The Destiny of Amalah

by Thandi Ryan

  ‘I know,’ Amara conceded. ‘But…’

  ‘No, you don’t know,’ Garrick cut in. ‘If you’d come to me or Häkan at the time of Gaerwen’s death…’ Garrick shook his head and then he looked at Häkan, as did they all.

  Häkan nodded. ‘Gaerwen was last seen walking at a distance behind Rakan, who was heading to the north east tower.’

  Amara let out an anguished cry and brought her hand to her mouth, which was now wide open in shock, as the realisation dawned on her.

  ‘I wish you had come to us,’ a solemn faced Garrick said.

  ‘What can we do?’ Michael asked.

  ‘Honestly,’ Häkan began; ‘nothing – we need to wait for their next move.’

  ‘Gaerwen,’ Amara cried.

  ‘I know you say it is not, but I say, this is Adriel,’ Michael began. It has to be.’

  ‘We do not know that yet,’ Raynor snapped.

  ‘Yes we do Raynor,’ Michael said raising his voice. ‘Look around you and listen as the lies and the secrets begin again, look at the splintering of the guard and most obviously, Gaerwen; her fears and then her untimely demise; her fear of dark magic of which I am now sure, was no coincidence or accident.’

  ‘Perhaps not but it does not necessarily mean that Adriel was or is involved. Rakan and the others may be up to something for their own purposes or for some other reason.’

  ‘Whatever it is, I fear it is serious and no good will come of it,’ Garrick said with disappointment. ‘I fell ashamed today,’ a distraught Garrick said.

  ‘No Garrick,’ said Häkan. ‘This is no doing of yours.’

  ‘He is my son and I raised him,’ Garrick replied dejectedly.

  ‘We saw you raise him and Kalon,’ said Michael. ‘In no way can any fault be attributed to you.’

  ‘Whatever it is, I am sure we will not have to wait too long until Rakan and the others reveal what their intentions are,’ said the Empress. ‘For they seem to have been plotting for years; surely their plan should be coming to fruition very soon.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Häkan said quietly.

  ‘Perhaps they do not have a plan,’ Raynor said. ‘Perhaps they have simply lost their way and are engaging in high jinks.’

  ‘How can you say that?’ Michael asked, raising his voice again. ‘Have you not been listening?’

  ‘Yes I have, very closely and I have heard that Rakan has been telling lies and the guard are not getting along as much as they used to. I’ve also heard that Rakan, Rufus, Waldon and Kenaz were inseparable to the exclusion of Kalon and Ellora, not to mention that Rakan may have had something to do with Gaerwen’s death because Taylor never saw him in the barrack and he changed his story.’

  ‘You’re point Raynor,’ Michael said sharply.

  ‘My point is, we know of nothing concrete; all we have, mostly, is speculation. My point is, that these events may have been bound to happen, it does not mean that Adriel is involved in any way.’

  ‘You do have a point Raynor,’ the Empress said, looking at him. ‘It could be all speculation or even coincidence but then again it might not. It may be what we all fear and it could, as Michael says, be Adriel. Regardless, we would be fools to stand idly by and not heed these warnings.’

  ‘What do we do?’ Raynor asked.

  ‘For now we watch, listen and learn,’ the Empress said flatly. ‘Garrick and Häkan keep an eye on Rakan, Kenaz and Waldon, listen to what is going on within the guard and let Kalon continue to do as he has been doing. Raynor and Thaddeus, keep a close watch on Rufus and when you can, on Rakan. For now, this meeting will stay between us and if you wish to tell Kalon, Garrick that is entirely up to you; when we meet with the council tomorrow say nothing of this.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Häkan. ‘Once again Empress, I think you need to have a guard constantly by your side.’

  ‘Perhaps Häkan but will that not show our hand too soon?’

  ‘Yes but our duty is to protect you,’ Häkan countered and Garrick nodded in agreement.

  ‘I know but for now, I wish everything to remain the same,’ said Amara.

  ‘What do we say to Ellora?’ Garrick asked.

  ‘At this stage, nothing,’ Amara said. ‘I hate to keep this from my sister but she and Rakan are close. She may not believe us, or she may and wish to confront him, or protect him; either scenario could stop us from uncovering the truth.’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Häkan.

  The meeting came to an end and the four men left Michael and Amara alone in the study. Thaddeus and Raynor parted company with Garrick and Häkan and the two guard commanders walked along the corridors of the palace in silence; each of them lost in their own thoughts and each of them not wanting to speak of what was really on their minds in those open corridors.

  They went back to their offices and Garrick pulled out a bottle of whisky and poured some for Häkan and himself; he gave his friend the glass and sat down opposite him.

  ‘I think this is the beginning of the end of the good times,’ Garrick said, still troubled.

  ‘Maybe not my friend, have heart and hope that this will all be resolved.’

  ‘All I have is fear Häkan,’ Garrick said, his face pensive once again. ‘I Fear a return to the dark days that we had, the ones that we fought through, so that we could spare our children from them. I feel anger too, but mostly it is fear that I feel; fear that I cannot trust my own son.’

  The two men continued to drink their whisky and talk, and at the opposite end of the palace, high up in the north east tower four other men were talking: Rakan, Rufus, Waldon and Kenaz were making plans.

  ‘Everything is in place,’ Rakan said happily. ‘All that is needed is for me to be given a seat on the council.’

  ‘Do you think you will get one?’ Waldon asked.

  ‘Yes I do,’ Rakan said confidently. ‘I am a second captain of the guard and a sorcerer; I have done very well here over the years.’

  ‘Do not be so sure,’ Rufus said. ‘The council members rarely leave their position and when they do select a member – well...’

  ‘I don’t expect anyone to leave I expect to be given an extra seat; they can add another member to the council.

  ‘But Rakan, why is it so important that you become a member of the council?’ Kenaz said in a slightly tiresome tone. ‘You do not need to be there surely.’

  ‘I need to be there because Salwar says I need to be there, and as he explained, the council is the root to all power over the people. The council represents all of the people in all of the nations; and if we are to begin to gain any power, then we must acquire a seat on that council. It is Salwar’s plan and he wishes for me to be on the council and as such, that is what I will do.’

  ‘Why?’ Kenaz asked.

  ‘Because it is the heart of Amalah,’ Rakan said patiently. ‘It is more than that. It is the mind body and soul of Amalah and to a large extent – the rest of the nations.’

  ‘So if he is at the heart and mind of the nations…’ Rufus said and then broke into a smile and as he smiled, the others smiled and nodded.

  The four men stayed in the tower for a while longer and in the early hours of the morning, they left to go to their homes or rooms at the palace.

  The next day, Amara rose early as she had much to do; she took breakfast with Kalon and Ellora and then she went about her work. She held meetings from time to time and when she wasn’t needed anywhere; she worked at her desk in her study. She had a short lunch alone and then she made her way back to her room to have a short rest before she met with the council again.

  The council had changed a few times since her father’s day and Michael and his friends were now the only original members left. Compared to them, even Amara felt like a newcomer and she had been there for ten years now.

  Amara walked though the corridors gracefully and when she turned a corner, she saw Ellora walking towards her, clearly in a dreamy and happy state. Amara smiled to herself as she walked closer and closer to he
r sister who had still not noticed her. It was only when they were less than two feet apart that Ellora noticed her sister.

  ‘Amara!’ Ellora exclaimed, jumping slightly. ‘I didn’t see you there.’ Ellora said.

  ‘I know you didn’t,’ Amara said highly amused. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘To see Kalon.’

  ‘Well give him my regards.’

  ‘I will. Where are you going?’

  ‘To my room, for a short rest before I meet with the council.’

  ‘Oh Amara, you are always so busy.’

  ‘That’s because there is always something to do and have you not forgotten that the celebrations will be in a few weeks?’

  ‘No I had not and thanks to you, we have something to celebrate.’

  ‘That was our father and as for now, I do not do it all alone.’

  ‘Maybe but you are largely responsible for it.’

  ‘It was our father who made this world the way it is, along with Michael, Garrick and their friends.’

  ‘Yes they did and you have kept it that way.’

  ‘I made him a promise,’ Amara said sentimentally.

  ‘And you kept it well.’

  Ellora squeezed her sister’s arm gently and Amara reached for her hand and held it for a few moments.

  ‘Make sure Kalon looks after you,’ she said thoughtfully.

  ‘He will.’

  ‘Yes he will. I think, I already knew that on some level and I can see how much he adores you.’

  ‘And I adore him,’ Ellora said passionately. ‘There is someone for everyone Amara,’ Ellora said knowingly.

  Amara smiled a nervous smile and squeezed her sister’s hand one more time before she made her excuses and left. The two women went their separate ways and Amara continued to walk to her room; when she got there she took off her shoes, sat on the large settee, put her head back and relaxed. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander in her mind and eventually, she let them all out and emptied her mind so that it was completely blank and peaceful and she remained like that until she fell into a deep sleep.

  She stayed in her deep slumber for a while and then – as though she had set an alarm in her body clock – she awoke. She looked around and it took her a few seconds to gather herself together and when she did, she stood up and began to get ready for the meeting with the council and a few minutes later, Michael knocked on her door and she welcomed him in.

  ‘Good afternoon Empress. I came to see if I could walk with you to the meeting?’

  ‘Good afternoon Michael, and yes you may, I am always glad to have you at my side. But tell me, is this Häkan’s idea of him indirectly guarding me?’

  Michael laughed softly: ‘I told him you would not be fooled but I would have walked you anyway.

  She looked at him and smiled, she loved Michael dearly, he was still her closest friend and ally, and in the ten years that she had been Empress, their friendship had grown closer and she trusted him with her innermost secrets and her life.

  The Empress finished getting ready and moments later, the two left her room and made their way to the Crest Room where the council always held their meetings. The two of them reached the north side of the palace and entered a sombrely lit room to find that most of the council members were already there. Those present stood up and bowed deferentially to the Empress and then acknowledged Michael as he and Amara greeted them all.

  The remaining members arrived within minutes and when they acknowledged the Empress and each other, they settled down to business. The council, as had always been was made up of eighteen men and women in total. Firstly Amara sat as the head of the Council and then Michael as her adviser. Next there was a representative from each of the remaining eight nations and representatives who made up different aspects of society. The two representatives of the Empresses’ guard were still filled by Garrick and Häkan. The seers were represented by; the newly appointed Dale of Parades, and Yakira of Santeb. The empaths were represented by Galen of Aradene and Ella of Basimine. The council was extremely efficient and surprisingly not made up of self-interested politicos.

  The council discussed the arrangements for the celebrations and when the discussions were over, Amara looked around the table and asked if there were any other matters to be discussed and when she had the question, a young tall blond woman looked at Amara intensely and then nodded her head slowly.

  ‘Dale of Parades,’ Amara said, still looking at her. ‘Is there something you wish to raise with the council?’

  ‘All is not well with our world,’ Dale said profoundly.

  ‘Have you seen something?’ Amara asked the young seer.

  ‘Not seen – felt. The world is no longer what it used to be. Things may seem normal now Empress but I warn you, there is darkness among us; but for now it is lurking and waiting.’

  The five men and Amara looked at each other, they did not move their heads to alert the others but their eyes met and they all shared the same sense of alarm and fear.

  ‘Waiting for What?’ Michael asked.

  ‘The willing! Beyond that, I cannot tell you anymore, except that I sense this, this thing with great power.’

  ‘Yakira?’ Amara said, looking at the other seer sat next to Dale. ‘Do you sense anything?’

  ‘I do Empress but not as strongly as Dale does. I do have a sense of foreboding though and a sense that we must be prepared for whatever it is that is coming.’

  ‘Empress, all is not well in our nation. We are a peaceful and proud nation, as well as warm and friendly people, and yet – of late – the people are changing for reasons I do not understand.’

  ‘In what way Femi of Mantor?’ Amara asked the tall black man, who now stood opposite her in front of his appointed seat.

  ‘The people are more argumentative and quarrelsome of late and spates of disagreements over, what can only be deemed as trivial matters are breaking out everywhere.’

  ‘Among everyone?’ Amara asked.

  ‘No Empress but among enough people for it to become noticeable.’

  ‘The same is happening in Santeb, not enough to cause concern but enough to notice that a change is occurring,’ Li Wang added. ‘But there is also discontent among the village leaders, and they express their unhappiness with the council and the nation of Amalah.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Amara.

  ‘They say that Amalah favours other nations above theirs and that trade is to their detriment,’ replied Li.

  ‘But trade is as it has always been,’ said Michael.

  ‘I know, but something still stirs within them, despite my efforts to assure them.’

  ‘Do you agree with their grievance?’ Amara asked.’

  ‘No,’ Li replied flatly.

  ‘As in Aradene,’ a woman added. ‘The people also express discontent with me and the rest of the council.’

  ‘And as in Lansten,’ a man replied.

  Amara looked at the other representatives from the remaining nations awaiting an answer.

  ‘Equer remains unaffected.’

  ‘As does Basimine.’

  ‘And Filine.’

  ‘I admit, we too are affected,’ the Empress said. ‘Dale, is what you sense connected to the changes occurring in the other nations?’

  ‘Yes, but I know not what it is.’

  ‘Perhaps it is the enemies of your father Empress,’ Femi said, and as he uttered the words, the atmosphere became tense and charged, as those around the table visibly stiffened and shuffled uncomfortably, as they looked at each other and then at the Empress.

  ‘Remember that not all of his enemies were captured or killed,’ Femi continued; ‘a few escaped from Amalah never to be seen or heard from again; now I fear that once again they are sowing the seeds of evil among our world.’

  ‘Why now Dale?’ Amara asked.

  ‘Because now it seems that there are enough willing?’

  ‘Willing?’

  ‘Enough willing to embrace the darkness
and the power that comes with it.’

  ‘What do we do?’ Yakira asked.

  ‘Stop evil spreading. Ensure we lead by example and maintain the things that we hold dear: the gods, love, each other, the truth and ensure that everyone has plenty and that no one, is treated unfairly or harshly in everything we do. Ensure that the grievances of the people are heeded and remedied, and ensure that the trade between the nations is fair. We cannot give evil a chance to take advantage of, or manipulate any situation, nor can we give it the chance to prosper again.’

  ‘We can do all of that,’ Thaddeus said; ‘but evil will still find a way.’

  ‘I fear there may come a time when we may have to fight again,’ Garrick said solemnly.

  ‘That maybe Garrick.’ Amara said. ‘But at the moment, there is no one or nothing to fight. But having said that, Garrick and Häkan, I want you to send some of the guard; send only your most trusted guard to these troubled nations. Do not send them in full guard dress because I want them to walk among the people and find out whom or what, is causing this. I do not want the guard that we send to meet with the guard who are already stationed in the nations, for I fear that some of their loyalties are divided. I want them to walk freely and unrecognised, for it can only cause more trouble if the people learn that we are watching them.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘After the celebrations, that way they will blend in easily when everyone else is returning home.’

  ‘It will be done Empress,’ said Häkan.

  ‘Thank you. For now all we can do is watch, listen, wait and be ready and as Dale has indicated, we will not have to wait too long.’

  The council discussed the last remaining matters and then adjourned for the day most of the members hastily filed out of the room but the Empress, Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor remained inside the room and the six of them remained silent for a few moments simply looking at one another.

  ‘This does sound like the work of Adriel?’ Michael said forcefully.

  ‘Indeed it does,’ agreed Amara.

  ‘And my son is potentially involved,’ Garrick said bitterly. ‘That is another reason why I must speak with you. Empress I have spoken with Rakan before the council met and he asked me if I could ask you if he could have an audience with you?’