by TR Cameron
She believed she had a firm ethical grounding and enough wisdom to help others parse difficult issues. And I have Idryll to rely on, and Keshalla, and the mystics, and at need, my family. Finally, she trusted that fate or magic had chosen her for a reason and wasn’t about to fight against that. “I am ready to become the next Mirra.”
The messenger nodded solemnly. “Then, Ruby Achera, your castle awaits.”
Chapter Twelve
Much like the procession up to the mystics’ compound, the walk up to the castle included an abundance of people. Most of the mystic community had joined the flow and were at the front of the trailing group. The castle was visible beyond the magical shield that protected it, unlike the last time she’d been there. Ruby sensed the barrier was still in place, though, and the messenger stopped before it and turned to face them. “I am sorry to say that only the Mirra, her companions, and the mystics may continue. Those not pledged in one of those ways are not permitted into the castle except as petitioners, and only if the Mirra wishes to receive them.”
Ruby turned and called, “Thank you again. Whatever happens here, Keshalla will return to share the tale with you.” Her mentor nodded, and the crowd seemed to accept their dismissal with good grace. She turned back to the messenger. “Lead on.”
The barrier didn’t fall, but they passed through it without hindrance. They walked up to the castle, which was now an off-white that still somehow shone in the sunlight. A feeling of welcome replaced the ominous ambiance present during Ruby’s previous visit with Idryll and Keshalla.
Behind her, the archivist, who apparently hadn’t left the compound in years, breathed, “It’s beautiful.”
Ruby nodded. “It truly is.”
Idryll said, “Much less threatening than last time. Of course, once you’re in there, no one will want to come, anyway.”
She laughed, and the sound echoed from all around her. Even the messenger chuckled as she spoke. “The companions have always been the best friends and fiercest critics of the Mirra they served.”
Ruby said, “Did you hear that, Idryll? Served.”
“Don’t make me clunk you on the head with your sword.”
Ruby asked the messenger, “It’s impossible to get a new Companion?”
The other woman turned and walked backward, smiling at her. “You are not the first Mirra to ask that question, either. No, it is not possible. You’ve made your choice, and you’re stuck with it.”
Idryll sighed. “Dang it. I’m cursed.”
They crossed the threshold into the room that had held the four statues. There was now a fifth, although it was only a figure like an artist’s body positioning doll, with the small crown the others wore atop its featureless head. Ruby asked, “Why aren’t the companions represented here?”
The messenger, who had stopped to allow everyone to admire the statues, replied, “That was Mirra Kaeni's decision. She felt leaving them as a surprise for her potential replacement was the best choice. There is another hall where the companion statues reside, in an arrangement identical to this.”
Ruby asked, “What do you think, Idryll?”
The shapeshifter answered, “Oh, definitely keep the surprise. I mean, I guess one day I’ll be part of the mix, and I would much rather come as a shock to them.”
She laughed. “Very well.” The messenger led them on a tour of the palace. The usual stuff you’d expect to find in a place like this was all present: kitchens, bedrooms, a grand master bedroom for the Mirra along with an adjoining room for the companion, and several libraries filled with books and artifacts.
It also held an armory containing the historical weapons of the Mist Elves, plus several others from different cultures. A whole wing had servants’ areas, with a washing room, kitchen, smaller living spaces for staff, and so on. A large empty hall ran along one side, covered by windows on both walls. Ruby enthused, “This would make an excellent training space,” and Keshalla nodded in agreement.
The messenger laughed. “That is exactly how Mirra Kaeni used it. She would appreciate you.”
“We’ve met, at least kind of, during the venamisha. I like her very much.”
Finally, they returned to the main area. The messenger said, “It is time to make it official. Ruby Achera, Idryll, please stand in the center of the statues.” She complied, suddenly nervous.
The other woman took a position along the line that connected the outer doors to the inner doors between the staircases, and the remaining people gathered around in a semi-circle. All except Keshalla, who perched halfway up a set of stairs with her elbows on the banister, gazing down with a grin on her face.
Ruby asked, “What?”
Her mentor shook her head. “The idea that my student, who can barely manage to fight without tripping over her own feet, is going to be the next Mirra? It points out the unfathomable random humor of the universe.”
She burst out laughing, and the tension she’d been harboring melted away. “I suppose you’re going to claim responsibility for all this.” She gestured around.
“Of course. You would be nothing without me.” She delivered the words with mockery that went both ways, making sure everyone understood it was a joke.
Idryll added, “Or me. Really, you’ll be a figurehead. I’m the brains of the operation.”
Ruby drew a deep breath and let it out, then met the messenger’s eyes. “I’m ready.”
The other woman nodded. “First, companion. Do you agree to serve the Mirra to the best of your abilities until the end of your days?”
Idryll asked, “If I say yes, does it mean I have to be nice to her?”
The messenger maintained her solemn expression, but one side of her mouth twitched upward. “No, service does not require you to do so.”
“Very well, I agree.”
The air vibrated at her words as if the building’s magic was cementing her commitment. Ruby recalled hearing of such oath magic in the history of the Mist Elves but had never been present for its use. Probably just my imagination.
The messenger turned to her. “Ruby Achera, do you accept the mantle of Mirra? Will you lead the Mist Elves to the best of your ability, ruling with fairness and wisdom, until the end of your days?”
This is it. Last chance to run away. Ruby nodded. “I do. I will.”
The air rippled again, and the messenger grinned. “Very well.” She turned to the mystics, capturing Nadar and the archivist in her gaze. “Traditionally, the mystics have acted as the staff and servants for the Mirra. That is, in fact, one of the purposes of their creation so long ago.”
Nadar frowned. “I’ve heard nothing.”
The archivist added, “We have no records anywhere.”
The messenger inclined her head. “You do not remember because the magic of this place strips that memory when the Mirra is gone, and during her reign, you swear to secrecy.” She smiled at the archivist. “It is, indeed, recorded, but those books stay here in the castle.” She turned back to the mystics’ leader. “Will you accept this charge?”
He looked back at his people, all of whom were nodding in agreement. He shrugged. “We will.”
A third ripple of magic flowed through the air. The messenger clapped her hands once and turned to face Ruby. “It is done. Welcome to your home, Mirra Ruby Achera.” She gestured up at the statue, which had formerly been featureless. Now it looked like Ruby, standing tall and proud in the dress she was wearing. The hilt of her sword stuck up over its shoulder.
Ruby said intelligently, “Wow.”
Keshalla and Idryll laughed, and the messenger smiled. “Wow, indeed. Now, for your first official task as Mirra, you must commune with those who preceded you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ruby followed the messenger through the castle again. They entered one of the libraries, a comfortable space with several chairs, a fireplace, and stone walls covered with wooden shelves. The other woman walked to the centermost of three large bookcases wholly filled with b
ooks.
She selected a text that looked no different from the others, pulled it forward, and a latch popped. She continued to pull, and the bookcase turned out to be a door that swung wide to reveal another behind it. Ruby chuckled. “Classic.”
The messenger nodded with a smile. “Indeed. The interior door only opens for one who has completed the venamisha, so you will have to enter first.”
Ruby frowned. “What happens if I pass out, or if something bad occurs while I’m alone in there?”
The other woman’s expression didn’t change. “When the next person completes the full venamisha and unlocks it, the messenger will remove your body and give the place a thorough cleaning for them.”
She scowled. “You’re not particularly caring.”
The messenger shrugged. “That is not in my job description.”
“What do you do between Mirra? Wake up once a year to clean the castle and work on your horrible people skills?”
She chuckled at the insult. “I do not endure in the same way as some of the others you’ve seen. I was living a normal life in my village, then one day I woke up with all the knowledge I needed to handle this role and a compulsion to do so. I tried to resist for a time, but the headaches were so intense that I gave in and acquiesced.”
Ruby muttered, “Sounds familiar.” She sighed and said, “Okay, let’s see what’s behind the door.” She pushed it open and discovered a small chamber, more like a walk-in closet than an actual room. In it was a single chair, facing back toward the entrance.
Her companion offered, “I believe you’re supposed to sit there.”
Ruby snarked, “Really? What makes you think so?” Then she turned with a sigh. “Sorry, I’m acting snotty for no reason. I might be just a little tense.”
The other woman’s expression grew in sympathy. “I sure would be if I were you. I’ll wait outside until you return or until it’s time to sleep. Since there is no couch in the library, I’ll occupy the nearest bedroom on the left as you exit into the hallway. Please come find me at need.”
Ruby asked, “Will I be able to get out of here?”
She shrugged. “One imagines so.”
Ruby turned to the chair with a sigh as the door closed behind her. She didn’t fail to note that the messenger had never actually stepped across the threshold into the room. Smarter than I am, probably. Of course, if you believe Idryll, that group includes almost everyone.
The chair itself was oversized, carved from dark wood. It was more like a throne, with a heavy base supporting the seat, back, and armrests. Cushions covered the appropriate areas. She sat, finding it strangely comfortable, and waited. Nothing happened. After almost a minute, she said, “Okay, what’s the deal? Let’s get this show on the road, people.”
The woman she’d seen depicted in the first statue appeared before her. She wore the same outfit as the marble version. While it had looked somewhat archaic there, on this apparition, it seemed soft and supple. Maybe a fabric representation of leathers, to honor tradition while setting herself apart from the normal look of those she ruled? “Hi. I’m Ruby Achera.”
The woman dipped her head in a nod. “Hello, Ruby, I’m Inshala. I imagine you’re at least a little confused.”
She laughed. “More than a little.”
The other woman’s smile was almost matronly, even though she didn’t seem much older than Ruby. “It was the same way with all those who preceded you, and most so for me since I was the first.”
“If you were the first, how were you chosen?”
“Excellent question. My companion, Ransha, was sent to find me. Whatever magic made all this possible decided we should be together.”
“He’s the rock guy.”
She nodded. “Indeed. We descended into the mountain and faced challenges similar to those you experienced, but not quite the same. When I was named Mirra, I altered them in a variety of ways.”
“So, what is all this?”
Inshala replied, “I deemed it important that there be some continuity from one Mirra to the next. However, since I had no way to be sure I could physically speak to whoever came after me, I created some magics to assist. Now, each new Mirra has the opportunity to talk to those who’ve gone before.” She smiled. “I believe that’s enough for me. We can talk another time if you wish.”
She vanished, and an instant later was replaced by a man. He was not much older than Ruby was, to judge by his smooth face, where the only wrinkles were laugh lines around his eyes. Ruby introduced herself, and he said, “I am Cashri. I was second Mirra of the Mist Elves.”
She asked, “What was that like? No pressure, am I right?”
He laughed, and the earnest sound suggested he had done so quite a lot when he was alive. “Indeed so. Although my time was more than a century after Inshala, so there were no particular expectations. In fact, when the summons for the initial venamisha came over me, I was thought to be diseased.
“My village took me to the mountain, as they did with all our people who were near death. This was so that when we passed on, we would be forever in its embrace. But once I was alone, my headache disappeared, and I felt the pull. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Ruby nodded. “I do. I didn’t expect or understand it when it hit me, either.”
“I chose my companion, and we ventured on through the trials, eventually succeeding. I was visited by Inshala, although neither this chamber nor the castle existed at that time. She agreed it was unfortunate that knowledge had not passed down from her time, and so I made it the goal of my life to ensure some level of continuity for the Mirra.
“While handling my other duties as leader, I created the order of the mystics and put them to work building both their compound and this building. Neither was complete before my time was over, but when I left the mortal realm, I was confident they eventually would be.”
Ruby admitted, “I always thought the mystics were a bunch of crackpots who didn’t want to be part of the normal order.”
He laughed. “Well, people can be more than one thing, right? The monastic life lends itself to certain personalities. Almost always driven, often rebellious, and usually seeking some knowledge they can’t quite put their finger on. I put funds in place to support their needs and chose the first leader with great care, making sure to select someone of like mind who would continue what I had begun. That, essentially, is the end of my tale. Farewell, until we meet again.”
He vanished, and the other male she’d seen in the statues quickly replaced him. His face was round, as was his body, and he introduced himself before she could. “Hello, welcome to the club. I’m Mintel.”
Ruby laughed. “Thanks. Ruby Achera. So, you were the third Mirra?”
He nodded. “Indeed I was, and, I guess, am. I benefited from Cashri’s efforts, so when the venamisha called me, I recognized it for what it was. Many had gone before me, of course, but none had completed the trials. I didn’t know that then, but once I succeeded, I gained that knowledge.”
Ruby frowned as she tried to understand the big picture. “So, people are always trying? But the success rate is so low that a Mirra appears only once in a long while?”
Mintel shrugged. “I can’t claim to understand the will of the magic. But I don’t believe that’s the case. I think, instead, that pivotal moments in our history trigger the calls. Basically, when we need a ruler, the magic seeks to find one.”
Ruby sighed. “That doesn’t bode well for the current moment.”
“The same was true in my time. After a long period of prosperity, the Mist Elves were fragmenting. Villages were disconnecting from one another, becoming more tribal and standoffish, and even talked of leaving the mountain and expanding through Oriceran. The venamisha had given me a strong conviction that we were where we belonged and that moving to other parts of Oriceran would be a bad choice.”
“That sounds like an extraordinarily difficult situation. How did you deal with it?” Ruby had no idea what she would
have done if that was her challenge.
“I redirected them. Earth had become close enough that it was possible to reach it, and I had some skill in portals and magical navigation. So, I led those with the desire to wander to the other planet and charged them with learning it for our people. They were happy, and the requirements set by the magic, or those who had gone before, or both, were served. I was the first to be able to inhabit the castle, and I decided to create this chamber within the library as a hidden place the Mirra could retreat to.”
“It’s kind of small. Not really the greatest hangout.”
He nodded. “Very true. I wanted it to be secret, so I had to build these walls myself. I am not the best mason.”
Ruby laughed. “Mirra of all trades, huh?”
“Indeed so. When my time ended, I believed I had delivered us from the great danger and counted myself a success. Hopefully, history still considers me one, as you no doubt will be. Farewell, until we meet again.”
He vanished, and finally, a familiar face appeared. Kaeni smiled at her. “Congratulations on your success.”
Ruby said, “You remember me?”
She nodded. “In this altered life, we can make new memories. I know you from the trial.”
“Were you also summoned at a pivotal moment in our history?”
“The magic called me as Rhazdon emerged. It was before they rose to prominence, so I was unaware of the purpose until much later. I instituted our policy of complete non-engagement with the rest of Oriceran and increased our connection to Earth, knowing that our people might one day have to flee there.”
Ruby nodded. “That makes sense, from everything I know about them. But what am I supposed to do?” She felt she could be honest with the other woman as if they had a relationship. My new bestie is a ghost. Awesome.
Kaeni shrugged. “Lead. Find out what needs doing, and do it. If you have been chosen at a pivotal moment, to use your words, you’ll need to figure out what it is. The good news is that you start with the same wisdom any of us did because times change so much between Mirra. It’s always new. And remember, you can come and talk to us whenever you desire counsel.”
