“Idrithar,” Zhane spoke up. “We also need to discuss what happens afterward, when the Dark Figure is gone and when the woísts are dead. We need to help the people groups rebuild and find courage. The Black Steeds didn’t just rise up, they had law and order, and initiated campaigns to ensure people understood the law. From there they controlled the world through fear and violence. We need a strategy so that the people groups will not sink into strife when this reign of terror ends.”
“We need the Watchers,” Idrithar added.
“You need more than the Watchers,” Leaka added. “In the Western World we have Rulers for each country and we have the Watchers. We have law and order, but the people groups live in freedom.”
“You know much about the political ongoings in the Western World,” Zhane remarked.
Leaka nodded, “Yes, due to our Father’s influence. We should discuss further. I have some ideas.”
Idrithar frowned, he had no doubt the Mermis had ideas. “Pray do enlighten us,” he told Leaka.
Leaka stepped to the middle of the floor, tossing her red hair over one shoulder. She moved her hands as she spoke. “In days of old, there was the Order of the Wise to guide the on goings in the Western World. In addition to the Order of the Wise, there were Rulers in each of the major countries in the Western World to guard the welfare of the people groups and to protect the land against intruders and lawlessness. In exchange for this protection, the people groups were expected to offer tribute and obey the law of the land. If you wish to convert the South World to the control and reign of White Steeds, you must set up Rulers in the major countries. And if you desire to set up Rulers, you will need wisdom and a show of strength to convert the people to your way. The Crons and Tiders in the fortress below speak of the Way of Phimm. There is a hollow fear when they lift their voices. You will have to show the people groups you can not only protect them but also you can stand against their enemies, the ones they fear.”
Idrithar grunted in agreement.
“Idrithar and I have traveled the South World many times,” Zhane spoke up, stroking his chin with one hand, his eyes dark in consideration. “In the west, the main countries are Castle Range, Sidell, and the Torrents Towers. It would take a great force and show of strength and power to hold those cities.”
“Those are the essential countries,” Indonesia agreed. “The Black Steeds have put down strong roots there. You need to consider how to overcome them, for the war is only the beginning of peace.”
“Well then,” Idrithar brought his hands together, closing the conversation. “We have many things to discuss in the future. This has been a productive conversation, but come, let’s open the doors and invite in the others so we may discuss the war strategy.”
Sletaira moved toward the double doors, flicking her wheat-colored hair behind her shoulders and pulled them open. A rush of golden light flowered into the room, and a tingling sound rushed through the air, like chimes blowing in a breeze.
64
Eliesmore
Eliesmore walked into the hall with his companions, noticing the gathering was similar to the first council he’d attended at the fortress. Although it was less than a year again since that frightful day when Idrithar explained the three deeds, it seemed he’d grown much older since then. Once again, the Green Company assembled with the exception of the Iaens and Arldrine.
“Welcome,” Idrithar stood in the middle of the room, his hands resting on the table which held the map along with quills and ink. The room seemed to be higher in the castle, for the ceiling was made of glass and light flowed down, resting upon their heads like a beacon of grace. “I have called this council to discuss the strategy for the war,” Idrithar continued. “Each of you has an important role to play not only in the war but also in changing the hearts and minds of the people groups. I would like us to discuss and be of one mind before we relay instructions to the new White Steeds in the fortress. I requested the Mermis grant us access to the Cloud Kingdom that we may strategize here, rather than below. It may be that I am being over cautious, yet we have many new White Steeds and cannot be one-hundred percent sure of their loyalties yet. Indonesia, please, enlighten us in regard to the on goings in the fortress. We walked in on a celebration, yet you have been here with the White Steeds for the better part of the winter.”
Indonesia stepped forward, her dark eyes regarding them as she spoke. “Aye. After the battle in Castle Range, in which my brethren from the Western World came to our aid, we returned here, to the fortress. Eliesmore, the army came for you and will fight, but only under your instructions.”
Eliesmore nodded. He had an army, an enemy but no plan. Suddenly he understood why Idrithar was adamant they return to the fortress. “Where did they come from?” He asked Indonesia. “All the people at the fortress?”
Indonesia gave him a look he could not quite decipher. “Once the Green Light was set in the sky, they came from across the South World. They realized the words of the prophecy are coming true, and they came to be part of a great movement. Many are tired of living in fear and will face death one way or another. Perhaps they believe if they fight for what is right, they will gain salvation.”
“Perhaps,” Idrithar nodded. “There is forgiveness for all. And for the benefit of those gathered, tell us what has been done with the White Steeds since returning to the fortress?”
“The Mermis of the Western World are trained for combat,” Indonesia continued. “They are instructing those who gather here in the ways of battle so they can defend themselves and fight with us.”
Eliesmore recalled his lessons with the sword and spoke up again. “Are they good warriors?”
“Some of them are,” Leaka put in, “but some are quite new and need years of training before they will be any good. I recommend sending out the strongest warriors first and letting the weaker ones lag behind, to protect them.”
“Which brings us to the war strategy,” Idrithar moved the meeting to the next topic. “Wekin, if you will, please come finish the map.”
“Aye,” Wekin grinned, striding to the table and leaning over it, scribbling in lines for rivers and rounding out the terrain.
Eliesmore still did not grasp how Wekin understood mapping so well.
“Eliesmore, do you have a plan in mind?” Idrithar asked, turning his unreadable eyes on Eliesmore.
For a brief moment, Eliesmore got the feeling that Idrithar did not want him to speak. There was a level of control Idrithar maintained and looking to Eliesmore as the leader was not something he was comfortable with.
“I am sure you have a plan in mind,” Eliesmore addressed Idrithar. “Proceed and I will add my thoughts as necessary.”
“Come,” Indonesia motioned for them all to stand around the map.
“We must go to Sidell,” Idrithar pointed at the city that lay south of the Cascade Mountains as they gathered.
“The Dark Figure will expect us, he..she…will be prepared,” Zhane crossed his arms, standing apart from them. His brows were furrowed as if he were in deep consideration.
“Listen,” Indonesia stood in front of them, holding up her hands. “Listen and do not despair. It has been almost a year since you set out. The Dark Servant has been vanquished. The Dark One is no more.” She paced the length of the room, facing each of them in turn.
Idrithar and Zhane stood tall, arms folded across their chest. Wekin glanced up from the map, his face perturbed as he stared at Indonesia. Yamier sat down, raising an eyebrow as he glanced from Leaka to Sletaira.
“It does not matter that you are here, or that the Green Stone is dissolved,” Indonesia went on.
Eliesmore gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of her words. His accomplishments meant nothing.
“Even as the White Steeds increase, the Black Steeds triple their numbers. The Dark Figure was prepared for these events, which is why the woísts came up from the Holesmoles, and why the armies of the Western World have come to your aid. The west has fal
len, and if you would take it back, you will need more than a war to take back the world. You will have to ensure evil is never allowed to rise again. You need the Rulers and the Watchers to keep this world safe and balance the powers of good and evil.”
Eliesmore studied Indonesia. Her words caught him by surprise as did the knowledge she displayed. It seemed she knew more, much more of the turning of events than she appeared to. He searched his memories for what history taught him about the Mermis. They gave the Five Warriors the power of invincibility and revealed their knowledge to none. There was much more to the Mermis than they let on. He narrowed his eyes, letting his gaze rest on Indonesia, Sletaira, and Leak. Children of Heroes. What did they know? What were they hiding?
Idrithar pursed his lips and moved over the map, snatching the quill out of Wekin’s hands. He drew an X on the map over Sidell. “We set sail through Oceantic and come up the eastern end of Sanga San. From there half the army should march up the coast to Sidell while the other half sail onward to meet on the edge of Sidell. We don’t know what we will face as we march…”
“We should send scouts ahead by air,” Zhane interrupted.
“Our brethren are prepared, as are the Zikes,” Leaka nodded at him.
Eliesmore noted the two shared a look, an understanding. There was something between them. “You mention Zikes,” Eliesmore directed the question to Leaka. “You don’t mean the Zikes I brought from Daygone?”
Leaka studied him. “No, there were Zikes that came from the Western World, perhaps even the same ones our Father controlled during the days of the Five Warriors. I was unaware you brought Zikes from Daygone, how did you come by them?”
“They followed me,” Eliesmore added shortly, unwilling to devolve more details.
“There shall be five main divisions of the army,” Idrithar continued. “The Mermis and the Silver Herd leading the air attack along with the Xctas. The Xctas and Zikes also serve as our scouts. There will be the army on horseback and the army on foot. Additionally, the Zikes can release a wave of poison once we reach Sidell.”
“We should discuss the roles and who will lead each of the divisions,” Indonesia suggested.
It seemed that he and Indonesia had a strategy, they discussed the roles for the archers, the Xctas, the Zikes, the army on horseback, the army on foot, and eventually Eliesmore found his thoughts drifting. He sat down, waiting for them to be done. It didn’t matter what they thought nor what they planned.
Idrithar picked up a quill and began to make markings on the map, ruining Wekin’s beautiful work. “It would be best to attack on two sides. Two ships with the horses, archers and an army of Zikes should make landfall further down in the Sanga San. From there the other two ships should continue northwards and make landfall closer to the city of Sidell.”
“There is a flaw in this plan,” Zhane pointed to the northern side of Sidell. “The woísts came from the mountains, and we are leaving the north side of the city open for them to ambush us.”
“What would you suggest?” Idrithar’s voice came out hard as if he were frustrated with Zhane for adding his opinion.
“If we hold the air force in reserve they can scout ahead and take out forces that might attempt to ambush us,” Zhane suggested.
“Indeed,” Idrithar nodded, adding notes to the map. “Although the army is small, if we become overwhelmed, the air force may become necessary early on.”
“You have powerful weapons,” Wekin grinned, “we can take them!”
Eliesmore paced back and forth. “It is not about destroying the army, the battle of Sidell is about calling out the Dark Figure to face us. However, she has the Phutal. What if she flees? What if she goes where we cannot follow?”
“It is a chance we have to take.” Idrithar’s tone dripped with reassurance. “She is at her height of power, she has an army and she is close to the power of the Green Stone. She will not give it all up to start all over again. Changers don’t run and hide, they fight back, especially when their deepest desire is within reach.”
Eliesmore frowned and then cringed as a vision of Daygone permeated his memory. He saw Sarhorr and Shalidir run up the stairs and dive off the platform into the emptiness of space. Long may you live. Long may you prosper. He gave his head a violent shake as the words danced around him.
“There are remnants of portals,” Sletaira spoke up. “When a portal is opened, it leaves traces, and if someone gets caught up in them, they can pass through to the same place.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Leaka shook her head. “Remnants of portals are never certain. It is better to find the Phutal and destroy it before the Dark Figure can use it.”
“I will find it,” Eliesmore announced. It was his quest after all, and it had been a mistake to allow the Dark One to disappear without gaining the Phutal. “I will find it and destroy it.”
“As you should,” Idrithar agreed. “For now, let’s take a break. I will need to return to the fortress and oversee the training of the army.”
“Stay the night,” Indonesia objected. “You have been absent for months, and they are in good hands with the Mermis.”
Eliesmore paused at the table, leaning over the map, committing it to memory.
65
Zhane
Cold winds buffered Zhane as he stood on the balcony in the Cloud Kingdom. Gold and silver mist swirled around his feet, hiding them from his eyes as he shrugged his fur closer. A moment last, the glass door slid open, and Leaka joined him, a question in her eyes. He grabbed her hand, pulling her closer. “Leaka, I need your help and your secrecy.”
“Zhane, what’s wrong? You look grave.”
“You saw and heard everything that happened in the council today. I fear for Eliesmore. I fear for the war to come and the many battles that will take place. I fear for our world. We set out with honest, pure hopes to regain the South World for the White Steeds and it has come to this. The One who leads us have been infected with a darkness we are all too familiar with. I have to go, I must leave now.”
“Zhane, I have known you long, and Idrithar has always been your closest counsel. Why come to me with these words?”
“Because I need your help. I am going to the mountains to find Arldrine. Yamier and Wekin mentioned she wanted to go there when we were in Werivment. I know she is still there, and I need a winged companion to take me. I will not waste time running across the lands to cross the sea and climb the mounts again. Will you bring me a winged beast you can spare?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “But why tell me at all? You know where the Silver Herd is kept, you could have taken one and set off.”
His dark eyes bored into hers. “Nay, that is not the way. I need you to know because we must stay in communication. I will send the winged beast back to you with a message of what I find in the mountains, and you must tell me when the army leaves. I will rejoin you as soon as I can.”
Leaka studied him for a while, emotions flashing across her face. “This reminds me of a time my father wished to forget. The Mermis of Spherical have motives of their own, and they captured my father and refused to let him leave. It gave my father great pain to sneak away, to escape. Yet it was one of the Mermis who helped him, and so, I will help you, because it’s what my mother would have done. Stay here. I will bring you what you need for your journey.”
Zhane bowed his head. “I thank you, if there ever is a time I can repay this kindness, you must call upon me.”
Leaka squeezed his hand. “There will be no need. Zhane, you go because you love her, and you are afraid for her.”
He nodded. “She can handle herself. Only, she is outnumbered.”
Leaka let go of him, stepping back toward the glass doors. “You don’t have to tell me, you go because of love, and sometimes that is the most noble and most honorable quest.”
As she slid back inside the spiraling citadel, he did not feel noble or honorable. He felt like a thief in the night, sneaking away on the eve of battle, running
before everything fell into ruin due to the wrath of Eliesmore. Squaring his shoulders, he stared out into the mists, watching the clouds tumble over each other like children. Now and then sparks of silver and gold would chase each other through the air as if the colors were alive, thriving with a life of their own.
He considered the past, cursing himself for each time he left Arldrine. When she’d first come to the fortress, he knew a spark of interest lay between them. Instead of exploring it, he’d left with Idrithar, bent on discovering the mysteries of the world and hearing a word of what the Black Steeds were planning next. When he’d run into her in the forests of Truemonix, he left again to return to the fortress, better to wait in safety than risk life out in the wild woods of Truemonix. The irony slapped him in the face. Despite his need to travel the lengths of the South World, he was too proud to stand with Arldrine in Truemonix. He’d even left in the Cascade Mountains when she was wounded. It seemed, at the time, Eliesmore needed him more, but Dathiem knew the way. Dathiem could have led the Green Company onwards while Zhane stayed with Arldrine, helping her. He knew she didn’t need him, she could take care of herself, but there was the desire. He’d seen it in her eyes, just before he raced off with Idrithar, and his run across the western lands had been for naught. His vision played out, and Eliesmore boiled with rage.
Nay, this time, Zhane was done running away from her. If the Therian hadn’t eaten her alive, which he doubted, he’d stand with her and never have to see the pang of disappointment on her face again. They had a choice to come and go as they pleased although Zhane knew the argument with Idrithar would not be worth it. Idrithar firmly believed in the greater good. He would condone Zhane rushing off for love, an emotion Idrithar found insignificant in comparison with power. Zhane saw that now, the eager rush when Idrithar spoke of power, the flush on his face, and the way he eyed Eliesmore. Zhane shuddered, he did not like this game.
Eliesmore and the Jeweled Sword Page 25
