The Q'Herindam

by B Cameron Lee

  That evening Ssarista took Kuiran on a round of meetings, not only in taverns and eating places but also in private dwellings belonging to Sealie she knew in Haven. For Kuiran, the places they visited were a revelation. The architecture was so light and airy he totally forgot they were so far under the sea that natural illumination was barely visible. The streets, if they could be called that, were wide and clean. No litter or refuse marred their marbled surfaces which carried strange designs within the very stone itself and the fronts of the buildings glowed with their own multicoloured light.

  “How did all this come to be?” Kuiran asked Ssarista, sweeping his arm to encompass all he saw. Ssarista looked up at the expression of wonder on his face. She would be breaking another rule but by the Fate, if Kuiran didn’t get his magic, he would be mind wiped anyway.

  “Haven was made by the earliest Hirondae practitioners of Watermagic when the magic was new and strong. Durhain and Mehgrin had disappeared and magic flowed into the Hirondae. Certain of them saw the negative influences from Mehgrin, who wanted to be worshipped as a God, creeping into the populace. These farsighted people wanted to hide the Children of the Sea from Mehgrin’s damaging heritage and thought if we had our own Haven, which was solely for Sealies, we could escape the taint. It proved to be a wise thing to do, as we have never been other than True.”

  Kuiran had stopped walking to listen and his understanding of the history of the world grew but the more it expanded, the more questions he wanted to ask. Now was not the time, as they were about to enter another tavern. The door swung wide onto a brightly lit space where Sealie gathered for conversation and refreshments while one of their number sat in a corner playing an unusual stringed instrument and singing whale songs. Kuiran knew them from his earlier encounter with the strange sounds.

  Suddenly everything became quiet as those in the room caught sight of the huge man who had stooped under the door lintel to enter the tavern. The singer stopped his song and his fingers stilled on the strings. Ssarista stepped forward into the quiet.

  “Most of you know me. Some of you were at the battle for Belvedere when we swamped the Draakon Reaver ships there and some of you were at the harbour of Sanctuary when we destroyed the evil Council of Mages. Some of you were at both places and I thank you for your aid. This is Kuiran, whom we helped. A Wyalonion Man brought up in the Darkwood by the M’Herindar Queen. He is a Prince of both. The M’Herindar Wise Ones set on him the task of being bodyguard to the Ring Bearer who is trying to rid the lands of Q’Herindam evil. The Ring Bearer needs all the help he can get in this difficult and onerous task and Kuiran has only just come into his Watermagic.”

  Ssarista paused for a moment and looked around the bar, feeling the tension in the air and taking in the faces arrayed before her, nodding toward some before she continued.

  “I brought Kuiran to Haven to petition the Eldest to grant him all the Watermagic he needs to protect and aid the Ring Bearer. The Ring Bearer only has ‘True’ companions so we know Kuiran has no evil in him and is as honest as the sea is blue. The Eldest will put it to the vote of all in Haven the day after tomorrow. I beseech you, for the good of all the races, to vote to allow this to happen. Thank you.”

  Finished, Ssarista bowed her head as the crowd noise returned slowly, a low hum pervading the room as the Sealies discussed the proposal and argued its merits or talked over whether this breach of Sealie Law should be permitted. As the discussion gained momentum, Ssarista tugged on Kuiran’s sleeve and indicated the exit. So intense had the discussion become, few patrons noticed the pair leaving the tavern.

  So it went throughout the hours equating to evening, Ssarista and Kuiran moving through Haven together as Ssarista repeated her plea in place after place, drumming up support for Kuiran to receive Watermagic from the Eldest. Only time would tell if she was successful.

  “We should stop now Kuiran. There is tomorrow still to go and I can see more of our people then. We must be fresh for those meetings. Come, I’ll show you where you can sleep.”

  Kuiran followed Ssarista, as she led him to a small series of rooms in a large building. They were furnished with elegant simplicity and the ceiling was high enough so Kuiran didn’t have to duck his head as they passed through the rooms. He was shown the bathing and toileting areas and the kitchen, followed by the place where he could sleep. The bed was only just long enough to accommodate him but within moments of lying down he was fast asleep.

  The next day was more of the same; traversing all of Haven with Ssarista as she spoke to as many of the Sealie as would listen to her. By the time evening came around again they were both drained from the day’s labours and Kuiran was relieved when Ssarista decided not to go out once again in the evening.

  “I’ve done all that I can to try to help you. My people know what is happening now and it’s up to them to decide what should occur tomorrow. I hope the desire to rid the lands of evil is strong enough to overcome my breaking the Law.” She sighed deeply. “I would really regret having to leave Haven and never come back.”

  At that moment, it became crystal clear to Kuiran exactly what sacrifice Ssarista had committed to when she set out on this course of action. He realised Ssarista was as deeply dedicated as he was to the cause of Truth.

  “It’s a shame you can’t turn into Man shape anywhere, then you could come with me when I return to Arwhon’s side.”

  “It’s not my place to be there Kuiran. He has you and Shiri and his Servant, as the Wise One’s of the M’Herindar foresaw. He must have you all if he’s to eventually defeat evil. Others help where they can. You have Raleen who stands strong beside you and also your sister Shiri. Cristal is the secure hub many of you gravitate to and spin around before flying off on your next mission. In her own way she assists all of you in the quest to remove evil. There are many others who also assist the Ring bearer and I am one of those who want Arwhon to succeed and bring peace to Man. Now sleep, tomorrow is a very important day.”

  Ssarista made a small gesture and Kuiran immediately fell asleep to dream of Raleen who had bravely encouraged him to seek his True strengths.

  It seemed ages ago but it was only yesterday.

  Raleen sat at the window gazing down at the sea endlessly urging its waves to break on the sands of the beach. Her mending was lying forgotten on her knee as she quietly worried over Kuiran. He’d been gone for over a week now and no one could tell her where he was. Had he turned into a Sealie and forgotten he was once human as she had heard could happen? Had he now chosen Ssarista who was far more like him than she was? Would Kuiran do that to her? No, she was sure he wouldn’t. Kuiran was True and honest, as transparent as the water he loved. But where was he?

  Marina entered the room and took in Raleen’s expression when she looked to see who had entered.

  “Still worrying over that great lump Kuiran?” she said jokingly with a smile.

  Raleen nodded. “He said he wouldn’t be long but it’s been over a week now.”

  Marina moved the basket of clothes she was carrying to rest on her hip and faced Raleen squarely before replying.

  “Sealie time is different to Man time. Ssarista is over a thousand years old you know.”

  Raleen started in surprise. “A thousand years. That is far older than anyone I know of, including the Wise Ones of the M’Herindar in the Darkwood. How is it so?”

  “I know not Raleen but Ssarista told me there are places the Sealie can go where time operates at a different speed from the rest of the lands. There are stories from long ago of people disappearing with Sealie and coming back after twenty years not looking a day older. Perhaps Kuiran has gone to a similar place with Ssarista, in which case he will think he’s only been gone a short time. Patience Raleen, Kuiran is a True man and will return to you once his quest is accomplished.”

  Raleen hung her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

  “I know all these things but I love him so and can’t bear to be parted from him. Its silly bu
t my mind has all these stupid thoughts running through it which I can’t stop.”

  Marina chuckled at Raleen’s explanation.

  “Love will do that. All I can say is. You will just have to be patient and wait until he returns to you. And he will. The boy dotes on you.”

  Raleen’s head rose again, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Do you really think so?”

  Marina thumped down her basket for emphasis as she replied.

  “I know so!”

  The great Gathering Place in front of the Eldest’s tower was filled with what seemed to be every possible denizen of Haven when Ssarista and Kuiran arrived there the next morning. The Eldest was seated on a large ornate chair on a dais at the base of her tower, looking out over the huge crowd in front of her. Never before, in the long history of Haven, had such a large assembly been seen in the Gathering Place.

  As Kuiran and Ssarista joined the gathering, the Eldest signalled and two of her servants moved through the throng to escort the pair up to the dais where they were directed to stand one each side of the Eldest. The old woman raised her arms and immediately the respectful crowd fell silent. Although she didn’t raise her voice, it could be heard by everyone throughout the Gathering Place.

  “By now you will all have heard of the vote you are about to make. It concerns our Laws and a plea by Ssarista, who most of you know. She has broken the Law by bringing this Man into Haven and by rights she should be banished from here for the rest of her life and the Man mindwiped and returned to Wyalon.”

  She looked over the crowd closely to see what impact her words had on the mass of Sealie gathered below.

  “Ssarista is pleading with me to give this Man all the Watermagic I can to aid him in giving assistance to the one who bears the Ring of Truth. The same ring which once belonged to Durhain. The request is unprecedented. Therefore, I will leave it to you, the citizens of Haven, to decide what should be done. We will vote.”

  The Eldest fell silent for a moment while a buzz of conversation ran through the crowd as they stood waiting. The Eldest raised her hands again and silence fell.

  “The first question is this. For breaking the Law, should Ssarista be banished from Haven and this Man mindwiped? If you think this should be so, raise your hand.”

  Kuiran was really apprehensive as he gazed out over the concourse. This was a pivotal moment. He saw hands being raised here and there but eventually sighed with relief as he realised there were not many. Not nearly enough to make a majority.

  “So,” the Eldest sighed. “Even though the Law has been broken, most of you think the reason for doing so was important enough to ignore the fact. Now. The final question. Should this Man be given the knowledge of all Watermagic to aid in the fight against evil? A show of hands if you think he should.”

  Again Kuiran’s heart was in his mouth as he watched hands being raised, not many at first but then they started shooting up all over the place as the groundswell of popular opinion took over. Soon there was a forest of hands raised in the Plaza. An overwhelming majority. The Eldest covered her mouth with her hand to hide her satisfaction as she turned her head and whispered to Ssarista.

  “You seem to have won your way dear. Well done. I approve but can’t say so publicly. You understand.”

  Once more the Eldest raised her arms for quiet and a hush fell over the crowd.

  “By popular acclaim, I am to teach Kuiran the art of Watermagic. You have made this choice and I hope it will never come back to haunt you. Thank you for your participation.”

  Clapping sounded here and there along with a cheer or two. It was taken up and immediately the Gathering Place was resounding with thunderous applause. The Eldest stood and bowed and Kuiran, taking his cue from Ssarista again, bowed deeply as well, saluting the Sealie of Haven for their momentous decision.

  The Eldest turned to Kuiran as she straightened.

  “You are to come with me now. There is much to pass on to you of the ways of Watermagic. After which you will never be the same again. I hope you’re ready for your life to change.”

  To Kuiran, this sounded ominous and he looked to Ssarista for support. She smiled at him, acknowledging his unasked question.

  “It’s out of my hands now Kuiran. When you come back down from the Tower of the Eldest, you will know more Watermagic than I. It’s my gift to you as your Guardian. Be wise.”

  Ssarista turned away and made her way back down into the crowd where she was greeted warmly by many there. With a last look back to Kuiran and a little wave, she left the concourse with a group of her friends.

  The Eldest took Kuiran’s arm and guided him to the stairway which led to her tower top apartments. They had work to do.

  In the future when anyone asked Kuiran what had occurred at the top of the Tower, Kuiran could not explain other than to say he was well treated. All he knew for sure occurred in a short space of time after arriving at the Eldest’s abode.

  When they reached her apartments, the Eldest ordered her servants to prepare a large and comfortable surface for Kuiran to lay upon. First, a sturdy table was cleared and a large, flat sheet of dense sponge, made from smaller sponges stitched together, was placed on it. The sponge was covered by a beautiful embroidered wall hanging which was spread over it and Kuiran asked to lie down on his back. The servants then drew a chair to the table at Kuiran’s head and the Eldest, after removing her heavy ceremonial robes, sat in the chair composing herself. She then placed her hands carefully, one on each side of Kuiran’s head and started to sing. That was the last thing Kuiran remembered.

  Some time later he woke to gentle shaking, feeling heavy limbed and barely able to move. A servant led him, still half asleep, into the bathroom where he used the privy and was bathed in a large marble bath sunk into the floor. The water in it revitalised Kuiran and he was able to eat and drink a little of the food which was placed before him before being led back to the comfortable table once again. No sooner had he lain down than the Eldest was back in her seat, placing her hands on his head again. Her song put him to sleep once more.

  This pattern of cleansing and refreshment occurred three more times before Kuiran was finally allowed to awaken fully. The Eldest was sitting with him this time and he was shocked to see how she’d changed. Gone was the smooth face of the oldest of the Sealie, along with the robust vigour she had exhibited before. The old woman dressed in the robes of the Eldest looked depleted, frail and wan. Her face now creased with the years of an ancient, her eyes sunken and faded.

  “You may stare Kuiran. I know I’m not a pretty sight. It will take many weeks of being immersed in salt water for hours at a time to recoup some of what I have given up and I will never be as I once was. I had to make a few sacrifices myself for what you have gained. I knew it would be so. All of us have to do what we can to fight evil. This was my contribution.”

  Kuiran sat up and put his legs over the edge of the table. He felt weary; as if he had been fighting opponents with his staff for a whole day. He looked a question at the Eldest.

  “Yes, you have Watermagic Kuiran. Your awakening by your father and the reading he asked you to undertake meant the transfer was not as arduous as I thought it might have been. Which was fortunate for me, as it still wasn’t an easy procedure. Sit for a while and allow your mind to catch up. It will show you what has changed. All you need to do now is think of a desired outcome involving magic and it will happen automatically, using the best spell for the job. Remember your reading and be careful what you wish for, you now carry enough knowledge in you to be dangerous to anyone. Mage or not, try small things first.”

  The old lady rose and shuffled out of the room, attended by one of her ubiquitous servants. She looked exceedingly weakened, all vitality gone from her step. A servant came to lead Kuiran to the bathing area. When he was sitting in the bath, Kuiran found the water to be alive around him. He played with it and it responded willingly, leaping and gyrating, forming small water sculptures which mimicked hi
s thoughts. Never before had water appeared so fluid and alive. In mischief he picked up all the water in the bath with his mind and hung it just under the ceiling to release it with a large crash back into the bath. It splashed everywhere around the room but in an instant he had gathered up every last drop and manoeuvred it back into the bath. Kuiran also discovered he could use his new found abilities to excite the water and heat it. Eventually, needing relaxation, he lay back to soak for a while in the soothing warmth, as his mind caught up with the Watermagic which now imbued him.

  Next morning, dressed and breakfasted, he was shown into the audience room where he had first come with Ssarista. The Eldest was once more seated on her imposing chair, dressed in a radiantly colourful silk gown and attended by servants. She looked much improved from the day before, her face filled out a little and not so lined. She exuded energy once again.

  Kuiran bowed low before her.

  “Ah, Kuiran. Would that all had your manners and respect. In that you are like Ssarista, whom I cherish dearly, although I may not show favouritism. Today you are to go back down to Haven and soon back to your world. I caution you not to show off your magic or indeed demonstrate it. Even if someone pleads with you, keep it hidden. It will only draw attention to your abilities. The Watermagic you have is a gift from the Sealie and I ask you not to show it to any Man, including your parents. Power such as you now have has a habit of getting loose and causing problems. Especially if your enemies also have it.”

  The Eldest paused to accept a cup from one of her servants and took a long draught before handing it back and continuing.

  “A restorative. My servants care for me well. Now where were we? Ah yes. You are welcome in Haven anytime Kuiran, even if you are Man. The Sealie voted. However, you are never to bring another here unless they are Sealie through and through. Finally, I have a favour to ask. One day, I feel Ssarista will take my place. She has watched over you all these years, now its your turn to do likewise for her whenever you can. The Watermagic you have will allow you to. Will you do this thing?”