by Pedro Urvi
“It will require a lot of time, study and sacrifice…”
“I have all the time in the world, I’m young!” she said, smiling, and spread her arms wide.
Haradin folded his own arms and looked up at the ceiling. For a moment he said nothing.
“Let me think about it, Sonea. What you’re asking me has many implications. I believe it’s the right way, and I share your vision, but let me meditate on it.”
“Very well, Haradin.”
“The winds of the steppes seem to push us in the same direction,” Iruki said. All eyes turned to her.
“What do you mean?” Sonea asked.
“I too have a petition.”
“Let’s hear it,” said Haradin.
“During this long year, I’ve kept learning from the medicine-woman of my tribe, with the aim of helping my people so that the spirit of death doesn’t find us. I’ve learnt much from Mother Nature and the means she provides us with for healing the wounded and the sick. I’ve devoted myself body and soul to this task, which is one I consider very noble.” She nodded in Aliana’s direction in acknowledgement. “Keeping busy, learning, with a clear purpose in mind, helped me not to think about him… about Yakumo… But no matter how hard I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to get over the pain of the loss which lies heavy on my soul. I understand that time helps, but it’s a pain which will always be there, since I’ll never forget that my beloved gave his life for me.”
“And for me,” Lasgol said respectfully.
“We all owe a lot to Yakumo,” Komir said gravely. “If he hadn’t saved you, Iruki, we wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Dark Lady.”
“And very probably none of us would be alive now,” said Aliana.
Iruki nodded and put her hand on her heart. She went on with a sigh. “Healing the sick and wounded among the Blue Clouds is something which gives me great satisfaction and joy. But I keep seeing my people helpless before the great kingdoms of the continent. Sooner or later those kingdoms will be strong and powerful once more. Their greedy eyes will turn again to the weak Masig. Norghanians, Noceans, even Rogdonians, they all pose a threat to the children of the steppes. If I’ve learnt anything from this war, it’s this: the strong and ambitious kill mercilessly and with no regard for those weaker than themselves just to amass more riches, led on by greed and a thirst for blood. And I’m not going to let my people suffer. If it’s in my power, I’ll prevent it. I’ll defend them against any threat, no matter how terrible.”
“Good for you!” Haradin said.
“Because of this, I’ve tried to penetrate the secrets of the medallion with the help of our Shaman. To find out its power and come to understand it, to use it in the defense of my people. Our wise Shaman has walked the paths of the spirits and has seen the Power of the medallion, and he compares it to the spirit of the sea… That’s how great its power is. But he hasn’t been able to decipher the mysteries which surround it. That’s why I’m here. I want to learn to use the medallion, to be able to defend my people ‒ whether from the sleepers, or from unscrupulous men, or any other threat.”
“You want to learn how to use it to fight?” Haradin asked.
“I want to learn how to use it to defend my people. If I must fight, I will. I’ve no desire to use it for destruction, but if we’re in danger I’ll fight with all my heart to protect the Blue Clouds and all the Masig people. For that I need to learn how to cast the spells I want and to my discretion, something that I don’t know how now.”
“I don’t know whether that’s the… way of the Light,” Lindaro put in.
“If my people are in danger, or any of you, my friends, I won’t hesitate to use the medallion. I won’t hesitate to eliminate the threat, whatever it may be. I won’t allow anything to happen to you. I’ll defend you because for me you are like Masig blood-brothers.”
“I understand, and I’m deeply grateful to you,” Sonea said. “I too consider you my sister.”
The others nodded at Iruki’s words.
“Will you grant me that wish, Haradin? Will you teach me to use the medallion? Its secrets?”
“I understand your motives… I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you, Haradin.”
The Mage shook his head and turned to Asti. “And what news does our dear Usik bring to us?”
Asti looked at the Mage, then at the rest of the group. “Me go back forest. Me happy there. My people, my trees.”
“But you didn’t go back to your tribe, did you?” Aliana asked, alarmed.
Asti nodded slowly.
“But, why did you? The shamans were looking for you, you know they’d kill you if they captured you.”
“Me need know. My people suffer.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Aliana insisted.
“Friends there, family. Help, hide from shamans.”
“If you were captured, those ungodly shamans would tie you to the totems to be hacked to pieces by the giant birds!”
“Me know. But Usik people suffer. Family suffer.”
“It’s not your responsibility,” Haradin put in.
“Yes, be. Me Bearer. Me have medallion. Want help people.”
“Do you want to confront the shamans?” Aliana said. She sounded uneasy.
“Shamans kill parents. Kill friends, make sacrifices of people.”
“I know. I’m sorry…”
“Me want free my people from shamans. Need medallion to do.”
“I understand,” said Haradin. “You’re going to ask me the same thing as Iruki and Sonea, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Need learn medallion. Fight shamans with family. Free people from shamans, from slavery.”
Haradin nodded again slowly and remained thoughtful. He sighed deeply, then smiled at Aliana and Komir. “This brings us to the last two Bearers. What do you have to tell, my dear couple? And don’t try to hide it… anybody could see from a mile away that you’re very much in love.”
Aliana blushed and glanced at Komir as the cheerful, mischievous laughter of their friends filled the room.
“There’s nothing to hide,” Komir said with his eyes on Aliana’s. “I love her more than my life.”
The Healer blushed even more. Without taking her eyes off his, she said: “And I love him.”
Laughter and joy turned into cheers, applause and cries of approval. There was no denying their happiness on the couple’s behalf. Sonea was clapping enthusiastically, and a wide smile appeared on Iruki’s face, something which had not happened for a very long time.
“It’s been rather complicated for us,” Aliana began to explain, gazing sweetly at Komir as she spoke. “Our duties have kept us apart much longer than we’d have liked.”
They were all hanging on her words.
“My Healer Sisters, my Order, needed me. It was a time of intense suffering. I couldn’t abandon my duties, I had to help. Thousands of people were in pain and my duty was to be there for them, fighting against their pain and illness, easing their suffering. Rogdon needed me. Tremia needed me. The Sisters were working without respite to avoid the epidemics which arrive to prey on the survivors of a war. I couldn’t turn my back on the needy to go in search of my own happiness beside Komir.”
“What do?” Asti asked spellbound.
“Komir and I talked about it. We decided we both had to help with the healing and reconstruction, and our happiness would have to wait. The tragedy around us was too heartbreaking to ignore. We’d never have been happy if we’d gone our own way, no matter how much we loved each other. So we decided to part and help. I went back to my Sisters and did everything in my power to help as many in need as I possibly could.”
“The Order of Tirsar is a blessing of the Light. The Healer Sisters are the incarnation of Good,” Lindaro said gratefully.
“Very true, said Haradin. “Without them I don’t even want to think how many lives that would have been lost. Not only in Rogdon, but in Erenal, Zangria and the other kingdoms that were
invaded. Not to speak of the King’s and my own.”
“While Aliana helped in Rogdon,” Komir said, “I went back to the highlands. War is a dreadful thing. The devastation and suffering it leaves behind is something I’d never have imagined even in my worst nightmares. I hope and pray we may never witness such horror again.”
“May the Light hear you!” Lindaro put in.
“The Norriel lost many brave warriors. Their families needed help: who was going to feed the children and wives of those who would never come back from the battlefield? Our leader Auburu organized the surviving warriors to help the families of the fallen. We made sure they had everything they needed to survive the long harsh mountain winter. I have to admit it’s been a very gratifying experience, much more than I would’ve expected. Helping my people, making sure they were well, that they had enough food to feed the hungry mouths, timber for their fires during the winter and furs to wear, working for them, helping any way I could, has truly been a gift of the three Goddesses.”
“A gift?” asked Sonea.
“Yes, because without my being aware of it, the experience united me with my people. Deeply. They were truly grateful, from the heart. The expression on their faces, the looks of acknowledgement, those have been a true gift. In the end I honestly think I’m the one who’s benefited most. I’ve given them my efforts, and my neighbors and fellow-countrymen have given me their gratitude and respect.”
“That’s the true greatness of generous work,” Lindaro said, nodding, “of helping others without expecting anything in return, because the reward is so great it fills a man’s heart to overflowing.”
“And what I always craved,” Komir went on, “I finally found. They all know who I am, they call me the Marked, but now they do it respectfully, even affectionately. And you have no idea what that means to me. At last I’ve become a respected Norriel, another member of the tribe.”
Aliana put her hand over Komir’s. “You deserve it.”
Komir lowered his head and sighed. He went on: “The time spent away from Aliana has been hard, the work and the rebuilding too, but today I’m here sitting alongside my beloved, my friends, and the respect of the Norriel. There’s nothing more I could wish for. I can assure you that today I’m a happy man.”
“To hear you say that fills me with joy and pride,” Lindaro said, and smiled broadly. “May the light continue to shine on your path!”
“Thank you, Lindaro.”
Aliana turned to Haradin. “There’s something very significant that I found out during and after the war. The Power of my medallion can be used for Healing, not only for destruction. It’s something I’ve been thinking about constantly…”
Haradin nodded. “Yes, its Power may well enhance your innate Gift.”
“For me, as a Healer, this fact is too significant not to need more investigation and fuller understanding. If the Power of the medallion can be used to enhance Healing, I see it as my duty to find out how to do it so that I can help others. Think of all the good we might do. We’ve already seen the devastating Power of the medallions, and particularly of the five together. What if they could be used for Good, for Healing, in the same way?”
“It would be miraculous!” Lindaro cried.
Aliana agreed with a nod. “Komir and I have talked about this a lot, and we both agree. We want you to teach us to use the medallions in all their potential, not to destroy, but to Heal. And that’s why, Haradin, we join in the petition of the other three Bearers.”
Haradin folded his arms again and threw his head back. He remained lost in his own thoughts while the rest watched him silently, waiting for an answer. Finally, he gave his decision.
“The medallions have great power, and that power brings with it an enormous responsibility. I believe our duty is to protect it, all of us as a group. We must make sure this power doesn’t fall into the hands of evil, that it will never be used to that end. It must always be available for good. To defend the needy, to free the oppressed, to heal the sick and wounded, to deliver good and bring hope to every corner of Tremia that might need it. Because of this, I, Haradin, accept your petitions.”
“You’ll teach us how to use the full power of the medallions?” Komir asked.
“I will. We must remain together, at least until you’re adept enough not to need my supervision. Once that moment arrives you may follow your own paths, with the assurance which mastery of the medallion will give you. It’s not going to be easy, I warn you. The way of magic is hard and demands sacrifices. You’ll suffer, there will be many hours of study, practice and frustration, since mastering the secrets of your Gifts, and particularly those of the magic of the medallions will not only test your determination, but also your physical strength and sanity.”
“We’ll accomplish it!” Iruki declared.
“I hope so,” Haradin said. He looked hard at the five Bearers. “But I must give you a last warning…”
“Go on,” said Sonea.
“Once we begin on this journey there’s no way back, and it will be dangerous. The power of the medallions is great, but so is the danger involved in the manipulation of their magic. Think about it…”
There was a moment of silence while the five thought this over.
“Aliana?”
“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go with you.”
“Wherever she goes, I’ll go with her” said Komir.
“Me go too.”
“The prairies will have to wait a while for me…”
“And my Library as well,” Sonea concluded. “I’m not going to let this opportunity pass.”
Haradin stood up, very straight and erect. Solemnly he said: “I accept your proposal. I shall help you master your Gift and the power of the Ilenian medallions. In a week we’ll gather at the tower of my late friend Mirkos the Erudite. All the knowledge about magic we might need is kept there. It will be an honor to become your teacher.”
“And ours to become your disciples,” Aliana said for all of them.
At that moment a thunderous voice called from the door.
“Can’t I leave you for four seasons without you diving headlong into new trouble with that damned Ilenian magic?”
They all turned and gaped.
“Hartz!” cried Komir, jumping to his feet and spilling drink all over the table.
“You didn’t think I was going to miss this little gathering!” the big Norriel said, grinning from ear to ear.
Kayti appeared behind him. She was wearing her shining white armor. “This brute dragged me through half Tremia to make sure we got here in time,” she said.
They got to their feet amid cries of surprise and joy. Komir threw himself forward to hug his friend.
“Hey, I’ve really missed you!” he said.
“I’ve missed you too, little one!” Hartz lifted him off the floor in a bear-hug, leaving Komir’s legs dangling as he laughed.
Embraces and hearty handshakes were repeated with all the friends.
“Baldor, my good innkeeper!” Hartz called. “More beer, my throat is dry form the dust of the road!”
“The best beer of the house for the greatest of Heroes,” Baldor said amiably, and hastened to serve him.
“Greatest and with the smallest brain,” Kayti said with an impish grin.
Hartz glanced at her and laughed. “She’s still sore about the Troll,” he explained.
“Troll? What Troll?” Komir asked.
“You’d better sit down and tell us about your doings,” Haradin said. He waved towards the table.
“Awesome!” Hartz said, “I’m so hungry I could eat Baldor himself!”
The friends returned to the table and sat down, laughing.
Kayti poured herself a glass of wine. “This nincompoop went out to hunt a Troll in the Kingdom of Miriendad, beyond the Thousand Lakes, to the West,” she said.
“It wasn’t my fault, it was killing peasants! I just went to see what was going on!”
“Sure, sure
. And accidentally you had to confront the monster.”
“He started it.”
“Started it? It’s just a brainless beast!”
“He was going to eat a peasant, I just told him to let him go or there’d be a few punches thrown.”
Kayti swore in three different languages. “I stand corrected. You’re the one who’s the brainless beast.”
“So what happened?” Lindaro wanted to know.
“This,” Hartz said and showed him his left arm. On it was a tremendous scar from shoulder to wrist.
“By the Light!”
“But he didn’t eat the peasant, and I have the Troll’s head as a trophy!” Hartz grinned from ear to ear and downed his beer in a single gulp.
“You’re impossible!” Aliana said, laughing.
“Don’t you ever change, my friend.” Komir said.
“Change? What’s there to change? I’m perfect!”
They all burst out laughing, even Kayti, who was shaking her head at the same time.
“What have you been doing?” Haradin said. “I couldn’t find you. I thought my message wouldn’t reach you in time.”
Kayti replied. “We crossed all Tremia to reach my kingdom, Irinel. It wasn’t easy, because this brute would get into trouble in every kingdom we passed through.” Hartz shrugged as he devoured a shank of lamb. “There we visited the fortress of my Brotherhood and I reported on the events to my superiors. Don’t worry, Haradin, I didn’t say anything specific about the Ilenians, the secret is safe with me. Then we went to the east coast, to Yort, one of the city-states of the alliance of Free Cities.”
“That’s an incredible city,” Hartz cried. “The streets are paved with gold. Everybody’s rich there!”
“Not quite, but yes… the five coastal city-states are really wealthy and powerful,” said Haradin.
Kayti nodded. “My superiors charged me with a mission, to the north of the Thousand Lakes, very near Zangria. We were there when your message reached us.”
Hartz waved a chicken-leg. “And as I didn’t want to miss the meeting, we postponed the mission, and here we are!” he said triumphantly.
“An object of power?” Haradin inquired.
“That’s right,” Kayti confirmed. “Ilenian, in all probability. We’ll search for it, and if we find it we’ll inform you first, before we tell my superiors.”