“It’s my honor to show you our library, Great Yeel,” the man said.
He sounds very sincere. I think he likes me.
The three walked for two minutes to get to the library. At one point, they passed through a hallway with open windows on both sides, allowing the cool night air to flow through, causing the torches to flutter.
“It’s a building adjoining the castle,” the guide explained. “This is the main connection.”
They emerged into a chamber with vaulted ceilings. Giant bookcases crowded the space.
“Hmm, there are a lot of books,” Yeel commented.
“This is but one of ten chambers. May I guide you to any particular area?”
“First, the histories. From long ago, when I visited you before.”
“Of course, Great Yeel. This way.”
They walked through two dim, cold rooms lighting candles as they went. When they arrived at the next book-filled room, the scholar found the candles already lit.
Seer Yune stood by a huge desk filled with cubbyholes and bookshelves, buried in stacks of books.
“Yeel. What a surprise,” she said.
“Seer Yune. Do you study the past as well as the future? Some hold that they are linked in ways much more intricate than it would at first seem. I knew a philosopher—”
“That sounds fascinating. Pardon me, Yeel, but I have read for a long time, and I grow very weary. Please, excuse me. I must take my leave.”
“Oh. Of course. We can speak on it later,” Yeel said.
So loathe to speak are these creatures.
Seer Yune walked off. The scholar turned to Yeel.
“These are ancient texts from that time. In fact, some of these books are partially about you. As you can see, some of us have been reading about you. Some, at the king’s order, no doubt. Others, like myself, simply wanted to learn about such an important figure who has come to visit us again!”
“Thank you, I would like to examine—” One text in particular caught three of Yeel’s eyes. The language was Yeel’s own. It was entitled Yeel’s Memory Augment. “That one, there.”
“Of course! Do you know that language? We’ve been unable to translate it!” said the scholar excitedly.
“I do know the language. It is my own.”
“Really? Did you leave it for us?”
“I don’t remember,” Yeel said, opening the book. “I must examine this persistent memory store. It may take some time.”
“Um. That tome? Oh, I see. Of course. Take your time. Do you need more candles?” asked the scholar, but Yeel was already reading the book and did not answer.
***
Jymoor found Yeel the next morning.
“Are you ready to arrange a meeting with the king? We need to convince him as we did Vot.”
“I’m afraid that plan is off. I’ll be leaving, going back to my house.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve had time to reflect over these memories, and it’s pretty clear that I tend to interfere where I don’t belong. I’m causing humans more trouble than good.”
“That’s ridiculous. You saved us before. You can do it again. I have no doubt about that anymore. I’ve seen what you can do. You never cease to amaze me.”
“I have refreshed memories from this storage device. Apparently, I actually caused the last war. I caused many humans to die.”
“Yeel, I don’t think—”
“It tells the story of how I tried to help Riken, how I got carried away. The great conflagration you said I stopped. It was caused by me in the first place.”
“Are you sure? What language is that?” Jymoor said, staring at the old book.
“My power is not best applied to human affairs. I should keep to myself.”
“Come here, Yeel,” Jymoor said.
“I assure you that I am indeed here. I haven’t created any illusory copies of myself and thus—”
“No, you fool, I mean come closer to me,” Jymoor urged. “I want to be closer to you…to embrace you!”
“Well, I am, that is, er, I should, I mean, am,” Yeel’s words finally failed him.
Jymoor strode forward and seized Yeel in her arms. At least, what she could grasp. Her arms wrapped around his tentacle stems atop his cone-shaped body. He automatically tried to project the impression of embracing a human into her mind.
“Yeel! Your strength! I can feel it. I had no idea you were so…masculine!”
“Oh my, I’m afraid that you…that I….there is some fundamental misunderstanding…”
Jymoor batted her eyes at Yeel. “You don’t find me…attractive?”
“No. Yes. I mean. Of course, you’re attractive, it’s just that…”
“You prefer men? I don’t believe it…you spent so much time with Vot. Despite what you told me, the natives made it abundantly clear that Vot is female. Almost a she-goddess to them, a fertility idol.”
“No, I prefer both…I mean neither…” Yeel struggled. Jymoor felt her confidence wane slightly. A feeling of doubt crept into her.
“Yeel, I’m sorry,” she said, stepping back and releasing the wizard. “I felt certain that you felt something for me. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
“You are a fine specimen of female humanity, an icon of strength, honor, and intelligence. I’d count myself lucky to be among your breeders. However, there is a small matter of…incompatibility.”
“I see. You’re a high-born and I am nothing but a lowly scout,” Jymoor said, a hint of bitterness entering her voice.
“Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that…I promise to consider your offer very carefully.”
“Then I will eagerly await your answer!”
***
Yeel had no answer ready when Jymoor next appeared, mere hours later.
“I read your memory augment,” Jymoor said.
“I’m afraid that is quite impossible,” Yeel said. “You see, that document is—”
“You’re not the only one around here with powerful gadgets and artifacts, you know,” Jymoor interrupted. “The librarians were able to lend me a translation glass for a time.”
“Oh! Really? Might I examine—”
“No. Listen to me, Yeel, listen and remember my words! No matter how hard it is. Your augment has been tampered with!”
“Hmm?”
“The Meridalae got to your augment long before us,” Jymoor explained. “I studied it and believed everything at first, until some of the facts from my childhood memories of tales of your heroism didn’t fit. Then I called for some of the scribes. These men are thoroughly learned in our vast written histories. They were able to confirm it by comparing events with those written in many other tomes. The events put down in the augment are flawed. They’ve been rewritten to turn you into a source of disaster, of interference with the natural order. But, you see, the Meridalae are no better. They’ve interfered with our history on many occasions—and always to their own benefit.”
“The Meridalae? Here, in Maristaple? I suppose they must have spies…”
“It’s no coincidence that we’ve come across it now. They meant for us to find it, knowing you would read it now and have this reaction when we need you the most!”
“How would they know what to say? Perhaps they naturally have that point of view. They know I’m too powerful to be involved.”
“They know you well, Yeel. They know of your worries about interfering with us. They know you feel guilty about your huge influence on our history. They know you are terrified of using your great powers in our affairs. It’s just another one of their tactics for keeping you away from their path to domination. You’re the only one strong enough to protect us from them, Yeel.”
“I’m glad to know the deeds I found in my augment are not perfectly rendered. But the fact remains. I’m too powerful to help your people without bending everything in directions that it wouldn’t go.”
“Yeel. Listen to me. We all chan
ge the course of history. I change the course of history. And we all interact with the world. We all change things. We mold them to our will. There’s nothing wrong with that. Some of us have more influence over events than others. But it’s a continuum. You are on one end, and my king is perhaps near that side, maybe Vot. And the lowliest peasant farmer is on the other. But none of us should step away from our roles in the universe. And besides, the Meridalae are out there, and they’re not afraid to use their power. If you step away and do nothing, they’ll rule us for centuries.”
Yeel started to pace.
“There is some merit in what you say. I need to think on this a while. I need to ponder, to question. Re-examine my place in the universe. I see now I’ve allowed myself to be manipulated by the Meridalae. They do indeed know Vot and me very well.”
***
Yeel had no further contact with Jymoor for a full day. She found him again in the library at Maristaple, browsing through ancient tomes.
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you.”
“I was visiting Vot.”
“Oh,” Jymoor replied sharply. “Of course. I should have known.”
“It wasn’t a social call,” Yeel clarified. “I…we had to take care of a very unfortunate matter. There was a spy of the Meridalae among her warriors. Actually one of her own, turned traitor for the offer of power.”
“Really? That’s terrible. After everything she did for them. Legrach told me many stories about how she helped the Ascarans, released them from slavery—”
“Actually, it was Legrach who was the spy.”
Jymoor blinked.
“I knew it!” spouted Jymoor. “I knew there was something wrong with him. He tried to get me killed! I told you about that! Why, if you listened to me, even a bit, instead of leering over Vot all the time, it could have saved us a huge amount of trouble.”
“In light of this new evidence, I do believe he may have tried to kill you. Or at least, he would have allowed you to die. I admit I didn’t remember all the details of your complaint, but you mentioned suspicion of him earlier. I owe you an apology for not taking you more seriously.”
“I’ll say you do. You don’t know how good you have it. I’m a valuable woman, a good scout, a fighter, a thinker. I can’t believe you’ve turned back to Vot after I saved you. Why, you were ready to give up! It’s a miracle you found out at all.”
The volume of her voice is rising. Yet I haven’t given any indication that I can’t hear her.
“Well, actually, he tried to kill me. Luckily, Vot had given me…that is, Vot was watching…um, she had placed some eyes for…security, yes, security reasons, and she saw the attempt in progress. I was narrowly unscathed.”
“Vot spies on you?”
“Well, she simply, um, she just does it to show she cares. I mean she cares about Ascara-home. Yes, she just does it because she cares about Ascara-home.”
Jymoor made a strange noise and stalked out.
Oh no. I’ve done something wrong…or have I? It’s so hard to tell. And I didn’t get a chance to tell her that Seer Yune is a spy as well.
Chapter 14: A Plan
Jymoor emerged from the roveportal at Maristaple. Her face was grim. Yeel came along behind, letting her guide him to Aruscetar. They entered the king’s castle, which sat on a hill overlooking Maristaple. The outer gates of the huge castle were open, so they simply walked in among a few other citizens with business at the castle. Dozens of soldiers watched from the towers and walls above.
I doubt any army could break in there, she thought. But I suppose any fortress can only last so long in a siege situation. Once food and water run out…
They came to the front doors of the inner keep. The guards recognized the pair immediately and allowed them in.
“Where is Aruscetar? We’ve requested an emergency meeting,” said Jymoor.
“He should be in the audience chamber this time of day, unless he’s out inspecting the walls,” said the captain of the gate. “Go to the chamber and speak to the officials outside. They will probably grant you a session.”
Jymoor and Yeel headed inside.
“I’m the Crescent Knight,” Jymoor muttered to herself. “I can request a direct audience with the king and get it!”
She wandered a bit, choosing a few wrong turns. Yeel followed her patiently.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and I haven’t visited the palace many times,” she explained.
“We could reason our way to it,” Yeel suggested happily.
“My memory will get us close with a bit of trial and error,” she countered. The two eventually arrived at the entrance of the audience chamber. A steward stood outside with four guards.
“We’ve been expecting you,” the steward said. “The return of the Crescent Knight, and with the Great Yeel.”
Something in his voice... a bit of skepticism, perhaps? The idiot.
“May we schedule a meeting with King Aruscetar?”
“He’s told me to put you at the front of the line when you show up. Since no one else is currently in audience with the king, I can show you in immediately.”
The steward went ahead to announce them.
“Such status! We merely arrive and get let in right away! I guarantee you I would not have warranted such attention before. Being the Crescent Knight is a wonderful thing.”
“That is all true,” Yeel said. “But remember you must master the armor’s mental effects or you may suffer from egomania.”
“I can control it,” Jymoor said.
“Exactly what someone under the influence of the armor would say,” Yeel observed.
“We can speak on this later, if I survive,” Jymoor said carefully.
“Ah! If you survive. Good, you still realize the potential for failure. That’s a good sign!”
Jymoor gave him a grim look. They walked into the throne room. A much smaller collection of lords and ladies were inside than when they last visited. Jymoor spotted Seer Yune among them.
The men and women with real power, Jymoor thought.
They turned as one to regard Jymoor and Yeel in the vast chamber. Jymoor didn’t feel nervous. The armor bolstered her confidence enough to face them openly. Still, she retained enough clarity to bow. Yeel did the same.
“Rise and speak,” Aruscetar commanded.
“I’ve returned at last from my mission to retrieve Yeel. We’d like to speak about coordinating a defense of the city.”
King Aruscetar turned his eyes to Yeel.
“What assurance do I have this is truly Yeel?”
“I found him at the Far Coast. He lives in a floating house…and I’ve seen him perform amazing feats. I’ve written of them.”
“I’ve seen nothing with my own eyes,” the king noted. He traded looks with Yune, who stood nearby.
Jymoor felt anger growing inside her.
He doesn’t believe me? I should smite him. She took a deep breath. The armor does make me arrogant.
“We can take you to see the house through Yeel’s magical doorway called the roveportal. Or, you can ask any of those who came back with us. They’ve seen the house, and they witnessed Yeel defeat a monster called Slevander.”
“I have heard stories,” King Aruscetar admitted. “But stories are stories. Can’t the Great Yeel provide me a display of his power right here?”
Jymoor nodded. She turned to Yeel.
“Prove you’re Yeel.”
“How?”
“Do something only Yeel could do,” Jymoor hissed.
“It would take time, reagents, planning—”
“What can you do quickly? Right now?”
Suddenly Jymoor stood talking to Aruscetar. She blinked.
“My king—” she started, then saw Aruscetar still at his throne. The king stood.
“I’m impressed,” King Aruscetar said. “Now please change into someone else. You’re alarming my guards. And you’re alarming me, to speak honestly.”
Yeel changed into a perfect copy of Jymoor. This time she smiled.
He is truly amazing.
“Now that the matter of your identity has been resolved, or at least, now that I accept that you are extraordinary, if not the Great Yeel, I hope that you can aid us against the invaders. If you can help us, I’ll be most grateful. All of Riken will be most grateful.”
“I can’t do much all by myself,” Yeel said. “I know a few clever tricks, and I’ve returned with many brave adventurers who can bolster your defense. But it will take more than that to save your city, I’m afraid.”
“Yet when you asked for audience, the steward said you had come to help,” Aruscetar noted.
“Yeel has allies in another world, reachable through his travel devices,” Jymoor said. “His allies can become our allies,” Jymoor explained.
“By allies you mean…kingdoms with armies?”
“Yes,” Jymoor said. “One army, anyway. Yeel knows another very powerful wizard called Vot. I mentioned her in passing before. She has assembled an army. However, they have enemies of their own. Like us, they’re readying their stand at a fortress called Ascara-home. Our proposal is that we stand together. Riken helps Yeel’s friends, called the Ascarans, then they will fight with us. Together, our armies can win two wars where separately they’d fall.”
“Impossible! The army can’t leave in such a time as this! Three great cities have already fallen. Our capital is next.”
“But by helping Ascara-home, you would gain Vot’s people as staunch allies. They would come to our aid in turn.”
“What if our army is destroyed in the fight for Ascara-home? Who will come back to defend the capital? What if we leave and the barbarians arrive while we’re marching off in some other world?”
“Timing is admittedly very critical here,” Yeel said. “But remember, as long as we have the roveportal deployed in Maristaple, we can return directly here. You must understand concentration of force? Our two armies combined will defeat the assault on Ascara-home taking less losses than if a smaller army opposed the Meridalae there.”
The House of Yeel Page 14
