Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance

by J. Steven Young

  This all creates something more, a cloak of sorts. You have obscured this place from far seeing or scrying. But if one knows what they are looking for they will find a dark spot in their vision, a void of Essence.”

  Moona took on a face of deep concern.

  “I should not take too much concern Moona. I doubt any in Aurderia know how to find such things and no one should be looking for you any more.”

  Moona was not convinced but did not voice here doubts.

  “What brings you back to us?” Codger asked.

  “Been some time since we last saw or heard o’ ya. We didn’ know what to think.” Codger said with a question on his face

  “I have been busy with Guardian business. I have returned to help teach Shuran some things he will need,” Andra said as he reached into his traveling bag to produce a dusty old book. He placed the book in front of Codger. It was thick as a man’s palm and bound in deerskin.

  Codger took one look at the cover and gasped in surprise. “It is of the Telukukal!” he exclaimed.

  “Yes, but it is but a copy, made millennia ago. It is called the INIMINIMMA LAMMUDUTU.”

  “That be a mouth full. Why not just call it the spells of abundant knowledge?” Codger asked.

  Without answering, Andra continued. “Guard it well it cannot fall into the wrong hands.”

  Codger opened the book and scanned its pages with a look about him that resembled someone discovering a hoard of treasure. “It is amazing!” he exclaimed. “Moona these are ancient texts containing, and explaining, the words of power and their use. Further more it has instruction on focusing and harnessing some of the seven powers.”

  Moona smiled sullenly at his and the boys excitement and moved to clear the table.

  Later that day while Codger and the boys created a lesson plan from the texts provided, Andra joined Moona in the garden.

  “What is it you are not telling us Andra?” Moona asked.

  “You are perceptive for one so weak in the Essence,” Andra said.

  “I was not always without the ability to weave!” she snapped before gathering her self control a bit. “I can tell when someone is speaking half truth even without seeing his or her face.” she continued, making reference to Andra’s hooded figure.

  Andra sensed her agitation and shifted into the features of a young man of thirty harvests before lowering the hood Moona was leering at.

  Moona looked at the young man standing before her, then looked back at her gardening and weeding.

  “The balance has shifted further in the past years.” Andra told her before she stood and led the young man to a log beyond the garden where they could talk.

  Andra continued to tell Moona all that has been happening.

  All over Aurderia the larger towns and cities have been set on edge by the presence of Land’s Guard and Inquisitors. The Great Council has been reviewing sanctioned weavers and testing their blood. Many weavers have been either drafted into service of the Council, had their sanction revoked, or been sent to trial of ANZILLU.

  Moona cringed at the mention of the trials. “I have been finding refugee Foresworn and offering sanctuary,” Andra said. “Many have taken the offer but more refused to trust in the Guardians. I took a group of those who wanted safety back to the territories. It was there that I received the book and instructions to return here and get Shuran ahead in his studies.”

  “What else are you not telling me?” Moona asked.

  “There has been a change in the flow of events as it was told to me. Something twisted is changing the path of prophecy, something unknown and not foreseen.” Andra turned to look at Shuran off in the distance. “He must learn quickly to prepare for what is to come.”

  “And what is that?” Moona urged.

  “Darkness and death will follow in the path of the Priestess. Shuran must find the light to conquer the dark. To do this he must find his path and travel Ersetu to discover the tools he will need.” Andra repeated the vision as it was spoken to him back in his homeland.

  Moona took a long draw from her pipe full of frost moss and closed her eyes trying to chase off the feeling of doom.

  Days went by with Andra and Codger giving lessons. Although their efforts were focused on Shuran, Mally proved competent enough with some of the simpler weavings and received some lesson as well.

  They learned to create invisible shields around their bodies, blend in with surroundings, and call fog from the waters and a multitude of other simple defensive weavings.

  Andra moved on to teach some defensive spells to use only as a last resort. It was important to never call attention to your abilities unless there was no other choice.

  When they took a break for lunch, Shuran began asking questions of the Essence. “Why do we need to memorize all these words? I feel no power from them,” Shuran complained.

  “The words are for focusing power. They do not contain any Essence of course, but they give you a way to concentrate on your intent and bring forth the will to make it happen,” Andra answered.

  “Your mind works faster than your mouth boys and what comes out of it don’ always come out the way you wanted!” Codger interrupted when he noticed the confused look on the boys faces.

  “Just so, and imagine your mind working a weaving without words and you lose focus as quickly as a stray thought crosses your mind,” Andra continued. “The resulting cast would not be as intended and often disastrous. Only the most focused mind can weave with thought alone,” Andra finished.

  “But Shuran created that obscuring ring without words,” Mally said.

  Andra turned to Shuran. “That was something other than weaving I suspect.” Andra ended the discussion then and the boys went back to practice what they had learned thus far.

  While the lessons progressed, Codger noticed a passage and diagram in one of the pages toward the back of the book of spells. On the page he saw a drawing of a crystal shard much like the now dead one he had used on the Melammu Nanna.

  He read the paragraphs below that described them and named them as ABNU EMUQ or power stone. They were basically the same as those he found in the ancient texts back in the ruins of the Northern outpost. These new descriptions however, seemed to describe their origins. When he turned the page to continue reading, several pages of the vellum had been removed from the binding. He looked over to Andra knowing they had been removed on purpose. He would need to have a talk with their guest when the time was right.

  “How much does Shuran know of his blood?” Andra asked Codger and Moona later that evening, after the boys went off to rest their exhausted minds and bodies. To say that Andra was putting them through grueling lessons would be understatement.

  “He doesn’ know anything of his background beyond his mother dying after his birthing. He knows of the basics of Essence but not beyond the stories of the Lalli Mah. We ain’ told him of his own heritage. Truth is, beyond being of the seven, we don’ know much of where he comes from. Sulura never talked much of it or his father,” Moona admitted.

  “He must be told what runs in his body if he is to understand what he must learn. Eventually he will know everything but not yet. I know much of his parents story so I will share what is necessary for now.” Andra finished and got up and headed outside to sleep in the tent that was preferred over a cot in the crowded cabin.

  Codger stopped the man that Andra was wearing. “There are sheets of vellum removed from the book,” Codger called out.

  “Yes, there are,” Andra, replied while continuing out the door. Codger followed Andra out, not ready to accept the closed ended answer.

  “And why would that be? I assume that it was you who removed them,” Codger stated more than asked.

  “Which pages would be more of a question and that answer should end the inquiry,” Andra turned and said.

  “I am only referring to the instructions for creating power stones, ABNU EMUQ.”

  “We call them source stones but your translation fits I
suppose. The pages are safe and will be returned when needed as will the others.”

  Codger did not seem satisfied with the answer and moved to question more.

  “Codger, please trust in what I do. Shuran is far to curious and that is a danger to us all. You see already the circle he created without a spell weaving.” Andra could see the realization cross Codger’s face.

  “He is wielding the Essence and commanding the elements without even realizing it. He must be taught to know the difference and soon. This is not all. Has Moona told you that he transferred power to me? I see from your expression that she has not. That gift has not been seen since the long before the Lalli Mah.”

  Andra finished and turned to go then faced Codger, “That is the gift required to store power in stone that does not come from the true source.” With that last statement Andra retired to the tent, leaving Codger with more questions than answers.

  The next morning Andra took Shuran off into the wood to talk privately. "Shuran, I need to talk to you about who you are and what you will be facing,” Andra started. "I will be forward with you." Andra then told Shuran the story of the prophecy.

  Shuran was told about his bloodline and the sacrifice of his sisters to the balance. Andra did not tell Shuran of the fact that one sister was taken by the Order of Chaos and lived because it was not time to know it yet.

  "You were taken away without the Order knowing of your existence. They misinterpreted the prophecy and we took advantage of that. This is why it is important that they not know of your existence as long as possible,” Andra stressed to Shuran. "You must learn many things while I am able to help. Then you will need to journey the land to learn all you need to restore the balance."

  "But how am I to do all this?" Shuran asked. He was on the verge of crying but at the same time he came to a realization. "I am older than I really am are I not?"

  Andra just nodded in reply.

  "And you are not all that you seem either. I sense it."

  Again Andra simply nodded in response.

  "I have to get back, Bastien is coming by to take me hunting in the wood." Shuran said.

  "Shuran!" Bastien smiled. "Let's go I have a new bow I made and want to see how she shoots!" Bastien yelled as Shuran emerged from the wood with Andra.

  "Who is this?" Bastien inquired after Andra.

  "An old family friend come to visit."

  Andra just nodded and moved past Bastien without giving a name. Shuran understood now the reason for secrecy.

  "Let me get my bow and quiver!" Shuran said drawing back Bastien's attention. Shortly after the odd encounter, Shuran and Bastien were headed off into the woods to hunt.

  Andra and Codger were watching after them as they left. "Good boy that Bastien, used to look after the place when I would go off exploring,” Codger said.

  "He is a mundane, though I see something else about him,” Andra observed as he walked away.

  Codger just looked after Andra and shrugged as he followed behind.

  Chapter Six

  Andra began Shuran’s lessons in the Essence back to their origins. “Essence is all around us in everything there is,” Andra said.

  “I know this already. Why is Mally not taking lessons with me?” Shuran asked.

  “Mally has learned much but what I teach you today is only something that you can do because you are different,” Andra replied. “You are birthed of seven blood lines, each of those having the makeup to harness one of the seven powers.”

  Shuran just looked at Andra blankly before responding. “What I did with the trench, it felt different then the weaving we have been practicing,” Shuran realized aloud.

  “Yes, you moved earth and water then called fire without using spells. This is dangerous for a weaver but not if the Essence was used to work the elements such as I suspected you did. Tell me what you felt at the time.”

  “I felt energy… power… life! It was as though I was calling out of need and what I wanted answered. I did not even think, I just acted,” Shuran remembered.

  “Did you hear anything?” Andra asked.

  “I DID! I heard what was like music or singing and voices, but very faint. It was different with each. And the fire danced!”

  Andra just smiled and started to explain what was known to the limited blood mix and knowledge Andra possessed. Elemental powers seem to respond and act in different ways to those who can communicate with them.

  Water ripples with musical tones. Earth rumbles and vibrates with deep drum-like beats. Wind whispers. Fire dances and swirls. Electricity buzzes and hums. Essence wielders of the elements must learn to listen and watch all around them and be able to separate the sounds, feelings and images of nature in order to blend intent into action.

  Andra explained how most have difficulties controlling more than one element and those who can, must do so separately. Shuran seemed a natural for picking out the elements and bending them to his will and doing so seamlessly.

  "It was not as though I was forcing the elements. I sort of told them what I wanted and asked the elements to help me." Shuran explained. "I did not even know what I was doing I just sort of felt that help was there just waiting for the asking."

  Andra was not certain how to approach this revelation from Shuran. Andra decided they would go through lessons on concentration and isolating the different elements.

  Before any of these lessons were to begin however, Shuran had to learn his limits and proper channeling of Essence. Up until now Shuran had been weaving spells from lessons that required little energy or concentration. Elemental forces that Shuran has wielded so far have been on instinct and without control so they exhausted him and he would pass into a deep slumber.

  Shuran’s first lessons now would revolve around the flow of Essence and controlling it. He also needed to learn how to block it. Andra instructed him first to take the rest of the lessons time for today to practice sensing the world around him and identify the Essence in everything.

  It is not known where the Essence comes from or why. There are old tales and stories of the origins. Some say that the Essence was a gift from the Gods when they created Ersetu, while others say that the Essence was stolen from the Gods when the people of Ersetu revolted and destroyed them. It did not matter now the when, why, or how. What matters is that they have it and must use it to survive. Only balance keeps this world from tearing apart.

  The Lalli Mah was created to forge a permanent balance of the powers of Chaos and Creation. Each bloodline of the seven races of man, had the innate ability to weave a certain aspect of the Essence. Those of mixed blood were often blessed or cursed with the ability to wield multiple gifts.

  Some wielders could not handle the power they could harness and ultimately destroyed themselves, while others could only wield to varying degrees of strength.

  "There is no good or bad, there is only intent." Andra told Shuran.

  "Are there some mix bloods that have no gift at all?" Shuran asked.

  "It is rare, but sometimes a mixed blood will show no gift. Why do you ask?"

  "Moona has no gift but she is old beyond the lifespan of a mundane. I sense something missing,” Shuran answered.

  "That is something all together different, but not my place to speak on,” Andra stated, clearly ending the conversation.

  Shuran sat in the practice circle identifying the differences in the elements and communicating with them. He closed his eyes and began to meditate on his surroundings. Shuran tried to concentrate on the elements but at first his mind was overwhelmed by everything at once and he lost concentration, falling over stunned.

  "Do not open your mind up so wide and free, Shuran. Focus on opening up a little at first then slowly increase your awareness,” Andra told him.

  Moona had just come out from the garden and decided to sit a while with her pipe and watch Shuran.

  As he slowly opened his mind, Shuran began to take in all around him in the practice circle. He reached down into the ea
rth once he attuned to its rhythm. He felt the course dirt and sand mixture of the soil. He could feel the grubs chewing and digging as if they were under his own skin. This disturbed him at first but he regained his composure.

  As he moved along through the ground using his connection, he ran into a barrier, which he quickly realized was the water ring dug around the area when they first created the practice ring. He quickly released the vibrations of the earth to join the music of the water in the ring. Once within the ring, Shuran sang along and traced its surface around to where he had started.

  Soon Shuran left his song with water to jump into the embrace of the fire burning in the pit before him. He became entranced with the dance of the flame. It was exhilarating. He danced and danced faster and with ferocity that he felt himself growing and getting hotter.

  WHACK!

  "Ouch! What was that for?" Shuran asked turning to see Moona retreating with a switch in her hand.

  "Two reasons I whacked you smart arse! One you were gonna' set this whole wood aflame if you kept it up,” Moona said as she turned to walk away.

  "You said two, what is the other reason?" Shuran asked.

  "Because I could!" Moona smiled. "One thing, that shifty over there forgot to tell you, is if you open yourself up to all around you-“ Moona started.

  "You need to be able to sense sneaky old wenches creepin' up on you!" Codger finished.

  WHACK! Moona cracked Codger across the backside with her switch. "Didn' see that one comin' either did ya Old fool?” Moona laughed as she headed back to the cabin smoking on her pipe.

  Andra turned back to Shuran with barely a hint of a smile on his borrowed face. "You are tired are you not?" Andra asked.

  "Yes, I feel hungry as well, but I can keep going,” Shuran insisted.

  "Good, what we will work on now will help how you are feeling I think."

  "What do you mean you think?" Shuran asked.

  "I only know of this in theory since I have been unable to do so myself. You however, have already shown the ability to channel Essence when you were but days old."