First Comes The One Who Wanders (31 page)

"Duke Cheran," Leilas mused aloud. "A warrior, but not the one I'm seeking."

Joshuas breathed a sigh of relief at her statement. Master Manchu nodded his agreement. "We never believed the Chodra was Adrian Cheran. He's a good man, but the prophecies point in a different direction." Cedric gave Joshuas a sideways glance and continued. "When we heard of your vision, we thought perhaps you took him as your lover and that was why you used the term Chodra. The word also means betrothed, your chosen one."

Leilas looked up at him in surprise. She did know the other meanings of the word. It hadn’t occurred to her she might have been using it that way in her vision. Perhaps because since she’d met Joshuas, she’d been thinking of him as her beloved. Would she abandon that belief and turn to someone else for love? It didn’t seem possible, but many things hadn’t seemed possible just a few weeks ago.

A month ago, she’d believed she would never be a warrior. Now, fighting was almost second nature to her. Last month, she was going to be a Sky master. This month she was Chidra and would never take the oath of a Sky master. She hadn’t met Solein, or even heard of him. Now, he was her true teacher and Neothera her true home. She'd lived hundreds of years with him in his universe. A month ago, she'd been a child on the brink of adulthood. Now, she was a seasoned veteran. "I suppose that's a possibility," agreed Leilas. "Or perhaps I misread what I saw in the vision."

"The other possibility is that the vision was bent by Master Frey’s will," remarked Master Ren Narwhal. He may have already been twisting his truth to match what he wanted it to be." There were murmurs of agreement from the other masters. Leilas had to agree that could be a possibility as well. "Have you had any other visions that include Duke Cheran?" asked Ren.

"No, nothing that had to do with the Duke," replied Leilas.

"But you have had visions?" asked Cedric.

"Yes, several," Leilas didn’t elaborate further on her disturbing visions. She wasn’t comfortable with the idea of sharing them with the Sky masters.

"If you'd like our help interpreting them, Master Hallan could help. He can also help you with the book that you found. He's our most experienced crafter in rune interpretation?"

A thin master with a sallow face nodded in acquiescence. "If you wish, I'll find you tomorrow and we can study the book together," he addressed Leilas in a high, harsh voice.

"I'd appreciate your help with the book. I think that it's important to find out what it says."

"As do we," agreed Cedric. "Now, where were we?" Cedric closed his eyes and tried to regain his train of thought.

"Gathering forces for war and prophecies," offered Erion in his musical voice.

"Yes, yes that’s it," agreed Cedric. "There are some other factions we need to take into account in this war. The last war involved only crafters. This war will include all the people and creatures of Preterlandis, including the United Guild of Scribes."

"Terlan and Mandrak," growled Joshuas.

"Yes, they're very intent on gaining power in this war. The scribes have never been happy with the treaty Greyan and Darrus made. Leaving the rule of Preterlandis to humans always struck them as foolish."

"There are others, besides the scribes, who agreed with that assessment," remarked Joshuas under his breath.

"So there were, Joshuas. But we all agreed to abide by the treaty after it was made, yourself as well."

"So we did," agreed Joshuas, wearily. "And many of us knew as soon as the treaty was signed that this day would come."

"Teran has amassed quite a force within the guilds of scribes. It's whispered that he has an evil crafter under his control, one who is very strong. Rumor has it, it's Jayram."

Leilas’ head jerked up at the mention of the dark crafter’s name. She'd felt his strength. He'd be a formidable enemy. "These prophecies," began Leilas. "What are they about and how does it affect me?"

"Ah, I wondered if you'd ask," replied Cedric. "The prophecy is about the balance. Master Greyan wrote it after the treaty was signed."

"First the one who wanders the earth, the depths and the heights, who holds the balance between light and dark.

Second will come one who seeks the words of power to undo what has been done.

Then will come a warrior, to reunite a people and a land.

Still, the way forward is not clear.

For all must choose the way in which they will walk, light or dark –

And no one can know how they will choose."

Pausing for a breath, Cedric Manchu continued.

"Chidra the chosen and the one to choose. Balance is within her being. Hers is the gift of giving.

Chodra, the one chosen. Balance is within his being. He will reunite a land and a people.

The seeker shall find and be found. And peace will reign."

Cedric stopped quoting the prophecy. "Many masters have studied these words and many have interpreted their meaning."

"Yes, I've seen some of the interpretations," remarked Leilas, "though I hadn’t heard the entire prophecy. Some say that when the Chidra appears, the beginning of the battle between the Creator and Rengailai will be at hand. The Chidra is supposed to choose the warrior who will fight Rengailai. There's only one problem with that interpretation."

"And what is that?" asked Master Hallan with interest. "That has been the interpretation for a thousand years."

"I've heard a story about the creation of the Chasm of Ceryk. Have you heard this tale?" The masters shook their heads. Leilas was surprised that she alone knew about Rengailai, but continued. "In this story, it says the battle will be between the Creator Jovan and the Dark Lord Dredrac. The battle will be led by Rengailai on the dark side and by the light crafters who were with Jovan in the beginning on the light side. In other words, Anhj, Sylph, Crog and Solein. The battle won't be led by a warrior the Chidra chooses."

"I see. This does give one something to think about," said Master Hallan. "Where did you hear this story?"

"You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. If you can trust me, it was from a very reliable person. Someone I trust with my life and have on several occasions."

Joshuas looked askance at her but refrained from saying anything. "Ah, more to consider," replied master Hallan. "Perhaps we can find this tale written somewhere in the archives."

"Maybe so," agreed Leilas. "What I’m saying is, this prophecy must be about something besides the fight between Rengailai and the Creator."

"What do you think it's about?" asked Joshuas.

"I don’t know," admitted Leilas. "There will be a warrior. Perhaps it's as simple as the prophecy suggests. He is supposed to reunite Preterlandis."

"Preterlandis hasn't been united for hundreds of years. It would take winning the Amulet of Ley to reunite the countries of Preterlandis again," said Cedric, shaking his head. "I find it difficult to believe this is what the prophecy means."

Leilas could hear other masters gently disagreeing with him in her mind, but they agreed to discuss it at a later time. She'd never heard of the Amulet of Ley, nor did she understand its significance. She also doubted that the masters would share that information with her. She could feel their reluctance to share too much with her. For a reason she didn’t understand, they weren’t willing to take her fully into their confidence.

"And the seeker?" Joshuas drew her attention back to the conversation in the council chamber. "The seeker becomes a mystery." Joshuas sighed. "It all becomes a mystery again and all those years of study were just a waste of time."

"Perhaps we should all think on what we've heard here tonight," suggested Cedric. "We'll meet tomorrow night to discuss these matters again. In the meantime, Master Hallan will help Leilas with her book and perhaps her visions." Leilas could feel him probing her mind, trying to find a way into her memories of her visions. She strengthened her defenses, blocking his attempts. She wondered why he was so interested in her visions.

Joshuas bowed, anxious to leave. Erion bowed as well and they stepped out of the circle and left the room, leaving Leilas standing in the circle alone. She watched Joshuas leave, disappointment coloring her face. She'd wanted to spend some time with him this evening.

"Joshuas has spent many years studying this matter, my child," said Ren Narwhal. "In one moment, you've destroyed decades of work, if what you're saying is true. Give him some time."

"I'll do my best," replied Leilas. "But patience was not a gift I was given at birth."

Ren laughed. "But it's something you are beginning to acquire. Rest well, Chidra. Tomorrow will be a busy day." Leilas bowed again and left the council circle as well. She could feel the hum as the masters spoke to each other’s minds. She knew she could listen in if she chose without their knowing. Instead, she started down the staircase.

~~~

She awoke to the sounds of dishes banging on the wood table and amiable banter. Running a comb through her hair, she braided it in a single plait down her back and went in search of food. She hadn't seen Joshuas or Erion after the council meeting. Taking Ren Narwhal’s advice, she hadn't sought them out after she left the council, trying to give Joshuas some time alone. It hadn’t occurred to her that her interpretation of the prophecy would shake the beliefs of so many. "Did she ever think?" she chastised herself. She’d spent most of her life barging in and thinking about the consequences after the fact.

Her companions weren't in the main hall, but Master Hallan welcomed her to the table and motioned for her to sit next to him. I was hoping we could start on the translation of the book, right away. We've been searching for this book for a very long time. It seems appropriate somehow that the Chidra would find it and bring it to us."

"What do you believe is in this book?" asked Leilas, piling eggs and potatoes mixed with onions on her plate. A student from the school walked around the table pouring beer into the mugs set on the table.

"We're fairly certain what you've found is the Book of Sylph," replied Master Hallan, the excitement rising in his voice. "We believe it tells the secret to winning the battle against Rengailai."

Leilas could understand why the masters would be anxious to see such a book, if it did indeed hold the secret to their success. Somehow though, she didn’t believe it would be that easy. Tucking into her breakfast, she ate quickly so they could get started. Swallowing down the last of the thick, dark beer, she glanced around once more for Erion and Joshuas. Not seeing them anywhere, she shrugged her shoulders and stood. "My book and I are yours for the day, Master Hallan."

"Excellent. The library is through this door." Master Hallan headed for the door Cedric had entered through the day before. The door led to a brightly lighted hallway from which passages branched off at regular intervals. Pictures of special places in Preterlandis hung on the wall, but Leilas didn’t have time to study them. Master Hallan hurried down the passage, chatting amiably as he went. Leilas couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, since he was well ahead of her and talking to the walls. She thought it had something to do with the history of this stronghold.

Taking the sixth passage that branched to the right, they walked down a short hallway and stopped at a massive wooden door. Master Hallan took his insignia, placed it in a well-concealed cutout and spoke his name. The door swung silently open and Leilas stepped into a large cavern filled with wooden shelves, piled high with parchments, scrolls and books. The walls of this chamber gave off the same opaque light as the main hall. The only difference being it was a pale, yellow light. There were several tables and high stools on which to sit and study the precious documents stored there.

"I’m impressed, Master Hallan. I can see how a crafter could spend many lifetimes studying the magic contained in this place."

"Lionel please, Chidra. May I call you Leilas? All this formality can get cumbersome."

"Please, Lionel. I agree. Even though I’m a princess, I was never comfortable with all the pomp."

"Lionel blushed. "I’d actually let the fact that you were a princess slip my mind. Please forgive my clumsiness, your Highness."

"None of that, Lionel. At this school, I was always just Leilas."

Lionel bowed in her direction. "Then just Leilas it is."

"Good." Leilas removed the book from her tunic. "Let’s hope this is what you believe it to be. I was hoping," she continued hesitantly, "that you could continue my education on deciphering runes while we're at it."

"It would be a pleasure," replied Lionel. "But you probably knew that teaching the ancient art of runes was a passion of mine."

Leilas smiled and climbed up on a stool. "So, my best guess at the title is ‘The Secret Found.’"

"The Secret Told, I think would be a better translation," corrected Lionel. "The difference is this little squiggle here," he pointed to a crooked line etched in gold ink on the cover of the book.

Leilas opened the book to the first page and began translating. Lionel correcting her where he felt she was in error.

The Creator knew from the beginning that Rengailai would turn from him and cross over to serve the Dark Lord Dredrac.

Yet, patiently he waited and gave his crafter every opportunity to serve him.