The Children of the White Lions: Volume 02 - Prophecy

by R. T. Kaelin

  “I am disappointed to hear that,” said Maeana. “She should be here.”

  “Why?” asked Ashana.

  “Is it not obvious?” replied the Goddess of Death. She stared back to the window, a slight scowl on her face. “This is all her fault.”

  Nelnora let out a weary sigh. She had expected this from Maeana, but it did not mean she wanted to hear it. Nevertheless, it was best to let the Goddess air her grievances. Maeana so enjoyed doing so.

  “Would you mind explaining yourself?”

  Maeana turned to stare at Nelnora, her green eyes flashing hot.

  “The moment she recited that prophecy, she should have killed the priest who wrote them down, burned the scroll, and scrubbed every syllable from her memory. We would not be where we are if she had kept her mouth shut!”

  Ashana muttered, “That seems a touch harsh.”

  “Harsh?” asked Maeana. “For nearly two centuries, mortals have been altering everything they do, trying to shape their future to either meet or thwart her words.” She pointed a finger at the window and exclaimed, “Without her prophecy, that castle would house nothing but mice and birds.”

  With a patient frown upon her lips, Ashana said, “Mice and birds cannot oppose the God of Chaos, Maeana.” She nodded to the scene of the snowy courtyard. “They might be the only thing preventing countless souls from perishing.”

  “Have you ever considered that might be what is supposed to happen?”

  “Not according to Indrida’s words,” said Ketus.

  Maeana let out a frustrated sigh and turned her head to stare at Ketus, her shoulder-length black hair swishing in the air.

  “In the next few moments, you will be thinking of roses climbing a white trellis.”

  Ketus eyes narrowed.

  “Pardon?”

  Maeana waited a moment before asking, “What are you thinking of, Ketus?”

  A slight frown spread over Ketus face as he muttered, “Roses. On a white trellis.”

  “So,” said Maeana haughtily. “Did I predict the future? Or did I shape it?”

  Ketus remained quiet, his scowl deepening.

  “Am I wrong, Ketus?” asked Maeana.

  Shaking his head, he muttered, “This is pointless.”

  “Am I wrong?!” demanded Maeana. “Fate is what should happen, not what you make happen!”

  “Says who?” asked Ashana.

  Maeana wheeled to stare at the Goddess in blue.

  “Says Greya! And as it is her realm to rule, I accept her thoughts without questioning the matter. Do I question you concerning inspiration? Do I question Ketus about luck? Or Nelnora about her precious balance?”

  Nelnora closed her eyes and sighed. This was not how she had wanted this to go. Trying to maintain her calm, she opened her eyes and asked, “What would you have us do, then? Nothing? Shall we stand by and watch the Cabal conquer Terrene?”

  Maeana fixed her gaze on Nelnora and asked, “Why not? They have yet to succeed in doing so. What makes you think they will now?”

  Shaking her head, Nelnora snapped, “You may be willing to throw the world’s fate to chance, Maeana, but I am not!”

  “What a surprise,” said Maeana, her tone full of mocking. “Too much good in the world? Nelnora wants to intervene. Too much evil? Nelnora wants to intervene. Too cold and snowy atop a mountain peak? Nelnora wants to intervene.”

  Letting a bit of heat slip into her tone, Nelnora said, “If you do not care if the Cabal rules all, why did you come today? Why even bother meeting with me?”

  “Simple,” answered Maeana. “I do not care what the Cabal does with Terrene, but I would like it if they stopped killing indiscriminately. My Seat is overflowing with souls. It is difficult to manage them all.”

  A dry chuckle slipped from Ketus.

  “You are here because you are being inconvenienced?”

  “Hold a moment,” said Ashana. “Did you not just say that perhaps all of this is supposed to happen? That these deaths are ‘fate?’”

  Maeana stared back to the shimmering window, a frown on her lips.

  “Admittedly, it is a confused situation about which I am conflicted.”

  Ashana said, “You did not seem all that conflicted—”

  “Ashana?” interrupted Nelnora quietly. As the Goddess looked over, Nelnora gave a quick shake of her head. Pressing the issue further would not get her what she wanted. Instead, she asked a question to which she already knew the answer.

  “What is the true reason you are here, Maeana?”

  The Goddess of Death turned her dark-eyed gaze onto Nelnora, stared silently for a moment, and then shifted it back to the window. A tiny frown creased the corners of her mouth. In quiet, sad voice, she mumbled, “My reasons are my own.”

  Looking back to the Weave, Nelnora found the raven-haired woman was now crouching in the snow beside the injured man. The younger sister was awake and lying on his chest, crying.

  Suppressing a smile, Nelnora murmured, “And to think some say you have no heart.”

  Maeana ignored her and remained motionless, watching the two sisters in the window.

  After an extended moment of silence, Ashana cleared her throat, the sound echoing through the chamber.

  “Perhaps we could address the reason for today’s summit?”

  Nodding, Nelnora said, “I would like nothing better.”

  “Well, you have my support,” said Ashana.

  “And just how long has she had it?” huffed Ketus. “From what I have seen and heard, it would seem more than a few of the mortals involved have had some rather opportune moments of inspiration as of late.”

  Ashana exchanged a long, quiet look with Nelnora before staring back to the window and saying, “Interfering as such is not allowed, Ketus.”

  “And nobody values the rules as much as you, right, Ashana?”

  The Goddess of Inspiration kept her eyes on the scene of the courtyard, wisely choosing to remain silent.

  After a few moments, Nelnora turned her attention to Ketus and asked, “Rather than leveling quiet accusations, Ketus, perhaps you would share your thoughts on my proposal?”

  The God paused before answering, “Whatever the Cabal is up to, I doubt I would like it if they succeeded.”

  “Then do something about it,” said Nelnora. “Rather than sit in the shadows and watch like always.”

  Ketus leaned forward, glared at her, and shot back, “Have you forgotten your history? I was part of the last Assembly, if you recall.”

  “A lone candle does not boil a cauldron,” said Nelnora. “Since then, you’ve ignored every one of my warnings.”

  “Only because your alarms are like songbirds that won’t stop singing. Eventually, I stop listening.”

  Nelnora shut her eyes tight, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled. At times, Ketus grated her nerves like limestone dragged against granite. Opening her eyes, she managed to keep her voice even as she said, “Will you lend me your support or not?”

  Ketus turned a razor-sharp eye on her and snapped, “My promised silence on your activities should be enough! Should the others learn of what you and Ashana have been doing…” He trailed off, leaving the consequences unspoken. “Moreover, without my aid in bypassing Miriel’s Weave—” he jabbed a finger toward the window “—we would not have witnessed any of what occurred today!”

  Swallowing her pride, Nelnora said politely, “I thank you for your discretion, Ketus. As well as your help with the Weave. Both have been invaluable to my efforts.”

  Maeana and Ashana turned in unison to stare at her, evidently surprised at her measured response. Judging by Ketus’ raised eyebrows and parted mouth, he was taken aback as well.

  After a few moments’ pause, he said, “Ah, you are welcome.” Turning back to stare at the window, he added softly, “And yes, you have my support for Assembly.”

  With a curt nod and all the grace she could muster, Nelnora said, “Thank you.”

  Ashana shared
a quick, relieved look with Nelnora. With Ketus joining them, their number was at three. Should they gain Maeana’s support as well, they would need but five others to form a full Assembly.

  The allied trio turned to eye Maeana, waiting for her to give her decision. Maeana said nothing, though, keeping her stare on the window. As the silence drew out, one-by-one, the other three peered back at the window as well. Everyone had stepped back from the injured young man, leaving a single figure crouched over him. Nelnora’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.

  Ashana asked, “They have aki-mahet in their ranks?” She turned to eye Nelnora. “Did you know that?”

  Nelnora frowned and shook her head, muttering, “No, I did not.”

  Ketus suggested, “Perhaps Thonda’s champion brought her into the fold.”

  Nelnora shrugged, mildly disappointed in herself. Watching the world as she did led to a false sense of omnipotence. .

  “Perhaps.”

  After a few more moments of quiet, Maeana’s even, emotionless voice drifted through the chamber.

  “Should I agree to support another Assembly, I want to be clear that I will do nothing to aid you until a consensus is reached. Do you understand? Nothing.”

  Nodding, Nelnora said, “I am aware of the laws placed upon us.”

  Maeana raised a single eyebrow.

  “You might be aware of them, but it seems that you do not follow them.”

  When Nelnora remained quiet, Maeana frowned and turned her gaze to Ashana.

  “Nor do you.”

  Wearing an impish smile, Ashana said, “Pardon me for providing an occasional burst of inspiration to a few mortals. It is my purpose, is it not?”

  “It is,” agreed Maeana. Looking back to Nelnora, she added, “But I am left wondering who your inspiration is.”

  Nelnora remained silent, her face a mask of indifference. If Maeana was trying to get an admission of guilt from either of them, she was wasting her time.

  Ketus broke their quiet stare down, folding his arms over his chest and saying, “I suppose now I have offered my support, there is something I should share with you.”

  Intrigued by his words and tone, Nelnora looked away from Maeana and to the God.

  “What is it, Ketus?”

  “My champion is hiding amongst the Sudashians. She has been traveling east with them for a few turns now.”

  All three Goddesses turned to stare at him with open surprise. In the same way Nelnora could sense where Tobias was at all times, each of the last Assembly knew exactly where their champion was in the world. The gift given to the mortals saw to that.

  After a moment, Ashana shifted her gaze to Nelnora and asked, “You did not know?”

  Nelnora shook her head a deep frown spreading over her lips.

  “I did not.”

  Sounding surprised, Maeana asked, “You have been watching Chaos’ armies for some time now, have you not?”

  “I have,” replied Nelnora. “But some things I cannot see.”

  Maeana’s eyebrows drew together.

  “I thought only our kind was protected from your prying eye.”

  “In all but one case, that is true,” admitted Nelnora. Turning an eye to Ketus, she said, “His champion avoids me as well.”

  “How is that possible?” asked Ashana.

  A smug chuckle slipped from Ketus as he answered, “If Miriel Syncent wishes to remain hidden, she will do so. The piece of me she carries sees to that.”

  Glaring at Ketus, Maeana said, “So your champion has been marching with Chaos’ army?”

  Ketus nodded.

  “In secret, yes.”

  “But why?” asked Ashana.

  “I simply know where she is,” said Ketus with a shrug. “I do not pretend to know her intentions.” He faced the three of them, saying, “I have not seen Miriel since the last Assembly. She came to my Seat over a century ago, but I turned her away.” He glanced at Nelnora and added, “As the law requires.”

  Nelnora forced herself not to react. Recently, she had ignored that particular law, although none but Tenerva knew. She had not even shared the White Lions’ visit with Ashana.

  “Then your champion is acting on her own?” asked Maeana.

  “It would seem so,” replied Ketus.

  “To what end?”

  “Short of asking her, we don’t have any way of finding that out, do we?”

  Nelnora hoped whatever Miriel Syncent was doing would not interfere with her plans. She let an almost imperceptible sigh slip from her lips. Mortals were like weeds in a well-tended garden, sprouting with impunity, popping up where they were not wanted.

  “Have you approached any of the others yet?”

  Glancing up to find Ketus eyeing her, Nelnora shook her head, “No. I had hoped that by securing your agreement, gaining additional support would be easier.”

  Ketus said, “Well, with me and Ashana, you have three to start with.” He turned an expectant eye to Maeana. “Do we have four?”

  Ashana and Nelnora both gazed at the Goddess as well, waiting for her declaration.

  Maeana ignored them for a time, continuing to stare at the scene within the window. Looking back to it, Nelnora saw that the young man and the others were gone. The only two left were the pair of black-haired sisters, the eldest singing softly to the youngest. If anything was going to sway Maeana, it was this image.

  Nelnora hid a slight smile. Yet again, Indrida had been right.

  Maeana murmured, “I support your call for Assembly.”

  Nelnora closed her eyes, welcoming the rush of relief that came with Maeana’s words. Letting out a short sigh, she opened her eyes and stared at the white-robed Goddess.

  “Thank you, Maeana.”

  In a low, mocking voice, Ketus said, “To be clear, then. You are now for interfering, yes?”

  Nelnora glared at the God, pleading with him to be quiet.

  The skin around Maeana’s eyes tightened while most of her face remained blank and emotionless. Speaking in quiet and restrained tone, she said, “No, I am not. But too many souls have already reached my halls before their time. It is wasteful.” She pressed her lips together and faced Nelnora. “Once you have nine, I will do as you ask. Until then, I will continue to abide by our laws.”

  Nodding, Nelnora said, “I understand fully.”

  As Maeana glanced back to the window, her expression softened.

  “Ashana? Thank you for what you did today.”

  Her tone one of perfect innocence, Ashana asked, “Whatever do you mean?”

  Lifting her eyebrows a fraction Maeana said, “You expect us to believe the young man rushed into the building of his own accord?”

  Ashana shrugged her shoulders.

  “Perhaps he heard the girl cry out?”

  Ketus snickered of disbelief and said, “She was unconscious.”

  “Well, then,” said Ashana ponderously. “Truly, it is an enigma.”

  “Claim ignorance if you like,” said Maeana. “I thank you, anyway. Watching the girl perish would have been…difficult for me.” The pain that filled her eyes was unlike anything Nelnora had seen in her brethren. It was discomforting to see.

  Maeana suddenly pulled her eyes away from the window and, in a voice devoid of emotion, said, “End it please. I do not wish to see any more.”

  “Of course,” muttered Nelnora. As she released the Weave, letting the image fade from sight, she allowed herself a small, content smile.

  Chapter 37: Choice

  11th of the Turn of Maeana, 4999

  Kenders glared at the swamp before her, shifted in her saddle, and tried not to sigh. This was getting old. Yet another series of interconnected ponds and puddles blocked their path. Evergreens, stunted oaks, and willowy briarbirches lined the opposite side of the marsh, taunting them with the promise of dry, firm land.

  Smoke lowered her head to sniff the stagnant water immediately before their stopped party. With a disappointed huff and shake of her head, the horse
made her opinion of the mucky water known. Kenders peered down at the pale green film covering the surface and wrinkled her nose. A large belch of swamp air burst from the surface a dozen paces away, startling her.

  Kenders turned up her lip. The Marshlands were disgusting.

  The air reeked of rotting plants and old eggs, the foul putridness having but one redeeming quality in that it covered her own malodorous scent. Her last proper wash had been week ago at a crossroads inn. Grime and grit covered her from head to toe.

  No one had spoken since they had stopped. As the silence stretched out, Kenders realized they were going to make her talk first again.

  Three of her companions formed a line beside her, sitting in their saddles and staring across the open marsh. Boah and Tobias both wore expressions of open frustration, while Khin’s face was a mask of impassivity. She stared at man, tomble, and aicenai for a few moments, hoping one of them might meet her eye. None did.

  Bracing herself, she swiveled to her right and peered over at Zecus. The skin around his eyes was tight, his lips pressed together, deep creases lined his forehead. Unlike the others, Zecus was angry.

  “It’s not as bad as before,” she offered. “At least we can see the other side this time.”

  Zecus remained perfectly quiet, unmoving.

  “Come on, Zecus. We still need to head north anyway, right? So we do it now rather than later, yes? We’ll turn west again when we can.”

  Her optimism was met with a clenched jaw, the muscles in his check twitching beneath his curly, three-week old black beard. Without looking at her, he mumbled a quiet response.

  “If we must.”

  He immediately jerked his reins to the right, turning Simiah north, and kicked the horse’s sides. As he rode away, she stared at his back, a quiet, dejected sigh slipping from her lips. Giving Smoke’s reins a gentle tug, she followed Zecus. The others did the same with Boah softly cajoling the rider-less Goshen to stop eating and come along.

  The group rode in complete silence, heading north along the endless maze of ponds, the third time today they had been forced to alter their path. In the past week, detours such as this were commonplace and with each delay, Zecus’ mood grew darker. At times, Kenders barely recognized him. The kind, respectful man she had eyes for was gone, replaced by a sullen, solemn soul.