Fate (Inner Space Adventures Book 1)

by J B Forest

  Tristen began his tale after James and Taylor finished. He told them of his travels to Earth in centuries past. He left nothing out, he made sure that they were aware that his motives in the past were not necessarily altruistic. He tried to describe the Fae mentality and disposition to them. He gave them a condensed version of the political situation in the Fae Dominion, their relationships with other worlds within Inner Space, and how they traveled through the astral plane. He shared the good and the bad, he wanted to make sure that they fully understood the magnitude of his request.

  Chapter 18 - Elven Lands – Ljosar Realm

  They traveled to the chambers of the High Council on horseback. It was a short trip that was easily accomplished on foot, but both Aleesia and Orrion insisted that it was best to minimize their exposure to the residents of the capital city prior to meeting with the High Council. Traveling on horseback with an armed guard forewarned the citizenry that they were on official business. Connak noticed that he received plenty of scrutiny along the way. He was relieved to see only a handful of openly hostile stares. Connak could tell from their expressions when sighting him that they did not seem to know what to make of Laosx.

  The group traveled in silence. Connak and Laosx followed the lead of Aleesia and Orrion followed closely behind. The trip was interesting yet uneventful and soon the palace gates were in sight. Laosx was disappointed that he could not enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. He had to remain focused on the task at hand. He hoped that he would be able to visit and discover the city’s secrets at a later less pressing time. Maybe he would be lucky enough to have Aleesia serve as his tour guide, he mused but dismissed the thought as quickly as it arrived for the foolishness that it was.

  Focused again on their mission, Laosx noticed that the palace guard seemed to be expecting them. He hoped that Alwin and the others were successful in preparing the High Council for their imminent arrival. Connak’s task was a difficult one, they would be grateful for any assistance that they could receive. His longtime friend sat even straighter in his saddle as they approached the palace gates. He was worried that this quest was taking a toll on Connak. There were lines in his face that were not present at the beginning of their journey. He only hoped that the mission would be successful and that Connak would be relieved of this great burden soon.

  Aleesia could almost feel the anxiety of the Svartans. It was not fear, but more extreme anticipation for the reaction of the High Council to their unprecedented proposition. She too was tense. She tried to relax a little as they approached the gates of the palace. She recognized some of the guards awaiting their arrival. The guards would judge her posture and disposition for signs of trouble or the need to raise the alert level. It was imperative for her to present a calm and reassuring posture as she escorted her charges through the gates.

  Orrion followed Aleesia’s lead. He noticed that all three members of the group were a bit tense. He did not feel alarmed by their reactions. Standing before the High Council made the normal Ljosan nervous. The Svartans had even more reason to be anxious, based on what he heard from his father. Aleesia on the other hand was always tense. There was a time when she was more relaxed and enjoyed herself. They grew up together and she was like a sister to him. Although as she blossomed into adulthood he wondered on more than one occasion whether they relationship might grow into something else. Those hopes were dashed after her decision to enter the military. He was ecstatic with her decision and secretly hoped that they would serve together. However, she became distant to all those who were close to her and her decision for Outpost duty practically severed all ties with her past. She rarely came back to the capital city and when she did, it was strictly for business. He was pleasantly surprised to see her the other night.

  He sensed that the pale Svartan had some feelings for Aleesia. Nothing was said to give him the feeling, but he knew that he was correct. There was something about the way the Svartan straightened his posture or tried to calm his hair when he knew that Aleesia was looking at him. He did not blame the Svartan, Aleesia was not only very beautiful but also extremely intelligent, and a very proficient soldier. He was also sure that the Svartans had experienced her sharp wit during their travels. He admired anyone who could react that way after falling prey to her tongue.

  The other Svartan, the one who looked the way that he thought all Svartans did, was completely focused on the task at hand. He did not begrudge him of that task. Orrion could tell just by his appearance and interactions with others that this Svartan held a high-ranking position and was respected by his people. He was self-assured and respectful at the same time. Orrion hoped that he had enough patience to deal with the High Council. They were not known for readily accepting change or swift decisions.

  They passed through the palace gates without incident. Connak was sure that the guards were on notice of their arrival. His did not miss the fact that they looked to Aleesia and Orrion for clues. Their escorts were professionally rigid, which was typical of military escorts for visiting dignitaries. An appearance that was either too calm or too anxious would have alerted the palace guards that something was amiss. So, he was comforted by the small fact that their passage was fairly easy. He smiled inwardly, if only the remainder of the mission went so smoothly.

  Aleesia led them through the main courtyard and into a smaller spur off the main area. She was happy to see that her father had the guards clear the larger area in their advance. The main courtyard was typically bustling with activity on any given day and particularly on a day when the High Council met. There was always great anticipation among the populous of High Council deliberations. Today, the courtyard was empty except for a few stragglers who were chased away by attentive palace guards. She was sure that the people would be even more anxious to find out why they were kept away. Rumors and gossip had a way of spreading like wildfire through the capital, the crowds outside the palace gates would grow to tremendous proportions before Connak and Laosx had a chance to present their case. She would bet a month’s wages on it.

  She was glad that her father allowed her to continue to serve as escort for the Svartan visitors. Although she had shunned the opportunity for an assignment in the Elite guard, serving as the official escort for these visitors was a distinction to top all others in her estimation. She also reluctantly realized that she was becoming attached to the two visitors, especially Laosx. His love of the arts, history, and nature was almost contagious. She knew that given a chance, he and her mother would spend hours discussing their passion. Connak was harder to judge. She could see the weight of his mission bearing down upon him. He seemed very capable and competent and she thought that if circumstances were different, he might be more lighthearted.

  Her father and Elre approached them as they dismounted. Stable hands swiftly took charge of their mounts and they followed her father into the palace. The halted just inside the entrance.

  “I will give you time to refresh yourselves and prepare to meet the council members,” stated Alwin once the door was closed. “We presented your case and as expected, met with mixed reactions. The one thing that they all agreed upon was to question the need for swift action. This was not unexpected; my colleagues do not make decisions quickly. Convincing them of the need to act now will be our largest hurdle. They were more easily convinced of the validity of your arguments which is something that you must capitalize upon. I will inform the members of your arrival. Elre will escort you into the chambers presently.”

  There was an ewer filled with cold water and goblets for their use on a table in the entryway. A mirror hung on the opposite wall. Connak was not prone to vanity, but he was the first Svartan emissary to greet the Ljosan High Council in decades, he wanted to make a positive first impression. He noticed Laosx straightening his tunic in the mirror beside him and smiled. They were childhood friends and through the decades their bond had grown stronger. He could not ask for a more trusted and capable friend.

  The small group followed Elre d
own the passageway and into the Council chambers. It was clear to Connak that they were using a side passage. He did not know if they used this path for convenience or to avoid unnecessary exposure and confrontation. He was comfortable with either explanation. Once they arrived at the chamber entrance, Orrion remained outside since he was not formally invited into the session. Aleesia’s position as the Svartan’s official escort granted her access. Elre rarely left Alwin’s side and was always present during sessions.

  All discussions ceased upon their entrance. The chamber was surprisingly small. There were four tiers arranged in a semi-circular fashion with about 20 – 25 seats on each tier. The tiers faced a raised dais that held five seats. There was a podium in the center that seemed to swivel as the speaker looked from one side of the audience to the other. The ceiling was high but not cavernous. The ceiling in the Svartan chamber was nearly twice as high as this one. This room was far different from the enormous meeting room of the Svartan High Council. That room was so large that words seemed to echo when spoken and each of the members had their own seating area that was enclosed on three sides and open to the front facing the speaker and High Council leadership. The configuration of the Svartan seating arrangements required a much larger space although the number of council members seemed to equal that of the Ljosans. The arrangement was not conducive to direct interaction between members, instead they utilized a wireless messaging system that was built into their desks to communicate with each other. The Ljosans just seemed to lean over and chat with each other when the need arose.

  Connak discontinued his comparison as he heard his name called by Alwin. He stepped up to the podium followed closely by Laosx. He did not hesitate, “Greetings esteemed High Council members. I bring tidings of peace and brotherhood from the members of the Svartan High Council. I was sent as an emissary with a message of grave importance to all members of the elven race. It is our hope that you will hear us out and join us in our mission.”

  Connak proceeded to recount the occurrences in Svartar and the growing concern regarding the cause of the problems. He saw nods of acknowledgement within the group and was encouraged. He carefully described his theory regarding the role of the Fae and provided some background of his ability to use his mage trained senses. He did not know if there were mages in the Ljosan realm and if they were valued or not. He could only hope that they believed in his explanations. The ominous feelings were increasing and the Svartar needed all the assistance that they could get.

  The council members bombarded him with questions once he finished his narrative. Not unlike their counterparts in Svartar there were many skeptics. Although it seemed that Alwin was successful in convincing them of the seriousness of the problem. Laosx proved helpful in responding to many of the questions. His diplomatic nature was better suited to responding to stubborn and obstinate remarks.

  Connak was pleased that Alwin and the two Council members who met them earlier added to the discussion in favor of an alliance with the Svartar to face the threat. A decision was made after several hours of discussion to hold a vote later that evening on whether or not to join forces with the Svartar. Connak and Laosx provided as much information as they could to encourage the Ljosans to decide in favor of their proposal. The session was adjourned and Alwin escorted the trio out of the chambers.

  Orrion joined them as they walked along a different corridor to another room. Alwin explained that they would wait there until the vote was completed. It would allow them to remain in close proximity in anticipation of a favorable decision. The room contained oversized chairs and chaise lounges as well as tables with workspace. There were facilities to take care of personal needs adjacent to the back end of the room. Laosx noted the plentiful food and beverage spread and the variety of vegetables, fruit, and cheeses was amazing considering the fact that Cidrean was located well away from any forest lands. There were also several choices of drink as well. He stayed far away from those with any hint of alcoholic aroma. Those were for a much later occasion. They all took advantage of the accommodations and tried to relax as Alwin and Elre returned to the chambers for the High Council vote.

  Relieved that the initial task of presenting his message to the High Council was completed, Connak felt the fatigue slip upon him. He slipped into a light slumber as he rested on one of the chaise lounges in the room. He only had a few sips of one of the cool, refreshing drinks offered before he nodded off. He was subconsciously aware of the conversation around him but the rest of his body was at rest.

  The other three noticed that Connak had fallen sleep so they quietly moved to chairs on the other side of the room so they would not disturb him. They all realized that he carried the bulk of the burden of this mission and the rest was a welcome relief. Laosx decided that this was a good opportunity to find out more about the Ljosar from both Orrion and Aleesia. He hoped that Aleesia would be more willing to share information with one of her colleagues present. It was apparent that they knew each other well, he secretly hoped ‘not too well’. Again, he surprised himself with these subconscious thoughts.

  They told him about life in the city and compared it to life in the surrounding areas, particularly in the Outpost. Orrion shared much more about their childhood than Aleesia seemed willing to divulge. Laosx learned that the two grew up together since Orrion’s father was the head of Alwin’s personal guard. He quietly observed the dynamics between the two elves as they described the Ljosan lifestyle. He explained to them that things were not much different in the Svartan society. Environment seemed to be the largest difference. The Svartan’s lived in the dense woodland and rarely ventured into the plains whereas the Ljosar lived primarily in the plains or on the fringes of the forests.

  Connak drifted into a dreamlike state where he could hear the murmur of conversation in the distance but became a part of a totally different scene. He was on the streets of Cidrean but in a location that he did not recognize. The palace loomed nearby. He saw the profile of a woman in conversation with a group of elves a short distance away. They were listening intently to whatever she was saying. Connak could not distinguish her features or hear her words, but for some reason, he was drawn to her. She seemed to sense his presence because she stopped speaking and turned in his direction. She was beautiful, there was great wisdom in her eyes, her hair flowed down the length of her back, and her skin was a tawny color. It was not as fair as many of the Ljosans that Connak had encountered but not as dark as that of the Svartans. He felt a sense of familiarity with this woman even though it was the first time he saw her. There seemed to be a connection between the two of them. He was about to approach her when someone in the group called out to her and she turned away and left with the group. Connak was jarred into consciousness before he could see anything else.

  Just then, the door to the room opened and Alwin and Elre entered. Alwin seemed as exhausted as Connak felt before his rest. Vestiges of the vision of the woman remained but were quickly dismissed as he turned to the elves for news from the High Council. Alwin sank into one of the cushioned chairs while Connak joined the group. He realized that they had moved away from him while he slept. Elre filled two plates with food before joining the others. He passed one of the plates to Alwin and took his own seat.

  “What news do you have,” asked Laosx. He was as anxious as any of them to hear the results of the vote. Alwin held up a hand as he swallowed a forkful of food. “I have not eaten since the morning meal. I am so hungry that I could eat an entire garden.”

  When he finished, he took a drink and gazed into the eager eyes of the elves before him. Ljosar and Svarta alike carried the same expression. The differences between the two groups were emphasized for so long, he wondered if anyone ever thought to think of their similarities. His brief interactions with the two Svartans dispelled so many of the misconceptions that were inherent in the long-professed teachings about the ‘distant’ cousins. He respected these two brave emissaries for the courage to embark on an endeavor with such insu
rmountable odds. They acknowledged that their chances of success were uncertain at best, but believed that there was no other alternative to save not only their own realm but the entire Elven Domain.

  He took a deep breath and began. “The news is promising. The two of you,” he looked at the two Svartans as he spoke, “are establishing a bevy of precedents.” A smile reached his eyes as he continued. “You are the first Svarta to enter into Cidrean under peaceful terms in over a century. Not only that, you addressed the High Council with a very unique proposal, convinced them to vote almost immediately, and they voted in your favor.” He smiled broadly, “if I had not witnessed each of these events myself, I would not believe the elf relaying the information. Individually, each is almost unbelievable, but combined together in such a short time frame, two days ago I would have said it was impossible. And yet here we stand on the dawn of a new era.”

  Elre joined in, “I agree with Alwin. I have never seen some of the Council members act so quickly. I thought it impossible for them not to pontificate until everyone forgot the original discussion.”

  Alwin nodded, “I believe they surprised themselves. Be cautioned that it is not a complete victory, but it is definitely progress.” He continued, “they agreed to send a contingent of 100 troops consisting of members of the elite guard and the military academy back with you for an initial assessment.” He saw that Connak was about to interject so he held up his hand to stop him.