by S. K. Ng
“But what about the prince!? He still survives! Not only that, he is unharmed! He was supposed to be taken out! He needs to be taken out, or your precious Operation Serpent Smoke will fail! Isn’t that the plan!? I was supposed to attack Fort Eastguard to lure Prince Patrum out of Palace Liberty, and you were supposed to arrange an ambush to get him killed! Then we launch Operation Serpent Smoke and go in for the ultimate kill! But you failed to get him killed! And I lost many men and resources for nothing, all because of you!” stressed King Fangstrike.
“He will be taken out! There are a few opportunities coming our way for that and I shall make sure they are not wasted. Trust me, King Fangstrike, Prince Patrum will be dead, or at the very least, seriously wounded, before this year ends. Then we can proceed with Operation Serpent Smoke,” assured Lord Destiny.
King Fangstrike gave him a doubtful look, turned around and exited the hidden room.
Outside Castle Cobra, the sky lit up with streaks of lightning. The booms of thunder followed and the heavens unleashed their loads onto the grassy undulating terrain of Serpentia.
The 21st Day of Third Month of Wet Season was the day that Ray had been waiting for ever since his return to Free Falls. The morning sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. A strong wind was blowing, negating the heat of the hot sun. Step by steady step Ray, Lance, Clover and Spirit walked up a long lane defined by straight rows of large trees planted on either side of it. Behind these rows of trees were orchards of fruit trees and large irrigation canals with fast flowing water sourced from a nearby waterfall. This was the grounds of Monune Grand. At the end of the long lane stood a great white building. This building consisted of a circular dome-shaped main structure three storeys high with five triangular two-storey wings extending from it. From the top view the building was deemed to have the shape of a star.
Ray began explaining to Lance about this place. Monune Grand, as it was called, served as headquarters and a gathering place for the Grand Order of Elementhars. The Grand Order, as Lance was taught earlier, consisted of five orders based on the five elements of nature. Therefore, Monune Grand had five wings extending from it for each of these orders. These wings served as lodgings for the Elementhars during their stay here. It was their second home, the first being their order’s individual monune. Two of these wings were empty, of course. These being the wings of the Fire Elementhars and the Mind Elementhars. The main structure served as a conference hall. On this day every year, the anniversary of the passing away of Pioneer Vanguard, all Ordered Elementhars would gather for what was known as the Grand Conference. During this conference, they met to discuss whatever issues that was relevant and important to them as individual and as a whole. Ray estimated that there should be approximately 400 Elementhars in the building at the moment.
Ray, Clover, Lance and Spirit stepped into Monune Grand. Ray led them straight into the gathering hall. Lance had never seen such a scene before. The gathering hall was semi-circular in shape. The Elementhars who were in attendance sat in three out of the five large columns of seats that sloped down toward a semi-circular, raised platform at the end. Two columns of seats, Lance noted, were empty. On the raised platform, a man in his mid seventies and whom Lance assumed to be the Grand Elementhar, sat on an almost throne-like seat behind a long semi-circular table which had the five symbols of the five elements of nature carved into it. He was dressed in a white robe, indicating the wind element. Seated either side of him behind this long table were an elderly man and an elderly woman in their late sixties or early seventies. The man was dressed in a brown robe and the woman was dressed in a dark blue one. Lance deduced that these three elderly people comprised the High Council.
The conference was already in progress when they entered. High Elementhar Dulcet Calnen stopped speaking when he caught sight of Ray and his companions; thereby causing the whole hall to turn and look at them. All were silent. The expression of surprise were on the faces of these Elementhars and then the silence turned into a buzz of excited chatter.
“Nature’s wisdom _ may you all have of this, newcomers! Identify _ please do of this of yourselves, for the benefit of all who are present, and then state your intentions,” commanded the Grand Elementhar in a calm tone.
“Nature’s wisdom _ may you all have of this, Masters Rapier Shay, Dulcet Calnen and Ambience Waycress, and my brother and sister Ordered Elementhars! Identity _ mine of this is Master Elementhar Ray Iddell of the Order of Fire Elementhars and with me are Master Elementhar Clover Genox of the Order of Water Elementhars, Novice Elementhar Lance Arman of the Order of Fire Elementhars and Spirit the White Wolf. Intention _ mine of this is to seek justice for my order and to discuss its future,” declared Ray.
“Recognise _ the High Council does of this of you, Master Ray Iddell,” said the Grand Elementhar, Rapier Shay, while gesturing for Ray and his companions to the front of the raised platform.
Ray, Clover, Lance and Spirit walked down the aisle and stood in front of the raised platform.
“Speak,” said Master Shay.
“Resolution _ I seek of this from the High Council and the Grand Order to investigate the massacre of my order and execute vengeance upon the perpetrators of that massacre,” said Ray in a cold, firm manner.
“Resolution _ of this, it was discussed between us 15 years ago and unless you present new arguments or evidences, our decision will not be changed,” replied Master Shay, equally as cold and as firm.
“Evidence _ of this, there is none but of argument, I still maintain that the High Council and the Grand Order are obligated to the resolution that I seek, for my order deserves justice,” objected Ray, his temper slightly flaring.
“Justice _ of this, it is not the same as vengeance, Ray, for justice seeks to isolate the criminals from the innocents and rehabilitate them whereas vengeance is about inflicting suffering upon the criminals as how they have inflicted sufferings upon their victims; and what you had asked of us was actually vengeance,” clarified Master Shay.
“Differ _ I beg to do of this, Master Shay, for I follow the ways of nature and by the ways of nature, every living being is to get what it deserves; and to suffer as how it has made others suffer or to be relieved of suffering as how it has relieved others from suffering; for this is true justice,” rebutted Ray.
The Grand Elementhar and both High Elementhars shook their head in disagreement.
“Resolution _ of this, we had already given to you 15 years ago, though it was not the one you had liked or accepted. Vengeance _ best that you forget of this, Ray, for it has never benefited anyone but instead, brought more sorrow and suffering. Justice _ of this and of whichever kind, it is hardly important for what is done is done and therefore cannot be undone. Future _ it is best that we look forward so that we can secure the best of this for ourselves,” stressed Master Shay, his cold eyes staring into Ray’s.
“Justice _ of this and also of vengeance, they are of the utmost importance so as to prevent similar crimes and tragedies from occurring again; and therefore are essential in securing a better future; for we should never allow others to suffer the same fate as we have, as I and my order have!” stressed Ray just as firmly and as coldly.
“Agree _ The High Council did not do of this with you 15 years ago and since you have provided no new argument or evidence, our decision still stands,” concluded Master Shay.
Before Ray could respond, Master Calnen stood up.
“Careful _ be of this, Ray, over your next few words. Remember _ do of this that everything has ramifications!” warned Master Calnen.
Ray hesitated slightly. Master Calnen gave him a serious stare. Meanwhile, Master Waycress took a sip of tea to calm herself down. She felt great anxiety from all the yelling and harsh words that were being exchanged. Master Shay reached for some red peanuts. Everyone in the crowd was silent, waiting to see what Ray would do next.
“Denounce _ the Order of Fire Elementhars does of this of the Grand Order of Elementhars and of the Hig
h Council of Elementhars for breaching of the 7th Law of Elementhar Administration!” said Ray in a loud, clear voice and with bloodshot red eyes and his body trembling with fury.
Master Shay was taken aback. His jaw dropped in shock. Master Calnen sat back down and shook his head in frustration. Master Waycress was so shocked that her eyes bulged. The whole gathering hall was abuzz with loud chatter. Pale white faces stared blankly at the raised platform, their eyes bulged and their mouths opened wide.
Master Shay slammed his fist onto the table. Empty red peanut shells jumped out of a small trash container on the table due to the resultant vibration. He then rose from his seat and pointed an accusing finger at Ray.
“Insolent _ you are of this, and proud and egotistical and disloyal and blind you are also! History _ never in the 700 years of this of ours has anyone been so obnoxious so as to denounce the Grand Order! Never! Realise _ do you of this of the consequences of your actions, Ray? Restored _ your order can never be of this and it shall forever be gone, so how could you even think of doing such a thing!?” shouted Master Shay.
Master Calnen stood back up and looked at Ray straight in the eyes.
“Destroy _ you are doing of this to the Grand Order, but more importantly, also to the Order of Fire Elementhars. Chance _ Ray, we offered you one of this to rebuild your order 15 years ago and we still do so today, so why will you not take it? Vengeance _ forget of this, for it is eating away your soul!” he said.
“Rebuild _ I do not have to be in the Grand Order to do of this to my order, Master Calnen,” Ray pointed out.
“Independent _ so you would prefer to be of him than to keep the company of your brothers and sisters, Ray?” asked Master Waycress.
“Independent _ I would rather be of him than to keep false company, Master Waycress!” retorted Ray.
Master Waycress shook her head and gave Ray a sympathetic look. Master Calnen sat back down and turned his gaze away from Ray.
Master Shay leaned forward in his chair.
“Stand _ what is yours of this on this issue, Clover?” he asked.
“Stand _ mine of this on this issue is as same as Master Iddell’s. Noviciate _ of this, I have requested for and have been accepted into the Order of Fire Elementhars by Master Iddell, and I want my order to be avenged,” answered Clover.
“Water Elementhars _ you are one of us, Clover! Leave _ would you really want to do of this to us?” asked Master Waycress.
“Resolution _ only if Master Iddell’s request of this is not approved,” answered Clover.
“Leave _ then you shall have to do of this to us, Clover,” answered Master Waycress.
Master Calnen looked at Lance. Lance was not sure how to react, so he looked at the floor.
“Accept _ Lance, we will do of you if you leave Master Iddell,” offered Master Calnen.
“No!” replied Lance firmly.
Master Calnen shook his head in disappointment.
Master Shay sat back straight in his chair. He looked at Ray and shook his head as well.
“Childishness _ give up yours of this, Ray and return to the fold. Rebuild _ do of this of your order and forget this obsession of vengeance,” he said in another attempt to reason with Ray.
“No! Resolution _ will you grant me the one of this that I ask for, Master Shay!?” asked Ray one last time.
“No!” answered Master Shay.
“No!” answered both Master Calnen and Master Waycress when Ray looked at them.
“Denounce _ I, Master Elementhar Ray Iddell, on behalf of the Order of Fire Elementhars and of myself and my novices, hereby on this day, the 21st Day of Third Month of Wet Season of the year 1200 of the Known Era, do of this to the Grand Order of Elementhars and to the High Council of Elementhars,” proclaimed Ray as he gathered his soul energy at the fingertips of his right hand, and then, with all his anger and frustration, jumped onto the raised platform and slammed his right hand down onto the semi-circular table.
There was a bright flash and a loud ‘booming’ sound; and the table cracked and broke into two from the impact. The platform floor was littered with shattered pieces of teacups and jugs, pieces of paper, ink bottles, pens and red peanut shells as a result.
Master Calnen was shocked at the brutality of this symbolic act. Master Waycress jumped in her seat at the sound of the ‘explosion’. Master Shay just shook his head.
“Out _ you three are cast of this, and henceforth are no longer members of the Grand Order of Elementhars,” pronounced Master Shay.
Clover approached Master Waycress and handed her a book wrapped in a piece of cloth.
“Vanguard Manuscript _ whose copy of this is it?” asked Master Waycress.
“Vanguard Manuscript _ of this, it was Wave’s copy. Supplemented _ this copy has been of this with the spells that were missing from our copies. Consolidate _ you can now do of this of the missing water element spells with this copy,” answered Clover.
“Supplement _ how did you do of this, Clover?” asked Master Waycress.
Clover did not answer. She turned to look at Ray. Ray nodded his head.
“Supplemented _ I did of this of the book with the Original Vanguard Manuscript,” she said.
All three High Council members stood up in surprise. The entire hall broke into a buzz.
“Original Vanguard Manuscript _ of it, it was with you all these years, Ray? Manuscript _ of it, we had thought that it had been destroyed when your monune was burnt down! Manuscript _ of it, it belongs to the Grand Order, so you must return it to us, Ray! ” said Master Calnen.
“No! Prime Guardian _ I am of him, and was selected by both you and Master Shay 15 years ago, remember? Fit _ I see it not of this that the Grand Order be the keeper of this book, nor deserving of its wisdom,” said Ray.
Master Calnen was speechless. He knew that Ray was angry, but it seemed to him that Ray’s anger had turned into hatred. He was at a lost, and so were Masters Shay and Waycress. They did not know what to do. Ray was appointed the Prime Guardian by the High Council. There was no rule to state that the Prime Guardian must be an Ordered Elementhar, because no one had ever expected the Prime Guardian to denounce the Grand Order. But as Prime Guardian, Ray was the legitimate keeper and protector of the Original Vanguard Manuscript and no one, not even Grand Elementhar Shay, had the right to take it away from him.
The High Council sat back down in defeat. Ray, Clover, Lance and Spirit turned around and walked toward the exit. As they did, they were jeered by the crowd. But amongst the jeering, there were some who clapped in support, particularly amongst the Earth Elementhars and the Water Elementhars.
As they leave Monune Grand, Ray feels both sad yet satisfied. He has finally delivered the message that he had wanted to deliver to the High Council for the past 15 years. He has finally punished them for ‘abandoning’ his order. And now the High Council know that as Ray leaves, the Original Vanguard Manuscript leaves with him. The true spirit of Pioneer Elementhar Nova Vanguard is with him, and not with them. Ray hopes that the High Council will finally understand that they have lost their way.
Clover, too, feels satisfied that the High Council has received this rude slap across the face. Of course, now she has become an outcast yet again. But being an outcast is preferable to being wrong, or being on the wrong side.
Lance feels disappointed with the hypocrisy of the High Council. This is the first time he had any dealings with them, and the experience was not positive at all. He now realises that Elementhars have such complicated relationships. It seems that there is more to their interest than just killing demons.
Spirit, meanwhile, is just not bothered about the fuss, for as far as he is concerned, it is close to lunch time and his stomach rumbles with hunger. He understands not what is going on, only that this crowd of people were Ray’s pack once but are not anymore. Too bad for them, he reasons, for it is their loss and his gain. Ray is the best pack-mate he ever had, is having, and will probably ever have. As he walks away
from the strange white building with Ray, Lance and Clover, he thinks back to his past, to the time when he had first met Ray. He thinks back about his own story, the story of Spirit.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE STORY OF SPIRIT
He feels wet. He feels cold. Air fills his lungs. Slowly, he opens his eyes, this little white wolf cub. He looks around and sees three other little white wolf pups, wet and cold like him. So born into the world of Farhayven is he, Spirit the White Wolf, one of the four heirs of the tradition of the polar wolf.
The landscape was white, filled with a solid wetness that drained the heat off Spirit’s body. Then there was a rumbling emptiness inside him. He took a deep breath and smelt the air. The air was fresh but cold. He moved his weak head around, smelling the air again. There was a strange, and yet familiar, smell. He followed this smell. It led his head to a piece of protruding flesh. He put his mouth to it and began to suck. Warm white liquid filled his empty belly, the life-giving milk of his mother. He looked around, and saw the other little wolf pups doing the same. So there they were, all cold, wet and weak, sucking milk from their mother.
Strength found its way to Spirit’s legs and body. He tried to stand up, but collapsed to the ground. It was a hard fall, and he yelped in pain. But he tried again and again, and yet again. Then he was on his feet. He took his first step. His legs trembled. He walked the few steps to his other siblings and sniffed behind their tails. Two were males and one was female. So he had two brothers and a sister. His legs felt tired and the cold had weakened him further. He struggled the few steps required to get to the underbelly of his mother and lowered his body to the ground. His eyes were heavy and he closed them gently, snuggling comfortably to the warmth of his mother’s body. There he slept in innocent peace.