Kayo Elk

KAYO ELK

Chapter One

The day was still dark as Kayo Elk was shaken from his slumber, "Come
on boy, awake!" a voice commanded. Kayo's eyes opened wide and he sat
quickly up.

"What is it?" he asked anxiously. "Fire, Oh, have the horses broken out
of their pound?" His heart was racing at the possibility that the
horses had escaped their pound and where heading back in to the forest
and out on to the plains, it would not have been the first time it had
happened.

" Have you forgotten what day this is boy? Maybe you care not that
today you rid yourself of my company, are you perhaps keener than you
make me believe to leave us that you forget what day this is when I
awaken you."

Kayo looked at the big man who had rudely snatched him from the arms of
Weldera, Goddess of dreams. With his dark thick eyebrows raised
quizzically and his dark brown eyes staring at Kayo
questioningly.

"Ohh!" Kayo groaned, "why awaken me, I may have slept until everyone
had forgotten my existence and then there would be no need for this day
at all".

"A sad day for us too Kayo Elk but," the big man sighed, "but duty is
duty and you have to face up to the fact that you must do yours." He
shook his head in sadness and turned to leave,

"Choi, you will ride with me won't you? I know what I said about going
alone but..." Kayo's voice seemed to stick in his throat.

"Of course idiot," he said, "I am already saddled and waiting to be off
unlike some sleepy heads who would lay in Weldera's arms living through
her dreams until midday unless I awakened him." Kayo grinned sheepishly
at Choi.

"I would stay in her arms forever if it meant staying here with you."
He gave deep sigh "I won't be long". Choi turned and left Kayo to his
ablutions.

Some ten minutes later Kayo emerged from the hut and looked round the
forest clearing for the last time. Small wooden huts were built around
the clearing, these huts where were the people slept and stowed their
personal belongings. Each one was different in some small way but if
you were a stranger visiting for the first time you would think that
all the huts were identical, almost uniformal in their sameness. Built
in a similar style but on a much larger scale was a building in the
middle of the clearing. This was where the people prepared and ate
their meals, had their counsel meetings and generally did their day to
day living. Already his people, as Kayo thought of them where preparing
breakfast and talking about the days jobs that lay ahead of them.
Children ran in and out of the main doorway enjoying a game of chase.
Suddenly Kayo felt a lump in his throat and tears sting his eyes as he
watched them. As quickly as it had come the sadness was gone, washed
away by the anger and resentment he felt at being forced to leave the
people he thought of as his family and the life he had led with them
since he was six years old.

Choi strode into the clearing from the opposite side to the one Kayo
Elk was observing the people from, he was leading two dark grey horses
with silver mains and tails. Kayo stared at them wallowing in their
beauty and grace, he had never rode the silvers as the people called
them only helped to capture, rear and train them. They were then given
to the High Lord in tribute, only Choi ever rode the silvers and only
he as leader of the Tamwhuo Clan was allowed to have one for his own
mount. A privilege held by only the Tamwhuo Clan leaders of the
plains.

'We must be taking the other as tribute ' thought Kayo aloud.
"Kayo Elk come forth and bid the people of this Clan farewell", Choi's
voice boomed out at him across the forest clearing.

"How can I bear this?" thought Kayo "how can I leave them, my people,
to go to a place where I will probably die from boredom and sadness. No
longer to ride the plains, sleep with the stars above me, feel free and
unfettered by walls, ceremony and family duty. Here my duties to my
family are a pleasure not a burden or a chore to be endured." He
steeled his will against his anger, and walked slowly towards the
people of his adopted clan.

They had formed two lines standing shoulder to shoulder. Kayo Elk
walked between the first two people and stopped. He held his hands out
to his sides; the person on either side grasped a hand each, slowly
they bowed so that their foreheads touched the palms of Karak's hands.
The procedure was repeated over by all the people until Kayo reached
Choi who stood waiting with the horses at the end of the Kayo's
farewell journey through the corridor of friends, adopted Aunts,
Uncles, Cousins, brothers, sisters and finally his adopted mother and
Grandmother, at last he reached Choi.

Kayo looked into the eyes of his adopted father, friend, mentor and
life guide. Mirrored there was the sadness and grief that now shadowed
his own, he blinked away the tears that threatened to overwhelm him and
reached out to take the reins of one of the horses from Choi. Quickly
they mounted the strong muscular horses, which stamped their hoofs and
pawed the ground feeling uneasy at depth of tension and emotion
emitting from the people around them. Raising his hand in a final
farewell Kayo turned his horse to wards the gap in the trees that would
begin his journey to his future with out this clan.

"Yar, Yar," yelled Kayo unable to bear any delay now or he would never
be able to leave. He cantered out of the clearing, through the green
forest. Through the area cleared for training the silvers and other
horses, past the next clearing which was surrounded this time by large
fences. This area was used to contain the horses and prevent them from
wandering. On he went urging his horse faster and faster. Sun light
dappled the forest floor with elusive patterns and birds and small
animals fled from the flight path of the thundering hooves of the
silver beast. Until eventually he reached the edge of the forest, his
horses sides were heaving from the long ride and sweat soaked its
glossy coat. Pulling firmly on the reins Kayo slowed the horse to a
canter, then a trot. Finally when he reached the banks of a river,
there he stopped to await Choi so that they could proceed with the
journey together.

Choi, keeping his mount to a steady pace arrived at last at the river.
He reined in his horse and looked down at Kayo Elk who had now
dismounted and was sitting on a rock. With his hands to his chin and
his fingers cupping his face he was gazing mournfully across the river
at the plains of Granger spreading before him as far as the eyes could
see and further. His green eyes were filled with despair as they drank
in the sights of the plain. His dark, lucius hair was tied back to keep
it from falling over his face and his bronzed skin, tanned from days
ridding in the open countryside, was only an enhancement to his good
looks. Muscular arms and legs were visible as he wore a tunic of soft
green material that finished above his knees. Kayo sat and just stared
at the land for what seemed to him no time at all, though was in
reality at least thirty minutes.

A thousand hues of green met his eyes, blue mid summer skies, with
hardly a cloud to cast a blemish on them, covered the plain like a
loving blanket and closer to hand was the sparkling course of the Mount
River. It shimmered like a road of diamonds as it curved its way from
its source in the mountains. Through the plains meeting other, lesser
rivers and streams which flowed into it and joined their lot with it,
as it flowed to it's destination, tumbling of the high cliff s at the
shore line and merging with the sea.

"To have to leave all this", it was almost more than Kayo felt he could
bear.

"Boy"! Admonished Choi, the rebuke he was about the give Kayo died in
his throat. He should give him the thrashing of his life for ridding
through the forest at such a break neck speed. Risking the neck of his
valuable steed and in total ignorance of all the lessons and good sense
Choi had taught him over the years. But, when he saw the abject misery
on the young face now looking up at him he said instead,
"Come, we have a long way to go". Choi began to steer his horse so that
it waded across the river and climbed up the far bank. Kayo followed
slowly behind, it was where the journey would eventually end that made
Choi dawdle behind soaking in the sights and sounds, the atmosphere and
life of the plain. He willed them through his very pores into the heart
of his being.
"I will return" he vowed to the land, "some day I will return".

On the third day of their journey they finally sighted their
destination, Kayo's birthplace, the settlement called Hepuania.
"We'll be there by sundown," Choi told him in a matter of fact voice.
He headed his horse towards the settlement and spurred it into a trot.
His heart filled with dread and unhappiness Kayo followed.

Hepuania was the seat of the High Lord of Hepu and was the only large
settlement in the land. Choi noted that it had seemed to grow larger
still since his last visit. His last visit, then he had been called to
take his new charge out in to the plain to live with him as his adopted
son. The High Lord had chosen him to be his youngest sons life guide, a
great honour for Choi and his clan. This was the tradition in Hepuania;
each of the High Lords children had an appointment to fulfil. One would
inherit the High Lords title and all the authority, duty and status
that accompanied it. Another would become Plains Lord, up to now that
had been Kayo's appointment to fulfil. It was always a point of debate
but one child always entered into the service of the Epo Nupoublous, to
learn the secrets of the Crublo power. None had ever been even
marginally successful and all other would be Epo Nupoublous had joined
the order willingly, of their own initiative, all that is except the
children of the High Lord.

Kayo's sister Folfa had entered the order over two years before Kayo
had gone to learn the lore of the plains from Choi. Unfortunately she
had died recently and the lore and tradition of Hepuania demanded a
replacement of one of the High Lords other children. Luflui, Kayo's
eldest bother was destined to be High Lord, his sisters were either
already life partners or about to become life partners of various Clan
Lords, so there was only Kayo left. One of the High Lords nephews would
become Plain Lord in his place such was the cause of Kayo's
misery.

The Epo Nupoublous lived and studied in a place called the Epon. A
large towering structure built of grey stone, rising out of the side of
the mountain as if it had grown there. Few knew the origins of the
Epon, how it had been built or who had built it. Lost to the memories
of time to all but a few of the more advanced Epo Nupoublous, but even
they did not know the meaning of the word Epon.

Very few people knew that. One of them was the Lord Thoujofo of the
Crubloi. The name and its meaning passed down from his predecessors, a
secret known only to the Sentar of the Epo Nupoublous.

Another was Ubunz, High Sorceress of the southern Isle of Leousbi, who
was at that moment hurrying back to the forests where she and her
foundling daughter had their home. The High Sorceress had vital
information about the origins of her adopted daughter and knew the
girl's life was in grave danger. Kayo as yet was unaware how much his
own life would become entangled with those of the sorceress and her
daughter Kezme.

Kaylo finally entered the settlement with a heavy heart. On the morrow
he would go from here to the Epon, better perhaps to have gone straight
there rather than visit his father and the rest of his family, "this
will only prolong my suffering", he thought. "If I do not succeed in my
studies with the Nupoublous I will never be allowed out of the Epon's
walls again. Only those of a high level of learning and power where
allowed to breach the walls of the Epon and conduct ceremonies of life,
death and partnership within the settlement. Those levels were reached
only by hard study, practice, talent and recognition from the Sentar,
Lord Thoujofo of the Crubloi and learned master of the Epo
Nupoublous.

Suddenly Choi stopped his horse in front of Kayo and made a low bow in
his saddle. Before them stood his father the High lord himself along
with others Kayo didn't recognise. Slipping quickly from his horse he
knelt before the High Lord. "Rise my son and welcome, let us give
thanks for your safe arrival", his fathers strong voice continued,
"come in to our dwelling so that we may rejoice in you". He placed his
arm around Kayo's shoulders and led him through the settlement to the
large central building, which served as living quarters for the High
Lord and his family.

Later that evening, after being introduced to people he could not
remember the name of and eaten and drank things he couldn't recall,
finally they allowed him to retire to his old room to find what rest he
could. His dreams were filled with cages from which he could not
escape, and a word that meant nothing to him echoed round in his
head.

In the morning he would begin his knew life. No time even to become
reacquainted with his family, he would have to leave at sunrise with
the escort his father would supply to see that he was handed over like
a piece of merchandise, or so it seemed to Kayo, to the Epo
Nupoublous.

"May the gods and the heavens protect the boy" muttered Choi as he left
the settlement to return home, "but I hope he doesn't need them to
".
Choi knew of things that Kayo was not aware of and they were simply
that Kayo had a deep routed need to know the truth of things. He needed
always to know the why, how and wherefore of anything he saw, heard or
did. Also his instinctive knowledge, which had always let him know when
storms were approaching, or if some one was in trouble, had not had the
time to develop properly while he lived on the plain. They needed
correct training to be of real use to Kayo. "Well, he'll get that
training now, thought Choi, "they should take him far within the order
of the Epo Nupoublous".

As he made his way through the grasslands he wondered if he'd ever stop
missing his young charge, but felt sure that one day he would see him
again, though he had no way of knowing how.

Kayo, unused to the soft comfortable mattress that gently supported his
body, slept fitfully. Tossing and turning, trying to flee the cages and
shut out the word that echoed in his head. Suddenly he awoke and for
some minutes just laid still remembering where he was and why he'd come
there. The cages of his dreams were still vivid in his mind, but the
word he could not remember as hard as he tried. It hovered close to the
surface of his memory but always slipped easily away when Kayo tried to
grasp it and bring it out.

A knock on the door made him jump.
"May I come in.?" said a disembodied voice from the other side of the
wooden structure.

"Please do", answered Kayo, wondering who his nocturnal visitor could
be. As the door opened light streamed into the room from a lantern
carried by the visitor. Blinking he shaded his eyes from the glare of
the light. Placing the lantern on the table his visitor turned towards
Kayo.

"You have grown into a fine young man Kayo Elk."

"Thank you, mother" said Kayo suddenly realising who his night visitor
was. She came forward and sat on the bed. Looking down at her hands
that she had clasped in her lap to stop them shaking.

"Forgive me if I did talk with you on your arrival last night", she
finally said, " I would not have wanted to embarrass you by having
sobbed all over you, such was my joy at seeing you. I feel grieved at
my loss of you again."

"Your loss of me?" Kayo questioned. His mother smiled a sad smile; a
tear glistened on her cheek it slid unchecked to fall on her lap.

"They took you from me as a child, and now you return only to go
again." Two more tears followed the same fate as the first.
"Mother!" Kayo Elk didn't know what to say or how to ease his mother's
sadness or comfort her. After a while he slowly said, "If it helps,
Choi looked after me well. I love him and his Clan like they are my own
family and they care for me too. I learned the lore of the plains and
strove to be the kind of person my father would have wanted as his Clan
Lord."

He stopped unable to think of any thing else to say that might lessen
her pain.

"Then I am proud of you my son, and I give thanks to the Gods for
granting me this time to tell you that I love you. May you fare as well
when you go to live in the Epon Kayo Elk." She bent forward and kissed
him quickly on the cheek. Then with a loud sob she fled from the room,
the door bang shut behind her making Kayo jump.

He thought about his mother, last night she had hardly said a word to
him and he had found it hard to forgive her lack of welcome. He tried
to feel love towards her but couldn't. Time had erased any feelings
other than the dutiful love that every man should give his mother,
there was no depth of feeling with in his heart. As a child he had
spent most of his time with Nesok his first life guide. His mother was
always busy with running the settlement and overseeing the cooking,
cleaning, sewing and general household chores to have time for Kaya.
After he had left with Choi, Destadora, Choi's life partner had quickly
filled the place of his mother. Giving hugs and stories at bedtime,
comfort when he felt sad and love at a time when he had needed it
most.

"Nor" Kaya thought, "did he even look like his mother." She had eyes
of soft brown, pale skin that was almost translucent. Brown hair that
curled round her face and as for height, she only just reached Kaya's
chin. "I'm glad I take after my father," he decided, he pushed the
thought of her away and went to look out of the window. The sky was
just beginning to lighten and the first rosy glow of morning touched
the horizon far out to sea. Dressing quickly in the new clothes that
had been laid out for him. A belted tunic of rich blue, dark brown
trousers made from soft leather which tucked into calf length boots of
black reptile skin. His hunting knife lay on the table, out of habit he
attached it to his belt. Having relieved himself in the deep basin left
for this purpose, he washed and tied back his hair. He was wondering if
he should go down to the main hall when a cough sounded behind him.
Turning round he found his eldest brother grinning at him from just
inside the door.

"He doesn't look like our mother either" Kaya found himself thinking,
"except for his eyes".
"Well if you weren't being ushered into that tomb on a mountain I'd
have some real competition for the favours of the women round here."
Krieth laughed. Karak grinned back. "You think so?" he asked. They both
laughed at their jest, at ease in each other's company the way brothers
should be. "Our father wishes you to breakfast with us before you
leave," Krieth told him. "We'll find him waiting in the main hall."
Krieth turned and lead Kaya down the corridor to a flight of stairs.
Memories of his early childhood flooded his mind. He was tempted to run
down them like he used to, banging his feet in deafening thuds much to
the annoyance of all within ear shot. He resisted the thought and
walked sedately down them instead. At the bottom they entered the main
hall through two double doors, his father was standing by the large
fireplace talking with a man dressed in green robes. A Epo
Nupoublous.

"Morning my son", his father greeted him. He left the Epo Nupoublous
to motion Kayo to sit down at a large round table. Krieth sat at one
side of Kayo and his father the other. Krieth tapped twice on the table
and people appeared from the kitchens carrying food and drink for the
three.

"Wesna Zuontuo has come to take you to the Epon," his father told him,
nodding in the direction of the green robbed man.

"It grieves me but you must leave as soon as you have eaten" he looked
at Kayo.

"If I could make things different," he told Kayo staring him straight
in the eyes "I would." Kayo stared back and any resentment that he had
felt towards his father for having forced him to leave the life that he
loved quickly evaporated. He could see his father was as much a
prisoner of the situation as Kayo himself was.

"I know father, Choi explained it to me in great detail." Kayo stared
back at his father taking in the green eyes, so like his own. Dark
brown hair, peppered with the odd strand of grey, was tied back leaving
the strong, firm contours of his face in full focus. Five inches taller
than Kayo and slightly more muscular. It was obvious to all that saw
them that Kayo would some day be as tall, and have the same commanding
presence as his father.

"So we'll not waste time with unnecessary words then," he patted Kayo
on the shoulder. "Let's eat."

Words felt inappropriate now. He felt the warmth of the feelings his
father and brother bore him and returned the warmth to them as they sat
and ate their meal in companionable silence. A small man entered the
room, as they were finishing. Beckoned forward by the High Lord he made
a bow. His father stood up and motioned Kayo to join him. The small man
held out a cloak to the High Lord who took it from him then placed it
round the shoulders of his youngest son. Krieth stood beside Kayo and
handed the High Lord a broach made of silver. Fastening the cloak at
the front with the broach he intoned a traditional farewell

"Wool for warmth and safety.
Silver for luck and wealth.
Our hearts always.
And may the Gods go with you."

He clasped Kayo in a bear hug then moved away; Krieth did the same and
whispered in to Kayo's ear
"Take care, brother of mine. I would wish to see you again and will
pray that it is so."
Kayo took a step back and found Wesna Zuontuo at his side.

"It is time." Was all he said and turned to leave. Kayo took a long
last look at his father and brother; they both smiled and then looked
towards the disappearing Epon Nupoublous.

"I will not fail to return. You'd better warn those ladies Krieth." He
gave his brother a quick grin and hurried after the Epon
Nupoublous.

"Do you think he will return my Lord?" Krieth asked his father.
"I feel a strange wind blows for Kayo," thought the High Lord, "I
think perhaps he will." He said out loud, "Indeed it is my hope that he
will". He walked out of the room with quick strides lest his eldest son
should see the tears that threatened to unman him welling up in his
eyes.

Wesna Zuontuo hurried through the settlement that had barely started to
awaken. Instead of leaving by the front gate, through which Kayo had
rode less than a day before; he took a route to the opposite side. A
small gate in the outer wall stood open and the Epon Nupoublous slipped
quickly through. Kayo followed and found himself on a narrow path that
lead along the coast towards the mountains. He looked out at the sea.
Glimmering waves broke in flurries of white foam against the shore and
the wet sand was filled with birds breakfasting on small sea creatures
that had not fled with the morning tide.

"Come." Commanded the Epo Nupoublous, and walked away at such a fast
pace that had Kayo panting and half running to keep up. Used to
spending long amounts of time on horse back, he found that having to
cover large areas under his own steam rather difficult.

"Wait", he panted. "What's the rush."

Wesna halted while Kayo caught him up and got his breath back.

"We must climb to the high road, walk it's path to the edge, cover the
span and enter the Epon before sundown." He said as away of explanation
for his pace. "We must make haste to fulfil the day, not tarry and
waste the morrow too."

" Why didn't we just ride." Asked Kayo.
"Horses can't climb, nor will they tread the path. Stamina is built up
by treading its long road Kayo Elk. Come."

Kayo stared at Wesna's back as the Epo Nupoublous started to walk on
again, with a sigh of resignation he followed.

The morning continued with Kayo trying desperately to keep up with the
never tiring Wesna. Just when Kayo thought he could not walk another
step Wesna stopped. Kayo sat down heavily upon a large stone. Once he
could breathe normally again, the Epo Nupoublous handed him a water
skin, which he had pulled out of the bag he carried on his back. Kayo
gulped the water down with an unquenchable thirst. The fruit and bread
Wesna handed him took longer to consume. Kayo, hoping to make the
welcome rest last as long as possible, ate slowly.

They had reached the bass of the Mountains Kayo realised. Here the
waves broke against the cliff side and smashed over large rocks that
stood immobile in their wake. The settlement was now barely visible in
the distance, far down the coast. Kayo had been so busy concentrating
on keeping up with Wesna that he hadn't given a thought to his
surroundings. Looking up at the mountains looming over him, like dark
tombstones of the long dead, Kayo shuddered involuntarily as a cold
shiver passed down his back.

"Come, once we reach the flat road to Epon I will slow for you."
Promised Wesna, "at the start you may chose a chair". Wesna started to
climb the steep path that lead up into the mountains. Puzzling over
Wesna's cryptic remarks Kayo stretched out his aching muscles and
started up the path after him. By the time they were half way up the
trail that wound up the mountain, zig zagging backwards and forwards to
lessen the steep gradient of the climb, Kayo felt as though every bone
in his body was on fire. He simply was not used to using the muscles
needed for climbing and walking any distances. Just as he was feeling
that he would sooner die right there than take another step he found
himself on a flat path. Three feet wide and cut deep into the rock it
had simply not been visible from below. Nor could you see the over the
sides to look at the view it was cut at least seven feet deep into the
hard rock.

"Rest now", Wesna gestured to the side and to Kayo's amazement he saw
four chairs had been carved out of the rock itself on one side of the
path. On each chair was a symbol, carved into the seat and different to
anything Kayo had ever seen before. Swirling lines, with no start nor
end, formed the outsides. Each had a different inner, one was the head
of a wolf, another a dragon, the third was a hand and the last had what
looked to Kayo like an eye. Each symbol had been carved with incredible
detail, and Kayo could only wonder at the craftsman who had patiently
cut the beautiful designs out of the hard unyielding stone.

Kayo's legs felt as though they would collapse if he did not sit down
so he just chose the nearest chair with a sigh of relief. He glanced at
Wesna who was staring at him opened mouthed and wide-eyed.

"What's so wrong?" asked Kayo.

"Nothing". Answered the Epo Nupoublous, he sat on the floor and kept
his eyes averted so that Kayo could not see the awe he was feeling of
someone who had sat on the symbol of the Crubloi. He didn't know of any
one who had actually dared to sit on those intimately decorated chairs,
but Kayo had. What did it mean, Wesna wondered, he couldn't think of
any answers.

Wesna stretched out and closed his eyes. He could still hear the cries
of the sea birds in the distance, as they nested on the cliffs. No
other sound met his ears, not wind nor surf. His mind filled with a
swirling purple mist. It formed a circle that seemed to pulse with ever
moving life. Blinking furiously and shaking his head, Kayo cleared his
vision. Wesna was looking at him with concern.

"Shall we continue," he asked. Kayo nodded he couldn't understand what
had just happened. 'I'm just tired' he thought 'that's all'.

"Come on", this time it was said as a request and Kayo rose and walked
after Wesna. The path was perfectly level, it neither deviated up or
down, it simply followed the contours of the mountain range for what
seemed like eternity, to any whom travelled upon it.

It came suddenly to an end. It looked like the mountains had quarrelled
and one had moved to be on it's own, separate and individual, greyer
and more barren than all its contemporaries. A large bridge constructed
of thick rope and wooded planks spanned the chasm that opened
below.

"The Span". Wesna said unnecessarily. Kayo merely nodded. They started
to cross holding tightly to the ropes for support.

"Do not look down Kayo Elk, looking down can make a man wish he hadn't"
Wesna told him. "Look ahead only." Kayo was white faced and shaking
when he finally reached the other side. Wesna nodded
"I was the same way my first time," he told Kayo, "not far now, but we
must hurry again."
He looked apologetically at Kayo and set of down the path, built in
exactly the same way as the other it would not be to hard going for
Kayo to keep up with Wesna this time.

Just as the sun was beginning to set they rounded a corner and there it
was, The Epon. Seemingly growing out of the mountain itself. Seamless,
void of all cracks or fissures, with walls as smooth as ice and totally
flawless. Dark grey was its colour and it did not vary in its shade no
matter which part Kayo looked at. Wesna's face was slightly pink with
exertion and he was smiling in delight. But his smile faded as he
turned to Kayo. Whiter than he had been after crossing the Span Kayo
stood and gaped at the Epon. All his dread, fears and resentment had
been pushed to the back of his mind while he had followed Wesna to this
point, now they flooded back in force bringing fear and despair with
them.

"Are you ill Kayo Elk?" questioned Wesna.

"No!" Kayo wanted to shout the word but it came out as a croak. "I did
not choose this, I want it even less." The Epo Nupoublous nodded with
real sympathy in his eyes.

"I will make you a promise Kayo Elk. I will help you all I am able, you
sat on the chair, I feel you will easily win through the tests. Quickly
now or the gates will shut and we will not gain entry till the
morning."

He pulled Kayo with him as he rushed towards the large structure. They
made it through the gates just as they were shutting. No noise sounded
as they locked together, not even a thud as they shut out the outside
world for the night. Kayo wanted to pound on them to make them open
again and free him from his nightmare. Holding his arm tightly, Wesna
lead Kayo into the building. Delicious aromas met their nostrils and
Kayo felt hungry in spite of himself. Long wooden tables banked on
either side by benches covered the length of the large room they where
in. Food, placed in pots or on platters, lined the middle of the tables
A gong sounded loudly making Kayo jump.

Suddenly the doors on all sides of the hall opened and people dressed
in the same coloured robes as Wesna entered. Chattering to each other
they took their places at the tables. Wesna pulled Kayo to the nearest
table and sat him down. The gong sounded again and the door through
which Kayo had entered opened. A man dressed in grey robes walked
sedately through the door and headed straight for Kayo. Silence had
enveloped the room at his appearance. All eyes were now focused on
Kayo.

"Welcome son of the High Lord, welcome Kayo Elk". The mans voice seemed
to emanate power and Kayo was sure he could kill a man with that
voice.

"Wesna we thank you for guiding Kayo to us", he went on.

"It was my honour Sentar, Lord Sentinel of the Boriane", Wesna
replied.
The Sentar inclined his head regally at Wesna then turned and left the
way he had come. As soon as the door shut behind him the chatter and
noise started again.

"Eat Kayo, then I will take you to your room," Wesna told him. "The
Sentar has just paid you a great honour by welcoming you
himself."

Kayo was now to tired to care. He did as Wesna bid then followed him
for the last time that day. Up two fights of winding stairs into a room
that was warmed by a small fire in the hearth. Wesna turned to leave
and the last thing he said was "Sleep well Kayo Elk. I feel we shall
not be parted long."

Kayo was far to exhausted to wonder about Wesna Yongsons' parting
comment that night. He would however have cause to wonder about it the
next morning. For that night though all Kayo wanted was to fall on to
the bed and lay in the arms of Velra, goddess of sleep and dreams, till
morning. He didn't even bother to undress. He just removed his cloak
and boots and slept. No dreams disturbed his slumber this night but,
when the moon was at it's highest point in the night sky, the room
seemed to fill suddenly with a swirling purple mist. For a few seconds
it hung in the air simply to evaporate again as if it had never
manifested it's self in the first place.