Chapter Eighteen: Sacrifice

Oren and Master Anoka searched the Tiare shipping docks for someone who would give them passage abroad their ship, but Master Anoka had given all the money he had to the Merchant ship they abandoned. None of the local ship Captains were interested in taking a board of non-paying customers.

"Looks like the only way for us to catch a ship out of here is to find work on one," Anoka said flatly.

"Seems like it. Do we try for a different town?" Oren asked.

"I don't think the circumstances will change. We still need supplies. Working is the only choice."

They had both given up hope of finding some charitable folks like the caravan they just left. Lotsee, Na'ura, and the others were lifesavers.

"Do you think we might still catch Lotsee, Na'ura, and the others before they finish their trade? We can continue on with them." Oren said, hopeful.

"We've asked too much of them. Besides, we have to leave Viracocha. We are pressing our luck as it is." Anoka's words brought Oren back down to Earth.

They were about to leave the docks when a tall man was signaling to them.

"Hey, you two, I hear you need passage on a ship." The man yelled across the docks.

Oren wanted to tell him that he should lower his voice as he was attracting much attention, but the man knew no better.

The tall man walked over to them. He wore fine, meticulously kept clothes, jewelry, and a fancy hat. Everything about this man was elegant and fine, and he stunk of wealth.

"Yes, we need a ship if you have one," Anoka said.

"It just so happens that I do have a ship. I won't leave for a day or two, but you will be welcome on board." The man said.

"We have no money to pay you, but we can work," Aonka said.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. I am a rich man. I'd welcome some good company." The man explained.

"You don't know us. Why would you make such an offer?" Anoka questioned.

"I know it sounds strange. I am heading for Eladoer. I will only be with my crew as my family cannot go. I heard that a Father and Son were looking to travel. Something in my head just clicked. I didn't think much about it, but now that you mention it, it does sound silly."

"I didn't mean to offend. I was just surprised, that's all. We thought we might be stranded here. We'd be honored to go with you. Do we meet you here in a couple of days? Or how does this work?"

"You can stay at my house with my family until we leave. It will allow us to get to know each other first." The man explained.

"What do you think Oren?" Anoka prompted.

"I think we should go with him," Oren said.

"Oren," the man said, "And Anoka, I am Baishan."

"Thank you, Baishan. I keep getting astonished at the generosity in this land."

Oren and Anoka followed Baishan back to his home on the Southern end of Tiare. When Oren had a chance, he whispered his concerns about this man. "I have a bad feeling about him, Master."

"You said worse about the caravan members, and they turned out to be wonderful," Anoka said quietly.

"This is different. My instincts are telling me this isn't right."

"Well, we'll keep an eye out, OK. For now, let's not deprive ourselves of a good place to rest for the night," Anoka reasoned.

Oren relented under protest, but he was tired.

——-

Baishan's house was on a hill outside the city, overlooking the sea. It was shaped like a rectangle, but the middle was filled with gardens and water features. The house was stucco-painted pink with black trim. The shorter sides were two stories high. The floors were all stone, and all the rooms seemed very large.

There were a series of arches on the outer inside wall facing the garden. Underneath the arches were places to sit and get out of the sun while still admiring the views of the gardens. At every turn on the property, there were many fruit trees and pleasant-smelling flowers.

"After dinner, Oren, my children should take you to the gardens to play. How's that sound?" Baishan said in merriment.

"I look forward to it," Oren said politely.

Baishan had a pretty wife and six children, three boys and three girls. The oldest child was fifteen, and the youngest was four. Plenty of servants hung on every word of his family as if they'd expected punishment if they didn't.

"Remind me again what you do, Anoka, and why you and your boy are wandering the country," Baishan asked.

"I am an artist. We've been traveling to satisfy my Artistic urges. It went well until we were robbed of all my supplies." Master Anoka fibbed.

"Yes, many mongrels in our country are looking to take advantage." Baishan lamented.

"Well, you are very safe from such people here. You're only in jeopardy of wanting to stay longer." Baishan said.

Oren thought it odd that the rest of Baishan's family said very little. It was as if they were instructed not to speak.

Dinner was over, and Oren played with the other children in the gardens. It was the first time in his life that he could remember playing children's games with other children.

Oren was actually having fun just being a kid. So much so that he forgot all of his suspicions about his hosts. Master Anoka was sitting with Baishan and his wife, enjoying refreshments as they watched.

Life seemed as it should be. They'd be away in Eladoer in a couple of days, where no one would care about them. Oren wondered what Master Hiawatha would say if he saw him running around. Oren thought Hiawatha would be annoyed that Oren was neglecting his studies. One laughed to himself.

Oren hadn't considered the monastery as much as he should. He didn't know what happened to the rest of the monks. For all he knew, the Imperata could have killed them all. Oren didn't want to think about such things. Thinking of the others made him sad. He had to focus on the here and now. Right now, he was having fun.

A knock came at the door that interrupted the festive mood. The servants summoned Baishan to the door, and there were quiet whispers that Oren couldn't make out. Baishan stepped aside, and a Tribune entered. Oren was in disbelief. Soldiers quickly piled in behind the Tribune and swarmed Anoka and Oren.

As the soldiers piled in, Master Anoka whispered into Oren's ear, "I'm going to do something, and when I do it, you run and don't look back."

Oren looked at him and wanted to question his meaning, but Anoka shook him off and repeated, "You run."

Oren didn't know how many soldiers had come in, but it was a lot. Oren then watched in horror as the Tribune was given money to Baishan.

"You traitor! You turned us over." Oren accused in anger.

"Of course." Baishan said, "It was the plan all along. I don't have a ship ready to leave anytime soon, and with the reward, I won't have to do any trading for a while."

Oren bit his tongue as he held back all the nasty things he wished to say. "We left a group of people who had nothing; they had been outcasts by society and had the chance to earn that reward, but they were truer folk. Their hearts were pure. You are a snake. You have wealth; you didn't need the money." Oren said.

"My dear fellow, but now I have much more." Baishan sneered.

"Is that it, betray us for money?" Anoka asked.

"What else is there?" Baishan said. "I heard about the soldiers looking for you, and you were so gullible. But it all worked out."

"I've heard enough talk. You and the boy shall come with us." The Tribune interrupted.

"And if I don't wish to come?" Master Anoka said defiantly.

"Then we will kill you and take the boy." The Tribune threatened.

Master Anoka leaned to Oren and whispered, "I told you to run when I made my move. Go and don't look back for me. Now GO!"

Master Anoka took his staff from underneath his robes and began killing soldiers, starting with the Tribune. He sent death blasts of energy that scattered flesh and armor about Baishan's home. Anoka was making a path to the front gate for Oren.

Oren was running directly behind Anoka. Oren watched as Anoka killed Baishan, who tried to swing a sword at him. Master Anoka reached the front gate and blocked it so that Oren could pass him up and take the lead. Master Anoka was deflecting arrows with his powers as he protected Oren.

Oren was out of the gate and looked back to Anoka, who gestured for him to keep going. He wasn't sure where he was supposed to run to, so he just kept going in the direction of the city.

Oren had a bad feeling and looked back. To Oren's horror, Master Anoka was being overwhelmed by soldiers. Even though he had more power, they had sheer numbers. They had managed to surround Master Anoka.

Oren was about to return and help him with his powers, but it was too late. Master Anoka was being stabbed and hit with arrows from too many directions.

Master Anoka fell to his knees but tried to fight them off. He fell to the ground so that he was facing Oren. Oren and Master Anoka made eye contact for a brief second. Oren's eyes were full of tears. One of the soldiers made the final thrust, and Master Anoka's life faded.

Oren ran without purpose. He knew that the soldiers would be quickly on his trail. He thought of getting to the docks and trying to sneak on a ship, but he couldn't think of anything else to do.

Oren didn't have time to mourn Master Anoka. He wanted to stop and cry, but he was panicked. As Oren passed by, people would give him angry stares. They were probably wondering why such a young boy was running by himself in such a place.

Oren entered a dense part of Tiare with many markets and people. The sound of voices made it so Oren could hardly hear a thing. All of his senses were flaring with overstimulation. The crowds were helping him hide, but a small boy would still stick out easily. He had to be more aware of his every movement.

He didn't know this city and was a bit turned around to where the docks were. He was too short to see over the people and buildings, so he'd have to commit to a direction.

He didn't have money. He didn't have supplies. He didn't even have a weapon, and now he didn't even have Master Anoka. Oren couldn't let his despair lead him into error. He must focus.

Oren thought he heard someone calling his name but knew that couldn't be good. He heard his name again and looked around to see in which direction it was coming. He heard it a third time and decided it wasn't a good idea to wait around and find out who it was.

Oren ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction. He heard the call, but a hand reached out and grabbed him. Oren was full of shock and defeat. He couldn't believe he was caught so easily. Oren looked up with sorrowful eyes at his capture, but it was the eyes of Na'ura.

"Oren, what are you doing?" Na'ura asked.

"It's a long story, but I'm in trouble," Oren said.

"Trouble? Like soldiers type of trouble?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I see some right now, and they don't look happy. You can tell me later. First, I need to hide you." Na'ura said.

Oren watched as Na'ura spoke to one of the food vendors. She then signaled for Oren to hide in the seller's cart. Oren couldn't see anything; it was dark inside the fruit-filled wooden box. It looked like the vendor had put their supplies and extra things in this compartment. It must make moving the vending cart from place to place easier. Right now, it made for a tight spot to hide. Oren was lucky he was little. He didn't think Master Anoka would have fit.

Oren heard the soldiers' voices speaking to Na'ura and the vendor. He heard them both play innocent and stated they had no knowledge of a boy coming that way. The soldiers must have been convinced because he no longer heard them.

Na' ura signaled that it was clear for Oren to come out.

"Come with me. I'll bring you to the others. Where is Anoka? Is he joining us?" Na'ura asked cheerfully.

"No. No, he won't be joining us. Ever." Oren said, deflated.

"What? What happened?" She said in shock.

"I'll explain later. Let's get to the caravan." Oren instructed.

——

Oren and Na'ura had safely reached the rest of the caravan. Lotsee and the others were surprised to see Oren again. They greeted him warmly, but all questioned where Anoka was.

"He died so that I could get away from the soldiers," Oren said.

Oren finally could let all his emotions out, and he had the urge to be held like the child he was. Nature must have sensed it, or just her maternal instincts guided her as she came over and hugged him. The others let him release his emotions without pressing him for more details.

After Oren had composed himself, he filled in the other details for them. He let them know how they had been betrayed by Baishan, that they could not find a ship, and that soldiers knew he was close.

"As long as I am with you, you all will be in the same danger. These soldiers will not stop, and they won't hesitate to kill you to get to me." Oren warned them.

"Yes, we understand the danger," Lotsee spoke for the others. "We accept that. We protect our friends." None of the others seem to dispute Lotsee's words.

For a moment, Oren felt calm and relieved. Then, he started to contemplate whether he was better off going back to the monastery. He had already caused Master Anoka's death, and he didn't want to be the reason more people died.

Oren thought he could have used his powers to kill all the soldiers and save Master Anoka, but it didn't occur to him. He just did as Master Anoka asked. Oren trusted him unquestionably. Oren wondered if his pain was a sign that he had loved Master Anoka. Had Oren loved him like a surrogate uncle or brother? No, Oren had to admit, he had come to love Master Anoka like a surrogate father.

Night had fallen, and the caravan of wagons and horse riders was moving out of the area of Tiare. They no longer had cattle as they had managed to sell all of them to the stockyards.

"What do you do now that you have sold your livestock?" Oren asked Lotsee.

Oren was seated next to him on his wagon at the front of the caravan.

"We have pasture lands with other cattle and livestock." Many of the others stay with them as we come to market. We rely on cattle to have calves and keep the cycle going. We get milk, butter, leather, and everything from our livestock. Then all of the things we make, we sell." Lotsee explained.

"It sounds straightforward. The farmers from our region do something similar, except they bring their goods to us and not to markets," Oren said.

Lotsee didn't try to investigate the details of the arrangement or learn more about Oren's past.

There was a commotion at the back of the caravan. Lotsee stopped the horses, pulling his wagon so Oren and he could see what was happening.

"Lotsee, there is light in the distance behind us. Someone might be following us." Someone shouted.

"It could be the soldiers. In the darkness, we might be able to find cover and hide our tracks." Lotsee said.

"It's best that we don't take any chances." Someone else said, but Oren couldn't see them.

"Yes, we can't outrun them with these heavy wagons. Horse riders ride ahead of us and look for a place where we might find cover. And be quick; we have very little time." Lotsee commanded.

The riders had yet to return, and the lights behind them were getting very close.

"We don't have time to hide. We must try to hide Oren and hope the soldiers move on from us quickly." Lotsee said, changing their approach.

"No. I'm not risking more people's lives." Oren said. "I'm tired of running."

"What do you mean?" Lotsee asked.

Na'ura had come from her wagon to see what was happening.

"You will never outrun them. I am your only hope. You will not bluff them a third time. I will take a lesson from Master Anoka; you will escape." Oren said steadfastly.

"No, we'll think of something. We always do." Lotsee said.

"Don't worry, Oren, we'll be fine," Na'ura said, trying to comfort him.

"No! Master Anoka said you were the people I should protect, and he was right. They will not kill me as they want me too bad. They will kill you, though. I cannot stand to lose one more friend. Do not worry for me. I will be fine; in fact, it is time I spoke with the ones who chase after me." Oren was resolute.

"Now go before I turn my power on you."

The others must have seen Oren's determination. They reluctantly agreed to do as he said. Nature kissed Oren, and the caravan said their thanks and goodbyes.

Oren's power was raging. He could feel the height of his powers. Oren held his hands by his side, but electric static oozed from his fingertips. The winds suddenly began to bluster. Oren was a frightening sight to behold as his draw power became evident. The caravan looked back in pure astonishment.

Oren could see the soldiers approaching on horseback. There were hundreds of soldiers at the gallop and closing quick to him. Oren could sense that the caravan was nearing a safe distance.

The soldiers saw Oren standing there in wait and slowed down as the lead soldier signaled to halt the pursuit.

"I'm glad to see you surrender and make this easier." The soldier said.

"I am not turning myself into you. You are taking me to your leader, and I will decide whether or not to destroy all of you." Oren said with clenched fists.

The soldiers laughed as they thought such a small boy must be joking. To show that he was not in a joking mood, Oren shot energy blasts from his fingers that instantly killed four or five soldiers and their horses. The soldiers were not laughing now.

"You will take me to your leader, and you will do it now," Oren commanded.