"By the stars, Cole," I gasped again. "Is that a Black Tortoise, shell?"
I felt his head shake. "It must be."
"It's at least five times as large as the others."
"Well... if they're anything like regular tortoises, I'm pretty sure they can live a long time. Maybe that one lived...."
"Very long," I finished for him. "My, but the whole place is abandoned," I said, "What's the point of having such a fire lit when no one's there to keep warm?"
"Somehow I don't suspect they're low on resources. Though I couldn't tell why. But they don't seem to take any care with tinder. I don't think there are very many of them, Ellia."
"You mean the Genbuans?"
"Right. Or else, they're all living in those shorter buildings we saw back outside."
"There were a lot of them," I conceded. "It's possible, at least."
"So that would make this area restricted. I'd say we're lucky to be getting a tour of the Vishnuite, halls. Wait, watch out, there's someone—"
Cole cut off as he ducked his head back, his body jerking away. I caught a glimpse of two shadows entering from one of the exits parallel to ours, just beside, then felt Cole's hands against my shoulders, as he pulled me back into the other room, pushing me against the wall.
We stayed frozen as we heard them say something about rivers, and rain. Then we both burst out laughing in unison. Cole's eyes danced like he must have been smiling very hard, then I felt his hand move from my shoulder, down my back, just one hand, as he turned and prodded me onwards. It was just the shortest gesture, he released me quickly for us to walk on, but every way that his fingers touched, they seemed to be marking, you're mine, you're mine, you're mine, with just their grade of pressure.
My breath was short when we stood before the tunnel entrance again. We stayed like that, then he looked over at me. "I'll wait for you to lead on," he said.
"I only need a moment," I replied. "I feel as if I'd just seen something I'd rather not have. That room was simply too large, wasn't it?"
"When I saw it on the map," Cole replied, his voice perfectly simple for the strange circumstances, "I thought it would have been a cavern. These Genbuans must have been here a long time."
"Do you think the halls Tongon has to show us will be as large?"
He shrugged. "Don't worry, princess. You should see how fast I can traverse great spaces like that. If we come across another one, I'll show you, then you'll be glad for them, if only for the opportunity to be impressed."
"Oh really, Cole," I chided, "How do you form your lips to speak such words."
Cole laughed, sharp and sincere. "That's exactly what I think every time the Genbuans go on about water. I'd think it would hurt them, being so perpetually clichéd."
"And yet, you're the one being complimented for understanding their ways. What was that about the ocean?"
"Ocean, rivers, clouds, lakes—mention any of them and you're bound to fit right in."
"I like it," I said, sincerely. "I think it's meaningful. I mean to think up some for Shaundakul. Let's walk on, shouldn't we?"
He replied only by stepping forward, and I matched him, but then he scoffed. "You can't do that to Shaundakul."
"I will," I argued. "Here it out. I think the first I shall like to say is how the rocks can be simple and ragged on the outside, and then so wonderfully sparkling within."
Cole snorted short.
I wrinkled my nose, and eyed him; we were stepping down the tunnel now. "What? It's a wonderful thought."
"I didn't say it wasn't; I only wonder how you'll work it into regular conversation—isn't that where it all goes sour?"
"Why, hello, Cole the Kanthian," I went on fluidly. "I'm the princess of Shaundakul, keeper of the dragons, guardians of stone. Do you know that many stones are plain and ragged on the outside? and then so wonderfully sparkling within."
He burst into laughter. So surprising, because I didn't think that I would win it. And I grinned for it. "How you should ever think you weren't meant to be the ruler of Shaundakul, Ellia, I'll never grasp."
This made my cheeks burn inexplicably. And unfortunately, he must have seen it, because he'd begun to walk backwards to watch me as we descended the tunnel.
"Say, Ellia," he said, his tone light. "Do you know what I meant when I said that the paint wasn't the brightest thing I'd seen?"
I dipped my brows. My blushing settled easily, since I was set with this new curiosity. I thought, then gave my head a little shake.
Then I imagined, Cole was about to answer, but before he could maroon light flashed over him; his head turned sharply, and he came to a quick stop. Because of it, I caught up down the slope easily, fitting in against him while he automatically moved one hand to hold my waist. His other arm he put up to shield our eyes, and I blinked to look where he was, into the light.
But it was only Tongon there, fit in his blue robe, and cap—all around him walls lit red with gems, and paint.
#
"Certainly," Tongon said, "Only half of them or so reside on the surface. But especially in the winter months, they'll prefer the pools. They can't swim, you know, but the water is perfectly shallow."
I nodded, understanding, for this was clear enough to see. We were in a chamber, something like a cavern, but with pristine, dark sparkling, walls. Then underneath this, a single, large, perfectly round shallow pool. Resting in the pool, both where it was deepest at the center, and inching up dry around the edges, were Black Tortoises. The same sort as Cole and I had seen out in the snow; the three of us, Cole, Tongon, and myself, stood at a tunnel that connected to the side of this chamber. The amazing thing was the color of the pools. They were turquoise, but not as the Taelpian river; they actually glowed. And where they touched the tortoises on their legs or shells, the water washed them the color, as if it dyed them phosphorescent.
"It's the same as the paint used to write on the entrance, isn't it?" I asked, thinking of Cole holding his fingers up. For now, Cole had actually walked to the edge of the pool, bending down to touch it.
"Yes, that's right," Tongon confirmed. "The water is used to make the paint."
"Say, Cole, you'd better not touch it," I warned, "Or ask first, at least."
He turned around, hunched down as he was, to look at Tongon.
Tongon gave a quick little shake that must have meant it was alright, because Cole turned back, then dropped his fingers in.
If Tongon weren't there, I would have made mention about his seeming need to touch everything for himself.
"They aren't sacred, or anything then?" I asked skeptical.
"Oh, on the contrary," Tongon argued. "This cavern, it's our most sacred of places. So why it begins the sacred halls. The pool, it's a spring, yes? And the walls, they're thought to be the shell of Vishnu, hardened by time, turned to rock."
"Vishnu?" I interrupted, "That should be to do with your order then? Who's Vishnu?"
"A Black Tortoise, right?" Cole commented, turning round and walking back to us.
"How should you know that?" I asked mournfully.
"Um... he said it had a shell."
Cole stopped with his hands on his hips. His eyes certainly were turned turquoise by the light—whether he had only meant to compliment me before or not, his previous comment had turned out to be true after all.
"Your Kanthian guardian is right," Tongon confirmed, causing Cole's head to tip in a way that said he was giving me a look—whether it had to do with him being right, or Tongon calling him my Kanthian, I wasn't sure. "Vishnu was a Black Tortoise. Believed to be the first Black Tortoise. You see, daughter of Savras... have you perhaps heard of the times before humans walked the lands? Not all kingdoms have histories of it, but here in Genbu, we believe it fully."
"No," I replied, honestly. "So you mean they were only empty?"
He shook his head, then went on steadily. "The animals, were there. Animals, and plants, and the elements and all of this of course. They lived in peace and
cared for one another, all of them equal in strength. Then the great trials fell upon the lands. These came in four forms. Fire, water, metal, and stone. And for each, there were heroes among the animals, which rose up to protect their fellows. Others did very little. And then there were four in particular, who sacrificed the most. In Genbu we believe that all magical animals are granted, and that their powers extend equal to the help they gave in these times. But for the four, we call them the Constellation Animals. Vermillion Birds, White Tigers, Azure Dragons, and our Tortoises. You can guess what creature originally guarded against which element. When flaming hail fell from the sky, and lava erupted from the earth, it was a bird who helped, one by the name of Zuque. When boulders of metal dropped down from the stars it was a white and black striped tiger whose name was Baihu. When the earth shook, and cracked it was a dragon who sacrificed for it; Qinglong was its name. And then our Vishnu. He protected against the great flood."
Tongon turned his attention to the pooled, chamber, so I did as well. Cole had moved just beside me, his arms crossed and near enough to feel.
"It poured down from the clouds, all at once," Tongon went on, "So the earth turned to ocean, and nearly drowned all life. But Vishnu, he stepped into the waters, and dropped low to the bottom. Tortoises aren't able to swim, but he crawled beneath a mountain, the tallest mountain of the lands. And bore it then upon his back. It lifted high enough to rise above the waters. And the other animals went safely to it, and lived upon it, until the floods dried up." Tongon pointed a finger to the walls of the cavern. "So this here, we believe to be the shell of Vishnu. The Black Tortoises are drawn to it. They are his descendants, as the Vermillion Birds are descended from the bird, Zuque, who protected the lands from fire. And so with Baihu and Qinglong. They are the most powerful of all creatures. And they were granted their power because of the sacrifices made by them. Vishnu did not survive; neither did the others. But their legacy has gone on."
Tongon watched the Black Tortoises for a moment, then he bowed his head to the animals and turned back to Cole and I.
"The flood was the last of the trials, and afterwards men came. First to Vishnu's mountain, then travelling onwards as the waters receded. Those heroic animals which helped in the trials were given powers that mark them as the granted. Those which didn't fell into obscurity, considered now mere lesser creatures. But all went with man as they built their homes. Ours, Genbu, is the oldest settlement of man. Thus our great knowledge of these histories. Have you heard any part of this, Ellia Solidor?..." Tongon shifted his gaze. "Or you Kanthian guardian?"
I pressed my lips; I felt as if this story had gone far beyond my scope. I waited for Cole to reply, and when he didn't I glanced over at him. He was already looking at me, as if waiting; everything about it reassured me to go on.
"We have," I answered, "But not most of it. Only about the Constellation Animals. That they belonged to those four elements, and that they are the most powerful of the granted animals. I have pledges from each of them, but the tortoises," I added, and then carefully, "We'd heard the names as well, Zuque, and Baihu, Qinglong... only we didn't know those were the names of their ancestors, and... we'd read it was Xuanwu, not Vishnu." In my mind I thought how even Carceron had titled them so.
Tongon nodded, as if this was expected. "There are many forms of the names, some more popular than others. Zuque for instance, was also called by Jujak. And Qinglong is referred to as both Seiryuu and Thanh Long. In ancient texts you'll find these used. Baihu, the first white Tiger, he is also called Byako." Tongon smiled warmly. "So you can see where the city earned its name. And for Vishnu, he is also called Genbu as well as Xuanwu. We are named for him."
I took all this in with a deep breath, then let out a long sigh and watched the Black Tortoises. "I see why your expanse of knowledge is considered an ocean, Tongon. This is so very much to know. And I don't think any of the other lands have a concept of it. Maybe Echren... but especially not Shaundakul."
Tongon gave a breathy smile, then spoke. "Don't sell your homeland short, princess of Shaundakul. We have been visited by your countrymen before."
More quickly than I could have thought I was able, my gaze turned back to Tongon. With his eyes still warm, rich copper he gestured his hands further onwards through the tunnel. "Shall I show you?"
#
If Cole was set to traverse a great space, then the third chamber we entered following Vishnu's pool, would have been just the perfect thing. The two between were high-ceilinged but not very wide, and what they contained decorated only their walls. Something like the gemmed-rooms; plates, and shields, and mirrors, and jewels, all covered the walls so fully that they looked like a pattern all knit together, rather than things displayed. As if the walls themselves were made of objects.
But this third chamber. It was called the hall of treasures, and it was a space so vast that I couldn't see to one end of it. Unlike the other rooms, there was nothing on its walls; they were simple stone, as were the pillars that lined the hall; large rocks stacked on top of the other. Torches stood on long posts, in shades of blue, then between the pillars, behind them, against the walls beyond were single, separate exhibits; the treasures for which the hall was named. And if Cole and I had thought the other displays impressive—and we had, both of us had spoken of it—they had been nothing compared to these.
"What do you think, that's called the Lyre of Garagon," Tongon had said, stopping us beside the first display. It was set up atop a pedestal, with clean, stone steps preceding it, and torches set on either side. They lit the Lyre blue, but its true color was obviously black. It looked something like black ivory, but then along its outer band, it was set with jewels, and its strings were shades of color.
"Garagon?" Cole tested. "Sounds like a goblin name."
"Ah, but you're right yet again," Tongon replied. "The Lyre of Garagon is a treasure of the goblins, given as a gift to our halls many generations ago."
"A gift from Goblins?" I asked with incredulity—whilst ignoring Cole's persisting knowledge of things. Maybe he should have been a Genbuan himself, instead of a Kanthian.
"Let alone that," Cole added, "What's a Goblin to do with a Lyre?" I might have been bothered by this interruption, only its tone wasn't unpleasant, and as he spoke, he reached for my far hand and laced his fingers through it, pulling me against him as he seemed to do absentmindedly whenever we stopped.
"Goblins and Lyres?" Tongon repeated. "I can see you have views shared by so many of this age. But there was a time, when Goblins didn't hoard everything which came within their grasp. You recall the make of the rooms we just passed through? Those are fashioned after goblin halls. And many of those objects which we have come from them as gifts. From Garagon, in particular. He was a goblin prince who travelled as a minstrel, and upon coming to our lands, came to adore our sacred halls so dearly that he returned to his home and asked his father to grant us spoils. He returned here often through his life, and when he died, his Lyre was sent to us upon his wish. So it stands as one of our most priceless treasures."
"A goblin prince. Really?" Cole repeated, then laughed a little. "A goblin once told me he was a king, but I didn't believe him. I'd never thought they actually had royalty among goblins."
"It is, I believe," Tongon said sadly, "a thing of the past. But perhaps it will make reappearance."
"Cole, you spoke with a goblin?" I asked, much more surprised by this than the lyre, or the goblin royalty—until I thought a moment. "Oh, but Kanth is near Shaundakul isn't it? So you must have fought with Goblins. Why should one have told you he was a king, though?"
Cole shrugged.
I frowned, for this was always his answer, when I was most curious.
"Its strings are made of gems," Tongon added for us, "Sapphire, ruby, amethyst, and emerald. They were once bound in magic to be played by Garagon, but upon his death, they've returned to crystal. It stands now as a testament to our old visitor."
"It's beautiful," I said. "
I have a friend who's a minstrel. He should like to hear of it."
"Ah, but minstrels we always welcome here in Genbu," Tongon said. "One day you should bring him to us."
Tongon moved on to the next display then, but I turned to Cole, smiling. "What do you think? After the war, we'll return here first with Minstrel, then to Echren."
"Then to Byako, then to the far east, then to the far west. Wherever you want, princess."
I smiled wider.
The next display was a ship, in size close to a book, and according to Tongon, it represented the make of a much larger ark given once by the giants to Genbu. Then there was a crown of pale pink and purple, that was an ancient gift from Carba. A belt that glowed golden, and turned the wearer invisible. A bow which spawned its own arrows, the colors of a rainbow.
When we came upon the display at the head of the chamber, it was set on a much larger slab of rock. Behind it was a short wall with words that read: the crystal sword.
As I stepped up to look at the weapon, glowing ice blue from the flames around it, Tongon spoke, "This would be one of our greatest treasures. It is a creation of the Frost Giants. It belongs to a set of three, but sadly the others have been lost."
"Frost Giants?" I repeated, blinking. "Does that mean the frost Giants of Garosh?"
Tongon shook his head. "They were the makers of the crystal axe. This tribe lived further north."
"The crystal axe!" I turned on him with excitement. "I know of the crystal axe. It was the weapon which Sigurd took from the Frost Giants—before he brought their mountain down."
"Sigurd the gnome," Tongon followed, "So you know the tale."
"That's it exactly. It's a tale, isn't it?"
Tongon shook his head. "Here in Genbu we do not consider such myths false. See the sword there for yourself. It's real enough."
I took an excited breath, then looked back at the sword.
I heard Tongon laugh behind me. "But I imagine your guardian is lost. Should you like to tell him of Sigurd?"
I spun around and gestured for Cole to come closer. Once he was beside me at the sword, I told him what Minstrel had told me of Sigurd. At some point while I spoke, Tongon suggested that we could touch the sword if we liked, and so I had, running a finger along its crystal edge. It was after Tongon left for the next exhibit, that I added, for just Cole to hear, "Do you think it could be, Cole, that sometimes even in our failings, we end up accomplishing something great? Sigurd angered the Frost Giants by taking their axe, and perhaps he shouldn't have; perhaps he never should have left home at all. But if he hadn't, then he never would have destroyed the Frost Giant's mountain; and the gnome-lands wouldn't have been blessed as they are, by his treasures. Wasn't it better that he went after all? It did some good, didn't it?"
Fallen Warrior (Fallen Trilogy book 3) Page 38