The Gates of Golorath

by R. M Garino

  “Then tell me what I can do to protect them,” Ti’vol said.

  “They cannot be protected.”

  “I do not accept that!” She gave voice to her fury and drew her sword. “There must be a way!”

  Beneath the gloom of his cowl, his smile was that of a predator. A new fear filled her, a fear for herself, alone.

  “You are stubborn, and persistent in your loyalty,” McLeod said, drifting nearer. “That will serve you well.”

  She raised her weapon and pointed it at him. “How will that help them?”

  “Not them,” he said, pointing one thin, crooked finger at her. “You.”

  Ti’vol drew back.

  “I cannot tell you of the danger, young Ti’vol. You can know for yourself, if you have courage enough to face it. If you have the tenacity to see.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You can perceive it for yourself. Given time. Given training,” McLeod said. “I can guide you, help you tread the paths that await you. If you are strong enough, you might find a way to avert what is to come.”

  “I can help them?” Ti’vol said, her desperation clear in her voice.

  “Perhaps,” McLeod said.

  Ti’vol glanced back toward the A’gist, then searching the path snaking back down the mountain. If she could find a way . . .

  McLeod had offered her a choice, but in reality she had none.

  “What must I do?”

  He offered her his hand. “Discard your weapon. I will show you the true course.”

  “But I am expected . . .”

  “Yes,” he said. “And I was here to meet you. Come.”

  She sheathed her sword. Her fingers were tight against the leather of her belt as she struggled to open it. This weapon was hers; she’d carried it for more than forty years. She ran her sin’del over it, and let it drop to the ground.

  Ti’vol set herself toward the A’gist, toward her Pride. She crossed her arms before her chest, and bowed from her waist. “Through trial and terror,” she said as she straightened. “Fight one, fight all.”

  “That life is beyond you now,” McLeod said. “A more fitting comment would be Rest secure in knowledge. That is a saying among we Fiftanu. You would do well to remember it.”

  Ti’vol crossed the path to take McLeod’s offer. She regarded him in silence. “That is fair,” she said. “I will remember. You would do well to remember mine too.”

  CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

  Lo’el

  Laughter and giggles filled the air as the pups cavorted around the newly accepted Lethen’al. They were tiny, and the greatest danger for them right now was being stepped on. The adults held themselves apart and did not interfere with the play.

  It had been so long since Arielle had engaged in something so frivolous, and she found herself laughing as loud and as often as anyone else. The puppies were taking their turns with each of them, changing partners and getting to know them all. Except for two. A sleek, mottled black and white one with floppy ears and a black patch over one eye attached itself to Angus. It had sat next to him while he was standing on the pedestal, and had not left his side since. A white one with streaming long hair and pointed ears laid itself across Arielle’s feet in a possessive manner whenever she stopped moving. By the time Thesius returned, Angus was holding his and scratching its snout, and Arielle was giving hers a vigorous belly rub.

  “It would seem that some of you have already made a connection,” Thesius said as she entered the clearing and took in the scene. The graduates stood at attention. The pups continued to frolic and tug at the hems of their pants.

  “As you were, graduates,” Thesius said, moving closer. A large gray and black animal trotted out of the trees to meet her, and she rubbed beneath its jaw with an absent gesture. “I do not stand on military formalities here. You will address me as Thesius, and I do not require you stand at attention. Save that for the princesses on the parade field. No offense, princess,” she added with a nod to Arielle.

  They relaxed and redirected their focus to their playmates. The Elc’atar walked among them, watching what they were doing. A large smile lit her face. Arielle supposed that it was hard not to do so around them. Thesius approached, and squatted in front of her.

  “This one seems to have taken a liking to you,” she said. “It usually takes some time for them to select their Lethen’al.”

  “What does that mean?” Arielle said. It was hard to pay attention to the conversation with the little ball of fluff in front of her.

  “The purpose of rotating through the A’gist is to gain familiarity with the lo’el,” Thesius said. “Every soldier needs to know how to tend to the them. Despite their formidable size and abilities, they are dependent upon us for those things they cannot do on their own. It is also a chance for them to choose who they will bond with. Every Elc’atar is bonded to one, and they become a very effective, and intimate team. By the time a rotation is finished, the pups have chosen. Some choose sooner, and some later.”

  “And you think this one has chosen me?”

  “She does seem rather taken with you,” Thesius said, choosing her words with care. “Has she spoken to you yet?”

  “No,” Arielle said, “I don’t think so.”

  “No worries. She’s very young yet. Still, she came right up to you, and hasn’t left you.”

  “She won’t let any of the others near me.”

  “That, then, is a very good sign. Lo’el tend to be very possessive of their Lethen’al. Spend time with her, and we’ll see what happens.”

  Thesius moved to the next graduate, pausing to exchange a few words. Arielle’s attention was drawn back to the ball of fluff in front of her. It demanded her entire attention, and she gave it with glad abandon.

  All too soon Thesius sent a telepathic call to get their attention, and the graduates returned from the far-flung corners of the field. The sun was slipping low toward the western horizon, and the shadows were lengthening as they all regrouped where Thesius sat by the pedestals. Most of the pups ran back to their parents, who had also responded to the call. Arielle’s and Angus’ were still in tow.

  “This was a remarkable thing that occurred today,” Thesius said once they were all seated on the ground around her. “Almost an entire Pride was accepted. That would be a rarity even if you held to the normal numbers. This speaks well for all of you. Let me caution you against the temptations of hubris, however. Not all who are accepted are able to rise to the rank of the Elc’atar Guard. Their acceptance merely suggests that you have the potential. Nothing more.”

  Thesius was quiet a moment, and when she spoke again, her words had a hesitant quality to them. “I have never before beheld a comparable event, and I have worked with the lo’el for over a thousand years. It is a great portent, I believe. I will discuss it with the Mala’kar to learn their thoughts. It seems that we even have two who have been chosen.”

  “Her name’s Fae,” Angus said, absently stroking the tiny creature curled in his lap. “She hasn’t let another near me all day.”

  “This is Myth,” Arielle said. It was larger than the one on Angus’ lap, and it was draped across her legs as she ran her fingers through its long hair. “She’s rather possessive, like you said.”

  “It is as I have said.” Thesius said. “Once you have been chosen, they mark you as their own, much the way the pack has marked all of you as accepted.”

  “What if we were not chosen today?” Nessah said, voicing the concern that tugged at many of them.

  “Do not distress yourself with such questions,” Thesius said. “It will be as it will be. It may take some time. It may take several litters. This is not something we share until you reach the A’gist, so I ask that you not share it outside this valley; many believe that the lo’el we bond with choose us for a specific reason, and it is as if they were created just for us. It seems vain, I know, but you will understand my meaning once you start working with them more.”

&nb
sp; She petted the large gray and black animal that lay next to her as she spoke, scratching it behind the ear. It nuzzled closer to her, delighting in the contact.

  “What of Ti’vol?” Darien said, bouncing a small stone in his hand. “What will happen to her now?”

  Thesius grew somber. She must have expected the question, and was not long in responding.

  “She is separate from you now,” she said, returning her hand to her lap. Her companion lowered its head to its front paws, an aura of disappointment about it. “She was not accepted, and so she can never again enter the A’gist. The pack would not allow it. They know her scent, and they never forget. Her time at the Gates is done. She will return to the Vaults, if that is her choosing, or she can return to her home. She will be waiting for you when you get back to the barracks, but you must say your goodbyes this evening, for she leaves with the dawn.”

  The gathered Pride grew silent at the news, sharing consoling glances, their loss evident. Although she did not know her as well as some of the others, Arielle had grown accustomed to the strange, silent girl, and her constant presence. She would miss her. She could feel Angus’ grief at the news. Demona openly wept with her head on Denuelle’s shoulder.

  “Are you fecking kidding me?” Darien said. He jumped up and stomped away several feet, tossing away the rock he held.

  “In life, friends and loved ones pass from our company,” Thesius said. “Such is the nature of things, and it cannot be changed. The Elc’atar know this. You can, however, choose how you will deal with such an event. Accept it. Cherish your time together, with all of its triumphs and hardships. Your training will progress in one direction, and hers in another.

  “You have fashioned yourselves a Pride, and as such, she is not truly lost to you. Consider this a test of that vow. Can you maintain it even when she is not your daily companion? Those of us who choose the course of the Elc’atar, leave many a friend upon the roadside.”

  The Pride was silent, digesting the Elc’atar’s perspective.

  “The two of you,” Thesius said, pointing to Angus and Arielle, “must leave them here. They are not old enough to be outside the borders yet, and it would infuriate the pack if you tried. The pups will persist, but you must be firm. As with all things regarding the lo’el. Not aggressive. Not cruel. But firm. They must know that you are the one in command. They normally do not choose so young, so I am not sure how they will react.”

  Arielle and Angus glanced at one another, and she returned his smile. He was feeling the way she was: that the little creature in her lap complemented her. Her sin’del bent toward him at the same moment his reached for her.

  Myth rolled off of Arielle and stumbled to her feet. With a shake of her entire body, she walked over to Angus, and made a show of sniffing around him. Fae lifted her head and issued a small growl of challenge. After a moment it stopped, and Fae left Angus’ lap to trot over to Arielle. Everyone watched as Myth climbed up on Angus’ lap and rolled on her back, demanding her belly rubbed. Fae climbed onto Arielle and nuzzled her head against her shoulder seeking affection.

  Thesius’ mouth was agape at the scene, and she was at a loss for words.

  “You two are sickening sometimes, you know that, don’t you?” To the Elc’atar, Thomlin said. “Don’t let it bother you. Things like this happen all the time with them.”

  “I guess we shouldn’t be surprised,” Gwen said. “Thomlin’s right, you two are sickening.”

  “Ah, and so it is,” Angus said, “I can’t fight jealousy, so I won’t even try.”

  Arielle stuck her tongue out at Thomlin and Gwen. She was glad they were sitting side by side, so that she could include them both with the gesture.

  “Enough,” Thesius said. “You children have given me enough questions for one day. Off with you! You will conduct your Vol and morning physical training here with the Lo’el. From this point forward, they will drill with you in all things. You are all accepted, so there is no need to wait for me at the border.”

  Both Fae and Myth insisted on following them across the border. She had to remind Angus several times of the warning. It would be just like him to try and smuggle the tiny thing out under his shirt.

  Eventually the pack took pity on them and herded the little ones back under the trees. It was well after dark when they finally left the A’gist. Everyone else had long since retired to the barracks, and they quickened their step. This was Ti’vol’s last night with them, and they wanted to make it memorable. Arielle snaked her arm through his. She didn’t mind being left behind. It meant she had him all alone for a trip in the moonlight.

  ****

  Arielle and Angus reached the trailhead, escorted by a rather annoyed Enid. Throughout the trip, Arielle had borne her friend’s aggrieved silence with the occasional conspiratorial grin shared with Angus. For his part, Angus called out on random occasions, “Hey bear. Ho bear.”

  “Can you stop that?” Enid said over her shoulder.

  “Only good sense,” Angus said. “You need to let the forest creatures know you’re in their domain. You wouldn’t want to surprise them and walk up unannounced, would you?”

  Arielle could not restrain her laughter.

  Enid growled and increased her pace.

  A sampling of the Pride was waiting by the time they arrived at the parade field. Demona paced at the furthest edge of the group, with Denuelle crouched nearby watching her. Nessah milled about, killing time as she waited, while Ba’ril spoke to someone through a personnel comm system. The rings he wore on his thumb and forefinger cast an energy field between the outstretched digits, enabling direct communications at greater distances than mere telepathy allowed.

  “What’s going on?” Arielle said upon arrival, picking up on the atmosphere.

  “I am not going in search of them again!” Enid said, crossing her arms over her chest with the announcement. “Never again! Someone else gets that job.”

  Nessah picked a blade of grass from the plaits of Arielle’s silver braid.

  “What were you two doing?” she said, although her expression said she already knew the answer.

  “Showing me too much of his ass,” Enid stabbed Angus in the chest with her finger. “You need more time in the sun.”

  “Enough of that,” Ba’ril said from the side as he broke contact with whomever he was speaking. “Ti’vol’s missing.”

  The statement cut through the ribbing and caught Arielle’s full attention. She felt Angus’ mood shift between one heartbeat and the next.

  “Why didn’t you tell us?” he said. His sin’del reared as his ire came to the fore.

  “We tried,” Nessah said, her amusement gone. “You weren’t responding. That’s why we sent Enid running up the mountain to find you. We were closest to your last known location.”

  “How long?” Arielle asked. She took Angus’ arm in an attempt to calm him, but felt her own anger and worry increase instead as his emotions overwhelmed hers. She let go and stepped away.

  Ba’ril gave the situation report. “We’re not sure. She apparently never made it back from the A’gist. She wasn’t in her barracks when we returned. We checked the mess and the libraries before we sounded the alarm. The Officer of the Watch and Brodhi reported that she hasn’t checked in. Riders have been dispatched as far out as the Miu river. Trenton sounded general quarters.”

  He held out Ti’vol’s weapons belt, wrapped around the sheath of her sword.

  “We found this on the side of the path,” he said as Angus took the weapon. “Caradoc got absolutely no clairvoyant residue from it. He says someone wiped it clean.”

  Angus nodded as he inspected the kit. “That’s Ti’s doing. She calls it psychic dirt. She always wipes her gear when she takes it off. Probably doesn’t even realize she’s doing it.”

  “I knew she’d be upset,” Demona said, worry creeping along the edge of her words. The tightness of her tone gave testament to the tears that threatened to return. “She’s the only one
of us who wasn’t accepted. She can’t try for Elc’atar. And now she’s all alone. Do you think she ran away? She won’t respond to me.”

  Denuelle pulled her into a hug. “She’s still our Pride. We’ll find her.”

  “Yes we will,” Angus said, his fingers tightening around the scabbard. Arielle touched his arm, offering him what comfort she could.

  “Command wants us to hold position and await reinforcements,” Ba’ril said. “We’re going to comb through the woods until she’s found. Brodhi’s losing his mind, and Trenton’s not much better.”

  The normal routine at the Gates was suspended pending the search. Every graduate, every Blade, every Elc’atar, every Mala’kar took turns walking their grid pattern through the forests that embraced the mountainsides. The river was dredged, and search parties explored downstream. Pledged members of House Kal’Parev arrived from the countryside, from the Vaults, and from Reven Marthal to join the search.

  After a week, Trenton called a halt to the search and rescue mission.

  No trace of Ti’vol was ever found.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY

  View from the Balcony

  Thenaria “watched” the practice field from a secluded balcony high upon the wall. The air was cooler up here, but the summer heat was still sweltering, dancing in undulating waves that rose from the earth. This part of the barracks had been closed off for some time, and the dust piled in deep drifts across the floors. No footprints led to the balcony, which was just the way she wanted it. She had not, after all, crossed the room to get here.

  Her eyes had been useless for so long that she had almost forgotten what the sense was like.

  A hummingbird fluttered close to her ear, and she bent her head a fraction to regard it.

  “I know there is no longer a need for subterfuge,” she said as she shrugged. “I can shift to the field and watch them up close now. Some habits are just a little hard to let go of.