The Destiny of Amalah

by Thandi Ryan

  The next day Gaerwen began teaching the three young sorcerers.

  ‘Where does our magic come from?’ Rufus asked.

  ‘All magic stems from the world, not just the earth but from: fire, water, air, and energy. This pentagram,’ she said, as she took out a pentagram from her pocket and showed it to them. ‘Is a symbol of that power.’

  ‘So what makes us sorcerers and not others?’ asked Rakan.

  ‘Your being,’ Gaerwen replied. ‘You are able to harness the world’s power through your being and by that – I mean your mind, body and spirit.’

  ‘But why us?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Why not you?’ Gaerwen asked. ‘As beings we are all different; some run faster than others, some are strong and some are weak. There are seers and empaths and those who can move things with their mind. Why? I do not know, I just know that there are differences between us and you three have the gift of magic.’

  ‘I see,’ said Rakan.

  ‘Very well, let us begin. Today I will begin to teach you the stones of the earth. Now you should always remember that the most powerful stones are; diamonds, rubies and quartz, and no good sorcerer should be without them. All stones can be used for good or bad, but be warned, there is an exception. All black stones are used for dark magic, stay away from obsidian, jet, onyx and black diamonds.’

  The three gathered around Gaerwen as she went through the stones and they listened and watched carefully as she gave them examples.

  ‘Remember,’ she said, at the end of the lesson. ‘Diamonds will ward off magic, or your enemies, and in dark magic, diamonds are used for cursing. Empress, what does the ruby do?

  ‘Help projection.’

  ‘Yes, Rakan what else?’ Gaerwen asked

  ‘In dark magic it is used to dominate another’s mind,’ he answered.

  ‘Yes. Rufus, the quartz?’ Gaerwen quizzed.

  ‘To scry for someone, or to create power.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Gaerwen said smiling at him. ‘Now all of you, moonstone?’

  ‘Make or break deceptions.’ They all answered in unison.

  ‘Opal?’

  ‘To curse,’ said Amara and Gaerwen nodded.

  ‘Bloodstones?’

  ‘To open that which is locked,’ they all answered.

  ‘Excellent,’ Gaerwen said, clearly pleased with her young and quick studies. ‘Now, memorise that which I have taught you and next time, we will go through the plants and herbs.’

  The lesson came to and end and the three friends thanked Gaerwen and made their way back to the main palace. They talked for a while before Rufus and Rakan went their separate ways from Amara and Amara made her way back to work.

  The next few days were relentless for Amara as she met with the council and her teachers and Gaerwen, and before long it was time to prepare for the celebrations. The Empress had truly been on holiday for the last nine months and the first few days back were somewhat of a shell shock to her body and mind, but in no time at all she adjusted into a routine and coped marvellously, and at times, she even enjoyed herself.

  Amara spent some of her nights relaxing either in the sole company of Ellora, or with Ellora and the five boys but she spent most of her time with Michael either alone, or with Garrick and his friends. The Empress loved her full life, now it had purpose and balance and she knew she was not alone and the palace had also settled into a happy routine once again.

  The busy period saw everyone rush around and work hard as they prepared for the celebrations, now Amalah was buzzing with industrious people who were making their own preparations for the events ahead and it was clear to see, that each and every one of them was excited about the coming days.

  For many, preparing for the celebrations were just as exciting and fun filled as the celebrations themselves, as they watched the city come alive with an extra buzz and hum, they began to see the people of the city come together under happy circumstances and the people of Amalah extended a warm welcome to all of the people from the other nations. Ah yes, the celebrations set people ablaze with a passion and every years’ celebrations outdid the previous one.

  This year, Ellora was to have an official role in the celebrations; she was to be at Amara’s side when the celebrations began and she would in her official role be the princess. She was ambivalent about the celebrations; she had always loved them and there was no doubt that she would love them this year too, but now she had people and duties and other matters to attend to and now, she would no longer be just Ellora as she had always wanted, she would be princess Ellora.

  She thought for a while about the celebrations and her role and her role in them and she contemplated her future and wondered where she would be five years from now: “Nineteen,” she thought to herself, it seemed like an eon to her and it seemed so grown up. She couldn’t possibly imagine being a serious adult because she wanted to play and adventure forever.

  The time passed quickly in the coming weeks that led to the celebrations and the people in the palace and Amalah, seemed to be working morning, noon and night and it seemed that everyone was involved in one way or another.

  The first day of the celebrations finally came and when it arrived, there seemed to be an air of calm over Amalah that morning as the sun rose. Many people had done all they could in the weeks before and had left the last parts, to the eve of the celebrations and in the morning, they settled down and waited for the celebrations to begin. Those who had now begun to work hard were the chefs and the bakers, for they could not prepare ahead like so many others had been able to do, because they needed to have fresh ingredients. As such, when the sun rose that summer morning, the bakers and chefs rose too and set to work.

  Shortly afterwards the bakers and chefs had started labouring in the kitchens and an array of wonderful aromas wafted through Amalah and the palace and when the people all over the city awoke; they were delighted by the smell of the food and knew that the celebrations had truly arrived.

  Once again the maids helped to dress Amara and Ellora for this special occasion and when they had finished the two women looked stunning. Amara was in a long lilac figure hugging dress showing off her well defined curves, while Ellora wore a long pastel pink gown with her long curly locks flowing behind her and down her back.

  The two women made their way to the balcony lounge and when they arrived at the entrance everyone stood up to receive and welcome them, and the two sisters nodded and acknowledged them back with a confident good evening and a smile.

  Michael went to their side and he escorted them both into the room and once there; they sat among Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Raynor, Thaddeus, Gaerwen and the five boys. They sat for a while before Amara rose and took Ellora to meet everyone on the council and whoever else was entering the room. When they had met everyone, Amara went onto the mini dais in the room and welcomed everyone once again; she gave a short speech before she stepped down and went to the balcony doors. By now the people in the room could hear the murmur of the crowds but when Amara opened the doors of the balcony, the murmurs became a din and the din was immense. Amara held her sister’s hand and looked at her and smiled.

  ‘Are you ready?’ Amara asked.

  ‘No, but I don’t think I ever will be,’ Ellora said nervously.

  ‘You’ll be fine,’ Amara said, reassuringly squeezing her hand. ‘Remember I’m right here,’ she said gently.

  ‘I’ll remember.’

  Amara squeezed Ellora’s hand and winked at her ‘Let’s go,’ she said and as she continued to smile at her sister, Ellora walked on to the balcony and the crowds cheered.

  The clapping and cheering and whistling was deafening and thunderous and it was also overwhelming. Amara felt herself fill up with pride and joy and happiness and Ellora simply gaped at all the people who were waiting below. She had never seen so many people in her life. She stared and stared and then looked to Amara who was waving and smiling at everyone.

  ‘They all came to see you?’ she asked in disb
elief.

  ‘And you,’ Amara reminded her. ‘But, they mostly came for the celebrations, I simply open them,’ she said smiling at Ellora.

  ‘Wow!’ Ellora said.

  ‘I know,’ she said laughing.

  Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor stood behind Amara and Ellora along with Rakan, Waldon, Kenaz, Kalon and Rufus and behind them were the council, and they all felt the intensity of the crowds; after a few minutes when the clapping showed no sign of abating Amara held out both her arms and waved them downwards motioning for silence, which came about half a minute later and when it eventually came, she spoke.

  ‘Welcome everyone; people of Amalah and all the nations, welcome to the celebrations. This is truly a wonderful time for us and for humanity; it is a time for us to show the good side of our human spirit such as generosity, kindness, decency and hope and above all – our love of life and laughter. This is a time when we all come together to thank the Gods for the life we lead and the loved ones that we have and have had – I know I thank them with all of my heart,’ she said as she thought of her parents, and as she thought of them, she squeezed Ellora’s hand tightly and Ellora squeezed back and smiled, and at that moment, Amara also gave a thought to Michael. ‘Tonight let the celebrations begin and let us enjoy the food, the wine, the entertainment but most of all let us enjoy each other; with good company, sharing, caring, laughing and getting to know each other and with that in mind – it is with the greatest honour and pleasure – that I now open the celebrations.’

  When she had finished speaking, Amara stepped back and closed her eyes; she put her hands together and they stayed that way for a few seconds and then she slowly brought them apart to reveal a bright white ball of energy in between her palms. She widened her palms, which seemed to increase the size of the energy ball. As the people in front and behind her looked on at what she was doing, Amara brought both of her palms underneath it and it hovered there for a few seconds, before Amara threw both of her palms up into the air and with them, the ball flew into the air as though it had been hit with a rocket.

  The energy ball soared into the skies and remained there for five seconds before it burst into thousands of white stars which descended onto the people below and they all looked up and watched the stars fall down around them and then turn into glitter, touching their heads and shoulders and the ground below, at which, the people cheered once again.

  ‘How?’ Ellora asked.

  ‘Gaerwen,’ Amara replied.

  ‘Amazing,’ added Michael.

  When all of the glitter had landed, an incredible firework display began and the people remained in their places to look up at the spectacular fireworks that had been laid on for them. Amara, Ellora and everyone else on the balcony also looked on in awe and amazement and enjoyed the show, as the fireworks continued to illuminate the night sky in a colourful and glorious pattern.

  It brought a smile to everyone’s face and in the city of Amalah that night there was a real sense of togetherness, excitement both on the ground below and on the balcony in that moment of time. When the fireworks had finished, those on the balcony made their way to the Great Hall where many of the invited guests had already began to file in. The entertainment was soon to begin and when it eventually started, Amara and her guests watched the wonderful martial arts display that was performed by the people from Santeb.

  ‘Incredible,’ Rakan exclaimed.

  ‘I hope to be able to fight like that one day,’ Kenaz said.

  ‘As do I,’ Waldon replied.

  ‘And I,’ Kalon added.

  As the night went on, Ellora spent her time by Amara’s side, engaging in her duties as a princess and when she had met and talked with everyone who she was supposed to and the entertainments were finished; she found the boys and the six of them made their way into Amalah City. That is how it was to be for the rest of the week, Ellora carrying out her official duties in and around the palace and then venturing into Amalah City for the rest of the night with her friends.

  Ellora and the five boys had a wonderful time, they ate from the stalls and met and talked with the people from all over the lands from different nations. To the young friends, the people were fascinating because many of them lived a completely different life to the ones they led and everyone had a story to tell; and everyone they met extended an invitation to the six to visit and spend time with them.

  The people and the taste of their food that they had brought with them, heightened their curiosity about the world outside of Amalah. When the celebrations came to an end on the seventh night, the six friends were agreed that they had truly been the best celebrations that they had been to – and they had been going to them for as long as they could remember.

  Once again the days passed quickly and after Amalah and the palace had cleared up after the celebrations, things returned to normal. Ellora and the five boys returned to school and Rufus, Rakan and Amara continued being taught by Gaerwen. Amara continued to reign over Amalah and the nine nations smoothly and when she was not busy with the day-to-day tasks, she would spend time with Ellora, Michael and friends.

  One evening, in the height of summer, Rakan sent word to the others to meet him in the west tower after dinner. He and Kalon made their way there first and as they walked towards the tower, Kalon repeatedly asked him why they were meeting; only after Kalon showed that he would not stop asking until he was told, did Rakan tell him.

  ‘That’s fantastic,’ Kalon exclaimed.

  The two brothers waited in the tower for the others to arrive, and twenty minutes later, all six of them were sat in the tower.

  ‘Why did you bring us here Rakan?’ Waldon asked.

  ‘Because I am becoming increasingly aware that this is the last year that we will spend together, next year we will be separated. Rufus and I will go to Lansten, Waldon and Kenaz will join the guard in the north of Amalah and Kalon and Ellora will stay here.’

  ‘We know that,’ Rufus said slightly impatiently.

  ‘I’m glad you know that Rufus,’ Rakan replied evenly. ‘But I say that we do something special to mark our last year together – something unforgettable.’

  ‘What do you suggest Rakan?’ Kenaz asked.

  ‘Let us take this year to see all of the nations,’ Rakan said to the other five.

  ‘What a wonderful idea!’ Ellora exclaimed excitedly.

  ‘Yes it is but will our parents let us?’ Rufus asked cautiously.

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ Waldon added.

  ‘Because although our parents give us all so much freedom in Amalah, we should remember that Kalon and Ellora are only fourteen years old and perhaps they would not like the idea of two fourteen year olds travelling throughout the world, especially when they should be learning,’ Rufus said.

  ‘They can hunt and track and live off the land as well as we can, and although they are only fourteen years old; the four of us will always look out for them – of that our parents can be sure,’ Kenaz added.

  ‘I do not see our father having a problem with such a venture,’ Rakan said, as he looked at his brother and smiled before he turned and then looked at the others.

  ‘Perhaps Amara and her advisors may have a problem with me leaving to go off around the world,’ Ellora said. ‘But if I cannot go, go without me. I would not want you to miss out on an opportunity like this one.’

  ‘No! We would never do that,’ Rakan said, looking at her intensely and then breaking into a smile. ‘You are coming with us; it would not be the same without you.’

  ‘Rakan is right, either all six of us go or we don’t go at all,’ Kenaz said decisively.

  ‘Do you think there will be much objection?’ Waldon asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Ellora said confidently.

  ‘I know you are young Ellora but if Kalon is allowed to go…’ Rakan said, trailing off his sentence.

  ‘It’s not that simple, I am the princess, if anything were to happen to Amara – I would be expected to r
eign in her place, and if anything were to happen to me – then there would be no successor: neither one of us has any children.’

  ‘We will keep you safe Ellora,’ said Waldon

  ‘I know that you will try your hardest to but we can never be sure, and venturing around the nations – well perhaps Amara and the council may deem that to be far too dangerous a venture.’

  ‘Life is a dangerous venture,’ Rakan began; ‘a tragedy could befall you here in Amalah as easily as it could in any of the nations.’

  ‘A tragedy befell me twice in Amalah remember,’ Ellora said reminding Rakan.

  ‘I remember,’ Rakan said humbly.

  ‘We have not even asked our parents or advisors, so why suffer the vexation over answers that you have not yet been given?’ Rufus asked them all.

  ‘Because we are children and that is what we do,’ Kenaz retorted.

  ‘Quite,’ said Rufus raising his eyebrows.

  The five boys were granted permission by their parents to go on their travels and that morning, they waited for Ellora under the large oak tree in the palace grounds to find out if she would also be able to venture the nations’ with them. While the boys were waiting, Ellora met with her sister, Michael and Garrick in Amara’s study.

  ‘We know why you are here Ellora,’ Michael began.

  ‘Then please let me go,’ Ellora implored them.

  ‘Are you aware of our concerns?’ Michael asked.

  ‘Yes I am and I told Rakan yesterday; I am the heir, if anything were to happen to Amara, I would be expected to reign in her place and if anything were to happen to me, there would be no heir.’

  ‘How do you suppose we remedy that situation?’ Michael enquired.

  ‘You cannot, neither one of us has children and nor are we about to, but I did say this to Rakan who also pointed out the dangers of venturing the nations and how it may lead to tragedy. I reminded him as I remind you now, a tragedy befell Amara and I twice in Amalah. First we lost our father and then we lost our mother in a short space of time. I don’t know when I will die but I know that I could die in an unseen calamity here, just as easily as I could in another nation – there are no guarantees.’