Soul of Power

by G David Walker

  He sat, unmoving, as the sky gradually brightened, his thoughts revisiting days long past. He remembered the first time he held Elam in his arms, feeling an instant connection with this tiny child beyond anything he had ever known. All of his years of study and training, all of his knowledge and wisdom, and nothing had prepared him for the wonder and awe of looking into Elam’s eyes for the very first time. The sight of his son, gazing back up at him had taken his breath away. How a mere babe could have such a profound effect upon him had left him stunned beyond words. The only thought he could manage: This is my son.

  He remembered every milestone in Elam’s young life. His first steps. His first words. The sound of his first laugh. Everything. All engraved into his memories as surely as if they had been carved into the bedrock underneath Lore’s Haven. Then, watching him grow, beginning his studies. He remembered the irrational fear he felt the first time Elam went to play with his friends and was out of his sight, and the feeling of relief when he saw his son again. He remembered the look in Elam’s eyes when he had come home to tell Elam and his mother that the Circle had named him High One. The joy, love, and pride he had seen in his son’s eyes filled him with elation far surpassing what he had felt when the Circle had chosen him to lead them.

  Then the days of worry and doubt. Trying to comfort and reassure Elam when he asked again and again why his power had not manifested yet, all the while privately wondering the same thing. Each passing day without any change seemed to reaffirm one thing: Elam was not going to have any power. He remembered the late nights with his wife, Andrya, trying to determine the best way and time to discuss their fears with Elam, and how they would move forward with a child who could not use dimsai. In days past, they would have been concerned that their friends and others would insist he be banished. Fortunately, one of the first actions Tal had taken as High One was to end that despicable practice. Or so we thought.

  He remembered the day Andrya told him Elam had vanished. They searched the surrounding lands for a full cycle, until Andrya came to him one day, clutching one of Elam’s tunics, torn and covered in blood. She told him she had found it deep in the woods. Even then, they kept searching, but no sign of Elam was ever found. They had mourned, performed the Ritual of Ending, and then tried to somehow move on with their lives. He was the High One. He had duties. He tried to immerse himself in the affairs of Lore’s Haven, hoping the daily tasks would ease the hurt, or at least distract him from it occasionally. One cycle passed, and then another. The slow passage of time gradually changed the sharp pain of loss into a dull ache of absence.

  Then the message came: He needed to return to his home immediately.

  He had felt a brief surge of hope. Perhaps they had found Elam! Even if they only found his body, it would be better than not knowing anything at all. But the scene at his home when he arrived, the looks on the faces of those standing outside awaiting him, told him there would be no good news this day.

  Poul, his neighbor and longtime friend, had stopped him before he entered his home.

  “Tal,” the words still rang through Tal’s memory, “I am so sorry.”

  “What has happened?” He tried to push past his friend, but Poul’s grip remained firm on his arms.

  “Tal, Andrya is dead.”

  “What? Dead? What do you mean she is dead? What are you saying?” His entire world began to spin. He struggled against Poul’s hold, but the man would not release him.

  “She has taken her own life.”

  Tal squeezed his eyes shut as the words assaulted his memory from so many years ago, as harsh and unforgiving now as they had been then. Although he felt as if his legs would collapse underneath him, he had found the strength to tear himself from Poul’s grasp and stumble through the door to his home, shouting his denials. The sight of his wife on the ground, the blood-stained dagger lying beside her hand, drained the remaining strength from his body. He dropped to his knees, unable to move, unable, or perhaps unwilling, to comprehend what he was seeing.

  The village healer looked at him, a mixture of sympathy and sorrow in her eyes. “I am sorry,” she said. “There was nothing I could do. She died before anyone found her.” She handed him a small piece of parchment. “This was beside her.”

  On the parchment, written in his wife’s hand, were two words: “Forgive me.”

  The days after that were still a blur in his memories. One day bled into the next. Faces came and went, concern and pity on each one, their meaningless words buzzing in his ears, heard and forgotten as he struggled to make sense of a world in which his wife and son no longer lived.

  Finally, one day he had emerged from the darkness. He was still High One. He still had duties and responsibilities. He had to be strong for the Circle, for the people under his care. His office would be his faith and focus now. I have nothing else. The thought had threatened to renew his anguish, but he had forced it away, shoving it far into the recesses of his mind. The least he could do was to honor the memories of his loved ones in his service to Lore’s Haven. And he had vowed that, inasmuch as was possible, no one else would have to endure the pain of such losses under his watch.

  His vow had been rendered meaningless in light of recent events. It seemed death had been the only constant in the last span. He had done his best. It had not been enough. He had not been enough.

  But all of that was pushed aside by one simple thought: Elam is alive!

  The growing light pulled him from his reverie. The new day was upon them. He rose from his chair and went to the door. Opening it, he signaled to the Warder stationed outside.

  “Have the Circle assemble immediately. Have Captain Gatlor attend also.”

  The man bowed and left to pass along his orders. Tal turned and gazed for several long moments at the sky visible through the window across the room. Then he closed the door behind him as he headed for the dining area. He knew what he had to do. For him, there was no other choice.

  ~~~

  As he entered the dining area, Tal saw that several of the Loremasters had already arrived. Seryn, Brin, and T’Kel were seated. Carys, filling in for Loremaster Reyga, stood behind her chair speaking to Borin. As he walked toward the gathering, he saw Jarril and Kalen enter the room through one of the other entrances, followed closely by Captain Gatlor.

  He stopped at the table and waited while everyone took their places. As he looked around the group, he noticed one was missing. He turned to the doors, but did not see her.

  “Where is Loremaster Delani?”

  No one answered at first. Then Borin said, “High One, I saw her leave the healing area after the incident between Jason Bennett and Loremaster Reyga. She looked very angry. I have not seen her since.”

  Tal glanced at the doors once more, frowning as there was still no sign of Delani. He turned back to them. “Has anyone seen Delani since yesterday?”

  When they all shook their heads, he turned and signaled to a guard standing nearby. “Send someone to Loremaster Delani’s quarters. If she is there, remind her of this meeting.”

  “High One,” the guard said, “I was one of those sent to notify the Circle of the meeting. I personally went to Loremaster Delani’s quarters myself. There was no answer to my knock.” He looked uncomfortable as he continued. “I assumed the summons was important, so, when she did not answer, I checked the door. Finding it unlocked, I went inside. Loremaster Delani was not there. I apologize if I should not have entered her rooms.”

  “No,” Tal said. “In this instance, your actions were warranted. Thank you.” He turned back to the group. “Well, perhaps Delani is elsewhere within the keep. Regardless, we cannot wait for her. Inform her of our discussion when you next see her. Now, as you know, we face a dilemma. We cannot make the staff in Nyala’s sketches. However, the staff may be vital to our struggle against Regor and Airam. Therefore, I believe we have no choice other than to request aid from the nasaiken.”

  “Do you believe that wise, High One?” Jarril asked, ri
sing from his seat. “It is doubtful the nasaiken hold any love for the Circle. Perhaps the Yellowtooth would be a better option?” He sat down again as he finished.

  “I considered that,” Tal said. “However, due to the rather unique nature of the nasaiken, in that dimsai has no effect upon them, I believe they could be valuable allies against the Altered.”

  Gatlor stood. “With their resistance to dimsai, it seems more likely they would not see the Altered as a threat to them. It may be that they would even welcome an attack by the Altered against the Circle. They may consider a refusal to aid us to be a form of personal vengeance.”

  “That is one possibility, of course,” Tal said. He looked around the circle of faces, and then slowly sank down into his seat. “I must be candid.” He took a shaky breath. “In truth, my wisdom in this matter may be clouded.” He closed his eyes. “I must see my son. I had hoped to garner allies at the same time, but you are correct, Jarril. The Yellowtooth would be a better option.” He opened his eyes and stood again. “In these circumstances, I cannot make this decision. If you decide to go to the Yellowtooth, I will support your judgment. Regardless, I will go to the nasaiken. I have no choice. I must see my son.”

  No one spoke for a few moments as they looked at him and each other. Then Brin stood.

  “High One, I believe I speak for us all. No one here will gainsay you the chance to see your son. If I were in your position, I could do nothing else.” He looked at the other Loremasters. Tal saw them nod at Brin as his gaze passed over them. Then Brin turned back to him. “We will go to the nasaiken.”

  A wave of relief washed over Tal as Brin finished. Although he would have gone to see his son by himself, he had not been looking forward to facing him alone after all this time. As he scanned their faces, he saw all of them nodding in agreement with Brin. With one exception.

  “Jarril?” he asked. There was a troubled look on the Ferrin’s features. “You have a different opinion? Do you believe we should approach the Yellowtooth instead?”

  Jarril stood. “No, High One. Like the others, I would not deny you your right to see your son. However, unless you have information which we lack, how are we to find the nasaiken village Jason described?”

  Of course! Tal felt his elation at the thought of seeing his son fade, replaced by disappointment tinged with irritation. They had no idea where the village might be. They could send scouts out to try to find it, but that would take time. Time that they might not have, and time that Tal certainly did not want to waste. But unless someone here knew where it was, a hope quickly dashed by the expressions he saw around the table, scouts were their only option to find the village and his son.

  Although he knew what the answer would be, he had to ask anyway. “Does anyone know the location of the nasaiken?” The looks the Loremasters exchanged with one another were the only answer he needed. It seemed they would have to go to the Yellowtooth after all.

  He gave a heavy sigh and nodded. “Very well. Then we will—”

  “I can tell you where to find the nasaiken,” a voice interrupted from behind him.

  As he turned to see the speaker, he heard a couple of gasps from the Circle, and saw Brin and Kalen rise from their seats. A moment later, he echoed their surprise as he saw who had spoken.

  “Lenara!”

  “Hello, Tal,” she said, as she walked toward the table. “I see there are a few new faces among the Circle. A few familiar ones as well.” She stopped a few paces from the group. “Hello Kalen, Brin, Seryn.”

  “Lenara, you live!” Tal said. “We thought—”

  “Yes, I know,” she said. “You thought I was dead. As you can see, I am not. I simply came to understand that, although my goals coincided with those of the Circle, my methods did not. So I decided it would be best for all concerned if I left.”

  “Just like that?” Seryn asked.

  “Yes. Just like that.”

  “So why have you returned now?” Kalen asked.

  “I think, perhaps, that is a story for another day,” she said. “For the moment, I am here to tend to Reyga, and now, fortunately for you, to help you find the nasaiken. Although, if what I am sensing is true, even their aid may not be enough to save us.”

  *****

  Meryl’s gaze swept across Jason’s face and then along the length of the sheet covering him. There was still no sign of awakening. She had already examined him again after Seryn left for the meeting, to be sure they had not missed anything. Just as Seryn had assured her, there was nothing left to be done. There was no trace of the dark power left, and all of the internal damage caused by it had been healed. All they could do now was wait.

  She looked up at Lenai, standing on the other side of Jason’s bed, but the Shanthi girl’s attention was focused on Jason, only occasionally moving to Reyga’s still form, a few paces away. She had not left the healing area since Jason and Reyga had been brought in, maintaining a silent vigil, attentive to every move Meryl made, but asking no questions. Calador had been helped to his Haven quarters, leaving only Lenai, Meryl, and her two patients in the room.

  Lenai’s request that Meryl befriend Jason had taken her completely by surprise, particularly since Lenai and Jason were bonded. When Meryl had asked why Lenai was asking this of her, the Shanthi girl said only that Jason would need someone to turn to in case something happened to her. Although she seemed calm when giving her explanation, Meryl sensed there was more to it than that. Part of the training Diamond Order students received was in reading others’ emotions. That training told her something was definitely troubling Lenai, but it was not Meryl’s place to question her unless Lenai broached the subject herself.

  As unexpected as Lenai’s request was, it had not been difficult to acquiesce. The Far Planer was nice looking, considerate, and had proven his courage on more than one occasion. Even so, it made little difference. Although their time together in Ishadon had been brief, it was plain to her that Jason’s heart belonged to Lenai, even had he not been bonded to her. Still, if anything were to happen to Lenai… No. With a little shake of her head, she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to be contemplating such things, especially with Lenai in the room.

  “Where is Reyga?” Meryl turned as a voice interrupted her musings. An unfamiliar woman had entered and was scanning the room. She had sandy brown hair, liberally streaked with grey, tied together at the base of her neck. She acted as if she were in a familiar place, like she had been here many times before, although Meryl did not remember ever seeing her in the healing area. She spotted Reyga, and began moving toward him until Meryl blocked her way.

  “Can I help you?” Meryl asked.

  The woman gave her a cursory examination, and then replied, “I rather doubt it.” She made as if to go around her, but Meryl moved in front of her again.

  “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

  The woman gave her another look, as if reappraising her. “My name is Lenara Cris, and I am here to see to Loremaster Reyga. Assuming, of course, you will step aside and allow me to get to him.”

  Lenara Cris! The only person to ever turn down the office of Loremaster and a seat on the Circle! Although Meryl had never seen her, almost everyone in Lore’s Haven had heard the story. Lenara would have been Pearl Loremaster instead of Tal Vardyn had she accepted the position. When she declined, and later vanished, Tal had been named Loremaster Rake’s apprentice in her stead, eventually becoming the Pearl Loremaster when Rake passed, and his wisdom went to join his forefathers. Everyone assumed Lenara had died. And now here she was, after so many years, standing in the healing area of Lore’s Haven.

  Stunned, Meryl did not move as Lenara stepped around her. She turned and watched as the older woman examined Reyga.

  “Lenara Cris?” Lenai said. “Loremaster Reyga has spoken of you. You were thought to be dead. Where have you been and why have you returned here now?”

  “As I stated,” Lenara answered, without looking up
from Reyga, “I am here to tend to Reyga.”

  “Loremaster Reyga was struck by backlash,” Meryl said. “We have already healed his injuries. There is nothing further we can do for him.”

  Lenara turned to her, a small smile touching her lips. “That is precisely correct. There is nothing you can do for him. That is why I have come.”

  “Intending no disrespect,” Meryl answered, “but even Loremaster Seryn has treated Reyga. It is her word that we can only wait and hope Reyga returns to us.”

  “I am quite certain Loremaster Seryn is more than adequate for the needs of Lore’s Haven. However, to treat backlash, you need someone a bit more skilled.”

  “And you claim to be such a one?” Lenai asked.

  “I do.”

  Meryl was not convinced. “Loremaster Seryn is the most accomplished healer in recent memory. I find it difficult to believe your skills surpass hers.”

  Lenara clasped her hands in front of her. “Young lady, I admire your loyalty to Seryn, but the simple fact is that, at this point, Reyga’s needs do not involve healing as much as they do dimsai. I can tell you, without hesitation, that Reyga, in his current state, will not recover. In truth, his life is on the brink as we speak. Now, we can continue to debate who has what skills, and in the process watch Reyga die before us, or you can allow me to save his life. But whichever path you decide upon, please do it quickly.”

  Meryl looked at Lenai, but the Shanthi’s impassive expression offered no clue as to her inner thoughts. She wished Loremaster Seryn were here to deal with Lenara, but the Loremaster had sent word that she was accompanying the High One on a mission. If Reyga truly was on the brink of death, they could not afford to wait for Seryn’s return. Meryl inclined her head to Lenara and took a step back.

  Lenara gave a sharp nod. “A wise decision.” Then she stepped to Reyga’s side, turning her full attention to him. Meryl moved to where she could see what Lenara was doing. She noticed Lenai move closer also. The Shanthi girl’s hand rested lightly on the handle of the dagger at her hip. As Meryl watched, the familiar cream-colored glow of the Pearl Order enveloped Lenara’s hands. Then her eyes widened as the milky light gradually darkened, changing to an intense green. Emerald green. But how?