by Pedro Urvi
Asrael bowed. “It’s an honor that the Erudite Hotz has decided to leave his studies and join us this evening,” he said respectfully.
Hotz did not even look at him. He was watching the flame.
“Erudite Hotz is a member of this Council of Shamans.” Azur said, “and has a right to be heard.”
Mayra’s eyes were on the Erudite, who was still contemplating the flame. “Does the Erudite wish to express his opinion?” she asked. It sounded as though she would rather he did not.
“I have come to the Council, abandoning my solitary studies,” he said disapprovingly, as if being there represented a great disturbance for him. “If that is not to express my opinion, what else would it be for? Obviously I have no time to waste. I have no desire to leave my studies, and it annoys me to be interrupted by trivia,” he went on in the same disagreeable tone of voice. “Even so, I have come to warn my people that the path they are taking is not the right one. Allying ourselves with this foreigner” – he pointed to Mayra without even glancing at her, his eyes still fixed on the flame – “is a mistake. It will not lead us to victory. It will not free us of the accursed Norghanians. It will not save our people, and nor will it save this continent.”
“Our brother Hotz has expressed his feelings,” Azur said respectfully.
“What alternative does our erudite propose for the problem of the Norghanians?” Asrael asked.
“That of the study of the ice, of course,” Hotz said, as if the reply were so obvious that a child would be able to see it.
“The study of the ice?” Mayra repeated. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s only natural that a foreigner from warmer lands on the far side of the sea should not understand,” Hotz said unpleasantly.
“Perhaps the Erudite will have to explain it to me,” Mayra said. Her tone of voice suggested that she was biting her tongue.
“If Shaman Hotz would be so kind …” Asrael said, trying to be helpful.
“It will be a pleasure to enlighten the foreigner, and anyone who thinks in the same way. Fighting against the Norghanians with steel, stone, wood and power is a mistake. We will not defeat them that way, nor will we free ourselves of them forever. To do that we need the study of what the ice hides, of the power it holds. Once we study and find a creature with great power, then we will be able to get rid of the Norghanians and any others who come after them.”
“That option would take an unknown length of time,” Azur said.
“The length of time that would be necessary. That is irrelevant. What is important is the discovery.”
“How much time does the Erudite estimate would be necessary to make that discovery?” Asrael asked.
“Only the study of the ice will tell us that.”
“You’ve been studying it all your life,” Azur pointed out, “and you still have not found what you seek to achieve.”
“True, I have made lesser discoveries, but not the definitive one. And yet these lesser discoveries assure me that I am on the right path. We must use all our power, all our strength, in searching until we find it.”
“The Norghanians will throw us out of the Frozen Territories,” Asrael reasoned, “and then invade us before we have found this great discovery you seek.”
“That may be so. I cannot deny it. What I can assure you is that only the power within the ice will save us. Other approaches are wrong and will only lead to failure. I will not waste my valuable time on them.”
“I don’t share that opinion,” Mayra said. “We can’t wait for this great discovery. If it hasn’t appeared in the course of a whole lifetime of searching, it might never appear. There is no certainty that it will.”
“It will appear. The study of the ice will lead us to it.”
“A belief, a hope, is not enough for us to shut our eyes and risk everything,” Mayra said. “That will destroy this continent and its peoples.”
“Not if we make the discovery.” Hotz insisted.
“And if not?”
“I will find it sooner or later. Of that I am certain.”
“The problem is when,” Azur said. “Nobody is questioning the great efforts, knowledge and studies of our Erudite. The enemy will be upon us soon. We can’t keep risking everything for the sake of this discovery. We must prepare for war.”
“Only fools prepare for a war they will not win,” Hotz replied disdainfully.
“The Council ought to express its opinion,” said Asrael.
Azur nodded solemnly. “Let the Council speak and decide. The path of discovery or the path of war.”
The Shamans struck the floor of ice with their strange staves. “Around the Eternal Flame the Arcanes of the Ice decide.”
The verdict was unanimous. All of them, including Asrael and Azur, decided on war.
“You’re all useless,” Hotz said resentfully. “One day most of those here will never set foot on the ice again, because of the wrong decision you have made today. I shall go on looking for the discovery. When I find it, I will put an end to the enemies of all the peoples of the Frozen Continent. You will not be able to see it, because your existence will have come to its end.”
“We respect Erudite Hotz and his wisdom,” Asrael said, trying to calm him.
“Erudite Hotz and his wisdom, on the other hand, do not respect you. Do not disturb me again. I do not wish to know anything more about this Council, or about the war.” With these words he turned and left.
The image vanished a moment later. Lasgol was left staring at the water, trying to make sense of what he had just seen. It must have taken place before the other time he had seen his mother with the strange erudite of the Arcanes of the Glaciers. One thing left him utterly dismayed: Hotz had foretold the death of many who were there at that meeting, and he had been right. He felt a pang of intense pain in his chest, because his mother might have saved herself. But who would have paid attention to that strange, ill-humored erudite whose ideas barely made any sense? How could Hotz have predicted that his mother and the rest of the Council would fail? How did he know they were going to die? What was the great discovery he was seeking, and what did he intend to do? The vision had left him hurting, and with more questions than answers.
He took a moment to collect his ideas and recover from the pain. Probably the Erudite had died by now and had never made his great discovery, but there was no sense worrying about that now. He decided to leave the matter for the moment and go on with his duties. He called Ona and Camu, and they set off again in the direction of the capital. His spirits had fallen after the vision, and he did not get over it until the impressive city of Norghania came into sight.
They reached the outskirts of the capital with the noonday sun shining brilliantly. The great stone metropolis looked promising. A lot of work had been done in those areas which had been damaged by the war, and once again, it looked like a stoic, invulnerable city, where the brave and strong men of the north, the sons of the snows, had their glorious capital. He could make out the towers of the royal castle in the north of the city. One of these was occupied by the Rangers, and this was his destination. He could also see the smoke of the smithies and the other workshops, which were now busy again. Ox-drawn carts carrying minerals were entering the city through the eastern gate, and through the southern gate, a caravan of traders with mule-carts was setting off on its way to other cities. The mines were once again back in regular production. It was good news for Norghana, and the sight gave Lasgol hope.
Great city. Fun, Camu transmitted.
And dangerous. Remember, I was almost killed the last time I was here. We’ve got to tread very carefully, and keep all our senses alert. Unfortunately, we’re not as good in a city as we are in the open.
True.
Ona gave a long moan. She knew Lasgol would not be taking her with him.
I’m sorry, Ona. You attract too much interest in there. The people of the capital aren’t used to seeing wild animals. And least of all a snow panther.
You and I know that, but the people don’t. They get scared, and someone might even try to kill her. I don’t want anything to happen to her.
Ona moaned again, long and sorrowfully.
I’m sorry, Ona. I won’t be long. I’m only going to receive my mission. Then I’ll come back for you, I promise.
The panther lay down on the ground and put her chin on her right paw. Her eyes were sad. Camu lay down beside her and put one foot on her back. Lasgol’s heart was torn in two, but he could not take her with him. There was too much risk of an accident.
I with Ona.
Lasgol looked at Camu in surprise. You’re staying with Ona?
Yes. I company.
Ona looked at him wide-eyed, and her expression turned to one of delight.
You’re going to give up having fun in the city, to keep Ona company? Lasgol found it hard to believe the little creature could have had that idea.
Yes. I with Ona.
Lasgol was so taken aback that it took him a moment to react, but when he did so, he was very happy. Camu was growing up and showing his great heart, which at times was obscured by his mischievous nature and his stubbornness.
This does you credit. Look after your sister well.
I look after well.
Lasgol smiled from ear to ear and shook his head. Now it was he who did not want to go to the city. He wanted to stay with them, to share their camaraderie and fraternal love. Unfortunately, duty called, and no matter how much he might wish to stay with his two friends, there was no way he could.
I’ll be back soon. Don’t stray from this forest, and don’t get into any trouble until I’m back. Understood?
Understood, Camu transmitted virtuously.
Ona chirped in agreement. She did not need to put on a virtuous expression, because she already had it.
Come on then, Trotter, you and I are off to visit the great city.
Chapter 10
The pony snorted, bobbing his head up and down, and set off along the road to the southern entrance. As they neared it, Lasgol looked up at the imposing walls of Norghanian rock and saw the tips of the towers of the Royal castle. It seemed incredible to him that so much work had been done to rebuild the damaged parts of the city in such a short time. There were still parts of the wall, particularly the battlements, where workers were finishing repairs, but these were only minor. He wondered how long it would take them to rebuild a city like Estocos, the capital of the Western Realm, which had been badly damaged in the great battle there. Probably considerably longer than the capital, since it was not in King Thoran’s interests for Estocos and the West to make a quick recovery, which meant that he would not put in any effort – and especially any gold – into it. So Egil had told Lasgol. That was what politics was like. It took no account of the needs of the people, only those of the nobles and rulers.
At the gates in the outer walls, vigilance and control had relaxed considerably compared with the last time he had been there. He had been stopped because he had been carrying two bows at his back, although after identifying himself as a Ranger he had been allowed in without any more ado. He was glad to find that the atmosphere of war had largely faded, which was a good sign, one that augured peace and prosperity. That was what the kingdom needed now: to be able to forget about the war, to look forward with optimism and be able to focus on rebuilding and prospering. It would take time, but he was sure they would manage it.
The streets of the city were full of people. Among them he saw very few soldiers and many traders, which was very hopeful. The inhabitants went this way and that, doing their shopping, working, carrying out tasks and running errands. Lasgol was delighted to see all those people going about their business. It was like a huge beehive in which the bees labored endlessly to make it succeed. At the end of the main street, he could see the royal castle. Now things would be different there, since the Court with all its nobles – and especially King Thoran and his brother Orten – were there. Lasgol hoped he was wrong, but his gut feeling told him that both rulers were far from ideal for Norghana. Unfortunately, this was how things had turned out, and they had to be accepted. Thoran was king, and all Norghana was under his control.
He sighed, hoping that he was wrong, and that a period of peace and prosperity was beginning under Thoran’s rule.
At the entrance of the castle, he had to identify himself as a Ranger again to the King’s guard in order to gain admittance. The officer at the door directed him to the stables and the Rangers’ Tower, and though he already knew the way, he expressed his thanks for the help and went on.
He left Trotter in the royal stables, where he would be well looked after. He knew the pony loved the excellent treatment he was given there.
Enjoy yourself and rest, he transmitted.
Trotter neighed and allowed a stable-lad to lead him away.
Lasgol slung his travel-bag over his shoulder and set off to the Rangers’ tower. He had expected to find the barracks inside the castle more or less deserted now that the war had ended, but he could not have been more mistaken. There were soldiers everywhere, practicing with spears and war-axes. He stopped in surprise and watched them. There were more than a thousand of them. Could they be at war with Zangria, and the news had not yet reached him? Maybe Thoran had become more paranoid than he was already and had decided to give the castle more protection, which was possible.
As he neared the tower he saw several Rangers talking among themselves. Probably they knew what was going on, so he decided to ask them. The Royal Rangers were not particularly forthcoming, but at least he hoped that they would be polite enough to a Ranger Specialist like himself. He took out the two medallions he wore around his neck so that they would be visible, and had almost reached them when he realized that one of them was not a Royal Ranger.
“Nilsa!” he cried in delight.
The redhead stopped talking to the group she was with and turned. When she recognized Lasgol, her expression changed to one of amazement.
“Lasgol! I can’t believe it!” In three quick steps she hurled herself at him and gave him a hug that almost knocked him over.
“I’m very glad to see you too!” Lasgol said, laughing and at the same time trying to keep his balance.
“What a surprise!” she cried, and began to bounce up and down as she held his shoulders.
Lasgol was smiling happily. “You’ve no idea how happy I am to see you too.”
“Are Ona and Camu with you?” she asked. She was looking behind him in case Camu was nearby.
He nodded. She covered her mouth and whispered in his ear. “Is Camu here?”
“No, don’t worry. I left him with Ona in the oak wood outside the city. I can’t bring Ona into the city, and she didn’t want to be alone, so Camu offered to stay with her.”
“Poor thing. She’s so beautiful, and that was so good of Camu. He’s mischievous, but he has a kind heart.
He smiled. “They’re both very good, actually, although Camu drives me crazy at times.”
“Like me, then,” she said, and laughed.
Lasgol laughed too. “Not at all. You have a special charm.”
“Yeah, a clumsy one,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been called to be given a mission.”
“Here? To the capital? Or are you on your way to somewhere else?”
“Here.” He glanced up at the tower.
“Then it must be something important,” Nilsa said, and wagged her finger at him to emphasize the fact.
“Really? What d’you know?”
Nilsa looked around, then moved away from the soldiers of the guard so that they would not be overheard.
“I don’t know anything for sure, but I’m picking up a lot of rumors, seeing I’m Gondabar’s liaison and messenger, you know that … By the way, just so you know, our Leader wasn’t annoyed with me when he sent me to the front and dispensed with my services, he did it so that I could serve Gat
ik. Although the First Ranger didn’t pay any attention to me and didn’t use me as his personal messenger, which is what Gondabar had meant him to. The Leader himself told me about it when I came back after the war and took up my service again. In fact, he was quite surprised that Gatik hadn’t used me. He says I’m an excellent messenger and liaison.”
“I don’t doubt it in the least.”
“Well, just so that it’s clear, because I was worried about how it might be misinterpreted. I always try to do everything as well as I can, and it’s true that sometimes I have minor accidents because I get nervous and all that, but in general I do everything pretty well.” She was talking so fast that she was tumbling over her own words.
“I know. You’re very good, and I’m glad you’re back in Gondabar’s service. It’s an important post. You were saying about the rumors …”
“Ah yes.” Nilsa brought her mouth close to his ear again. “Luckily my job also lets me find out the rumors going around in the palace and the capital. Apparently there’s trouble in the north. Serious trouble.”
“With the Wild Ones of the Ice?”
“That’s right, but it seems to be more than that, because King Thoran has been in meetings several times with Mage Eicewald. There was shouting involved, according to some of the Royal Rangers, and that’s not a good sign. When Thoran gets carried away by his temper it’s because something serious is afoot, or at least that’s what they say at court. I didn’t want to give you bad news the moment you got here, but I think it’s better for you to know, in case it’s got something to do with you.”
“You were right to tell me. I hope it’s got nothing to do with me, but it’s true, I’d rather know and be prepared than be caught by surprise and not know how to react.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
“How are things in the capital? How are you?”
“Everything’s fine. A lot of work, though. I don’t have any chance to stop. You ought to see how many messages I have to carry and the number of Rangers I have to see who’re passing through between missions. It’s non-stop.”