He waited in his room, hungry but uncaring, and read in a bestiary until the sun began to rise high in the sky. Then, he walked down the stairs and made his way to his lab, where the new Orpus was growing. The tree was already quite tall from his careful enhancement of its growth rate and occasional speech to it.
Clearly, the tree was going to be successful, and the ghosted roots already allowed it to move from where he had planted it, slipping over and under the dirt just like a smaller, younger Orpus Strodusial. The thought of the old tree left Edmath tasting nostalgia. He wondered what the tree would be doing now. Perhaps another student had befriended it. Perhaps not.
Putting those thoughts out of his mind, Edmath walked over to the desk by the door. He drew a seal on a dried leaf he’d taken from an ordinary tree in the garden earlier that day and went into the courtyard with the Orpus. Placing the seal on the bark of the twelve-foot-tall tree, he pressed it tight to the trunk.
He drew a striker. He opened a tear and used the magic from it to transfer the seal. It was an experimental seal. If this new idea worked, he may have revolutionized the Orpus.
“Keep straight, good Orpus,” he whispered and walked back into the lab to retrieve a pitcher. Returning to the Orpus, he poured the water over its shifting roots. The seal would take time to mature and the tree still had to grow.
He could gain a name for himself if this worked. It had been at Lexine Park that he realized that Orpus Strodusial could understand human speech. The next logical step was to make a tree that could itself speak. Of course, it might not be possible, with the physiology of trees being so different from that of humans, but Edmath remembered the stones and how life could hide even within them.
Life from a stone would be a break of the curtain, beyond the limits of all the world’s wizards thus far, the purview of only Serem the creator. Every part of magic was alive, and thus the stone, which could never have lived, was far beyond being affected by magic, farther than even a desiccated piece of bone.
Magic and life flowed together, the Hesiats said. Decaying flesh within strikers and wielded by living Saales could open the tears that led to the ghostly world of magic, releasing the life into the mortal world. Edmath thought of the transfer simply as borrowing from the dead when he considered the nature of the action. It was all part of the life cycle, according to Hesiats. Of course, according to the Roshi’s prophet from centuries ago and their current national faith, it was abhorrent, a violation of the dead.
Edmath took up his striker and opened a tear in the curtain near the door of the inner garden. He had been out of practice with the arts since the duel. His plants grew no slower now thanks to his tweaking of hand signs to work with only one set of usable fingers.
He grew a vine from the magical stream flowing through the garden’s center. In rare places, tears opened naturally, and thus the Roshi conception could be proved wrong. The tears at the center of Serem’s temple in Vishelen had been open for generations, the center of the Hesiatic Orders’ tradition.
No one could prove it wasn’t simply the product of an abnormally powerful striker, so the Roshi went on with their own ways. If they cared one way or the other, their ministers did not say officially.
Shaping and expanding the shifting lengths of vine into a ladder, Edmath rode the growing plant to the next floor, above his lab.
The empty balcony overlooking the garden fell away beneath him and he rode the vine higher, while it supported itself against the building. He opened a new tear as he ran out of magic and poured the flow from of magic from it into the vine until he could see over the building to the palace domes beyond. His stomach lurched and air whistled in his ears. The inner garden’s walls soared over the outer courtyards and buildings.
The morning shadows seemed vaguely ominous to Edmath. The Roshi were up to something, something that went beyond the diplomacy they officially showed and back to the uncompromising views that divided them and the Zel for so long. Surely Tamina had been up to something the previous night, or she would not have been bloody, whether from a wound she dealt or one she received.
Climbing down his vine, Edmath stepped onto the balcony of the second story. He followed the hallway outside it and through the Saale research building to a grand staircase with Brosk waiting below him on the steps. Brosk looked up from the ground.
“I presume you have been up to something since the council yesterday?”
“I have, Brosk. I really should tell you this amazing news.”
“Come out with it, then.” Brosk grinned ferociously. “I can’t wait here all day.”
“Chelka and I are to be married. She proposed yesterday.”
Brosk’s grin only broadened.
“I had a feeling it was something of that nature, as in I overheard a snatch of words between her and the Hearth Emperor today. Her father seems happy as well.”
“I hoped he would be, but I am glad to hear it nonetheless.”
Brosk laughed loudly as he started down the stairs. Edmath followed him, thinking of how Zemoy Benisar might have reacted to the news. Chelka probably had to be tactful to keep him from raging if he hadn’t liked it. Edmath hoped it hadn’t been necessary.
Chelka
Spinning tentacles unfolded from the giant squid’s body and grasped for Zemoy. Chelka’s father, fully within his tosh and sporting four royal limbs of his own, grabbed onto one of them with one of his heavy tentacles. The squid lifted him from the water with a flick of its long limb and dropped him gently onto the port house balcony beside Chelka.
She looked at him and he returned the gaze he as he shifted back into a fully human shape. Behind Chelka, her younger brother, Jeref laughed and pointed over the water. Father’s squid had fastened its tentacles around the supports of the pier and rose out of the water near the family.
“He’s happy,” Jeref said. “I think dad gave him a good struggle this time.”
Chelka usually would have smiled at the squid wrestling as well. Her nerves did allow that at the moment. Father was trying to decide whether or not to allow her engagement to Edmath.
Bassa, the oldest of Chelka’s sisters, walked past Chelka and their father and spoke in a loud stage whisper of the squid language. “Aberan, you be careful with father. He is getting older, you know.”
The giant squid’s rumbling reply came back with the rise of a tentacle.
“He is more experienced but no slower.”
Chelka glanced at Jeref who surprised her again, for now being almost as tall as she was. He had shot up over the last three years, for sure, and he would likely be of similar stature to father. Zemoy touched Bassa’s arm and she turned back from the railing.
“Aberan is right.” He took a towel from their mother and dried the outside of his sodden-wet shift cloak. “I’m in no danger with him.”
“Not many men, even young ones, can wrestle a squid of his greatness.” Mother handed father his sandals and he put bent down to put them on.
Then mother nodded to Bassa, who looked back from the railing all delicate features and long black hair. Chelka had always admired her for a natural gracefulness Chelka herself was only now gaining. Bassa paced around the puddles of water father had left on the stone tiles and made her way over to Chelka and Jeref.
She put a hand on Chelka’s shoulder.
“I know fewer men that would do it after hearing his daughter is to be married.”
“Thank you, sister,” Chelka said. Her gaze stayed on her father. Water continued to drip from his arms.
Father shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, sending more water pattering onto the tiles.
“You all know I make my best decisions in the heat of battle.”
Chelka bit her lip. Her father could mean anything by that. Zemoy massaged the bent and scarred bridge of his nose.
“Congratulations Chelka. I’m glad you’ve made up your mind.”
“Thank you, father. You honor me.” Chelka gripped her rega and bowed in his
direction, in part to hide the spreading grin on her face.
He laughed.
“My daughter, I am happy with your decision as a true Benisar, and you still bow to me like I am a tyrant. What did I do to deserve these children of mine?” Zemoy beamed and swept his dripping arm over the railing. Drops of water speckled the tiles while others rippled on the water’s surface.
Mother smiled and walked over to him, offering a hand which he took. Chelka knew her father and mother well enough to guess what each of them was thinking about. Father had approved of Edmath for a long time, but it was Mother who would be the one to plan the wedding. She accepted Edmath after a while, but never quite approved of letting matters go so long untended.
Hopefully, she didn’t see Edmath as being an inconvenience, which she might. At the moment he had little money, and would never be as wealthy as a tribal royal. Mother should not have to worry about those things. The Benisar family had prospered even more than most within the past few years and Edmath was an imperial Saale.
“You are very generous parents.” Chelka’s answer to Zemoy’s joke came out sounding strange to her. She had more to say than she could put into words. “Thank you.”
Mother smiled gently. Father brought his hands together in a loud clap.
“Very good, now this will keep us busy for a while. Children, your mother and I should speak alone. Be scarce for a bit.”
“Yes, father.” Bassa took Jeref by the shoulder and the two of them followed Chelka into the tall dock house. Looking over her shoulder, Chelka saw her brother gazing back as well.
Bassa raised her brows.
“I’m sure they aren’t talking about anything to trouble you.”
“For certain.” Chelka swallowed and turned away.
Her father had not refused the wedding date either. She and Edmath would be married next week, on the first end-day. There was just enough time to get the word out around the city, but most of the guests were already here. A royal princess marrying a man without even a tosh would be gossip to many.
Chelka walked out into the hallway, wondering if there would be spectators or well-wishers enough for the traditional squid tribe dances. Such celebrations were always so grand back in Sizali. She decided it would be well with or without them. She and Edmath would be together.
The week before the wedding crawled past Edmath in the steady stream of council meetings. As plans formed for the wedding, Edmath became impatient with some of the council sessions. Wedding planning involved varying groups that always included Sampheli Mierzon and her twirling violet parasol. Of all the reactions Edmath had expected from her, the incredible glowing enthusiasm was more than he’d dared hope for.
She clearly saw his luck to be marrying a princess. He agreed with her more than he could explain. Of course, the general preparations were also overseen by Lesi Benisar, Chelka’s mother, who quickly found them a garden in the outer palace for Sampheli to perform the ceremony. The current session of the Council of Kings, meanwhile, wound down just before the Festival of Chesh began. As the week went on, Edmath realized that the wedding was going to be a larger event than he first thought.
Brosk arrived at his room late in the fifth-day afternoon and handed him the guest-list Zemoy Benisar had compiled. The names grew from kings and queens and Imperial Saales to include both other lower emperors and the Saale Hierophant, Nelna Rumenha. The High Emperor had been invited in person by Zemoy, but would most certainly not attend. He rarely oversaw such functions in recent years.
Edmath marveled at the length and weight of some of the names. The visiting kings and queens of the oceanic tribes were invited of course. Edmath noticed Ahenesrude Naopaor, Brosk’s father, and Semana Nane and her twin Saale Children, Razili and Oresso, as well as Leus Ogusotha, the Oyster King, in particular. The Worm King, Kassel Onoi and the Swan Queen, Gellia Dayull and with her family were listed at the bottom of the page.
Edmath wondered at the two tribes, so closely tied to each other. Their domains in the center of the empire became one long ago, even before the three warlords united the nations. Edmath lingered on the name of the Worm King, remembering what little he knew of his father who belonged to the same tribe. He’d seen the image of Jurat Donroi’s strange double attack the village of Beliu on Dreamwater through the flame augury and hated to think what it could mean.
He lowered the list, thinking quickly to change the subject.
“Say, Brosk, do you think we will need more entertainment? I feel as though these kings and queens will not attend alone and their attendants will need a diversion, you see.” Edmath looked up from the pages before him and grinned playfully. Of all things, he saw Brosk frowning.
“You may be right.” The whale prince raised his eyebrows. “I know few performers in this city, though, and his Excellency, Emperor Benisar does not seem to consider the entertainment a problem as long as people dance.”
“Of course, the squid dance. I will look into something for the reception. It would not be right to leave the guests bored after the ceremony and the feast.”
“Indeed.” Brosk took the guest list from Edmath and grinned suddenly. “I think his highness King Onoi might be able to help us. He travels with a troupe of performers known for their skills in classical comedy and stage drama.”
“Is that so? I will have to speak with him, and quickly.”
“Just don’t ask for one of his higher plays. Comedy suits the occasion better, I think.” Brosk turned and started down the hallway outside the room, avoiding a procession of servants going the opposite direction.
Edmath returned to his room and let the door close behind him. His new rega hung by the shades of his windows, pristine and white. The sash was what marked a royal from a commoner in courts of the kings and emperors of Zel. For his entire life as a Saale, Edmath had worn the black sash of a commoner, an orphan, and now he would be nobility. Everything came together with this. His father’s name would disappear. His future would be provided greater chances and his work honored, and Chelka would be with at the center of his life. He had not planned on this wedding, because it would be too much to hope for, much like the rega hanging by the curtains. Edmath walked to the window and brushed the shade aside. He looked out at the palace grounds where the servants of the visiting kings and queens had set up camp. For the moment he managed to only worried about small things, like finding Kassel Onoi and his actors.
Edmath found the Worm King by questioning the servants at the gates and taking their directions to a structure called the King’s Dome. Kassel Onoi and his retinue were wandering in the northwest gardens near the monument to the Worm Tribe. That was where Edmath found them.
The Worm King was accompanied at the time, by no men or women, but instead, by four great identical beasts that Edmath recognized as urliens from his bestiary, the two-armed greater worms created by the tribe’s early Saales as loyal servants and bodyguards many generations ago.
Urliens had no faces but were covered in heavy scales and fur from halfway up their bodies. Bright crests of long hair emerged from their backs in colors ranging from orange to pale gold. One of the creatures danced around the monument on its large bear-like paws, holding it’s wriggling serpentine tale aloft. The Worm King clapped his hands rhythmically in time with the animal’s movements.
Edmath watched from a distance as it spun and stepped and leapt from claw to claw. The urliens were, of course, a combination animal like the levoths and the Roshi’s miraches, but in this case, were formed from bears and worms. Turning toward Edmath, Kassel Onoi smiled.
“Do you enjoy this one’s dance?” he said. “I find it rather relaxing to watch, and as a king, I endure enough discord as to seem incredible.”
Edmath approached Kassel with a chuckle, then dipped his head in a shallow bow.
“I could have guessed that.”
“Yes, I bet you could. You are the Imperial Court Saale, Edmath Donroi. I have heard about the excitement in your life already. It�
��s amazing how much you have been called to do for Zel since you arrived here.”
Bowing his head, Edmath brushed the edge of his black sash. He knew Kassel was talking about the duel Edmath had fought with Ursar Kiet, but he did not want to talk about it. The scars on his recently recovered hand were still red, fresh, and not fully painless.
“I feel my research will be fruitful.”
“Yes, but if you had not fought that man from Roshi, we might be at war now.” Kassel Onoi nodded with satisfaction. “This nation is not ready to lose another generation in open battle.”
“Was war really that near?”
“War with Roshi is always near.”
“Who else is there who would challenge our sovereignty?”
The Worm King frowned.
“The world is a larger place than Zel and Roshi, Edmath. There are threats without end.”
“I take your meaning, your highness. Now I come to you with something less serious on my mind.”
“What is it, Saale Donroi? I think you are not speaking openly.”
Edmath lifted his head from the bow he’d held since approaching. The Worm King proved personable. Still, he could become difficult if he did not wish to supply the actors.
“To be open, then. I am to be married this coming first end-day. I feel the festivities risk being dull for lacking account for the number of servants that will surely accompany the guests my betrothed’s father has suggested.”
Kassel raised his eyebrows.
“Married? Then the rest makes sense to me. Between the two of us, I find that Emperor Benisar is rather too interested in food to pay much attention to fun.”
Edmath smiled as the Worm King chuckled. Zemoy had sent Edmath a vast list of foods that no wedding day should be without earlier that week.
Spells of the Curtain Volume One Page 16
