The Panids' Children_The Panids of Koa

by Lee M Eason

  “Urukish?” Jenna interrupted. “But Urukish is nothing but jungle.”

  “Indeed it is, but that wasn’t always the case. The war changed much…” Kellim purposefully left no gap for Jenna’s inquisitive nature to fill with questions. “After the fall of the Lantriums the remaining Talents were forced into forming Orders by the countries of their origin. Amaria now has one of the four largest, centred at Amar, the country’s capital. Naicarn is rumoured to have been one of its longest serving and most respected members. He’s known to have been a strong advocate of Amaria’s return to its former position before the war and for the Order to reform one of the Lantriums but in Amar itself. His views will have put him increasingly at odds with the new political tide in his country.”

  Bryn nodded. “That in itself could be reason enough for him to leave. Some people don’t like change.”

  Aaron glanced over at his sister and couldn’t help smiling. This was the quietest he’d seen her in a long time but he knew her brain would be sifting all of this information and wouldn’t be kept quiet for long.

  “So,” Jenna said thoughtfully, “So what is so bad about Naicarn wanting his country to return to the way it was?”

  Gwen explained. “Amaria was a powerful country with huge influence across the south. When The Emperor Saracarn spoke, everyone listened and few argued. He got used to hearing only his voice and believing only Amarian opinion mattered. His way was the right way, the only way. And so when Ciad’s internal problems began to destabilise the east, Saracarn decided it needed an Amarian style of government and invaded. Kiashu and Akar made the mistake of being in the way and so they were annexed. To make things even worse the death of Illia, the Urukish royal ambassador was also attributed to Emperor Saracarn III’s arrogance. His actions are blamed for starting The Great War and Amaria has not been allowed to forget it. His surviving son, Attirick withdrew his armies and closed the country to the rest of the continent by way of self-imposed atonement for the mistakes of his father. After Attirick’s death Essedra gradually moved the country forward. It’s taken her decades of political and more unorthodox action to reform the hierarchy of her country. With the result, that at last, Amar now seems determined to offer the hand of friendship to those about it. That pace of change has taken on a new momentum with Essedra’s appointment of Gattick as Chancellor of The Amar Order. I wonder if Naicarn is aware of just how much his Order has changed in his absence?”

  Jenna sensed that Gwen had left out a lot of details to save Kellim’s feelings or avoid an awkward disagreement over the actions of Saracarn and more pointedly The Panids themselves. She had noticed his mild unease as Gwen was relating past events.

  Kellim for his part had listened with a solemn expression on his face. “The gift of high insight is a wonderful thing. At the time events were not so clearly defined. The reality of that time was far more complicated and less black and white.” There was a slight defensive tone to his voice and Gwen noted the mild admonishment. “As indeed things are now. We are dealing with a lot of grey as if looking through mist. We can only guess at the glimpses of things we see. The change in Amar would go some way to explaining Naicarn’s departure. But he wouldn’t be the type to give up easily. There will be another reason for his leaving.”

  “You think he had a plan,” Bryn looked at Kellim, “One best put into action or at least thought through away from the eyes and senses of his Order?”

  “Indeed. On meeting him I was taken aback by the extent of his abilities and was surprisingly aware of his mind, even some distance from the fortress.”

  Bryn looked puzzled. “You’re saying he’s changed, developed his abilities…”

  “At the minute I’m not sure what to think. We certainly had to plan our visit to Aurt with more care than I’d anticipated.”

  “Ah yes,” Carrick smirked unable to resist the opportunity and the chance to lighten the mood. “We’ve heard a lot about Kellim’s copper balls of late.”

  “Careful now Carrick,” Jac warned dramatically.

  Kellim rolled his eyes as the others laughed. “I prefer to call them something else. I see your sense of humour hasn’t developed in the months that we’ve been apart Carrick. I did notice that the other children staying here, have long since gone to bed, perhaps you should join them.”

  Carrick attempted to look contrite. “I’m sorry Kellim. How would you prefer we spoke about your balls? I mean…”

  “Spheres,” Jac helped. There were more sniggers.

  With an air of considerable dignity Kellim cast his gaze over the smiling faces. “Kellim’s…” he paused for effect, “mighty balls. If you don’t mind.” He managed to hold his expression for a short while, as the laughter erupted and he had to join in.

  As things calmed it seemed like a good time to get some sleep and most of the party made their excuses and went to their rooms. Kellim, Bryn, Carrick and Gwen remained. They talked at length but were unable to reach any further conclusions beyond the need to gather more information. The next leg of the journey was decided on before the conversation finally headed in the inevitable direction. Bryn closed the map, each fold watched by the others in a growing silence that signalled it was finally time to talk. The tavern was empty, the staff to bed and the fire pit nothing more than rippling embers. The wind made the only sound.

  “It’s been ten months,” Bryn said with a heavy sigh that acknowledged the expectant silence. “Nine since you were able to get word to us.”

  Carrick nodded. “We haven’t been able to talk until now.”

  Kellim stroked his beard thoughtfully. “There hasn’t been the opportunity my friends. This is the first time we’ve all been together long enough to sit down and draw breath.”

  Gwen shook her head. “I still feel we should have made time. We could have said or done something to help when we dropped Jenna off with you.”

  “That meeting was brief,” Kellim reminded her. “Urgency dictated a hasty departure, we all knew that,” he sat back in his chair a slight smile on his face. “Zia reminded me not to dwell on events beyond our control. It would serve us all to heed her advice.”

  Kellim told them of the events in Akar. At times he struggled but as he spoke the telling became easier and it was clear the burden of events had been lifted somewhat. The others had sat in silence listening for the first time to the full story. Eventually he was done.

  Bryn patted him on the back gripping his shoulder. “You did well to keep them both going.” He wanted to say more but did not trust his own emotions.

  Gwen cleared her throat. “You said Jac’s taking a lot of risks.”

  “Yes, he has an alarming disregard for his own safety while at the same time being over protective of us,” Kellim responded.

  “Then we’ll have to keep an eye on him,” Carrick said. “You especially Bryn you’re his closest friend. Did he say much out there in the yard?”

  “Only that he was ok,” Bryn scoffed. “And that we didn’t need to worry. Oh, and get this one,” Bryn added irritably. “Could we stop talking about it?”

  “That sounds like him. He’ll talk when he’s ready,” Gwen could see Bryn was frustrated but knew Jac would probably never want to talk.

  “I want to help but don’t know how. It’s frustrating, he’s clearly not ok,” Bryn picked up his glass and took a long drink.

  “So, what of your journey?” Kellim asked looking at the others and deliberately changing the subject.

  “Not exactly one of our best,” Gwen began wearily. “After we’d left Jenna with you in Cian, we headed east to Hon in the hope that we would reach Kals before the slavers ship did. However, we ran into a little trouble.”

  “We were attacked,” Bryn added dryly. “They were a poor excuse for trouble but held us up none the less.”

  “You didn’t tell me of this. Where did this happen?” Kellim asked in concern.

  “Shortly after we’d entered Hon.” Gwen answered. “There’s a lot of tensio
n in the south and most of Hon’s armed forces have moved closer to the border with Ildra. Cian has done something similar so the roads are left to take care of themselves. Highwaymen and brigands have free reign.”

  “That said this group’s hearts weren’t in it. They’d been hired,” Bryn added.

  “What do you mean?” Kellim asked.

  “Any brigands out for themselves don’t take risks, are usually well prepared,” Bryn explained, “know the area and are ready to fight. These were none of those. Any half whit who can pick up a sword is trying to get in on the act; they think it’s easy money.”

  “We figured it was slavers,” Carrick added. The unrest in Ildra is allowing slavers and their brigands to hunt elsewhere or hire others to do it. There seems to be an increasing amount of this happening all the way along the countries of the south coast and there’s little there left to enforce the law. It’s an unsafe area and there are some reports of it starting to spread north. The attack on Jenna and Aaron’s village in our own country is unheard of. That’s why we decided to head north and meet up with you rather than heading straight back to Hallorn through what are very unsettled countries. We thought we’d avoid further trouble and possibly get some idea of troop movement.”

  “Though in the end,” Gwen continued, “Kagash is the closest we’ve been to the border with Ildra. You’ll see what it’s like when we cross back into Sancir tomorrow. On the way up we’ve seen quite a bit of military movement and it’s kept the roads clear of trouble.”

  “We saw very few signs of trouble,” Kellim noted. “The north of Ildra continues as normal and we crossed over the Amarian border into Ildra with no hindrance. Though I’m not sure how long that will last.”

  Gwen yawned despite herself. “It’s just as well we’re on our way back. We can make some short cuts with the three of us working together. It’s been a long journey and I’ll be glad to get Jenna and Aaron to Naddier.”

  Gwen’s last sentence seemed to trigger a decision in Kellim’s mind. “There is something else I must tell you,” Kellim began rather mysteriously. The others looked at him. “The Faithful found me.”

  “What!” all three echoed.

  “As in The Panids’ Children?” Bryn asked sitting forward in his chair. “None of them have shown their faces for, for at least eighty years. What did it want?”

  “It was aware of Jenna. Yes, Jenna,” Kellim repeated himself in answer to the questioning faces. “It had ‘sensed’ her and seems to be under the impression that she is special in some way to its kind.”

  “Did it say more? In what way special?” Carrick was slightly perplexed.

  “It knew little and left me to search for The Beholder to find out more.” Kellim pulled on his beard thoughtfully. “The Faithful’s type were designed to multi-task. Amongst their many abilities we attempted to weave in something of the Seers talents. Though this rarely worked. Only a few developed skills and so they had some insight into matters beyond the immediate. The Faithful was particularly skilled in this area, as I recall. I have learnt to trust its insights.”

  “You make them sound like objects,” Bryn commented slightly surprised by Kellim’s description. The old man rarely talked about The Children and when pressed often changed the subject.

  Kellim cleared his throat, but there was a long pause before he finally replied, much to Bryn’s surprise. “To our shame that’s how we viewed them. Tools to accomplish a task - tasks considered unacceptable for a Panid. But it gradually became clear that these self-sustaining formfields were more than just automata. The ones that survived long enough showed the ability to think for themselves and eventually developed emotions. It was at this point that some of our number became uncomfortable with their use and objected.”

  “You mentioned that, I remember, some time ago. Meg, Ollce, Halldeck and yourself fought to prevent their continued creation.” Bryn said.

  Kellim was clearly becoming uncomfortable with the conversation and chose to look at the dying embers of the fire, rather than the searching faces of his friends. “Meg, Ollce and Halleck,” Kellim corrected rather distantly. His next words were voiced as an admission of guilt. “But not myself. I’d fought in many battles and had seen the almost endless loss of life. The fighting was brutal and took a terrible toll on all forced to endure it. The war had to be brought to an end and I saw The Children’s continued use as a way to achieve this and so closed my mind to what I knew to be true.” Kellim paused again clearly distracted by memories. “It was only after I’d worked alongside a small group of The Panids’ Children that I saw how they’d developed and what they’d become. I finally accepted the truth and aligned myself with Meg and the others. As a result, we were increasingly excluded from decisions and given tasks, which in retrospect, kept us out of the way during the final months of the war. The Panids planned much in that time and made many decisions…” For a moment it seemed like he might say more. “Hmm, perhaps I’ve said enough. Another time maybe.” Kellim looked up offering an apologetic smile for his reluctance to continue.

  “We don’t judge you,” Carrick offered hoping to ease the old man’s discomfort.

  “Not in the least,” Gwen said as she gently squeezed Kellim’s hand. “Talking about The Panids’ Children as a current issue as opposed to a historical fact is a new and unfamiliar experience for us. And here we are. All this time nothing and now two of them pop up in a conversation. Could things possibly become more interesting or should I say complicated?”

  Carrick sympathised. “I think the latter. We’d better keep a close eye on Jenna,” he said more seriously.

  “And, I think, Aaron too,” Kellim added thoughtfully.

  “Why’s that,” Carrick put down his drink.

  “As much as I dislike complicating things further. I’ve detected traits in the boy I’ve not seen since the time of The Panids.”

  “Even this early on,” Carrick’s eyebrows lifted.

  “There is great potential there. Something more than an Adept,” Kellim confirmed, “but he’ll need the correct training if he’s to reach his potential.”

  “If that’s the case,” Carrick began, “I want you to spend as much time with him as you can during the journey home. We may need to be unconventional in our approach to training these two. If only for their own safety.”

  They set off early the next morning, leaving through Kagash’s west gate and as Gwen had warned it took some time. A steady flow entered the west gate but a military check-point had been set up on the Sancir side and this held up traffic leaving the city. It took sometime before they were able to cross the border. But once over it was immediately obvious they had. Where travel in the North of Ildra generally relied on a network of dirt tracks Sancir, like Hallorn, built roads. Excellent roads that made progress easier and faster. Over the next few days they made good time and put a lot of distance between themselves and the border. The countryside changed rapidly from the flat plains of Ildra to the rolling wooded hills and fields they now travelled through. Spine trees gave way to gnarlwood and towering stilttree. Sancir’s geography was sufficiently different to alter the climate in a relatively short distance so it was warm but not the stifling heat of Ildra and much wetter throughout the year. Jenna noted the effect this had on the people; the way they dressed and on their architecture. Sloping roofs instead of flat, shrugged off the rain and stonewalls were favoured over rendered brick. The men’s clothing changed to loose fitting shirts and trousers and the women’s to longer fuller skirts; clothing similar to the styles favoured in Cian and Hallorn

  “The roads are still fairly busy, Jenna said. “Which will keep it safe, won’t it?”

  “Don’t worry,” Gwen reassured. “We’re too far north for any slavers and their henchmen to venture. And yes crowds usually do mean relative safety but you also need to bear in mind that they make it much easier for people to hide their minds and their intentions.” She thought it was sensible to add a note of caution. Both she, Carric
k and Kellim had made good use of snatches of time to teach Jenna and Aaron as much as possible. “There’s too much going on here to pick out any one mind, unless it’s a Talent focusing their will.”

  “Can you actually read people’s minds?”

  “Not really and I’m not sure I’d want to.” Gwen admitted. “All that brain chatter! But you can sense emotions and that can be helpful.”

  “That’s a relief,” Jenna seemed to relax. “I thought it was just me. I’ve been trying to read most of the people we’ve passed.”

  “For how long?”

  “Since we set off this morning.”

  Gwen was quite surprised, “That’s impressive in itself. It takes a lot of concentration to do that over an extended period of time. What did you get from them?”

  “Nothing much beyond emotions like you said,” Jenna gestured towards Gwen. “Some strong and some weak and a few that did something a bit strange.”

  “Let me guess, a kind of push back.”

  “Yes, exactly. It felt oddly embarrassing, a bit like being caught peering in through somebody’s window.”

  Gwen smiled. “That’s a good analogy. Those are the ones with latent talent. They don’t know they have it but their minds subconsciously defend themselves.”

  “Does everyone have talent?” Jenna asked fascinated by the subject. It was so good to have someone happy to answer her questions. Orla had always been more guarded. For the first time in months Jenna was starting to feel relaxed. Everyone was together, they didn’t have to rush and there wasn’t a need to be anywhere and for any reason. The days were warm but not hot, the countryside gentle and the going easy. Plenty of time for talking, plenty of time to ask questions!