by Adrian Juhl
Chapter 5
Cravius held the young silver wolf in his arms. He looked at Namorn and whispered, "Shem. I'm going to call him Shem."
"Why Shem?"
"It's dad's middle name, shortened from Shemuel."
"I think it's a great name, Cravius." Namorn paused for a moment. "Look, I need you to come to the council meeting in place of your father. It's your birthright. You just need to be there."
Cravius closed his eyes. "And support my mother."
"Yes. She's in charge of Aazronia and the balance of nature for that world. She'll need our help to get through this."
"I would have it no other way," Cravius replied.
"Excellent! Grab your puppy then and let's go."
They exited the hut and made their way up the slope, along the gravel road, to a large building located at the side of the hill. Small streams of light beaded through its intricately woven thatched roof.
Inside, the Magistrate sat with his daughter, Zemerela. Cravius had never seen a girl with golden hair before. Her skin also fascinated him--not bronze, but alabaster. She smiled at him across the room, but he was oblivious to her welcome. With a grin, Zemerela leant down and touched the hard, wooden floor. A small, magical spark traveled across its surface in tiny arcs until it reached Cravius' toes.
"Ow!" Cravius cried out, as he leapt off the floor in shock.
Zemerela placed her hand over her mouth in an effort to stifle her laughter. The council of Druids looked across the room at Cravius in silent disapproval. Dalynia stared at her son and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, something...bit me." He surveyed the room, trying to locate the source of his discomfort.
With a sigh, Namorn led the young Druid to their seats on the woven flax mat that covered the floor. He took his place beside Marcus and motioned to Cravius to sit beside Zemerela. Zemerela turned to apologize but was cut short by a fierce look from Marcus. She bit her top lip and motioned her regret for almost breaking Druid protocol.
Gaiana stared at the four guests as they awaited the arrival of the final participant. Awkward silence filled the air. Tardiness was a bigger offense than speaking out of turn in the council chambers. Dalynia sat still with her fellow council members, meditating on the issues that were to be discussed.
A loud crash from outside, followed by the booming voice of Apothecary John, interrupted their meditations as he entered the room. "Now who puts a bin outside a doorway? Anyone could easily trip and knock themselves out."
John's armored bulk struggled to fit through the doorway. He smiled, acknowledging Marcus as he squeezed into the small space between Gaiana and the petite Dalynia. Dalynia shuffled away from the protruding golden eagle of John's shoulder piece that obscured her view of the proceedings.
"So why the doom and gloom? Marcus and his tribe are here. All we have to do is open up the Druid moon pool and head home to avenge the fallen."
No one stirred as Gaiana stood and glared angrily at John. Realizing his mistake, he tried to apologize. "Oh, sorry. Broke the silence and everyth-"
"Shall we finally begin?" Gaiana asked as she raised her arms motioning to her fellow Druids to light the candles distributed around the room. John's face grew solemn as he clasped his hands together in prayer. He scanned the room. Tears filled his eyes as the significance of Garos' absence hit him. A small catch in his breath betrayed his sorrow at the loss of his friend. His face contorted, a thousand questions unanswered in the somber silence.
"We offer up our hearts to the Mother of all. We offer up our grief to her grace. We give our thanks for the grace and life of Garos Shemuel Dearsong who surrendered his life to preserve those of his sisters and brothers whom he had yet to meet."
The flames of the candles grew in response to Gaiana's offering. John dropped his head to his knees, sobbing quietly in his grief. Dalynia placed her small, delicate hand on the towering man.
Gaiana motioned with her hands, the candlelight dimmed, and the fire-pit in the center of the room burst into life. She looked over at Marcus demanding, "What happened?"
Marcus stood, choosing his words carefully. "Druid Mother, we came in search for help. The abomination threat on Aazronia has overrun our defenses. The great towers that kept us safe have been filled with a terrible toxin that killed many of our brothers and sisters, forcing us to the ground. The defensive line was overcome by monstrosities that lay in wait. A single being made themselves known, a Treant by the name of Leaftorn who appeared to have some sort of power over the beasts. Never before have the mindless creatures behaved in such a fashion."
Dalynia looked startled. Gaiana turned to her in disbelief. "Dalynia, Aazronia is under your protection. Explain your caretaker's actions."
Dalynia shook her head. Confused and overwhelmed, she struggled to fathom the cascade of events in her mind. "I, I do not know, Mother. When I visited during the summer solstice, I received only one complaint that was dealt with swiftly."
With Dalynia's recent loss in mind, Gaiana proceeded cautiously with a loving tone. "Tell me more."
"The Aazronian casters were not happy in their floating towers. They wanted to farm food and reconnect with the elements. They established a small village under the towers that angered the Treants. Small skirmishes ensued when the Elementals traveled into the old forest that is the Treants' home. We held a meeting and it was agreed that the Aazronians could keep the small farming village. In return, they would not explore beyond that area."
Gaiana held her hand up, motioning to Dalynia to pause. "Magistrate Marcus, was a change to the treaty agreed to?"
"Yes, mother."
"And was it strictly honored? You see, Treants take their agreements very seriously, but humans...well let's just say there was a reason the elders felt it prudent to keep the Aazronians in their towers."
John stood angrily. "Do not play games with me, Marcus. I left Aazronia for eight months to tend to State matters and now your people, the people I have a sworn duty to administer as part of the Empire, are refugees!"
Marcus fumed, glaring back at John. "You mean police, don't you?"
"If I were there to police you, do you think I would've entrusted you to lead your people unsupervised? You're their Magistrate, descended from the bloodline of their Kings. How difficult is it to ask you to enforce the law in my absence?"
Marcus lowered his head in shame. "You are right, dear friend. I failed in my duty. The Elementals were dissatisfied with the soil. It was difficult to grow food, so they ventured into the old forest in search of better topsoil."
Dalynia stood abruptly. "So the Elementals broke the treaty by stealing the life soil of the Treants?"
"Please, Dalynia. They failed to realize the importance of the soil to the Treants, but yes, they broke the treaty. That's when they retaliated."
Gaiana sat on the floor once more. Everyone followed suit except John. Dalynia touched John's hand, her warm magic soothing his anger. The fury in his eyes faded, and he returned to his seat.
The Druids' eyes began to glow as they consulted in silence with nature and the will of the land. Gaiana stood and spoke to Marcus. "The moon is almost at its Zenith. Quickly, gather your belongings and your people and move to the moon pool. The Druid council will accompany you and attempt to broker a new peace. As Hierophant I can open the moon portal but we don't have much time. Hurry. We leave now before it's too late to repair the damage."
Dalynia stood, clutching her staff, and whispered to John, "I believe the damage is already too great to repair."
