Tristan and Belun removed the Dome from Sanctuary’s orbit. This had dual purpose. One, the Dome would be freed as it was before the Three Kingdoms prophecy and, two, Teroux could get on with the business of Sanctuary without the ever-present eye-in-the-sky.
Aislinn approached her final trimester, and Rose and Teroux looked forward to getting married. Caballa completed the renovations of the cottage, and she and Tristan often hid from demands in its new comforts.
Lowen relinquished her duties to the Kaval, and Assint and Mahler were unanimously voted in to take her and Declan’s places. Declan was missed. Saska’s urn was locked away in Tianoman’s study.
Life went on, but through it all the search for Torrullin continued. The Kaval, by unspoken agreement, spent private time looking and listening; Tristan periodically followed a lead; Caballa watched her visions; Tianoman sent Valleur trackers out, and to date no word was had.
Many asked after Elixir and were informed he was on hiatus after the unforeseen death of his wife.
The tale of balance and unbalance was never told, not even to the Elders.
Valaris
The Keep
AROUND MID-SKILEIKEN Quilla came to the Keep to confer with Tianoman.
He was welcomed in the Vallorin’s study.
“Busy, I see,” Quilla remarked, pointing at the loaded desk.
“I never seem to get time for a simple walk anymore,” Tianoman complained.
“It does not get better,” Quilla promised with a smile. “I hear Isaiah Kronig is retiring.”
“He says Valaris needs a younger Electan to keep up with a younger Vallorin.”
Quilla laughed. “He likes his fishing trips too much. Do you have someone in mind?”
“The decision isn’t mine, Quilla.”
The birdman raised a brow.
It was Tianoman’s turn to laugh. “All right, yes. A woman, actually, by the name of Glory Meritas.”
Quilla blinked. “Excuse me?”
Tianoman laughed heartily. “Quite a name, I agree!”
“When is the election?”
“Two weeks from today. Quilla, you didn’t request this meeting to discuss the new Electan, did you?”
“Anything that affects Valaris, affects me.”
“Granted, but?”
“I am thinking it may be time to have a Valleur Electan.”
Tianoman chewed at his lip. “Why?”
“It is time to cross old borders, Tian.”
“It won’t go down well. Certain prejudices remain even now.”
“You should put a few Valarians on your Elder Council,” Quilla murmured.
Tianoman snorted, and then, “You are serious.”
Quilla sighed. “No, I am not. I merely sought to show you the old prejudices are not so one-sided.”
Tianoman nodded. “Point made. Why?”
“Torrullin.”
Tianoman leaned forward. “I don’t make the connection.”
“Prejudice, Tian. We should be looking for Elianas, but we are - how shall I put it - displeased with his role in Torrullin’s life. Yet I believe Elianas might be easier to find.”
Moving papers at random, Tianoman said, “Fine, I see your point about us being too narrow, but, Quilla, find a rebirth?”
“I do not think he is a rebirth.”
“Have you mentioned this to Tristan?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Quilla raised a brow again.
Tianoman shrugged. “He can be impulsive.”
“Like Torrullin.”
“Very.”
Quilla smiled. “You have your head about you, yet you are not straight and linear in thought. A good Vallorin, Tian, you really are.”
Tianoman inclined his head. “That is high praise. Thank you.”
“You are like Vannis, I think.”
“Enough with the compliments. How are you thinking about Elianas?”
Quilla edged forward on his seat. “Elianas duped us into thinking he is a true immortal, which means he was close and no doubt why Lowen assumes he is in his seventh birth right now. And at one stage she surmised his immortality stems from manifold realm entries, and that could still be the case. Why, however, would he lie? Torrullin would not think less of him, thus Elianas felt inferior for some reason or has another goal in mind.”
“All right, I follow.”
“If I am right, that goal cannot await the recall point. We are talking at least thirty, thirty-five years, a period of years he would not even remember an ultimate goal in, a period in which Torrullin could move away from a set of plans.”
“Ah, while he may be at the point of true immortality, he won’t choose rebirth; he will choose realm exit, in which he is conversant.”
Quilla nodded. “And it means he may be out there right now.”
“That’s pretty diabolical.”
“I do not think Elianas planned for this to happen, not now. Neither he nor Torrullin expected the hell beyond that door and neither intended for anyone to die. Elianas, particularly, meant not to die yet.”
Tianoman frowned. “The line?”
“No, that is a personal vendetta for them.”
“Then I do not follow.”
“There is a goal, Tian, but it isn’t due. His hand was forced by horrific circumstances and he cannot afford to wait thirty years. I suggest his immortality is linked to this goal and the reason he remains unfound is that he must reconfigure his strategy.”
Tianoman nodded. “What goal?”
Quilla sighed. “I wish I knew.”
“How do we find him? Where, in god’s name, do we even begin searching?”
“We ask the Syllvan.”
Drawing a breath, Tianoman said, “They may know where Torrullin is.”
“They are sure to, but will not say. They may not extend the same courtesy to Elianas’ whereabouts.”
Tianoman murmured, his brow clearing, “Tristan is more familiar to the Syllvan.”
“Yes, but he will not allow Elianas anywhere near Torrullin if he suspects the man of an ulterior motive.”
“And we would?”
Quilla shrugged. “I would. Torrullin needs him, no matter what motive underlies which goal.”
“And prejudice has kept the rest of us from working this out. I see.” Tianoman steepled his fingers. “What if you are wrong?”
“The Syllvan will know.”
“They know what is in men’s hearts?”
“To a point, yes, but I meant they will know if he is re-birthing, returned or beyond our recall, as in a new, inescapable death’s journey.”
“Surely Torrullin can figure this out?”
“Torrullin sees only loss.” Quilla tapped the desk. “We should see the Syllvan together. More questions. More answers.”
“We could use them in the real world.”
“The reason they work is precisely because the real world does not interfere with them,” Quilla said.
“True. I assume you know how to request an audience?”
“I had hoped you do.”
“I have never been near them.”
“What of Digilan’s portal?”
“There is no portal, only the idea of one, a convenience the Syllvan employed - I see. I guess if I shout loud enough, they may hear.”
Quilla waited.
Tianoman pushed his hair back, leaned with elbows on his desk. He was silent for a time. “I have a luncheon in an hour, a meeting soon after, and I swore to Aislinn we would eat together tonight. Tomorrow is full. Sunrise tomorrow, Quilla. And I may pray I get back for the campaign meeting in time.”
Quilla rose. “Are you prejudiced, Tian?”
“About human and Valleur, probably. About Torrullin loving a man? I am not sure.”
“Teroux?”
“Definitely prejudiced.”
“And Tristan?”
“Tristan is the open-minded one.”
Quilla nodded. “I like
your honesty. Until sunrise.”
Tianoman sat long after Quilla left thinking about Torrullin and Elianas.
Syllvan Grotto
TIANOMAN CALLED OUT, and he and Quilla stood before the trunk-like creatures.
“We hoped someone would request audience,” one said.
“Yes, because Elixir is in trouble,” another added.
“Hush,” said the central figure. “Answers are given to questions. Welcome, Q’li’qa’mz. Welcome, Tianoman Valla.”
Quilla and Tianoman bowed.
“Ask your questions,” the central figure intoned.
Quilla spoke. “Thank you for admitting us. My first question is this. What happened to Elianas?”
“That would take an age to answer,” one muttered. “Be more specific.”
“Forgive me. What happened to Elianas after he died in the Path of Shades?”
A sigh, collectively. “We do not know.”
Quilla’s mouth dropped open; he had been certain they would know this one thing at least.
Tianoman asked, “Is he aiming for a seventh birth?”
“No.”
“Realm exit?”
“Elianas is not in a realm.”
Tianoman and Quilla looked at each other, and Quilla asked, “He claimed to be a true immortal, yet proved not to be. Why?”
“He is a true immortal, Q’li’qa’mz. He did not lie.”
Quilla was stumped. “I do not understand.”
“He faked his death?” Tianoman whispered.
“No, he did die.”
“Gods, then I do not understand either,” Tianoman muttered.
“Are you asking the confusion be explained?” a Syllvan asked.
“Please,” Quilla breathed.
“This, then,” the central figure said. “Elianas is a true immortal, but the death within the Path of Shades caused him to doubt. He did surrender life, life as it is assumed where they were. But there is more to it, for what he actually surrendered was his energy. Elianas is unique in that he requires death in order to live. He does not know this about himself, and the doubt he experienced within the Path has unfortunately set him adrift. We cannot find him, for when he surrendered energy, he surrendered his signature also. We do know no realm contained within Reaume contains him. Even a signature-less entrance will be marked.”
Tianoman and Quilla were wordless in their astonishment. Obviously they had the wrong end of the donkey before.
“Are there realms outside of Reaume?” Tianoman.
A wheezing chuckle. “He is sharp.”
“Yes, indeed,” another murmured.
“Yes indeed, I am sharp, or yes indeed there are realms outside of Reaume?”
“The latter, Lord Vallorin.”
“Goddess,” Quilla murmured. “Elianas could be in one of those?”
“It is doubtful.”
“Why?”
“We have an understanding with those gatekeepers. We asked.”
“Hell’s bells,” Tianoman muttered. “Does Torrullin know of these other gatekeepers and those other realms?”
Silence, and then, “He knows.”
“Secretive man,” Quilla muttered. “Damn it.”
“Allow me to elaborate,” a Syllvan murmured. “Elixir knew before memory loss of other gatekeepers, but when he came to us for the first time, the memory was no longer available. He may not have come to renewed realisation.”
“What trouble is Torrullin in now?” Quilla asked.
“Despair, Q’li’qa’mz. He is alive, but he functions as a soulless being. His deliberate isolation harms more than helps him.”
“Where is he?” Tianoman asked and held his breath.
“We may not reveal it.”
Tianoman swore.
The central figure said, “He went home.”
“You said too much!” another Syllvan accused.
“Where is home - never mind, you cannot say,” Tianoman muttered. He glanced at Quilla. “Home?”
“Torrke, Sanctuary, Akhavar, maybe Luvanor, none of which have seen him.”
“Surely you know of a place he calls home?”
Quilla shrugged. “I would have said the Keep, Tian.”
“A realm?” Tianoman demanded of the Syllvan.
“No,” one said.
“Please, give us something,” Quilla requested. “We cannot help him unless you help us.”
A longer silence came.
“We suggest you study the deeds of property.”
Quilla brightened. “We can do that.”
“Yes,” Tianoman said, relieved.
“Do you wish to ask anything else?”
“You have questions remaining,” another added.
Tianoman faced them. “I would like to know whether Elianas has a goal beyond the obvious.”
“That depends on what you imply by obvious, Lord Vallorin.”
Threading a hand through his hair, he said, “Beyond dominating Torrullin.”
“Ah, crossing the line. Yes, he has a goal, but so has Torrullin. We cannot say with certainty what either of those is.”
Tianoman sucked at his teeth. “Did Elianas know what lay beyond the door on Echolone?”
“You suggest a complete manipulation of the Path of Shades, Tianoman, and not even Elixir has that. Elianas has a power as strong, but he cannot see through doors. Avior’s doors are notoriously dense, as it is.”
“You further suggest he intended to harm Saska,” another said. “If we are certain of one thing, it is that Elianas respected her. He, in fact, suggested she accompany them, because he knew Torrullin would cope better. He did not mean her harm.”
“He did not intend to die, or to doubt, and he certainly would never have gone where he would be forced to relinquish power.”
“Do you trust him?” Quilla asked.
“We do not judge in that manner.”
“Do you trust Elixir?” Tianoman asked.
“We do not judge in that manner.”
“In which manner do you judge?” Tianoman snapped.
“Good and evil. Lumin and darak. We seek the scales between.”
“Where do you think Elianas might be?” Quilla asked.
“We do not know.”
“How will he return?”
“He must find his fuel. Energy requires fuel.”
“However, the fuel needs be efficient first.”
Tianoman and Quilla glanced at each other, and then Quilla said it, “Torrullin?”
“Indeed.”
“Are we not discussing a circle here?” Tianoman frowned.
“We are,” the central figure murmured. “Elianas needs Torrullin fired to re-establish, and Torrullin requires Elianas to restore him a reason for living. This circle may go round and round without solution, unless someone stands in the way.”
“You suggest it is a good thing, the two of them together?”
“It is not good or evil, Lord Vallorin. It is simply the way of it.”
“Do they belong together?”
“Which together are you referring to, Tianoman?”
He sighed. “I do not know.”
“Then we cannot answer.”
“You have one final question,” the central figure intoned.
Tianoman glanced at Quilla. “This was your idea. You have the final one.”
Quilla inclined his head and stood in deep thought for a time. “Beyond goals, is there a greater purpose to this ancient partnership of two equal powers?”
“We believe so, and not merely greater, but higher. A noble purpose, without shadows,” the central figure replied. “However, it will be far in the future.”
Quilla smiled. Those words would cause him to support Torrullin and Elianas always.
Tianoman nodded. “Is there anything you wish to ask of us?”
The central figure seemed to ponder and to await his companions, and then he spoke.
“We do not have a question, but choose to say som
ething at this point. It is thus. Elianas is a true immortal by virtue of seven deaths as opposed to Torrullin’s seven births. A fine distinction, but distinction nonetheless. This last death went beyond that, yet it has proven to reveal an unknown quantity in the man. We believe the power of energy requires transmutation, and this is how he would transmute. However, it cannot happen often or it loses strength and direction. We believe he must think on a death in every age, but we mean not death of matter, but the energy within. This is a facet of himself Elianas must be made aware of, if he does not understand it after this transmutation, and he must further learn to read the signs within that tell him when an event is due. You must do this to aid one half of an ancient partnership to his eventual nobility. He is Alhazen.”
Quilla and Tianoman were wordless.
“Will you do this?”
Quilla said, “For my part, yes.”
Tianoman pulled a face. “Elianas makes me uncomfortable.”
A chuckle from somewhere. “He does not fit into our ideas, we know.”
“Tianoman, if you have not the words to tell him, then show him your support in other ways. Elianas knows how to hear the voices within.”
“He knows many things,” another muttered. “Destroyer and Nemesis.”
“Yes, but he is Destroyer’s Nemesis, not Lifegiver’s,” the central figure said.
“Really? Really?” Quilla breathed, and then waved a hand when he received baleful stares. “Now I know the meaning of Hope,” Quilla added and smiled.
“Quilla?” Tianoman questioned.
The birdman touched his arm. “Read your Oracles, my friend, so you may know the threat of Destroyer. When you know, we shall talk more.”
Tianoman blinked.
A Syllvan said, “It is time to go. We thank you for coming. We, too, feel more hopeful now.”
“Thank …” Quilla and Tianoman noted Valaris surrounding them once more. “… you.”
Tianoman released a sigh. “We may have maligned Elianas earlier.”
“We saw the present only,” Quilla said. He fluttered his wings and resettled them. “It is time to commence a deeds search.”
Chapter 34
A dream prompt is traumatic, even if the prompt is for peace and harmony. A prompt is more about memory … and memory is hard to focus on in a dream.
~ Rosenroth, Ymirian dream interpreter
Lore of Sanctum Omnibus Page 94