent’s body. While they have body armor and helmets, the neck always stands unguarded. Trust me.”

I nodded in assurance, thanking her once again.

So that night, after the training, I allowed myself a short nap before I headed off to the shooting range just so I wouldn’t collapse.

I summoned the beasts and began shooting. Gradually, it grew more accurate and stronger until I finally hit one of the beasts again, this time a full hit to the shoulder. I plucked out the spear and took position forty yards back. The neck, I thought. Just a little more to your right. I thrusted back, and, with a grunt, sent the spear flying upward, coming down right on the beast’s neck. A bright grin slid onto my face and I punched the air in celebration. That’s when I noticed something was wrong.

A sheet of silver armor covered the two other beasts from head to toe and they began moving. They were noticing me now, and charged towards me. I was confused as to how that happened. I had carved the scroll identically both times, but this time they were alive and furious. Looking closely, I noticed their necks were the only spots uncovered.

Livia, I thought. She must’ve done this so I could step it up a notch. I decided to take the challenge, constantly reminding myself that they weren’t real. I dodged past one of them and ran towards the first one that had fallen dead, yanking the spear from its neck.

When I turned one of the beasts was already onto me. I took position but panicked, and threw the spear weakly. It bonked the beast on the forehead and fell lightly to its side. I ran towards it, ducking and rolling, as I scooped up the spear. I backed up and aimed, this time looking straight down the shaft, and locked onto its neck. Taking a step back, I hurled it. It flew straight and violently stabbed the second beast’s neck.

I lunged at the falling beast, landing on its chest, and pulled out the spear just as the third beast swung at me. It was a few moments too slow as I had a split-second to jump off the second beast’s body, and send the spear flying to the third beast’s scruff. We fell simultaneously and I yanked the spear out one last time.

I gave myself a moment to catch my breath as I looked around. Three fallen bodies, with a javelin mark on each neck.

I had done it. This was progress. I attached the spear onto my back and walked out in triumph, looking back at my work once again.

I grinned. For Alice.