by Alon Shalev
Everyone laughed again, and then Ballendir showed him how to light the pipe properly. “Yeh want to light the entire surface, again, passing the fire stick in circular movements so it can burn evenly.”
Seanchai puffed several times to allow the weed to catch, at first suppressing a cough but soon becoming accustomed to the ritual. Once everyone’s tea was replenished, they looked at Ballendir expectantly. He cleared his throat.
“There are many clans in the dwarf nation. Some are small and isolated, and we tend to leave them well alone. If we go to war, though, I think we will send word, lest we run the risk of offending them. There are also dwarves rumored to be living in the human cities, though I know little of them or if they are even organized.
“Tonight I wish to speak of the six main clans. Each has its own capital, as well as mining colonies. Most of the clans are concentrated in the east, which is where we are heading. Though we have lived isolated from the rest of Odessiya, we have been mindful of our past and kept the clans near enough to join forces and defend ourselves as one.
“Every clan has a leader and a council representative. They all report to the King. Usually we haggle over mining rights, marriages, and taxes at council meetings. But a Clansfelt – what the priestess declared – is something very different. It is only called when something of monumental significance must be decided. When we vote in a new king, for example, or when we go to war. When a Clansfelt is held, the majority of clans must support the decision, and if they do, it is binding on all.”
“How much power does the King wield?” Ilana asked.
“Hard to say,” Ballendir replied. “We have not held a Clansfelt in many years, so this king is not well-known. His father passed on the crown. I don’t understand the process, but I think no one wanted to call a Clansfelt and challenge the succession. Sometimes it is more important that business continued smoothly. Our politics are about coalitions and mutual trade interests. The King doesn’t interfere much and he is a leader when needed.”
There was silence as everyone digested this information.
Shayth broke the quiet first: “Do you anticipate the King or any of the clans being open to coming above ground?”
“Like I said, I don’t know him. But yeh have seen how angrily our clan reacted to yeh coming underground. The First Decree is, well, very emotional. And I think our clan might be the most progressive.”
This was met with humorless laughter.
“They’ll be angry that humans and elves have come underground. They’ll be furious that yeh have also attracted the army and the eye of the Emperor.”
“Sounds like we should have a back up plan,” Rhoddan said.
“No,” Seanchai said, his face shrouded in pipe smoke. “There can be no back up plan. There is no alternative. For the sake of all peoples of Odessiya, the dwarf nation must join the Alliance.”
All eyes were on Seanchai, but he turned to Ballendir. “When we get to Hothengold, I will need your help, my friend.”
“Oh, I’m known for mah diplomacy almost as much as for mah understanding of strategy.”
Ballendir led the chorus of laughter from everyone but Seanchai.
“I’m serious, Ballendir,” he said. “I trust you and need you by my side.”
Ballendir met his stare. A few moments of tense silence passed. Then the dwarf solemnly rose and unsheathed his weapon. The shadows cast by the fire made him seem quite tall. “By mah axe, Wycaan, yeh will have mah full support.”
THIRTY SEVEN
Seanchai was relieved when they exited a tunnel that they had been traveling now for at least three days, by his best sunlight-deprived count. The lack of sunshine had elves and humans alike in a perpetual bad mood and, Shayth notwithstanding (given any gaiety on his part was the exception rather than the norm), this seemed to weigh them down considerably.
One benefit to the unchanging environment was that their eyesight had improved as they became more adjusted to the darkness, and Seanchai thought that his hearing was also sharpened. As he stretched and enjoyed the openness of the cavern, he picked up the sounds of a lot of scampering feet ahead.
He crouched, and the others followed suit. Ballendir was next to him, fretting.
“What is it?” Seanchai whispered.
“I don’t know. I thought we would be alone this deep underground. Who knows what kinds of monsters await us?”
“But the others followed this route, no? The families and Maugwen?”
“No. We sent them on one closer to the surface. It’s less dangerous, but takes considerably longer.”
“Ballendir, when you traveled with the priestess, why didn’t you travel underground?”
The dwarf grinned. “It was considered too dangerous for a priestess without considerable troop accompaniment. And between us,” he glanced back to ensure that no one else heard, “there are some dwarves who prefer to be above ground. The priestess is one of those. I was selected to travel with her because I, too . . .”
“You also prefer to be above ground?” Seanchai had to suppress laughter. “No wonder the clan regards you as such a heretic.”
Ballendir grabbed his arm. “We’ll keep this between us, okay?”
“No problem,” Seanchai patted his friend’s hand. “When was the last time anyone passed this way?”
“And lived to tell the tale?”
“I shouldn’t have asked.” Seanchai turned and signaled for Jermona and Sellia to join them. “There is something – or some things – out there. Scout ahead and see what we are facing. If we can avoid contact with them, it would be better.”
“Are you asking me to scout with the elfe because you don’t trust me?” Jermona pouted. “I am a fully trained ranger.”
“In part,” Seanchai replied. “But also this is not terrain you are familiar with. I value not only your skills, but your life.”
“Come on,” Sellia said to the young ranger. “Just try and keep quiet.”
Jermona bristled until he saw her smile. Seanchai could relate. They disappeared into the darkness, and Seanchai called Rhoddan over. “We might be here a while. We should set a guard and have the rest of the company rest.”
But they didn’t have to wait long, after all. Jermona and Sellia returned, leading a group of six creatures armed with an assortment of heavy weapons, including curved broadswords and halberds. But they were not brandishing them, and Sellia had a grin on her face that contrasted nicely with the scowl on Jermona’s.
“This is Seanchai, son of Seantai, the Wycaan that I spoke of,” Sellia introduced. “Next to him is Ballendir, from the dwarf clan of Zu’Reising.
“Greetings,” Seanchai rose and extended his hands in the universal sign of peace. Judging from the way the creatures stared; he realized it might not be quite so universal as those above ground thought.
One of the creatures stepped forward and bowed its head. It was the tallest of the party and stood at about five feet. “You have entered the kingdom of Saz’Saquat. To pass through, you must receive permission from our council. Or you may turn back, and we will forgive your trespass.”
“I will happily meet with your council,” Seanchai replied. He kept his voice steady, though he was excited at meeting a new potential ally. “Would you please escort us there?”
The creature nodded. “You may keep your weapons, but they must stay sheathed at all times. We have others watching with instructions to kill if they perceive any threat. Is that understood?”
“Clearly,” Seanchai replied and turned to his company. “We come in peace,” he said loudly. “Our only agenda is to pass through quickly.”
The creatures led the group to their dwelling. As he passed Jermona, Seanchai patted the young ranger on the shoulder. “Good job,” he said.
“It was the elfe who gave us away,” Jermona muttered.
“Of course it was.” Sellia smiled at Seanchai.
In route, Seanchai had an opportunity to observe his hosts. They were short and thi
n with disproportionately long arms. They were hairless and wore a light armor. He wondered whether this was for defense or to keep them dry from the ever-present moisture.
The group left the main path at a junction that took them around a bend. Up ahead, Seanchai was surprised to see a small town built into the walls all the way up the cavern on all sides.
They turned left up a path that had shops on either side. In the dim light, Seanchai couldn’t discern what was being sold. He could sense a hum of energy that seemed to support these lights, though he couldn’t track its source.
When they reached a plateau, there was a single stone building in front of them, supported by massive columns. Another creature stood in front of a solid-looking wooden door. This creature did not wear armor or carry a weapon. It bowed as they approached, and Seanchai and Ballendir reciprocated.
“Greetings, travelers. You have reached the hall of the council of Saz’Saquat. Three of you may enter. I strongly recommend that you choose a human, a dwarf and an elf, because your coexistence is what has intrigued the council since you were detected, and likely what has kept you alive.
“You must leave all weapons out here. The rest of your group may rest in the chamber over there. They will have food and drink. Who will enter?”
Seanchai and Ballendir stepped forward, and Seanchai turned to Shayth. “Will you join us?”
Shayth frowned. “You want me to represent my race?”
It was Sellia who responded. “Once, you were destined to hold the rank of such an ambassador. Perhaps it’s time to see how you might have fared.”
Shayth turned his head slightly, but Sellia did not smile or change her stoic expression. Their gazes locked for a few moments.
Then Shayth took a deep breath and stepped forward.
THIRTY EIGHT
“The council of Saz’Saquat is in session,” a loud male voice boomed. “Who stands before it? Come claim your rights and speak only truths.”
Seanchai took a step forward. “I am Seanchai, son of Seantai. I am an elf and a Wycaan warrior. This is Ballendir, from Clan Den Zu’Reising. To my left stands Shayth, a human, of no family.”
“You may step forward. In this hall, you will speak the truth and not be harmed for it. When you speak, the council will listen. When you are spoken to, we expect the courtesy returned.”
Seanchai nodded his understanding. Another voice, a female, spoke.
“The tall ones from above ground cannot see us. We should brighten the chamber.”
In the light, Seanchai could now see that they stood before a raised platform. Nine aqua green-skinned creatures, similar in build to those who had escorted everyone here, were seated in a semi-circle.
The female in the middle spoke.
“An elf, a dwarf, and a human,” she observed, not trying to hide her curiosity. “We have been watching you since before you entered the far tunnel. We see that you are a close band, that no one is enslaved, and that you show each other respect.
“You are obviously on a journey of importance and haste, or you would not have come this way. Tell us the purpose of your journey. Know that we have spell casters among our council, and they can discern when you are not speaking the truth.
Ballendir stepped forward. “I am Ballendir, from the Clan of Den Zu’Reising. Our home was . . .”
Seanchai felt a presence in his mind. It was the old Saz’Saquatian sitting at the far end of the table staring at him. Its voice was clear in his head.
“You have seen our people before, haven’t you, white-haired one?”
Seanchai tried to project his thoughts back. “In my vision quest, I saw an aqua green-skinned race when the Great Alliance stood and when the great battle took place.”
“You seek to reforge that alliance?”
“Yes, I am on my way to . . .”
Seanchai stopped, aware that everyone had fallen silent and was watching him and the telepathic council member.
“My apologies,” Seanchai began.
“No,” said the old Saz’Saquatian at the end of the table. “The blame is mine. I was scrying his mind, and he sensed me.”
“Perhaps you can both allow the rest of us to participate?” the female said in a mixture of admonishment and amusement.
“I have seen your race before,” Seanchai said, “in a vision when I was tested as a Wycaan. I am on a mission to reforge the Great Alliance and bring down the Emperor and his despotic rule. That is all we passed between us.”
“But you did not intentionally seek us out?” another grayer green-skinned elder asked. “How, then, did you come by this path?”
“I was given directions from our priestess,” Ballendir ventured, and it occurred to Seanchai that she might have intended this meeting. The dwarf continued. “We are taking the fastest and least obtrusive route to the dwarf capital, Hothengold.”
“You are being hunted by the Emperor’s army?”
“Yes,” Ballendir replied. “But I do not believe we’re being followed here.” He recounted the battle at Den Zu’Reising and the subsequent collapse of the mountain.
“Many, it seems, fall so that you might live.” the female said to Seanchai. “Do you speak for all the elves?”
“No, my lady,” Seanchai replied. “I am a Wycaan. My bond is to all races. It therefore falls to me to unite the races and bring about a new era of peace.”
“That is interesting. You are young. Should you succeed to bring the Emperor’s rule to an end, would you know how to rule fairly?”
“No, my lady, and in truth I have not given that much thought. Bringing Odessiya to that point in time sounds daunting enough right now.” This brought laughter from the council. “From what I understand of our heritage, no Wycaan has ever held rule. We serve the rulers and the people.”
“Are you the only Wycaan?”
Seanchai hesitated, and his voice wavered. “I hope not.”
The female turned to Shayth. “And you, human. The Wycaan said you have no family. Is this true?”
“I was orphaned as a child. My actions and their consequences are mine alone,” Shayth answered. His voice was cool and formal – a cadence Seanchai had heard often when they had first met.
“You are not, therefore, bonded to the Emperor in any way?”
“I chose to pledge my allegiance to Seanchai and Seanchai alone. Each member of our party has learned that the Wycaan is extremely adept at binding people to help him.”
“You harbor much anger,” said the telepath. “There is more that you choose not to reveal.”
“It is of no importance,” Shayth snapped.
Seanchai reached out a hand to calm him as the council tensed.
“Oh, but it is,” the telepath replied. Then he turned to the council members. “I see much of what the human seeks to hide. It is important – very important – but of no consequence to our decision whether to let them pass through our territory. Should it become of consequence, either he or I will reveal it. Otherwise, we should respect his desire to not share his past with us.”
“Please,” said Seanchai. “Tell us who you are.”
“We are the Aqua’lansis. Our people have traditionally lived in the great underwater cities in the seas around Odessiya and beyond. Our group here is a subspecies that has lived too long above the waterline and cannot return underwater. The dampness of caves is the best we can do. Our people came out of the water to join the Great Alliance and suffered in the same ways as the elves and dwarves. We are cut off from the rest of our people now.”
Another from the council spoke. “It is told that the Wycaans can breathe under water. Is that so?”
“I can,” Seanchai said. “My teacher could, and I have recently heard of another who was able to. I cannot speak for any others.”
There was a murmur among the council members. The chief female interjected. “We will continue to talk without our guests. Rest and eat with your friends. We will call you back with our decision.”
Seanchai felt as though he had just shut his eyes when he was woken and summoned to the great hall. One of his guards suggested that they stop for him to wash his face and wake up.
“Do I look that bad?” Seanchai asked.
The guard smiled. “Just fatigued. I saw how quickly you fell asleep.”
The council was abuzz with anticipation. Seanchai noticed the telepathic elder point him out to an attendant, who approached Seanchai.
“Give him your mushroom pouch,” the elder said to Seanchai. “He will prepare your drink. He is a healer and knows how.”
“Thank you,” Seanchai replied, handing over his pouch and turning to the council.
The elder began, her voice rich and pleasant. “Seanchai, son of Seantai, Wycaan warrior. The council grants you safe passage through our tunnels. Moreover, we will replenish your supplies and tell you of a shorter way to Hothengold. Our guides will accompany you partway. We will consider joining your alliance if the dwarves do, but our numbers are small and we need time to ponder this.
“In return, please consider this request: When matters have been settled at Hothengold and Odessiya is free, we ask that you join an expedition to Aqua’lania, the capital of our people. We believe we have created a system that will allow a delegation from here to go back underwater. It is a contraption that holds air and allows us to take it with us underwater. You will aid us in whatever way you can. Will you help us?”
Seanchai stood tall, his chest heaving with joy at this unexpected twist.
“I thank you for your generous offer and will fulfill your request if all goes well in our quest to defeat the Emperor. I would like to promise to help bring your people back to your nation. But I believe there will be a great battle at Hothengold, and I don’t know what its casualties and consequences will be.
“However, I’m excited by the hope that your request brings me, both for reforging the Alliance and to show that the true role of a Wycaan is more than incessant fighting. Therefore, you have my word as a Wycaan that I will do my utmost to succeed in what you ask.”