Weaponforger (Guardian's Prophecy Book 3)

by D A Godwin

  Tormjere raised an eyebrow. “Do you call what you are a failure?”

  “I am as yet unwilling to refer to it as success.”

  “Then we’ll have to see what we can do to change that.”

  A Gathering Storm

  News of Shining Moon’s return seemed to have spread through the city, for a sizable gathering awaited Shalindra when she woke for morning prayers. She had expected that the normalcy of routine would allow for a more cordial day and dampen the passions that had affected her arrival, but the energy of the waiting crowd dashed such hopes.

  “This is most unseemly,” Olya grumbled as she peered through a window. “They have been like this since before midnight.”

  Shalindra was apologetic. “I had no intention of causing this type of disruption.”

  “Nonsense, my dear. This is not your doing.”

  “I can get us across the street easily enough,” Tormjere said.

  Olya laughed without humor and turned on him. “You’ll do no such thing. You will walk a step behind her where you should, and none of your intimidating looks. She is among family and must act like it.”

  She beckoned several women to her, who jumped at her command and stood like soldiers at attention. “You and you will proceed Sister Shalindra. The pair of you, follow behind. Walk in Her light and represent Her virtue. Chin up and steady pace, as you should. They will move aside for you.”

  Olya smoothed Shalindra’s robes one last time. “Now off you go. I’ll not allow you to miss prayers on my account. Ennathalerial will know where you belong.”

  The women around her began to move as the door was opened, and Shalindra had little choice but to follow. Enna and Tormjere fell in behind her.

  Shalindra adopted a look of confidence she did not feel but knew was important to project. No one in the crowd wished to see the apprehension that gnawed at her insides, or watch her hands shake and her knees wobble. They expected more of the woman who would be Guardian, and so she would be what she must.

  As Olya had predicted, the crowd parted respectfully before them, and they crossed to the boundaries of the temple as easily as if the streets were empty. Shalindra’s escort stepped to the side as they entered the cavernous Glade of Worship, as she had learned it was named, but Enna’s whispered instructions pushed her onwards.

  “Keep going around the left. You will be expected in the front.”

  Shalindra was mildly terrified to call such attention to herself. All the temples she had visited before held a few dozen Sisters at most, but there were thousands of elves within the circle of trees, and the space was not even half full. Standing on the rise at the far side were five of the Sisters Superior, one of whom was Elothlirial. Shalindra was thankful that Enna stepped ahead of her to guide the way, and prayed for the strength to not embarrass anyone today.

  They circled to the front of the assemblage before turning along the first row and continuing towards the center. Enna stopped, joining the first row at a point that Shalindra assumed was appropriate for their station, and Shalindra squeezed in beside her. An ancient woman—one of the Sisters Superior?—shifted to make room, smiling warmly as she did so.

  Elothlirial took note of her arrival but gave no reaction. The ceremony commenced almost as soon as Shalindra had come to a stop, begun by a single note from one of the women above. One by one, the other women added their voices to the first, and when Elothlirial called out the final verse, the assembly replied in unison, then knelt as one. Shalindra could understand little of what was said, but her heart was uplifted as sunlight surged into the glade from every possible direction at once. The words the congregation continued to recite were foreign, so Shalindra honored Eluria with her own silent prayer.

  There was a surprising lack of formality to the end of the ceremony. The voices of those who led rose and fell once more, and the brilliance of sunlight faded to its normal morning glow. She marveled at how it could have been accomplished.

  “That was beautiful,” she said as Elothlirial descended from the rise to meet them.

  Elothlirial accepted the compliment politely. “Is it so different in your temples?”

  “The feelings it invokes are the same, but they lack the grandeur of such a large congregation.”

  Elothlirial gave her a curious look and guided her away from the center of the clearing. “I spoke at length with our Mistress after you departed,” Elothlirial said, “and I must offer my apologies. I fear that we were both unprepared for such a sudden outcome.”

  Shalindra remained wary of Elothlirial’s intentions, but now was no time for rancor. “We faced many adversaries on our journey here, and it was a jarring adjustment to be so quickly among friends once more. I have been told that this is where my questions may be answered, and I am eager to learn more of my role in what is to come.”

  “As am I, but this discussion is ill suited to such a public forum. If I might invite your return to the Glade of Atonement. Just to talk,” she added.

  “I would be honored.”

  Tormjere, who had successfully remained with his back against a wall during the ceremony, moved to join them as they left the massive worship area behind.

  Elothlirial chatted with her as they walked, idle conversation about her visit to the Guardians and her comfort at the dormitory, playing well her role as hostess of a distinguished visitor. Her attitude cooled as they entered the glade with the stone-edged pool once more.

  “We are, of course, pleased beyond words at the return of Alta Suralia. Yet we have witnessed imposters and false prophets before. May we see it?”

  Shalindra unhooked the warhammer and held it before her.

  Elothlirial bent forward to study Shining Moon, and the wonder in her eyes was not for any sense of show. She slowly placed a hand above it and recited a prayer, causing it to grow warm in Shalindra’s hands. When Elothlirial stepped back, each of the other clerics took their turn inspecting it. When they were finished, Shalindra returned it to her belt.

  “There can be no thought of forgery. Well do we know the consequences of the unworthy laying a hand on the sacred weapon of Elurithlia. But the worthy do not always ascend. We must ask: if you become our Guardian and don Her armor, what cause do you intend to commit yourself to?”

  “I do not know what She intends for me yet, only that I was to protect Her gifts.”

  “Elurithlia made her will known to every Guardian that has come before you. Each ascended with purpose and clarity, certain of the task before them. You claim to have spoken to Her, the first person in centuries to have received the blessed communion of Alta Amalia. How closely did you listen? What has our Mistress asked of you?”

  Shalindra’s fingers drifted across her symbol. “Many things that I might have wished not to do. I was shown Ildalarial in flames and the last of our Sisters dying to preserve the armor which resides here.”

  “There are many who have attempted to bring about our ruin,” another Sister said. “What was the cause of this cataclysm?”

  “A demon.”

  Elothlirial appeared unimpressed. “Such is a tale that could have been spun by any minstrel with the most passing knowledge of our history, but it is human armies that now threaten us with extinction.”

  One of the other women started to speak, but Elothlirial continued: “We will not drape you in Elurithlia’s might only to see them turned against us.”

  “I am not a conqueror, and I have no intention of seeing Her gifts, or any other weapon, used against your people.”

  “Are you certain? We are aware of your lineage. What will you choose when the bonds of family are at odds with your loyalty to Her?”

  Shalindra’s resolve wavered. “That is a choice I have already been forced to make.”

  “Have you?” Elothlirial pressed. “You arrive lacking purpose. You know little of what you ask for and even less about what you intend to do afterwards. These relics you speak of so casually took decades to recover after they were stolen.”r />
  “I have always endeavored to serve Eluria as She has commanded. I do not know what else I could have done to prove my devotion.”

  Elothlirial smiled like a spider whose web danced with a freshly caught meal. “The Guardian has always been a peacemaker before soldier, one who seeks to use might to protect rather than to take. Establish your worthiness by stopping these assaults upon our homeland, and it will prove beyond any doubt that you are Her chosen.”

  How convenient that Eluria’s peace meets her own selfish needs so closely. I thought we were done playing games.

  It seems we are not, but she has given me little option.

  We could just take the armor. You know it’s close by.

  It was to prevent its forceful removal that I came here, not to become the thief who steals it.

  “I shall do as you suggest,” Shalindra said, “but not simply because you wish it. Such a peaceful resolution will benefit all who follow in Her light, human and elf alike, and in so doing I will not be forced to choose between family and faith.”

  Her statement rang true with her audience, as heads bobbed thoughtfully.

  The older woman who had stood beside her at the morning prayer, gave Shalindra a nod of admiration as she spoke. “Manalathlia, I believe that such an endeavor would require a resolution from the Grand Calontier. Without their blessing, such a quest would be no more than a fool’s errand, no matter what it achieved.”

  Elothlirial’s self-assured smile wavered. “I will petition them, though when and what they will allow I cannot say.”

  Shalindra fixed her with a determined stare. “Haste may be in order. Should you wait too long and my vision come to pass, there may not be anyone left for me to save.”

  * * *

  Shalindra was thankful that her words must have had their intended effect because a messenger brought word that she was expected at a meeting of the Calontier that same evening. It was a blessing that the meeting came so soon, as she had grown increasingly nervous waiting for news.

  Olya arranged another escort, as throngs of people remained outside the dormitory, waiting for her to reappear. They pressed closer to her this time, many calling out her name or holding forth their hands, hoping to be touched.

  Shalindra struggled to understand their adulations as she had not ascended, and might never do so. But they believed, no matter how she felt about it. She could never hope to respond to them all, and so she held out her hands and pressed them against as many as she could. It was a relief when they finally reached what had to be the chambers of the Grand Calontier.

  Elothlirial was waiting for her when they arrived.

  “All weapons are forbidden within, unless carried by a Guardian ascended.”

  Shalindra handed Shining Moon to Tormjere, who accepted it once more with an unfriendly glare directed at Elothlirial.

  Elothlirial ignored him. “The Grand Calontier has agreed to a special assembly this evening to debate the merits of this agreement you wish you achieve.”

  She waved Shalindra through the doorway. Enna jumped to follow, fast enough that she was past her mother before any objection could be raised, and the doors were closed behind the three women.

  Nicely done. Her mother was trying to isolate you again.

  It is a childish game that I have seen all too many times, but I will not allow it to defeat my purpose.

  The room was a curious blend of forest and structure. Walls of stone and dark wood filled the gaps between the trunks of trees that ringed the space, supporting a soot-stained roof of living branches and sturdy beams. The smokey hint of long extinguished fires mixed with the perfumes of brightly colored flowers set in pots beneath every window. The preponderance of living wood muffled every sound and lent an intimacy to the timeless quality of the space.

  Ten elves stood awaiting her. Five women wore the white robes of Eluria, three of whom Shalindra recognized as Sisters Superior from the temple. One of the councilors was clearly a military man, another a follower of Lithandris, and the remainder she took to be merchants or members of the nobility based on the manner of their dress.

  Elothlirial took her place among them and brought the meeting to order. “Councilors, we have before us Sister Shalindra of Actondel, who wishes a resolution to our current conflict.”

  “Are you here to answer for your Kingdom’s reckless provocations?” the militant elf challenged.

  “What of their constant encroachment?” asked another.

  “I am not here to answer for anyone or anything,” Shalindra replied defensively. “I have been asked to broker a peace between our two nations, and so I shall.”

  One of the noble elves waved his hand dismissively. “Actondel’s armies could turn around today and still we would be left with their towns and fields cut into our forests. They should be thrown from our lands, not bargained with.”

  “Peace requires participation by both parties or it will be doomed to failure,” Shalindra countered. “And it cannot be achieved in a day.”

  Several of the elves nodded, even one of the Sisters. No stranger to politics, Shalindra had already considered what arguments she could bring to sway their opinions, but before she could continue they all began speaking at once.

  “If she is to establish peace, let her do so. It does not require our involvement.”

  “She must work through our representative.”

  “Actondel has rebuffed our every attempt.”

  “But she is human and can carry our message more freely.”

  “We will never allow a human to negotiate on our behalf!” That from the militant-looking elf. “Not that it even matters. Actondel has slaughtered every emissary that has crossed the river.”

  “It costs less to chance another than to sit and wait,” the follower of Lithandris argued. “They are coming the moment the river falls enough for them to make the crossing.”

  “We risk losing Alta Suralia,” one of the clerics pointed out.

  “The risk is not lessened if it remains here.”

  Elothlirial had remained silent throughout the discussion, seemingly willing to allow the others to argue. She undoubtably knew how the argument would play out and it was not a stretch to believe she had prepared some of the participants. Shalindra could have easily done the same with every member of her own council in Newlmir. The elves were growing louder in their protests, and Shalindra became bombarded with questions faster than she could answer them.

  “Councilors, please!” Enna shouted, stepping forward. Their voices died swiftly as she commanded their attention. “While I can vouch for my Sister’s willingness and ability to undertake such a task on our behalf, I understand only too well the pitfalls of leaving our fate in another’s hands. If it pleases the Calontier, I will accompany Sister Shalindra and carry our offer on behalf of my people.”

  That was clearly not what Elothlirial had expected, and her shock was as apparent as the rest of the suddenly quiet assembly. She began to speak, but Shalindra preempted her with an impassioned declaration of her own.

  “And I would gladly accept Ennathalerial’s aid. We have each been blessed by Eluria, in our own ways, but our trust and kinship can be the example needed to give both parties faith in our mission.”

  “Elurithlia has indeed blessed them both,” the older Sister said. “There can be no dispute of that.”

  Elothlirial seemed willing to dispute it anyway, but the old woman continued: “I move that we provide these women with the same offering we have attempted to convey before and pray that they find success where others have known only failure.”

  “A vote has been called,” Elothlirial said with an unhappy glance at the old cleric. One by one, seven hands were raised in agreement. Whether by vote or abstention, Elothlirial’s was not one of them.

  “Sister Ennathalerial, it is the will of the Grand Calontier that you be provided an agreement to deliver to Actondel. You will have the authority to negotiate the end of hostilities only and may not b
argain past anything this council has agreed to and set forth.”

  “This will be our last attempt at peace,” the soldier warned. “We will not sit idle and wait for our enemy to dictate every battle. Already the river subsides, and when the fords are revealed then nothing will stop this war.”

  * * *

  “How could she have forced this upon you?” Enna demanded as she paced furiously in tight confines of the dormitory room. “No potential ascendant has ever been judged so harshly. Stopping a war is something you do after becoming Guardian, not before.”

  Shalindra drew a deep breath, looking too tired to debate the point. “Regardless, it is the task set before us, and it will benefit everyone equally. I am thankful that no one wished for Shining Moon to remain behind.”

  “I would have liked to see them try,” Enna huffed. “Even my mother would not tempt Elurithlia’s wrath so directly.”

  She looked at Tormjere, who usually had an opinion about such maneuverings, but he sat poking at the jeweled thing Honarch had given him. There was really nothing he could do about their predicament at this point, or at least nothing she would care for him to do, but there was the slightest hope that she could do something herself.

  “I am going to speak with her,” Enna said.

  “Do you think it wise at this point?” Shalindra asked. “I do not wish to cause further strife within your family.”

  “Such differences have been there for longer than I have known you. It just took time for me to realize it.”

  Enna excused herself before they could talk her out of it. She was able to avoid the clumps of worshipers hoping to catch a glimpse of Shalindra, and crossed to the temple without incident. There was only one place that her mother would be at this hour. She had retreated to her own sanctuary, the Glade of Atonement, where she had attempted to judge Shalindra the day before.

  Enna entered it with trepidation. As expected, her mother was there with three of her most senior Sisters. The four women turned in surprise as she entered, but, as always, it was her mother who spoke.