Brian Rathbone - The Dawning of Power

Uncertainty festered in Catrin's belly, but she just thanked Orman for the wine. He left as if nothing had occurred, closing the door behind himself. The secrecy employed in delivering the message demanded she read it in private, but her curiosity would not be quelled. With a quick glance, she saw the image of a hummingbird impressed into the wax. Excitement charged through her. "I need to collect my thoughts," she said. "I'm going to meditate for a while."

The others spoke softly as Catrin settled herself into a corner with her back to them. The seal broke away easily, and she opened the parchment with a mixture of hope and dread.

Birds roost where dandelions hide.

Frustrated, Catrin tried to understand what the message meant. The hummingbird seal would almost certainly belong to Brother Vaughn, and the mention of birds solidified that deduction. The taste of dandelion wine was still on her tongue, and Orman had said it was a secret recipe, but she struggled to find meaning in Birds roost.

The message was a warning, of that she was certain, and she guessed it wasn't safe to go to Ohmahold. Birds. Messages. The realization slammed into her consciousness. Orman would send a message by bird. Could it really be so simple? "I think Brother Vaughn wants us to wait here for him," she said when she returned to the table.

"Did you get that from your meditation or did you just decide you like this place?" Chase asked.

"A cryptic message was delivered to me, and I'm not certain, but I think it's a warning," she said, still feeling compelled to keep the message secret. Sharing it would reveal Orman as the messenger, and she sensed that would be against his wishes. Perhaps he feared Samda. "I think Brother Vaughn wants to meet us here."

"Would you care to share the message?" Chase asked. "Maybe we could help interpret it."

"No. The message was intended for me alone, and I cannot share it. I'm sorry."

Chase raised an eyebrow but did not press her further. Benjin looked her in the eye and seemed satisfied by what he saw.

"I don't think it's safe to stay here long. There are more people looking for you than just Brother Vaughn. There may be other messages being exchanged this very moment," Samda said.

"I agree," Chase added, and when he met her eyes, Catrin saw his determination and knew he was going to fight her.

"Come with me," she said, and he walked to the corner with her. She could feel the stares on her back, but she could think of no other way to convince her companions without offending Samda and still respect Orman's privacy.

When she showed Chase the message, he looked uncertain at first, but then he seemed to see the hidden meanings. "I think Cat's right. I say we wait here, at least for a few days," he said when they returned to the table.

"We need to get a better understanding of the layout of the inn and its surroundings," Benjin said. "I don't want to be trapped here. We'll pair up and keep watch on the streets. If someone is trying to trap us, we'll need as much warning as possible."

Despite what were mostly pleasant days in a comfortable setting, Catrin paced the floor, unable to stem her anxiety. Every horse or wagon that passed was suspect, and even when in her room, she could not stifle her worry. Having stayed abed longer than the others, she tried to calm her mind. When the door to her room suddenly flew open, she nearly leaped from her skin. No one entered, but then two grinning faces peeked in. Only her happiness to see them could overcome the overwhelming desire to wring their necks.

"Strom! Osbourne! How did you get here?"

"We came with Brother Vaughn." At the mention of his name, he came to the door, grinning as wide as the rest.

"Greetings, Catrin. I was confident you would understand my message, but I must admit it's a relief to find you here. There are many things we need to discuss."

Chase charged up the stairs from the common room, having heard the commotion. "Who goes there?" he challenged. "By the gods, how'd you get in here? Forget it. I don't care." He ran to embrace Strom, Osbourne, and Brother Vaughn. "I'll go get Benjin and Samda."

"Who?" Brother Vaughn asked, his visage going stony.

"Samda was a Zjhon Master, but his beliefs have changed. He's been helping us," Catrin said.

"I know who he is. A detestable man if I ever met one. We can get you out of here without him ever knowing. Chase, can you try to get Benjin to come alone?"

"Wait," Catrin said. "I don't want to leave Samda. He saved my life, just as you did. I could no more leave him behind in such a way than I could you."

Brother Vaughn seemed torn, but then he tightened his jaw and nodded. "Let us talk where we can be comfortable and drink a bit of Orman's dandelion wine, then."

In his excitement, Chase darted ahead to apprise Benjin, taking the stairs two at a time. Catrin walked beside Brother Vaughn. "I respect your opinion, and I'm sorry for disagreeing with you."

"People can change, but they rarely do. I will trust your judgment, but it will take some time before I will trust his."

"I can ask no more than that," she said as they entered the private dining hall. Food and wine were waiting when they arrived, which made Catrin slightly uncomfortable, not liking when others anticipated her moves.

Benjin still wore a shocked expression when he arrived. Chase followed. Then came Samda, who wore a mixture of guilt and pride like a cloak. Catrin watched the looks exchanged between Brother Vaughn and Samda. There was no kindness between them, but they both managed to remain civil.

"How did you get in here?" Benjin asked. "We've been watching every entrance."

"Orman's a crafty fellow," Brother Vaughn said. "Full of surprises, he is. I'll not spoil his fun by revealing his methods." Strom and Osbourne nodded in agreement.

"I suppose the important question is: What do you plan to do next?" Brother Vaughn asked.

"I'm going after Belegra," Catrin said. "I believe he goes in search of the Firstland."

"I've gotten reports that give your suspicion credence, but I must ask how you plan to find the Firstland."

"I don't know, but I must find a way."

Brother Vaughn paced the floor in deep thought but stopped suddenly in front of Samda. Their noses almost touching, he growled. "You know why I loathe you. You know what you did. Catrin has accepted you, and I have chosen to honor her decision, but if you reveal any of what I say to anyone or if you betray her, I'll find you, and you will die slowly."

Catrin held her breath, shocked by the venom that poured from Brother Vaughn.

"What the Zjhon did was wrong-I know-but nothing can bring those shepherds back, no matter how much I will it to be so. I'll not betray you or Catrin."

"Be true to your word, and you have nothing to fear," Brother Vaughn said, and he turned back to the group, his visage once again peaceful. "There has been great change in the Cathuran order since the Zjhon killed Mother Gwendolin." He paused to glare at Samda, who seemed truly surprised and confused. "Long-standing beliefs are being challenged, and the order is divided. I could not remain while they squabble amongst themselves. I made my choice, and I started searching for you. When the bird came, Strom, Osbourne, and I made good our escape before the balance of power shifted."

"You left the order?" Catrin asked, shocked.

"In a sense, yes. There have been times in the past when the order dispersed to find truth, and I am on such a quest. The library you found contains thousands of volumes, and it'll take generations to glean all that we can from them, but I did make some discoveries before I departed Ohmahold. You were correct when you translated Om'Sa to mean men leave. The book you found chronicles the departure of the first men from the Firstland.