Wycaan Master: Book 01 - At The Walls Of Galbrieth

by Alon Shalev

  “The miners became even greedier, forcing the restless natives to work the mines and increase profit. It became a slave nation.”

  Mhari stopped and lit her pipe, smoke pluming above her head. “Over time, the High Council became aware, through taxation, of wealth coming into the land, though they did not know where it flowed from. As greed bred more greed, the cities of man resented their tithes more and more.

  “The head of the High Council changed every five years and ensured equality among the people by mandating that the same race could not serve two terms in a row.

  “When a human stepped down to be replaced by the dwarf, Thoran Hydrensson, many of the wealthy men refused to send tribute to Flywyn. At one rowdy electoral celebration, a man climbed onto a table and spoke loudly.

  “He questioned the right of either elf or dwarf to rule over man. He boasted of his mining slaves –there were more than a thousand elves and dwarves, mainly dwarves as they were better miners, under his control.

  “The mood shifted radically. At first, fists flew, and then blades were drawn. Most elves and dwarves around the city did not carry arms, and the overwhelming casualties were members of the local populace.”

  Mhari coughed and Seanchai quickly replenished their tea. She drank and drew on her pipe for a few moments, her eyes looking off into the distance.

  “The High Council met for many days, sending scouts and then troops out to the Western lands. Anger crackled among the dwarves and elves, and the land quickly segregated.

  “When the High Council at last decreed that all slavery was illegal and drafted a charter of rights for all races, there was open rebellion. Fights broke out between men and dwarves, men and elves, and even between men.”

  “Between men?” asked Seanchai.

  The old woman sipped her tea. “Not all humans are greedy, Seanchai. Not all elves and dwarves are good. The world isn’t so simple.

  “Anyway, many of the rich men had amassed great armies in the West and trained their slaves to fight by pitting them against each other. It was horrific, a tragedy.

  “Even as it all came to a climax on the Plains of Penryn, the High Council thought it could prevent bloodshed. The Wycaans dispersed, to talk with the leaders of all races, clans, and tribes. Many were scorned or even murdered, and the great battle began. The end result is what you see now. Man rules, elves are virtually a subclass, and the dwarves have disappeared under the mountains.”

  “What happened to the elves?” Seanchai asked. “I grew up hearing stories of countries far from here where elves live free.”

  “Indeed they do. Ironically, after man had mined all the gold, they abandoned the West and returned to Flywyn. The elves fled to the land man had left and, hidden by a great forest, began to thrive again. Also in the East, near my own land, there’s a mighty range of ancient woods. It’s said that dwarves reside in the mountains there and cultivate their own magic.”

  “You mentioned the Western elves,” Seanchai said, feeling a wave of excitement. “But do they really exist, do you think?”

  “Yes, I do. In fact, I know they do, though I am sworn to secrecy and only share this with you because–”

  “Because what?”

  Mhari sighed. “Because if all this fails and you still live, that is where you should flee to.”

  “If it fails, what will you do?”

  “I won’t live to see it all end in failure. I’m an old woman and my only concern is to help you as much as I can. It’s what I have trained for all my life, and I will pay with my life if it helps you onward.”

  Seanchai looked at his teacher as she puffed her pipe and stared out across the plain. Though she had shared so much with him, she was holding something back now, something she would not share with him. He followed her gaze and fell into deep contemplation.

  Forty-Two

  Ilana woke early, again convinced something was crawling on her. She immediately rose and brushed herself off, but couldn’t see anything. As she crouched awkwardly over the bucket in the corner to relieve herself before her cellmate woke, she noticed Shayth lying on the floor in the middle of the adjoining alcoves.

  “Shayth,” she whispered after finishing on the bucket. “Shayth.”

  She tried to stretch through the bars and touch him, but he was just out of reach. She bunched some straw together and threw it. It barely missed, and she cursed. She was thankful a few minutes later when he did stir. His face was swollen, his clothes torn, and he blinked a few times to focus.

  “What happened?” she said.

  “Oh,” he rubbed his head. “A few of our cell mates didn’t like sharing the cell with an elf. We had a…a discussion on the matter. Then the guards decided to add their opinion, which was considerably more emphatic.”

  “Is anything broken?”

  “Doubt it,” he didn’t move to check. “They seem to want us in one piece–for now, at least.”

  “Where are the Tutans?”

  “In a different cell, thank goodness. They would have killed them.”

  “Shayth. What happened to the third one? Only two got caught with us.”

  “I’ve been wondering too. Probably dead. Best we don’t talk about him. There were only two, Ilana. Understand?”

  She didn’t get a chance to respond as two guards dragged Rhoddan into the alcove. Shayth pretended to be unconscious as they opened the cell door and tossed both limp bodies inside.

  As one guard locked the door, the other sneered at Ilana. “You ain’t gonna have no privacy now, she-elf.”

  The other guard looked over. “Elves don’t need no privacy,” he said. “Shame for the girl, though.” He regarded her sleeping cellmate, then spoke to Ilana once more. “You don’t say much, do you, little she-elf? Smart. Best way to stay alive.”

  Ilana retreated to the back of the cell and the guards lost interest. One of them made a derogatory comment about she-elves’ hygiene, and their cruel laughter echoing through the stone corridor hurt all the same.

  “I’m sorry,” said the girl, who had woken. “They were brought up that way. Don’t know any better. Me neither, I guess.”

  “There is not much difference between a bad elf and a bad man,” Ilana snapped.

  “Nor a good one, I guess,” the girl replied.

  Her tone mollified Ilana and she took a deep breath, sat heavily on her cot, and put her head in her hands.

  “Why you all here?” the girl asked.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Ilana mumbled.

  “Sure it does,” the girl said. “You listened to me last night. Now it’s my turn.”

  She sat on the cot beside Ilana and put her arm around her. She impulsively touched Ilana’s ear, causing the elfe to jerk away.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve never touched an elf’s ear. Suddenly wanted to. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

  “It’s okay. Guess it has the same feeling as a human’s ear, no?”

  “Let’s check,” the girl said, and smiled. After they had touched each other’s ears and realized there was nothing interesting about it, the girl continued. “So, why are you in here?”

  “We tried to rescue our friend, the elf over there.” Ilana nodded at the prone Rhoddan.

  “And you know the boy, too?”

  “Shayth? Yes, he was helping us.”

  “Really?” This seemed very interesting to the young girl. She paused. “He was helping you rescue an elf? Is he your friend?”

  “Yes. Listen. What’s your name?”

  “Maugwen. People usually just call me Gwen.”

  “Okay, Gwen, listen. Outside of Galbrieth there are many places where man and elf live and work together. That human has saved our lives a number of times and we have saved his. That’s how it works when you escape the clutches of the Emperor.”

  “You’re rebels?” Maugwen’s eyes grew large, and she shrank against the wall.

  “I’m not going to hurt you. We think of ourselves more as freedom fighters, but yes, we reb
el against an evil empire, where the rich treat us all like slaves.”

  “And that elf there–is he your boyfriend? Is that why you tried to rescue him?”

  “No, he is a dear friend, but not the friend.”

  Despite her fear of being with a rebel, the idea of a boyfriend seemed to intrigue Maugwen. She returned to sit beside Ilana, curiosity replacing the fear.

  “Tell me about him, your boyfriend. Will he come to rescue you?”

  “I hope not.”

  “Why? If he really loves you…”

  “I don’t want to put him in any danger,” Ilana explained. “When you love someone, you don’t want to see them harmed.”

  Maugwen absorbed this. “Does he know you came here to rescue the other elf?”

  Ilana nodded.

  “Then he will come,” Maugwen said confidently. “And when he does, he can rescue me, too. That is, if you don’t mind.”

  They both laughed. Then Ilana spoke. “I’m glad you’re with me, Gwen, though I wish neither of us were in this predicament.”

  A guard appeared. “You girls used the bucket yet?”

  “I haven’t,” said Maugwen quietly.

  “Use it,” he ordered. “We don’t want to stink out the place.” He turned and smashed his baton on the bars of Shayth and Rhoddan’s cell. “And if either of you peek, I’ll let you have it.”

  The guard returned a few minutes later and unlocked the cell. He beckoned to Maugwen. “Bring the bucket, girl, and don’t spill it, or else.”

  Maugwen rose and picked up the bucket. She moved slowly and kept her head lowered. When they were gone, Shayth called softly to Ilana. “Careful what you say,” he said. “I don’t trust her.”

  “She’s just a little girl,” Ilana replied, “and so scared.”

  “Ilana, listen to me. I know the system.” Shayth glanced to the entrance, where footsteps were returning. “Don’t share anything you shouldn’t.” Then he melted back into the darkness of the cell.

  When Maugwen returned, there was fear on her face.

  “What is it?” Ilana asked.

  “Guess your boyfriend isn’t going to be rescuing you. Or if he plans to, he had better show up real quick.”

  “Why? What did you hear?”

  “They asked if we had spoken. I said yes and that you were nice, and they told me that you and your friends will be dead soon. They plan to execute you on the Emperor’s birthday and make a big show of it. It’s being announced in all the towns and villages so that all will know what they do with rebels and traitors. Each town has to draw a big picture of the hanging and display it in the square for everyone to see.”

  Ilana put her head in her hands and began crying quietly. Maugwen watched her cellmate’s shaking shoulders. She came over and put her arm around Ilana.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have told you. Maybe the Emperor will pardon you at the last minute ‘cause it’s his birthday.” She was silent for a few minutes while Ilana sobbed. “I’m sorry I made you sad telling you that you’ll die soon. Now I’ve scared you, and you’ve been so nice to me.”

  Ilana shook her head. “I’m not afraid to die. It’s not that.”

  “Then what?”

  “It’s the posters,” Ilana sniffed. “He’ll see them and he’ll come. I know he will.”

  Forty-Three

  Seanchai played with his food as they ate their evening meal by the fire. It was clear that this period of his life was fast coming to an end, and that Mhari would not be around much longer. Seanchai had become accustomed to having her with him when he did not know what to do. Even though he possessed the power and strength, he needed her knowledge and wisdom to guide him.

  When everything was cleared away, they settled near the fire, preparing to scry First, Mhari wanted Seanchai to drink more danseng tea and plenty of water.

  “Remember,” his teacher said, “so far every time you have yielded magic or scryed, you have fainted or felt weak. While practice and energy-gathering exercises are critical, drinking lots of water will quicken your recovery. Generally eat and drink carefully, keeping your body clean so the energy can flow unimpeded. Maintain a diet of fish or light meat, and eat primarily grains, fruit and vegetables. Beware alcohol and anything else that can weaken or compromise you.”

  Seanchai felt again that Mhari was passing on as much as possible in the short time left together. They settled near the fire where they had earlier planted rocks that would support their backs while meditating.

  “Remember the map I showed you earlier?” Mhari asked.

  Seanchai nodded. It had outlined the routes to Galbrieth, similar to the map she had drawn for Shayth and Ilana.

  “I want you to visualize that map when we scry to find your friends. I am going to lead you to them, but as soon as you see them, or their trail, tell me to disconnect. Is that clear?”

  “Yes,” Seanchai replied.

  “Then let us begin.”

  They sat in silence, emptying their minds and relaxing their bodies. Seanchai had become increasingly proficient with these exercises and, despite the tension he felt to find his friends, his body instinctively knew what needed to be done.

  Mhari began to speak in a low monotone. “We are leaving this place, entering the valley below, and following the road that cuts through the valley. See the beginning of villages and agricultural land. See the bridge at the village of Cositos and the junction that directs you left or right. We will travel to the right.”

  As Mhari described their journey, Seanchai felt like a bird gliding above the terrain, without physically needing to propel himself forward.

  The towers of Galbrieth appeared on the horizon and became taller and more ominous as they neared the city. Great stone walls surrounded the city, and several caravan of wagons laden with supplies were traveling along a human river into the city. Galbrieth was preparing to celebrate.

  Seanchai and Mhari glided above the checkpoints and city gates. Ilana and Shayth had evidently not prevented Rhoddan from being taken into the garrison. He felt he could sense Ilana and Shayth’s trail.

  Seanchai felt compelled to choose his own direction now and heard his real self tell Mhari that he was going on alone. Mhari’s voice echoed in his head. “Be careful, Seanchai. I will be close by, gathering my own information. Call to me when you are finished and listen for my voice in return.”

  Seanchai floated into a dark alley and entered a room through a closed door. It was dark, but he could make out a table and men standing in shadows. The man sitting at the head of the table was talking to Seanchai. No … not him. He was seeing through Shayth’s eyes. Shayth was negotiating and a bag of coins was handed over.

  A moment of static, and then he was in an alleyway, following a hooded man. Next to him was Ilana. Ilana! He reached out for her, but there was no contact, no recognition. He felt sad as he realized that he was not really with them.

  Three others accompanied them. Seanchai didn’t understand when they clicked to each other instead of using words. Was it a code?

  They entered a dilapidated house and slipped through a hole in the floor. They crept through stone corridors and found Rhoddan chained to the wall. Now they were surrounded. A tall, authoritative man–an officer–stepped forward into the light. He pulled back the hoods of the two clicking men and then Ilana. Seanchai shuddered when the man leered at her body.

  Shayth pulled back his own hood. He saw the shocked expression on the officer’s chiseled face. It was clear that the man recognized Shayth.

  From a long way off, he heard his master calling him. “Seanchai, Seanchai, leave the garrison. Come into the streets. You need to look at the posters hung all around.”

  Seanchai rose out of the garrison and found himself in the street. He looked around and saw on every third pole, there hung a notice. It announced the Emperor’s fiftieth birthday. There would be a great celebration, and the people would feel the benevolence of their ruler.

  Fur
ther down, Seanchai read about the execution of the Emperor’s nephew and his elf companions, and Tutans, also traitors to the Emperor. There would be a great display in the evening following the executions. The Emperor had ordered something special to happen in every city shortly after sunset.

  …following the executions!

  A shiver went through him.

  …the execution of the Emperor’s nephew and elves, all traitors to the Emperor.

  “Seanchai, hold fast; control your emotions.” The voice was distant but demanding. “I am going to guide you home. You must follow me.”

  Seanchai felt himself connecting once again with Mhari and being led beyond the mighty walls of Galbrieth into the valley. He wanted to pull free and go back. He needed to know more.

  “Let me go,” he called out, frustrated.

  “No,” came the reply. “You must return to your body.”

  “My friends…”

  “I know.”

  “I must go to them. They need me.”

  “Yes, but not this way. There is still time.”

  “I might be too late.”

  “No there is time. Return to your body. We must make a plan.”

  “ILANAAAAAAA.”

  Forty-Four

  When Ilana woke from yet another hapless, shallow sleep, she caught Maugwen staring at Rhoddan, who was exercising in his cell. Ilana remembered Shayth’s warning as she observed the girl, who didn’t look quite so young as she had before. She was probably closer to their age. She had arched her hips a bit, though Ilana wasn’t sure if this was intentional, and was chewing on a piece of straw.

  Ilana sat up and stretched. Maugwen heard her and turned around. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “I’m okay,” Ilana replied, wincing at the stiffness in her lower back.

  Maugwen came to sit next to Ilana and whispered, “Tell me about him,” she nodded towards Rhoddan. “He looks kind of cute.”

  Ilana laughed. “He’s sweet,” she replied. “He is a brave warrior, though he is convinced he should be better and is always training.”