by Susi Wright
Earlier in the marriage, she had often been frustrated by what seemed to be an exclusive conspiracy of knowledge between Gaians. But by now, her human perception had greatly improved from the Link and constant association with her husband and his clan. As long as they were not blocking her, she could sometimes feel Luminor’s exact emotion – and Espira’s – as strongly as her own, knowing it was not by mere accident. She realised father and daughter, with their special bond, had been protecting her for the past days and nights. Until now. This was something very serious and she wanted the harsh truth of it. . . because with or without the answer, she would not sleep another wink this night.
By sunrise, Fralii had been given the explanation she both desired and feared. Luminor was about to leave on another quest to save the Known World. This time, she was forewarned and armed with a strong faith in his abilities, that he would be victorious and return safely to her. But that did not make it easier. She would have to endure this separation better than the last time, be stronger for the sake of Espira and their unborn son. The baby, due very soon, would very likely be born in Luminor’s absence. She knew that all three would unavoidably feel her sadness, but she had already decided that she would not further burden Luminor with her tears, as difficult as it might be to hold them back. She would not cry. . .not until he was a safe distance away, and only then, when Espira was fast asleep. If her secret sadness could not be hidden, she hoped that her daughter could not only cope with it, but would also be a source of comfort to her, and the baby, until they were all together again as a family.
It was with this knowledge, she braved the next few days while Luminor made preparations to depart. With Altor’s assistance, he selected an elite force, comprised of his Gaian warriors and the best of the Baramese human army. He also received the expected visit from Aleana which, under any other circumstance, would have been a joyful event. After a genuinely affectionate reunion, the grave mood continued as Luminor and Aleana closeted themselves in the council chambers for some private consultation before the last meeting of the council.
As soon as the door was closed behind them, Aleana spoke. “I think you have a question!” Expecting no less from his sentient mother, Luminor smiled affectionately, meeting her eyes. “This opponent is growing in strength by the day. . .in fact, he is stealing Fire. The more he takes, the weaker I become. I have blocked him for now, but he has acquired sufficient power to do untold damage. He seems to have no regard for any soul. No ordinary Gaian, however talented, even corrupted, working alone, would ever be able to perform such a feat.
“The Supreme Power is given to one alone, by birthright. That is how it has always been! He must have the help and encouragement of one with dubious magic. In return, I think he is shielding a being of extreme stealth which even now continues to elude the All-seeing Guardians. It seems that title has now been stolen, along with some of the Eternal Flame. Do you know how this could be possible?”
Aleana smiled gravely. Her reply was gently chiding at first. “I have some knowledge, Lumi, but of course, I don’t know everything! Even the other elders, with whom I conferred recently before I came to you, could only guess!” She continued in an assuring tone. “In this case, like them, I can do no more than that. You surpassed all of us in perceptive talent long ago. I believe you are on the way to being even more skilled than your father! Yes, I believe the Dark One must have help. What that help is. . .I do not know. It is sad but true that for some reason, he is deluded about his right to the Supreme Power. Like you, I feel a vague familial link. I don’t know – perhaps, he is a far distant cousin. You know how long we have all been dispersed. That, of itself, does not justify his challenge. The inheritance has always been father to son. No – something else drives him! Your guess, that he has some kind of familiar, already sounds better than anything I could think of!”
Luminor shook his head sadly. “It pains me that he has lost the Code. That he, one of our own, could represent the very opposite of all we believe in! The confrontation – the battle – which lies ahead, is unprecedented. I regret that it will unavoidably be to the death!”
Aleana was silent for a moment, then offered some comfort. “I believe the prophecy still holds the truth, though none of us can clearly see the future. Deep in my heart, I know that you will return to us, victorious!”
Luminor nodded, resigned to Fate, aware that the outcome might not be entirely in his hands. He often found a little more strength talking to his mother.
“Whatever happens, I know you will be a great help to Altor. We both value your wisdom, Mother!”
The solemn embrace which concluded their meeting was also their private farewell, before Luminor attended to matters of state.
The assembly members had been in unanimous agreement when he had met with them the previous day. He apprised them of the emerging threat to the Alliance and the reasons for him to attend to it personally; he would hand the great responsibility of acting governorship to his very able brother, Altor.
The brothers had also met in private. As soon as they were alone, Altor dropped all formality. “ Hie, brother! Your present seriousness exceeds all other in the Known World! I swear my loyalty to whatever plan you are hatching. . .you know I fear nothing! But I also swear, there will be laughter before our meeting is over!” That, along with the usual slap on the shoulder and Altor’s wide, infectious smile, was all it took to cause Luminor to respond likewise, shaking his head in mock reproach and smiling back. He sometimes wished he had been endowed with such a sense of humour.
Luminor’s gregarious and fair-natured brother had deservedly won the affection of the entire community. Altor had proven himself by capably managing a term as interim commander of both armies after the sudden death of the nefarious Commander Stavis. In usual Gaian diplomatic style, Altor had refused the council’s enthusiastic offer of a continuance of that post, in favour of adding to his original position as commander of the Gaian warriors, one as liaison officer for all personnel. That way, he could make sure no soldier, of either race, was ever exploited and would always receive a fair wage and acceptable work conditions. When they were not required for combat duty, they were often employed in much of the manual labour for building projects.
Altor had turned down the post of Supreme Military Commander to avoid stirring up feelings of resentment in the Baramese ranks or cityfolk who might have felt threatened by a foreigner, a Gaian, having full control of their army. In doing that, he had earned much respect and more over the next couple of years, proving himself an honourable and genuine leader in his chosen field. He was Luminor’s right hand man. It seemed natural to the majority that he would stand in as governor in his lord’s absence. Rather than feeling threatened by the reins of power being handed into Gaian control, everyone high or low felt secure and protected, which was of course the truth of it. Since there was no subterfuge, this phenomenon could only be described as infectious affection. Lord Luminor had the complete trust of human and Gaian alike, that he would deliver them from this looming threat.
In addition, all the councilors were most pleased to discover that Luminor intended to appoint another one of his family, Aleana, as Altor’s advisor. Her reputation, as a wise and eminent member of the Splendo council, had earned her respect throughout Baram. Aleana’s generous and charitable nature had seen the building of two new medical centres in Splendo and the set up of several farms in the surrounding countryside which now cultivated and supplied medicinal plants of all kinds throughout the land, as Luminor had envisioned. She had spent many months in those early days, tirelessly mentoring new Baramese nursing staff in the use of Prian and other herbs for healing. Spiro, the governor of that city, sang her praises, often and most verbosely, whenever he visited Lord Luminor and his council on state business.
Luminor expected to have one more development to sort out before the day was over – the imminent arrival of some very unusual refugees on the afternoon southerly.
Later in th
e day, things were thrown into temporary disarray with the airborne appearance of the new clan and their Morvian passengers. Alerted by the town watchers, a curious, chattering crowd gathered soon after the newcomers arrived. Luminor had earlier prepared the council for something unprecedented. The remainder of the Baramese army were at the ready, sworn to keep the peace if necessary, now and in Luminor’s absence. Some people looked apprehensive but most individuals seemed to be excited rather than confrontational.
The disturbance was unavoidable but Luminor allayed immediate fears by delivering an eloquent and convincing speech about Morvian good character. He publicly welcomed them in the spirit of the Alliance and went on to add that he and the Council would do likewise for any other refugees, of any diverse origins, who might arrive in the future.
After an official introduction on the steps of City Hall, in front of the swelling crowd, a council spokesman encouraged Melu to tell his family’s story. Luminor stood by his side, a light hand on the Morvian’s shoulder, enabling him to translate the unknown language.
The story itself was bound to evoke sympathy as it unfolded; the trepidation in the crowd dissipated, leaving only empathy and quiet fascination. Many had themselves been made homeless and lost loved ones by the scourge of the flame adder, not so long ago. Some had tears in their eyes. A small group of human children came forward from the crowd, encouraged by their parents, offering smiles and a hand of friendship to the Morvian youngsters, a game of tag. At first, Melu’s children understandably clung to their parents. After a few minutes of assurance the children began to take up the offered recreation. Overcoming their initial shyness, even fear of humans, they found themselves eager to relive the fun they had experienced with their Gaian friend, Roland, and did so by playing the game in his honour. Soon there were dozens engaged in the fun. It was the perfect way to transcend the language barrier and make many new friends in the process.
This interaction between the children was very encouraging and enough for now. Luminor felt confident his brother and mother would be able to handle any new challenges in the days ahead, introducing these strange people to the rest of the human populace, housing them and starting their integration into society. The influence of the ideals of the Alliance had worked its own natural magic on the Baramese here in the Capital and in Splendo; the majority had lost racist tendencies and become much more open-minded and compassionate. They had seen the value of working together with Gaians of various talents and not least, come to believe in magic, not fear it. It would certainly ease the transition to universal acceptance, if the humans in these two cities became an example to others.
The protection represented by the Alliance far exceeded that provided by armed forces alone. Its existence, with Luminor as governor in the Capital – far from being an oppressive overlord-ship – offered freedom, choice and exciting possibilities. Every decision for the developing community was done in consultation with the council and the people, using no subterfuge or coercion. Some would say that it was too good to be true.
Some would envy the power it represented.
CHAPTER 27
Reluctant Bride
The bride-to-be looked stunning in a pale green Siva-silk gown. It had not been her choice. Her sisters selected it from the vast array of garments now available to the new residents of the grand Salmat palace. Siva silk was an unfamiliar fabric to Gaians, though it had been highly-favoured by the human community for centuries. At least, the gowns were ready-made. With such short notice, there had been no time to weave traditional cloth and their new lord hadn’t seemed inclined to encourage it. The ladies were all more than happy to take their pick of the rich gowns left hanging in the wardrobes of the palace chambers. The previous residents were long-gone, fleeing or dead, after the fire-breathing creature had laid waste the city. Lord Xian assured them the beast had moved on and he’d sent a party of his warriors out to search for the royal family. If they had survived, they would be found. He urged the women to make use of the clothing in the meantime for he had serious doubts any of that family were still alive. In fact, he was certain two were dead – the king and his wife – by his very own hand. But no-one saw that.
Lady Saria’s attendants chattered in excitement and fussed around her, completely oblivious to the fact that she had barely glanced into the looking-glass. Nor did they notice that her beautiful violet eyes shone, not with joy, but with unshed tears. For them, this wedding was a happy occasion, the first celebration of anything for such a long time. It signified the beginning of a bright future for all the gathered clans, the beginning of a new era. They looked forward to their warrior-husbands and brothers being part of Lord Xian’s quest as he had described it, to build a new kingdom and to rescue other lost and homeless Gaians and humans, wherever they might be.
Saria shook her head in frustration, partly to dispel the vision which she knew to be the horrible truth of that future. She felt as tightly-bound as her intricately-braided hair and as lonely as the single forest orchid which decorated it, feeling just as out of place in this opulent, stolen human habitation. Equally intricate and significant of bondage were the clan wedding-tattoos, covering her hands and arms, rendered skillfully in ink-of-violets by her clan-sister. Her heart-pain was hidden from them all, cloaked by Xian skillful deception and deepened by the fact that she had been rendered powerless to reveal the truth, by word or thought. . . to anyone.
In a weirdly detached way, she observed her body, acting out this travesty as if she was watching someone else’s nightmare playing out. Those around her were joyous and laughing, full of hope for their future under Lord Xian’s protection. Her heart was broken in a thousand pieces. Everything was an illusion, created by his irresistible mental powers. The cruel punishment she had been dealt in secret after her lover’s execution was not only to suffer an unwanted marriage, but to know the truth and not be able to do anything about it.
In mute horror, she watched the black-clad lord, destined to be her husband and gaoler, enter the hall. He strode arrogantly through his cheering clan and took his position at her side. The cheering stopped abruptly, as if commanded. The silence became heavy with expectation.
Lord Xian had little need for words but he had delivered a convincing oratory not so long ago, promising them all a new kingdom of their own, somewhere to belong. No more need to hide from persecution. Subterfuge, employed to disguise his real intent, effectively enabled him to lay blame for the devastation elsewhere. His recent conquests of Salmat and two other towns were blamed on a mysterious fire-breathing creature. The city of Salmat was completely burned to the ground, leaving only the large ironstone palace standing. The taking of human slaves from the few survivors appeared to the clan as a rescue, an offer of employment and a place to live. They were all housed within its walls, lost Gaians and humans alike.
On the face of it, here was a glimmer of a better world and everyone seemed grateful, even if not totally happy. They had all been directed to start rebuilding the first city of the new kingdom and had done so without question but progress was very slow. They had next to nothing to work with.
The complete destruction of the city had been somewhat of an accident. Xian had been over-zealous, dealing with a newly acquired and extremely volatile power. Nevertheless, he was still basking in the elation of victory. His edict was almost perfect. He would master this sudden increase in his power, just like everything else in his life. More so, since he had acquired a suitable mentor and assistant, a master of disguise and black magic, even now hidden within the folds of his cloak. To find this new helper, he had been able to cast his mind-sense far out into the Ancient Realm, perfectly cloaking his mental forays into places where, convention would say, he had no right to be. He had found it easy to encourage the entity to sneak from a far corner in that realm, where it had been banished and had waited an eternity for just such an opportunity.
He had summoned it into Existence. Under Xian’s protective mental cloak and a spell of its o
wn, it had even been able to perpetrate the theft of a portion of the Eternal Flame on its way out. Right under the noses of the Guardians! This small measure of Fire, absorbed into his core under the entity’s instruction, was kept there by the same spell of attachment it had used to join itself to Xian. Xian found he could use his projective senses to connect to Luminor’s power over the element. He made an attempt to steal it while his subject had been deep in sleep. Things had gone a little awry, when Luminor woke suddenly and blocked him. Nevertheless, Xian had hung on to what he had learned and after sacking the cities of Senos and Salmat and the occupation of the palace, he had been able to make two more conquests by Fire. So far. He smiled to himself, feeling the energising presence of the wraith. The deaths of his parents and birth-clan would soon be fully compensated. It was within his grasp, to take the place he deserved for all his lonely years and devotion to the arts. . . . as Supreme Lord over the entire Known World.
He had long ago left behind any attachment to his clan roots and had already begun re-modelling Gaian philosophy into something of his own. Many of the individuals he had found had been alienated from their heritage for one reason or another and had almost forgotten the old codes. This had worked in his favour. It had been child’s play to replace disillusion with illusion, almost possible even without his mental skills. These new Gaians, given the same training he had given himself, and with the help of his new ally, would be unstoppable. They would be unquestionably loyal to him. They would be Xians.
The long-standing inability of Gaian women to bear children posed a problem. His plan included the use of human females for breeding purposes. Thus, he had made an effort to avoid killing too many of them, lately using his budding power over Fire to subjugate rather than destroy. He was becoming quite clever at it, he thought. He knew what he’d already achieved was only the start. He looked forward with anticipation to taking the remainder of the Supreme Power. Assisted by the wraith’s magic, he would kill Lord Luminor.
