A Twist of the Tale
Page 16
Chapter 12. In the House of Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun
Thor watched as Master R’He’Ghoud turned and walked back down the road towards the city district from whence they had come. The page in house livery that had been waiting patiently for them bowed and requested they follow him. Thor dawdled along taking in his surroundings. The grounds of this great house were beautiful and what he could see of the house itself equally astounded him. The page then stopped and Thor found that Solin was talking to a rather military looking sentinel. Thor knew the uniform; it was of the civil defense guard, a body made up of volunteers who kept law and order within the jurisdiction of the city walls. The officer was bowing to her every so often, he seemed a little nervous, but then he addressed the page sounding much more officious. The page was then dismissed with a wave of the sentinel’s hand and he once more addressed Solin, with further bowing he requested they walk with him. Solin continued to talk with the sentinel as they walked; the sentinel continued to bow so many times that Thor thought he may pay dearly in the morning with an ache in his neck or back. Soon they were escorted through a brick façade and into the walled gardens of the mansion and after traversing a cool shaded area beneath a wooden pergola they found themselves entering the main courtyard of the house through a wide archway over which many flowering plants grew.
The house was built in a square around this courtyard, many large windows with ornate balconies looked down into the courtyard from above. In the centre of this space was a large statue. It depicted a T’Iea warrior in full battle regalia unmistakably the uniform of the Legion of the Wind. The statues facial features were obscured by his close-fitting helm. He held a long sword forth as if pointing towards some unseen foe, in his other hand he held close to his chest a large oval shield that guarded most of his body from his chest to his knees. Thor recognised the emblem upon the shield; it was one of the emblems belonging to the four main regiments that made up the Legion of the Wind. A multi-headed dragon, four heads in fact, one for each regiment. In this depiction, the claws seemed to be biting deep into the rock on which the dragon stood firm. Two heads were raised high in regal splendor, the other two were dropped lower and breathing gushes of flame at an unseen target that appeared to be whoever stood in front of that shield. The words De’Et’Nial’De’Noun’e’Alle in the common speech ‘To Live Is to Serve’, were inscribed upon the plinth on which the statue stood.
After the civil defence sentinel had kissed Solin’s hand and saluted at attention, they entered the house itself through a large doorway.
Thor managed to smile at Solin and say, “the sentinel was rather attentive my lady?”
Solin laughed and replied that she knew him from years ago; he was once the gardener of her parents’ house.
Thor for some reason found this most amusing and smiled to himself.
Once inside they found themselves within a vast entrance hall. Either side were receiving chambers across the front of each hung heavy curtains that could be drawn closed for privacy. Each curtain was finely embroidered with scenes of T’Iea life, including some battle scenes. A house servant drew back one of these curtains and tied it open with two rope loops from which hung some blue tear-drop shaped stones set into golden clasps upon golden chains. Within the alcove they found a comfortable looking private seating area with a small table on which stood a crystal decanter of what Thor assumed was water and a number of crystal glasses on an oblong silver tray. Even the tray had depicted finely upon it a scene where several legion officers surveyed the lands that lay about them. They seemed to be in relaxed pose with helms tucked beneath the arms and gauntlets held in one hand as they pointed and gestured at some unknown feature of the landscape.
Thor and Solin were politely asked to remain in this seating area. The house servant bowed and reversed from the alcove, quickly he was replaced by a T’Iea maiden who after curtsying low offered refreshment in the way of the crystal glasses and a crystal decanter upon the small table. Solin nodded her consent, Thor declined. As they waited a commotion sounded from the far end of the hall. Several Grûndén all dressed in military uniform were approaching, they were escorted by two T’Iea soldiers. The Grûndén talked in their own language, their excitement was unmistakable as they gestured to one another and to an older looking T’Iea soldier who wore all the trappings of a senior officer. A very senior officer Thor noted. This entourage reached the entrance and with much hand shaking, many words passed between them all, even the senior officer spoke the Grûndén language, quite fluently it seemed for he did not hesitate and was obviously confident enough to crack some jokes as the Grûndén laughed and one in particular grasped the T’Iea soldiers hand in both of his with an obvious gesture of great admiration and respect. Eventually the Grûndén soldiers were escorted out of the door and their voices trailed off into the distance.
Thor turned towards Solin, she had stood and was staring at the T’Iea officer, Thor thought she was blushing slightly. The tall T’Iea soldier in gold shaded armour turned after a final salute to the soldiers walking across the courtyard square, he sighed and after speaking with one of his aids he allowed a relieved expression cross his face. Then he turned and glanced in their direction, his features still retained the feeling of relief after seeing his guests from the premises, but as soon as he spied Solin his expression was wiped from his face and replaced with another akin to shock. Certainly some form of surprise was very evident. But the man soon disguised his look, he spoke some words to his aid who nodded and walked briskly away. The man then slowly walked towards them.
Thor recognised his attire as dress uniform, not the armour of battle. Not many regiments bothered with dress uniforms these days. But Thor knew that the Legion of the Wind did, tradition was everything with them. Everything about this officer showed his military service had been long, a life spent as a professional soldier, the way he held himself, how he moved, looked, took note of his surroundings, all this told Thor that this was an old soldier, one of the old school, probably one that had come up through the ranks rather than inheriting his commission from his family status.
Without any further hesitation, the soldier strode into the alcove, he smiled broadly before he went up to Solin and bowed low. “My Lady De’Teinde.” He took her hand and kissed it. Then after holding the blade of his broadsword out of the way, he surprised Thor by dropping to one knee before Solin, he waited with bowed head.
Solin seemed lost in thought for a while; she kept him in this position for some time, although Thor could see she gazed at the T’Iea soldier with much admiration and a hint of something deeper. She wore a broad smile upon her lips as she suddenly giggled, years seemed to roll away from her features, she looked younger again as she stood looking down upon the soldier, then holding up the hem of her skirts she crouched down. She actually knelt upon the floor in front of him and taking his hand she said, “Oh Yiun’e,” she gave Thor a quick glance and then said, “oh! I mean Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun forgive me my bad manners.”
Thor found his muscles going into automatic as he stood immediately to attention and saluted on hearing the name and rank of the officer who had just entered the alcove and greeted Solin with so much honour and deep respect. This was no mere soldier, or even a field officer. This was a member of the commanding counsel, one of the counsel of twelve that had command over all the armies of the T’Iea. There was no rank any higher in the chain of command. Only one position was superior, the rank of Te’Adrueeun’Onolan, or Marshal of the Counsel in the common tongue and that was more a ceremonial position shared equally by the each of the twelve permanent members of the Commanding Counsel. They took it in turns to hold this position for periods of three years at a time. Solin had said she still had friends, some influence in the city, but Thor never for a moment thought that she meant anything so lofty as this.
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun stood and holding both Solin’s hands aided her to stand from where she remained kneeling, then turning to Thor retu
rned his salute, immediately he again addressed Solin. “Manners? My Lady I would be dead by my own hand before I would demand anything in the way of formality and manners from you of all people.”
Then to Thor’s utter surprise Solin did something he thought never to see. She blushed, really blushed. But she composed herself and said, “oh, Yiun’e how much time has passed through our lives since we last spoke.”
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun gave her a sideways look and said, “you My Lady were a young woman just graduated from De’Et’Niale’Ternaven. I recall a young academic who showed great promise, someone who has proven that promise by all accounts and more, much more if the stories and reports of your actions are to be believed and of that I am sure they can.”
Solin seemed lost in thought again, but she then said, “was it so long ago? It feels like another age, another life even, one belonging to the ancient past.”
They seemed to stand there gazing into each other’s eyes, something was being said in the silence, Thor knew not what, he held his breath for he did not want to interrupt this obvious moment of intimacy. In fact he felt uncomfortable, as if he presided over an intimate act, a very private intimate act. He felt he should not be here, but to move would draw attention to himself and he did not want to interrupt the mutual affection and feeling that was being exhibited between these two old friends.
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun then said, “we had many years of man together, the most memorable times in my life. I woe that day Solin, the day you were required to submit to your first posting by your masters. It pains me to think that you never returned from that day to this. At least not to my knowledge.”
Thor thought he saw Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun draw closer to Solin.
“I sort you Solin. Did you know that? For many years I held out hope, I bartered and negotiated my postings, I asked after you, everywhere I went. But your masters had been instructed not to divulge where you had been sent, I couldn’t even find out what you were doing.”
Then to Thor’s horror Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun wiped an eye and choked a little on his words, it took him three or four attempts to say his next sentence.
“I later found out that it was your father’s instructions that I should not find out where his daughter had been posted. He gave this instruction specifically so that I should not find out where you were and thus not be able to contact you let alone meet with you.”
His voice seemed to break with emotion, he turned away from Solin’s gaze, he shook fighting against some inner turmoil and turned his face to where neither Solin nor Thor could see it. Thor was mortified, embarrassed that such a senior officer should be so open, appear so vulnerable in his presence.
But Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun gathered himself and continued. He said slowly and with much conviction. “Your father I fear, did not desire a military man in the family, least of all one who may wed his only daughter. Then worse take her away from her studies, corrupt her mind with mundane things before her career had even started?” He frowned, old memories, old hurts perhaps showed upon his face.
Solin looked long and hard at Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun, eventually she smiled but the corners of her mouth quivered, she wiped her hand across her cheek, she held both his hands in hers and looked down at them, “I had to do my father’s biding, even though I wanted desperately to remain with you Yiun’e. My heart was aching that day we separated, but I had already promised my father much, foolishly perhaps.” She looked downwards at the floor, then she took both his hands and drew them to her lips. “But my mother always loved you. You know that. She argued with my father many times, but my father was, well he was a stubborn man. He only wanted what he saw best for me. I was his only child, he had great hopes for me, I would have him realise those hopes, so I went in the end to do the bidding of those that commanded me.”
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun smiled, he then shrugged as if it aided his recovering himself and his composure, his eyes lowered as his thoughts went elsewhere. He then stood back slightly and holding both her hands he raised her arms slightly and held them to either side, he looked at her face deep and hard, before he said, “even so Solin, it is a blessing from the Maker to be able to set eyes such as these upon your fair face once more.”
There was a period of silence, Thor remained to attention. He sneaked a sideways glance at Solin. He was reminded of their conversation as they journeyed to Ter’Hadsnefel. He remembered Solin’s words about her appearance and her hints at it being just an illusion. She now appeared half her age, she was beautiful.
Solin broke the silence. “did you ever marry Yiun’e?”
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun looked hurt, he faltered at her question. But then he smiled, “Yes Solin, I married. My wife is from an old military family, it was deemed to be a good match. I have five beautiful children, three daughters and two sons to look after me in my later time. I love my wife dearly, she is good for me and I have enjoyed our time together greatly.” He remained silent for a minute before he asked, “and you Solin? Did you ever find anyone for your life?”
Solin’s eyes dropped to the floor. “Yes. Once long ago. But it was not to be. But this you know.”
Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun pursed his lips and nodded slowly, he obviously understood the remifications of these words. “Yes, I understand.” But he took a deep breath and in a brighter tone continued, “you must stay with us, in this villa while you are here. Oh, Unless, of course, you feel it inappropriate, I do not wish to impose upon you.”
Thor thought he saw a sadness in Solin’s face out of the corner of his eye, but she said with a laugh, “I would love to, oh dear I mean,” she looked at Thorandill, “we would love to. I am such a dunce, Thor please forgive me.” She turned back to Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun and said with much formality in her tone, “Yiun’e I haven’t introduced you to T’Thorandill, he has escorted me here to the city and been a most gracious companion.”
Thor tried to stand even straighter, he saluted once more.
“Ah, be at ease young man, all the aura and mystique I may have had to you as your superior has been blown away by Solin here,” he laughed. “Let us not stand on ceremony. Be at ease man, here take my hand.”
He offered his hand to Thor who looked at it with some shock and then after slowly extending his own hand, shook it. Without thinking he saluted once more after his hand had been released. Both Solin and Yiun’e laughed out loud. “Forgive me T’Thorandill, I mean not to make fun of you, come, come into my office we have much to discuss I feel.”
They were led out of the alcove and up a wide staircase to the level above. Thor was reminded very much of Solin’s house in Amentura, similar decorations and items were to be seen about the place. Many fine examples of T’Iea art and design stood on exhibition, Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun was obviously an avid collector, or perhaps his wife was.
After walking a short distance along a corridor they entered a large room with a high ceiling. They were not shown to the large desk that sat in the middle of the room. Instead they walked to an area of soft furnishing off to one side, two single seats and a wide divan that would seat three or four where arranged around a low table on which sat a vase of flowers. The table top was of clear glass and below the glass surface sat two ceremonial swords. This furniture was placed upon an ornate carpet that had quite obviously been expertly woven with pictures depicting T’Iea life in a strange place. At first Thor thought of the great wood were they lived, yet there was something different about these trees. For one thing they were far larger than anything he had seen in the great wood and they had a golden hue to them as if the time of year depicted was autumn. Yet the position of the sun in the sky in this picture suggested the height of summer. He also noted that some of the tapestries that hung upon the walls also depicted a similar landscape. These tapestries were old, very old, for the once vivid colouring that would have once shown was faded by time and the cloth was rather threadbare in places as if they had be
en rolled up and packed for travel many times.
He thought no more of it as he glanced towards two large glazed doors that were flung open to where could be seen a large stone terrace adorned with statues and flowering plants of all sorts. In one corner a water fountain played amongst water plants, these were in full bloom as a number of large waxy looking bright blue flowers protruded up above the stone parapet surrounding what must be a small pool. Several birds sat on the edge of this parapet dipping their heads leisurely into the water drinking of the clear liquid and occasionally singing to each other.
Once they were seated and tea had been brought Yiun’e invited them to ask what they would of him. Solin related much of what she had been doing in the intervening years between now and the last time she had been with Te’Onolan’u’De’Yiun it seemed. Thor found all this very interesting. He understood much from what was said, other parts he guessed at. Solin’s father he guessed was from an aristocratic land-owning family, although they didn’t work the land themselves, apparently, they had a vast farming estate outside the city. The estate house was no longer there, destroyed by the Ognod’s as they attacked. Solin’s mother it seemed was from a rich society family from within the city and they owned many properties inside the city walls. Like Solin her mother was an academic, a historian of some kind. Solin showed aptitude to the arcane from a very young age and her talents were picked out quickly by the scouts working for the ancient order of De’Et’Niale’Ternaven. So pretty much most of her childhood and young adult life had been spent in the service of the academic order. Following the Ognod wars social attitudes changed dramatically and gradually the order fell from popularity, the numbers of students attending fell. Solin even hinted at some scandal associated with the order, something to do with the T’Iea’Neat’Thegoran and assassins using the order as a cover for infiltration and clandestine activities aimed at destroying T’Iea society. Thor gathered many assassinations took place around this time causing much civil unrest and chaos, but she didn’t elaborate on these darkest of hours. He heard how most of the remaining exponents of the order, disagreed on how to recover from this demise and further found more profitable employ within independent business arrangements, mostly outside of Ter’Hadsnefel. It sounded like some of these arrangements were less than ethical. Those that were in charge took it upon themselves to cleanse the order of all those deemed as adversaries of the norm. A purge was undertaken; many were tried and exiled, even put to death. Solin referred to this dark period in T’Iea history as the era of the Red Cross. By the time much of this activity had halted, the order had become much diminished; it became tainted, linked with an air of suspicion which could not be removed, although many attempts had been made to do so. But finally the order was forced to disband. By this time Solin had already taken up residence in Amentura and with no masters to report to she was on her own, free to do as she pleased.
Some of the later events of which Solin spoke Thor did recognise from the stories that his mother had told him as a child. He remembered loving the stories of adventure, remembered asking his mother to tell and retell them over and over; they were imprinted on his mind. Yet it was strange to hear them coming from the mouth of another, for some reason he suddenly realised that the stories he had been told were actually real, they actually happened. He knew this of course, his mother had always related the stories as fact not fiction, yet hearing the same things from Solin, sometimes putting her own twist on them or adding detail he had not heard before really brought home to him exactly what his mother had accomplished all those years ago. He suddenly felt very proud. He also found he missed his mother much as well. He found himself even more determined to find her.
Suddenly Thorandill was aware that there was a silence in the room. He refocused back on Yiun’e and Solin who sat looking into their cups. Eventually Yiun’e stood, he held his hand out to Solin, she grasped it and rose, they walked through the doors Thor had looked through earlier and went over to stand looking over the edge of the balcony that ran around the terrace. Thorandill followed behind them, but given the obvious long standing relationship between the other two T’Iea he wasn’t sure if he was invited so he went to stand a little distance away. When he reached the balcony he found he looked over the city as it spread out before him in all its colour and glory. He was struck by the beauty and art of his race, his forefathers had built this place millennia in the past, the building of this city was about as far back as T’Iea history went, what happened before that time was lost to them or so it seemed. At least nothing seemed to be recorded before then, it was if they were planted upon the world in an instant and they built this city as their first act. The city had survived everything including internal strife, war and invasion. He was proud of his races accomplishments, but also sorrowful that much of it was now gone, long forgotten in the depths of time. He gazed across the city not finding a word to describe the achievements of old. It made him wonder what else they may have lost.
He was brought back to the present, he heard Yiun’e say, “long have the Red Cross evaded us Solin. The dark brethren, the T’Iea’Neat’Thegoran as we now know them have remained a threat for many ages. Just surfacing long enough to cause havoc here and there.”
Solin nodded in silence. But then she spoke. “Yiun’e we would ask a favour of you, it is the reason we have come to the old city.” She now told another story, she described Minervar’s disappearance, the discoveries made by Nar’Allia in her travels in the east. She told of the Rift and the discovery of the T’Iea’Neat’Thegoran and the last sighting of Minervar. At this Yiun’e seemed shocked, he seemed to take a great interest, it seemed a revelation to him. But he allowed Solin to continue. She explained how they thought Minervar dead, but now suspected that she was still very much alive. Then she told him of what they required of him. “Yiun’e it is your influence we desire, Thorandill here wishes to have the chance to find his mother once more, to go east to the Rift and see what can be done. I admit we have no clear-cut plan, but that is where she was seen last and naturally investigations should start where the trail went cold.” She looked a little sceptical.
Yiun’e pondered what he had been told for a while. He then said, “if what you say is true, then it would seem that the dark brethren of the Red Cross are grown into a much more formidable force than we suspected. Also if they have harnessed such a power as you say then they will not use it for the good of all, of that I am sure. Yiun’e looked troubled. “So, you wish me to exert my influence, persuade Thorandill’s commanding officer to release him from his duties, so that he can go on this errand?”
Thorandill felt anger rise within his breast; it was only his military training and deep discipline that prevented him from rounding on this pompous officer. A superior officer or not it was disrespectful to think this an errand.
But then Yiun’e’s face showed a hint of a smile as he said, “well, I see from Thorandill’s black look that he would challenge me over this. That is good. This is good. You’re coming here may have been very fortuitous, in fact if I were a man of faith I would say that the Maker had a hand in your arrival.”
Both Thorandill and Solin looked at him with questions in their eyes.
Yiun’e looked from one to the other as if assessing them somehow before he seemed to come to a decision. “Let me tell you certain things that not many within or outside of the legion know, something that has been kept quiet for many ages now. I will tell you Solin for I have known you many years, I trust you with this knowledge, for I know you do not have a loose tongue.” He smiled at Solin and then turned to Thorandill. “As for you young officer, you need to know something of the history of the task that I wish you to undertake, for those that need to know I will tell them that I have deemed you the best for the job, so you’d better come up to expectations.” He winked at Thorandill then continued. “It is no secret that we the T’Iea have long sort to locate the hiding place of the renegade T’Iea once called the Red Cross, our T’Iea�
�Neat’Thegoran brethren. For many ages it has been high on our list of priorities. This is of course for many reasons; I do not need to go into such detail for I believe you can guess at most. To this end the Legions of the Wind have sent representatives, spies if you will, out into the field to investigate sightings, nullify rumours and such. Over the years the intelligence deemed from these representatives has narrowed the field somewhat, it now leaves but a few places in the world where the dark brethren could possibly hide such a large population for any length of time. All of these places have strategic importance, for if the dark brethren do show themselves we need to know about it quickly and have sufficient forces ready and available to meet the threat. For some time now the legion has had permanent forces stationed in each of these places to keep watch and be prepared for any move by the dark brethren. I will tell you now that all these special forces report directly to me and I demand they send regular reports on their activities.”
Here he stood and walked slowly up and down in front of Solin and Thorandill, obviously deep in thought. “There is one legion, one Ruen’N’E’Y’Thego, that I have not heard from in a long time and I need to investigate what has happened to this force, I need to have someone investigate and if this legion still exists, I need to make contact with them and find out what they know, for their reports have not been forthcoming for quite some time. I have grave misgivings about this force, suspicions that you have just reinforced through your confirmation that the T’Iea’Neat’Thegoran are present in the east over the mountains. Well my legion, the one of which I hold concerns for is there, there in the east.
I have heard tales told of fateful acts and committed atrocities. I have delayed investigations for one reason or another, but perhaps now is the time to take such measures.” At this he turned and looked directly at Thor, “I would like you Thorandill to go and make those investigations. I will not send you into the wilds alone however. But I also feel it would be a great risk to send yet another large force to the area, such a move may be misconstrued as an aggressive act, even an act of war, so I will assign you a small company to assist. I order that you command them. If you can make contact with this T’Iea legion and persuade them to act with you then you will hopefully have enough forces to accomplish that which you seek. I will furnish you with written orders so that the commanding officer will understand what it is that you require. I will not ask him to risk his men you understand, any activity involving his soldiers will be at his discretion, but at least with the orders I send he will understand that I have given my consent.”
Thorandill stood to attention and saluted, “permission to speak sir?” Yiun’e nodded his consent. So Thorandill continued. “Am I to assume then sir that the force of which you speak was, still is, stationed in the east, in the vicinity of the Rift sir?”
“Very astute of you captain, yes you are correct.”
Something else suddenly manifested itself in Thorandill’s mind, “captain! Sir?”
“Yes, captain. I am relieving you of all your previous duties. As of this day forward or until I decide otherwise, or death take you, you are promoted to the full rank of legionary captain and sworn into the Legion of the Wind, with all pay, recognition, benefits and responsibilities pursuant to that rank and favour. You will however report directly to me, you are to divulge nothing to any other, not even to any other in the legions, enlisted officer or conscript do you hear?”
Thorandill saluted and said, “yes sir, I fully understand sir.”
“Good. Then it goes without saying that I demand you honour your rank and undertake your duties to the best of your capability and forsake all else in the pursuance of that duty.”
Thorandill saluted once more, “yes, sir.”
“Excellent. So captain my first orders to you are that you take command of the force I place at your disposal, you will prepare and then travel east to the region where the missing regiment was posted and make all investigations necessary to make contact with them, deliver a message to their commanding officer one Te’Onolan’u’De’Hu’uinned. This message I shall write myself and seal in an envelope and give to you before your departure. I do not, I trust, have to tell you of the sensitivity of this message and therefore the ramifications of it falling into the hands of others?”
Thor saluted once again and said, “No sir.”
Yiun’e smiled and nodded his satisfaction. “Good. Then I will give you three days to prepare, on the third day from this date I will expect you to be ready for departure. Is this clear captain?”
“Yes, sir. Perfectly clear sir.”
Yiun’e stared into Thorandill’s eyes and once more nodded his satisfaction and agreement. “Good. Now that the formalities are over, I will expect these orders to be fulfilled young man, and for you to report back to me post haste. You will investigate what has befallen the regiment and return to me any findings, belongings, personal effects etc. that you may come across in the process of your investigations. Good luck with finding your mother by the way.” Here Yiun’e winked at Thorandill.
Solin giggled.
Yiun’e then walked over to the wall and pulled upon a cord that hung there. Almost immediately a smartly dressed soldier appeared through the door to the office and standing to attention saluted. “Ah, adjutant, please accompany Captain Thorandill here to the quarter master to get kitted out in battle uniform and armour. You had better get him a dress uniform to, there is a party here tomorrow night in recognition of my eldest daughter’s engagement and I fully expect Thorandill and the lady Solin to be honoured guests. The adjutant saluted and opened the door, he remained there holding the door. Thor looked back towards where Solin stood.
“It’s alright Thor, I am perfectly safe here with Yiun’e, go and have your uniform fitted. I will see you soon, I am sure you will look even more handsome than you do already.”
To Solin’s great delight Thor blushed redder than the silk sash the adjutant wore around his waist. But both soldiers walked through the door which was shut the behind them.