Esra

by Nicole Burr

  As she passed the rows and rows of carved wooden benches, the long aisle seemed like a march to her death. Esra didn’t understand why she was so nervous on what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. She turned to Nadia.

  “What if the Gift I receive isn’t what everyone had hoped fer? What if it isn’t enough to help in the battle against Tallen? Then again, what if it is? Do ye think I’m really ready fer that kind of responsibility?”

  “Don’ worry, Esra. Yer gift will suit ye perfectly, it always does.”

  Arland smiled at her encouragingly as she reached the front row, and she took a seat between him and Baelin. Esra stared at the low marble steps leading up to the open platform and the now empty seats. There were five golden marble chairs bordering each side and a larger, more elaborate one in the middle. She knew from her tour with Fynn that the eleven chairs were for the five Great Keepers, the three Elders, the Unni-se, the Daughter of the Shendari and the King. The speaker or host of the event sits in the middle, so Nor would be center chair today, as the Gifting Great Keeper.

  Baelin placed a soft hand on her arm and she sighed heavily, not realizing that she had been holding her breath.

  “Don’t worry, Esra, Keeper of the Unknown. Yer Keeper is here, and I shan’t let anything happen te ye.” He gave her a reserved smile and in that moment she could not think of anyone else she would rather have with her on this day. She carried the Great Wolf knife he had given to her faithfully, and the feel of the small blade at her side gave her comfort, made her remember her life before all of this. Her simple life with her grandparents, her Wolf, her teacher, and her blacksmith friend.

  As if on cue, Meshok sauntered up to the front of the aisle, licking Esra’s hand in greeting before plopping down on a large blue pillow placed at her feet. In her worried state, Esra hadn’t noticed it.

  “Meshok!” She exclaimed, rubbing her hands greedily down the long, dark grey fur.

  “I asked fer them te have a ‘seat’ fer her, too. I knew ye’d be nervous enough and would be glad te have another friend near,” Baelin admitted, stroking the Great Wolf’s head.

  The crowd hushed suddenly and Esra looked up to see the Great Keepers walking down the aisle towards the platform. She recognized Cane, Nor, and her parents Talitha and Adonis, so she assumed that the fifth was Tayen, the Great Keeper of Magick. She was surprised to see that he was dark skinned, obviously an Elf. He was much older as well, older looking even than Cane with his baldness and Nor with his white wispy hair. The Great Keeper of Truth, her old teacher, nodded solemnly at her as he passed. Esra’s father looked at her with his rosy cheeks and gave a generous smile while Talitha flicked her wrist in a small wave of encouragement as she continued to move up the stairs towards their seats.

  The Great Keepers were followed by a group of four dark Elves in regal purple robes, walking proudly and nodding this way and that as they passed the rows and rows of Keepers. The Elders.

  Arland leaned towards her and whispered quietly, “The one in front is Kered. He is the oldest and wisest of the Council. Although he is quieter than the others, when he says something, everyone listens. He knows much about the history of the Council and the ways of the Keepers. Kered is light hearted and well liked.”

  Esra stared at the grey haired Elf, whose eyes twinkled with the glimmer of youth despite his age. He smiled walking past her, revealing a mouth full of straight white teeth.

  Kered’s tall lean frame and long strides contradicted the two middle aged Council members behind him, who were shorter and rounder with hastier, bouncier gaits. Their heads came together at frequent intervals as they whispered hurriedly back and forth, scowls flickering briefly over their faces.

  “Those two are rarely seen apart, as ye can probably tell. The woman is Danya and the man is Isak. Although I must admit that they are very knowledgeable, they are often blinded by self-will. They consider themselves to be “Keepers of Elvish prominence” or some such nonsense and are always talking about “preserving the old ways”. I think sometimes they are only trying to preserve their own power. Convincing people to fear what they should not, to gain support. Danya and Isak will be some of the most difficult to convince of our cause at the War Council. I am sorry to tell ye that the Elders are not always made up of the most generous of our people, but they are chosen carefully, so we must make do with what we have.”

  “Elders are elected every ten years, correct? I remember from my studies.”

  “Aye. So although it’s a long term, it’s not forever.”

  Esra nodded gravely as she watched them both mount the steps with heads held high, making a large show of sweeping their robes before sitting delicately. Behind Danya and Isak was a rather plump young woman with a beautiful plait of hair that reached past the small of her back and was interwoven with shining silver ribbon. As she reached the front row, the woman turned directly towards Esra, although none of the others had done so, and gave her a grand sweeping curtsy. Her round freckled face gave a mischievous wink and she stomped gaily up the stairs to a bench that had been set for her beside the Council, ignoring the slightly raised eyebrows of her two middle aged companions. Esra guessed that her greeting was not something customarily done at a Gifting.

  Arland laughed quietly at Esra’s stunned face. “That would be Linae. She is the youngest, an Elder in training, but she has a fierce heart, as ye can see. Nadia and I used to enjoy spending time with her before we came to the Stronghold. She is witty and playful, almost an exact replica of Fynn, if he were a woman. The people choose her to be Kered’s apprentice a few years ago. She can be very outspoken against Danya and Isak, a dangerous road to tread fer an apprentice, but she always maintains sound arguments. Linae does not argue fer sport, she has a purpose and is determined to resolve issues, especially if she feels it is in the best interests of our people. Ye can imagine that she rubs them both the wrong way quite often, especially since she can be very convincing. I daresay that Kered is secretly amused and glad at her spirit, as I hear he is often trying to hide an outburst of laughter in meetings by pretending a cough.”

  Entering the back of the room behind the Elders was a young man in his early twenties, the son of King Keridon. He was slowly making his way past the benches, pausing every so often to shake an outreached hand or touch the head of a small child. He was wearing a tunic of muted green edged in simple silver lines over Earth colored trousers. Although his dress was not flashy like the King’s, it was very well made and in a modern cut, and he carried himself with confidence. His face remained calm as he looked around the grand Ceremonial Room, taking in the wonder of the space; the lavish benches, high ceilings, dark blue marble floor and pale golden walls shimmering with Sunlight from the tall windows. Esra imagined that even the son of a King had not seen anything quite like it.

  “Prince Bronnen, of course,” Arland whispered. “Thank goodness he takes after his grandfather. Yer Human King has a great liking fer ladies and hunting, but not much else. The youngest son, Samuin, seems to be heading in the same direction as his father, unfortunately. Quite lazy and careless. Prince Bronnen is the real ruler of this Kingdom, although King Keridon would never admit it. LeVara would be in much worse condition by now if it weren’t fer the eldest son. It is a good thing that the King saw fit to send him, especially amidst all the upheaval of struggling to find him a match. His parents are both trying very hard to get him married off, but I hear he will have none of his suitors. But that seems to have been put aside for the moment. I was worried that King Keridon’s curiosity would get the best of him and he would try to come himself, but alas he probably could not fathom to take such a long trip and be expected to wake up before noon every day.”

  Esra knew that what he spoke was true, all the people of LeVara knew it. She wondered how someone from another race could know so much more about her own rulers than she did. Watching Prince Bronnen approach the front of the Ceremonial Room she now knew with her own eyes why everyone had faith in him. Some
thing about his manner projected strength and proficiency, but with a sincere warmth. As he reached the front of the room, he bowed respectfully to the Great Keepers and Elders before proceeding up the long, low marble stairs to the platform. His chair was the closest to Esra, and as he turned to sit she was surprised to see that he was also very handsome. He had fair skin, light eyes, and blonde hair that fell casually around his head, the hair on his chin markedly darker. He had strong shoulders and arms that sloped flatteringly into a slim waist. He didn’t have the overwhelming air of charm that Arland radiated, nor his devastatingly attractive face and body, but he was certainly handsome nonetheless.

  The clinking of a metal chain brought Esra back to the present and she didn’t need to turn around to know that Zakai was approaching. She had spent the last few days listening to the intimidating ring of the flail at his side. The Unni-se strode heavily and quickly up the long aisle, followed by Mox, Shova and Hadvi, who took their seats directly behind Esra. A great warmth suddenly overcame her as Toddy stumbled up to her Unni friends and slid into the same bench, Jaar close behind her. Meshok groaned wearily as she got up from her comfortable pillow to give sloppy kisses to her traveling children, who giggled with pleasure at the Great Wolf’s gesture.

  As the Unni-se was seated and only the Daughter of the Shendari’ s chair remained unoccupied, Nor stood from his center seat as Gifting Keeper to address the hall. The small, withered Great Keeper of Strength took a few feeble steps forward and the crowd immediately hushed. Nor was quiet for a long minute, in no hurry to begin despite the barely contained excitement of all those in attendance. Although if I were immortal I would probably have no need to hurry either, Esra thought. The frail old man in front of her suddenly opened his arms in greeting and spoke in a great booming voice so unexpected that Esra jumped in her seat.

  “Honored guests of The Veiled City, Fira Nadim Forest, and The King’s Hold of LeVara, we welcome you. Your presence marks this day as a wondrous and glad occasion. Keepers of the Stronghold, we welcome you. Esra of Sorley, we welcome you. Today is the celebration of a first test completed.” He paused here to take a sweeping gaze around the room. “The first test of Esra was to travel to Fira Nadim Forest and then continue on to Shadow Glenn, where she would find the Unni-se and bring him back to the Stronghold to attend the War Council.”

  Here he nodded to Esra and Arland, which she knew meant that they were to come forward for the telling of the test. Arland had informed her beforehand of all that he was to say, as the speech was meant to be only a brief account of what had passed. Her Assembly had already met with Nor earlier this morning to give him and the other Council members a detailed account of what had transpired, including the defense of Wilspry. Arland grasped Esra’s shaking arm to escort her up the long marble steps and then gently guided her to turn back towards the hundreds of people who sat with hungry expectancy. She was sorry that she did not have more courage and wondered if maybe that meant she was not quite worthy of any reward after all.

  “Bring the Unni-se to the War Council,” Arland began. “Although this test came from the Great Keeper of Strength, this was not to be simple test of muscle. One could not just fetch the chief of the Unni and carry him back to The Gardens over their shoulder, as ye can see.” Ripples of laughter wove through the crowd as he gestured towards the massive Zakai, who gave as much a smile as he could muster.

  “After a long and arduous journey to the Jade Gardens, followed directly by another long and arduous journey to Fira Nadim, ye would think that this alone would be proof of strength. Here is a young woman who knew not of our ways, who was far away from all she knew as a home, who still agreed to do whatever was asked of her to bring peace to this land. We trained and instructed her mercilessly on our journey, hoping she would gain the basics of defense and offense with her newly forged sword and shield. Upon arriving at Shadow Glenn, she was challenged to participate in a dual to the death with a Valkor, to prove to Zakai she was worthy of his audience. She would fight a seasoned warrior with little more than a week’s worth of battle training.”

  The crowd broke into excited murmurs at this and Arland had to pause briefly before continuing. “Esra, despite all odds against her, agreed to fight the experienced warrior to win the favor of the Unni-se. The battle began, with Esra receiving multiple wounds from her opponent, including a deep stab to her shoulder. Things did not look well fer Esra of Sorley. One armed, under practiced, and weary, she fought bravely, using every piece of muscle and training to defend herself against his blows. Eventually she managed to overcome her foe with determination and skill, knocking aside his weapon and showing mercy by refusing to land a fatal blow. As she turned to accept her victory, the devious Valkor came again, intending to fell her from behind. At the last moment she turned and slayed him, allowing the Unni-se to fulfill his promise to return to the Jade Gardens. This is the account of Esra, daughter of Talitha and Adonis, and the completion of her first test.”

  The room erupted into cheers. Arland smiled generously and bowed deeply, opening his arms to present Esra to the hall. She smiled meekly and performed the best bow she could to the now standing crowd.

  Nor nodded to her again, indicating that she should kneel before him for her reading. She had trouble understanding this part when Nadia had tried to explain it to her earlier. It had something to do with measuring her beyond the story of what she did, beyond her actions. A Great Keeper could lay their hand upon the shoulder of someone and know exactly what Gift was right. Esra had assumed that the Gift was chosen beforehand according to how the test was accomplished, but that was not so. It was a reading of one’s intentions, their heart and mind. Nor would be able to see her strength from the inside, be able to know exactly what she needed to aid herself in becoming a better Keeper.

  Esra shakily knelt on the hard marble step, bowing her head humbly to the Great Keeper of Strength. She held her breath as Nor closed his eyes and placed a hand on her shoulder. A shiver ran down her spine at the first hint of his touch, and the crowd was so quiet that Esra could hear every breath she took as if it were a strong Wind rattling an old shack. She had no idea what he was sensing from her, or if it were good or bad. Maybe because she didn’t have any extraordinary skills and he couldn’t sense anything. She tried to control her trembling body under his small but steady hand.

  Suddenly he pulled his hand back from her as if he had been burned. Recovering his composure quickly, he smiled openly at her and gestured for her to stand at his side so that he could present her Gift and Title to the hall.

  Before addressing the crowd, he turned and spoke quickly to her under his breath, so that only she and the people on the platform could hear. “Your strength is very great, greater than you can imagine. It is something I have not felt in a long time, Esra of Sorley.”

  She didn’t have the opportunity to be appropriately surprised by this revelation as he stepped forward and continued in a thunderous voice.

  “Esra, I give you The Bracelet of Fortitude. In your darkest moment, when your heart and body tires and all seems lost, this bracelet will give you and all who fight with you, a powerful surge of renewed energy. This is the Gift I grant you.”

  He opened his palm to reveal a small, flat silver bracelet that had not been there a moment ago. It shone like Tur, radiating with some inner life. Aside from the glowing, it appeared to be a simple piece of metal, unadorned and without carving. She held out her arm to Nor, noticing that the bracelet was much too large to stay on her slender arm. She hoped that Baelin would be able to adjust it for her, if that would be allowed. He slid the metal onto her arm and there was an intense burst of light, filling the entire hall with a blinding whiteness. Esra heard the crowd erupt with gasps behind her. When her eyes recovered and she looked down, the bracelet now fit snugly around her wrist. A few words in what appeared to be blue Tur scroll were carved into the metal. Esra blinked to clear her eyes so that she could make out the words. It looked to be her own name, f
ollowed by Keeper…

  “Esra, I give you The Bracelet of Fortitude. And I present to you, honored guests and citizens of the Stronghold, a new Keeper. I give you Esra, Keeper of Peace.”

  XXXVII

  The shocked silence which hung over the hall like a heavy curtain lasted for only a few brief moments, but to Esra they were a lifetime. As the room broke into a frenzy of excitement, Esra could do little more than stare at the new piece of blue and silver metal that was now almost a part of her flesh. Esra, Keeper of Peace. There it was. Undeniably so. But she couldn’t be a Keeper of Peace. How does one keep peace? It is not something like Toddy’s Fire or Fynn’s Herbs or even Arland’s charming nature. Peace was, well, peace.

  Her father rushed over and gathered her up in a fierce hug as everyone began to surround her, shouts of congratulations ringing through the air. Faces were spinning around her so fast that suddenly she thought she might become ill. Esra closed her eyes to avoid the nausea that was about to overcome her and bent forwards tentatively. People continued to press in around her, a swarm of well-wishers about to engulf her. In her confusion she hardly noticed when a strong set of arms lifted her off her feet and carried her towards the back entrance of the hall. Once through the doors and into the refreshing cool air, Esra felt herself being set gently on the Grass.

  “Are you alright?” An unfamiliar voice spoke to her from seemingly far away, and she opened her eyes briefly to see where the sound was coming from. Prince Bronnen stood over her with a worried look, his pale cheeks slightly reddened from the exertion.

  Esra sat up gingerly and propped herself up on her elbows. “Aye, I think so.”

  He gently put a hand to her clammy forehead, brow furrowed with concern. She could see now that his eyes were green, a nice contrast to his light hair. Embarrassment suddenly washed over her, and she was confused at the intensity of the feeling. For a moment Esra wished vehemently that she had paid more attention to those stupid girls in Sorley and their social dramas. She had never been in such close proximity with a man she hardly knew, let alone a noble, and had no idea how to respond. The Prince of LeVara was leaning over her so closely that a leather string with an emblem of the royal crest briefly caressed her cheek. “You feel a little warm. I’ve heard that Gifting Ceremonies can be very draining. You should rest a bit.”