"Forgive my tardiness," Daecrynn began. "I call this meeting to order. May I inquire as to what exactly is the order of this meeting?"
"You will be returning to Andriel soon," Cerena explained. "We need to set a date for your official coronation, and relay that to Andriel so that preparations may begin."
Nadali placed her hand on Daecrynn's shoulder and rubbed it gently. Goosebumps surfaced along his arms, as a cold chill crawled up his spine. Daecrynn blinked. "So, you all pretty much decided to put the metal hat on my head," he joked.
Nadali chuckled, as the others exchanged confused glances.
"This is good, but I don't want to rush anything. I don't think it should be put off forever either. My suggestion would be to take a day that is already honored as a holiday, that the start of my reign will be overshadowed by something more worthwhile," Daecrynn suggested.
"So as a Kestiel you wish to be forgotten," Versinde scoffed. "Surely you deserve better!"
"All things change," Daecrynn replied. "In time, I will be gone and Tarligean will remain. Such has been the case of Kestiels before me, and I don't expect it to be any different with me."
Cerena chirped, "I think I know a perfect day for your coronation!"
Daecrynn smiled, turning in her direction. "Do tell," Daecrynn queried.
"Atriyu Sandrila, the New Years," Cerena proposed.
"That isn't for another eleven months," Tiardan protested.
"Well I like it," Daecrynn declared.
"And the symbolic placement is perfect," Cerena chirped. "New year, new era."
Daecrynn smirked, and put his hands behind his head, tilting his chair back. "Gives me a year to slack off," he quipped. “Maybe I can learn to play the flute.”
Shaking his head, Tiardan replied, "Of course not, milord. Coronation or no, you are the Kestiel and have the responsibilities of such."
Daecrynn sat up in his chair and grinned towards Tiardan. "In time, you will learn my sense of humor. Until then, you will suffer under it."
Nadali, Tamaia, and Versinde laughed. Tiardan rolled his eyes.
"I have a suggestion," Nadali said as she recovered from the laugh.
"Yes love?" Daecrynn replied.
"We order up a keg of the best ale and the best wine, and celebrate this decision," Nadali proposed.
"Certainly a reasonable request,” Daecrynn agreed.
XLIII.
Like Moths to a Flame
One mile under Kith
In a room full of strange creatures, a rogue’s gallery of Cirethian genetic engineering, at an elevated podium, a ghost-white bald human spoke.
"Children of the Divine Helix, heirs to the Earth. Today is the first day of the last days of the human race who has enslaved you. Osiris was the first of my campaign, as I wished to begin it personally to eradicate any doubt upon where I stand. This morning, the right hand woman to the Thoth, and wife to Osiris was disposed of. You may not know this, but six others were disposed of today. The Thoth will have no choice but to fill the positions around him with people from among us. Now I give you the Supreme General of Cireth and its holdings, Ka’at Horus."
A hawk-headed humanoid creature took the place of Da'at Set at the podium.
"Brothers of the Divine Helix, the pieces are in place. A checkmate is without question the final outcome of this campaign, in our favor. I have advised the Thoth that the human forces of Cireth have the capability to destroy all of Cireth's enemies. This is a lie. The Taergeni and the Madroceans have formed an alliance.
“At Destriel, it is expected that Cireth's troops will be destroyed. Athas knows our technology and has technology of their own, and has a great army hiding in Macedaan, ready to roll over the Cirethian troops that will be arriving shortly. All that will be left of their forces will be at Far-Kith, and we know exactly how to avert their possible return. A self-destruct signal to the Gate of Ra is all that will suffice. We have a secret weapon that will grant autonomy to all the drones, which will make them useless to the Thoth. In time, they will likely join us. By the time the Thoth has any inkling as to what is truly going on, it will be too late—for that will be the moment of his final breath.
“And we have the Light of Eternity. Our time has come."
XLIV.
Distant Thunder
Daecrynn sat alone in a chair on the balcony overlooking the city, with his legs propped up over the edge, wearing a white silk shirt. He sipped slowly on his morning taku-bean tea that he had decided to make his peacetime ritual. From this vantage point, he could see all of the city of Namakiera on the western side of the palace; the majority of the city. On a clear day, could see well into the plains beyond, and he could see the thin band of gray that marked the Nali Road that led to and from Andriel in the north. As his thoughts wandered, Daecrynn's eyes fixated on two points on the road. He stared, trying to make out a form. Lazily, he took his foot from the ledge, and leaned over it to get a better look. Two horsemen, moving very fast were on their way, both with banners in hand. One banner was the Ki'ronyx, and the other was a stark red banner. This was a signal of urgency. Daecrynn quickly gulped down the rest of his taku-bean tea. He knew he needed to be awake for this. He slipped on his shoes, and grabbed his cape and coronet as he passed through his bedchamber.
By the time he reached the floor level commons of the Palace, the messenger had already arrived. Two Knights of Andriel passed through the entrance.
"What news from Andriel, sirs?" Daecrynn requested.
"My liege! Contact from the High Navy brings us news of an amassing of Cirethian ships in the Destriel Strait," a knight reported.
Teacup still in hand, he passed it to the other knight.
"Please take this to the Palace galley," Daecrynn requested.
The other knight bowed his head, and marched off to the galley.
* * *
In less than an hour, the whole of the interim council had seated itself around the round table in the War Room.
"Good morning friends. Though I think I prefer the Chamber of Danwe to the War Room, it is clear that we have more war to look forward to today," Daecrynn stated. "Sir Darran, please report."
The Knight of Andriel reported, "Yesterday, the Caerthe Kethel docked in the Harbor of Andriel. Though it is joyful that the High Navy exists to this day, awaiting orders from the Kestiel, they came with news of utmost urgency. A large scale movement of ships has begun down the Destriel Straits."
"It is clear that we need to reoccupy Destriel at once," Tiardan replied. "We shall send in a squadron of our best knights to secure the city, and populate it with the forces that arrived late in the campaign to take this city.
"It would be logical to assume that Cireth intends to place a beachhead for an invasion at Destriel," Tamaia postulated. "I believe it was foolish of our last Kestiel to evacuate the city even with the circumstances that were in place. Destriel has a fully capable shipyards, harbor, and barracks that would be absolutely ideal, sitting on the coast unguarded as it is."
Cerena sang, "It would be all too easy to take now, I agree. So what we need to do is take it first so that they will have too much of a fight. I know how to contact the rest of the Navy. When every Commodore, Captain, and Commander has the same dream, they will know it is me.”
Tiardan paused, and spoke. "Then you will do what is necessary to summon the High Navy to Destriel. I shall lead the troops to take the city before Cireth can. This campaign begins as soon as we are prepared, preferably tomorrow at daybreak. I would advise that the Kestiel and Queen of Fidralinia stay behind on this campaign."
"I can understand why, but I don't have to like it," Daecrynn groaned.
XLV.
The Voice of Li’istrani
The night seemed long and restless. Daecrynn tossed and turned under his covers. He spent hours, a seeming eternity between states of sleep and exhausted wakefulness. He heard the beating of the ropes against the flagpoles outside the window of his bedchamber. He slipped out of co
nsciousness for a short while. When he awoke again, he was startled gently by the noise of the ropes beating against the flagpole. He glimpsed a bright shooting star as his eye opened in annoyance. The stars twinkled in an almost unreal level of lucidity. Everything around him seemed more real, more solid than reality itself.
'I'm still dreaming,' Daecrynn thought as he slipped out of bed to walk to the balcony. He walked out onto the patio, and looked upwards. He saw two moons in the sky, Rhi'ayfarri and Luna.
'In command of your dream, you may do whatever you wish. But beware—as there are powerful beings who consider this realm their playground,' said a voice in his head.
"Whatever I want," Daecrynn said to himself. He extended his arms, and jumped into the air, not coming back down. Everything was crystal clear, lucid beyond lucid.
'Meet me at the tower. You know the one I speak of,' the voice requested.
'Rayelle,' Daecrynn thought within himself.
'In the highest level of Li'istrani you shall find me,' she responded in his mind.
Through the sky, Daecrynn charged westward in the direction of Terthian's Wheel. He flew directly to the towers without passing over the Hidden Road. When he reached the tower of Li'istrani, he flew to the window of the tower's top floor, and entered. Rayelle sat at her study, and turned.
"Daecrynn Tuvitor," she addressed him.
"Yes?” Daecrynn replied.
"You are to accompany Tiardan's soldiers to Destriel. It is of utmost urgency that you be present. The properties of Oro'quiel will assist you greatly on that battlefield, and turn the tide in the favor of yourself and your country. Now, go home!" Rayelle commanded.
Rayelle threw a ball of light at Daecrynn that struck him in the middle of his chest. He woke up with a start. At his side, Nadali woke up at the same time, with a start.
"I just had the weirdest dream," Nadali gasped. "Rayelle told me to escort you to..."
"Destriel," Daecrynn interrupted. "And then she hit you with a little white light that woke you up?"
"How did you know?" Nadali asked.
* * *
It was in the early hours of the morning when the dream had awoken Daecrynn and Nadali. They took special care to prepare themselves before the armies that were to drive east at daybreak. They went down to the first basement of the Palace of Namakiera, where the Royal Armory was located. Daecrynn took for himself a suit of fine polished platemail, a hexagonal shield with the Star of Andriel upon it, moonsilver plate gauntlets and boots. Nadali chose simpler apparel, with a simple moonsilver shirt and a cloak, black leather gloves and boots. They rushed to the stables. They wandered up and down the stable to find the best warhorses available. Daecrynn chose a large white war stallion with a silver mane and blue eyes, and long hair around its hooves. He saddled it up with moonsilver plate barding. Nadali picked a swift, muscular looking brown paint mare. The stable keeper greeted them at the gate. When he lifted the visor on his helm, the stable keeper greeted them and let them on. They rode out the west entrance, no longer a gate but clean of debris, to meet the encampment outside the city. As dawn's light began to grow in luminance in the east, Tiardan and Alrain Folare came through the gate, armored and on horseback.
"Your majesty, I thought you were to stay behind in Namakiera," Tiardan said.
"The plans have changed. We got a message from Lady Andaya that required our presence in Destriel," Daecrynn revealed.
"Interesting. Both of you?" Tiardan queried.
"Assuredly so, General. She made it rather clear to both of us," Nadali snapped.
"I think this is a bad idea, witch or no," Tiardan protested. "You're preparing to be crowned. We don't need you in the thick of battle, especially with Cireth."
"We're going to fight in Destriel by your side, General. It would be best if you lead the battle, and allowed us to fight amongst you," Daecrynn suggested.
"With all due respect, I had hoped that once the nation was secured, you would stay out of matters of war. Your brother insisted on fighting at the front lines like your father, and we ended up without a Kestiel for nearly eight years. We need not repeat that mistake," Tiardan protested.
"Duly noted, but we are going nonetheless. That is my order, and it shall be done," Daecrynn decreed.
"Very well my liege," Tiardan resigned. "The morning bugle will sound shortly, and we will begin to march eastward at sunrise."
XLVI.
The Light of Eternity
Athasia, Lune
The hills were covered in light grass over the lush peninsula over a mediterranean sea. White marble buildings surrounding a great hill with a temple marked it the city of Athesse, a former Madrocean colony that declared its independence over a century ago.
A sizable fleet of elongated triremes returned to dock amidst panicked reports of a mighty fleet from Cireth coming to subjugate the city. As the people vacated their ships, dashing into the city, a black cloud had grown in the south.
A swarm of one-man gwyulni fighters swiftly moved north from the carrier ships on the sea in the south. The people of Athesse scurried for cover as firebombs fell from the swarm of ornithopters. Many fell, burnt alive as the volatile fluid from the Cirethian firebombs engulfed them.
* * *
Chara-pei, Xathos
In a region dominated by a river; a seemingly primitive city with clay walls stood amidst a peaceful valley. A lone aircraft flew low, averting the eye of the men of the watchtower. Far to the southeast, an amassing of Cirethian soldiers in black battle armor waited for the signal. The gwyulni flew over the wall into the center of the city, a small pyramid-shaped palace. It swiftly banked east and accelerated with great speed.
A young bow gazed down in wonder at a silvery orb that fell from the ornithopter, glistening in the light of the vernal sun, sitting on the steps of the palace.
In the twinkling of an eye, that city was destroyed with an immense flash of light. A horrific column of smoke emerged, tearing through the wispy clouds of the vernal sky; mushrooming out into the stratosphere. The inhabitants of the city shuddered in horror, as their very flesh was vaporized from the bone. Beyond the walls of the city, people’s skin ignited, and farmers gazing toward the city were blinded by the absolute intensity of the light—as if they were standing next to the Sun itself, staring directly at it.
This was the signal the Cirethian armies were waiting for. They continued their march into the ruined city, intent on looting whatever was left and subjugating the survivors.
* * *
Destriel, Tarligean
The great fleet of ebon black carrier ships had reached the port of Destriel. A large, narrow valley in the shape of a horseshoe, with cliffs marking the boundary of the valley defined the area in which the abandoned city was built.
Gray stone buildings dominated the city, with a small palace at its center. On the east end were great harbors and empty shipyards. The transport vessels moved into the harbor first. The ships swiftly docked, emptying out their soldiers onto the piers. The carriers docked next. Small formations of scout aircraft flew out to assess the territory surrounding the abandoned elf-city.
* * *
Kith, Cireth
The Thoth Asan marveled at the lack of military presence in the city. This was the first day he could remember when he did not see formations of soldiers goose-stepping down the wide boulevards of the city below. His thoughts drifted to a daydream of all the world’s empires paying him tribute. This era of delegating authority and hands-off manipulations would end with this new campaign. The world and all of its treasures belonged to him now—and not even the Chancellor Osiris could challenge his power any more.
A guardian drone began to babble strangely and groan in fright.
“Drone, state your condition,” Asan ordered.
“Aaaaugh! Bahaha rawrgle. Feel no good! Head on fire!” the drone cried.
“Speak clearly, or self-terminate,” Asan commanded coldly.
“The new order of the ages ha
s begun. Your life is over,” the drone uttered with clarity before drifting back into its confused autonomy.
“What?” Asan gasped.
In less than a second, he tasted his own blood and fell to his knees. As his palm hit the floor he turned to the side and beheld Da’at Set gazing down at him, expressionless. The next thing he saw was blackness as his lifeless body fell to the floor.
XLVII.
Sumai Pass
The trek up the hillside was swift, as the march was charged with urgency. Daecrynn stared ahead through the slit on the visor of his helm, his hands gripping the reins of his steed Errofan intently. Nadali gazed forward grimly. The incline grew as they approached the Destriel Mountains for the small valley on the other side of the Sumai pass. Time flew as they charged with speed. The two tall crags that marked the pass were visible now. Daecrynn was silent, though he spied something white at the top of the pass. As they drew nearer, it was visibly a rider in white, atop a white horse.
The Legacy of Tirlannon: The Freedom Fighter Page 25