chap1 of something old

Reinala gazed in wonder at the nine before her. As she urged her horse forward, a familiar voice announced, “She’s finally here. Now we can get on with this.”
Reinala turned her head. Sure enough, the speaker had been Sinaran.
“What’re you waiting for? Join the circle,” he snapped.
“Well, you haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you,” Reinala said, taking her place in the circle. “Still an impatient jerk.”
Sinaran ignored her and began. “Now that we are all here, I would like to point out that there are two of every race that we know of, except for animals, and the… You should know what I’m talking about.”
There were quick nods throughout the circle.
“Good. Now, for the fairies, we have Marana and Ziratchol.” The two fairies giggled.
“For the elves, Leatheliay, who would prefer Theli for short. Hey, I would too. We have the honor of hosting a Cleotha. His name is Jezarian.” The elf waved. Jezarian stood there, not saying anything.
“For the dwarves, Forshar and Sirandi.” They gave a sort of yell.
“For the Yorons, myself and Reinala.” Everybody took a close look at Reinala, then turned away almost immediately. They didn’t wan to get caught by a “Yoron,” as she called herself. Everyone knew what she was. Her hair was a reddish-brown, and her eyes were green. Usually Yorons had darker features, as they were mostly nocturnal. Take Sinaran, for instance. Brown eyes and dark hair. Usual for a Yoron. That was one more thing that separated her from the rest. Everyone knew she was one of the Darklings. Not just any Darkling, either. She was a banished princess.
“And for the humans,” Sinaran said, his voice cold now, ”Kondren and Laidera.” He turned to them. “That’s a good name for a human,” he hissed. “Laidera. Now, take away Dera. What does that leave you with? Lai. Lie. You’re all liars.”
Reinala stared in disbelief at Sinaran. “What’s the matter with you? They haven’t done anything. You have no reason to hate them.”
“Of course he does,” Ziratchol said loudly. “He’s a Yoron. Yorons have the temper and those big ears of an elf, the power of a fairy, the bravery and stubbornness of a dwarf, and the face and greed of a human, so if they get angry, watch out! Oh, and that goes for elves, too. Oh, and by the description I just gave you, that would prove you’re not a Yoron. I know what you are. We all do.”
“Excuse me, Ziratchol,” Theli said coldly, “You’re just like an elf, in looks and everything else, only you have a bit more power.”
“A bit more power? A BIT? Tell me, elf, what can you do that I can’t?”
Theli closed her eyes. At first, it looked as though she was admitting defeat, but then she started whispering something. She raised her eyes to Ziratchol, and then, still smirking, he fell asleep. Theli whispered some more, then he got up and started dancing. This went on for five minutes, with everybody laughing, until finally Theli stopped whispering. “Try that, fairy.”
Humiliated, Ziratchol climbed back onto his horse. But it wasn’t over. Marana still wanted to show that fairies were better than elves. While Theli’s back was turned, she stared hard at her. A small wisp of smoke rose from her shawl, and after that, a small flame. It took around five seconds for Theli to realize she was on fire. She threw the shawl to the ground and stamped it out. Afterwards, she turned to Marana. “Coward,” she hissed. “If fairies were better that elves, they wouldn’t attack while their opponent’s back was turned.”
“No wonder the elves and fairies are at war,” Sinaran whispered to Reinala. “They can’t say a word to the other without arguing.”
“Yeah, I know. Who started the war?”
“Who knows? For all we know, it started over who got to eat the first apple on the tree.”
“More likely something was stolen, or someone was murdered,” Reinala replied.
“You think too much, you know that? They’ll fight over anything. Both are hotheads as far as I’m concerned. The elves aren’t the only ones with a bad temper. In fact, I think dwarves are the calmest people I know. They haven’t been at war in centuries, and the last time they were at war was only to help the humans.”
“When the meeting first started, you said that there were two of every race that we knew of, except for animals, and the… other things. If that’s true, then where are those Tree-people?”
“They won’t come unless there’s a real emergency, you know that.”
“Well, if we’re looking for something that belongs to…you know, so it won’t destroy the world, I think that would qualify as an emergency, don’t you think?”
“He is Zirhan’s father, and he doesn’t exactly want to destroy the world, he wants to enslave it, or some other creepy, sick, twisted thing like that! And how do you know that’s what we’re after? I haven’t told anyone!”
“Oh, yes you did! I heard you!”
“Quit acting like a little kid and admit you’re making things up! And while you’re at it, tell me how you found out about what we’re looking for!”
“I’m not acting like a baby goat! Anyway, what I told you was the truth, and I’m not the one acting like a child, they are! Oh, by the way, who’s Zirhan?”
The elves and the fairies were now screaming at each other, and threatening. Even as she watched, Reinala saw Theli her sword.
Before they could hurt each other, however, a diversion in the form of a tall greenish creature appeared. “Hey, what did I miss?” she asked good-naturedly.
“Nothing much,” Sinaran said. “A bunch of fighting. Our ‘friends’ can’t say a word to each other without arguing. It’s going to be a long trip.”
“I’ll say. Think we’re going to survive?”
“No, I don’t,” Reinala replied.
“Oh, just so you know, I’m Criath. I bet I know who you are.” She didn’t say this in an unkind way. Her voice was pretty, and even if she had tried to be mean, it would not have worked. “Why were you banished?”
“I don’t know. I was never told why.”
Criath smiled. “You’re going to have people you have no relation to be named after you, Reinala.”
“I doubt it. I’m one of the millions of people who are banished every day. I’m just glad I wasn’t executed.”
“Yes, that is something to be thankful for. Well, should we break them up?” she asked, pointing to the others.
“Nah, let’s sit back and enjoy the show,” Sinaran said.
“We’ve been enjoying it long enough. We have to get them to stop fighting,” Reinala said. However, Sinaran remained as stubborn as ever. “Criath, will you help me?” she pleaded. “I don’t want to die as soon as I step in.”
“Of course I’ll help. Come on.”
Reinala didn’t have to help at all. Well, she told them to stop once. Everyone but Jezarian ignored her. Criath practically had to knock everyone unconscious before they quit. Ziratchol was unconscious. After he went, everybody listened.
“Now, let’s start! We need to find what we need and the one who holds it!” she cried.
After Kondren and Theli got Ziratchol seated on one of the only horses, they were off.
They were so excited, no one, not even Criath, noticed the dark shape staying just off the path, hiding in the shadows thrown by the trees.

~ ~ ~

“I think we’re lost,” Reinala said, shading her eyes. It was hours later, and the sun was beginning to set.
“Yeah, well I think I’m bored,” Ziratchol declared.
“I think Reinala may be right,” Criath said nervously. “Sinaran!”
“Yes?”
“You know that fork in the road we passed a while back? Did we take the right fork or the left?”
“Right.”
“Urgh…who gave the directions?”
“Ziratchol.”
Slowly Criath turned toward him. “Were you really the one who gave directions?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I can’t believe this!” Criath shouted angrily.
“Quit worrying. We’re still in the Meadows.”
“Do you know what happens after we leave the Meadows?”
“Um…hills?”
“Exactly. Do you know what lives in those hills? Ziratchol, if we do something so simple as to take the wrong fork, we could wind up fight in the middle of a band of giants, goblins, trolls or worse! We’re going to have to double back if we want to get out of here alive. Look, see, the smallest hills are only a few miles away. Come on.”
“Thanks a lot,” Theli muttered. “We’re never going to find the Star if you keep messing up.”
“Well, sorry,” Ziratchol snapped. “What else do you want me to say?” he asked as Criath shook he head in disgust.
“Sinaran, you never should have taken him along. This is going to be a nightmare.”
“I was told he was useful.”
“More than likely it was just a family member who wanted to get rid of him.”
“I heard that!”
“Good!” Sinaran shouted back. “You know, I don’t see how we are going to accomplish this. I have a group of dimwits trailing after me, one so incredibly moronic it’s unbelievable, and they’re just going to slow me down.”
“Hey, Sinaran. Did my ears deceive me, or did I just hear you call me a dimwit?” It was Reinala.
“You know, I think he did,” Criath said thoughtfully. “Come to think of it, he’s also called Forshar, Sirandi, Theli, Marana and even Jezarian dimwits! Oh, my…”
“He’s not a good friend. Trust me. I’ve known him since I was born,” Reinala said.
“I believe it.”
“Hey, Sinaran, you’re not a Yoron, you’re a moron!” Ziratchol cackled.
“That’s pitiful,” Sinaran snorted. “I could come up with a bunch of better insults than that.”
“I’m waiting!” he called gleefully.
“I have to wait for you to do something really stupid,” Sinaran replied.
“Then you will be waiting forever. I am so intelligent that I will never do anything stupid as long as I live.”
“That is impossible,” Criath said. “You’ve done so many stupid things in three hours that it is almost unbelievable. We are eagerly anticipating your next move.”
“Oh, ha, ha,” he said sarcastically. “You didn’t have to bring me along, you know.”
“You’re right. I still did, though, so that means you have some responsibilities. And one of those is to try to take this seriously. Please. If this doesn’t work out the way we need it to, we all will die. I can guarantee it.”
“Do you even know what we’re trying to do?” Reinala spoke up.
“Trying to find something?” Theli suggested timidly. Reinala risked a glance over her shoulder. Sinaran looked furious. He wasn’t trying to stop her, though. That was a good sign.
“The Shadow Star.” She heard gasps. Sinaran clenched his fists.
“He told us we were trying to ambush Tarthonoc!” Theli cried shrilly.
“Who?” Reinala asked.
“Zirhan’s father, duh!”
“Who is Zirhan? How does he fit into this?”
“There are rumors that he killed his own mother!” Kondren said in a hushed voice. “He’s supposed to be horrible. He—he lures things toward him, and kills them!”
“Who is Zirhan? What has he done to us?”
“When Tarthonoc is dead, he is supposed to rule in his father’s place,” he continued. “Their empire is small now, but once he is ruling—“ He broke off and shuddered.
“Maybe I can explain this a little more accurately,” Jezarian spoke up. “You haven’t heard of Tarthonoc. Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“So you have no idea who Zirhan is.”
“Correct.”
“When he was young, Tarthonoc was a warrior for the king. He was the favorite guard or something like that. When he was replaced with another, more able one, he flew into a rage and killed the king. People stopped him before the rest of the family was hurt.
“Sooner or later, he was released. He met someone, got married, you get it. Well, he killed his own wife. Somehow, he conquered a country and he rules it. He is dying. Soon Zirhan, his son, who, if anything, is worse, will take the throne. Do you see why that is bad?”
“I think so. But, you see, everyone, even Sinaran, has it all wrong. Neither Tarthonoc or Zirhan has the Star.”
“Then who does?”
“I think I might now. There are three who might have it. One is Naravi. She’s like the prettiest thing alive. You may not see her for what she is at first, but keep an eye out for her.
“The second is the Darkling queen. She, also, is so pretty you may not recognize her at first. Remember, though, there are many places to hide something in the Tunnels.
“The third…no one knows its true identity. He or she is in the form of a black wolf. That is all I know.”
“Yeah, right,” Sinaran said skeptically. “Criath, is she telling the truth?”
“I’m afraid so. Every word is true. But why are you asking me? Jezarian is the one you should ask. He knows much more than I do.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’m not risking even saying hello to the creep. How does she know all that?”
“Only one person knows the answer to that, and she’s perfectly happy keeping quiet.” Reinala cackled.
“You sure are helping us out,” Sinaran sighed.
“I know I am.”
“Uh-oh, look, they’re fighting again!” Criath sighed. “This is going to be next to impossible.”
“There’s no ‘next to’ about it. It is going to be impossible,” Reinala groaned, shaking her head. “You know, on second thought, I think I’ll go home.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Sinaran growled. “You’re staying here with the rest of us.”
“This is not fair. I didn’t even volunteer!”
“Look, I could have told everyone here what you really are. I didn’t, so that means you owe me.”
“They already know what I am, thanks to Ziratchol. It had nothing to do with you.”
“You are staying, like it or not.”
“Jerk.” She pushed him.
“Will they ever stop fighting?” Criath groaned.
“Let’s leave them alone. Maybe they’ll kill each other,” Sinaran said hopefully.
“Yeah, and all our problems would be solved, right?”
“Nearly. There’d be a few things to be careful about, but we don’t have to worry about them giving us away when we’re in Tarthonoc’s territory.”
“Really, though. Of all the creatures we could have picked, most of them won’t quit fighting,” Reinala sighed.
“Yep. The only one acting normal is Jezarian, and even he’s getting fed up with them. Isn’t he supposed to be calm and kind?”
“The other ones would drive anyone nuts,” Criath told him. “A Cleotha is no exception. They’d be able to make a rock walk away, honestly.”
“Not yet,” Sinaran said. “I don’t see any of them moving.”
“Well, aren’t you smart,” Reinala droned.
“I’m extremely smart.” Reinala wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard someone laugh.
“If we don’t want to put up with them all the way through the mountains, we could probably go through one of the Forests,” Criath offered. “I know a few people in Deltoran who would help us.”
“I don’t know. Deltoran the Forest or Deltoran the village? Either one is about a hundred miles away,” Sinaran said slowly.
“You could always go through the Wastelands,” a soft voice said behind them. Reinala whirled around. It was Jezarian.
“I would rather die,” Criath said. “Any other road is better. I’d go through cliffs before I even dreamed of setting one foot in the Wastelands.”
“Sorry. It is the shortest road, though. If you don’t want any murders happening in our little group, it’s a possible route.”
“Not a good one,” Reinala said. “Even I’ve heard of them, and I don’t know much of anything. Do you know what supposed to live there?”
“Just because it’s rumored doesn’t mean it’s so.”
“You seem to be the only one who doesn’t believe in them,” Sinaran said. “I’m sure if you asked, everybody would believe in the…the…”
“Do you want me to say it for you?”
“NO! Are you crazy?” Reinala hissed.
“What’s wrong with saying the name?”
“He’s hopeless, Criath. Should we leave him?”
“Not just yet. We shouldn’t get too angry just because he suggested a road through the Wastelands. I mean, there is an entrance to Tarthonoc’s castle right at the northern edge.” She sighed. “If there weren’t so many…oh, you know what I mean! If the Wastelands weren’t swarming with them, I’d go.”
“We have many paths to choose from. There are dangers and disadvantages to each one,” Jezarian said.
“What’s the disadvantage for going through the mountains?” Criath asked.
“Apart from them killing each other, it’s the longest and slowest road. The enemy could catch up to us. Same goes for the Forests, only let’s add that we don’t know who or what leaves in the trees, caves, tunnels, holes, huts, rivers, canyons, valleys, cliffs, you get it. And you know that eventually we’ll have to go through the Wastelands no matter what. If we go directly through them, we’ll get there quickly. I won’t deny that it’s the most dangerous course we can take, but I’m sure we’ll be able to get through. But, you’re the leader, it seems. You choose.”
“You have lots of choices,” Reinala said. “The hills, the Forest, the Wastelands or the mountains.”
“We have about five more miles to go through before we get to the hills. You’re going to have to make a quick decision, Criath,” Sinaran said.
“By nightfall the hills won’t be safe,” she sighed. “The mountains are even farther away then Deltoran, and the only way you’re going through the Wastelands is if I’m dead. I guess we’re going through Deltoran.”
“But it’s miles and miles away! We’ll never make it before next week!” Reinala wailed.
“We better start hurrying, then.”
“I want to go home!”
“You don’t have a home anymore,” Sinaran reminded her. What a friend.
“So once we’re out of the meadows, what will we do?”
“The woods.”
“Oh, joy,” she replied sarcastically.
“You’re going through the Forest?” Jezarian asked.
“That’s what we said,” Criath told him.
“Why? After you’re past that, there’s a whole range of mountains twice as big as the ones over there! There’s also a different set of hills before the woods! And later, say hello to the Wastelands! You’re committing suicide! We’re going to be running through a little bit of everything! Oh, and have you forgotten it’s the middle of winter? Look at all the snow!”
“That’s nice,” Criath replied in a tone that made it clear she didn’t believe him.
“I’m not lying! Listen to me!”
“No one is listening, are they?” Ziratchol said coldly, coming up behind him.
“Are you done fighting?” Criath asked. “If so, maybe we can get a move on sometime soon.”
“Yeah, we’re done. Theli’s unconscious.”
“Oh, great.”
“So we’re going through the hills?”
“Not anymore. Say hi to the Deltoran Forest,” Sinaran smirked.
“You’re kidding, right?” he groaned.
“No,” Criath said. “Now, come on.”
“We don’t even know what lives there! You’re putting all of us in danger, Criath!”
“Well, we’re about to find out. Get everyone over here. They need to know that there’s been a change of plans.”
“It’s almost winter! The mountains that come after it will kill the ones that haven’t died in the Forest!”
“Nothing you say will change my mind, Ziratchol. Go get the others.” Muttering, he walked away.
“So we really are going that way?” Sinaran asked fearfully. “I thought you were just joking.”
“I’m afraid not. As soon as I inform the others, that’s where we’re heading.”
“But Jezarian’s right, then! So is Ziratchol! We’ll all wind up dying if we go that way! And there’s still the Wastelands after that!”
“Be quiet!” Criath snapped. “Nothing you say will change my mind, Sinaran. If I say we’re going a certain way, that’s where we’re going. Nothing you say will change my mind.” Reinala was surprised. She didn’t know Criath’s voice could get that cold.
“Everyone, I would like you to know that we are going to change our course. Instead of the hills, mountains, and Wastelands, we’re going woods, Forest, hills, mountains, Wastelands.”
“But why?” Marana asked. “Isn’t that just the long way around?”
“You would think so, but I know so many shortcuts it wouldn’t take as long as if we went straight through the Wastelands alone.”
As more questions followed, Reinala had only one thought on her mind: Why is Criath going through the Wastelands when she told me the only way I’d see them is if she were dead?