Lenora affected an embarrassed smile. “I look like a man.”
“Young lady,” Gorlan interjected. “You absolutely do not look like a man.” Lenora smiled over at him and bowed. “Thank you.”
Gorlan gestured for them to sit, and poured each a glass of wine.
“How did you get here?” asked Drake, not releasing her hand as they sat. “Are the Nelwyn with you?”
“They are close,” she replied. “I was sent to negotiate the Bomar peace.”
Gorlan’s expression hardened. “You assume much before the conversation has begun.” “I only assume you wish peace,” she said. “Nothing more.”
“I see. Then what terms do you propose?”
Drake was awestruck by the command in her tone and the confidence with which she carried herself. She’d always had a certain strength. But this was different. It was as if her father’s spirit was making itself known through his daughter. In that moment, she was a true queen.
“Before there can be any discussion, the Nelwyn you are holding will be released.”
Queen or no, Gorlan would not wilt or waver. “If I do, what is to stop the Nelwyn from attacking?”
“My word,” she replied evenly. She released Drake’s hand and folded hers the table. “And if that is not enough, know that there is nothing stopping them now from leveling your towns and killing every living soul there. Yet they have stayed their hand.”
The two locked eyes for a tense moment. It was Gorlan who conceded with a slight nod. “Very well. I will release them. But if we are attacked, the two of you will die first.” The general stood and exited the tent.
“So you did it,” said Drake. “You taught them aggressive magic.” Lenora leaned over and kissed him tenderly. “No. I failed.”
“But the Bomar… They’re saying the Nelwyn have a new weapon. I was sure…” She placed a finger over his lips. “There will be plenty of time to explain later.”
The General returned and took his seat. “The order is given. The Nelwyn prisoners will be escorted from the camp immediately. Would you like to wait to hear confirmation before we begin?”
“No,” replied Lenora. “Your word is enough.”
Gorlan bowed his head. “Then if you would, what are your terms?” “First, what is it your people want?”
“Don’t play games,” said Gorlan, his tone measured, suppressing any anger.
“I am not playing games. The Nelwyn asked me to find out what it is the Bomar want in exchange for peace.”
Gorlan narrows his eyes. “Is this a trick? The Nelwyn could wipe us out at any time. And they’re asking what it is we want?”
Lenora smiled. “I understand your confusion. I was confused also. But I can only convey what I’ve been told. The Nelwyn have no desire to slaughter you; they never did. It was the Bomar who drove them from their homes, stole their land, burned their crops. And now that you can no longer defeat them, they are hoping you want peace.” A reflective look fell over her. “I thought I knew what the word noble meant. I thought I understood forgiveness. I was wrong. I didn’t, until meeting the Nelwyn. And you are wrong if you think I am trying to trick you.”
Gorlan was momentarily dumbstruck, and blinked several times before speaking. “My people…they only want to endure. What we were is no more. Destroyed. Even if we wanted to keep fighting, we couldn’t. But you know this already.”
“The Nelwyn are aware that you can no longer defeat them. But you still could do a great deal of harm. They fear that your hearts are too filled with hate to want peace. That you would be willing to fight to the last before sharing the land.”
“I cannot deny that there are those who would rather die than admit defeat. Many have been fighting since they were old enough to enlist. And the fall of Malizar has driven some to near madness. They blame the Nelwyn. It will be hard to convince them to lay down their arms. Perhaps impossible.”
“They must,” insisted Lenora. “It is the only way forward for the Bomar. All other roads lead to annihilation. This is not a threat. It is a fact.”
“Perhaps if they were somehow convinced it wasn’t the Nelwyn who destroyed Malizar,” Drake began.
“You can’t be serious,” Gorlan scoffed. “No one would believe it.”
Lenora glanced over to Drake, then laughed softly. “He’s right, General. That is precisely what must be done. And it would not be a lie. The Nelwyn are not responsible.”
This time Gorlan could not hide his anger. His hand slammed on the table. “Yes, they are.
And he knows it,” he shouted casting an accusing stare at Drake. “He helped them.”
Guilt flooded in as if a dam had broken. “I only did what I thought I had to do. It was an accident.”
“An accident?” Gorlan shoved back his chair, his palms pressed to the table and his face wracked with rage. “And entire city reduced to ash, and you dare to call it an accident like it was nothing more than an overturned wagon?”
“Forgive me,” said Drake, unable to meet his eyes. “I don’t mean to trivialize what happened.” You need to shut your mouth and let Lenora do the talking.
Tension was thick, but gradually Gorlan regained his composure and sat back down. “No one will believe that the Nelwyn were not responsible.”
“One thing I learned from my father is that people will believe what they need themselves to believe,” Lenora remarked, sounding as if she were speaking to herself. “The lies we tell ourselves keep us from facing the truth. The powerful use this to subjugate the weak, to keep them from realizing that their lives are being controlled. At least in this case, the lie would be for their benefit.”
Gorlan propped his elbow on the arm of the chair, rubbing his chin. “What do you suggest?” “The Nelwyn you sent told us that your people uncovered the knowledge to build your
machines and weapons in the frozen wastes of the north.” “Yes.”
“Perhaps they dug too deeply. Perhaps they brought back knowledge they should not have. Such knowledge could easily be disastrous if not handled properly. And it would not be a complete
fabrication. The crystals you discovered were beyond you. You should have never touched them, let alone pried them from the earth.”
“And this lie…how would it be spread?”
“Easily enough. Allow someone to overhear you speaking to one of your officers. Do this a few times and you would be amazed how quickly it happens. Tell as few as possible what you are doing and why, at least in the beginning. Once it takes hold, it will no longer matter who finds out the truth. It will become a part of their reality.”
There was clear doubt in his expression. “I find it difficult to imagine them simply accepting this.”
“I thought the same once,” she said, as if at a distant memory. “Then I witnessed how the people of Vale proclaimed my brother the rightful king after he murdered my father. I could not fathom that they would turn away from the obvious truth. But then I saw things as they really are. The people did not want to see. It was easier to look away. After all, everything around them was a lie. And not a clever one, nor even a kind one meant to spare them pain. Yes. Their entire lives were built on lies…and they did not do a thing about it.”
“I…I just don’t know. It feels wrong. Building a future on deception.”
“You are the leader of the Bomar, yes?” she asked, her voice returning to a level, authoritative timbre.
“No. I am the commander of the Bomar army. Now that the Emperor is dead, we are leaderless.”
“Then like it or not leadership falls to you, at least for now. You must do what is right for
all.”
“How am I to know what is right?” He slumped back in his chair looking shockingly diminished. “Those outside are soldiers. I can send them into battle without a stain on my conscience. I can even send them to certain death if I must. That is why I’m here. It is my duty to protect them through victory. I retain my honor, secure in the knowledge that I have d
one what is expected of me. But the people in the towns…how can I make such a decision for them? They are not mine to command.”
“No. But they are yours to protect,” Lenora countered. “Will you not do your duty?” “I…I will try.” He gathered himself upright. “This does not solve the problem that I do not
know what the Nelwyn expect of us. You offer no terms, and claim it is for us to tell you what we want in exchange for peace.”
“Yes. And I advised the Nelwyn against this. But they insisted that peace can only come if
you want it first. The Bomar must choose their own path.”
Gorlan nodded. “I think I understand.” He cleared his throat. “Then I offer this: The army will disarm, though we will keep our swords and one rifle and two pistols for every ten Bomar. Further we will turn over our cannons and ammunition. As Malizar is no more, we will return to the towns, and trouble the Nelwyn no more. We would only ask for enough land to raise crops and keep our herds fed.”
“That is reasonable. I think this will please the Nelwyn.”
“Unfortunately, I am no farmer. I cannot say how much land will be needed. So I would not be so quick to agree.”
“This is only the beginning, General. A first step. I came to see that the killing stopped. It will be for others to work out the details. For now it is enough that you throw down your weapons and go home. It will give you time to sort out a way to move forward.”
Gorlan rubbed his face and then poured them all another glass of wine. “I suppose we’ll need to sort out many things. What came from Malizar cannot be replaced. The transport will break eventually, and we will have no way to repair it. I suppose we could abandon one of the villages, or two. Or build roads, perhaps.”
Drake recalled how his father would become excited when a new puzzle arose. The fevered pace at which he would work things out in his mind could only be described as bliss. This was not what he was seeing in Gorlan, though.
“You have an army to tend to, General,” said Drake. “You brought the peace. Let other minds solve how it is to be lived. You’ve done enough.”
Lenora gave Drake a smile, then pushed back her chair. “Indeed. Take your ease. Return home. When your people are ready, they can send word to the Nelwyn.”
“It will take time,’ said Gorlan. “A month at least. Without the Emperor, we will have to find a new way to govern ourselves. And there’s sure to be unrest.”
“I’m confident the Nelwyn will give you whatever time you need,” said Lenora. “You’re leaving?” asked Gorlan, only now noticing Lenora was standing.
“I must. I have my own people to see to. The rest is for you and the Nelwyn to sort out.” “Will you not at least stay the night?”
Lenora smiled warmly. “No. Every moment I spend away endangers lives.”
Gorlan rose and rounded the table. After giving Lenora a low formal bow, he clasped his hands behind his back. “I wish our leaders had your quality. Had the Emperor a small portion of your heart and wisdom, I think none of this would have happened. But alas, we are all victims of fate, and must accept what we are given.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” said Lenora. “Let us hope I can live up to them.”
Gorlan regarded Drake for a long moment, his jaw clenching and relaxing several times. “As for you… I do not think I can ever truly forgive you. Though you may not be entirely to blame, I have lost too much by your hand. Still, you must find a way to forgive yourself. You have a treasure to protect and a duty to perform. And you cannot do so with a clouded mind and a heavy heart.”
Drake saluted the way he had seen the soldiers do. “I will try.”
“For men with our responsibilities, trying is never enough.” He stepped in closer. “Don’t make me regret not killing you. Give me your word.”
Drake nodded. “You have it.”
Gorlan locked eyes with Drake, then nodded curtly. “Good. I will have you escorted back to the Nelwyn at once.”
He exited the tent and called for his guards. After issuing orders, he gave Lenora a final bow and disappeared toward the pavilion, shouting for his commanders to assemble. After Drake’s sword and pack were returned, they left the camp heading north. Lenora dismissed their escort after nearly a mile, though there was no sign of the Nelwyn.
Drake knew that Lenora was aware of what he had done, though thus far she had said nothing of it. When he attempted to speak, she silenced him with a seductive smile that sent his heart racing.
“Not until I’m out of these wretched clothes. Don’t worry, we’re nearly there.”
They entered a shallow ravine where a tiny brook ran twisting and bubbling over a sandy, pebble-strewn bottom. In a clearing a few yards from the bank, just before the ground sloped toward the far crest, a tent had been erected.
“Where are the Nelwyn?” asked Drake.
“You’ll see them tomorrow,” she replied. “I told them we needed some time alone. They were quite understanding about it; even set up the tent for us and brought food.”
By the look in her eyes and the tone of her voice, her intentions were clear. “I need to tell you something,” he said.
“I already know what happened in Malizar.”
“I thought you might. How can you look at me after what I’ve done?”
Lenora halted, cupping his face in her hands. “You listen to me, Drake Sharazi. I know you are in pain. And I know you will never forget what happened to the people of Malizar. But Hylariel explained why the city was destroyed. The Bomar were meddling with power of which they had no understanding. They did it to themselves.”
“I knew them, Lenora. I lived among them. An old woman, Hanna – she took me in, fed me, treated me as if I was family. What’s worse, I just promised her brother I’d watch over you. I looked him in the eyes while he said I should forgive myself. I knew his son, Lenora. I used him to help me kill his own people.” Tears were falling freely now. “I was too much of a coward to tell him.”
Lenora took a step back. “You knew his son?” Drake could only nod.
“I’m so sorry.”
“For me? Why would you be?”
A sad smile eased its way to the fore. “I know you, Drake. You are anything but a coward. You knew you could not tell him. If you had, he’d have killed you. Then I would have killed him. The Bomar would have been slaughtered. Instead, because you held your tongue, there is a chance for peace.”
He knew she was right. But that did not salve the pain in his heart. Even the forgiveness in Lenora’s eyes filled him with self-loathing, knowing he did not deserve it.
Lenora took his hand and pulled him toward the tent. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have had quite enough sadness in my life for today. And as your queen, I command you to lift my spirits. There will be plenty of time to dwell on dark things.”
Drake dragged his feet for the first few steps, but this drew a scolding look from Lenora. He did not deserve this happiness. He knew it. And yet the warmth of her touch was overpowering. No amount of sorrow and guilt could release him from the sway she held.
When they reached the tent, she pressed her hand to his chest. “Wait here.” She ducked inside, returning a moment later with a set of fresh clothes. They were obviously made by the Nelwyn – a tan shirt and dark brown trousers, along with a pair of soft suede shoes. She pointed to a spot near the brook. “I left some soap and a towel over there.”
Drake rubbed the whiskers on his face. “I don’t suppose you brought a razor?”
“Of course.” She spun and slipped inside the tent. “Hurry now. Don’t keep me waiting too
long.”
It was astounding how with a few words and a gentle touch, she could make him forget his sorrow.
The clothes were a decent fit, and far more comfortable than his Bomar garb. And it felt good to be clean-shaven, though his hair was in need of a trim. It’s the little things you never pay attention to that you miss most, he thought. It made him wonder what the peop
le of Vale would become should the power station be destroyed. Much like the Bomar, was his guess. They were only able to power their homes through knowledge stolen from an ancient people. Though he had to admit, it must have taken no small measure of skill and intelligence to figure it out.
We’ll still have mana, he thought. And Exodus was very nearly able to reproduce the function of the power station. But as he looked around and took notice of the beauty surrounding him, breathed in the earthy fragrance of the forest, he wondered if leaving it all behind, living as the Nelwyn did, would not be better. He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. Maybe you could. But try and get the people of Vale to live in the dark.
He returned to the tent only to have Lenora tell him to wait outside until she called. The scent of spices and onion drifted out, causing his mouth to water and his stomach to grumble.
“You can come in now,” Lenora called after nearly half an hour.
Drake pulled back the flap. After one step he stopped short, struck by the scene before him. Thick pillows were laid in a circle on top of a soft rug. In the center were two platters, roasted meat on one and an assortment of fruits on the other. Wine was poured and placed on opposite sides, the bottle next to the glass on his right. But what was preventing him from so much as uttering a sound was Lenora.
She wore a long white dress with silver borders that hugged her body perfectly. The neck swooped provocatively low, revealing the inner curve of her breasts, and the material was almost sheer, made obvious by the lamp light. Her hair was damp and brushed back, and her skin glistened with moisture.
Beyond The Vale Page 26