First Comes The One Who Wanders

by Lynette S. Jones

  “Perhaps we should all think on what we’ve heard here tonight,” suggested Cedric. “We’ll meet tomorrow night to discuss these matters again. In the meantime, Master Hallan will help Leilas with her book and perhaps her visions.” Leilas could feel him probing her mind, trying to find a way into her memories of her visions. She strengthened her defenses, blocking his attempts. She wondered why he was so interested in her visions.

  Joshuas bowed, anxious to leave. Erion bowed as well and they stepped out of the circle and left the room, leaving Leilas standing in the circle alone. She watched Joshuas leave, disappointment coloring her face. She’d wanted to spend some time with him this evening.

  “Joshuas has spent many years studying this matter, my child,” said Ren Narwhal. “In one moment, you’ve destroyed decades of work, if what you’re saying is true. Give him some time.”

  “I’ll do my best,” replied Leilas. “But patience was not a gift I was given at birth.”

  Ren laughed. “But it’s something you are beginning to acquire. Rest well, Chidra. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” Leilas bowed again and left the council circle as well. She could feel the hum as the masters spoke to each other’s minds. She knew she could listen in if she chose without their knowing. Instead, she started down the staircase.

  ~~~

  She awoke to the sounds of dishes banging on the wood table and amiable banter. Running a comb through her hair, she braided it in a single plait down her back and went in search of food. She hadn’t seen Joshuas or Erion after the council meeting. Taking Ren Narwhal’s advice, she hadn’t sought them out after she left the council, trying to give Joshuas some time alone. It hadn’t occurred to her that her interpretation of the prophecy would shake the beliefs of so many. “Did she ever think?” she chastised herself. She’d spent most of her life barging in and thinking about the consequences after the fact.

  Her companions weren’t in the main hall, but Master Hallan welcomed her to the table and motioned for her to sit next to him. I was hoping we could start on the translation of the book, right away. We’ve been searching for this book for a very long time. It seems appropriate somehow that the Chidra would find it and bring it to us.”

  “What do you believe is in this book?” asked Leilas, piling eggs and potatoes mixed with onions on her plate. A student from the school walked around the table pouring beer into the mugs set on the table.

  “We’re fairly certain what you’ve found is the Book of Sylph,” replied Master Hallan, the excitement rising in his voice. “We believe it tells the secret to winning the battle against Rengailai.”

  Leilas could understand why the masters would be anxious to see such a book, if it did indeed hold the secret to their success. Somehow though, she didn’t believe it would be that easy. Tucking into her breakfast, she ate quickly so they could get started. Swallowing down the last of the thick, dark beer, she glanced around once more for Erion and Joshuas. Not seeing them anywhere, she shrugged her shoulders and stood. “My book and I are yours for the day, Master Hallan.”

  “Excellent. The library is through this door.” Master Hallan headed for the door Cedric had entered through the day before. The door led to a brightly lighted hallway from which passages branched off at regular intervals. Pictures of special places in Preterlandis hung on the wall, but Leilas didn’t have time to study them. Master Hallan hurried down the passage, chatting amiably as he went. Leilas couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, since he was well ahead of her and talking to the walls. She thought it had something to do with the history of this stronghold.

  Taking the sixth passage that branched to the right, they walked down a short hallway and stopped at a massive wooden door. Master Hallan took his insignia, placed it in a well-concealed cutout and spoke his name. The door swung silently open and Leilas stepped into a large cavern filled with wooden shelves, piled high with parchments, scrolls and books. The walls of this chamber gave off the same opaque light as the main hall. The only difference being it was a pale, yellow light. There were several tables and high stools on which to sit and study the precious documents stored there.

  “I’m impressed, Master Hallan. I can see how a crafter could spend many lifetimes studying the magic contained in this place.”

  “Lionel please, Chidra. May I call you Leilas? All this formality can get cumbersome.”

  “Please, Lionel. I agree. Even though I’m a princess, I was never comfortable with all the pomp.”

  “Lionel blushed. “I’d actually let the fact that you were a princess slip my mind. Please forgive my clumsiness, your Highness.”

  “None of that, Lionel. At this school, I was always just Leilas.”

  Lionel bowed in her direction. “Then just Leilas it is.”

  “Good.” Leilas removed the book from her tunic. “Let’s hope this is what you believe it to be. I was hoping,” she continued hesitantly, “that you could continue my education on deciphering runes while we’re at it.”

  “It would be a pleasure,” replied Lionel. “But you probably knew that teaching the ancient art of runes was a passion of mine.”

  Leilas smiled and climbed up on a stool. “So, my best guess at the title is ‘The Secret Found.’”

  “The Secret Told, I think would be a better translation,” corrected Lionel. “The difference is this little squiggle here,” he pointed to a crooked line etched in gold ink on the cover of the book.

  Leilas opened the book to the first page and began translating. Lionel correcting her where he felt she was in error.

  The Creator knew from the beginning that Rengailai would turn from him and cross over to serve the Dark Lord Dredrac.

  Yet, patiently he waited and gave his crafter every opportunity to serve him.

  It was with sadness that the Creator called his faithful servants together and told them what Rengailai would do.

  Then asking Sylph to write the tale, he set down what would need to be done to correct the wrong that Rengailai would do.

  Faithfully Sylph wrote his tale and then he gave it to Anhj to hide. Carefully, Anhj hid it so that evil hands wouldn’t find it and destroy it.

  When the time was right, the one who would serve the Creator and help him execute his plan would find the book and learn what must be done.

  Leilas stopped translating and poured a glass of water. “So, I’m to serve the Creator and help him with his plan? I thought the extent of my purpose was to name the Chodra?”

  “That’s what we assumed,” agreed Lionel. “But like you, we can only interpret what we see and what we know.”

  “This is new to you, then? This idea the Chidra might have more to do?”

  Lionel laced his fingers together over his abdomen. “From Greyan’s prophecy, we assumed the Chidra would be some sort of judge wandering about Preterlandis and assessing the balance. We assumed she would come when the balance was in danger. We also assumed that it would be the dark crafters that tipped the balance.”

  “Instead it was Master Frey.”

  “That was the first indication that our assumptions might be wrong,” agreed Lionel. “We also believed that the warrior would be the Creator’s helper. That he would heal what had been wounded.”

  “But this book contradicts that,” said Leilas.

  “At first reading, it appears to contradict that idea,” agreed Lionel. “But you can’t jump to conclusions based on the first few pages.”

  Leilas had to reluctantly agree with his assessment, as much as she wanted to believe that her life would be more than naming the Champion of Jovan. If that were truly her role, she would humbly accept it, even though her heart wanted to do more for her Creator.

  “Then let’s continue,” said Leilas, turning the page. This page had a large rune at the top. It appeared as crossed lines and dots in the four corners. As they read, it appeared to be the tale of the creation of the Chasm of Ceryk that Solein had told her in Neothera. Another rune, identical to the first, marked the beginning
of the next tale.

  “Rengailai, my greatest servant,” said Dredrac. “What is it you wish? You’ve served me well. I will give you what you ask.”

  “I wish to hold the fate of my servant’s lives in my hands,” replied Rengailai.

  “This is an ambitious request,” replied Dredrac, his displeasure at Rengailai’s arrogance showing only in his eyes.

  “I’ve served you for hundreds of years. I’ve forsaken my father and my Creator. I’ve turned the world to you and away from Jovan. I don’t believe my request is so ambitious. But I grow tired of the constraints that shackle me. I wish to be able to act.”

  “As do I, my dear Rengailai. But there are some boundaries even I cannot cross.”

  “You don’t have the power to condemn your servants to eternal death?”

  “I have the power to condemn them to eternal torment, which in my mind is far better.”

  “Then I wish for the same power,” asked Rengailai, not knowing what it was he was asking from his master.

  “I said that I would give you what you asked for and so I shall,” replied Dredrac, his anger now apparent. “But beware your ambition is not your undoing.”

  With a wave of his hand, he showed Rengailai the Chasm of Ceryk. “If you take your servants to this place and throw them into the pit, they will not die, but be in torment, until Preterlandis is no more.”

  Rengailai smiled, his evil pleasure showing in his eyes. He bowed to his master then returned to his work in Preterlandis. Dredrac watched his servant as he walked away, making plans even then to punish his impudence in asking to be made a god.

  Rengailai wasted no time in testing his new power. He brought those who’d angered him or disappointed him to the chasm with the pretense of giving them a great reward. Then he’d explained to them their transgressions against him, and watched the fear replace the hope in their eyes. Then he watched as terror crept into them as he pushed them into the abyss. His only regret was that he couldn’t watch their life drain from them as well.

  Soon, the Chasm became a place of terror for all. Rengailai’s thirst for terror and hopelessness was unquenchable. Soon, Rengailai’s offer of reward was met with dread and none would willingly make the trek to Rengailai’s Chasm of torture. But that didn’t stop Rengailai from indulging in his newest and dearest pleasure.

  “And now Jovan,” he would say with each servant who was banished into the darkness of the Chasm. “Now I take away from your creation, just as I added to it.”

  Jovan watched all this with sadness, knowing that had Rengailai chosen to serve him, he could have had greatness beyond his imagination.

  Leilas felt great sadness sweep over her when they reached the end of this tale and could not go on.

  “It’s lunch time,” said Lionel, sensing her distress. “This is a good place to stop for a bit.”

  “When I was in Crysalis,” said Leilas, as they walked back toward the main hall. “Garabaldi told me that creatures of the dark served Jovan, as well as creatures of the light. I didn’t quite understand it at the time. But if you think about it, Crog and Anhj were crafters with the Creator in the beginning.”

  “Yes, in the beginning there was light and dark and masters of each,” agreed Lionel. “The difference now is that Rengailai added evil to the dark magic.”

  “But not all dark creatures are evil.”

  “Dark magic corrupts,” asserted Lionel, leaving no room for discussion. “There was a time when the dark masters and creatures used pure magic. But, I’d go so far as to say there are none of those crafters left.”

  Leilas thought of Garabaldi and the council of dark masters. Maybe there were a few dark masters left who used pure magic. Or maybe he’d deceived her. She frowned at the thought. It hadn’t felt that way and he’d called on Anhj, who as far as she could tell was still one of the Creator’s loyal servants. She left the question alone and they entered the main hall in silence. The students had gathered for the midday meal. A hushed silence fell over the group as Leilas and Master Hallan took their seats. It didn’t take much imagination to figure out what, or rather who, they’d been discussing.

  Keeping her eyes on her plate, Leilas concentrated on eating and not on the dozens of curious eyes stealing glances at her. She reached her thoughts out and tried to find Joshuas. He didn’t seem to be nearby. Or, if he was, he was avoiding her probes and her. Swallowing back her disappointment, she finished her lunch in silence. She hadn’t meant to alienate her friends last night. It hurt that Joshuas wouldn’t come and talk to her.

  When she finished eating the simple fare of bread and cheese and wine, she and Lionel went back to work in the library. The fourth chapter was denoted by a rune as the others had been. But this chapter seemed to be different from the others.

  Sylph faithfully wrote the words of Jovan in a book and then sealed it. He hid the book, giving it into the keeping of Anhj.

  Then all Jovan’s kingdom waited for the proper time, watching in sorrow as Rengailai turned more and more to the worship of the Dark Lord Dredrac and the evil he embraced.

  Solein and Sylph did what they could to keep the light power alive and pure. Anhj and Crog did what they could to keep the dark magic pure.

  Slowly, the light power grew weaker as the dark power grew stronger and more corrupt. Fewer crafters sought the pure power. Fewer understood the words and could control them.

  The Creator’s crafters often inquired of Jovan when the time would come, worrying that if they waited too long, their forces wouldn’t be strong enough to defeat Rengailai.

  “You have seen my words,” replied Jovan each time.

  And though they had, they worried, but obeyed and waited for the proper time.

  The writing in the book ended there. Leilas looked up at Lionel. “Surely this isn’t the Book of Sylph.”

  “No, I wouldn’t think so,” agreed Lionel, “though the author doesn’t give his name anywhere.”

  “Unless it’s that symbol above each chapter. I seem to vaguely remember seeing that symbol before.”

  “That could be true,” agreed Lionel. “I haven’t ever seen it, as far as I remember.” He closed he book. “May I keep it for you?”

  “I’d be honored if you would,” replied Leilas.

  “I’m somewhat tired from our work here. I’d like to rest before our meeting tonight. If you would excuse me?”

  Leilas nodded in acquiescence. Lionel placed the book on one of the many shelves and disappeared through a second door. Leilas found herself alone in the library. The afternoon’s work had tired her as well and she was contemplating going to her room to rest. Her mind was racing though, and she wasn’t sure she would be able to sleep.

  Pulling the parchment on which they had been writing their translation toward her, Leilas looked at the painstaking copy they’d made of the rune that marked each chapter. She was certain she’d seen that somewhere before. Unconsciously, she touched the silver ring on her finger. As if she were in a dream, her thoughts drifted back to her time in Neothera. There it was, the same symbol as in the book. Leilas watched as in her mind, she raised her arms and invoked the opening spell.

  Smiling grimly at her discovery, Leilas climbed off the chair and retrieved the book from the shelf where Lionel had placed it. Touching the first symbol she repeated the spell. Nothing happened. She tried again. Frowning, she pushed the book away and closed her eyes in concentration. The spell was correct. This was the proper rune. Puzzled, she pulled the book toward her again. Turning to the next rune, she repeated the invocation. When nothing happened again, she began to doubt that her theory was correct. Perhaps there was no more this book had to tell.

  Turning the pages to the last rune, Leilas touched it and repeated the spell of opening. This time, the rune began to shimmer and change. Within a minute, there were lines of text where the rune had been. Leilas had to keep herself from shouting with joy. Once she read the words, her joy faded a little. It was still a puzzle to figure out. T
aking a piece of parchment, she carefully transcribed the words for the council to see. Then she replaced the book and headed for her room.

  Leilas was climbing the stair to the council chamber when the gong began to sound. She still hadn’t been able to find Erion or Joshuas. So, she climbed the stair alone. Entering the chamber, Leilas approached the circle of masters who were already assembled. Erion and Joshuas were already in their places in the center of the masters. Leilas moved quickly to her chair, bowed to the council and took her seat. She didn’t look at Joshuas. It still hurt that as soon as they’d arrived here, he’d basically deserted her.

  Cedric looked to her, then to Joshuas, then back to her again, a small frown appearing on his face. “It isn’t good to keep secrets of the heart, or hold resentments,” he commented. Then banging his gavel, he began the meeting. Leilas felt the heat rush to her face, but willed herself to show no other sign of her discomfiture at Cedric’s shrewd observation.

  “Master Hallan has shared the tales told in the book you brought, Chidra. Master Greyanson has shared some insights into Greyan’s prophecies while you were busy translating. We thank you for that Joshuas.”

  Leilas glanced at Joshuas in surprise. This was the first time she’d ever heard his surname. Surely, it was no coincidence that it contained Greyan’s name. Greyan’s son. She closed her eyes at her stupidity. No wonder he was so interested in her.

  “Do you have anything to add, Chidra?”

  Leilas stood. “I discovered the secret of the book after Master Hallan left. It contained a puzzle. Perhaps with your greater knowledge of such things, you could help with finding the answer.” She paused as she unrolled the parchment that contained the words.

  Into Anhj’s keeping the book was given to hide in his depths.

  One must look into the mirror of their soul to find the story told.

  As if through glass the pages are read,