AESSA'S CHILDREN
BOOK ONE -- THE LAST BORDER
By V. A. Watts
(c) 1993

NOTE: This work is under a registered copyright and unauthorized distribution is prohibited and will be prosecuted. All characters are fictional and of my own invention. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Note on pronunciation: Proper Names and nouns within the language most commonly used on Aessa, Lliyassean, allow that each letter have its own sound. The first vowel in each word is long, the following vowels hold the short sound. Therefore, the name Thana is pronounced: T-HAYN-AH. Maygra is MAY-IH-G-RAH, Kieri is KI-ERR-IH, and Jael is JAY-EL. Diminutives such as Jai and Mag are pronounced as written, so Jai would be Ji (long "I") and Mag would be Mag with a short "a". The use of glottal stops is pervasive. Words ending in "I" are masculine gendered, "a" indicates feminine gender, "n" indicates plurals. Partial Glossary is at the end of each chapter.
 

CHAPTER ONE
 

"Wanderers shall you be, and your children--peace will be but a brief haven, enough only to set you on your way again, to flee and fight the very cause of your creation until the doors of Chaos are forever sealed; then might you rest for all eternity until all that is, ceases to be. This is your Gift and your curse. Wanderers you are and saviors you shall be and you shall be called -- Kieri."

The Book of Kieron and Aval

The snows falling on the peaks of Itheron Grae came as a mixed blessing to the Kieri in Rhema. Snow meant the long dry season was over, but it also heralded a different threat. The heavy snow above often found its way down the slope -- and nothing anyone could do could save them from the ravages of an avalanche.

The High Watch was established long before any of the present occupants of the great Keep was born. The original Border Watch established the tradition for a different purpose -- now it was an early warning system for natural disasters.

Tradition on the High Watch demanded half the four member team be two year veterans of the Watch and one of the four have the Gift of Sight and one of Voice. Eight years in the Watch qualified Jael for the first requirement.

Although his primary Gift was Shielding, Jael's Voice was good enough to allow him to relay messages from the High Watch to the Mid -- a day's journey down. The true Voice of the four member patrol belonged to the older guardswoman, Thana. Jael had no doubt his mother's Voice could be heard to the eastern edge of Elerak if she wished. With that aspect of the Watch covered he felt no guilt at focusing on their two younger companions and the less exciting lessons of history and tradition.

This particular pair of New Swords would take their place in a First Year Rotation before the snows came again to Rhema. Osra would fulfill her two year apprenticeship shortly after they descended the heights. Her fellow apprentice, Mikayl, would take his Oaths come spring.

The latter was currently working on fletching hunting arrows under Thana's scrutiny, the two of them sitting knee to knee next to the fire pit. Darkness came quickly in the peaks of the Grae and while High Watch Barrack was stocked with lanterns and oil, there were not enough of them to brighten a structure built to hold five times their number.

Like the Keep it protected, High Barrack had been originally designed for a larger population. Built into a natural cleft in the rock, it provided sleeping quarters for twenty to forty. Modifications had reduced the overall size but the space was still echoingly large and empty for four guardsmen.

"Size of a current rotation, Osra?" he asked abruptly, causing the younger woman to look up from the sword grip she was repairing.

"Ten. Eight full rotations and a half rotation in reserve," she replied promptly, used to Jael testing her at odd moments. "Or, three full rotations in reserve if you count those who served but don't remain active," she added with a grin and a flip of her red braid. She had been caught on this question before.

"Size during the Tenth Generation?"

"Twenty with twelve rotations and four full reserves."

"First Generation?"

 She hesitated, drawing a breath as Jael eased himself on his side next to the fire, watching her. "Twenty and . . . I don't know," she said disappointed.

"Twenty-five and twenty with no reserves," he said, looking down at his hands so she could not see the twinkle in his eye.

"Don't tease her, Jael," Thana said, looking up from her arrows. "He doesn't know that absolutely," she added, glaring at her son.

"It's not hard to figure out. What was the compliment in Rhema before the Crossing?"

"Close to two thousand," Osra replied

"Correct. And how many remained after?"

"Five hundred," she said, eyes widening as she caught on to her mentor's reasoning.

"And who were they?"

"The Border Watch -- all five hundred of them," she said, scowling at being caught--again. "First Generation were all Guardsmen."

Jael laughed and ducked as she threw a scrap of leather at him.

"And how, Oh Wise One," Mikayl asked from across the fire, "do you know the exact size and number of the rotations? Maybe it was twenty and twenty-five, or fifty and ten."

"Deduction, my dear, Mikayl. The Watch records are pretty complete and there is no mention of a significant change in deployment until the Tenth Generation. There weren't enough people then to make up a full Watch by their standards."

"Not a fair question," Osra repeated.

"Maybe not. But it is as important to know how to think as it is just to know."

"You spend too much time with my sister," Mikayl observed with a smile.

"Which one?" the older man shot back with a laugh.

"Both. It's Maygra who's got you teaching history and strategy, though. I'm sure you and Maia have more interesting things to discuss," Mikayl said slyly.

"Like nursery colors and baby names," Osra piped in, laughing as her teacher started to blush.

"You're both right. What Maygra and I discuss is far different than what Maia and I talk about -- but the latter is also more private. You could both do well to spend more time talking, or even listening to our commander. Her grasp of strategy and the role of the Watch in Rhema is clearer than her predecessor, Callan's, is, and he'd be the first to admit it."

The younger pair took the light scolding without insult but not without resistance. Thana snorted and plucked an arrow from Mikayl's lap.

"You need to trim this a bit more, my lad. You want hunter arrows to fly farther than battle quills. Short distances, the drag doesn't make as much difference."

"Did you teach Maygra as well?" Osra asked Thana. "I mean, I know she entered the guard young but what was she like as a New Sword?"

"Tough and determined," Thana replied. "Never seen better. She's a good one for divining the lay of things, putting the pieces together. More than makes up for her lack in other ways."

The words were meant as a compliment but Jael was quick to glance at Mikayl, catching the faint glimmer of pain flash through the wide green eyes.

"I don't understand how she can have no Gift," Osra said oblivious to Mikayl's discomfort. "It's like she's not even there. I hate being partnered to her in the practice yard. You never know where she'll come from."

"The potential's there," Thana said quietly. "I've seen it. And you'd do well to practice more with her if that's how you feel, girl. Might save your neck from a Hai'Karin raider someday."

"I'm going to check the mounts," Mikayl said suddenly, carefully setting down his half finished arrows before disappearing into the stable area.

"You might also take some points on tact from your commander, Osra," Thana said coolly. "Or do well to remember that sometimes Listening is as beneficial as Voicing. Now, stop with your questions and pay attention to your strapping. The last thing a guardswoman needs is her grip to come undone in the middle of a fight," she added and followed Mikayl.

A flush spread across Osra's face as she bent her head to her task. "I didn't meant to hurt Mikayl," she whispered.

"Nor does he think you did. Maygra's errant potential has wiser heads than ours baffled. I was her sword mate my first two years and it didn't take long to get used to the idea."

"I can't imagine being without Gift -- not to be able to Hear or See or Feel the people around you."

"It's not quite that drastic," Jael said with a faint smile. "She does have a Gift, or the presence of it. You just have to work a little harder to tap into it."

"It seems so lonely," Osra mused quietly.

"Maygra copes. If it bothers you so, you can work at it. It won't ever be the same as say, trying to find a friend at the Keep or one of us on patrol, but you can Feel her. As a matter of fact," he said with a wicked glint in his eye. "It sounds like the perfect night exercise for distance."

"Jael, it's freezing outside!" she protested.

"Then we better get going before it gets any colder," he chided and tossed her a heavy fur jacket.

Thana returned as they were dressing, shrugging in response to Jael's raised eyebrow.

"He'll be all right. Don't fall off the side of the Grae and take these as well," she added handing each of them a long cloak. "The wind has died a bit but I'm tired. I don't want to sit up all night nursing idiots with frostbite. Your Shield won't keep the cold out."

"Yes, Mother," Jael said rolling his eyes at Osra as the older woman helped him with the clasp.

Thana kissed him lightly. "You've always had more sense than your brother, kiri. And a smarter mouth. Don't stay out too long. There's another snowfall due."

Jael laughed and followed Osra outside.

"Your whole family serves the Watch, don't they?" Osra asked.

"Yes. At one time or another. You're full of questions."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. But why now?"

Osra shrugged and stood at the top of the trail leading down toward Rhema. "It never seemed important, I guess. There are not so many of us in Rhema you don't know everyone, but in the Watch -- it is more important to know people well; to trust them at my back, I guess. Down below there never seems to be any time between planting and harvesting. We all spend so much time hunting or riding patrol, there never seems to be time to get to know how people think, or why."

Jael pulled his cloak tighter. The wind was barely noticeable, but the air was still cold. Above them stars glittered in a violet-black sky, dimmed only slightly by the opposing faces of Ka and Yra -- one full in the eastern sky the other a mere crescent in the west.

"Some of it has to do with our Gifts, I suppose. The Oaths we take remind us not to abuse them. But I would suppose the Haian, head-blind as they are, still struggle with the same questions about relationships and each other," Osra said after a moment. "Perhaps it isn't so bad. About Maygra, I mean."

"I don't have an answer for you if it's a question you're asking, kira'sai. As Thana said, Maygra has other talents or even gifts as valuable as those you and I take for granted. Remember that and learn those from her if you can. I use what I've learned from her far more than my Voice or Shield. Now, let's see what we can do about improving your range. We don't want Mikayl to get smug about his Sight."

"My range is almost as good as his!" she said indignantly. "And I don't get distracted by weather patterns."

"True. But it's not as good without line of sight. Sight on Mid Watch. And I want detail, Newie."

She sighed and pulled her braid out of her cloak then let her eyes go slightly vacant as she concentrated on Seeing her comrades a day's journey down the trail.

Jael left her alone, barely following her with his own slight Sight. Kieri Gifts being what they were, he had no need to go as deep as his companion to monitor her. The echo of his own Gift would alert him if the apprentice found something which alarmed her. Like most New Sword trainees, Osra was beginning to get a little complacent in her position as she neared confirmation. She was ready and anxious to take her Watch Oath and Jael was proud of her, but this close to the end of her training was no time to get sloppy -- for either of them.

He had not been so unlike her eight years ago. He had the benefit of having both parents and his older brother in the Watch and it never occurred to him to follow any other path. His commander had been equally convinced the Watch would become her home.

Maygra had been sixteen when she entered training -- five years younger than Jael. Even at that age her skill at arms equaled his and he with three instructors in his own family. Maygra's skill was self-taught. Middle child of three, her Gift as erratic as a winter storm, she had sought only one thing all her life -- to be a benefit, not a burden to her own people.

Her entrance to the Watch met with resistance. Skilled or not, there were some who thought a child had no business doing the dangerous work of the Watch. Fortunately, her supporters had been far more influential than her detractors. She had the approval of not only First Sword Callan but First Healer Damyn and the Elder, Masyra-Maena Sura. They had convinced Maygra's opponents she should have a chance at the position she had worked so hard to gain. Four years later, when Callan announced his retirement, it was Maygra who took his place. Maygra had no idea she was being groomed for the position and Callan's maneuvering had led to even more discussion and dissension than had her early entry.

It had not been a particularly pleasant time for Jael. His father had been killed the year before during a violent encounter with Hai'Karin raiders. Thana had taken the loss of her mate hard, but his brother Laric had been filled with more anger than grief. Laric expected Callan to name him First Sword and fully intended to exercise the power of his position to confront the raiders in revenge for the death of his father.

Jael was caught in the middle. As sword mates, he was closer to Maygra than his brother and he had come to respect her lightning quick mind as well as her more physical skills. With less than eighty in the Watch any forced encounter with the Hai'Karin, who were more numerous and more warlike, would be disastrous. Laric had not been willing to listen to reason.

Callan was not willing to listen to nonsense. The clash of wills resulted in Maygra's appointment and confirmation, but in the process, the Watch lost more than a third of its complement. Unfortunately, Laric had not been one of those to resign. Feeling slightly traitorous, Jael wished his older brother had followed his cronies or that Maygra would dismiss him. Neither event occurred. Maygra dealt rationally with the complaints, ignoring the snide remarks and restructured the Watch. She split the responsibilities of Second Sword between Laric and Thana, giving Laric command of the more experienced and longer ranging patrols, trusting him not to take on a raiding party with only ten Guards. Under Thana she put the New Swords and First to Four year Guards on close patrol.

Jael quickly transferred off the long patrols to take up his role as teacher. He knew it increased the friction between he and Laric, but he loved teaching new trainees. Now, five years later, he widened the gulf by taking Maygra's elder sister as a mate. They expected their first child together in mid-summer.

That thought brought a smile to his face. As much as he loved the High Watch, he could barely wait until their relief arrived. If he was lucky they would already be at Mid Watch and he turned his attention fully on Osra.

"Anybody home?" he prompted, touching her arm and inserting the question into her thoughts.

The younger woman smiled. "Aye. Full house."

"Who?"
 
She grinned at the challenge then faltered a little. "It's not a full rotation. There's the four who came up with us and then only seven . . . ."

Jael followed with a little more force and concern, then relaxed. "What's amiss?" he asked calmly but with emphasis.

"An accident or maybe problems below?"

"You're guessing. Think, Osra. Do any of them give off anxiety or concern?"

"Well, no, but maybe it's not serious . . . Oh! Dark Maiden's Wings," she cursed seeking harder. "It's Maygra! That's what you meant about knowing where she is even when you can't See or Feel her! The others can."

"Very good. Now Look a little harder. What else can you See?"

"At Mid Watch?"

"Details, Osra," he prompted sharply. "Full report."

Osra gasped a little as he reinforced his order with a mental shake. "Snow below but only powder. The trail from Mid Watch to Rhema is solid but iced. Duran's caught wind of a new weather front moving in from the north and Riallys . . . no, Maygra's worried the upper trail might be worse. They're going to wait until midday to start the climb so the top snow can melt and they'll be able to maneuver on the ice."

"Check the trail."

Her face lost all expression as she concentrated, Jael watching her carefully. This was where she was likely to encounter problems with her Gift.

"The new snow blew away, mostly. The rocks are iced but it's thin and the pass . . .," she hesitated, her brow furrowed as she tried to See the narrow cleft pass half a day below them. "It's dark . . . and there's ice . . . no, water, coming from above. The snow . . . I think there's been a rock slide but I can't See it because of the snow! Dammit."

"Easy, don't over reach . . . pull in closer, say a hundred lengths down," Jael said soothingly, resting his hands on her shoulders but not offering to link his Sight with hers.

Drawing a deep breath, the guardswoman did as she was told. "There's no ice between us and the Promontory, but there's still water . . . it'll be frozen by morning. The eastern trail is iced over but it's thin and the wind has kept it clear. No water."

"Pull back now, that's enough," he prompted, steadying her as she swayed a little. "You did very well, Osra. How do you feel? Headache?" he asked turning her to face him.

"No, not really . . . a little pressure maybe."

"You're sure? I want you to stretch, kira, but not over do."

"I'm all right."

"Good. Now let's get back inside and you can dump this all on Thana and we'll let her send the report down."

"My report?" she asked, her mouth gaping.

Chuckling, Jael closed her mouth and kissed her fondly on the top of her head. "Your report, Swordswoman. We'll let Mikayl Sight the northern line."

Osra squealed in delight, catching herself just in time to walk quickly, but with dignity into the barrack.

Thana sent an amused glance at Jael as he entered, continuing to take Osra's report gravely, mentally recording it so she could pass the information along. Mikayl had rejoined her near the fire pit, all traces of his earlier mood gone. He was surprised but not dismayed Osra had taken the trail Watch. He had been giving that report for the last week.

Jael said nothing as he took off the heavy clothing.

"Feel up to scanning the Northern Line?" he asked Mikayl, accepting a cup of hot tea from the youth.

Mikayl did not answer, casting his Sight and returning before Jael had finished his drink. The younger man had nothing significant to report except to confirm what Osra had gathered from Duran; there was a storm moving in.

"It will lose some force along the peak," he added. "We'll get some wind and snow, but not much else," he paused and his glance went vacant again for a moment.

"What are you seeing, lad?" Thana demanded.

"Nothing. Just an echo."

"Let's See it," Jael prompted and touched Mikayl's arm lightly.

"It's not anything. It's like a waver, in the north at my extreme range. Maybe it's a flock of uralen."

"In mid winter, this high up?" Skeptically, Jael prodded him.

Mikayl did not argue further, allowing the link to fall into place and seeking his elusive echo. Jael caught a glimmer of it but, like Mikayl, was unable to make anything of it.

"Mark the section and keep checking it," he ordered, laying out his bed.

"All night?" Mikayl protested.

"All night. One of us will wake you every couple of hours. It's why we're here, Mal," he added softly, using the pet name Maygra and Maia had f or their little brother.

Mikayl flushed and nodded, turning to Thana. "You want to report?"

"No. I've already sent what Osra gave me, and we really don't have anything new. They won't be able to leave before morning anyway. We'll wait and see if anything changes. If it's at the end of your range, lad, it can't get close enough to be a threat before the day after tomorrow. Rest up, all of you. I'll take first watch, then Osra, then Jael."

Jael nodded in agreement and lay down. He was fatigued after the extended session with Osra, but the memory of Mikayl's little echo of Sight tugged at his mind for a long time before sleep took him.
 

TO CHAPTER TWO

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GLOSSARY