Delmith paled and busied himself with smoothing out the front of his serota. “No, my Princess. Please, you do not understand. I—”
“You are correct! I do not understand. That is why you are here, Delmith. To enlighten me.” She held him in her gaze while setting her empty cup on the table between them. “No more stalling for time. Tell me what my brother is up to, and more importantly, what happened to the Initiate Alant Cor?”
Wide eyed, Delmith drained his cup of raz before he looked back at her. “Your brother found a Chi’utlan below the Chandril’elian, and he hopes to use it when it is ready. He wants to be the first Elmorr’Antien Mah’Sukai.”
Had he confirmed that her brother had in fact been a part of abusing the Human Initiates, causing them grief she could not begin to understand the reasons to—that news would have been less shocking. Even if he had said her brother had murdered the Humans out of spite or some perverse pleasure, she would have been less revolted.
Yet, this…
“No. No, you must…You must be mistaken.” Saying the words made her realize that she was the one mistaken. Delmith would not create such a ludicrous tale. Aritian had always wanted more than his station could give him. He was always the odd one out. As heir, their older brother, Varishma, held all the duties of the Crown Prince. He had been schooled and groomed his entire life for nothing except becoming King once their father expired. She, as Crown Princess, had her own duties as was custom, and performed them with pride and diligence. Yet, Aritian had nothing in the way of responsibilities to their people. He was free to pursue any venture he saw fit.
The last second son of House Mocley had been Artimus Mocley. This happened more than three thousand winters gone. Most believed Artimus insane because of his appetite for adventure and exploring—so very unlike a proper Elmorr’Antien, especially a Blue. He had been instrumental, however, in taming the wild lands of Ro’Arith during this cycle, as well as founding the Human city that held her house’s name.
Could Aritian’s desire to do more be so great? In cycles past, when the Mah’Sukai came into power, her people had retreated to their island home—letting the War of Power that ensued consume the other races. Her people would stay clear of it. The Elmorr’Antiens were a long lived people. No more than three or four generations would pass before the Essence would fall into its slumber once more. Retreat to wherever it came from. Allow the Plane of Talic’Nauth to have peace. At least for a time. If her brother had found a Chi’utlan—an Essence Node, the place where the Essence physically touched this Plane—why would he wish to taint himself with it.
“How could he even think to do such a terrible thing? The Chi’utlans are the catalysts for the endless Wars of Power that ravage the Plane each cycle. Why would my brother wish to involve our people in that? I am appalled!”
“It is not like that, my Princess.” In her turmoil, Sarshia had forgotten Delmith was even in the room until he spoke. “The Chi’utlan is such a wondrous thing. I think I have discovered during my time in the Chamber that it is actually a portal to another Plane of existence! Can you imagine? The Plane that the Essence comes from! What wonders must exist there?”
Listening to the Gray and remembering something that Shaith had said, she started to see the depths of what her brother intended. “Tell me you are not a part of this, Delmith. Tell me you have not helped my brother to—” She had to take a breath to even ask the question that lay on her tongue. “Has my brother been testing this Chi’utlan on the Humans?”
The Gray’s face went ashen and his guilt shown as plain as if he had acknowledged its truth.
I cannot believe that Shaith was correct.
She covered her mouth with a hand. “This is murder. You have taken younglings—children of the Humans—who came here to better themselves. To learn from the best race on this Plane…” Her anger gripped her full force and she stood. “…and you have used them. You have destroyed their minds!” She pointed down at Delmith and he cowered in his chair. “Worse! You have tried to create a Mah’Sukai! The very thing that will force our people to pull back from the rest of the races! To hide, hoping that in their insanity they will overlook our little island. Leave us be until the Essence burns them out!” Forcing herself to breath, she relaxed. Anger would not solve this dilemma.
While she remained silent, Delmith regained some of his composure as well. “Yet, the insanity does not grip the Humans until many generations have passed. We know this from our records. The power of the Essence is too weak for hundreds of winters, even after the first of the Mah’Sukais are created.”
She sneered. “Do not sit there and lecture me about things we learned as younglings, Delmith!”
Waving a hand, he implored her to sit. She ignored it and remained standing. “No, my Princess, you miss my point. I am simply stating that it will be near a thousand winters before the power of the Essence is too strong for the Human Mah’Sukai to handle, and this Cycle’s War of Power begins.
“Think of what could be done if it was our race who led the way this Cycle.” A look of excitement mixed with joy spread over his features. “No longer would we have to retreat from the other races. We have more control over the Essence than any other race. It is in our blood. Mayhaps the madness would not affect us.” He looked up at her with pleading eyes. “And your brother hopes to use this power to find all of the Chi’utlans. Ensure that only our people have the ability to use them. He wants to protect his people! Where is the harm in that?”
She did see the harm. Or, more precisely, the madness. “And this justifies experimenting on Humans? Humans who have come here with trust in their hearts?”
“I regret that part of the process. Still, would you have your brother step into the Chi’utlan before it was time? Would you rather it was he who expired, or worse, had his mind destroyed?”
Irritation built in her again as the Gray spoke.
How dare he attempt to interpret what is best for a Blue! How best we should rule our people!
“Would I rather my brother put his own life in jeopardy as opposed to murdering innocent younglings? Is that what you are asking me, Delmith?” She shook her head. “I would rather he had buried the Chi’utlan when he found it. If we could find them all, I agree that mayhaps we could stop the other races from using them. Wipe them all from this Plane and allow peace to reign.” This made her realize something. “How is it that a Chi’utlan was buried under the Chandril’elian in the first place? This city is tens of thousands of winters old. How has it gone so long without discovery?”
“It was never lost, my Princess. The royal family—your family—has known about it all along.”
Letting out a snort, she shook her head. “Impossible! I knew nothing of it.”
Delmith bowed his head in shame. “I am sorry to offend, my Princess. It is my understanding that even most Blues do not know of its existence. However, it was your father, our King, who told your brother of it. I understand that even the Crown Prince does not know it exists.”
“My father?” Stunned, Sarshia sank back onto the couch. “Why would he tell Aritian? He knows my brother is always trying to prove himself.”
“I think that is the reason he gave the information to him.” The Gray wrung his hands. Obviously, he would rather not discuss this topic with her. She understood—to a point. A Gray even thinking about the affairs of the Blue could warrant a visit by the Gralet’nars. “I have long suspected that our King gave your brother this information in the hopes that he would take it as a challenge to keep it hidden. Give him a purpose—a duty—in the hopes that he would ensure it was never used. As it has been kept for longer than our people have records.” Again, he became excited. “The runes that line the hall leading to the Chamber are so ancient that even I have been unable to—”
“Runes!” This was too much! She unleashed her anger as she never had before. “You think I care of rune
s! Or studying and answering the riddles of the Essence?” Stepping forward, she towered over Delmith once more. “Did it not occur to you or my little brother that the reason the Chi’utlan has been hidden, and that only the highest of our people knew of its existence, was because it was dangerous?” The more she raged under the full impact of what Delmith told her, the more it fueled her rage. “And you have sacrificed our honor—the very pride of our entire race—to use others in these…experiments, just to keep your own skin intact!” Hopefully, this had not gone too far. Hopefully, she could contain this and bring her little brother to heel.
Spinning, she stormed toward her apartment door. “This ends now! My father—”
“Wait!” Delmith’s word brought her up short. It was not pleading or whimpering. It was strong. Almost an order.
Turning around, she found him on his feet. “You dare speak to me this way?” He bowed his head in embarrassment, and she was glad to see he had not lost all sense of civility.
“I apologize, my Princess.” Lifting his head, he peered into her eyes. “You need to know, Aritian has gathered many friends around him. Many friends who hold power, even in your father’s court. Going there without knowing the full extent of what you are walking into may not be wise.”
Crossing back over to the Gray, she tilted her head to the side. “And what is your council then, Delmith?”
“Caution is all, my Princess. For now, I think I have postponed any further…testing.” His shoulders slumped and he appeared beaten, as if he had been holding back a mound of pain and remorse. He held out a hand and implored her to sit once more. “Please. Sit. There is more you need to hear if you are to have any hope of stopping this.”
“You sound as if you wish me to succeed. What happened to saving our race?” Still, she returned to her couch and sat. With a tilt of her head, she indicated that he should do the same.
After sitting, Delmith paused before speaking. “I so want to believe in your brother. And mayhaps he is even correct. Mayhaps our people can take charge of Talic’Nauth for the betterment of all.”
“You do not sound convinced.”
He shook his head, and what she saw of his long white hair swayed behind his back. “I was, in the beginning.” Clasping both hands before him, he sighed. “As I have said; I do not approve of the use of the Humans as they have been. I am their Vanria. Many have great potential, especially the one called Alant. He had the ability to outstrip many Elmorr’Antiens, even.” A look of regret passed over him and his eyes wandered the room. “I did what I could to forestall your brother. Though, I am afraid I could do nothing to save the boy.”
“So, he has expired, then?” This was not the news she had wished to hear.
“I am fairly certain, yes.” When she gave him a puzzled look, he elaborated. “As I said, I think I have discovered that the Chi’utlan is actually a gateway. After Alant entered the Chi’utlan…well…he was the first subject to exit unharmed. This did not last long however, as he…imploded into nothingness.” He finished with a shrug of his thin shoulders. “He may very well be alive on some other Plane of existence. Though, I doubt it. We still know so little of what the Chi’utlan is.”
Leaning over the table that sat before her, she poured herself a second cup of raz. Delmith glanced at his empty cup, though she had no intention of offering the Gray seconds. “So, the stories I heard of him vanishing into thin air have some semblance of truth.”
“I am afraid so, my Princess.” Delmith seemed to make a point of not looking back at his empty cup. “Still, this gave me the opportunity to forestall your brother further. His impatience is his greatest weakness, I fear. With the death of Alant, the stakes have risen too high even for him to continue. Though I am not sure how long this will stay his hand.”
Pressing the cup to her lips, she drained it in one gulp. “You will stall him, Delmith. I will have no more Humans used in this manner. Do I make myself clear?” At his nod, she rose and headed for the door. “I will need time to see who my brother has convinced that this is a wise course of action before I bring my father into this. Your…assistance to me will go a long way in getting you out of this mess you have found yourself in.”
Delmith stood, though he did not follow Sarshia. “There is one more thing you should know, my Princess.” When she turned, he once again started wringing his hands together in front of his thin waist. “It occurred to me that there could be other dangers. Mayhaps the Chi’utlan has been held in secret for all this time for reasons your brother is not willing to consider. Let me stress that I am not certain of this. However, in my time studying the writings in the hall that leads to the Chamber of the Chi’utlan, I think I have gleaned at least a hint of why your family has held the secret of the Chamber so tightly.”
It was obvious that the Gray did not want to continue. However, in her mind he had gone too far to stop now. “Go on.”
He gave her a weak smile. “It is my belief that the walls contain a warning. That the Chi’utlan was never meant for one of our people.”
“Are you saying it will kill my brother if he attempts to use it?” The thought was not wholly a bad one. She had no desire to see her brother expire. Still, it would solve much of this problem. The rest—the fact that many people now knew this secret—could be dealt with at a later time. And with a discretion that would go unnoticed and unquestioned.
“Of that, I am not certain, my Princess.” Delmith crossed the room to stand next to her. “I do not think it will be as your brother hopes, however.”
Scenarios ran through her mind. She had been home for less than two days, and already it seemed as if she had more to do than she could bear. Still, she was a Blue. And the Crown Princess, no less. Her duties were to maintain the image of House Mocley, as well as that of the entire Elmorr’Antien people. “You will continue your research into the Chi’utlan. You will not, however, mention to my brother any concerns you may have of the dangers it may hold.” Reaching out, she gripped his arm just below the blue silk sleeve of his serota. “You will not speak of our discussion to anyone.” At his nod, she continued. “You will also report to me before any other…questionable activities are taken by my brother.”
Inclining his head, his bow befitted his station. “As you say, my Princess.” With that, he turned and left her apartments.
He would still perform his duties for her brother. That was not only a certainty, it remained a necessity if she had any chance of containing this situation before it blew up into something that would embarrass her House and father. However, with his admittance to her of his involvement, he could not betray her now. Any chance of him getting out of this alive rested with her.
And I am not so certain he will survive this, no matter how it plays out.
Racing down the hall with a shoulder pack stuffed with the clothes gifted to him while staying at Bin’Satsu, Arderi Cor slid to a halt just before smashing into Rinear, who came running from the other direction. She wore the blue dress with white lace she had worn on their first walk together, and even in her rush, still managed to look perfect.
“I thought I had missed you!” She was breathing hard, as if she had run for some distance.
“Nix. Although I am not sure how much time I have. Your father wants me to meet him in front of the Citadel.” In the rush to pack, he had thought he would not see her again for a very long time. Not wanting to say goodbye to her—he hated goodbyes—he had hoped he could leave before she found out.
“I have heard. I am sad that you are going, Though, I know you must.” Taking him by the hand, she turned and headed toward his destination. She did not walk slow, yet he knew from past walks with her that this was far from her normal pace. “Will you come back and visit me?”
He thought he heard a quiver in her voice that edged on tears. The last thing he wanted was to upset her. Coming to a stop, he pulled her around to face him. “Mocle
y may feel like it is far. Yet, it is only a Sending Stone step away. Besides, I have not finished my training. I cannot get that in Mocley.” Placing a hand under her chin, he smiled, hoping she would take strength from it. “I shall return.”
His words got the desired effect he hoped for and then some, for she leaned in and kissed him full on the lips. Uncertain how to react—it was the first time she had been so intimate with him—he blushed. Before he could speak, she reached up and pulled the red ribbon from her hair. “Here, take this so you will remember me.”
Taking the ribbon, he laced it between the fingers of his left hand. “I do not think I will be forgetting you anytime soon.”
“You best not, Arderi Cor.” She brushed past him, now walking away from the front of the Citadel. Without looking back to him, she spoke over her shoulder. “And you can believe I will hold you to your promise to return. I will, Arderi Cor.” With that, she turned down a side hall and Arderi stood alone once more.
Adjusting his pack, he stared after her until the thoughts of Master Larith waiting on him pricked his mind into action. Launching into a run once more, he left the corridor and entered the main hallway. Ahead of him stood the massive twin doors he had entered on the first day he arrived in Bin’Satsu. Seeing them now filled his heart with sorrow. He glanced down at the ribbon in his hand.
As excited as I am to return to Mocley, I feel I will be leaving a piece of myself behind.
When he entered the main courtyard, it made him happy to see that he was the first to arrive. Letting his eyes follow the small path that led up the grassy hill, he looked at the stone pillars and arched roof of what he now knew as the arrival platform. He could not believe that a mere two tendays had passed since he arrived, and again a sense of sadness gripped him. He knew he had to leave, of that, he did not question. Still, he felt unprepared. There was so much he needed to learn.
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