Lloyd Alexander - Vesper 04 by The Jedera Adventure

Author:The Jedera Adventure
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-06-04T15:04:30+00:00

Smiler produced it from his pocket. I struck a match while Vesper unfolded and studied the map closely. At last, she shook her head.

“Too bad. The only trail is the one we’re on.”

An-Jalil, having observed her in silence, now came and took the map from her hands.

“Have strangers drawn a picture of my homeland?” He tossed Marelle’s chart to the ground. “The scribbles of a child. This shows nothing of the true Haggar. There is another trail. Only the Tawarik know it.”

“Why didn’t you say so right off?” returned Vesper. “We’ll take that one, if you’ll show us.”

“The Tawarik alone have courage to follow it,” An-Jalil said. “None other dares to venture there. The perils are great, anisah. To the body; even more, to the spirit.”

“If it gets us out of here—” Vesper broke off and turned to Maleesh and Jenna. “I’m not the only one to decide. If you don’t want to risk it, we’ll think of something else. No matter what, I’m not leaving you two by yourselves again.”

Maleesh and Jenna exchanged quick glances. Maleesh nodded. “Wherever you go, anisah, we shall be with you.”

“So be it.” An-Jalil threw back his head and gave a peculiar, vibrant call. Vesper was as puzzled as I, having no idea what the fellow was up to. A few moments later, I caught my breath in astonishment.

From the upper ledges and outcroppings, a dozen ghostly shapes sprang up, moving swiftly and noiselessly. Silver blue in the moonlight, garbed and veiled like An-Jalil, the sight of them descending on us, leading their meharis, was impressive—and more than a little unnerving.

“For myself, I prefer solitude,” said An-Jalil, “but my people would not have me journey unprotected. These are my close companions. They have watched over me as I have watched over you.”

“Very wise of them not to let you travel alone,” said Vesper, “and a good thing for us.”

One by one, his warriors strode up and salaamed to their chieftain.

“Tashfin Ag Tashfin … Attia el-Hakk …” After An-Jalil presented each in turn to us, he drew apart to speak with them. Some moments later, he came back.

“I have explained your circumstances,” he told Vesper. “They will go where I lead and where you wish. Our trail will take us from the Haggar a little west of Fort Iboush. There, the desert begins. We must cross a portion of it before we can again join the caravan route. We shall be well ahead of the Beni-Brahim. The path is swift for those who dare to follow it. My companions ask only to be certain the anisah understands the perils of her choice.”

“I’ll understand them better when I see them,” replied Vesper.

“So be it.” An-Jalil signaled to his companions. “Anisah, this I vow to you: Should you lose your life, it will be only if I lose mine.”

I did not find much comfort in this chivalrous generosity.

Vesper smiled. “Better just make sure we all stay alive.”

An-Jalil allowed us only a brief rest before setting out again. Once we started on the secret trail, Sheik Addi would not be able to follow us.

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