Valasa called the meeting to order and brought up the option of surrender. Exclamations of rejection rang through the small space. The council quickly agreed that giving up was not an option they were willing to consider, especially when they had other choices.
Valasa nodded. “We should begin by discussing the ideas presented at the town hall meeting. The villagers voted to ask our neighbors for help. As the council, you have the final say in these matters. What are your thoughts? How should we proceed?”
Aibek leaned forward in his seat, curious to hear his companions’ thoughts. The idea intrigued him, but he didn’t know enough about the politics of the forest to have a real opinion.
He watched as Kai nervously ran a hand over his goatee. The stocky man answered, “I don’t think we’ll have enough warriors without their help, and we can pledge our assistance to them if they decide to overthrow their governors later… but how would we get them here?” He looked around at his friends. “They’d need a good reason for all of their strongest men and women to leave the villages at the same time, and we can’t let their governors know they’re headed here—they know an army’s coming.”
The other members voiced their support of the plan to recruit neighboring fighters, but Valasa was noticeably silent. Aibek understood his hesitance and asked, “Is this possible? Where would we house all those people?”
Slowly, thoughtfully, the large man answered. “Yes… I think it can be done. Once the rest of the homes on the square are repaired, there will be plenty of space for a large number of people.” He stared out the window and said no more, though a slow smile spread across his face.
Satisfied, Aibek turned back to the council members, then jumped when the religious leader nearly shouted in apparent relief. “I can send messages to the other Gadonu by fairy, and they can extend the invitation to the villagers in such a way that the purpose is understood, but the governors aren’t tipped off.” He grinned. “The official invitation could be for a fall festival in Imah, the little town by the river.”
It would be great if he’d learn to use a normal volume indoors, Aibek thought as he settled back into his chair. However, it was nice to see the usually serious leader get caught up in the thrill of planning such an event.
Zifa leaned forward and flipped her long hair behind her shoulders. “How do we know when help should come? We don’t know how long we have before this army shows up.”
Kai answered quietly. “I think they should come as soon as the rooms are ready and repairs are completed. The sooner they’re here, the more time we’ll have to train together.”
The Gadonu’s excitement spread through the room, and the council members agreed that the invitations should go out immediately. They would call it a grand autumn reunion, and invite as many as could be spared from every village in the Tsari Forest. Most of the morning was spent working out details and writing invitations to the various villages. They had to employ some creativity to convey the message. They wanted strong, able-bodied individuals to come, but they couldn't say outright that they needed individuals who could fight.
When they'd finished that task, Alija asked if anyone had ideas for keeping the enemy out of the village. “Surely, there must be something we can do to make it harder for them to climb to the boardwalk, right?” He fastened his gaze on Aibek.
“Umm, there are a few things I learned about at the academy, plus the things we’ve discussed before.” He stared past his friends at the floral curtains as his mind considered and rejected a hundred possibilities. “The blacksmiths are already working on spikes to line the rails,” Aibek gained confidence as his ideas rushed out, “And they’ve been experimenting with some heavy spiked balls that we could drop on enemy soldiers. They’re trying to make them easy to move but heavy enough to be dangerous. Has anyone thought of a way to attach spikes to the trees?”
Dalan answered, “What if we used some of the sap we’ve collected as glue? Do you think that would be strong enough?”
All eyes turned to Valasa once again. “I think it might be. It would be worth a try.”
Aibek’s lips widened into a small smile. “Good. I’ll ask the blacksmiths to work on spiked collars for the trees, too. What other ideas do we have?”
After a long discussion, the council broke for lunch, and everyone moved to the balcony attached to the sitting room to enjoy the sunlight and fresh air while they ate. As they enjoyed the sandwiches and cookies Ayja had provided, the friends talked of everything but the reasons for their meeting: about the autumn colors, the cool breeze, Wayra’s new marriage, and the progress on the old council members’ homes. Aibek avoided any mention of his parents. Mostly they joked and laughed and tried to take a break from the stress of their assignment, even if it would only last an hour or two. Alija joined in now and then, though Aibek thought he was beginning to tire.
Aibek leaned back on the bench and enjoyed watching the breeze blowing the leaves on the boardwalk below the balcony. As he watched, a few children chased the leaves and gathered them into a basket. Intrigued, he asked his friends, “Is there any part of the shadow tree that we don't use?”
Zifa answered first. “We use all of the trees. We gather the leaves when they fall. We make the autumn leaves into clothes, and the green ones that fall because of wind or storms are made into furniture or curtains.”
When she paused to take a breath, Wayra jumped in with more details. “When a tree dies or branches fall, the bark is wound and carved into the decorations and designs that adorn the town, and of course the wood is used for building.”
Alija interjected, “Even the roots are useful. When a tree dies, we make a small hole where the old one stood, and plant a sapling in the same place. That way, the supports for the village stay in the same place, and the roots of the old tree nourish the young one as it grows.”
Dalan waited for an opening. “We make the excess sap that drips out while the wood cures into healing salves and tinctures. There is no waste.”
The mayor nodded thoughtfully and smiled at his new friends. “I guess you’ve just explained the openings I saw in the boardwalk during the tour, the day after I arrived here. That’s where an old tree died, and it’s left open so the new sapling will get enough sun to come up through the gap.” He stared off into the trees and wondered what else he still needed to learn.
Soon, it was time to reconvene their meeting, and the group headed back into the little room. As soon as everyone had returned, Valasa stood and addressed the council.
“We’ve made a great deal of progress this morning, but we have more to discuss.” He looked at the mayor. “Aibek, if I’m not wrong, you were approached after last night’s meeting by a villager with a less popular suggestion, weren’t you?”
The mayor was a bit shocked since he had believed the others had all been inside while he was talking with the elderly citizen. He sat up a bit straighter and looked hard at the Gadonu through narrowed eyes. “Yes… someone did approach me last night. The old woman thought we should ask the dwarves and elves for help. She said they couldn’t be trusted with much, but they might help by alerting us when the army enters the forest.”
A collective gasp went up in the room as all the council members sat up and stared at the mayor. Before anyone could voice opposition to the idea, Aibek quickly related the portion of Serik’s tale that pertained to the elves. He wanted the other council members to know that these individuals could be reasoned with and had helped at least one Nivakan before. He deliberately left out any mention of his encounters with the ground folk since his arrival.
“It would be helpful to have warning as soon as the army reaches the forest, and only they can provide that,” Aibek added at the end of his tale.
While the others gaped in silent shock, Zifa jumped up and faced him, her gold eyes flashing, with both hands on her hips.
“What would ever make you think we can trust them? They try to kill us every chance they get! Why would this be any differ
ent? You’ve lived here for what, two months? And already you think you can change the way things have been for hundreds of years!”
Aibek watched cautiously—and somewhat curiously—as Dalan touched her on the shoulder and calmly gestured for her to sit back in her chair. The old woman had warned him that the idea wouldn’t be well received.
Dalan faced Zifa. “I don’t know that I agree with you. I don’t trust them either, but the night after Aibek arrived here, he was accidentally locked out of the village for a while at sunset.”
He waited until he knew he had her attention. “When our enemies attacked him, they waited for him to find a weapon and allowed him to arm himself. Their leader said they found no sport in fighting someone who couldn’t defend himself.”
Dalan looked at the mayor and took a deep breath. “They could have killed him long before we got there, had that been their aim. I’ve heard stories of times when they’ve helped our people throughout history.”
Wayra shouted from his spot on the sofa next to Valasa. “This is foolishness! Zifa’s right. We cannot possibly be so desperate that we are willing to ask one enemy for help defeating the other.” He pointed at the Gadonu and frowned. “You can’t believe they’d be willing to help us. Why should they?”
Aibek remained silent in his chair and listened closely to the council members. It made him uncomfortable to see the old friends shouting at each other. He soothed himself by thinking that they had surely disagreed before and had remained friends. He thought the idea of getting the ground folk’s help had merit, but he was also the first to admit that he had a less than complete understanding of the complex relationship between the citizens on the ground and the villagers in the trees. He kept quiet about the story of his encounter with them the day of the fishing trip and was glad he had never shared that tale with anyone.
Again, Dalan answered softly, so the others had to strain to hear his words. “Remember what Helak’s messenger told us? They want to cut down the shadow trees to build a city. The forest is home to the elves and dwarves, too, and I would wager they want to protect it. They just might help us if they understand the stakes.”
Zifa stood again and paced back and forth in the small space. “You cannot mean to tell me you actually think this is a good idea! Who’s to say they won’t kill whoever goes to ask for their help? We can’t trust one enemy just because we’re threatened by another!”
There was silence in the room while each member of the group considered the arguments that had been presented.
Finally, Kai spoke up. “I think this could work. We wouldn’t be asking them to fight with us, and I see no harm in asking the elves and dwarves to alert us when Helak’s army reaches the border of the forest. Some advance warning would be helpful.”
Valasa’s booming voice startled Aibek again as he broke the brief silence. “Let’s take a break and gather our thoughts, and when we return, we’ll have a vote.”
The council members milled about for several minutes, eating and drinking from the trays that had been refreshed by a servant while they debated. Even Alija stood and moved gingerly toward the food. Aibek watched him as he wandered through the room. He thought Alija had gotten paler during the afternoon. He hoped this wasn’t too much excitement for the wounded man. Valasa had advised him to rest today.
No one spoke or left the room; they simply stood, ate, and paced until it was time to return to their seats and cast their votes.
“All right, let’s vote.” The Gadonu reconvened the meeting without fanfare. “We will move around the room and give simply a ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ answer to the suggestion of asking the elves and dwarves to alert us when Helak’s army enters the forest.” He turned to the only other person on the sofa. “Wayra?”
The lanky newlywed shook his head vigorously as he shouted his answer. “Nay.”
Valasa continued to the next chair, where the mayor sat, watching the proceedings with interest. “Aibek?”
“I don’t think I should vote on this. I want to hear the will of the council.”
The Gadonu nodded once and continued his circuit of the room. “Dalan?”
he gave his answer as calmly and quietly as his arguments earlier. “Yea.”
Once again, Valasa’s resonant voice urged an answer from the next member. “Zifa?”
“Nay,” she responded flatly.
Alija spoke without waiting to be called upon, and with a firm, “yea,” his vote was cast.
Valasa turned to the last member. “Yours is the deciding vote, Kai. What do you think?”
“Yea,” the stocky man stared hard at a point on the floor as he continued, “I think we can use all the help we can get. If we can have a little notice that the enemy has arrived, it will give us an advantage.”
Valasa addressed the group. “I think you’ve made the best possible decisions today. This solution of asking the elves and dwarves to warn us of our enemy’s arrival is ideal since it doesn’t ask them to do too much.”
He looked around at the new council. “A small group of four or five people should address their leaders directly. I suggest you send Serik as one of this party since he has negotiated with them before.” He turned and strode from the room, leaving the council members staring after him long after the door had closed.
Aibek stood and looked at the rest of the group. “I think those who voted in favor of this plan should be the ones to carry it out, except for Alija.” He looked at the pale young man who had leaned back against the cushions of his chair. “You need a few more days of rest. I will accompany the group to Kasanto, and we’ll ask Serik to come along as well. Does anyone object to this plan?” No one did, and he continued. “Then I suppose we’re done for today.” He swallowed against the knot of unease in his stomach. “Those of us going to Kasanto should meet here first thing in the morning, then the whole council will meet after lunch to discuss the outcome of the meeting with the ground leaders. Thank you all for your input today.”
When the mayor finished speaking, the council members stood and began to file slowly from the room. They kept their eyes on the floor and walked silently down the hall. Aibek waited with Alija while the others left the room, then helped the wounded man to his feet and down the stairs.
17
Kasanto
Once he’d helped Alija to bed, Aibek went in search of his oldest friend and advisor. He found the quiet old man enjoying the sunlight on a bench in Valasa’s courtyard. Serik sat quite still and stared into the forest beyond the village. Aibek sank on the seat next to him and touched his frail shoulder to gain his attention before speaking.
“The council decided to ask the ground folk for help. We want you to come with us to their village since you have a history with their leaders. Will you come?”
They sat in silence for a while, and Aibek wondered if he would get an answer when Serik finally spoke.
“I thought you might ask—I heard the whisperings of the trees. I would be honored to join your group. You have done very well so far, learning the ways of this village and these people. You’ve taken your time and let the people know you care about them.” The old man turned tearful eyes toward his charge. “I think your father would have been proud of the man you have become. I know I am.”
When he had finished speaking, the old man stood and moved swiftly toward the house. Aibek was astonished—yet again—that someone so old could move so quickly.
Aibek sat and stared after Serik for a long while. The servant had never been talkative and had generally remained a silent fixture throughout the mayor’s childhood. He'd probably spoken more since they'd embarked on the journey back to Nivaka than in all the years leading up to their departure. He'd certainly never been emotional or demonstrative, and the unusual display of emotion clutched at Aibek's heart. At the same time, he wondered what the old man meant about the trees whispering, but dismissed it with a shrug.
Sometimes old folks say the strangest things.
He was de
ep in thought and enjoying the sunshine on the bench, so he jumped when Ahren suddenly asked, “May I sit with you?”
His head whipped around, but he calmly replied, “Sure. It’s a nice day to be outside.”
She lowered herself to the bench beside him. “I heard that the meeting was pretty rough this morning.”
“Um… it got a little heated, but I don’t think it was too bad.” He considered asking about her connections to Tamyr. Ahren had spent a great deal of time with the woman before her capture.
Before he could ask, Ahren blurted out, “You know; you might have better luck if you listen to the others more.”
Aibek’s brow furrowed, and he glanced sideways at the lovely young woman. “What do you mean?”
“Look, I know you have your own ideas about what’s best for the village, but it’ll all go smoother if you listen to people who’ve lived here all their lives.”
Incredulous, the mayor stood to face her. “What are you talking about?” He remained as calm as he could. “I’ve done nothing but listen to everyone else. I haven’t tried to ‘take over’ anything, or whatever it is you’re accusing me of this time.”
Ahren looked up to meet his gaze. “Are you saying you didn’t sit in there and talk everyone into doing something they didn’t want to do? I know my friends, and they would never choose to go talk to our enemies.”
“I didn’t bring up going to Kasanto, I didn’t participate in the debate, and I didn’t vote on it. The decision was made solely by the council.”
She jumped up and faced him with her eyes flashing. “It sounds to me like you’re just looking for someone else to blame for your bad ideas.”
Aibek shook his head and walked toward the edge of the boardwalk. He pressed his fingertips to his temples and tried to see things from her twisted perspective.
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