Barkwater

Barkwater

Barkwood Trilogy Book 2

André Ferero

Published by Fabella Press at Smashwords

Copyright 2020, André Ferero

Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedicated to:

Lauren, my daughter of water.

Let the power and tranquility of water

always guide you.

Chapters:

1: A Shattered Morning

2: A Father's Sacrifice

3: A Human Bark

4: A World Outside

5: A City Of Ruins

6: The Ghost Of Fountain City

7: Torrent Flux

8: A Strange Language

9: Memories Of A Ghost

10: Aqua's Training

11: A Watcher In Chains

12: Epitome's Quest

13: Ryder's Pursuit

14: Arrival

15: Water Power

16: Clanna Clan

17: Saved By A Shadow

18: A Way In

19: An Unfamiliar Face

20: A Lost Ghost

21: Weakening

22: Water Reading

23: Deliverance

24: Life And Death

25: Revenge

26: Aqua's Test

About The Author

1: A Shattered Morning

Cascade Caelum awoke with a sharp pain in her chest. Something was wrong. She sat up in bed and took a long, deep breath, holding it in, listening for sounds in the early morning, trying to identify the unfamiliar sound she believed she had heard. The chest pain did not diminish, making it difficult for her to hear.

Nothing but muffled stillness drifted to her ears, filling her with dread. She blew out her breath, threw the covers off, stood up and stepped into her cold slippers. Cascade pulled a cloak over her night clothes and rushed to her daughter's room, feeling distressed, wondering why it felt like time was running out for her and her family. What is wrong? she asked herself. What am I sensing?

Aqua - Cascade's one month old baby - was fast asleep. The only proof that she was still alive was her rhythmic breathing and the gentle rising and falling of her small chest. On her head her light blue hair glimmered, casting a dim light into the surrounding darkness.

I must go and see what is wrong, Cascade thought. She kissed Aqua's forehead and hurried to her vision room. She lit a lamp and moved to the round table at the middle of the room. Cascade took in position next to her silver water bowl. With the index finger of her right hand she touched the water, saying the word awake as she did so. Concentric circles rippled from the bowl's centre to its rim. Then the water settled down and shone with the colour of an azure sky.

Cascade looked into the water, trying to find the cause of her disquiet. She did not see anything, only the colour blue. The water's surface remained unchanged as she continued staring at it, void of any images. Cascade needed to know what was going on, convinced that it was something critical. She kept her eyes focused on the water, aware that water magic often took time to start working.

Slow minutes ticked by. Nothing came to her. Then, from the left side of the bowl, Cascade saw a dense cloud of mist rolling in slowly. It moved from left to right with palpable hunger, threatening to devour everything in its way. Cascade was unable to see into the mist but she knew it was hiding some kind of menace.

This is not good, Cascade said out loud. That mist can be nothing else but fiend mist. And if it is, it means there must be some Malefic sorcerers creating it, and commanding it to move. I must blow the horn. The people of Fountain City must be warned.

Cascade hastened to a big metal cupboard against the back wall of her vision room. No doorhandles showed on the cupboard's smooth doors. It was closed and locked, as if for all eternity. Cascade spoke a few words of command. The doors that seemed solid only a moment before were transformed into a wall of water, rushing up and down like a river in full flood. Cascade said something else to the watery door and it parted, showing the contents of the cupboard.

From a shelf Cascade removed a rectangular blue box. When she touched it the box turned into liquid and drained away, leaving only a gleaming silver horn behind. Cascade grabbed the horn and put it to her lips.

It was so long since the previous time she had used the horn, that Cascade did not know if she still possessed the ability to blow it loud enough. To test her abilities she blew into the mouthpiece. A short burst of uneven sound escaped. Within seconds ten waterbarks appeared, as if materialising out of nowhere. The small animals looked up expectantly at Cascade.

I must blow the horn outside, in the street, Cascade thought. She ran to the front door, followed by her waterbarks. She pulled the door open and stepped into the pre-dawn gloom. The first thing she saw was mist. She realised that it might already be too late for the inhabitants of Fountain City. Without wasting any time Cascade lifted the horn to her lips and blew harder than ever before. The horn blared a warning into the sky.

I hope Rush will hear the horn where he's guarding the city with his men, Cascade thought, and blew the horn again. Within moments lights appeared in the windows of the houses in her street. Seconds later men and women, armed with swords, axes, bows and arrows, streamed from the front doors of their dwellings. All of them made their way to different guard stations, not asking what was happening, but knowing that the city was under attack.

Maybe I made a mistake, maybe there is nothing in the mist, Cascade thought and scrambled to her baby's room. As she entered their house battle horns bellowed from the direction of the city limits. The sound of the horns confirmed what she feared and assured her that she did the right thing to alert all the city's fighting men and women. It was true, Fountain City was under attack.

But who is responsible for the attack? Once inside Aqua's room it dawned on her. It can only be Amuz. He is the only one who uses Malefic sorcerers. Maybe he is attacking us because of the help we are giving King Core against his rebellion.

In the baby room Aqua was awake. Her blue eyes were open wide, full of moisture, as if filled with tears. She looked up at her mother with a questioning look on her small face. With a baby voice she shouted out. Her shout sounded pained. A waterbark, the one called Flow, jumped up onto Aqua's bed and put her paw on Aqua's hair for reassurance. But it didn't help. The baby started crying anyway.

Now, now, my love, calm down, Cascade said. There is nothing to be concerned about. Your daddy and his soldiers will protect us against the bad men. They will chase them all away. Once the fighting is over he will return to us and tell us all about it. Don't you worry now.

Cascade lifted Aqua out of her crib, wrapped her in blankets and placed her inside her baby carriage. Cascade pulled the carriage behind her as she returned to her vision room. Usually a ride in the carriage calmed Aqua down, but this morning it did not help. She only cried louder. It was a cry of loss, filled with a sadness of defeat.

I have to see what's going on, Cascade said and peered into her bowl of magic water.

The water responded to her commands instantly. The first thing Cascade saw on the water's surface was a big troop of uniformed soldiers. She immediately recognised the dark blue uniforms of Amuz's rebels. There were so many of them that it filled the whole bowl.

They marched in a wide formation. Line after line of them appeared, as far as the horizon. Leading them were three Malefic sorcerers and a man called Kurr. The Malefics no longer created fiend mist, but rode close together, in a cluster of evil strength. Kurr's sword was in his hand. He pointed it at the low walls of Fountain City and shouted a battle command.

Kill all. Destroy everything. Leave only the Water Watcher alive. Amuz wants her delivered to him. Why, I don't know, Kurr shouted to his men.

He slammed his spurs into his horse's flanks, bloodying the big animal. The stallion reared for a second, then shot forward. On Kurr's face a smile of satisfaction appeared. He was leading an attack and was exhilarated to do so. His bloodthirsty eyes did not waver from his enemy for a moment, the ones he was instructed to annihilate. On Kurr's right his big wolfdog, Slaughter, ran with exposed fangs and black eyes, hungering after prey.

Cascade watched the approaching rebels in horror. Where did Amuz find so many men to believe in his crazy cause? she wondered. Can't they see how wrong their deeds are? Do they not realise that thousands of innocent people will die and that the kingdom will be subjected to evil if Amuz succeeds to overthrow good King Core?

The first wave of attackers reached the city wall. Many of them were shot out of their saddles by Fountain City soldiers. But many more returned bow and crossbow fire as they rode. Hundreds of city soldiers toppled over the side of the wall and were trampled by rebel horses where they landed.

Not far from Fountain Gate - the city's main entrance - the Malefic sorcerers took in position. The three of them lifted their hands and created a black shield in front of them. They moved forward, using the shield as cover, closing in on the gate. Arrows from the soldiers on the wall had no effect on the black shield, bouncing off it without penetrating it.

Cascade watched in disbelief as the black shield reached Fountain Gate and sliced it open. Once the gate was destroyed the Malefics turned the shield into a tunnel. Hundreds of rebels charged into the tunnel. They reappeared on the other side, many yards inside Fountain City, killing all Water People who attempted to oppose them. From there the rebel soldiers rode off into different directions, gushing into Fountain City like a poisonous liquid, setting fire to buildings as they went and wreaking death and havoc on the city's inhabitants.

I must go and help my people, Cascade said. If I do not go and help them we will be defeated, and all of us killed. Flow, you and the other waterbarks must take Aqua to Waterwood. It is her only chance. I will accompany you to Sunset Gate. From there you will have to make your own way to the forest.

Cascade grabbed her hydro-wood staff. The wood shone with a blue tint, and did not look solid, but liquid. With her other hand she gripped the handle of the baby carriage. She pulled Aqua behind her, closer to the front door. Cascade opened the door and looked outside. Many Water People ran past her, some carrying weapons, others lugging children. Shouldn't I also take Aqua to the Reservoir Keep? Won't she be safe there?

As Cascade looked at the chaos in the street she hesitated for several seconds, unable to decide what to do. She wanted to believe that the Keep was safe enough for the city's children, that even Malefics and thousands of rebels would not be able to breach it. Then she thought of the black shield she had seen in her water bowl.

If the Malefics were able to shatter the city's main gate with the help of that shield, they could easily do the same to the Keep's doors. No, the Keep will not be safe. Whoever enters there will die inside. I cannot let my child die. If she can only make it out of the city she might still stand a chance to get away and to survive.

Cascade exited her family's house, pulling Aqua behind her. The waterbarks flanked the crying baby, ready to protect her. Cascade had never ran with the baby carriage before and did not know how fast it was able to move. She did not want Aqua to tumble out of the carriage and moved only as fast as she thought safe. With difficulty she fought her way through the frantic people, wondering where they were fleeing to. Where are the rebels? Cascade thought. Will I have enough time to reach Sunset Gate?

Her question was answered when five rebels on horseback appeared from around the corner of the street, cutting people down with their long swords. They were less than fifty yards away, but moving closer quickly. Cascade ran up a side alley, hoping the rebels had not seen her.

There she is, one of the men shouted. We must not lose sight of her. Kurr wants her alive.

Cascade knew the rebel was talking about her. On foot she did not stand much of a chance to get away from the men on horseback. Her only choice was to trust the waterbarks to take Aqua to safety and for her to stand and fight.

Cascade bent down and scooped Aqua up. She kissed her little girl on both cheeks and dried her tears. She hugged her to her breast for a few seconds, then placed her back inside the baby carriage. There were tears in Cascade's eyes as she stood up again. She looked at Aqua's face, wondering if it was the last time she was looking at her perfect little features. How can it end like this? We have barely started our lives together. There are still so many things I wanted to teach you, and show you.

If I get out of this alive I will find you, my love. But now you must go. I wish you safety and happiness. Live a good life and know that I will always love you. Take her away, Flow. Take her to Waterwood.

It was too difficult for Cascade to watch her daughter leave. She turned her back on the child. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she did not even bother to wipe them away. All she did was to lift her staff. As the first rebel soldier appeared from around the corner of the alley she spoke a command. From the tip of the staff a water arrow rushed, hitting the man in his chest and knocking him off his horse. He fell to the street and did not get up again. His companions appeared next. Cascade struck all of them down before they were able to reach her.

No additional rebels came into view. Cascade turned away from the fallen men to go and look for Aqua and the waterbarks. She had not yet taken three steps when a force hit her in the back. She was flung to the ground and tried to get up. But her body did not want to obey the commands of her mind, as if it had been shattered.

Cascade lay motionless, unable to lift her head to see who had attacked her. All she heard was a voice. It sounded like the voice of darkness, coming from a deep pit, hidden somewhere in the bowels of the earth. That voice commanded somebody to go and collect her body and bring her to him. As she was picked up roughly and spun around, she saw one of the Malefics she had seen earlier in her magic water. Then she lost consciousness.

2: A Father's Sacrifice

Flow understood what Cascade expected her and the other waterbarks to do. They had to get Aqua out of the city, to Waterwood, and safety. What Flow did not know was how to get the child out of Fountain City without being seen. From their hiding place under a porch she saw many enemy soldiers, all dressed in dark uniforms. They were everywhere, blocking the way, killing and burning, shouting and cursing.

If only Aqua was older, able to walk on her own, Flow thought. Then we would have stood a better chance to escape. But pulling this carriage is slowing us down, making it more difficult, not easier. There must be a better way.

In front of them, only feet away, a water soldier was struck down. His limp body fell to the street. His dead eyes stared at Flow and the others as the rebels charged over him with their big warhorses.

For a few seconds all quietened down. Flow was almost able to pretend that this attack was not really taking place, that hiding under this porch was all just part of a game. Then two city men ran past, followed by mounted rebel soldiers. To Flow's right, out of sight, the men were cut down and died screaming.

This is no game, Flow reminded herself. This is the beginning of war. It may even be the end of the people who have been our allies, our keepers, for so long. We must get Aqua out of this madness. If she survives, the Water People might live again one day.

Flow spoke to the other waterbarks, sharing her escape plan with them. She commanded five of the barks to leave the hiding place and make their way to the roof of the house across the street. They were to create a diversion for rebel soldiers, and attack those who were not fooled by the distraction. As soon as an opportunity arose, Flow and the four barks by her side, would pull Aqua to the next hiding place, further down the street, closer to Sunset Gate.

Flow watched as her companions scrambled up the house, using pipes and vines. They had not yet reached the roof when rebel soldiers saw them. All three rebels lifted their bows. A moment later arrows flashed straight at the barks. Two of the arrows did not find their mark and bounced off the wall of the dwelling. But the third arrow hit the one bark in the middle of its back.

The small animal fell back, with outstretched legs and floated to the ground. A moment before it hit the hard street surface it curled itself into a ball. The ball rolled into the direction of the three rebel soldiers. It made the men laugh. One of them was about to kick the bark when it opened itself up and jumped upwards in a quick movement. Its small teeth bit into the man's neck and he screamed out in pain, trying to pull the animal off him.

While the man fought for his life, the barks on the roof glided towards his companions. When they had built up enough speed they transformed themselves into balls. A moment later they crashed into the soldiers' chests, toppling them off their horses. The bewildered horses charged away, leaving the men lying in the street, dazed. The barks did not allow the men to regain their composure before they attacked. Less than a minute later all three rebels were dead.

Flow knew it was their chance to run further down the street. With the help of the other barks they pulled the carriage out from under the porch. She looked for enemy soldiers but saw none. Then she ran, pulling Aqua behind her. The little girl was crying, but her young voice did not carry far. There was too much other noise, too many screams and curses, and the clashing of metal against metal.

Forty yards down the street Flow pulled the carriage in underneath another porch. The house behind them was burning. Flow knew they did not have much time to stay in their new hiding place. She scanned the street. It was empty of humans, only filled with clouds of smoke. She was about to continue down the street when more rebels appeared.

The men did not run their horses like all their companions did. They walked the animals slowly, scanning the street for something. They must be looking for us, Flow thought. But how did they know we are here? She pushed the carriage deeper into the shadows of the porch, wishing Aqua would stop crying and not give their position away. But the baby screamed in anguish, as if she would never stop again.

Not knowing what else to do Flow pushed her one finger into Aqua's mouth. The baby sucked eagerly, believing she was being fed. Flow and the other barks watched anxiously as the rebel horses walked past unhurriedly, thankful that Aqua had stopped crying. To Flow's relief Aqua continued sucking her finger until the rebels were out of hearing distance. Then the baby spat her finger out and commenced crying instantly again.

Flow then understood that Aqua was hungry. The only way to silence her was to feed her. But finding food was a problem. The whole city seemed to be burning, and the street fighting had not yet stopped. The only place where Flow knew there was food was in Waterwood. If only they could make their way there without being seen.

Behind Flow and the others the house burnt more violently. The heat reached them where they hid. It was time to move on. Flow crept out from underneath the porch and looked up and down the street. The only good thing about the fires was that it provided them with enough smoke for hiding. She ordered the other barks to bring Aqua out.

Moving as quickly as the carriage allowed them to move, they made their way to the corner of the street. There they stopped. Flow peered around the corner of the wide boulevard. Many pockets of smoke floated there, like ghosts. There was no fighting close to their position and Flow led the way across the wide street. They made it to the other side without being seen, but Flow knew that they still had a long way to go before reaching Sunset Gate.

She sent the five strongest waterbarks ahead again, to clear the way when possible, or warn them to hide when too many rebels approached. For the next twenty minutes they did not encounter any enemy soldiers. Many corpses littered the street and the heat of burning houses reached them as they moved. Aqua was still crying, but not as loud as before.

The barks, with Aqua in tow, made good progress. Flow started believing that they were going to get the baby out of the city, alive. Once they were outside they still had another mile to go without being seen, but Flow knew that escaping from the fighting would already be a big achievement.

When the barks and their precious passenger were only another ten minutes away from Sunset Gate the scout barks appeared suddenly from within a cloud of smoke, floating at a rapid speed to Flow and her companions. They landed and told her that a big group of soldiers was on their way, led by a man who seemed to be their leader. Next to that man a wolfdog walked, sniffing the air for enemies.

A hiding place will not be good enough, Flow knew. That wolfdog will smell the child. She will be caught, and killed. What can we do?

Flow saw a narrow canal and understood what had to be done. With the help of the other waterbarks they lifted Aqua out of her carriage, leaving behind the blanket that contained her smell. With great care they lowered the baby into the water, making sure she stayed on her back.

Flow held Aqua's head, ensuring that her face was not covered by water. She instructed four of her bark companions to each support a limb. Flow ordered the remaining barks, those standing outside the canal, to pull the carriage away from them, in the opposite direction, hoping that the wolfdog would catch Aqua's scent and follow it.

What Flow found strange was that Aqua no longer cried. She had expected the opposite, was prepared for even louder cries from the child. But somehow the water had a calming effect on her. Even though it was cold in the canal it did not seem to bother Aqua.

With the help of the other barks Flow kept Aqua's body just under the surface of the water. Only her face was visible. Flow hoped that the water was going to act as a shield and hide her scent, causing the wolfdog to follow the carriage.

Knowing that the canal flowed towards the city walls, Flow allowed them to float in that direction. She listened for the presence of the big group of soldiers but heard nothing. Even her nose did not reveal their location.

She was about to start believing that they had shaken off the rebels and their dog when she caught a whiff of the animal. It was enveloped by the smell of smoke. Flow did not know where exactly they were.

They reached a low bridge and Flow told her companions to stop there, to make sure where the wolfdog and his masters were. A few minutes later they heard the clomping of hooves on the bridge above them. Flow also heard a snarl, followed by a growl. She did not have to see the wolfdog to know that it was him.

What is it, Slaughter? Do you smell something? the gruff voice of a man asked.

The wolfdog barked in response.

Do you know where it is? the same man asked.

He was answered by barks from the wolfdog again. Then Flow heard the dog's paws as they ran to the other side of the bridge. Is he going to climb down the bank and reveal us to his master? Flow got ready to leave, but the wolfdog did not appear.

There's a baby carriage over there, Kurr, another man's voice said. That's what Slaughter smells.

Let's follow it. It must be the child. Remember that I want to see her before we kill her, to make sure we've got the right one. Is that understood?

Yes, Kurr's men said in one voice before following the wolfdog.

Once the men and their dog had left, Flow let go of the wall she had been holding on to. They continued floating closer to the city wall. Before long they reached a row of sluices. None of the sluices were open big enough to allow them to pass through. They had no other option but to get out of the canal. The barks pulled Aqua out and put her down on a patch of grass.

Flow looked at the child and was surprised to see that she appeared to be much better than earlier. She did not seem hungry and her face was no longer pale. Her short curls of hair shone with a darker tint of blue. So did her eyes.

Flow was wondering how they were going to carry the baby when the other barks appeared from around a corner with the carriage behind them. Flow was relieved to see them. She wanted to know what happened to the men and their wolfdog and was told that they were needed in another part of town where the Water People still gave fierce resistance. Upon hearing this she relaxed a little, but she still wanted to get away from there.

The waterbarks lifted Aqua back into her carriage and they ran off. It didn't take long for Aqua to start whimpering again, as if she longed to return to the canal. In bark language Flow explained to Aqua that she could spend as much time in water as she wanted to as soon as they were in Waterwood. But the child did not understand her and she did not stop complaining.

When the barks and Aqua saw Sunset Gate, Flow realised they had a problem. She had not expected so many rebels at the gate, had believed all of them were taking part in the battle closer to Fountain Gate. But at least thirty men were stationed there, to keep the city's inhabitants from escaping. If Flow and the other waterbarks did not find another way out of the city they had no choice but to attack the men. If they would succeed to overwhelm all of them was another question.

Flow and the other barks found a hiding place behind an overturned wagon. From there they watched the rebel soldiers. Most of them sat on chairs stolen from nearby houses. They did not show much interest in their surroundings and wiled away the time by telling each other jokes.

After hiding for more than ten minutes, the situation at the gate remained the same. Flow was about to order an attack on the rebel soldiers when two mounted rebels arrived at the gate. Their faces were flushed and sweaty and they shouted something at the other men. The men who were lazing on the chairs scrambled to their feet and jumped into their saddles. They followed the two men who had summoned them away from the gate.

Now there are only ten soldiers, Flow said to herself. That is more fair. It will not be difficult to overwhelm them and slip out of the city.

Flow sent five of the waterbarks up onto a roof that overlooked Sunset Gate, telling them to wait for her order before attacking. The barks disappeared around a corner. A few minutes later they were in place.

Flow did not want to leave Aqua alone, knew she needed protection. She decided to send four barks to attack the rebels and clear a way for them out of the city. Before she was able to give the command there was a commotion behind them.

Flow turned to look. Five rebel soldiers stepped into view, pulling a prisoner after them. The man's arms were tied behind his back and a noose was pulled tight around his neck. Flow immediately recognised Rush, Aqua's father. To her and the other waterbarks he was like a father. He had to be freed.

There's your gate, Rush, a rebel soldier said to the prisoner. You will look good dangling from it.

Go to hell. You rebels will never succeed to overthrow King Core.

You are wrong, Rush. Look how easy it was to overpower the mighty Fountain City. After today there will be no more Water People left, and your once beautiful city will only be ruins. All because you didn't want to help Amuz, our future king.

He's no king and never will be. He's only an evil and greedy man, with no royal blood in his body.

A rebel hit Rush in the stomach with the hilt of his sword. He doubled over and nearly fell. But another rebel held him upright with the noose around his neck, strangling him, making his face turn red.

Flow no longer wanted to see how Rush was being mocked and hurt. She sent the waterbarks who stood by her side to free him. She also whistled to the other five barks on the roof. A second later they crashed into the unsuspecting rebels at the gate, and started killing one after the other.

The men around Rush fell quickly. Only the man who held the rope that stretched to Rush's neck was still alive, doing his best to fight off the small animals. When all his companions were dead he turned to Rush and lifted his sword, unwilling to allow him to live. Before he was able to push the tip of his blade into his prisoner's chest, it was knocked out of his hand by a ball that flew from a roof. Moments later the waterbarks jumped on the man, tearing him to pieces.

Rush went to his knees. One of the barks gnawed through the rope that bound his hands. When his bonds were severed Rush pulled the noose loose and flung it away from him. He picked up a