by Mussie Haile
Facing Eldana, Lord Taboon continued: “First, you surrender and come to us peacefully, and of your own will. There is a delegation waiting for you just within the outskirts of the Ciroc, who will escort you hospitably back.”
“That is never happening,” Siem said sternly.
The orc smiled again. “The second path”, he continued, “is that you refuse, and we are forced to come to apprehend you. You know what that means, that those around you, whom you care about like your friends, and the elves who are harboring you will get hurt.”
Eldana knew now how the orcs had come at the elves without their knowledge. They had help, the bumbling fools. Lord Taboon used them for his own desires.
“I do wish you pick the second choice though. I have never had an elf for my experiments. This would be a wonderful opportunity to have one!”
Suddenly the breeze around the clearing grew stronger until it howled. Branches creaked violently in protest; the leaves beat rapidly against themselves producing a loud swashing sound. It was like a storm was on them.
Eldana had someone shout behind her, and she turned to see Meko, holding, and shaking Fraweyni. Fraweyni’s eyes glowed more than their usual golden. This was brighter. Like fire.
“Mother!” Meko shouted, trying to draw her mother’s attention.
“I think we should leave,” Kochob said, coming upon them.
“What is happening?” Siem asked.
“It is Fraweyni,” Kochob said. “She has not been this way for a very long time.”
“What is happening?” Hermon asked.
“She is annoyed, that is what is happening,” Kochob said. “You should leave. Things could get much worse.”
Just as Hermon and Siem helped Eldana turn around, the commotion slowed. Eldana looked to where Fraweyni sat and saw that the glow in her eyes was diminishing.
All the while, the orc had been watching with a smile on his face.
“What a wonderful display.” Lord Taboon’s voice boomed – but then his voice caught, and he began to choke.
Eldana sensed a burning psychic presence, going through the orc, and to the mind in control of the hex. Eldana turned with astonishment, realizing that the psychic presence was Fraweyni herself.
“Hear me, vile mage. My name is Fraweyni, Child of the First, Daughter of Tessa, Mother of the Elves.”
The skin of the orc glowered like coals and then caught fire.
“You have slain enough of my children. And we are not vacating our natural home for anyone. Again, I warn you. Disturb us again, and you will find that the wrath of the elves is the nightmare you cannot wake from.”
Lord Taboon began to laugh, even as the body of the orc was covered in flames. The smell of burning flesh pervaded the air. Eldana and her friends were forced to retreat as the flames increased in density.
“You are a dying race!” Lord Taboon shouted through the flames. “We will watch you go extinct. Hide in the Ciroc for now, but we will come for you. One day we…”
Lord Taboon’s voice was cut off, as the fire burnt the orc’s speech organs.
The fire lessened to reveal a charred black carcass. Eldana felt Fraweyni’s psychic presence withdraw. Fraweyni shut her eyes and walked out of the clearing without a word.
Siem never knew Fraweyni could be anything other than her usual bright, and happy self. She always looked untouchable, resistant to anything that she did not want to affect her. She saw another side today and knew that she never wanted to be on the wrong side of Fraweyni’s wrath.
“You did not have to see that,” Meko said, as she walked towards the group.
“Oh please, we have seen worse,” Hermon said.
“Hermon,” Siem called. “She is not talking about the burnt orc.”
“Ah,” Hermon said, quietening as he came into the realization of what Meko meant.
“She very rarely gets that way.” Meko continued. “If Lord Taboon values his life, and the joy in it, he should never come in contact with her. She bears grudges.”
“This is one threat I pray Lord Taboon carries through,” Mikko said. “The man should die already.”
“Well, the elves are not ready to go into war just yet. Though with the kind of attacks we have received, and the losses we have taken, I do not know for how long that decision will continue to stand,” Meko said.
“They know where we are now,” Eldana said. “Something has to be done about that.”
The entire group was silent. The next course of action hung in the air, haunting them. The time had come to leave the elves. Though no one had asked them to leave, yet they could not throw Lord Taboon’s threat and the chances of another attack to the wind. A bigger company of orcs might mean more trouble than the elves ever anticipated. The orcs were like pawns, wondering wherever anyone with magic wanted them. They were the loosest race on Toas, with settlements spreading far and just about anywhere there was thick forest. They had no leader.
“Well,” Meko interrupted their dark thoughts, “I should look at your injuries Eldana, and complete the healing process. You are no good to the fate of Toas like this.”
“Thank you, Meko. For everything.” Eldana smiled.
“Do not thank me yet,” Meko replied. “We should head back to the infirmary.”
Siem turned to Mikko and D’rmas. “Eldana’s healing will not take time. And we must be away from here by tomorrow at dawn. While Hermon and I take her to the infirmary, you two should begin to saddle up.”
“Aye, aye, mother.” Mikko mocked.
Siem grimaced. Mikko laughed painfully, while D’rmas grunted. Then she turned and, still supporting Eldana, followed Meko’s lead.
Eldana did not expect the healing process to be this painful. She was grateful that Meko had given her a slim piece of hard, burnished wood to bite on. Meko’s eyes were shut, but they glowed red like coals. Her hands hovered over Eldana’s limbs, and emitted a soft golden glow. Eldana felt like her insides were on fire. She could feel everything moving inside of her. Blood, bone, muscle, tissue. Everything screamed in pain, but she had to be awake to complete the healing process or she would sail away into the light. Siem held her comfortingly, while Hermon stood to one side, watching the process.
Gradually, Eldana’s agitations began to drop as the pain she felt subsided. And then the glow on Meko’s hands dissipated. She opened her eyes.
Eldana was heaving, and sweating profusely. She sat up, and let the piece of wood fall from her mouth.
“How do you feel?” Meko asked. “Any pain?”
“Are you kidding me?” Eldana asked, her eyes widening with excitement. “It hurt so bad, yes. But I feel like a whole new being right now.”
Siem and Hermon’s faces brightened at this, a small piece of good news on an otherwise dark day.
“Do I have the ability to heal?” Eldana asked Meko.
“The being of Balance and Chaos can learn almost all the kind of magics available. That you do not know how to perform a magic skill is because you have not learned it. If you had the time, I would have taught you.”
Eldana smiled and said:
“Perhaps, if all this blows over, and we are still alive, I would be free then, and have almost all the time to learn anything.”
“Perhaps,” Meko said. “You and your friends,” she cast her eyes on Siem, and Hermon who nodded as their eyes met, “will always be welcome among the elves of Ciroc. I am sure my mother feels this way too.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon conveyed their thanks at the honor.
“I should leave you all to get prepared for your departure,” Meko said.
They bade him good night and then watched him walk out of the infirmary, and the friends were silent for a while until Hermon spoke.
“I cannot believe that we are finally getting back on the road.” He said. His voice was
low, as the prospect of continuing on their journey was daunting.
“Same here,” Siem said after a while.
Hermon chuckled, “We have spent so much time here that I have forgotten what it feels like to be on the run, and sleeping out in the open. This place has almost become…”
“Home.” Eldana completed. It had been almost five moons since they first intruded on the elves, she realized. “This place is a home.”
Siem and Hermon looked at her and sighed. They were all saddened at having to leave the beauty and elegance of elf life. At the same time, they were apprehensive at facing the rest of Toas again. They did not know what it was going to be like, but they knew they would not meet it the same way they had left it.
“What time have you all decided to leave?” a voice said, interrupting their silence.
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon turned to see Fraweyni walking towards them. She had a smile on her face, and the light seemed to have returned to her.
“We…Wh… Uhm…” Eldana stuttered.
“Meko told you we were leaving?” Siem asked.
“No,” Fraweyni replied with a smile. “You just did.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon laughed.
“Well, if it helps,” Fraweyni said, “you did not entirely tell me everything. The other half I conjectured for myself. I have spent to long in this world, and I am about the wealthiest person alive when it comes to experience and knowledge. With what had just occurred, I knew you would be blaming yourselves and would want to leave immediately to prevent something like what happened today from happening again.”
“Exactly,” Eldana replied. “But we would not have left without telling you. We just did not know if it was feasible to approach you after…”
“Yes.” Fraweyni said, nodding understandably, “After my temper. I am sorry you all had to see that. Call it a cup I had been storing for ages, now gone full.”
“We understand,” Siem said. “And I hope you understand why we must leave?”
“Yes, I do. But not for some of the reasons you have.”
The three of them gave Fraweyni puzzled looks. She smiled.
“Let me put things succinctly. First, those orcs might have come here looking for you, Eldana, but it was not your fault that elves had to die for it. You heard the mage. It was always bound to happen. Elves have been killed in like manner in the past. So, leave the guilt from the reasons why you are leaving us. But, if you are leaving because the world is rapidly falling apart, and you need to fix it before it falls beyond repair, then I understand. Though Kochob argues that you, Eldana, are not fully trained, yet.”
Eldana nodded, thanking the Elf Queen for her understanding. “What about you?” she asked.
“What about me?” Fraweyni enquired.
“Well, Kochob says I am not ready yet. But what do you think?”
“I think, there is no time for any of us to get fully ready. The way the world is unravelling does not allow for that. We can only equip ourselves with what is necessary, and hope to gain more on our way to battle.”
Eldana nodded respectfully. “Thank you,” she told Fraweyni.
Fraweyni nodded, “There is someone though you have to meet before you can have a chance at restoring order and balance without dying.”
“Who is that?” Eldana asked. “Another teacher?”
“Something like that. You will learn a few things from her. Things that may turn out to be fundamental to your victory.”
“Where is she, and who?” Siem wondered.
“Well, as for where she is at Piece Island.”
“Piece Island?!” They all chorused in unison.
“That is exactly what I said,” Fraweyni said. “Piece Island.”
“But that would warrant us exposing ourselves to the main roads and cities. And in doing that we risk capture.” Siem protested.
“All that has been put into consideration, and that is why you all will be going by sea,” Fraweyni said with calm authority.
“What an adventure,” Eldana said drily.
“An adventure indeed,” Fraweyni said.
“I do not think any of us have any experience steering a ship.” Siem expressed.
Fraweyni smiled. “There will be no need for that.” She said mysteriously. “The ship was a gift from a family of Technocons. They were helpful to us during our stay in Kleas.”
The Technocons wanted peace and progress, Eldana understood. At times, they behaved like they were the father of all the races. It was easy to relate with the elves who were equally as peace-loving as the technocons.
“So you are saying, we would not need to steer her?” Hermon enquired.
“No. The ship steers itself. It seems to have a recollection of all locations in Toas. All you need to do is select your intended location and it takes you there. There are provisions though, for the ship to be controlled manually, too.”
Eldana, Siem, and Hermon conveyed their gratitude and appreciation for everything to Fraweyni. Fraweyni merely smiled.
“I do hope this is not the end for all of us. It would be nice to have you, all of you, here again. Well, I have said enough. You all should get some rest. You have a long voyage ahead of you. And speaking of voyage, the ship is going to avoid ports and harbors along its routes. It would take you far out of the waters near Kleas. You will ride close to the Hinterlands... Beware of this place, as it is true to its name! Once you are out of the waters of the Hinterland, and the Technocon, Piece Island is before you.”
The friends thanked her again before Eldana called to the Elf Queen one last time,
“Mother. I can call you that, right?”
Fraweyni stopped, her hand holding the infirmary’s entrance flap open. Without turning, she smiled.
“You can call me anything you want, Eldana. If I have deserved that name, then I am the happier for it.”
Eldana smiled.
“Okay. Mother, you did not tell me anything about who I am meeting at the Piece Island.”
Fraweyni paused for moments before speaking, “The person you are going to meet is like yourself.”
Eldana did not understand what Fraweyni had said immediately, but her eyes widened an instant later when comprehension dawned on her.
“Are you saying the person we are going to meet is a being of Balance and Chaos, like Eldana?” Siem asked She had a surprise all over her face. And it was not just her. All of them.
“Yes,” Fraweyni replied.
“How?” Hermon asked.
“My question exactly,” Eldana said. “How?”
Mikko and D’rmas stood at the periphery, no less interested in the answer to Hermon’s question. The birds seemed to have stopped their singing, hanging overhead on tree branches, and the wind made the grass beneath them bend towards the mother of the elves to hear what she had to say.
“I do not think I am in the best position to answer that,” Fraweyni replied. “However, I think that when you meet her, all questions you have will be answered. I should leave you now. We may meet again, just before you leave.”
Bidding them a pleasant rest, Fraweyni walked off into the night, leaving the friends to stare helplessly at themselves.
At first light, Eldana, and Siem were already up and prepared. They had slept in a different place from the men and wondered if the men were up already or still sleeping where they were.
“How are you feeling?” Siem asked Eldana as they sat together on the bed. Siem still harbored concern for Eldana’s well-being, especially after yesterday.
“Siem, I am fine. Really.” Eldana replied.
Just then, they heard the snap of fingers in rapid succession just outside the tent. Eldana and Siem snapped to attention before they heard Meko’s voice.
“It is me,” the elf said. “Can I come in?”
“Y
es, please,” Siem said.
“I was not expecting you to be awake,” Meko said as she came in. “Not with the stress you all went through yesterday.”
“Well, we decided that the earlier we move on, the quicker we get all this over with,” Siem said.
“I feel the same way too,” Meko said. “If you are all set, we should be on our way. Kochob went over to the boys. He will be coming with them.”
“This is goodbye to a comfortable bed, a roof over our head, safety, and proper food!” Eldana said.
Siem sighed, “Indeed.”
“Perhaps,” Meko said, “You should garner solace in the fact that if we all survive this, we can be as comfortable as we want to be. If you find and end to this chaos thing, we might have a chance to live in peace forever.”
The early morning air was cool and gentle, carrying the humble and silent demeanor of an infant child. The trees bowed gently, ruffling their leaves in response to each gust of wind. Where Eldana and Siem’s footfalls constituted part of the symphony of early morning sounds, Meko’s was noiseless. Like her feet were not touching the ground at all. Eldana and Siem followed Meko through a few clearings that contained a scattering of tents. If the elves were awake, they did not indicate. The entrance to the tents flapped, but other than that, revealed nothing else.
They took a turn, then ventured into the woods. They walked on in silence, boots squashing against shrubs wet from early morning dew.
“How long till we get there?” Eldana asked. She had not seen any of the men. They had probably set off before them to see the ship, letting their curiosity get the better of them.
It was not that she had grown tired from working, far from that. In fact, since her healing session with Meko, Eldana felt extraordinarily strong. Like some new pocket of health and vitality had been discovered inside of her. They walked for a few miles under a cloud of silence, until Eldana sought to dispel it.
“It is not too far away now,” Meko said, and then a cunning smile grew on her face. “You know, if you both want, I could carry both of you in my arms, and run towards our destination.”
