3. Kahlain
The serenity around me shattered, vanishing like a dream in the night as the knocking cut through the silence. The knight’s head peered warily around the edge of the door as he spoke. “My Lord, a human envoy approaches…again.” His contemptuous tone attested to the distaste he had for humans.
“Thank you, I shall attend to them shortly. You may go.” I made careful note to cloak the tone of my voice in this, as in all. Each word had to be a wall of stone, emotionless and calculated. Being a leader was no easy task, and if the people around you knew they could manipulate your emotions it became nigh impossible. So I had grown better at keeping my emotions in check over the past few centuries. The knight nodded curtly and closed the door behind him as he left to escort the humans to the throne room.
I really had far more important matters to address. Reports of a Naralis group encroaching on areas forbidden to them had been steadily growing. I looked down at the map spread out on the desk in front of me. A small cluster of black marble figures indicated where the Naralis band was seen by my rangers. I had been staring at this map for days and was still no closer to deciphering their course of action. In my anger I seized one and flung it against the far wall. It exploded in a shower of black dust that hung in the air, lazily mocking my frustration. What could the little pests want? Peace had been so tenuous the last few centuries, but the portents of war were everywhere. One would have to be a fool miss them. The oceans were churning, forests withering and dying. Nature was in utter turmoil. All the elements of Eldragor were dangerously close to tipping out of balance. The future of Eldragor hung grasping to whatever precious little stability was remaining.
I needed a few minutes to gather my thoughts, the jumbled mess that they were. It would be no good to head into court with my mind racing and distraction running rampant. I rubbed the last bit of weariness from my eyes, splashed my face with some water and readied myself for court. Only once I was sure I made for an imposing image, did I extinguish the tapers along the wall and head out into the crisp midmorning air.
Out in the courtyard the sun had not yet reached its apex. I breathed deeply allowing the fresh air to help clear the last of the cobwebs from my mind. A gentle breeze blew through the court, tugging lightly at the edges of my cloak. It was unusually crisp for a summer morning, but still it was a day that made me glad I could reach the main hall from outside. The crimson enamel and gold filigree of my ceremonial armor glinted in the shafts of light as it sliced through small amount of cloud cover above. Brilliant rainbows of red and gold flashed along the keeps high walls as I marched across the courtyard toward the throne room. The silence in the courtyard was broken only by the intermittent crunching of the gravel under my feet as I stepped.
The morning light was streaming in through the immense stained glass windows which lined the walls of the rather impressive room. Entering the throne room, my eyes flashed about to the myriad of occupants, each group coming under my stony gaze in turn. The spectators had segregated themselves into two very distinct assemblages. The alabaster skin and gleaming ruby eyes of the Pyrian nobles were off to each side of the great hall, in all their finery. Silken gowns in hues more numerous than the rainbow of hues scattered about the room from the stained glass in the windows. Pyrians always had a penchant for their beautifully tailored garments, the cascading waves of perfectly groomed hair, and sweet floral perfumed fragrances. They barely acknowledged my gaze but for the slight bows and nods of obedience as I passed by.
In stark contrast, the small homely band of humans withered under my gaze and huddled closer together by the high arched doors in the center of the western wall. The most refined of which could still hardly pass for a serving girl or some maid in a lesser house by comparison. The humans dressed in their woolen breeches and tunics, rope belts and leather wraps upon their feet. Their clothes tattered and stained with soot and dirt. The smell of smoke and sweat permeated the air around them. Each of the little creatures trembled quite perceptibly under my scrutiny.
Poor little humans they were hardy more than children, of course that is what they would ever be. Their short lives as fleeting as the spring mist that clings to the grass as the morning light first breaks the trees. Nature can be so cruel. To give any creature such short lives. They would never see half the mysteries that Eldragor contained. The ancient shrines to the old gods so far from here would remain forever secreted away. The soaring mountains with their gleaming white snow caps and the shores of the Blood Sea, its crimson waters gently washing up over the ebony sands, all would remain shrouded in myth to them.
I did have to give the tiny creatures some credit though. Many toiled ceaselessly from dawn to dusk, trying to master their crafts and better their menial lives. Some might even grow to reach the skills of some of the Pyrian lesser apprentices. Of course they would never be great artisans, not by our standards. Pyrian craftsmen practice their trade for centuries and apply their innate skill in magic to the forging each piece ensuring its transformation into a final masterpiece.
I sat in the massive throne, after all these years I still marveled at how beautiful and uncomfortable it managed to be. I glowered down at the humans as the most presentable one stepped forward and bowed unsteadily. “Why do you present yourselves before me now? Your village owes no tribute for another fifty years.”
“High Lord Kahlian, we humbly come before you to request your aid in saving our village.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. It was good to know that I could still inspire such fear, without much more than a glance. The nobles in the room began smirking and tossing disdainful looks to each other. “We have come under attack. Naralis attempt to burn our village off the face of Eldragor with each passing night. All but a handful of our homes have burned to ash, our livestock killed, and…” Her voice was finding its strength. It no longer trembled but rather had begun to rise and grow more powerful than most humans I had previously dealt with. “ … Our people are dying. The people, who have sworn their loyalty to you, are being slaughtered in the night by brigands. I implore you to help us.” Her eyes burned with the passion of her speech.
I held up my hand to silence the murmuring that had broken out and to end the looks being tossed about the room. “Why exactly do you expect me help? I would think the best help would be to teach you to fend for yourselves. That is how this world works. You don’t get something just because you want it, or even because you need it. If I help you, then what? Then the next village with troubles comes begging for help and so on and so on.” The sly smiles were back on the faces of the nobility around the room. I couldn’t help but talk down to these mewling children a bit. They needed to realize my help was not something to be taken so lightly.
“My Lord, please. Our children are dying. If future generations are slain before they can learn and grow then we are doomed. We cannot defend ourselves against an enemy with no honor. One who attacks us in the dark of night and never even gives us a reason as to why.”
“Enough, to speak of those that are not here to defend themselves shows lack of honor on your part. Some are naught but arrogant bullies who don’t dare pick a fight with their betters. However, I have also known a few who are among the most honorable I have ever known.” Glares flashed across the faces of the nobles faces standing in the wings, a handful bowed and took their leave. I knew that would clear the room of a few.
“I meant no disrespect. We do not know what we have done to anger them, and our messengers are turned away without ever getting to speak with their leaders. Regardless of why we need your help or even those that survive the fires, will die over the winter. We have nothing left. Please, I am begging you.” Her pride fell away and her eyes glistened with tears.
It took great courage to stand before me and many of the Pyrian nobles, who would just as soon feed her to their hounds. “Now, now, keep your tears to yourself. I have no more time for this nonsense.” Her eyes fell to the ground and her shoulders slumped and she nodded numbly. “However, I will not have MY land attacked, by anyone. It is an insult to me. There are treaties in place that keep me from directly intervening as they have not directly broken any of our laws, but I can perhaps lend some aid.”
Hey eyes looked back up at me in surprise. “Oh thank you, thank you, my lord.” There was hope, almost excitement, daring to creep back into her voice.
“Not so fast, tribute for use of the land and aid will be doubled, twice every generation, every 25 years to the day. Should your people fail to meet this agreement I will consider the agreement null and void, and I will send my men to clear the area for our use. Do you understand me?” Nothing could be given for free, especially to these children. Doubling the tribute was more symbolic than anything else, it would keep me from looking soft in front of my people.
She nodded gravely, and bit her lower lip. “Yes, my lord. I will ensure that everyone understands the new terms. Might I ask what aid we might receive?”
“As fire seems to be your primary problem, your village may have access to our quarries to the east. You must provide your own workers, and find your own way to transport the stone. The southern end of the quarry is strictly forbidden, no one is to go down to that section. Don’t worry there are quarry masters there who will ensure you don’t wander from the designated area. Winter is only a few moons away so you will not have long before the quarries get dangerous.” I let the words hang in the air for a moment to let the children fully comprehend my words. “In addition to the stone, from this point forward you may send an envoy once a year, so that you might inform me of your progress as a community and ensure me that my investment is well deserved. Should you attempt to take advantage of my most generous offer, I will consider it rescinded.” I glowered down at her from the raised dais, and she nodded solemnly.
“Yes my lord. I understand the terms that you have most graciously offered. Thank you for helping our people.” She bowed low and stepped back in to the security of her people. The eldest among the group still looked on in disbelief. I was willing to bet that they were dubious that I would entertain any such visits for long. The other two were clearly just some hired muscle, after a sort. Maybe to humans they were impressive, but really if this was their idea of guards, it was no wonder they needed help to defend themselves.
With that I stood and strode from the room, not even waiting for any further discussions. I had no more patience for court today. I had been sympathetic today, but humans needed to learn their place, and it was certainly not requesting favors from me before they had proven themselves to be anything more than nuisances at my gate. If I had been too compassionate my own people would have balked at the idea of helping. Many still didn’t understand why I hadn’t forced them to serve our people years ago.
The solitude of my ante chamber was sweet relief to my haggard mind after the growing tension in the throne room. The Pyrian nobles had at best a cheap contempt for the humanity, and the humans had a deep fear and distrust of the Pyrian people. There was no way to bridge that gap as far as I could see. How does one help an insect relate to a beast or a beast to a god? Such was the gap, humans were so young, so petty, and weak. To the Pyrians they were as beasts or insects, their lives a mere blink of the eyes. To the humans I could only imagine how we must seem, lives stretching from one century to the next as if it were but a year, wielding power that most humans could never dream. There was no bridging the gap, Pyrians are slow to trust and slower still to change, and humans would not live long enough to see that change ever come.
The drone of court could be deafening, and beyond dull even in the best of times. Now was hardly the best of times, controlling the Naralis threat on my city, on my people was consuming all of my waking moments. No one person knew all the facts, I had seen to that. The Naralis were massing to the south; the scouts had seen abandoned campsites, and the long ebony feathers. They were searching for something, and I was pretty sure I knew what, and based on the reports they would find it soon enough unless I stopped them, and soon.
A knock on the door, broke me from my thoughts, “Enter.”
The knight stepped in and closed the door behind him “You summoned me, my lord?”
I hadn’t realized I had at first. I had been so lost in my own thoughts. “Ah, yes.” Finally collecting my thoughts enough to remember why I had summoned him. “I want the six finest hunters and trackers we have currently available. I have a special project for them…they should find it most rewarding.” A nasty smile curved up at the edges of my mouth and the knight shivered almost imperceptibly as my gaze swept over him. Almost imperceptibly. “Now, if you please.”
“Right away, my lord.” The knight quickly exited and I heard his feet hustle down the hall to fetch those I had requested. I pulled out another map of the eastern forests and spread it out over the table. How did the Naralis know to look here for the guardian? Even I had only learned of the existence of the guardians when I became high lord, and it was at least 50 more years before I learned the location of the shrines for each of the six. That had only been after many sleepless nights pouring over the ancient tomes in my private ledgers. For eons the guardians had kept this world in balance, no element allowed to grow more powerful than any other, light keeping in time with dark, water washing away the chaos of fire, and wind sweeping across the great expanses of earth, each one in perfect balance keeping the world on an unwavering path into the future.
How did they find out? They were so close to the earth shrine at this point, it was only a matter of days before they would come across its long hidden location. The Pyrian guardian would be eons old at this point. Even I knew not what that advanced age could do to our kind, would they be more powerful than I could imagine or would they have finally begun the steady decline into decay that was so inevitable to all the other beings on Eldragor.
Before the hand could even be raised to knock, I was already pulling the door open. “Enter, we have much to discuss and very little time in which to discuss it.” I gestured to the chairs around the table. “Sit. Now.”
The six entered, I knew them all, well established trackers, highly skilled shape changers. Each one more skilled then the last and each complimenting the other with their skill set. This clan had worked together often over the centuries. “My friends, you are all skilled hunters, and I know how you have all longed to see if your skills could net you the biggest prize. Our laws have been broken, and a band of Naralis dogs threatens one of our sacred sites. They are hunting in the Eastern Wood, go and deal with them, protect the shrine that is located in those woods and its guardian.”
They all looked up in surprise, fighting the Naralis had been strictly forbidden since the treaty of the First Great War. There had, of course, been the occasional skirmish, but in the past hundred and fifty years never a sanctioned attack. “My lord?” I could see the question in the commanders eyes before he even finished asking it.
I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “I know precisely what I am authorizing, so do not question me further. Let me be perfectly clear, no one outside this room can know of this shrine or its guardian. I wouldn’t be speaking of this with you but for the threat that now bears down on it. Travel light and fast, lest your prey reach their goal before you reach yours. You leave now, so get whatever supplies you need and go. Speak with no one.”
They all nodded and stood in silence, and with a bow of the head they were gone. Cutting them loose to act freely might be a mistake, but it was a calculated risk. The treaties all said that the six sacred areas were forbidden to the Naralis. They didn’t know why of course, and no further detail had been given, just that if peace was to be upheld, they were never to set a foot…or wing for that matter into those areas. If luck was with me, the Naralis might not even step forward and admit their people had violated the terms.