The Books of Knowledge by Graham M. Irwin

Author:Graham M. Irwin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi, adventure, fantasy, science fantasy, legend of alm

15

Slate, Ertajj, Juke, Dahzi, and Pilotte sat bored and waiting along the last road stretching out from Jaidour.

“So, Slate. This Theolus person. You gave him half our goldquartz. How exactly do you know him?” Ertajj asked.

“I met him here,” Slate said. “Down the road.”

“Down the road? When?” Ertajj asked.

“A couple days ago. When you two where at Buxd’s Cove.”

“And what made you think to trust him with our goldquartz?” Ertajj asked.

“My goldquartz,” Dahzi corrected.

“I… We... He’ll be here,” Slate stammered.

“What makes you so sure, Slate?” Juke asked.

“Because. I know he’ll be here,” Slate answered.

Another hour ground past and tempers were about to break when at last a wagon, pulled by a tired, gray horse, came into view down the hazy road. The wizened horse wheezed to a stop, and Theolus offered no words of apology or explanation for his tardiness before he immediately began tossing supplies down onto the dirt road. Slate watched for a moment, waiting for acknowledgement. Theolus threw a length of rope at his feet.

“Why are you standing there?” the guide asked. “Tell the other three to get on over here and start gearing up. We’ve got a lot of time to make up if we’re going to get to a campground tonight.”

“But it’s so late in the day already,” Slate said. "We've been waiting..."

“We can’t be here after dark, because we’ll get robbed, killed, or worse,” Theolus interrupted. “The fyre addicts living out here in the far reaches will eat you to watch you scream. We’re far better off in the jungle. Just trust me to do my job, and get your friends over here to do theirs.”

Slate hastened over to his friends. "Told you he'd show. He’s saying we have to leave right away,” he informed them. “We have to leave tonight because of something called fyre addicts.”

“Oh, if there are flamers around here, he’s right. I can take just about anyone, but those people are crazy,” Ertajj said.

“Hey, kids,” Theolus called from the wagon, “Quit your jaw flapping and get over here!”

Goods and tools were parceled, then stowed and strapped into packs and bags. After a small lunch of jerky and nuts, the expedition loaded into the wagon. The old horse could hardly get the full wagon moving again, but once it did, it never faltered.

“Alright, kids,” Theolus said after four miles. “This is where we get lost.”

“Is he joking?” Dahzi asked.

“I hope,” Ertajj answered. "Either way, this should be fun."

The guide let the old horse free and gave it a smack, which sent it back the other way. Without wasting a second, Theolus starting into the jungle. He set a pace that was hard for Slate and his friends to keep, what with so much weight on their backs. They weren't used to carrying it. Theolus was, but he didn't care to hear their complaints.

The Ojikef provided distraction from their toil: it was wild with life. Beyond the small trees and flower bushes at the outskirts of the jungle, taller trees with broader palms began to appear.

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