by Susi Wright
Of course, it mattered not that the sun was rising; this sleep transcended place and time. Soon, Thunis’ soul would be with the Ancestors, only his frail body remaining to be buried. It mattered only that his legacy lived on undiminished, in fact made manifold, in his son.
One by one, first Aleana, tears flowing freely, and Rihann, similarly emotional, kissed Luminor’s hand, followed by Altor, then members of the clan, each one solemnly swearing their loyalty as the ceremony reached completion, heralding much more than the sunrise of a new day.
When the appointed time came an hour later, Luminor felt only briefly the departure of Thunis’ soul, followed immediately by the surge of energy signalling the transference of power. It was much fiercer and more volatile than he had expected, the power to control Fire. It shook him to his core, sending him to his knees. It would require all his training and focus to be lord of it. He received and accepted it, with gravity and acquiescence, knowing the weighty mantle of leadership was now his to bear, and that the quest to destroy the flame adder must take precedence over all else. He could not, however, prevent the flare of elation, to think that after this task was accomplished, nothing in existence would keep him from Fralii.
Chapter Thirty-one
Since the abrupt departure of Fralii’s strange young companion, things had gone from bad to worse in Runo’s household. The distraught Fralii had locked herself in her room, crying inconsolably for days, refusing to eat or speak to anyone. Even Runo had been unable to get through to her. He had questioned Chadren about the angry outburst in his room which appeared to have caused it all, and received at first the curt reply, ‘He is a demon! A supernatural!’ That prejudiced statement, to Runo, did not represent an explanation, so he waited until Chadren calmed down and his anger turned to worry that Fralii might be ill. Then he managed to extract some of the details of Zula’s death, which Chadren had never before shared. These were sketchy, bearing in mind Chadren was at the time suffering the effects of shock, and not entirely certain what he had seen. Over the years, he had locked the blame, and the ensuing hate, on a feather-cloaked figure with glowing blue eyes, staring guiltily and fearfully from the treeline that night, before flying off on a gust of wind. The vague doubt Chadren had that he might have imagined it, as no one else had ever mentioned such a being, vanished when he saw Luminor standing there, about the right age, so like the boy he had seen, except the eyes were green. He had wondered if they were actually one and the same.
Runo wondered if Chadren had really seen such a thing, and if so, perhaps it had all been a terrible accident. He had noticed the stranger was different, but he had delivered Fralii safe and sound to them. He only saw kindness, and possibly much more, when he had caught sight of the intense way Luminor watched Fralii as she climbed the stairs, and when they briefly joined hands. Then there had been Fralii’s own admission of something deeper. Yes, he personally had taken an instant liking to the young man. What he had seen and what he thought were facts he would keep to himself for the present. One thing was certain, he was not at all happy with his son-in-law’s short-sighted and stubborn attitude, something he fully intended to work on.
‘Come, Chadren, that was long ago! For now, we must attend to what ails Fralii. I know you are as worried as I am!’ he admonished.
‘I know the ordeal must have worn her out. But do you know why she still refuses to speak to me? I hope the kidnappers did not…’ He swallowed the words. He was seriously worried she was ailing and ashamed, that maybe the raiders had abused or defiled her. ‘Has she said… anything at all… to you?’ he asked Runo, hoping she had at least confided a little in her grandfather.
Runo chose his words carefully. ‘No. Fralii told me nothing of that nature. I am hopeful she remains unsullied. But… about the young man. Maybe he is of a different race… so what? He brought our beloved Fralii back to us. He deserved a little gratitude. Do you not agree? She is obviously very upset with that, I daresay!’
‘You are right, Runo, I was so angry, the memories… the hate… all these years. That boy, standing there with exactly the same look… it was too much!’ He dragged his hands across his face. ‘I am sorry now, she is so distressed! Can you go to her… tell her? See if she will talk to you. Try to get her to eat something!’
Runo agreed to try smoothing things over, but he did not think it was going to be easy.
After careful thought, he had an idea. Knocking for the umpteenth time on the locked door, he could hear a quiet sniffling from within. He called out gently, ‘Fralii, my dear, your father is very sorry. He was out of his mind with the medication. He suffered much pain from his injuries… he suffers more now with worry. Think about that!’ Then he left her alone to consider his words, hoping to appeal to her sympathy. He hastened downstairs to the stables, where Simban was grooming the black samblar, Spirit. Greeting the young handler, he asked, ‘Simban! You and your family know about the commotion the other night? Fralii still refuses to eat or come out of her room.’ Simban looked very worried, shaking his head. ‘What can be done?’ he asked. ‘I would do anything to see her happy again! I feel partly to blame that I was not there to help!’
Runo went on, ‘No, Simban you did well to come for help… many lives were at stake! About Fralii… the crying seems to be getting less… that’s something. Listen, my boy, I have an idea… and I would like your help.’
* * *
Fralii lay on her bed, heartsick, but finally feeling she had no tears left. For two desolate days and nights, she had wanted to die of a broken heart, unable to think anything but the same unanswered questions. Why had Luminor left her? Why had he remained stupidly silent, when it was crucial he speak to her father? Why did he then suddenly look so ill? And most of all, why did he not explain to her, after all they had been through? Did his pledge mean nothing?
When the crying had eventually subsided, resentment started to creep into the sadness. It was as if her heart was trying to build a shield around itself to mend the damage. She started to believe that he had betrayed her trust, that she hated him. Towards evening, sniffling quietly, she heard Runo’s knock and plea through the closed door. She did not reply. She felt so, so tired, succumbing at last to sleep.
Late morning the following day, as a shaft of bright sunlight angled into her room and crept across her face, she woke. She could tell by the aspect of the intrusion it was nearly noon, was surprised how long she had slept. Her eyes hurt. She still felt a deep ache in her chest which she was certain would never go away. Her thoughts had again started to meander morosely, when she heard noises and activity in the courtyard below her open window. She sighed miserably, so sick of the way she felt. Sitting up slowly, she wondered if some fresh air would help clear the thickness in her head. Rising to her feet, she made her way listlessly to the window seat, vaguely curious what was going on down below.
As she took a deep breath of cool air, she saw Simban exercising the black samblar in the large grass enclosure next to the stables. Spirit! She had all but forgotten him! How beautiful he was, sleek and glossy with those unusual stripes on his legs. Simban was putting him through his proud paces, just as when she first saw him. Only now the samblar was well trained, though just as energetic and spirited, putting all his effort into pleasing his rider. The manoeuvres were advanced, like a dance, every turn and pace executed to perfection. Simban had done well. For a few moments, she welcomed this distraction, as she did the breath of fresh air, and allowed herself to be entertained by the display of skill. She remembered how free she had felt, galloping Spirit across the open ground. Then, she had thought there could not be a better feeling, but that was before those special things she had felt with Lumi. Now, she wondered bleakly if she would ever feel anything again.
Just then, a quiet knock interrupted her reverie and with it was Sala’s voice. ‘Mistress Fralii, I have a little breakfast for you—the honeyed cakes you like!’ Fralii had always liked Sala. She had a gentle, motherly manner, and had taken goo
d care of Runo since she had been given the position of cook and housekeeper. She was an excellent cook, one of Fralii’s favourite recipes being those honey-cakes on offer this morning. Her stomach grumbled as she realised how little she had eaten for so long. She heard the rattle of the tray being left outside the door when she did not answer, Sala tactfully taking her leave without further intrusion. Fralii went to the washstand and splashed her face. She had made a decision. She was indeed hungry. Unlocking and opening her door, she retrieved the tray and went back to her window seat, still feeling a little weak, to nibble on the syrupy cakes while she watched Simban complete the training exercises with renewed interest. Several minutes later, Simban glanced up at her window, pretending to have just noticed her there. He waved, happily calling out, ‘Good morning, mistress. You see? Spirit is doing very well! Would you like to take him for a ride soon? I also need to exercise the other samblar. We could take them to the hills… like before. Maybe tomorrow morning?’ He smiled hopefully up at her.
Fralii managed a small, weary smile for Simban. After all he had been a good riding-teacher, and friend. ‘Yes, Simban… tomorrow would be good.’ She would regain some strength by then, if she ate well today, aware that eating, and speaking to another human being were small, but significant steps. Tomorrow she would take another.
Chapter Thirty-two
The Gaian clan had sprung into action, the very morning of Luminor’s appointment as chief, at his command. This was not only a time for them all to use their special talents, it was a time to come out of the shadows and form an enduring alliance with humans. To this end, he and Altor would take a delegation of warriors to the Capital to seek audience with the Baram council, offering their services to kill the pyrothon. The majority of his men would go north to set up camp nearer to the caves of Varn, and await his orders.
Luminor knew several squadrons of human soldiers had already been sent north to deal with the monster and had not returned. The council would be desperate. The urgent call had gone out through the countryside, for brave volunteers to take on the quest. No one else had come forward. The intense anxiety and fear of the human populace in the Capital was palpable from a distance, as the Gaians flew part-way to that city.
In order to gain trust, Luminor wisely chose to arrive for their first meeting more conventionally, on samblar-back. Nonetheless, he was not intending to hide his station as Gaian chieftain, and it would soon become obvious to all, that he and his people were the only ones capable of destroying the flame adder.
And so they arrived in the Capital, that small group of crusaders, riding the few samblars the clan kept for occasional use, immediately drawing the attention of onlookers as they entered the gates all dressed in Gaian native clothing, their different-coloured feather cloaks billowing, light as air, over the backs of their mounts. Luminor in the lead, in full ceremonial regalia, his covered head held high and proud, presented a mysterious and lordly figure, with glossy long black cloak and hood, bow and arrows slung across his back. As a swelling crowd gathered and followed them towards the city hall, calling out questions, Luminor found himself sorely tempted to succumb to the harmless urge to add some theatrical flair; after all, they were about to be players in the greatest drama of the last eight centuries!
He reached up and threw back his hood with a flourish, revealing his striking long blonde hair with ornate leather headband, and surveyed the crowd slowly and openly with his very strangely vivid and powerful green gaze, to the drawn breaths and hushed whispers of his audience. The action was immediately echoed by his men, and as one, they leapt lightly from their mounts and strode regally up the steps of the hall, cloaks swirling in their wake. The awestruck crowd watched in fascination as they disappeared inside the building.
Word of their mission had preceded them to the council chambers, carried by a fast and eager messenger sent by the gatekeeper, so the assembly was waiting expectantly to meet them.
The steward pompously announced their arrival as he opened the chamber doors, ‘Ahem! Esteemed Lord Luminor… of the… Gaian people, and his royal delegation!’ He was not quite sure just how important this foreign chief was, but he thought it wiser to err on the side of more ceremony than less.
Luminor strode up to the council, eager to make this overt contact with humans. This was what he had wanted for so many years! He silently acknowledged the various emotions emanating from the individual members: suspicion, prejudice, cynicism from two of them, but that was overridden by keen interest, curiosity, encouragement, and hope, even a little awe from the majority. He was relieved, confident no guile would be needed here.
The governor, the keenly interested one, addressed Luminor, ‘I am Governor-Mayor Rand. Welcome, Lord Luminor! You have a proposition, I understand?’ At this point, after so much failure, he was desperate and willing to give anyone brave, or crazy enough, a crack at this quest!
Luminor confidently replied, ‘Yes. I will kill the flame adder! With the help of my men.’
Somewhat sardonically, the mayor then asked, ‘You sound very sure of yourself! And these,’ he pointed to Luminor’s few companions, ‘are your men? Do you have… .others?’
‘Yes… of course. Details…’ Luminor was coming to know how greedy humans were for copious information. ‘My army awaits me in the north,’ but omitted that his forces only numbered forty or so. ‘We are all trained in many disciplines, expert at combat… and various… other skills.’
‘I think you will need a very large number of men, and skills… Do you know the size of this monster?’ asked the governor, starting to wonder if this lord’s bravado might be solely that. ‘And, we do not know if it has already attracted a mate… with all that smoke!’
‘I have seen it. And alone, fought it! Recently!’ Luminor stated. ‘A mate is not near, yet.’
The governor raised his eyebrows, his interest piqued once more. That this lord had survived the encounter was in itself miraculous! This was an unusually brave, or stupid, young foreigner.
The cynical council member piped up, ‘And what payment do you demand? A tidy fortune, I’ll wager!’
Luminor singled him out with his gaze, while he addressed the whole assembly. ‘No coin. But when I return, victorious, I want an alliance—my people with yours, equal, living and working together. We want a place in government,’ he stated. ‘We must sign an agreement!’
There was shocked silence from the assembly, at the audacity of the demand. Then they burst into a flurry of hushed comments to each other. There was clearly difference of opinion in the room. Some of them feared such an agreement might undermine the security of their government. Some feared an invasion. Some were desperate for a saviour. All were afraid for one reason or another.
Pressing his advantage over their fear, Luminor went on, ‘If this creature is not destroyed, it will destroy all Life. If it attracts a mate, there will be many more… then all the known world will be lost! I can vanquish it now. It is Gaian prophecy!’
‘Hold on, foreigner!’ barked an indignant councillor, ‘Prophecy or not, what gives you the right to demand this? Coin is the usual reward!’ Suddenly, paying them seemed a better option.
‘How do we know you will not try to overthrow the government?’ challenged the fearful one. ‘Where are you from, anyway? We have never heard of your race! Have you and your army come over the border looking for new lands?’
Luminor was aware of the growing dissension in the room, but still persisted with the more difficult, honest diplomacy, rather than mood control, for the time being. ‘I am lord of a nomadic clan. We have lived in remote parts of Baram, for many years. We are different. People fear that, so we hide. We want acceptance and to assist in this society, as equals. That is all!’ He was quietly proud of his quickly improving command of the language.
Governor Rand seemed somewhat impressed. ‘Well, I must say, you have certainly done a good job of staying hidden! And out of trouble! I have lived here all my life and have governed Bar
am for twenty years. I have never heard of you, Lord Luminor, or you… Gaians!’
The cynical councillor, still unimpressed, spoke again. ‘How do we know you speak the truth?’
Luminor looked directly at him when he answered, guilelessly, ‘We do not lie!’ They certainly could not lie to each other, sentient as they all were, and although they could alter mood if it became necessary, or tiptoe around the truth, they always avoided an outright lie. Such a suspicious fellow! Luminor was determined to convince him by the power of purest intention.
The councillor squirmed a little under the relentless, unsettling gaze. Luminor broke eye contact before the man began to become afraid, as it was certain he soon would. He wanted to make a point, without the use of subterfuge, if only to prove to himself it was possible. The effects were promising. This must be a lasting alliance, based on honesty and mutual trust. Fear certainly was not helpful.
Just then, a messenger was allowed entry with urgent news that a fourth battalion had been lost to the flame adder, trying to protect another village. Baram’s army could not sustain such losses! Knowing how urgent the need for action was, the mayor addressed Luminor decisively, ‘We require a few hours to consider what you are asking. You will have our decision by sunset!’
Luminor nodded once, deferentially, then turned and left the chambers, followed by Altor and his men, as the room behind them burst into buzzing conference.
