The image faded and the elders around the edge of the circle slump, their energy visibly spent. Each took his own path away, leaving them alone in the grove. Sha just held her mother as Feylynn mourned the loss of a man she loved deeply. Jayen Smith was all the father a woman could ask for, but she still keenly felt the emptiness in her life for Aldus the Elven hero who sacrificed his life to get she and her mother to safety so she could have this life. The unique loss of a father she would never know.
It wasn’t until they left the grove and were much of the way home that Sha revealed to her mother what was said. Feylynn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Eber Hawthorn has been dead since we were children. Why would he send you looking for a dead man?”
Sha shrugged, “Maybe he left something for us by the grave?”
Feylynn shook her head, “I don’t want this distracting you before your big test.”
Sha smiled at her. “Mother, you know I won’t be able to focus on anything until I at least look in on this. Besides, we can go while Pavel is sleeping.”
“You know Pavel will not be happy about us going to the potter's field without him for protection.”
“Potter's field?” Sha asked her nose scrunching up in thought.
“Yeah, ol’ Eber Hawthorn found himself on the wrong side of the Crown. The Elders declared him apostate and denied him proper funeral rites.” Feylynn shook her head. “I always thought such things petty.”
Sha shrugged. “We’ll take Galan and Angvar, let Pavel get his rest. Should also do them good to get out of the house and come back home sober.”
Potter’s Field at Night
Galan was putting on a brave face on it but the truth was his hand hadn’t left the hidden pouch on the underside of his surcoat where his pistol lay, heavy, deadly and comforting. The dark cutting into his vision was bad enough, but they were approaching what was one of only three large stone mausoleums at the far end of the field. The central chamber lay open and upon entering the large cool room with a dramatic and intricately in laid floor panel. His skin crawled when Sha identified the pattern as a summonsing circle.
A raspy voice called out “Shadrea Andolla?” Galan spun drawing his pistol out of reflex. What he saw made his blood run cold instead. There was a shadowy apparition of what he presumed must have once been a man.
Sha waved Galan down with a frustrated frown, “Eber? Eber Hawthorn?”
The apparition let out a long wheezing sigh. “I was. Aldus Andolla sends his love.”
Feylynn looked at the creature with a withering look. “You knew my husband.”
The apparition shook its head. “Not in life. I conjure the recent dead. Try to get a look behind the curtain. When I summoned him, he turned the tables on me. Compelled me to save and carry messages for him. Third stone from the left and seven layers up from the ground. You will find the message you. Beware it isn’t an easy story to hear. He could not give details as there are magical geas to prevent it, the Eternal Unity isn’t what we’ve been promised. “
Feylynn scoffed, “It was built under zones of truth, they couldn’t lie about any of it!”
The apparition gave a choking wheeze that Shadrea recognized after a moment was a bitter laugh. “It’s all about properly worded statements that are factually accurate, yet wholly misleading. Read the letter, make up your own mind. I’ve been searching for the truth for longer than I can remember. I turned myself into the wretched creature you see before you just so I could have time to find the answers before either the Eternal Unity claimed me as well, or the millstone of time ground me under.”
Sha pulled out the stone, and there behind it was an oiled leather envelope with a parchment letter in it. Sha read the letter with tears welling up in her eyes. She barely knew the man, yet he had sacrificed himself for her, and she couldn’t even imagine the cost he must have paid to get this much of a warning out. “He wants me to ask you about your first mission supporting his Ranger squad?” she asks of Feylynn.
Feylynn’s flush was clear even in the crypt's gloom. “We swore never to speak of it. It’s your father, all right.”
Sha was curious but only nodded. Galan started to ask, but then thought better of it seeing the look on his mother’s face. “He says clearly that the Eternal Unity is not what it seems. He says not to worry about him, there is nothing that can be done now, but for each of us to find another way. Either go back to the wheel and take your chances with rebirth or find a way to live on, but not to join him in Eternal Unity.” she shook her head and handed her mother the letter.
Eber shook all over. “I have kept my word. Depart from me. The presence of the living is a trial for one such as I.”
They departed in silent contemplation the whole way home.
Test Morning
Feylynn was worried. Anything could happen in the test. She knew Sha was prepared and Sha had consulted to Echal. Pavel had made several new and clever low power devices that they say Echal called force multipliers. She had even visited Evan’s dreams last night asking him about it. He just chuckled when he was told what they had cooked up.
She put on the brave face and rode with Sha and Pavel to the Elven Sacred Grove of the Tzadi. The trees soared over head casting the small testing pavilion in golden and green light. Thirteen Elven Tzadi from each of the primary schools was on had to witness and administer the test. Sha looked so small lugging the large travois behind her.
Ranger Captain Elyon Ryden was also present. He approached Sha before the test began. “I am still willing to accept an apology. There is no reason for you to risk your life on this before you’re ready.” His tone and face were both completely earnest.
Feylynn saw Sha’s jaw clench. “Ranger Captain Elyon Ryden, I do apologize for chastising your impertinence so publicly before your troops. I should have done so in private. Nothing alters the fact I must take the test. I have been past ready for it, delaying more at this point serves no one.” Just like that, she turned from him and took her position before the great portal.
A tall elderly Elven woman who had to be eight hundred if she were a day called out in a surprisingly strong voice. “Shadrea Andola of the Mists, you have been selected for the test of the Tzadi. Your guardian has authorized you to take this test, but no one may force you. Do you accept testing with all that it entails?”
Sha’s face quirks in an ironic grin. “I accept the test so long as you’ll accept the results.”
Feylynn heard Pavel’s low growling chuckle off to the side. She wished she could muster the same confidence. Sha was ready she told herself, but she knew what a grueling and life altering experience the test could be. Too much could go wrong to ever be over confident. Still she felt herself suppressing a smile at the sour face made by the older woman.
In a formal phrasing, the observing elves raised their hands, and the portal formed. With one voice they proclaimed, “Only what you take with you. Return Tzadi or not at all.”
Feylynn felt a shiver go up her spine, remembering those words all those years ago. She smiled as she saw Sha turn blow a kiss to both her and Pavel before struggling to pull the travois through the gate.
Pavel asked her, “So how long before she comes back?”
Feylynn shook her head. “Time works different in the test. I was in for over twelve hours, yet my parents said it was only a few minutes.”
Minutes drug on to hours, and the sun was getting low in the sky. Feylynn was beside herself with worry. Many of the Tzadi had come over to sit with her for comfort. Pavel just growled at them, not to give up on her so easily.
The sun had nearly set when the portal flared up and a tiny figure appeared. Feylynn was in shock. When she had returned from her ordeal, she was ragged and coated with mud and muck. Sha was clean and while looking worn was far from looking haggard and distraught. Feylynn looked a little closer and gasped along with everyone else. Pavel was demanding to know what everyone was so excited about, and she wanted to tell him, yet she could not find her
own voice. The forelock of Shadrea’s long golden blond hair had turned bright polished copper red.
She managed to keep Pavel from rushing the circle before the conclusion of the ceremony.
The sour old elf who had led them for her departure came forward again now that she had returned. “Welcome back, Tzadi. You have completed the testing. The final challenge requires a vow, so that the Tzadi may understand sacrifice. What is your vow?”
Sha spoke up in a loud but obviously tired voice. “I made no vow. I defeated it.”
Another gasp went around all gathered. This time one of disbelief. “That is not possible. Tzadi have made the vow for all of living memory! ”
Sha’s voice when flat, “I tried to bring signs, but they vanished as I crossed the portal, leaving in their place only this.” She held up the medallion worked through with gold and silver and copper with a large green stone. “I claim my prize and my right for rest. If you wish the story of my test, you may ask my golem, it is well known they cannot lie.” She turned and raced into Pavel’s arms, who had the forethought to open his arms a little wider that Feylynn should join them
Arch Tzadi
After the Test
Sha held out her arm and the snake golem climbed down and took center stage. In a raspy voice, it began the tale.
We went through the portal, and Sha used a scroll to create a mount to carry her gear. Not just any mount but a full war elephant. The goblin tribe attacked, but a war elephant wasn’t much concerned. It did take enough damage that it did not last long afterward and a new smaller swifter mount was created. The load was heavy on the small riding horse, but it was less of a target than the elephant. So that when the Orc tribe challenged but a few illusion spells allowed for a quick escape without having to fight.
The spell expired and Shadrea followed the plan to rest and cast. With an entombment spell, safe place was created for the replenishment of arms used during the previous day. We returned to the surface and continued on until nightfall. Creating a rock walkway over the swamp area, was exhausting but only used less than a third of the power stone reserve, besides turning the muck into rock around a gator was usually less costly than fighting it.
The sheer clifts presented the next challenge but as it was getting dark, Shadrea created a new winged mount, a giant bat. This allowed rapid movement over the plains while cloaked in darkness. Shadrea sat down in a small village that was besieged by bandits. Despite being on her own test Shadrea spent two days assisting the villagers in driving off the attack. A quick rest in the village to recharge, and we were in flight again. This time on a fine hawk.
Day time flying proved to be risky as a mated pair of wyvern decided we would make an effective lunch. We lost the hawk in the combat but managed to secure the venom sack of two wyvern. Shadrea again used entomb to rest and concentrate the venom into a more potent poison.
By the dawn of the fourth day, we found ourselves on the edge of a vast forest. Off in the distance, deep into the forest was the largest tree either of us had ever seen. It had to be our destination. Instead of flying directly to it, Shadrea stashed her supplies and made a scout in covertly. Twice we had to fight off packs of carnivorous apes. Twice we had to rest to recover energy. Finally, we could see the tree, and the great wyrm green dragon coiled around its base guarding the portal. Shadrea retreated and secured a protected camp. Unable to contact Echal as she had hoped, she instead began to work through solutions to the dragon problem.
Finally, a decision was reached and using a last mount spell, we dove headlong into the forest with no effort at stealth. The fight was intense and Shadrea used up most of the magic she had brought with her, but had held her own strength in reserve. As we approached the great dragon, it spoke.
“Ah little tzadi, you’ve returned.”
“You knew I was here?” Shadrea asked allowing the shock to color her words.
“Of course, you all come here eventually. Are you ready to make your bargain?”
Shadrea stepped out where he could see her, her bow with me as the arrow notched and ready. “Surrender now and live?”
The ground shook as the dragon laughed, “Oh arrogant tzadi, that will cost you.”
“I’m supposed to fear you because you’ve got a little case of bad breath?” Shadrea taunted.
The dragon, unaccustomed to being taunted, decided to show her the power of his breath weapon. Shadrea had been hoping for just this. As the dragon was opening, its mouth to attack, she activated the spell to increase time in her localized area. Everything else slowed down. The open mouth yawned wide and she could see the green and yellow cloud forming. Taking aim with her bow, she shot me though that forming cloud and deep into the dragon’s throat. The seeds and spell arrows I was carrying activated and began the plant growth, as I sliced through the windpipe and made my way down toward the lungs.
I cut though the soft tissue of the lungs and wrapped my bladed coils around the aorta of the great dragon. The golem came apart showing its segments and the razor like blades along each segment. The dragon was finding it very difficult to breathe with a small forest of briars growing rapidly in its throat. I managed to cut through the aorta. The gush of blood nearly ripped me away. The heart was pounding very fast for a creature of that size because of its inability to breathe. The aorta healed itself, and again I severed it. Twice more it healed and twice more I severed it before it lay still.
Sha looked over to the assembled Tzadi who were all looking a little sick. “I still had a very lethal breath weapon coming at me. Fortunately, due to the time dilation, it was coming very slowly. Still far too large to escape. I activated entombment one more time and sat there for several minutes before daring to return to the surface. My plan had worked though. My golem had prevailed. I spent the next two days trying to carve into the dragon. Finding it was actually female I settled on its unlaid eggs as my trophy. Unfortunately, as I went though the portal, they disappeared. Now you know the full story.” She held her hand down and the brass serpent coiled gently up her arm and resumed its place looking for all the world like an innocuous piece of jewelry.
Pavel looked to Feylynn who was also hovering between being sick with relief and pride, but she nodded at him. He stepped forward and picked Sha up in his arms. She looked so small and fragile beside his bulk. “This testing is done?” He worded it as a question, but his body language and the set of his face let all know that it has better be. After long moments, he turned and carried her out. “She will require rest and food.”
The ride back to the Elven city was quiet. Sha just wanted to be with Pavel and not think about how badly that could have gone.
Koloss
Pavel insisted that they spend the night in Koloss. Despite all the protests that she was safe now, Pavel was taking no chances. He was exhausted, she was exhausted, an unsleeping guard on the level of Koloss was exactly what he needed to remain sane.
Galan, Angvar, and Esta had been camping in Koloss while they were taking the test. They were so excited for Sha that there wasn’t even any grumbling when they were pushed out to set up tents even after dark. They had just settled in when there was a light knock on the hatch. “What?” Pavel called out more gruffly than he intended.
“It’s just Esta. I brought up some bedding we found in the city. For a people that don’t sleep, these elves sure know about soft sheets and warm blankets.” Pavel opened the hatch and there she was smiling down at him and dumping blankets on them.
After the last of the blankets were sent down, she leaned over and gave him a butterfly kiss on his bald head. “Take good care of my sister. Let her know that we’re all damn proud of her.”
Pavel chuckled as he closed the hatch. Sha had already grabbed the blankets and built her own cacoon. Pavel just shook his head and wished that she could sleep. Instead, he just pulled her in close and before he realized it was snoring loudly.
Normally, Sha found that irritating, but tonight she simply was happy for the rea
ssurance that he was right there and she wasn’t alone.
Reflection
Sha lay there warm and dry and safe. Elves may not sleep but they do have a meditation that refreshes and rejuvenates. Sha had been moving from crisis to crisis since since Winter Fair. Even before that, if you count unraveling the secrets of the White Spire. Now the Green Spire is empty and rumors, ok more than rumors of an elven dark secret, Echal’s secret adoption and counter coup. She rolled over and Pavel’s beard tickled her nose. She made the decision. She would return to the Duke’s with the others, but she wouldn’t stay. She and Pavel were going to Echal’s to help with the baby. After all the dark secrets and close calls, it would do her some good to see fresh new life.
The Green Spire was supposed to be dedicated to discovering the mysteries of life. To see it empty and looted seemed just to poignant a reminder of the general decay cycle the world found itself in. Pavel mumbled in his sleep and turned to cuddle her. Sha couldn’t help but smile. She was far too tired to cast the illusion that would let her be with him as she so wanted to be right now, but she decided to settle for joining him in his restless dreams and turning them into a very good shared memory for them both. She smiled as the spell took effect and she heard his breathing level out and the outside world faded for her as well.
Disruption
Esta got up in the early morning. Dressed in the new Elven gown that she and her grandmother had picked out for her. She opened the tent flap and drew back inside in shock. “Galan! Wake up!”
Galan grumbled, “Sun’s barely up. Go back to sleep.”
“No, damn it wake up half of the Elven city is outside!”
Angvar was up, swearing and reaching for his sword. Galan too was on his feet, pistol dropping into the deep side pockets he had sewn into his breeches. They tumbled out the front tent flap to see nearly two hundred people, some thirty yards away just standing there waiting.
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