by K Schultz
Herron and his cronies had won, and sensing weakness, they went for the jugular. Herron suggested Eideron was too partial to his apprentice and moved that the Synod transfer Simea to the tutelage of another Councilor forthwith.
When the debate ended and the smoke cleared. That motion passed too. For Himish and Eideron, it was like standing in the path of a rockslide, as it picked up momentum. It swept them away, leaving them dazed and bruised, at the bottom of the slope.
Eideron shook his head. The look on his face betrayed the sorrow in his heart. “I fear we can no longer work within this system,” he said.
The next day brought yet another defeat in the Council for Himish and Eideron. The vote, was not even close. A large majority voted against sending a delegation to support the people fighting the Nethera.
Council disallowed both Aibhera and Simea’s testimony. Eideron and Himish had no other witnesses to prove any threat existed, nor could they prove the Eniila and Abrhaani were working together. Most devastating of all, was the overwhelming consensus that any expedition outside the valley risked the safety of the Sokai people through exposure to the outside world. The vote was nearly unanimous on that point.
No matter what else they said, Eideron and Himish saw that this entrenched mindset prevented the Sokai from playing any role in Aarda’s protection. With the preceding vote, the Sokai dedicated themselves to self-interest at the cost of everything else.
The Sokai avoided destruction, by fleeing to Abalon, but the victory cost the loss of The Creator’s purposes for their lives. They lost sight of Aarda’s needs and the needs of the Abrhaani, and the Eniila. To them the other two species were not worth saving. The Council believed since no one knew their location, the Sokai could continue living in peace, and safety, no matter what happened outside Abalon. Eideron knew that was a false hope.
Eideron called them shortsighted fools. He told them the annihilation of the Abrhaani and the Eniila spelled their own eventual destruction. Eideron further stated that, even if the other two species were not working in concert again, their existence diverted the Nethera’s attention, from searching for the Sokai. If the Eniila and the Abrhaani perished, it was inevitable the Nethera would find Abalon. When that happened, they would stand, alone and unaided. The Sokai could not hold on without the help of the Eniila warriors and Abrhaani healers. They had no more rocks to crawl under, and nowhere else to hide.
Herron countered Eideron’s assertions, by repeating the same refrain, that there was no evidence of a threat, and without strong evidence, there was no need for action. Herron denounced Eideron’s proposed mission, as lunacy. He said as long as everyone remained unaware of their presence, that there was no threat to their security. Herron contended that any expedition outside Abalon, risked exposing them and their location, putting the entire species at needless risk.
Eideron did his best to turn them. The Lion of the Synod roared loud and long, but few heeded his warning. They defeated Herron’s final motion to have Eideron censured but it was a near thing.
Now Himish and Eideron sat together, and commiserated in Eideron’s parlor.
“Well, that is that,” Himish said, content to lick his figurative wounds.
“That is most definitely not that!” said Eideron.
“What do you mean? There’s nothing else to do! If you try again, they will vote to censure you, and next time they may win!”
“If that is the worst they can do; I can live with it. My position on Council is worthless anyway. We cannot accomplish anything working with those ninnies.”
“They think we are getting senile —” Himish struggled to pick the correct words. “They have a point.”
“Don’t tell me you think we are senile too!”
“No, I want you to acknowledge they are right —” he held up his hand to prevent Eideron from exploding in rage again. “Hear me out damn you! They are right in saying if anyone leaves the valley, we risk exposing the rest.”
“Do you think I am stupid, as well as old? I know that, but if we do nothing and this joint effort of the Eniila and Abrhaani fails, the Dark Ones will swallow us too. This valley is not immune to attack or discovery. Abalon is a terrible position to defend from a strategic military standpoint.”
“How long we will last, once the others are gone and the Nethera work unhindered? The Wasteland was expansive and we depended on its protection for centuries. Things may have changed; it may not be as broad as it was. Aarda may have reclaimed it, so we may not be as safe, as we believe.”
“The truth is; we don’t know the outside world anymore. We have not scouted outside the caldera walls to gather information. Instead of keeping watch, we remained hidden and ignored our difficulties. That is aside from the other problems facing us.”
“What other problems?”
“You must realize we are running out of room and resources here.”
“There is plenty of space, they are digging more dwellings into the cliff faces, as we speak, and work is proceeding well according to recent reports.”
“And what will we feed them? Our land is at capacity now. Each generation our population grows larger, while our capacity to produce food shrinks because of the increased population. I estimate that in two generations, we must look for more land outside this valley or face severe famine. Even sooner if a crop fails.”
Eideron let the idea sink deep into Himish’s mind.
“Even if we leave water supply out of the equation, we cannot continue as we have for centuries. Our growing population, coupled with our limited resources, will force us to leave here soon and expose our position. If the Nethera eliminate the Eniila and Abrhaani, we will face the threat alone and our species has produced damn few warriors, none who could dispatch a Dark One. We cannot avoid discovery by remaining hidden we can postpone it but not escape it.”
“So what do you mean to do?”
“It is best if I say nothing further, my friend. Then you will not share my disgrace.”
“No. Tell me what you plan. I can help.”
“I can plan nothing because I must question Aibhera and Simea again. If you want to aid my plan after we finish, I will give you more details. Since they barred me from further contact with Simea, I need a favor from you.”
***
It was dark when Aibhera arrived at Eideron’s house. She hid in the shadows, while she waited. After a few moments, Simea joined her. Neither of them spoke. Eideron sent a message, via Himish, that they should come to his house, after sunset, with no one knowing they were meeting. Neither of them understood the need for secrecy. The prospect of meeting again, in secret excited them. It added spice and mystery to their otherwise boring evening.
They came separately, by roundabout routes, making sure no one was watching or following them. They saw no one, so the precautions seemed unnecessary. It highlighted the arrogance of the Synod. They were sure of themselves and their power and believed no one would dare violate their edicts.
The dwelling was dark, as Eideron had promised. To anyone watching, Master Eideron had turned in early for a good night’s sleep after another disappointing day at Synod meetings. The young people scratched at the door, as Himish instructed them, and it opened at once. Eideron must have been waiting in the foyer for their arrival.
“Enter. Hurry.” Eideron pulled them inside his darkened home. “Follow me. There are no windows in the pantry.”
When they negotiated their way through his unlit dwelling into the pantry, Eideron closed the door and lit a lamp. Simea was surprised to see cushions set in the storage room with a low table on which Eideron placed the lamp.
“Why are we meeting like this Master?”
“I am not your Master anymore Simea, you can stop calling me Master. Call me Eideron. The council has judged me as someone without honor. You no longer need to honor me with the title.”
Aibhera protested, but Eideron silenced her with a look. “The council has its own way. They are the custodia
ns of this valley, and they shall continue taking care of it long after we are gone. I will not tolerate disrespect of the Synod. I believe they are mistaken in their recent decisions but they still deserve our esteem.”
“Very well Mm — Eideron.” Simea struggled to abandon the ingrained habit of preceding the name with the honorific. He served Eideron for two years, but understood him only recently. Eideron would forever be ‘Master’ to him, no matter what the council decreed. Simea was loyal, and he was angry.
“No matter what the Synod says, I will always honor you,” he said as he bowed low before Eideron.
“What is your plan?” asked Aibhera, as she bowed before him too. “Since we are meeting in secret, you must have a plan, one you want kept quiet.”
“Very perceptive young lady. It’s easy to see why they should have tested you along with your friend.” Eideron’s voice carried a bitter edge to it.
Eideron settled himself onto a cushion and told them to sit down with him.
“First, I must ask you both some questions. If I receive the answers I expect, I will tell you my plan. If you answer otherwise, I will forget the whole idea and this meeting never happened. Our lives will go on unchanged.”
Chapter 36
Silence lingered in the room, as the two youngsters waited for Eideron’s questions. For the second time in as many days, Simea no longer feared Eideron. This revelation deepened his loyalty and respect for the old man. Eideron was no longer a threatening and forbidding presence, just a wise old man, with more fire in his spirit than his frail body could contain.
Aibhera imagined that he was the grandfather she never knew. Aibby heard how Eideron fought for her in the Synod when Simea shared the debate details with Kyonna and Aibhera. Kyonna wept when she knew the ruling and blamed herself for Aibhera’s difficulties. Both Aibhera and Simea assured Ky it was Herron’s maneuver diverting attention from his own guilt, but she was inconsolable.
Out of respect, Aibhera and Simea waited for Eideron to speak. The Synod had beaten, shunned and pushed Eideron to the sidelines, but he remained unbroken. He was still vital in spirit, heart and mind. Determination to save his people glimmered in his eyes.
“Are you still having the same dreams?” Eideron asked.
They hesitated, glanced at each other, and then nodded.
“Things have changed. The dreams have become more vivid. We now smell and hear what is going on, though the words are muffled,” Aibhera said. “We stand beside them now.”
“And you should stand beside them,” Eideron thought, as he asked, “Are you convinced of the danger to mankind and Aarda?”
“More now than ever Master Eideron,” said Simea, as Aibhera nodded in agreement. “Why are you asking?”
“I ask, because I must find the depth of your commitment to your visions. I must ask you this too. Are you willing to do whatever is necessary, to help those who oppose the Nethera?”
“Yes Master Eideron,” Aibhera said. She looked at Simea and he nodded. “I believe we are.”
“Are you willing to be censured, become outcasts, abandon your families and cross The Wasteland to find the ones you seek?”
“So that is why he asks these questions. Eideron will send us to discover what is happening outside Abalon,” Aibhera thought.
Once Aibhera understood the full cost of the task ahead, it shredded her heart. “We have no experience outside this valley, and we know nothing of the outside world.”
“Since I too lack that knowledge, I cannot help you,” Eideron said, shook his head and looked forlorn.
“Do you intend to send us out there?” asked Aibhera, putting her fears into words. Sokai children grew up hearing stories of monsters and dangers outside the caldera. Their ancestors overcame many perils, before they arrived in the haven of Abalon.
“Not exactly, but think hard before you answer. Many lives may depend on your choices. You may discuss the issues now, or you may do so in private later. When we meet again, you may give me your answer then.”
“With each meeting we increase our risk of discovery. We will discuss this now and make our decision now. Do you agree Sim?” The visions were too powerful to ignore. Aibhera could not live free of shame, if she did nothing to help the people from her nightly visions.
Simea began. “Aibby, we have no experience outside Abalon and we risk exposing our people to discovery, if we fail, or are captured.”
“Yes the responsibility frightens me too, but consider this. Mother and the other planters say we must either stop having children, or find new land for crops outside Abalon. That will risk our exposure too.”
“This decision is too big for young people,” Simea protested.
“But Simea, The Creator has given us these visions. No one else has the information we do. Since the Synod has refused to act, what else can we do? I am terrified of leaving everything behind, but I am equally terrified to do nothing. My head tells me to stay, but my heart tells me that staying, and doing nothing is an act of cowardice, or worse.”
“You are right. I sense it too,” he conceded. “We may need them as much as they need us. If we refuse to help them, and they perish, no one will come to our aid later.”
“Master,” Simea began. “We have no other choice. The Sokai must send a party to help the Abrhaani and the Eniila, who now fight alone against the darkness. We are afraid, but if you send us, we will go.”
“The Synod will curse us for going, and never allow us to return. Assuming we survive,” said Aibhera, with a smile, trying to lighten the mood with gallows humor.
“I have listened to you discuss the issues. You covered more ground than the Synod and came to a better conclusion. You both proved wise beyond your years and are afraid of the consequences of your actions, but you will not flinch from your duty. No Synod Councilor could do more. I will not send you.”
Both young people looked puzzled, when he stopped speaking.
“No, I shall not send you,” he repeated. “We shall go together.”
Simea was about to protest, but Eideron held up his hand, signaling him to keep silent.
“I know I am old. If you say one word about it, I shall beat you senseless. I am still confident I can carry out that threat.”
“I may not survive the journey. None of us may survive it, but you are too young and inexperienced to undertake this task alone. I still must teach the Synod’s secret knowledge, which may help. You cannot learn this information out in The Wasteland without my teaching. If I try to teach you here, before we leave, we risk discovery, censure, and imprisonment, or worse, and that ends any chance to aid the ones we seek.”
“I must go along, and complete your training, if for no other reason. Besides, I would be a pitiful leader if I burdened you with a load I refused to bear,” he paused and sighed.
“There is no one else, except Himish, who is not as old as I am. Himish might be more able to handle the physical rigors of the task, but Himish has family responsibilities. I have no one left here, no one who will miss me when I am gone. The Lion of the Synod will snarl one last time, but not within a cage devised by shortsighted fools.”
Both young people looked surprised, when he referred to himself by that nickname.
“Yes, they call me that, and I intend to live up to it. A lion is not a house cat. The wilderness is a fitting place for a lion’s death. I am the only logical choice and I will tolerate no argument from either of you. Is that understood?” Eideron said, feeling far less stern than he sounded.
“Yes Master,” Simea and Aibhera replied in unison, contrite because of the reprimand.
“Now it is past an old man’s bedtime.”
Eideron put out the lamp and guided his young guests through his darkened dwelling to the door of his home.
“Farewell,” he whispered. “I will send word to Simea through Himish, with another meeting time. Come prepared to leave. I am sorry I cannot tell you what to bring, but I do not understand what we need either.”
“Creator, guide us in our preparations,” he prayed aloud.
“Try to listen for The Creator’s voice children, since He alone knows what we need. Do not meet, for any reason, before we leave. I suspect that Herron may have us watched. Herron would love an excuse to impeach and imprison me. We must act, before anyone suspects what we plan.”
Aibhera and Simea were silent as they parted. Aibhera took a different route home than the one she took coming to Eideron’s clandestine meeting. Her mind raced, as she glided silently along the deserted alleys and pathways toward her home. Aibhera was sad that this was their only option, but excited to take part in something dangerous and daring. It amused her, that Kyonna was not part of this undertaking. The Creator must have a sense of humor, since Aibhera, the cautious sister, was embarking on a perilous adventure, while impetuous Kyonna stayed safe at home.
As Aibhera slipped through the shadows, she sensed someone spied on her. At first, she suspected her participation in the conspiracy made her skittish, but she heard intermittent noises that did not fit with normal night sounds. After several more occurrences, the feeling that someone was following her was too strong to deny.
Aibhera wracked her brain for a solution. She could run home outdistancing whoever shadowed her, or she could try to find out who followed her. If Aibhera ran home, she drew trouble to her household, not a good choice. The family had enough trouble, without her bringing more to their door. In spite of the danger, she desperately wanted to see who shadowed her. Aibhera remembered a place that might make it possible avoid capture and still discovered the spy’s identity.
Just around the corner, a ladder led to the roof of her neighbor’s house. They used the place to dry herbs in the sun. If she was quick, she might climb the ladder, and once her stalker went past, she could descend behind her pursuer. Aibhera could glimpse her follower as he passed. If her tracker climbed the ladder after her, there was no escape from the roof, but she was willing to chance it. Aibhera wondered if Simea was having a similar problem.