The Journey Through Ferramoust (Prologue)

Prologue- Before They Were Warriors

Alek was helping his mom with the Plok plants, a plant created to help heal the sick and wounded. It was the first time she let him help her with it after he had promised he would be just as gentle as she always was. He'd watched her many times; how she would soothingly hum to the plant as she collected the nectar from the Plok and into an empty pot; pulling the wilted flowers and leaves from it and placing it in a pouch that she had on her side. The Plok nectar, wilted flowers, and leaves got boiled down into a syrup and then cooled to room temperature. Plok is a very peculiar-looking plant that could be easily identified by its bright colors. Plok has bright blue stems and leaves that are shaped like maple leaves. The flowers are a bright yellow, the petals are long and thin, a stigma that sticks out over the edge of the Plok. Plok's were created with magic to constantly produce this nectar and to survive all year long.

He loved watching his mom work, and the tune she would hum was a lullaby she would always sing to him at night when it was time for him to rest. His mother, Maudi, was a lovely light-skinned, freckled faced woman who always had a smile on her face, and love in her sparkling emerald green eyes. She had wrinkles starting to show around her eyes from all the smiling she does. Her hair was auburn red and in a loose braid that went halfway down her back. She wore a light green, loose-fitting pair of trousers, and a tunic. She was one of the village's doctors, and her passion is to help people however she could.

Alek took after his mom in looks and her passion. He wore a brown pair of trousers and a light green tunic. His auburn hair was shaggy and unkept with all the playing he did. When his mom would try to comb out his hair he would always run off saying, "I don't have time for that!" When he was with his mother while she was working in the medic station, he was doing all he could to help the people. Most of the time there wasn't too much that a boy of five could do but he would go and fetch water or sing to the other little ones and the elderly.

They had been working for a couple of hours, slowly since it was Alek's first time. Both humming the same tune over and over. Every once in a while his mom would look over and show him a leaf that was hidden but wilted. Or would praise him for how much nectar he milked from the stigma when Alek would look disappointed because he wasn't getting as much nectar out as his mother.

"Little one, I have been doing this since I was your age, helping my mom and dad tend to the Plok. It takes practice," said Maudi, smiling down at Alek. She reached over and rubbed dirt on his cheek and laughed. Alek laughed and tried to get her back with some dirt, making him forget all about his disappointment.

"Alek! Alek! Doctor Maudi! They're here!" They both turned to see a barefoot, little blonde with shoulder-length hair, her big green eyes full of excitement, running towards them. Her name was Zeeta and she was Alek's best friend. She skidded to a stop in front of them out of breath.

"Queen Mylah! Commander Bastien! They're almost to the village! Alek, if we hurry we can meet them before they get inside the wall!"

"Momma, can I go?" Alek asked, suddenly bouncing with excitement.

Forgotten was his half milked Plok. His mom smiled and turned back to her work, "Of course. When you see your father, tell him I will be along shortly."

"Oh... Do I need to stay and finish?"

Maudi smiled and shook her head. "I got it. You two run along! Or you won't make it to the gate in time!" She looked back and winked at them both. Alek kissed his mom on the cheek then turned and ran after Zeeta.

"I love you, momma!" Alek called.

"Love you more!" Maudi called back.

--

The two made it just as they were opening the gate to the wall. Out of breath but both grinning ear to ear, they watched as the gate slid to the side of the wall and a group of seven people appeared before them on horses. Five guards, One from each different tribe; Commander Bastien, who was also the advisor to the queen; and Queen Mylah herself. All the horses were the same chestnut brown color. Commander Bastien and Queen Mylah road side by side with a guard on either side of them. One in front of them, two behind them. When they got just inside the gate, it started to close.

Commander Bastien was from the Woodlling tribe. He had dark red hair, kept short for easy maintenance. His beard was a bit longer, and a lighter red than his hair. He had dark green eyes that looked like they had seen their fair share of trouble. He and the guard wore a brown pair of trousers, and a brown tunic and boots to match. He had a sash that went from his right shoulder to his left hip. It strapped a black staff on his back that was extendable and had an orange stone in it. The staff itself was crafted from the Earthlians, and the stone was crafted by the mountain roamers and powers the staff to extend and sends an electrical shock to the person/creature they are fighting that touched the skin. He was a very serious-looking man. He had a scar from just under his temple that went down to the bottom of his cheekbone on his right side, and one on his right bicep from a fight he had with a group of raiders who attacked the Bendza village after he first became a soldier. His commander had fallen in that fight and instead of fleeing from the fight, Bastien took up his commander's staff and led his men to their victory. This earned him the title of Commander at only 17 moons. The full moon is how they measure years. One full moon to the next is approximately 340 days. Every year they have a feast marking another year of peace, growth, and life.

Queen Mylah was from the Sandsifters tribe. She was tall, muscular, and very beautiful. She had chestnut-colored skin and deep purple eyes. Her hair was long, tightly curled, and pull up high on her head. Her hair color went from olive black to the same shade of deep purple as her eyes. She wore the same type of clothes as the commander and guard. She was built like a warrior but was a calm, loving woman. She listened well to her people and would always come up with a solution when there was a problem. Before she was a queen she was a soldier and was stationed right there in Ezri. It was her favorite place to visit and she did so as often as possible for a queen to do so. Queen Mylah wouldn't stay at her castle often, she thought it better to be out and get to know the people, which is why she traveled with Commander Bastien.

The Guard in front was a man from the Sandsifters tribe. He had short, curly hair, as was his beard. Standing taller than the queen, and was also well built. He had dark cocoa-colored skin and honey-brown eyes.

The guard to the queen's right was a woman from the Mountainroamers tribe. She was extremely short with straight white hair that went to her shoulders and fair white-colored skin. Her eyes were a light color of grey. She was a soft-looking woman.

To the commander's left was a woman from the Waterwakers tribe. She stood a little taller than the Mountainroamer soldier, her skin caramel-colored with black sleek hair that was cut short, and her eyes were a dark blue color. It looked like there wasn't an ounce of fat on her body.

The man behind the commander was from the Earthlians tribe. He had light brown hair pulled back and then braided to keep out of his eyes and his beard was non-existent. He had light brown eyes and tan-colored skin. He was slim looking and looked as soft as the woman from the Mountainroamers tribe.

The final guard was a woman from the Woodllings tribe. She had strawberry blonde hair that was long and braided that went halfway down her back. She had dark green eyes like the commander.

The group headed in towards the center of the village where they held their hall meetings in the biggest and oldest tree in the entire village of Ezri. Possibly the entire Woodlling Forrest. As the horses trotted down the road the children followed behind, happy to see the group in the village. Other children were doing the same all murmuring among each other excitedly. The closer that the group got to the center of the village, the more relaxed they became.

Commander Bastien looked back and started scanning the crowd of children. As his eyes fell on Alek and Zeeta a grin spread across his face. He winked at them then turned and whispered something to Queen Mylah. She looked back and scanned the crowd as well. She caught sight of them and just like the Commander grinned, winked, and then faced forward. The children looked at each other, then took off down a path not as crowded towards the center of town.

Because the path they took wasn't as crowded, they were able to make it to the town hall just as the horses rounded the last group of trees. Alek and Zeeta giggled and ran into the hall and hid just inside the door. A couple of minutes passed before the guards started filed past. When the commander and the queen entered, they were greeted by the two children running up and hugging them around their legs while saying with delight, "You're back! We missed you so much!"

Bastien bent down and scooped Alek into his arm and tossed him in the air, caught him, gave him a big hug, and said, "My boy! Every time I see you, you're taller and look more and more like your mom! And Zeeta! You are lovelier every day! Are you making sure Alek is keeping out of trouble?"

Zeeta had been picked up by Queen Mylah and had her arms wrapped tight around her. "Thank you, Commander! I sure am! Just last week some bullies were trying to get him to step off the path and mess with the Perlegrints. Lucky I came along and told them that their mommas were looking for them and they looked very upset that they weren't answering them! That got them scared and they ran off!"

Perlegrints are impish little tree people. They live in the densest parts of the forest and are constantly playing tricks on all who step off the path or have lost their way.

Zeeta looked at the queen and asked, "Queen Mylah? Why have you been gone so long? I've missed you! Alek won't go with me to the west side of the village to go sing to the flowers. He keeps telling me that is girly stuff! But you will go with me, won't you?" She looked at the queen with big sad eyes.

"Why do you insist on using those big beautiful eyes on me? You know I can't resist telling you no when you look at me like that with those big sad eyes! Of course, I will. Later. Right now, Commander Bastien and I need to speak to Maudi. Alek, have you seen her?"

"She's down milking the Plok! She said-"

"She said she'll be along shortly! She should be coming soon!" Zeeta interrupted. She caught Alek glaring at her for cutting off his sentence and stuck her tongue out at him, then grinned playfully.

Queen Mylah smiled at Zeta like a mother would her daughter and said, "You are going to be such a strong and beautiful soul when you grow up."

"I am grown up." Zeeta retorted lifting her chin high in the air and straightening her shoulders.

"Of course you are! You are both very grown up!" Started Bastien as Maudi walked into the hall and next to her partner. He put Alek down at the same time as the queen put Zeeta down. "So I am guessing you are okay with sticking around for all the kissing that's about to happen?"

"Gross!" Both children exclaimed.

"Well, then you grown-ups go out and find you something grown up to do, and I'll come to fetch you for the feast, which will be soon. So don't run off too far, okay?" Maudi said wrapping an arm around Bastien who leaned in for a kiss.

Zeeta grabbed Alek's hand and pulled him towards the doorway of the hall, "Okay doctor Maudi! We won't go far!" And the two ran off towards where the feast was going to be held.

"Maudi, there are people in Orrana who need some help," Queen Mylah began as soon as she was sure the children were out of earshot. "A big group of villagers went down into a new cave hoping to find a fresh supply of minerals and were attacked by some Remos. There are many injured. A couple of them are the doctors of the village. The village is suffering." Remos are creatures who cloak themselves and anyone who dares get too close to them in darkness. They eat living creatures, but their favorite foods are mostly the villagers who happen to stumble across their path, or into their cave.

Maudi nodded thinking about this for a moment, "We'll send Redmond. He's been working very hard. He is one of the best. We can also send Zed, he is young and strong-willed, but he'll do fine. That will leave Fergus, Malorn, and my-"

"No, Maudi. They'll need someone who can do more than just be a doctor. They also need someone who can milk the Plok, and make medicine. Kanna is working by himself and needs a break. You can heal those people in half the time that he could. And you know that. You know why you're the best doctor in the forest. You sing to the plants like you're one with the plant. I don't know a being more suited for their life calling than you," Queen Mylah watched her, deep in thought about what she said, then looked at Bastien who was watching Maudi with a troubled expression.

"Mylah... you know how I feel about leaving Alek here without his mom. He's still too young to be without one of us for too long of a time." Bastien started slowly, now looking at the ground. "Spirits life! He's only five moons old."

"Bastien. We've been over this-" The queen started but was interrupted by Maudi.

"No, Bastien. She's right. I can get this done and be back before the Full Moon Festival." She nodded to herself, as she thought it over. "Alek will stay with Zeeta's family. They will look after him like their own until we return."

"Maudi, It's too dangerous. The fire soldiers haven't located the Remos who-" Bastien began.

"Oh, so I'm just supposed to stay home and play safe doctor, while my partner and my best friend travel around from village to village rescuing people and risking their lives day after day? How is that fair? I will have the both of you there with me, right?"

"Of course." Queen Mylah said. "Every step of the way."

"Then that's all the more reason to go. I'll be protected by the two strongest warriors I know! Those people need my help! I will go and Alek will stay with Zeeta's family. That's final. Now, I'm going to find the children."

With that, she stomped out of the hall, leaving them all in a quiet haze. Nobody spoke for a moment. Bastien shook his head and sat down in one of the chairs. "I sure know how to pick them, don't I?"

Queen Mylah chuckled, "You do. You need a strong woman though. Remember, you risk your life every day. But every day, she risks losing you."

He sighed, "For that, she's stronger than I am." He looked up at the queen with tears brimming his eyes. "How can I go on if I lose her? This village is the safest in all of Ferramoust, and she knows everyone. That's why I am okay with leaving. But for her to leave Ezri..." His voice trailed off.

"Bastien," She began softly placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I've had a vision that we'll have a safe trip to Orrana. They need her."

"Did you see our journey back?"

"No," she admitted, "You know I don't control the visions. But I promise, she'll be safe with us. I'll double the guard if that ease your worry."

"It would."

"Then it'll be done. Now," She clasped her hands together, smiling, "Let's eat!"

---

"So I'll be staying with Zeeta? For how long?" Alek asked, rubbing his eyes as they entered their home after the feast. "Why can't I come with you?"

"Oh, little one, I wish you could," Maudi said as Bastien picked him up and headed up the stairs to their room. "But there are some people who are hurt and need my help. And, you are needed here. I need you to stay and help out at the medic station, help Zeeta's parents with the Plok, and play with Zeeta as often as you like. I'll be back before the Full Moon Festival."

"But it won't be the same without you." Alek said, tears welling up in his eyes. His father set him down on his cot bed. "I'm going to miss you!"

Bastien sat down next to him, "Hey, it'll be okay. What do I tell you before I leave out?"

Alek thought for a moment. "That... keeping busy makes the days pass faster, and before we know it we will be together again."

"That's right, Alek. So I want you to dry those tears, and let's spend tonight in all smiles as we all prepare for a new adventure!" He leaned in and tickling his son. Alek let out a scream, trying to pull away from his father, but Bastien pulled his son closer and continued tickling him until he couldn't breath from laughing so hard.

Maudi smiled at her boys and wiped a single tear away with the back of her hand. She was glad that Bastien always knew what to say. She probably would have talked herself out of leaving the village to make him feel better. This was her first time leaving Alek alone. She hated to go but she knew he would understand when he was older.

--

Early the next morning Maudi, Bastien, and Alek rose to gather some extra food for Alek to take over with him to Zeeta's house and pack up his two other sets of trousers and tunics. They also packed a couple of outfits for Maudi when she got to the village. She had changed into the guard uniform. Even the queen wore a guards uniform so if there was an attack it would be harder for them to spot who the queen was.

They headed to the village gate together, Alek holding both his mom's and dad's hands. Zeeta and her parents, the guard, a couple of extra soldiers, Queen Mylah, and the doctors that were taking over for Maudi all had come to see her off.

Alek started crying and hugged his mom's leg. "I-I don't wa-want you t-to go, m-momma! I-I'm g-gonna miss you!"

Maudi crouched down and pulled him into a hug. "I know, little one. But I'll tell you what. If you make sure to keep smiling and be as helpful and kind as I know you are, I will bring you back something special from one of the mines of Orrana. Sound like a deal?"

Alek nodded as he pulled back to look at her. "I'll take the best care of them, momma! I promise!"

"You always do. Momma has to go now. Behave and listen to Zeeta when she tells you something about people. That girl has a knack for knowing who is trouble." She winked at Zeeta, gave Alek one more hug, and climbed on the horse they had brought for her.

Bastien scooped his son up into a hug and kissed his forehead. "Slow down on growing son, or I won't be able to toss you in the air!" Then he climbed his horse.

Queen Mylah smiled down at the children tenderly for a moment then without a word nudged her horse into a trot and headed out the gate, and the party followed her lead. As soon as they were out of the gate it started to close. Just before it closed, Maudi looked back and yelled, "I love you little one!"

"Love you more!"