From the writings of the Effature
I stepped out of the portal behind Mom, Avi, and the beetle, into a hall in the Effature’s palace. Wailimani and the Grumv came after, followed by the majus. Despite my still shaking hands—shocked at the change in our fortunes in only a few minutes—the multi-colored wall hangings and expensive looking sculptures scattered around caught my eye. I recognized a vase from the time of the Fourth Rebellion on Etan. That was a priceless piece!
Majus E’Flyr stepped forward and opened a little gate separating the end of the hallway from the group of people waiting for us. She hid her other hand behind her back, and I saw it was bloody, but not bleeding. She kept it held tight to her side.
The area was big enough for me to have the beetle trundle to a wall, and fold up her legs. She drew a lot of looks from the people waiting for us.
The Grumv were captivated, their heads tilting back and forth, taking in everything. There were twelve of them all together—eight of Plagi’s people, the mayor, the announcer, the holy one, and Avi. My friend wrapped their wings close around them.
I went to them, and placed a hand on their shoulder. “Don’t worry,” I said. “We’ll figure this out.” But I wasn’t so sure. My hands were cold with sweat. Could the Effature simply tear up the contract? A bunch of Grumv supported Wailimani—there were more in this hall who did, than did not.
Avi clacked their beak.
“Welcome,” said that same deep, warm voice I had heard through the sphere. The Effature was here, along with a bunch of other people. He was dressed in a green and purple robe that looked like it was made of tiny scales. On his head was the piece of curved Nether crystal.
I’ve seen the crystal lights and the sphere. I wonder what that can do. Can the Effature help us? He’s responsible for the Nether, isn’t he? I was very aware of the Kirian behind us, and his gun. This was supposed to be a first meeting between species. No one would suspect Wailimani had already taken control.
I watched the Effature’s guards, placed at points around the hall. Would they come running if I screamed? But the Effature was already speaking. I have to do something about Wailimani. Think, Natina!
“The species of the Great Assembly welcome the Grumv Vugm Mugv to the floor of the Nether,” The Effature continued. “We hope you will enjoy your stay.”
I watched the others behind the Effature as he continued to speak, looking for any avenue of help. They were of several species, with a Festuour in front, big and furry, holding a sheaf of documents and wearing a tricorn hat. He looked down at his papers through glasses perched at the end of his snout, as if trying to find the form for a new species arriving in the Effature’s halls. I wanted to yell at him that he was too late.
To the side, a Methiemum woman stood next to another Kirian. He was older than Wailimani, but I still glared at him. Beside them were two more Methiemum. One was a young man with a mop of dark hair, wearing a green vest. He folded his hands together anxiously. A short woman with long dark hair rested a hand on his shoulder.
Is that nervous man the one who was speaking to the Effature in the sphere? Who would be important enough to have a private meeting with the Nether’s caretaker?
I shook my head. I doubted they could help. The Effature spoke more words of welcome to the Grumv, and on his other side, four members of the Council of the Maji stood. I recognized the Etanela who led them.
We can climb the walls of the Nether, and lead the maji. What can’t the Etanela do?
I could feel Wailimani growing restless behind us as the speech went on, like someone staring at the back of my neck. We all stood stiffly, even the majus.
Gradually the Effature’s words slowed, as he looked from person to person. He opened his mouth and I heard the flip and snap of wings opening and closing. Wailimani pushed to the front, his hands hidden in his sleeves.
“The Grumv are to be accepting of your welcome, but not the Assembly’s. They wish a different approach than the other species.” His voice was like claws down my spine. Wailimani bowed quickly and produced the contract from a voluminous sleeve—the one that still hid his hand with the gun. He handed it to the Effature, who frowned at the paper.
“Not joining the Assembly? Protectorate of the Kirians? All of the contact with the Grumv Vugm Mugv is to go through you, Surigran Wailimani?” The Effature’s warm voice was skeptical. He handed the paper to the Festuour, who took it with one furry paw and pulled his glasses down with the other, reading it over.
“That is to be correct.” Wailimani’s crest rose and expanded. “All transactions will be going from me to my friends.” He gestured to the group of eight behind him with his free hand. “There may be a change in the Grumv’s political structure, soon.”
“This seems an unusual arrangement.” The Effature looked to the other Grumv. “You say you signed this, Mayor Kita, Announcer Gami?”
The city announcer flapped his wings once, then folded them around him. “That is correct.” His head tilted from one side to the other, obviously unhappy.
I scanned the people here. Everyone knew something was going on. If no one will do anything, then I will.
“He’s got a gun,” I blurted, and several of the people behind the Effature gasped and stepped back. “Wailimani threatened the majus to make the Grumv sign the contract! He hurt Majus E’Flyr!”
“Hush, girl,” Wailimani hissed, and lifted his hidden hand that held the gun.
The guards were already closing in even before the Effature signaled them, but Plagi and his associates moved in front of the Kirian, keeping the guards from him.
“You do not want to create an incident between our people, just as you meet us, do you?” Plagi said. “He showed us the weapon, but we had the idea. We take responsibility for injuring the holy one. Wailimani is blameless.” The Effature made a small motion and the guard stopped moving, though they stayed close to our group.
Mom was there in an instant, looming over the smaller Kirian. “You may have gotten monetary gain from this, Surigran, but I dearly hope you are not planning to threaten my daughter.”
Wailimani took a step back, looking up at Mom. “It is to be signed,” he whined in his high voice. “The contract is to be official and unbreakable.”
“It was signed under duress,” Mom said. “It’s not even valid to begin with.”
“I disagree,” Plagi said, opening his wings. “And so do those who wish not to join the Assembly.”
“Nothing is unbreakable,” the Effature said. He seemed calm, but I noticed a muscle in his jaw clench. “May I have that back, Burris?” he asked the Festuour. After he got it, the Effature held the contract between both hands as if he would rip it apart. “It seems this contract is not as binding as we thought. Are you well, Majus?”
Majus E’Flyr nodded her head. She had been silent and subdued since Wailimani brought her to the platform. She showed her bloody hand. There was a nasty gash in one side, but she wiggled all her fingers. “A flesh wound. The Symphony will keep me from feeling the pain.” She glanced at the Kirian, her head-tentacles twitching. “The Grumv speaks the truth. They urged Wailimani to violence, but it was merely…an effective demonstration. He could have done worse.”
The Effature shook his head and brought the contract higher, beginning to rip the paper. Before he could do so, Plagi pushed forward. “The mayor will not be the power in the city for long,” he said. The Effature paused. “If you destroy that agreement, none of the Grumv will trade with your Great Assembly.”
“Step back, Plagi,” the mayor said, opening her wings threateningly. “We’ll speak of this privately.”
“No!” Plagi came forward farther. He was bigger and brighter than the mayor, flashing the orange and purple tattoos on his wings. “Other merchants believe the same as we do. We’ve been speaking with many who want no part of these ten species.” He pointed a finger toward the Effature.
I stared at Wailimani. Ther
e has to be a way out of this. The Kirian’s crest rose and spread in triumph, and he gave me a pointy-toothed grin.
The Effature sighed, a deep sound. “Then you agree to the conditions of this contract?” he asked the mayor.
Slowly, Mayor Kita nodded her head. The city announcer did too. The holy one, who had been silent, looked away, his wings crossed in front of him. “There is more division in my people than I thought,” the mayor said. “Perhaps later we will be able to renegotiate this agreement.”
I have to do something! This was the worst way possible for the Grumv to come to the Great Assembly. They couldn’t be represented by that sea slug Wailimani!
Avi poked me in the back and I leaned down to them. “With these new portals, we can travel to all the different cities of the Grumv Vugm Mugv in minutes, can’t we?” they asked. “It is a new way of thinking. It used to take many months to get word from the other cities, and I’m not certain the mayor has realized yet.”
I stared at them a minute, until my brain caught up with what my friend was saying. I straightened, and my eyes widened.
“You’re going to be a good announcer,” I told them.
The Effature was speaking again. “—for now, I have no other option but to honor this contract, despite the situation—”
“The Grumv Vugm Mugv have lots of cities!” I shouted. Sea Mother, I interrupted the Effature. My heart beat wildly in my chest. “You’ll be able to reach all of them by portal, not just the one these people live in!”
The Effature looked directly at me for the first time. I blinked under the weight of his gaze. It was like the Nether wall staring at me.
No wonder people listen to him.
The Nether’s caretaker turned back to the mayor and the announcer. “You speak for your people, yes?”
“We do,” the mayor answered. Plagi clacked his beak in agreement, too.
“You speak for all of your people, even in other cities?” the Effature clarified.
Now the Grumv paused. After a moment, the city announcer spoke in his deep, booming voice.
“To speak for all of our people, we must hold a moot with the other mayors and city announcers. Such a thing has not been done since before I was hatched.”
“I see.” The Effature carefully folded the contract in thirds, and gave it to the Festuour official. “Matthiawi Burris, Reader is my legal minister. Burris, please make sure this is marked, signed, and sealed, this day,” he said. “This city of the Grumv Vugm Mugv, at this time, will not join the Great Assembly. All their trade will go through Surigran Wailimani.”
“I’ll have it done quicker than a hopper jumping on a griddle,” Burris said, his mouth open and tongue lolling in a Festuour grin.
“Wait. I am thinking that—” Wailimani reached out a hand, as if he could take the contract back.
“What does this mean, Wailimani?” Plagi asked.
“It means Surigran here has negotiated for all trade with only your city to go through you and him,” Mom told the Grumv. “Only your city has decided not to join the Great Assembly. However, it will be an easy matter for us to open a portal to any of your other cities.”
“I think it may be time for another moot of the mayors and announcers,” Mayor Kita mused.
“Yes,” Announcer Gami said, “I will discuss with Announcer Oala how our trade may pass through their city to reach the Nether floor. We will have to settle for a lesser percentage of the profit, but then, Plagi and his crew have been increasing prices.”
“I’m sure it will be a small difference in cost,” the mayor said. “But it may bring some who do not want to join the Assembly to our side. We will have much to discuss with the other cities.”
The Grumv who had followed Wailimani began to talk quickly, in low voices, and Plagi went back to join them.
“Wait. Come back,” Wailimani told the Grumv. “We can be discussing our contract again. I have many friends in the Imperium. I can be—”
I tuned out the Kirian and smiled down at Avi. “Mayor Kita,” I said. “Could we continue with our introductions? We should let the Effature talk to the new announcer between your city and the floor of the Nether. They will be very important when you discuss whether you want to join the Great Assembly of species.”
The mayor tilted her head at me, and I brought Avi forward, a hand on their shoulder.
* * *
In the days that followed, there were a lot of meetings with important people, and food, and more talking, and more eating. Wailimani got involved in a lot of legal issues, especially with whether it was the Grumv’s fault or his fault he shot the majus. I didn’t care either way. I’d never forgive him for what he did to Partino, but with his time and precious money tied up fighting to stay out of jail, I didn’t have to hear his squeaky voice.
Majus E’Flyr disappeared with the holy one, off to introduce him to the rest of the maji. I’m sure the old Grumv would learn a lot of new tricks with the Symphony.
The Grumv did not immediately join the Great Assembly, even after contacting some of the other cities. Mayor Kita said their people would talk about it for a long time, but she thought they would come around eventually.
I cornered Mom after five days of this. “I’m ready to go home,” I said.
Mom nodded. “I am too, Natina.”
* * *
It was seven days after we arrived in the Effature’s palace when Mom and I finally got back to our house on Etan. Avi came with us.
Avi had a good head for talking with new people, and figuring out what they really wanted. It was no mistake my friend figured a way around Wailimani’s and Plagi’s attempted coup. However, she got a little irritated with the ones who called her a child, especially since she had started her molt during the meetings. I knew how she felt. It was time for a break—for all of us.
The three of us walked down the pebble beach where my house stood. I wished the beetle could have carried our luggage, but the majus had taken her to the maji, after a strict promise to Mom that the discovery and salvage rights were still linked to our family.
There was another hole in our little group, one that should have been filled by Partino’s strong arms and easy laugh.
I miss being called ‘little one.’
Mom and I told stories about his pranks to Avi, as we walked to the house. We’d have a service for him later, on the beach.
When we got close, I could see the silhouettes of Alondri and Kayla in the doorway of the big, angular house, which stood just back from high tide. They had painted the top deck while we were gone, a cool peach color that was the same as the sunset over the ocean.
“You brought us to your family, Avi,” I told my friend. She was goggling at the ocean, like I had at the waterfall “Finally, we get to introduce you to ours.”
Avi placed her hand in mine as my little brothers came running across the beach to meet us.
Mom smiled down at the two of us. “A long rest with our family will be welcome,” she said, “but after that, I need some help with planning the next expedition.”
Both Avi and I stood straighter. “Oh yeah?” I said. “Where are we going?” It was no longer a question of if I would accompany her.
“Have you heard of the Crystalline Sea?” Mom asked.
I shook my head.
“It’s where the floor of the Nether dips down far lower than anywhere else,” Mom said, making a giant bowl with her hands. “All the water in the Nether gathers there, but it never overflows. No one’s ever gotten to the bottom.”
“Yet,” I said with a smile.
THERE WILL BE MORE TALES FROM THE DISSOLUTIONVERSE!
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APPENDIX I
Appendix: The Houses of the Maji
-For uncounted cycles, the six houses of the maji have worked together to uphold the Great Assembly of Species. They control the only means of transportation in and out of the Nether and between the homeworlds, and thus have a great responsibility to the non-maji members, who far outnumber them. As such, every majus has a say in the Assembly, a concept some non-maji are not comfortable with.
Houses of the Maji, often attributed to Ribothari Tan, Knower, later of the Council of the Maji
-Each house of the maji can hear and change one section of the Grand Symphony and thus affect reality, by the individual applying the notes that make up their own song. This application can be seen by other maji in a visual representation of color, often accompanied by a secondary color, personal to the individual majus. It is said each house’s Symphony is based on a certain frequency or note.
From “Memoirs of Yaten E’Mez,” Highest of the House of Communication and Speaker for the Council, 379 A.A.W.
House of Strength
The color of the House of Strength is bright emerald green, and the areas of the Symphony it affects often have to do with constitution, defense, strength, and growth, as well as soil and rock. A large portion of these maji have jobs as herbalists, veterinarians, or naturalists, though as with any house, the possibilities are nearly endless. Their Symphony diverges from the sound of a baritone resonant string.
Tales of the Dissolutionverse Box Set Page 60