by Susi Wright
The future in general, for all Gaians, was looking good now, as it seemed they would never be out of employment under the Alliance, and the warriors would be free to find brides, if they chose, from the human population, increasing the possibility that more of them would have families of their own. But their antics and arrest had been the subject of public interest, and a great deal of gossip. The unavoidable truth to face, at this moment, was that the reputation of their people was in question, and they were the culprits. It did not sit well with any of them, as they waited outside the meeting room to be called for audience with Lord Luminor.
‘Xandor!’ came the commanding voice from within the room, more daunting since they had all felt the imposing percipient authority enveloping them and squeezing like a vice as soon as they had been seated. And on top of that, it seemed they were to be taken to task, one by one.
The eldest of the group, and therefore one might say the ringleader, jumped nervously to his feet and approached the door. At his knock, he was swiftly admitted and disappeared from their view. In Luminor’s presence, he remained standing with eyes downcast, awaiting whatever might come in the way of lordly judgement.
An anxious few moments of silence passed before Luminor addressed him. ‘Xandor. You are ashamed.’ The young man nodded slowly, avoiding eye contact.
‘And rightly so! One does not need a high level of Perception to know what is right and wrong… simple mindfulness should guide one on a basically righteous path. Would you not agree, Xandor?’ quizzed Luminor sternly, deliberately not inviting the young man to be seated.
‘Yes, my lord,’ answered Xandor quietly, fidgeting a little, hotly uncomfortable under Luminor’s intense gaze, well aware that his superior already knew how he felt, and was only using the heat and the words as further punishment.
‘I know your family, of course. You and your parents joined our clan from Siva, just before the quest. Your father was among those brothers we lost on Mount Varn, so your mother is recently widowed, and you have no siblings. I am sorry for your personal loss, but that is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour! You do know… you have put Gaian reputation at risk… when we are in the crucial early stages of establishing the Alliance?’
Luminor’s insistent stare demanded eye contact from Xandor. He did not resist, he actually welcomed the burn of it. Also, he had some pride left that he was not yet beyond redemption. Meeting Luminor’s gaze, he answered remorsefully, ‘Yes, my lord, I have made some mistakes, which I sincerely regret. In my heart I believe in the Alliance… without question! Ever since we first knew of Lord Thunis’ intention to pass over, my parents were convinced the prophecy would be fulfilled and wanted to be part of it… I would give my life for it, still! I want to be part of that future! Give me the chance to prove myself to you!’ His impassioned statement was genuine. Luminor perceived that and appreciated its value, waiting a deliberate few heartbeats before replying.
‘I know your heart is true. So we are left with a question… How do we proceed? I am prepared to listen to your ideas on how to make amends… and redeem yourself in the light of the Alliance.’ Luminor was going to make him work for his reprieve.
Undaunted by the apparent challenge, Xandor went on, ‘Well, my lord… from the day we arrived and began to take part in the quest, I have felt that the cause deserves to be shared… beyond Baram’s borders. There are many Gaians still abroad, displaced and persecuted, who need to be made aware of the Alliance, to know there is a place where they can live, in peace and security. In honour of my father’s death for this cause, I would like to pledge myself to a quest to find as many of those people as I can, and bring them to share this new life! With your permission, of course, my lord!’ Xandor’s striking topaz eyes glittered passionately, imploring approval.
As Luminor studied the young warrior, becoming starkly aware of his sincerity and courage, he acknowledged a growing respect for his noble aspirations, recognising those same ideals in his own long-held dreams for the future. It was inspiring to see this kind of dedication. But the young man desired other things too. Luminor pressed for a second intention, easily detected hovering in the young man’s mind, which was as open as a book. ‘There is something else . . .’
Xandor was caught off guard, but realised he should not have been, since he was not even trying to hide anything, and he knew Lord Luminor had powerful Perception. ‘Yes, my lord… I am ready to take a wife. When I was a babe, my parents betrothed me to the daughter of another clan leader when they passed through Siva in their wanderings. It was my father’s wish that when I was ready, I would find her and honour the betrothal. If you approve my quest to find other Gaians who wish to join the Alliance, perhaps I may also have permission to find her and bring her home as my bride.’
Luminor enjoyed a few more powerful moments of suspenseful silence, considering his response, pursing his lips, and resting his chin on the steeple of his hands, as he placed them on the table at which he was seated. When he stood to speak, he met Xandor’s eyes with a slight smile hovering on his lips.
‘I strongly suspect you will be leaving for Siva soon, then!’ Luminor smiled fully at Xandor, as he released him from the mental probing, finishing the audience with a nod. Bowing deferentially, Xandor felt a surge of relief as he exited the room and rushed blindly past his friends in the hallway, saying nothing, but glowing with purpose and excitement, leaving all four puzzled and still anxious about their individual meetings with Lord Luminor.
‘Next! Troyan!’ came the summons, and the second young warrior obeyed, approaching the door to face the music.
Everything was accomplished by dusk, including Luminor’s instructions to all five warriors to set off together without delay to Siva, but to ensure they take an elder with them, one well versed in perceptive skills, as a necessary safeguard. He had been well satisfied with the loyalty of each of them, and the quest that would suitably prove it, keeping them out of mischief and twiddling their thumbs in the taverns of Baram. They would be occupied for quite some time in a noble pursuit, spreading news of the Alliance to far-off places. Xandor might also find his bride and return to settle down in Baram. Feeling he had administered justice and progress at the same time, Luminor returned to share a pleasant evening meal with Fralii, Rihann, and the warriors who resided in the house.
Rihann had prepared the simple repast, preferred by their clan, of yams and tree nuts roasted with wild honey and herbs. It was a meal thoroughly enjoyed by all, relaxing in each other’s easy company after the high drama of recent days. After the traditional telling of Stavis’ death in the meeting that morning, the topic of conversation of course centred inexorably on the impending wedding. At the end of the evening, Luminor and Fralii were equally reluctant to part company when Rihann urged them to retire for the night, embracing and kissing as if they feared the parting would be forever. Rihann, the mother hen, became impatient. ‘Stop now! Fralii, it is time for you to rest!’ She pried her charge from Luminor’s arms, and pulled her by the hand towards her chamber. Luminor sighed longingly, his eyes following Fralii’s exit and, only when she had disappeared behind the closed door, turning on his heel to make his way back to the governor’s mansion, his mind’s eye still filled with the beauty of his raven-haired woman.
* * *
The following morning was fresh and clear, the climate in the Capital so much more clement than further north, because of the sheltering ranges which protected it from the icy north-easterly winds. They would be travelling directly east to Splendo, so they did not expect to encounter any severe weather during the journey, as both cities were similarly sheltered, and the reason why the majority of the population made their homes in one or the other.
Governor Rand was waiting eagerly to meet Fralii and see them off. With introductions duly made, Rand promised to attend the wedding and they embarked on the day’s travel in a light mood. The samblars, as always, were more than willing to clip along at a ground-covering pace, able to maintain it
for hours on end if the footing was good. On a fine, dry day such as this, they would make excellent time and reach Splendo sometime in the evening.
Luminor had sent fast carrier-pigeon ahead of them to let Runo and Chadren know of their coming. Simban had told them all that he knew, up until they had parted company. The marriage proposal, however, would be somewhat of a surprise, Luminor feeling a little trepidation at the thought.
On top of that, Rand had also sent official word to the governor of Splendo that the famed Lord Luminor would imminently visit that city, so Luminor was steeling himself for another bout of pomp and ceremony, wondering if it would ever be possible to become accustomed to it.
One advantage of the new Gaian recognition, though they had never demanded payment, had been the recent unexpected abundance of coin and gifts from grateful citizens to all the members of the clan. He and Altor both now had a generous government wage, and his people would never want materially in the future, being fairly paid for their chosen employment.
For much of the day, with his man in the driver’s seat, Luminor travelled in the wagon, revelling in the time he could spend with Fralii and Rihann. They had much to catch up on, exchanging stories of their adventures. The women listened intently as Luminor regaled them with the details of his encounter with the flame adder. They in turn recounted many anecdotes of their work in the medical camps. All three shared much laughter over memories of the Prian herb, its attendant discomforts and mishaps, finally giving sober and due credit to its healing properties. Luminor told them he could visualise the need for intensive farming of it in the future, to meet increased demand.
During a lull in conversation, Luminor reflected with not a little pride, how his dreams of change were becoming a reality, how his people, their unique knowledge in all aspects of Nature, and their special talents would benefit the entire country of Baram, and how the new-found human respect for Gaian culture would secure a promising future for them all.
Chapter Fifty-one
So engrossed were they in lively conversation and each other’s company, with Luminor giving his man a break by taking the reins for a while after a short rest stop in the middle of the day, time flew and they hardly noticed the passing of daylight into night. The distant lights of Splendo city came into view, almost as a surprise, two hours after dark.
For the last hour, Luminor had kept silent about his growing sense of unease the closer they came to the city. He was familiar with the feeling; it never boded well. He climbed up next to the driver to scan the skyline several furlongs in the distance, recognising instantly the eerie glow and destructive aura of a large fire burning in one quarter of the city, on the opposite side to where Runo lived. The warrior beside him said quietly, ‘Yes. I see it also! What are your orders?’
Luminor replied, ‘Take the women to Runo’s house, Vellon Avenue. Inform them I will return soon! Then find me… I may need your help, with water!’ With that, he leapt onto a summoned breeze, cloak-flying pell-mell towards the inferno which had already taken hold of many timber homes in the poor quarter, tinder-dry from lack of rainfall in summer, and no pumps to get water from the wells.
As he approached, people were screaming, some were running with their children towards the river, others were making valiant but futile efforts with handheld water cannons, fetching water from the river. The smoke was thick and choking in the narrow streets. Terror reigned as some leapt from upper storeys to their death on the cobblestones below.
Luminor trusted his initiative, and the timely appearance of his warrior, to best deal with the catastrophe, meeting the challenge of controlling two elements of Nature at one time. He was thankfully, well rested and able to put his maximum energy to the task.
First, alighting neatly on the roof of a tall building outside the burning zone, he had a vantage point from which to direct his powers. The blaze had taken hold of a large part of the poor quarter and some warehouses near the docks. Several trading vessels had been forced to abandon their moorings and take to open water, downriver in the estuary. A dangerous fire was burning out of control in a tallow-processing factory on some high ground next to the quay, the barrels of oil and fats exploding one after the other, sending streams of fiery fuel running like lava towards the city streets on one side, and down into the river on the other, where the flames danced on the water’s surface well out from the riverbank. To halt the rapid spread of the fire in three directions towards the houses, he summoned a stream from the large river that bisected the city, to flow around the perimeter of the zone, giving it the width of a large street but careful not to make it too deep and risk drownings. Some enterprising people quickly used this new water-source, filling their cannons to douse down houses not already burning. The fleeing city-folk could easily wade across to safety. The challenge was to snuff out the oil-fuelled fires which were unaffected by water and could still cause untold damage.
Luminor gave control of this water to his warrior, who had just arrived beside him, to maintain it as a firebreak, while he reached deep within himself for the same power he had needed in the adder’s lair, the Supreme Power to drive back Fire to its source. As the energy began to surge from the Ancestors through him, he concentrated his attention on the flames, malevolently twirling and leaping their dance of death on the rooftops. He projected his focus to surround them, first bending the air from above the entire area to suffocate the tallow fire using the thick black smoke it spewed as a blanket, folding the edges down to cut off its breath. Then he directed this encompassing power in towards the original blaze and attendant fires, squeezing and driving them back towards the bakery oven that had birthed them. This time, unlike his encounter with the flame adder, and although Fire itself had a powerfully volatile nature of its own, he did not face the added challenge of a living creature with evil intent in the bargain, so he found this second experience relatively less taxing. The channelling of power was also becoming more familiar. Though a little fatigued, Luminor was pleasantly surprised at the speed and ease of his accomplishment, when several minutes later, the inferno had been almost extinguished to a small blaze in the bakery, where an errant spark had ignited the rushes on the floor. Seconds after that, Luminor’s will had sent the last rebellious flames to their source in the Latent Dimension, and all was quiet.
Residual smoke swirled around them as the relieved but bewildered citizens clustered in groups, trying to make sense of what had transpired, to turn their hopelessness into salvation. They had been completely unaware of Luminor’s sudden arrival and orchestration of the scene from the rooftop.
As the smoky haze began to dissipate on the breeze, Luminor and his companion quietly took off to join Fralii and the others, hoping to escape notice. Unsuccessfully, it seemed, since a keen-eyed watchman had spotted their flight, the lantern light from the city illuminating the two flyers as they left the rooftop. Luminor’s long blonde hair, jet-black cloak, and unique method of travel were unmistakable from all descriptions of the Gaian lord, and he was obviously accompanied by one of his warriors.
The watchman’s call boomed from the parapets, amplified by the huge bovino horn placed to his lips. ‘Lord Luminor is with us! Lord Luminor is come! Be not afraid and welcome him!’ And the two knew they had been discovered.
Luminor continued on his path over the rooftops to Runo’s, trying to ignore the possibility that the gossip preceding his arrival had elevated his status to that of a deity, something else he was going to have to deal with in the coming days. He had a fleeting doubt that he might never be completely free of his reputation, that fame brought with it a great deal of responsibility.
He landed on the steps of Runo’s villa, knowing he had but a few private moments before Splendo’s mayor and officials would be knocking at the door, his flight and destination observed by the town watchers on the ramparts. Who could predict, with all the chaos in the city, whether there would also be a horde of curious townsfolk gathering in their wake?
Rihann was at t
he door, opening it as he arrived, Fralii at her side, concerned about the reason for his sudden disappearance. Their Gaian driver had divulged nothing, on Luminor’s orders, but Rihann had sensed danger. Luminor entered quickly with his man, closing and barring the door behind them, leaning tiredly against it.
At their puzzled expressions, Runo asked, ‘What has happened, my boy? Are you being pursued?’ and a stronger Chadren hobbled into the hallway with a walking stick, as Luminor explained in a rush, ‘They know I am here… They will be here soon! I put out the fire… Chadren, sir, I want to marry your daughter. Can you give permission now, before they are upon us, and the chance is lost for yet another week!’
The others were all stunned in various ways by the verbal outburst, Fralii thinking it the most she had seen him speak at one time, Runo trying to digest how Luminor had managed to single-handedly put out a massive fire, Chadren struggling to come to terms with the marriage proposal, which threatened to snatch his daughter from him yet again! Rihann alone of course, was surprised by none of it, smiling fondly at her brother’s ardent delivery. Noises could be heard coming down the street, attesting to Luminor’s claim that they were about to be invaded.
‘Please, sir! Now would be good!’ His green gaze implored Chadren for a speedy response, desperate to get his answer before the crowd of well-wishers descended, demanding his attention.
Chadren hesitated for a short moment, the earnest and powerful plea in Luminor’s eyes drawing forth his compassion and understanding, and he suddenly realised he had no objection, just as long as Fralii was happy. Briefly glancing at the entreaty mirrored in his daughter’s face, he was powerless to deny their union. In his heart he knew it was a good match.
‘Yes, my son… why not?’ he said simply. Luminor leapt forward to shake his hand vigorously in delight, causing Chadren to topple precariously, only remaining upright by the firm hold Luminor still had, then guiding him to an armchair to help him sit. Chadren added, ‘I find… I would be proud to call you son!’ He suddenly felt tired by all the excitement, glad of the seat. With scarcely time for any embraces or congratulations, the official delegation and attending mob outside were rapping on the door, and all hope of further peaceful conversation this evening was lost.
