by Franc Ingram
There weren’t many legends that Oleana put much stock in, being one herself. Even her idols, the Twelve disappointed more and more each time she talked to them. Only Daycia proved to be greater than even the legend could express. That gave Oleana hope that the only other person she longed to meet would live up to the stories told about her. Oleana would make it to Evermore, and the Crystal Tower. No one would be able to stand in her way, not Ivar, not Cornelius.
“Cornelius got to you. Made a deal,” Oleana said, understanding smacking her in the face. “How else could you be so perfectly timed with the yetis? And know so much about me.”
“This is about the welfare…,” Ivar started.
“I know you won’t believe me,” Oleana said cutting him off, “but you can’t trust Cornelius. He’ll never see any human as an equal, despite the claims he may have made. Your cooperating with him will only delay your subjugation, not prevent it.”
“Don’t interrupt me,” Ivar boomed, getting so close to Oleana the metal buckle on his belt pressed into her bellybutton. “Don’t presume to tell me my fate. You know nothing.” Ivar didn’t give Oleana a chance to respond, turning to Nadir. “Your pet demi-goddess is going to cost you more than control of the Alignment River. Or you can show some sense and give up the mouth of the river and focus your attentions elsewhere.”
Nadir hesitated and Oleana wanted to step in and say what had to be said. It was Nadir’s territory, and his people. No matter how hard Oleana wanted to tell Ivar to go jump in a deep dark hole, she kept her mouth shut.
“I don’t wish a conflict between us, but if your troops cross into Caledon I will be within my rights to consider it an act of war, and react accordingly. You might want to consider what chaos your people will be thrown into if you’re killed in battle. As far as I know you have no legitimate heirs. How many of your relatives will take a chunk of Failsea for themselves?”
It was Ivar’s turn to look uncomfortable. “I look forward to meeting you on the battlefield, Starson,” Ivar said. The big man turned with a rustle of leather and fur.
For Oleana it was satisfying watching him leave in anger, but she couldn’t help but worry about what that moment would cost her later. Ivar didn’t seem like the kind of man that let his anger rise without causing damage. From the narrowing of Nadir’s eyes, he felt the same.
Tycho was the first to speak once they had the room to themselves. He still held his injured arm close to his body, even though he’d done away with the sling for the meeting. “That didn’t go as bad as I expected.”
“I don’t think we were at the same meeting,” Oleana said.
“After Nadir threatened him, and called him a childless bastard, I thought for sure things were going to come to blows. We should count ourselves lucky we escaped without bruises,” Tycho said.
Nadir rubbed at his chin like something was biting him. “I had hoped to force him to slow his troops, to hesitate at the border. That way the Heirs could slip through while Ivar was distracted with us. Now my impetuous tongue has bungled it. Oleana I’m sorry. I just couldn’t stand here and let that man insult everything important to me.”
Oleana laid her hand on his shoulder. “Listen, Cornelius already talked to Ivar. There was no chance of us buying any space. I thank you for trying.”
“Ivar is eager for a fight, and we haven’t heard from Daycia. What are we going to do now?” Tycho asked.
“We do as Ivar said, get ready to meet him on the battlefield, and trust the Twelve that Daycia and her troops will be there when we need them,” Nadir said.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: WAR
The war room at ranger headquarters was stuffed to the brim with people. The octagon room was set up much like a small theater, with an angled floor slanting down to accommodate five rows of seats surrounding an inset stage. Armored and armed men and women from all over Caledon gathered in the space, filling it with the noise of swords clanking against scabbards, shields knocking against chair legs, and voices talking hurriedly about grave matters.
Lysander held himself washboard straight, forcing air in and out of his lungs in slow, steady breaths. The air felt thick and hot, as if there wasn’t enough to for all the greedy bodies. Lysander followed his father down the aisle feeling hundreds of eyes following his every move.
He was hyper-aware of the swollen tongue taking up more than its fair share in his mouth, and the dark circles under his eyes, all side-effects of his recent seizure. His body still felt shaky, as if at any moment it would fall apart. Lysander couldn’t help but wonder how many of those eyes looking on now knew his secret, knew his weakness. How many of them were now judging him?
His father slowed when they were steps away from the stage, forcing Lysander to pull up short. Lorn, who was behind him, bumped into him. Lysander glanced at the boy, nodding to him. Everything was okay. They were all suffering under the effects of the last few day’s troubles.
Even though Leith was clearly on the mend, watching him come that close to death shook Lysander to the core. He barely knew the man, yet they shared a connection that was beyond his understanding. On top of it, Lysander had been given a title and responsibility that he couldn’t possibly live up to.
Lorn may have known for years what he was meant to do, but coming against the harsh reality of it visibly shook the boy. They had no time to deal with those feelings. There were more important things to worry about. Caledon was on the brink of war, and in this room history would be decided.
“So many people,” Lorn said, looking around distractedly. His eyes darted from place to place, as if he were trying to take in every detail, but absorbed none of it.
“This is how our realm works,” Lysander said leaning in close to keep the conversation between the two of them. “My father may be the leader, but matters of war have always been decided by committee. All the provincial leaders, eighty-eight in total, plus the leaders of infrastructure, including agriculture, finance, transportation, they all get a say. Of course, they all bring aides and analysts, advisors of different sorts. It quickly becomes a circus.”
“Stay here,” Nadir said pointing to the first row of seats.
Lysander nodded to his father. He was more than happy not to stand at his side on the stage. This was too big to be ruined by his uneasy nerves. Tycho’s family was already in place. Lysander’s Aunt Kaithlen, Miriam and her husband Garth, who wore the steel gray dragon scale armor of ranger leadership. Lysander greeted them with a nod. It wasn’t the place for anything else. His mother sat on the end. He spared her a kiss on the cheek. She stared at him, through him, in that way that only she could manage.
“I’m okay, Mom,” he said, anticipating her question. She smiled and nodded, but Lysander could tell she knew the truth. He was very far from being all right.
Nadir took the stage, Tycho on his right side - arm still in a sling, and Oleana on his left. Nadir knocked his fist against the podium in front of him three times, and the murmur of the crowd died. Nadir turned a slow circle making sure everyone’s eyes were on him.
“As many of you know,” Nadir started, his voice loud, and strong and steady, “Ivar has set his troops on the move and they’re headed for the mouth of the Alignment River. I’ve made it clear that such an aggressive move will mean war between our two realms. Ivar is intent to follow through with his plans, despite my attempts to negotiate a more peaceful solution.” Nadir gave the crowd time to absorb the news. The crowd held themselves still.
This was not a group prone to panic. They knew the pronouncement that was coming. “I have no intention of letting the troops of Failsea get anywhere near our river.” A roar of approval erupted. Lysander locked eyes with his father as they waited for the noise to die down.
Lysander knew what his father would say next, needed to say, but he wasn’t ready to be exposed in front of so many. Despite having used his new ability to a mixed result, Lysander still had trouble believing the truth himself.
Nadir sucked in a deep b
reath. Lysander could see his father physically steel himself up for what was to come next. “Our land is not all Ivar and his troops are threatening. Our realm and others have been on the decline because of the ultras, Cornelius and Emmaray. Many of you know about what happened in Solon and heard about the yetis being on the move. This isn’t a random occurrence. Cornelius is after the Heirs of Eternity.”
Nadir ushered Oleana forward. She rolled up her sleeve to expose the brand on her arm. Lysander, Lorn, and Leith stood up to show theirs off as well, turning and holding their arms up to give everyone a clear view. Lysander’s heart was in his throat. He wanted to pull the blanket of his old life over his head and forget the last few days had darkened his path. He expected to be rejected as a fool and a liar.
Shock rippled through the crowd like a bitter, cold wind. Nadir continued before things could get out of control. “We have long awaited their arrival and the hope for a better world that they can bring. Our land and our future is being threatened. If we enter this fight, I needed everyone to know the full stakes.”
“I ask a lot of you. If we enter this fight, it won’t be quick, but victory will mean peace and security on a scale we’ve never seen before. So, I put this question to you, will we side with the Heirs of Eternity, block the invaders at our borders, Ivar on one side and Cornelius on the other? Do we go to war?”
Again the murmuring started, but people were gathering in small groups to talk amongst themselves. Lysander watched as his father came up off the stage. It was time to let the people decide, without their ruler hanging over them. Oleana followed Nadir, and Lysander was quick on her heels, urging Lorn and Leith to join them. Lysander knew his mother would stay. She was the daughter of a provincial leader, her voice needed to be heard.
Once out in the hall, Oleana leaned against the far wall. She patted Lorn’s back. A look of calm spread across the boy’s face. Lysander found himself staring at the doors that closed behind them. He wished he could will his people to make the right choice.
“This isn’t how I wanted things to go,” Oleana said, breaking the silence between them. “Cornelius is stirring up this war just to get at us, and your people are caught in the middle of it. We should have left as soon as Lysander was activated. We could have sorted the rest on the go.” She pulled at her hair, a wild and frustrated look in her eyes.
“The war between Caledon and Failsea has been building for a long time. I prefer sooner, rather than later,” Nadir said. He grabbed Oleana’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’d also prefer to fight this battle with you at my side, than without.
“That’s just weird on so many levels,” Lorn said stepping away from the two of them.
Oleana’s face turned a shade of red Lysander would have thought impossible for someone with skin as brown as hers. She stepped back from Nadir, putting several feet between them. Lysander looked away, feeling as awkward as Lorn expressed he was.
“We have to leave,” Oleana said, avoiding Nadir’s eyes.
“It is better if we fight as a united front,” Nadir objected.
“No, no, no. If we leave, Cornelius will pull his troops from the fight and follow us, leaving you to deal with Ivar alone. I didn’t want it to be like this, trust me. I have spent years preparing Lorn for what must come next, and I would love at least six months to get the other two ready. It's not fair to throw it at them on the run, but that’s what we are left with. Staying here isn’t safe for anyone. Once the three are crowned we can legitimately rally help from other realms.”
“Oleana please, that’s risky going out there without the protection you have here.”
“No Nadir, we must leave.” Oleana stood to her full height, raising her chin, daring Nadir to challenge her further. She met his eyes, in an intense stare. “You have to think about more than me, more than your son. This is my decision as the guardian.”
Nadir looked to Lorn, who only shrugged. Before anyone could speak, the doors opened and Tycho poked his massive head out.
“They’ve decided.”
“That was fast,” Lorn stuttered, suddenly anxious.
“We go to war,” Tycho finished.
100101
Tycho and Nadir were busy coordinating troops and making arrangements to prepare the realm for war, leaving the four Heirs of Eternity to finish what Oleana started four days ago. Oleana was happy to have them out of her hair while she did what she could for Lysander.
The second she mentioned her plans Nadir and Lillian cut into her like she’d asked permission to slice him open and take a look inside. Oleana knew there was risk but Lysander was a soldier, they’d been training him half his life to do a job with an elevated amount of risk. She tried her best to assure them it was the best course, and her miraculous healing of Leith only sealed her case.
“Are you sure you’re clear on what needs to be done?” she asked Lorn for the third time since they’d took up standing in the back garden of the Residence.
“I stir up a low level electrical storm right down on your head. It travels from you into Lysander giving his system the jolt necessary to reset itself to allow the smart particle cloud to fully integrate with his biological systems eliminating the seizures.”
“Do you understand half of the things you just said?” Lysander asked.
“I understand what I have to do,” Lorn replied, puffing out his chest with confidence.
Leith, standing at the start of the walkway closest to the Residence, shook his head. “Dangerous game this. Sure you don’t want to practice? Better question, why I’m out here?”
“I don’t need practice. I healed you. I can do this. Don’t worry,” Oleana replied dismissively, looking at Lysander.
“How do you keep from getting electrocuted?” Lysander asked.
“I can copy Lorn’s immunity, at least temporarily.”
“Is this reset going to hurt? It sounds rather painful,” Lysander questioned, skepticism twinkling in his wide eyes.
“It shouldn’t,” Oleana said plainly, not wanting to sugarcoat things.
“What does that mean?” Lysander said raising his eyebrows, backing up a step.
“Dang it Leith, see what you’ve done?” Oleana yelled. Leith shrugged. Oleana put her hand on Lysander’s shoulder, looking into his shining gray eyes. “Listen Lysander, I promise you as I did your father, that I would not be putting you or Lorn through this if I wasn’t sure that - one it was as safe as possible, and two that it was the only way to make you whole. Every seizure you have does damage to your body. Unfortunately, our presence will only mean an increase in seizures as your powers continue to grow.” Oleana held on to the young man hoping to impress upon him how serious this was. “After much arguing and explaining, your parents agreed to this because they came to understand how vital this is, not just for your future as an Heir but for your continued health. If you choose not to do it, that's fine. It’s your body, your choice, but know that it’s a lifesaving measure.”
Lysander held his shoulders back and stood up straighter. “I do not fear what must be done.” he said.
“Good, now you hold my hands. Lorn you do your thing, and Leith stay over there and stay silent.” Oleana took in several big breaths knowing that despite what she told Lysander the reset would likely hurt her a great deal. She was going to have to keep calm and work through the pain. With Lysander’s hands firmly in hers, Oleana was as ready as she could be. “Okay Lorn, whenever you’re ready.”
Oleana knew Lorn better than he knew himself. She also knew the massive power that lurked behind his innocent face, that wide smile and wide green eyes. She knew that power well enough to be able to rewrite her own genetic makeup to match it.
Cold air rushed in, and the sky crackled with pent up energy. Oleana opened herself up to the full powers of the guardian, the many lives she lived, the deep-seated connections she felt to the men around her, and the world beyond them. The first bolt of lightning cut through the air and Oleana tensed, but it wasn’t m
eant for her. Oleana focused on the sequence of things she had to do to make this work. She would have to run through a lot of calculations in a millisecond to get things right.
The air sizzled, and lightning struck Oleana. Without thinking about it, without meaning to, Oleana pulled on the power of all three of her charges. She networked four separate brains to complete different parts of the same task. Lorn was in charge of keeping the wild energy under control, circling it through Oleana’s body until the time was right to share. Lysander had to map out his own nervous system, find and highlight the damaged areas. Leith, ever the reluctant participant, calculated how much of an electrical jolt Lysander needed, leaving Oleana to absorb the information from the others, and act accordingly. A task she found difficult, as her body burned from the inside out.
Lysander gave her the map. Leith came right behind him with the calculations. Oleana took control from Lorn, splintering an eighth of the energy off and sending it toward Lysander, while forcing the rest to ground in a path that bypassed her heart.
Just as she had with the Twelve, Oleana could no longer see the surface world of bone and flesh, but she looked inward and saw the ones and zeros that mapped out the being currently called Lysander. The electricity was a compact group of ones that shoved its way through the neatly arrayed lattice work of Lysander’s nervous system. Oleana gently nudged it through the path she wanted, toward the knots of tangled code in Lysander’s brain that kept him from being whole.
She could see the damage the seizures had already done. There were gaps in the lattice, areas where branches spun off into nothing, and cracks in the framework of others. Compared to the billions of connections, the gaps were miniscule, but many more looked on the verge of collapse and it would be a cascading effect where whole sections would be broken off.
The electricity careened through Lysander, finding the knotted lines of code and exploding on impact, breaking apart the knots and creating a swirling eddy of numbers. Vaguely Oleana recognized the sound of screaming. Sound was unimportant, an ineffective means of energy transfer, so it was ignored.