by Billy Wong
Her actions did contradict her words somewhat if she thought about it. "You're not incorrect, but I was just angry then. I'm not determined to exterminate the lot of their force. Tentacle Nest had killed thousands of people already and I wanted to pay it back for that, plus I doubt it would've wanted to sit down and talk in the middle of the attack—am I wrong in that estimate?"
Probably not, and I would have done the same in your position. I was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of saying you wish for a peaceful solution yet joyfully slaying one of the leaders of those you seek peace with.
Cart-Dragger took on a sly tone. "It being a leader kind of gives me more of an excuse to kill it. If I deprive them of one of the leaders and strongest among them, it might weaken their resolve and make them as a group more open to settling our dispute. Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet."
The longer I stay with you, the more I accept we are not so different. You should accept that too.
"We are different in what drives us. You and the empire just want order regardless of how anybody feels about it. I want peace along with a happy future for all, or at least as close to it as possible. You made a decent point about technology, though. While we might not want to subjugate anyone, it would be good to strengthen our defenses to protect ourselves as well as possible." She smiled. "And that's why Scott and the other engineers are working hard to figure out your leftover technology. Maybe that partially mechanized body you wore can help us learn someday how to replace the limbs of injured warriors, too."
To her surprise, his voice softened. If I cannot have my way, I would be more content at least to know the empire's assets continue to be of use for humanity.
They spent the rest of her watch in silence, probably both pondering the possible outcomes in their future. Because her shift was last, she woke Lars and Ruth when the time came and they resumed their trek. The tunnel sloped down as they glimpsed a light ahead, and they exited the mountain at ground level. Stepping out they found themselves before a lush wood, the leaves above allowing in just enough rays of sun to make for a mellow dimness in lieu of oppressive dark. Bright flowers in myriad colors blanketed the forest floor, as dazzling as any meadow from older times.
"Wait, this doesn't make sense," Lars said. "There's some sun, but it shouldn't be enough to support such vibrant blooms."
Cart-Dragger didn't understand it either, but didn't need to for the breathtaking scene to put her somehow at ease. "Maybe the soil is so fertile it makes up for the lower light, or maybe these flowers have adapted to a place with less sun. We went over something like this when we just saw the forest before, remember? There are plenty of possible explanations for this, but I don't see overt danger to us in most of them."
Ruth shrugged. "I don't expect the flowers to be too deadly, but the druids could be. Better stay on our guard and not be too mesmerized by the pretty sights."
True enough. Nobody seemed to be around, so Cart-Dragger led the group deeper into the forest. They passed by more marvels of nature—trees full of huge ripe fruit, mushrooms in darker patches whose variety and intensity of color rivaled the flowers, and plump rabbits and songbirds so unlike their lean, hard cousins which survived outside this verdant sanctuary. For such a place to exist now gave her hope that the rest of the world could someday return to a similar state. After a while her ears picked up the sound of running water, then a humming barely audible beside it.
"I think there's someone nearby," she whispered. "We'll introduce ourselves politely, but if they turn out to be hostile, be ready." They crept towards the sound, and came into view of a slowly running stream by which a burly man in a plain brown tunic knelt washing his face. He seemed to be alone. After waiting for him to finish cleansing and straighten up, she said, "Excuse me."
He turned, revealing a long beard and wild tangle of hair. But what made Cart-Dragger start were his ears, larger and more pointed than any she'd seen before. She had thought the druids would be human, yet now wasn't too sure. "Hello, visitors," he greeted them in a soft, soothing voice that betrayed no hint of surprise. "It has been a long time since we had the opportunity to use the latter word... very, very long. What brings you to our tranquil home, and how does the outside world fare these days?"
Cart-Dragger fumbled with her response, but Ruth asked the question that got in the way of her thoughts for her. "What's with the pointy wings on your head? Are you not human?"
He looked at her confusedly. "Pointy... wings?" Then comprehension lit his eyes and he chuckled. "Oh, you mean these." He reached up and grasped one of his ears, pulled it off to reveal a perfectly normal rounded ear under it. The pointed covering must be made of fabric, or animal hide maybe. "They are merely decorative, adornments inspired by a magical race of legend who likewise dwelt in the forest."
"I see," Cart-Dragger said, smiling. That these druids had something like a sense of play helped her think she might not have so much trouble relating to them. "We're here in search of knowledge about a threat to the outside world as you say. Other than that, we're doing all right. Things had been getting better, though it was hard work, but then these new enemies appeared... A horde of elementals has attacked us repeatedly, one of them being of massive size. So far we've held them off, but we could still use more information on what exactly it is we face. Do you know anything?"
The man put his fake ear back on and scratched his beard. "This sounds like something we might know something of, but I'm unsure if our leader would like for me to advise you on matters of such importance. Allow me to lead you to her, and you can discuss this further." A female leader? Cart-Dragger wondered what she was like, and if they could be strong allies in the future.
He guided them upstream until they beheld a shining pond in which bright green water lilies floated. Around it lounged men and women of all ages, dressed in likewise simple clothes, and beyond them stood circular huts of wood and straw. The gazes that settled on Cart-Dragger and friends while they gradually turned their heads weren't excited—or possibly scared—as she predicted, but calm and detached, almost lazy.
It's as if they live in a dream, Maximilian observed, and don't realize how dangerous we could be to them.
She didn't want to alarm the druids by making it obvious she spoke to him, but disguised it by saying, "Don't worry, we're not dangerous except to those who give us reason to be."
"They haven't give you reason to feel a need to reassure them of that." Ruth gave her a questioning look as to ask if Maximilian was speaking to her, and she nodded. "Still, it seems unusual for them not to be alarmed at all to have three rough strangers enter their home after apparently years of isolation."
"Maybe they've forgotten what danger itself is," Lars said.
Or they have more confidence in being able to defend themselves than we might presume. We should proceed with caution. But Cart-Dragger and the former mercenaries didn't need to be reminded of that.
"Loen," a teenage girl with flowers in her hair asked their guide as they approached, "how do the cubs fare? Are they well?"
"They are fine, and should be capable of hunting on their own soon." Then he explained, "A mountain lioness recently died in an accident soon after giving birth, so I have been taking care of her litter until they can fend for themselves."
"That's kind," Ruth said quietly. "Makes me think they'll help us."
Finally an older male druid asked, "Who are those strangers with you? Are they lost travelers? But I can hardly guess why there would be travelers going through these parts, when they were few even in times long past."
"They are warriors seeking advice on a threat to what is left of civilization." So they did know about that, which she had begun to doubt with how out of touch their idyllic hideaway seemed to be. Did they leave the valley, though, or have some other means of learning about happenings outside such as being able to communicate with animals? "Is our great mother busy? I was hoping to let them speak with her directly." Great mother? Cart-Dr
agger wondered how old she was, and for some reason got a slight feeling of unease.
"She is not, to my knowledge. Check with her yourself to be certain."
They made their way to a hut behind the others no larger than the rest, and Loen shook the chimes that hung before the curtained door. They heard footfalls from inside, and he stepped back. The light curtain billowed aside, and as if she hadn't even touched it, a tall regal woman of indeterminant age strode out past it. She could have been anywhere from late twenties to early fifties with her mature features and porcelain skin, though Cart-Dragger leaned towards thinking her on the older side due to being called "mother." Or was it just a leadership title that had nothing to do with age? Instead of the nondescript clothes her fellows wore, she was clad in garments made up of leaves and vines held together by unknown means. Her voluminous mane of hair, so red it could have made blood envy, hung down past her knees—yet it remained perfectly positioned behind her while she walked. She seemed an otherworldly being, the group but dirty shadows before her.
Her eyes swept over them, intense green orbs one could imagine belonging to the forest itself. "You are all quite heavily armed," she said in a higher voice than Cart-Dragger expected, but stern and commanding nonetheless. "What brings such a warlike party to our sanctuary?"
"Our leader," Loen introduced her, "Vana the Queen of Mercy. And these are... say, I never got your names."
Queen of Mercy? The title didn't give Cart-Dragger the best initial impression, since it made her think of someone who aspired to be worshiped as a false god, but she shouldn't judge without any knowledge of its origin. "I'm Duchess Willow of Galantria, and these are my friends Lars and Ruth. We may look imposing, but I assure we don't come intending harm. We're just hoping to learn from you about a threat to what's left of humanity..."
Vana regarded her scarred features curiously. "A noblewoman? It is odd to see such a person taking matters of this sort into her own hands."
She would have said something about the demands of the new world, but then she had always been rather physical even before the catastrophe. "I was born to be a warrior. Even though I'm a short girl, I've hardly met a man or woman who could match my prowess."
"Yet despite this strength and your pride in it, you are willing to seek help against your foes. This tells me they must be daunting indeed."
"It's not that we're unable to fight them. But they are many, and have already slaughtered a great number of people. If you have knowledge of them, I implore you to share it so we might be better prepared for their next attack."
"Who are these enemies? I can offer little help without knowing of what you speak. Loen, you may leave us as I suspect this may take a while."
She told Vana of the elemental attacks, the woman's expression remaining impassive though Cart-Dragger herself's voice trembled to recall the numerous deaths she'd witnessed. A lot of people had been desensitized to tragedy since the world practically ended, but she wondered whether that was the case for the druids or if they had simply distanced themselves that much from the rest of humanity? If the latter, she worried Vana might not feel such urgency to help. But at least she was listening, which Cart-Dragger hoped meant she wouldn't be unwilling to do so.
Eventually she finished her story, Lars and Ruth having stepped in now and then with details she forgot to mention or supplementary information. "So they are elementals," Vana said, "one of them seemingly a new King Elemental, and you wish to learn more about them? I believe I may know something of interest to you. But I also sense a darkness among you, which I did not speak of before so as not to alarm Loen. If you want me to share my knowledge, perhaps you should come clean about yourself first."
For a moment, Cart-Dragger had no idea what she was talking about. Then it dawned on her. "Hey, Maxie! Even the great mother calls you a darkness, and you still claim not to be evil?"
Evil is a matter of perception. Although the magic I used to invade you may register as dark, perhaps.
"Maxie?" Lars asked. "I think you might be getting a little too friendly with your um, rider."
"I'm not friendly with him! I've gotten a bit more used to it, but that doesn't mean I won't eagerly be rid of him as soon as I can."
Vana raised an eyebrow at them. "Explain what you are going on about?"
"Well, I'm carrying around a bad man's soul inside me... I guess it's time for another story." She told of her battles against the remnants of the empire, and how Maximilian ended up in her body. "I've been keeping him under control though, I swear—and even if I didn't, I think he would stand on the right side for humanity this time too." Not that they could trust him in any other regards, but...
"If you fear you may have trouble continuing to do so, perhaps I can also aid you with freeing yourself from his grasp."
Cart-Dragger broke into a grin as her spirits rose. "Hear that, Maxie? Soon you'll be out of a body again!"
Damn you, why must you be so lucky?
"It's not luck! Fortune rewards the just!" She didn't necessarily believe that, but just to rile Maximilian up further...
"Your talking to him is a tad unsettling," Lars pointed out. "Maybe you should stop doing it so much in front of Vana here?"
The Queen of Mercy waved a dismissive hand. "It's quite all right. I have little fear of errant spirits."
Cart-Dragger wondered if Vana might be more powerful than her in some ways. If she could easily expel Maximilian from her, that would certainly seem to be the case. "How do you propose to help me with this?"
"We have some meditation techniques which grant us greater focus and control over ourselves. If you are already able to suppress this ghost's will with your own, perhaps strengthening yours would enable you to eject him completely."
"How long would learning these techniques take?"
Vana paused. "There is no limit to how long they can be 'learned,' for one can always continue to improve their self-control and perfect mastery of oneself may not even be possible within a human lifetime. But in order for you to learn them enough to free yourself from the spirit—that too is unknown. I expect it would at least be a matter of weeks before you achieve any kind of proficiency, though."
Hearing that made her anxious. "I'm not sure I should be staying here for weeks on end without knowing what's going on back home. I'm still holding out fine, so maybe I should just learn what I can about the elementals for now and return for the meditation lessons after setting things up so it'll be easier to contact me in case there's an emergency." Or, she thought but didn't say now, perhaps she could get a druid qualified to teach her to come back with her to society. Then, she wouldn't have to leave the people bereft of her protection.
"I understand why you wouldn't desire to abandon your flock. I'll tell you what I can and we can discuss further plans later."
She waited. "So... what do you know?"
"I did not want to make any unwarranted assumptions without being sure of the situation. You said the former King Elementals of Water and Air are dead, but how and when did they perish?"
"The King Elemental of Water was slain fairly recently by my hand and the King Elemental of Air killed herself long ago, before I was even duchess, when she tried to fly away from our world."
"Fly away? It must have been awful out there."
Lars hung his head. "Yes, it was a real mess. Just being alive now, we're among the lucky ones."
"In any case, if the King Elemental of Air died a while ago, that might help explain it. According to old legends, though they haven't been verified as fact to our knowledge, whenever a King Elemental dies, after between one to two decades the earth will birth a new one to replace it. The calamity occurred about fifteen years ago, did it not?"
"I was a young teenager then, so yes," Cart-Dragger said.
Ruth frowned. "But wait. The creature you fought at Velinthe and Athendar seemed very much a water type elemental, right down to its ability to regrow lost limbs. If you only killed Leviathan about a year ago,
there shouldn't nearly have been enough time for the earth to start making a replacement."
"That does complicate the matter," Vana admitted. "Also, I must ask, did you really defeat a King Elemental alone?"
"I've defeated two if the new one doesn't count. The King Elemental of Water, I slew; the one of Fire, our ally, befriended me after I earned his respect by beating him in a fight. I also knocked out the King Elemental of Earth once, but that wasn't entirely by myself."
Vana looked her up and down. "So small, yet so strong. I wonder where that strength comes from."
She fidgeted with a touch of discomfort, feeling like a freak being gawked at like those traveling shows used to have before everything went to hell. "I was just born with a lot of potential, I guess. Anyway, what about the elementals? Any idea why a new King Elemental of Water might have appeared so quickly, if the stories say it should happen after a decade or more?"
"I cannot explain it."
Perhaps the process begins with the death of one King Elemental, but once it is completed, it will replace all which are deceased at the present time.
Cart-Dragger had no clue if he was right or not, but his theory seemed worth consideration given they didn't have a better one. "Maximilian says maybe when one King Elemental dies, the process to replace it starts then, but when it finishes, all the dead ones will be replaced at once."
"That doesn't make a lot of sense on the face of it." Lars bit his lip. "Yet many things about the world work in strange ways. Based on what we've seen, it seems like it could be correct."
"Maxie is pretty smart, with his education in preparation to become the emperor. Too bad about everything else."
Then if my theory bears out, there should still be a great air elemental out there for you to deal with.
"The new King Elemental of Air might be the one waging war on the southeastern continent, if Obo's to be trusted. I hope they can handle it for us. I'm getting quite weary of battling King Elementals."