Aibek nodded and shoveled in another bite of food. He cut a sideways glance at his uncle, who ambled back to the table and sat.
“Look, I know I was hard on you back in Xona. I’ve had a year to think about it, and maybe I was too harsh.”
Aibek opened his mouth to speak, but Noral cut him off with a raised hand.
“Hear me out. All the time when you were growing up, I knew you would eventually come back here. Even if the invasion had destroyed the place entirely, you would have had to see that for yourself. My greatest fear was that you’d walk into an ambush and be forced to fight for your life.” Noral leaned across the table, his face over Aibek’s plate.
“That’s why I taught you to fight at such a young age, why I pushed you into every tournament, and why I was so harsh when you didn’t give your best in those tournaments. They were games to you–I could see that–but it was never a game to me.”
Aibek remembered a similar thought after the battle the previous winter: that he had never fought as hard as he could in the tournaments and challenges. He held his uncle's gaze but kept silent. He had spent years yearning for this man's approval but instead had received only criticism. Was this why his uncle had been so harsh or was there more? He had always thought Uncle Noral was jealous of his brother and resented Aibek because he was Eddrick's son.
Noral cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m proud of how well you’ve done here. You led them through a successful battle, took on the role of mayor, and these people look up to you; they adore you. Everywhere I go, I hear how wonderful you are. Well done.”
Aibek’s eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat. His uncle had never said anything so kind before. He pushed the air out of his lungs and looked back at the painting over the fireplace.
“Um…Thank you. They made it easy, really. It’s impossible not to love this place and these people, and it’s only natural to protect what you love.”
"Either way, you've done well. Ira and I will likely come back to visit at least once a year if that's all right with you. We'll be off in the morning, so we can make it home before the winter sets in." He stood and moved around the table to stand in front of his nephew. "We do miss you at home, though. The place is awfully quiet and lonesome without you and Faruz."
A smile stretched across Aibek’s face, and he stood. He put his arms around his uncle, pinning the older man’s arms to his sides and squeezed.
He let go and moved toward the door. "I knew you would have to leave soon. As you said, winter will soon be here. And I would love for you and Aunt Ira to visit as often as you can. I've missed you, too."
Noral nodded once and left, and Aibek was alone once again. He swallowed the lump that had grown in his throat, closed the door, and sat in one of the soft chairs by the empty hearth.
“Father? Are you there?”
The seconds ticked away in silence, and Aibek sighed. Why had it been so long since he had seen his parents? They usually came at least every other day, so weeks of no contact was distinctly odd.
He stood, extinguished the lamps, and carried his plate back to the kitchen. He needed to get some rest. He had a busy day ahead.
7
Preparations
After an extended breakfast with Serik, Aunt Ira, and Uncle Noral, Aibek waved goodbye to his relatives and made his way to the Meeting Hall. He looked forward to meeting with his friends on the council; they hadn’t had much time together while their guests had been in the village. He arrived well before the scheduled meeting in the hopes that he could talk to Valasa before it began. Had the Gadonu found any information that would help them save the forest?
He arrived to find the Meeting Hall empty, silent, and dark. Once he had the lamps lit, he seated himself at the long table and waited for the others to arrive. How would they manage to keep the meeting in Kainga from devolving as the earlier one had? If they couldn’t work together, how would they come up with a plan to defeat Helak once and for all?
Before he had finished going over Valasa’s inventory of damaged supports, Wayra and Dalan arrived, followed by Faruz and the rest of the council members. After the battle, the council had agreed to include the army captain in the running of the village. The only one missing was Zifa.
Wayra nudged Faruz. “Where’s your blushing bride?”
“She’s not feeling well.” Faruz frowned. “We’ll have to meet without her today, and I’ll fill her in later.”
“Well, I hope she’s feeling better soon.” Aibek waved to the table, and the council members settled into their seats.
A handful of villagers seated themselves around the Hall–the same ones who attended every meeting. Some had voiced concern about leaving the council with unlimited power and no accountability, while others wanted to be among the first to know what decisions the new government made. That day, it pleased Aibek to have them as chaperones, because it kept his friends from asking him about the scene with Marah.
Valasa hadn't arrived yet, so they began without him. The demands of his position had likely kept him late, which had happened numerous times before, but Aibek hoped he had found the answers they'd searched for in his study.
They began with the mundane workings of the village: the Pavilion's roof leaked on the west end and needed repairs, someone had reported a household for taking more than their share of water from the cisterns, and a group of women had planned a trip to Kainga for shopping. When they finished the discussion of a market trip, and perhaps scheduling regular market days in the future, Valasa strolled through the main doors and approached the council, his face a mask of grim determination. The conversation died as the friends waited to hear the Gadonu's pronouncement.
“In the past two days, the forest has finally begun to talk to me again. I now know how to heal her, but it will not be an easy task.” He looked at Aibek as he spoke, “Yesterday, Aibek received word that the ground folk are blaming us for the disease in the forest–”
“What?” Kai jumped up and stared at the religious leader. “How could they think this is our fault?”
“Please, let me finish.” Valasa waved for Kai to sit. “The forest spoke to Aibek immediately after he received that information and assured him this is not our fault. She also told him how to cure this plague on the trees, though we didn’t understand what she meant at the time. I’ve spent the entire night researching, and I think I understand it now.” He moved to the front of the room and perched on the rail. “The forest is ruled by an ancient being who lives deep in the heart of the Tsari; we know her as the Bokinna. She is one of two sisters who are equal in power and who choose to live as trees. This is the basis of our reverence for the trees; the being at the center of the forest is the one who rules all the Shadow Trees and protects our people. We have always referred to her home as the Heart of the Forest.
“Well, the second being, the Saethem, does not live within the Tsari and is less well-known to our citizens. Twice a year, she produces a potent fruit, which, if introduced into the soil near the Bokinna, will heal her illness and restore health and vitality to our forest.”
Aibek frowned. “So how do we know where this second being lives? And how do we go about gathering the fruit? If it’s as powerful as you say, it will likely be protected somehow, right?”
“Yes, it is protected.” Valasa held a small amulet up for the council members. It was a deep green stone ringed in tarnished gold, with the image of a tree carved into the center.
"This will identify the carrier as the Bokinna's messenger and will ensure the traveler's safety from the Saethem's protectors. I have heard more from the forest this morning, and I believe the sister tree lives at the center of the swamp north of Kainga."
Aibek groaned. Of course, it would be in that awful bog.
“That sounds like an adventure.” Faruz laughed. “Aibek and I had an experience in that swamp on our way to Nivaka last year–it was pretty u
nforgettable.”
“I’d probably call it something a bit stronger, like awful or nightmarish,” Aibek said.
The rest of the council members looked confused, but Valasa continued.
“There’s more. The fairies have told me about a time when the trees helped defend the forest from an invader. We should send an emissary to meet with the Bokinna at the Heart of the Forest to seek her support in our fight against Helak. I have no doubt he will return, and I’ve heard rumors from the north that he’s building a large army beyond the mountains.”
Aibek steepled his fingers. “So that means two groups traveling, possibly at the same time. Who goes, and who stays to run the village? How many should we send on each errand?”
“Hmm.” Wayra scowled. “How do we know the ground folk won’t attack the travelers bound for the Heart of the Forest? It’s several days’ journey to the center of the Tsari, so the travelers will be on the ground during the night.”
“We’ll have to send someone to Kasanto to meet with the king and queen there.” Kai grinned. “Aibek has had good luck with them in the past. Maybe he should go. They don’t like me much, or I’d volunteer.”
Aibek laughed at the memory. Kai's only meeting with the rulers on the ground had been marred by bad manners on both sides and had ended with queen tossing the entire group out of the meeting space. Aibek and Serik had made several trips without the others to repair relations with their neighbors after that disastrous first visit.
"All right, I'll go." Aibek laughed again. "But who's going to volunteer to go into the swamp? I'll join the group going into the forest since I think I should be the one to talk to the Bokinna."
“Why should you have that honor?” Ahren shouted. “It should be someone who grew up in this forest, not one who’s only been here for two years.”
It was her classic argument. She had taken Alija’s seat on the council that past spring, but she worked to oppose Aibek at every turn.
“No, he’s right.” Valasa placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “He is the mayor of our village, and as such carries the authority to meet with the Bokinna. Anyone else wouldn’t likely have much success. I would go myself, but I’m afraid my services are needed here.”
Ahren dropped her gaze to the table and said nothing more, and Valasa stepped back, regarding the council with a thoughtful expression.
“I’ll go into the swamp.” All eyes turned to Faruz. “I’ve been there before, so I’ll lead that team.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” Concern marred Dalan’s face. “You’re still recovering from your injury, and that’s a long journey.”
“I can do it.” Faruz straightened his back and lifted his chin. “I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
“I’ll go with you,” Wayra said with a grin. “I want to see those legendary bats.”
“Me too,” Kai shouted.
Dalan nodded but didn’t say anything else. Aibek considered his friend’s dilemma. Faruz still walked with a heavy limp, though he grew stronger every day. The sword that had sliced through his leg had damaged tendons, nerves, and muscle, and it had been nearly three months before Faruz had been able to walk at all. Did he see this as a chance to prove himself? He shouldn’t need to prove anything, but he had made comments about not being strong enough to lead.
“So Faruz will lead the team into the swamp, and I’ll lead the group into the forest.” Aibek frowned. “Wayra and Kai will be on Faruz’s team. Who else wants to go? How many should we send on each venture?”
“I think three or four people on each team should be sufficient.” Valasa ran a hand through his hair and paced. “No one should travel alone, and two might not be much better.”
“I think I should go with Aibek to the Bokinna, since I’ll be the Gadonu one day,” Dalan said.
"All right." Aibek sighed and pressed a hand to his grumbling stomach. "It's about time for lunch, so let's break for now and meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss this further. Also, if most of us go on these errands, we should consider appointing a couple of interim council members to keep things running smoothly while we’re gone. I'll take Serik with me to Kasanto in the morning."
“That’s a good idea,” Wayra said. “My father would do a good job, but we should set clear boundaries for what the replacement council members can and can’t do.”
Aibek nodded. “Good point. I don’t think they’ll need to do anything more than handle disputes among the people and any problems that can’t wait until we return.”
“Wait a minute,” Ahren said, shaking her head. “I’ll probably stay here, and so will Zifa. We can manage whatever comes up.”
Aibek nodded. “I have no doubt you can, but we should have more than two people in charge. One or two others should be enough, I’d think.”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary. We can handle it.”
“Ahren, no one doubts your ability.” Valasa set a hand on Ahren’s shoulder. “There’s a reason this village has always been governed by a council and a mayor, rather than just one or two people. More minds can come up with more solutions, and you need an odd number in case there’s a disagreement.”
“Since that’s settled, should we break for lunch?” Aibek’s stomach snarled, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
Laughter followed, and the council members stood and filed out of the room.
* * *
A knot of dread settled in Aibek's stomach as he and Serik left the village at dawn. They made the trek to the meeting spot unmolested, but their guide led them around Kasanto and through a different passage to the subterranean cave room. The stench had worsened in the week since his last visit. Aibek pressed his sleeve to his nose, and Serik did the same. The king and queen sat at the end of the table, reigning over the putrid room as if nothing was amiss. The chairs that had encircled the table were nowhere in sight.
“Why have you returned so soon? You have not healed our forest.” Idril’s voice dripped ice, and Aibek bowed low. Observing the formalities couldn’t hurt his situation.
"I have come seeking your permission to travel in the forest at night. We have reason to believe the Bokinna may be ill, and her sickness is why we cannot heal the trees around the village. We must go to her if we are to heal the forest." Aibek and Serik had agreed before the trip that this would be a more acceptable reason to travel in the eyes of the rulers since they blamed the decay on the villagers' battle tactics. Besides, it wasn't entirely untrue. They did need to assess the Bokinna's health and prepare to bring the healing fruit back to her.
“What makes you think you are worthy to see the Heart of the Forest and face the Bokinna herself? Are you not the very cause of the disease?”
“I don’t believe we caused this illness. The forest spoke to me on the day of my last visit here. She told me how to heal the disease, and that the villagers are not to blame.”
Idril threw her hands in the air and glared at her visitors. “You would have me believe the ancient spirit spoke to you? What nonsense!”
“I swear it on my own father’s grave. But if that won’t do, the forest also spoke to Valasa the next day and gave him the same message. We are also sending an emissary to visit the Saethem in the depths of the swamp north of Kainga. Her fruit may be the key to saving the forest.”
Idril opened her mouth, but Turan spoke first. “If you believe the fruit is the key, why would you not go there first?”
Serik glanced toward Aibek. “We will leave for the Heart of the Forest on the same day the emissary leaves for the swamp, so we can assess the Bokinna’s wellbeing and do all we can to help her while we wait for the fruit. I dare not delay. Please, dear Queen, may we have your word that we will not be attacked on this journey? All of our fates may rest on the success of this expedition.”
The rulers whispered between themselves as Aibek’s legs ached from standing still.
Why have the chairs been removed?
He shifted his weight fro
m one leg to the other and hoped the king and queen would make their decision soon.
The king stood. "We have come to a decision. We will allow you to travel in our forest, but you must take Aylen, the queen's servant, with you."
The elf in question paled at this pronouncement but said nothing. What would the council members think of this demand? There wasn’t time to consult them. He took a deep breath, regretting it as the stagnant air rushed into his open mouth. He gagged before he could stop it.
“All right. He can come along. We have nothing to hide and nothing to lose. We must make this journey, and it must happen quickly. The forest is dying before our very eyes.”
“This is true. You may notify me of your plans via letter, delivered to the rendezvous point where you meet my warriors when you wish to meet with me. Another visit is not necessary and will not be welcomed until you have undone the damage you’ve caused.”
The queen left the room in a flurry of rustling skirts, and Turin trailed behind. Aibek and Serik wasted no time in returning to the forest above where the air was breathable.
They took their time on the walk home, pausing for rests and snacks since Serik's knees and hips hurt from standing for extended periods. They traveled in relative quiet as Aibek worried over his elderly friend and the concession they'd made. Serik moved slowly over the path, groaning at the smallest inclines in the terrain.
Once they had re-entered the village, they went straight home. Serik needed a soaking bath to soothe his sore bones, and Aibek wanted some time to think. Hopefully, he would be able to speak with his parents. The sun hadn’t reached its peak in the sky, so he had some time before the meeting.
* * *
The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set Page 36
