by Colin Taber
He’d have to reinvent himself.
I could see he was lost, taken out of his old world and set adrift. In time he’d find a new balance and be alright, but he’d need help.
As he’d been there for me, I’d be there for him.
Anton left us at mid-afternoon, when we saw him off at the beach. He went with his two waiting rowers and a guard, all part of the complement of the Sidian. Despite his previous suggestion, I’d arranged for him to return to Inquisitor Louis and declare me a heretic – if but of a lesser order than what was to be found in Ossard.
Simply, I no longer wanted to hide the truth.
As one of his crew pushed his boat off the beach, Anton spoke in a stern tone more for their benefit than ours, “I will return so that we may better work our efforts together and also collect your promised supplies.”
I nodded. “We await your visit.”
He looked to Sef, and for a moment I saw sadness in his eyes, but then his mask fell back into place. He barked, “Men, get me away from this glum ruin!”
Chapter 17
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Hope for the Future
-
“Maria, can you show Sef where he’s to live?”
She smiled as she reached up to grab one of his big hands, and then giggled as she ran off, leading him away.
He laughed at her manner, energy and very liveliness, which had only a season ago been at risk. He followed her, gently restraining her so that she’d wait for the rest of our trailing band, which wasn’t just the two of them or me and Pedro, but also my parents and Angela, Baruna and Kurt, and even Marco’s ghost.
Finally, after stairs, corridors, the crossing of a terrace, and through gatherings of our people – many of whom had heard of Sef, my guardian, but never seen him – we closed on our goal.
His home.
Passing through those crowds, of which an increasing number tried to join us on our chase, I heard them talk of Sef as the one who’d protected me while leading me to the Opera House on our ill-fated raid, or as the Kavist who’d turned from his god to follow Life. Increasingly, cheers followed him on our way.
Sef was welcomed!
To them he was the swordsman who’d protected me from danger during my childhood and who’d watched over me during the dark of the night. For them he was here on his own divine mission; a mission to protect Life’s last prophet.
And finally, he was here amongst us!
In time, the chase slowed as Maria brought Sef to our level of the ruin and down the final passage that led to our rooms.
Finally, he was shown into his chamber, where the last of his gloom melted; for now he was no longer lost, and as we talked, it became plain he had many duties awaiting his attention.
My own concerns fell away amidst my excitement at having him back. Maria couldn’t stop hugging him, or as much of him as she could get her arms around. Even Pedro seemed pleased.
In time, the well wishers left us be, as did Baruna, Kurt, Angela, my parents, and even Pedro and Maria. It was something we both needed, for we still had so much to talk about.
“Sef, I can’t believe you’re here!”
He smiled, something warm and honest, yet it also bore the shadows of all that he’d been through. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again...” his voice thickened until it broke. He shook his head as I went to him. “Sorry, as I’ve said before, you’re like a daughter to me.”
“There’s nothing to apologise for.”
He nodded and smiled. “Things seem to be going well here?”
“Marco’s Ruin is a wonder, though we’ve had to do some work.”
“And what of you and your dealings with Ossard?”
“We’ve had no dealings with the city. That’s why it was good to send Silva despite you, in the end, coming the other way. It’ll be interesting to see what news he brings when he does return.”
“The Liberigos alive! I was there to see it, but still can’t believe it.”
“It seems that they’re fine, but they won’t talk about it. Angela is quieter, but at the same time more involved. I think she’s found it liberating having the stuffy mantle of Ossard’s Ladyship lifted from her. She works with some of the teams of women here on mending and such, she’s also been quite proficient at helping in the kitchens.”
“And Lord Silva; you say he begrudges Anton?”
“We never were that close, so it’s hard for me to say. To be fair to him and his wife they’ve had to deal with great changes like all of us, but on top of that they’ve also returned from the dead. There was a time when I feared they’d come back spoilt and wrong, their souls somehow soured, yet that’s not the case. Silva’s been friendly and helpful and shows no end of gratitude for what he calls his second chance. Still, I think he misses his former status. Sometimes, when I see him, he seems unsettled in this new world, perhaps at too much of a loose end.”
Sef nodded. “And the rosetrees? You must tell me, for they showed them to me from the roof of the Malnobla one sunset long ago – but you know that, don’t you? You’ve seen it, the same view through my very own eyes!”
I smiled, how couldn’t I, for the memory of the rosetrees had given Sef such hope during his imprisonment, even paired with the knowledge that they were to be destroyed. “Sef, it was a wonder, and just an accident if you’ll believe it! Still, I’d have traded it all to have you back here sooner.”
“No, Juvela, what you’ve done is brought hope back and made it manifest. You made it a living thing with a trunk, branches and leaves, and now it’s ready to take back the vales of the Northcountry.”
I frowned. “I’ve also made it easier to kill.”
“Easy to say, but you’re forgetting that it was already dead.”
He had a point. “I hadn’t looked at it like that.”
“You’ve given it a second chance. If Silva returns to tell the tale of a valleyside covered by rosetree stumps and the ground crusted white with salt, it won’t make your hope any less real. It’ll just remind us of how precious a thing it is. Besides, with the heartwood recovering, there’s more hope than ever, despite how many men Kurgar might send out with axes.”
I nodded, for in that he’d voiced something of my own thoughts. I could sense that there was something important about seeding the rosetree across the valleys again. For a moment my mind ran wild, picturing the sending of seeds to Evora, Fletland and other distant lands. Even to the long lost Flet homeland; the Praagerdam.
Sef looked to me, as though the thought, such a strange and wild thing, had been in his mind as well.
My eyes went wide at the idea; seeding a country long since dead!
“Why not,” he said, “Why not seed the Praagerdam?” We were so closely bound to each other that my thoughts had spilled over to be shared.
I walked towards his window, the one that looked down the sound and framed the lone tower rising from the dark waters. Instead of taking in the view, I turned and leaned against the wall. “I’d love to, but the Praagerdam is just a memory.”
“When more seeds come, and they will, we should send them to all the lands about. We need to protect things, living things; the children of Life.” He walked towards me, resting his hands on the windowsill as he looked out.
“You’re right, and to seed the Praagerdam would be a great idea. While the Lae Velsanans might like to use axes and swords on Flets, they do have a reputation for holding the woods of the world as places dear.”
“They do, don’t they, you should try it.”
I laughed. “How?”
He turned to smile. “Why don’t you just ask your friend, Felmaradis?” And then he nodded to indicate something in the sound.
I turned to see a Lae Velsanan ship moving slowly past the moored Sidian, the small dark ship of the Inquisition less than half the length of the sleek Lae Velsanan vessel that came in wood of white and gold. The craft’s three angled masts were stripped of their main sails, the ship powered instead by a set
of smaller sails as it made to manoeuvre towards the end of the sound. A horn sounded from its deck, one that sang out with a deep bass before rising in tone, the call rolled across the water to echo.
I grinned. “What a day!”
We rushed from his room, through passages and down stairs, and then along the terrace roof.
Sef asked, “Shouldn’t we head for the beach?”
“Felmaradis said that they moored alongside the ruin’s walls.”
We stopped at the terrace balustrade, watching as the huge ship came for us, surely at too great a speed. The growing crowd about us also grew anxious. And then, suddenly, after the rattle of unseen chains, the ship began to slow and turn.
At the same time as its manoeuvring, deckhands moved to take in the last of their sails, while half a dozen others stood along the deck with grappling hooks. Together, calling in unison, they launched their hooks at the ruin’s balustrade and then pulled tight, each drawing in their ropes, working to ease their vessel alongside the ancient wall.
The rumble of disturbed water roared, as something again unseen happened below the waterline to sap the last of the ship’s speed. Finally, the huge ship came to be still.
The horn sounded again with its long note rolling out into the late afternoon as the sun readied to set in the west. At the same time, as sails were tied down for the mooring, long flags were unfurled. Surprisingly, one of those now free to fly was more familiar than expected; the dour black, green and orange silks of the Praagerdam.
The Praagerdam?
Sef chuckled. “I was joking when I said you should ask Felmaradis to take the seeds and plant them in our peoples’ lost homeland, but this would seem to be an invitation to do just that – or I’m a maiden!”
I laughed. “You’re many things, Sef, but no maiden!”
He smiled. “Promise me you’ll ask him?”
“How can’t I? Fate is begging me!”
With surprising speed, the great ship was moored and secured, the crew setting woven bales of reed between it and the ruins’ stonewall. Near the bow of the ship, where its deck swept up to follow the rising curve of its railing lines, the crew moved a gangway into position.
I couldn’t see Felmaradis, but knew he must be there amidst all of the activity. Finally, he emerged from the cabins that rose towards the stern, making his way along the length of the ship.
His eyes had already found me.
He wore a great smile as he strode, a beaming thing that welcomed not just Sef and myself, but all those in the crowd gathered there. Continuing on his way, he climbed the ship’s stepped deck as it rose to the height of the terrace’s balustrade at the bow, where the gangplank now lay in position.
After crossing the gangplank, he put a hand to the wide top of the balustrade’s stone before easing himself down in a smooth leap. All the while, he never took his eyes off us.
I stepped forward. “Felmaradis, it’s so good to see you.”
“I’ve had some adventures, but I’m sure you have as well.” He gave Sef a nod before his face filled with concern. “And your family?”
“They’re well, I’ll introduce you later.”
“That is good news!” He turned to the sound, indicating the Sidian moored there, a poor shadow of his own ship. Seeing them that way, close, but distant, it wasn’t only the size that set them apart, but the whole philosophy of their designs. One was not just well crafted, but its building showed a much better understanding of things. The Lae Velsanans really knew the world and built accordingly. They were a long-lived people who not only had the time to acquire wisdom, but also the time to use it.
He said, “Perhaps we have arrived on a day good for you?”
“We’ve had no trouble from our other guests, but you must join us for dinner so we can discuss that and other happenings in these parts.”
He laughed and gave Sef a wink. “She’s quite the diplomat.”
Sef smiled and said, “She learns quickly, but she’s serious about the food, for not only do you both need to talk of Ossard, but she’s also eager to ask you about the dour flag that flies from your rigging: To my eyes it looks to be the colours of the Praagerdam?”
Felmaradis was thrown by the question, his smile faltering. After a quick glance at the flag, he said, “I hope I’ve caused no offence, but it’s also the flag of House Jenn.”
I asked, “The silks of the Praagerdam; why would that be?”
“My father protested what we call Lae Lunis Pors – Def Turtung – as a terrible crime. To ensure it was never forgotten by our people, he saw our House take up the flag and acquire much of its old lands.”
Sef’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sir, your father is a wonder!”
Felmaradis smiled and gave a nod. “If it drags your opinion of me higher, let me also add that I was born in the lands of the Praagerdam and that we still use that name for it today. Some who live there call it the New Praagerdam, but nonetheless, all there work to honour its past.”
I said, “You did say that you’d been raised by a Flet woman.”
His smile broadened. “Yes, Una. I do miss her on my postings, but hopefully will return home to see her soon.”
Sef was amazed. “If you say much more, I’ll have to rate you even higher!”
Felmaradis laughed. “Well it would be a shame to eat with you then, for once you’ve witnessed such a thing you’ll be more likely to rate me alongside your pigs.”
We all laughed at that, a laughter interrupted by movement behind us as the crowd parted to reveal Baruna, Kurt, Pedro and Maria.
Felmaradis recognised Maria and squatted down to call her across.
Pedro stepped forward with her, encouraging her on her way.
“What a beautiful daughter – and thankfully safe.”
Maria stopped her cautious advance, shyly slipping halfway behind her father’s legs. Still, she smiled and reached out a hand.
Felmaradis took it as he smiled afresh. He then rose to face Pedro. “It’s good to finally meet you, I’m Felmaradis of House Jenn.”
“Pedro Liberigo.”
Felmaradis turned back to me. “Dinner would be an honour.”
“Are there any amongst your crew or officers you’d wish to bring?” I was thinking of his senior, the dark prince, but I hadn’t yet seen him.
“Thank you, but no, it will be fine for you to just have to put up with me. My officers will be more comfortable on ship, and my senior is back at port in Quor.”
“Then a small dinner sitting it shall be.”
“But with much talk – and please, call me Fel.”
Sef added, “After what you’ve said of the Praagerdam, it’ll be more talk and questions than you’ve bargained for.”
Chapter 18
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Beyond the Walls
-
Dinner was as sumptuous a thing as we could manage at such short notice in a ruin packed full of refugees. We held it in a warm room with a big fire that held a view across the sound. Out there in the night arose the three main masts of Felmaradis’ ship, the slanting timbers studded by curious blue lanterns. Beyond it sat the dark silhouette of the Sidian.
I noticed Sef gaze out that way, looking for his absent friend. How odd it was to behold, something he himself found hard to comprehend – of the strong bond between them, despite once having been enemies.
Sef and Angela, Kurt and Baruna, and Pedro and I hosted Felmaradis who was fine company, not only in good humour and talkative, but comfortable with those there. Amidst food and drink, some of it a fine and deep ruby red wine that Felmaradis had brought, we spoke of many things, the first talking point being the gifted wine itself.
“It’s from the vineyards of my family’s estates, grown and harvested of the very soils of the Praagerdam, if you’ll believe me.”
Pedro smiled, this his first meeting with a Lae Velsanan of any consequence. “It’s a sweet and heady drop, what do you call it?”
“We call it a Jen
della.”
“It sounds beautiful in your tongue,” Baruna remarked.
“The name is one of mourning, it means; in memory of the Flets.”
Sef gave a grim smile. “Truly, it’s an odd world we live in: Just as I share a table here with a Lae Velsanan who grew up in the Praagerdam, I discovered during my imprisonment that Anton comes from Adonis and is a son of Fletland himself.”
Pedro, Kurt and Felmaradis all stared in surprise.
“It’s true. He’s an outleaguer who grew up in the Heletian quarter of Adonis, a place founded by his people, but overrun during the Flet exodus.”
A voice came from the door, “Yes, I’m a son of Fletland, but there’s more to the tale, for all the while we were imprisoned we joked that Sef would join the Inquisition in retaliation!” It was Anton.
A cheer sounded from around the table, mixed with laughter at the telling of such an odd truth.
Sef stood up beaming, glad to have his friend back.
Anton took a chair that Sef dragged across from the wall, sitting at the table between his friend and me. “I’ve come begging leave from the Sidian, so I can investigate your sunset visitor.” He looked to Felmaradis and gave a nod. “I also felt I’d find more joy here, even if the wine was all gone and the food nothing but crumbs.”
Felmaradis likewise nodded. “What a strange company we are; one Lae Velsanan, four Heletians and three Flets.”
Anton answered, “And of that, the Lae Velsanan is from the Praagerdam, and none of the Heletians are from within the League!”
Angela smiled, but it held no warmth. “Speak for yourself; Adonis makes you an outleaguer, but Pedro, Baruna and I are from within its borders.”
Anton shook his head. “I’m sorry, Lady Liberigo, several proclamations have been made over the past season in distant Baimiopia that are only now reaching us here. It seems Ossard has had its membership of the Heletian League stripped and even the acknowledgement of its independence. I think King Giovanni is planning on seeing to the city’s liberation – and then keeping it.”
