Valley of Shields

by Duncan Lay

  ‘For Aroaril’s sake!’ Asami spat. ‘I shall sit between the two of you, because you cannot be trusted to sit together!’

  They moved along so Gaibun could sit down between Asami and Huw. Gaibun stared hard at Sendatsu, who returned his gaze levelly.

  ‘I should send the two of you out to sit with the esemono,’ Asami snapped.

  Sendatsu took a breath to reply but it was drowned out by the blast of horns.

  ‘Rise for the Elder Elf, Lord Tadayoshi Moratsune Jaken! Saviour and protector of Dokuzen, defeater of gaijin invaders!’ someone bellowed and the entire chamber came to its feet.

  Jaken, resplendent in a silken kimono, pale gold in colour, his sword tucked into a beautifully intricate black obi, stalked into the chamber.

  For a long moment all was silent, then came clapping and cheering, the noise doubling and redoubling as those outside heard what was happening and joined in.

  Jaken stood with arms outstretched, turning slightly to acknowledge all corners, letting the cheers and applause go on and on. Finally he let his arms drop and all inside the chamber stopped immediately, although those outside went on for longer.

  ‘Welcome, my friends, to a new beginning!’ he shouted.

  Again they cheered, celebrating Dokuzen’s survival, although Sendatsu noticed that while the clan leaders around the table were all standing, their clapping was far more subdued. There also seemed to be a few too many empty seats.

  Finally the cheers died and the audience responded to Jaken’s signals to stop and sit down.

  ‘Thank you, my friends — we have indeed come through hard times and suffered grievous losses but we shall emerge stronger for it,’ he said.

  More cheering erupted.

  ‘Is it going to be like this every time he says anything? We shall not be done until nightfall,’ Sendatsu murmured to Asami, who kept the smile off her face only with difficulty.

  ‘First, however, I have some sad news.’ Jaken crossed over to the Council table and prowled around the seats. ‘Lords Hito and Itasaki have been arrested on my orders for plotting against Dokuzen. Yesterday they swore oaths of allegiance but last night they met secretly to plot against me — and against Dokuzen.’

  There was silence so complete that some hardly dared breathe.

  ‘They will be tried and, if found guilty, executed. Make no mistake, I offer a glorious future for all in Dokuzen. But only for those who are loyal. To those who plot, who seek to thwart our glorious destiny, death will follow swiftly.’

  Jaken spun around, glaring at the elves in the room, who shrank back as his eyes passed over them.

  ‘But I did not come here today to threaten. Today is about rewarding those who saved Dokuzen!’

  The outpouring of relief dwarfed the audience’s earlier efforts.

  ‘My friends, please calm down.’ Jaken eventually managed to quiet the chamber.

  ‘Firstly, all know that yesterday we turned back a huge army of gaijin, who planned to destroy Dokuzen. Thanks to the foolishness of Lords Daichi, Konetsu and Moshin, Dokuzen was left almost defenceless against them. We were saved by the bravery of the few elves who remained, as well as those elves who were judged too old or young to join Daichi’s ill-fated army, but who picked up bows and used their remaining strength to save their families. Later today we shall all meet at the central park, where each and every one of those elves shall be honoured.’

  Jaken paused for the expected cheers and applause.

  ‘Also valuable beyond words was the work of Archbishop Fushimi and the other priests of Aroaril. There are many elves here today who would be under the ground without their help. But that bravery and sacrifice would have been nothing without help from two unexpected corners. Firstly, we have looked down on the Magic-weavers for many years. For reasons forgotten in the dust of time, they have not held a position of honour in society. Instead they have lived on the outskirts, entrusted with guarding our barrier but little more. Today that must end. For, without the Magic-weavers, we would not have won the battle. The truth was, we were beaten. All the courage in the world could not have turned back one more attack from the gaijin. Only their magic saved us. The Magic-weavers deserve our thanks and more than thanks. Whatever crimes, real or imagined, they committed far in the past, they have made amends for. As such, I decree that the leader of the Magic-weavers should take a seat at the Council table for now and ever more. I call on Sumiko to join the other clan leaders in a position of honour!’

  This time there were few cheers — more gasps of shock and amazement.

  ‘Do you not understand? We only won because of them! Without the Magic-weavers, Dokuzen would be in flames now! You should be bowing down before them!’ Jaken roared.

  Now the applause came, hurried and overly enthusiastic.

  Yet Sumiko was happy to acknowledge it, Sendatsu noted, and took her seat at the Council table with a broad smile, looking the happiest he had seen her in years.

  ‘When you see a Magic-weaver in the street, or they walk into your shop, or you talk to them, they should be given the same honour as the direct family of a clan leader,’ Jaken decreed. ‘Anyone showing disrespect to a Magic-weaver shall pay the penalty. And children shall be encouraged to develop their magic more, see becoming a Magic-weaver as a valued career.’

  Sendatsu could see heads close together as elves whispered amongst themselves, the words lost in the outpouring of applause.

  ‘There is one other group that is deserving of honour. All know that an army of gaijin burst through the barrier that once protected Dokuzen. Few know that these gaijin came from a country called Forland, one of many countries that we share these lands with. Standing shoulder to shoulder with our warriors against the Forlish were the Velsh, a tribe of humans who are the enemies of the Forlish. In our time of need they came to our aid — and their leaders are with us now!’

  Jaken pointed towards the bench where Huw, Rhiannon and the others sat.

  ‘That’s it — stand up and throw off your cloaks!’ Asami hissed at them.

  Huw stood proudly, throwing off the hooded cloak he wore and turning to see what the elves were doing and saying. Cadel and Bowen were a moment behind him, raising their hands to acknowledge non-existent applause.

  Rhiannon glanced up to see Sumiko staring angrily at them and used her own surge of anger to stand, throwing back her hooded cloak.

  ‘They fought and died for us and deserve our thanks,’ Jaken said sternly, crossing over to Huw and holding out his hand.

  Huw took it, looking into Jaken’s eyes.

  ‘The Velsh shall be named Friends of Dokuzen and hold a special place in our society. They will be welcome to visit, when no other human will. We shall also help them to live a better life, a life more like our own,’ Jaken announced.

  Again, there was no delight.

  ‘They died for you — show them the honour of the elves!’ Jaken roared.

  Instantly the chamber applauded but it was even more contrived than the acclamation for the Magic-weavers.

  ‘It is but a first step,’ Jaken said softly.

  ‘I understand and appreciate that.’ Huw smiled.

  Jaken held Huw’s arm aloft once more, to lukewarm acclaim, except for where Sendatsu and Asami were cheering and Gaibun was applauding with twice the vigour of any other elf in the chamber, then Huw led the others back to their seats.

  ‘You should have said something about the shared history we have and the truths we have learned,’ Rhiannon murmured. ‘About how there are no elves and we are all humans —’

  ‘One thing at a time. Let’s not spoil what we have achieved — the Elder Elf acknowledging us and promising to help us,’ Huw said out of the side of his mouth.

  ‘This is a thing unheard of,’ Sendatsu whispered. ‘Humans acknowledged in front of all, the promise of a debt that must be paid. It is the start of everything you wanted.’

  ‘I hope so.’ Rhiannon flopped back into her seat. ‘It all reminds me a b
it too much of the time I tried to dance for them and they sneered at me.’

  ‘The real work will be done later. This is just a demonstration. This is what the rest of the elves will remember,’ Huw said.

  Jaken did not have to call for quiet this time — the applause stopped the instant he raised his hand.

  ‘The barrier is down and we are a part of this world once more. It is up to us to take a leadership role in these lands. Countries like Forland, who seek to threaten and rule others, will be stopped. We must punish them for what they did to us, make these lands safe for us to live in.’

  Jaken looked around the chamber, seeing the heads nod, the fists shake in approval.

  ‘Especially as the humans have magic!’

  The words echoed around the chamber and all turned to see Sumiko standing beside the Council table, a strange look on her face, her finger pointing at Rhiannon.

  Every eye was drawn to her and the muttering began a moment later.

  ‘You dare to interrupt the Elder Elf?’ one of the other clan leaders rumbled.

  ‘I am now part of the Council and I have to warn you. The humans are not the easy conquest Lord Jaken believes. They have magic and dreams of power. That is what these humans are really doing here. They came not to help us but to steal from us. They want the books from the tombs of the forefathers, to use them to develop their magic, and then they will gather together humans from across all the lands, come back and destroy us!’

  The muttering had been stilled by Sumiko’s speech and now every eye was fixed firmly on the bench where Huw, Rhiannon, Cadel and Bowen sat.

  Asami and Sendatsu exchanged worried glances.

  ‘What do we do?’ Huw whispered urgently.

  ‘We should tell them the truth. Prove to them what we know happened — and then explain that we plan to live together with the elves, not rule them,’ Rhiannon said.

  ‘Look around. I don’t think they will listen to that — not after an army of Forlish nearly burned the place down around their ears,’ Asami hissed.

  ‘These are strange and disturbing things you say, Lady Sumiko,’ Jaken boomed into the quiet. ‘Do you have proof for these words? We all understood that only elves have use of magic — and humans have never been able to control the magic that is around us.’

  ‘That human has magic.’ Sumiko pointed at Rhiannon again. ‘And Asami taught her how to use the magic. That was what she was doing here for more than a moon. Asami pretended it was dancing but the real purpose was magic. They came to me asking for my help but when I refused to aid humans destroy my own people they turned on me, betraying me to Daichi.’

  ‘We can’t sit here and listen to this.’ Huw rose to his feet.

  ‘People of Dokuzen! I am Huw, the leader of the Velsh people. And I can promise you we do not seek to challenge the elves, let alone rule you! We want merely to live in peace and friendship with Dokuzen. My people fought and died so your city and your families would be safe. Ask yourselves why would we do this if we planned to betray and destroy you? Wouldn’t we just join with the Forlish? Without us, your city would be in flames even now.’

  His voice was powerful yet persuasive and he spun around to look at the room, keeping his arms open and wide, a light expression on his face. Sendatsu knew he should stand, add his voice to Huw’s, but all he could think about was how his father was never going to let him marry Asami now.

  ‘Fine words. But words are easy to say —’ Sumiko called.

  ‘My people died to save yours! That is more than just words!’ Huw called.

  ‘This is not the time nor the place for such a discussion,’ Jaken said firmly. ‘These are serious accusations and as yet we have had no proof of anything —’

  ‘That human girl over there can do magic! She is a greater threat than the Forlish ever were!’ Sumiko accused.

  ‘Say nothing. Show nothing,’ Asami cautioned Rhiannon.

  ‘Why can the elves not learn about my magic?’ Rhiannon asked out of the side of her mouth, keeping her eyes on Sumiko.

  ‘This is not the time!’ Asami insisted.

  ‘Who remembers her dance for the Council?’ Sumiko challenged the table.

  ‘I watched her dance in here, not two moons ago,’ one clan leader rumbled. ‘She was not anything special. I cannot believe such as she would have magic.’

  ‘Indeed. I do not know what this Magic-weaver is trying to achieve but the notion that humans have magic is ridiculous. All know that we are the only ones who can feel or use the magic. Anything else is an affront to Aroaril!’ another lord snorted.

  ‘She’s trying to bait you. Ignore her,’ Asami hissed. But she was not next to Rhiannon — thanks to the foolishness of Sendatsu and Gaibun, there was the bulk of Gaibun between her and Rhiannon.

  ‘You call on Aroaril?’ Sumiko challenged. ‘Archbishop Fushimi can swear that he and his priests were able to heal the humans at the battlefield. Aroaril was happy to have magic used on the humans.’

  All eyes turned to the lean archbishop, who stood slowly in response.

  ‘That is true. Against my wishes we attempted to heal the humans — and Aroaril granted us the power to do so,’ he said.

  ‘See!’

  ‘Lord Jaken — we had an agreement to help you. My men lived and died to make that come true. I ask you to please end this and let us talk in private,’ Huw implored.

  ‘Indeed. I will see the full Council, as well as the humans, in my private chambers,’ Jaken said. ‘Now!’

  ‘Say nothing for a few more moments and Jaken will silence her,’ Asami advised.

  Sendatsu glanced at his father but Jaken, although his face was like thunder, was making no move to silence Sumiko, beyond turning to lead the way out of the chamber. It was disturbing — Sendatsu was certain no other elf, noble or otherwise, would have received this much freedom to defy him. What hold did Sumiko have over Jaken?

  ‘She is Forlish! She is the same race that came to destroy us!’ Sumiko cried.

  Jaken turned back and stared at Rhiannon. ‘Is this true?’

  ‘My Lord Jaken, she is a fugitive from Forland. The king has ordered her death, has sent men to capture or kill her. Just because those soldiers came from Forland does not mean all from there are bad. We have many such living at peace among my people,’ Huw said. ‘She fought against the Forlish when they came to destroy the Velsh and again when they came to destroy you.’

  ‘Yes — she fought with magic. She’s dangerous. Did you know she killed her own father with magic?’

  ‘Enough!’ Rhiannon stood, the last words too much to take. Asami stretched across Gaibun in an attempt to stop her, but missed.

  ‘See? She challenges us!’

  ‘No, she merely seeks to stop this unprovoked attack on her.’ Huw stepped in front of Rhiannon. ‘Rhiannon, please sit down. We shall have our say —’

  But Rhiannon was not ready to listen. ‘They will not humiliate me again in here,’ she stormed, shoving past the shocked Huw. ‘And how dare she use him against me!’

  Huw tried to stop her but she was too fast.

  ‘Silence!’ Rhiannon roared at Sumiko.

  ‘Or else? Are you going to do magic on me? Kill me like you slew your own father?’

  All could feel the magic building in the room, then the flowers that decorated the centre of the Council table rose up and flew at Sumiko, the stems suddenly looking like arrows. Dozens of them whipped across the table, destined to pierce Sumiko in a score of places.

  But Sumiko, a faint smile of triumph on her face, raised her hands and deflected them, sending them hurtling towards Rhiannon and Huw. Lost in the magic now, Rhiannon clenched her fists together and the flowers burst into flame, falling into ash in midair.

  ‘Hold!’ Jaken bellowed. ‘Seize them!’

  The chamber erupted into an uproar as Gaibun’s guards raced across the floor from their positions by the main door. They came from everywhere, a dozen of them converging on the humans. Cadel and
Bowen threw off their cloaks and produced long knives, stepping to either side of Huw and Rhiannon, while she stepped forwards, hands clenched into fists. Huw moved in front of her, waving down his dragons then grabbing and holding Rhiannon’s hands.

  ‘Now is not the time,’ he told her softly.

  ‘You dare to draw weapons in here?’ Jaken’s voice rose above the hubbub.

  Elves on all sides were on their feet, pointing and shouting, some even clambering across benches to join what looked like the start of a fight on the chamber floor.

  ‘Throw down your weapons! I am charged here to keep the peace and I will not allow fighting in here!’ Gaibun surged up from the bench, hand going to his sword.

  ‘Stop this!’ Sendatsu stepped in front of him. ‘These are our friends!’

  ‘They are humans and I am obeying the orders of my Elder Elf,’ Gaibun warned. ‘Get out of my way.’

  ‘No,’ Sendatsu said simply. ‘Father! Stop this! We need to talk, not to fight!’

  Jaken strode forwards. ‘Agreed. Put up your weapons, all of you.’

  Behind him, Sumiko sank back into her seat, a smile on her face.

  Jaken pushed past the guards who had ringed the small group of humans. ‘Silence!’ he roared across the chamber, and the elves began to calm down, some even taking their seats once more.

  ‘Huw, what is the meaning of this? I saw for myself that your companion here has magic. And not just a little magic — enough to defy the most powerful Magic-weaver in Dokuzen. How did this happen?’

  ‘Is this the place to have this discussion? Could we not go somewhere less threatening?’ Huw asked.

  ‘Is there an explanation for this?’ Jaken asked. ‘Dokuzen owes you a debt but there are questions here that must be answered. My people want to know they will be safe. The idea of a human army of Magic-weavers makes the Forlish invasion look like a fight between small children.’

  ‘My Lord Jaken, Rhiannon is the only human we have found who can do magic. My people — indeed all humans — believe only elves can do magic. And we are no threat to you. We are not like the Forlish, who seek to rule other lands. We desire only peace.’