Seers of Verde: The Legend Fulfilled: Book One (21 page)

19

Much to the amazement of the Seers and Capt. Wojaht Gafla, a large tent had been pitched. Inside, two rows of parallel wooden tables ran the length of the tent, only separated by a few meters.

It was not the accommodations, but who was waiting that stunned the Tarylan party. Instead of a ragtag collection of simple villagers and the suspicious intruders, lining the table was an assemblage of the most respected citizens of Verdan society.

The Tarylans were greeted by five members of the Assembly, as well as Osmar Nezdan, Rajeev Nezdan, what looked to be several village elders, Nuvens Raaf Vonn and Juban Caleria, Enforcer Commander Kaj Striff, trooper Hubart Avery, and the most unnerving — three truth-sayers.

Even the usually unflappable Seer Zasha looked shocked. High Seer Yseni fought to keep herself from gasping like a frightened youngling. The seated party rose in unison and bowed as the Seers and Wojaht entered the tent. This gesture calmed Yseni for the moment as she and her entourage took their seats at the opposite table.

The High Seer took her time as she and the others were waited on with goblets of cool water. Her thoughts raced wildly. Such a confrontation was unheard of in Verdan society. She studied her fellow Verdans who sat across from her. Much to her dismay, they showed no fear.

“What is the meaning of your presence here? You are interfering with Tarylan business by my orders,” Yseni snapped, hoping to unnerve a few of the others. “If you withdraw now and turn over the intruders to Capt. Gafla, I may be persuaded not to seek retribution.”

Judge Soretti rose from her chair. “With all due respect, High Seer, we ask that you halt your actions against the Nuvens. After hearing testimony from these visitors, which has been verified by truth-sayers, the Assembly unanimously agrees our visitors are the children of the lost ones. It is our duty to welcome and protect them.”

Not waiting for Yseni to answer, Wojaht roared in protest. “These barbarians have attacked and killed fifteen Tarylans. The High Seer has justly ruled what their fate should be.”

Commander Striff stood and faced his Tarylan counterpart. “It appears Capt. Harn and his men attacked first, leaving the Nuvens with no choice but to defend themselves. What transpired was a tragic misunderstanding.”

Wojaht pounded his fist on the table. “How dare you accuse a decorated Tarylan officer of such an action! You were not there. We have lost fifteen brave men. I am here to mete out justice.”

Kaj nodded. “I will grant you thirteen of those men should be justly mourned. However, two in Harn's party were convicted murderers and were about to be executed until the captain mysteriously stopped it.”

The Enforcer commander stopped as a wry smile crinkled his lips. “Actually, we should thank our Nuven friends for carrying out this unpleasant duty, which was approved by Verdan law. I am curious Captain, why did Harn need those two men?”

Wojaht's face was bright red with fury now, but he did not have an answer for Kaj. He had not been privy to his friend's orders.

“I do not know why Capt. Harn required their services,” Wojaht sputtered. “Perhaps he knew he was going on a dangerous mission and did not want to endanger more good men than necessary.”

Trying to gain a foothold in this debate which so far was going disastrously for him, the captain raised what he thought was his most irrefutable argument. “We can all guess what Harn's motives were, but the fact is we were not there and do not know what happened for certain.”

Much to the Tarylan's surprise, Kaj shook his head and smiled. “Ah, Captain, but we do have people here who were there and have given sworn testimony validated by a quorum of truth-sayers. Even our respected Seers are bound to honor such a judgment.”

At Yseni's signal, Wojaht slumped back to his seat, but he continued glaring at the Enforcer commander. Kaj stared back with equal distaste until the Tarylan officer finally looked away in frustration. Yseni was gathering her thoughts to speak when one of the truth-sayers stood.

“With all due respect, High Seer, we understand the survivor of the skirmish at the grove is recuperating at Fortress Bryann. Perhaps a truth-sayer could talk to him and determine if there are discrepancies in the Nuvens' story.”

Yseni's throat tightened with fright at that proposal. Even the Seers with all their power and privilege were duty bound to abide by a determination of a truth-sayer judgment.
Damn that agreement our great grandmothers signed
, the High Seer thought.

All those harvests ago, the High Council of Seers agreed to comply by any decision reached by truth-sayers. In exchange, the truth-sayers promised never to reveal their distant cousins' secret — the gift of the sight.

Sensing her friend's predicament, Zasha arose. “We appreciate your kind offer, truth-sayer, but the young man has suffered such a serious wound that he continues to wander in and out of consciousness. Unfortunately, during his lucid moments, he has been unable to recall what happened at the grove.”

The truth-sayer studied Zasha for a moment. A slight inflection in the Seer's voice and ever-so-slight eye dilation interested her. “I see, Seer Zasha. I would be honored if you would allow me to verify your statement.”

A cold chill swept through the Seer, but Zasha forced herself to smile. “That will be unnecessary. My word has never been challenged. I believe I have not been called to judgment. I am only stating the situation as I know it.”

Showing no emotion, even though she noted even more dramatic dilation and voice distortion, the truth-sayer bowed. “As you wish, Seer Zasha.”

Yseni had had enough of her plans being thwarted. She stood with her usual dignified air. “As I recall, truth-sayers can only determine what their subjects believe to be true. Am I not correct?”

Zasha smiled. Many did not realize the High Seer was a clever debater. Judge Soretti and the truth-sayer nodded.

“Our Seers have not felt the presence of the lost ones for many years,” Yseni said, giving only a slight hint of the Seers’ abilities. “It is our opinion the colonists in the other valley were wiped out centuries ago by the Tanlians — the same ones who attacked the first Verdan landing party, which was rescued by the sainted one and our ancestor, Taryl Bryann.”

At the mention of the “sainted” one’s name, all the Seers kissed the palms of their right hands and covered their hearts.

Rajeev had been translating all that was said to Raaf and Juban. He raised his eyebrows in surprise at what Yseni had said, but repeated her statement word for word.

Raaf sprang up and pounded the table in anger. “She lies! This woman lies! My ancestors came from the same sky ship that brought you here, too,” he shouted in Nuven.

Rajeev coughed nervously, but translated what Raaf had said. The professor gently put a hand on the Nuven's shoulder to guide him back to his seat, but the young man refused.

Yseni smiled patiently as she gestured toward Raaf. “Our Seers believe the Tanlians were stranded in your valley many generations ago. They wiped out most of the lost ones, but spared a few of the women. After many generations, these Nuvens, as they call them themselves, took up the belief their ancestors came from the Earth sky ship. That is why we sent Capt. Harn and his squad to investigate, because we were wary of their intentions.”

Yseni clucked sympathetically as Juban and Rajeev fought to restrain Raaf from making another outburst.

“As you can see, these young men honestly believe they are descended from the lost ones, but most of their bloodlines come from those blood-thirsty marauders. And look what they did to poor Capt. Harn and his men. They probably misunderstood a harmless gesture and killed our Tarylans.”

Yseni paused and stole a quick glance at those across from her. Encouraged by the looks of doubt that shadowed some of their faces, she sat back down with a regal air.

After a long, uncomfortable pause, Judge Soretti addressed the group. “The High Seer's statement gives us much to contemplate. However, she said the Seers ‘believe’ these events had happened. Without facts or historical records, any case will be difficult to prove. I also am encouraged that the Seers believe the Nuvens to be descended from female ancestors of the lost ones. Therefore they are indeed children of the lost ones, despite the question of their male ancestors.”

Despite Yseni’s skill as a debater, Judge Soretti was regarded as possessing the finest mind in Verdan society. The other Verdans were smiling and nodding at what they considered to be legal, according to their law — relation through any lineage was acceptable.

Yseni could not believe what she had just heard. The High Seer had just delivered the performance of her life only to be undermined by a legal interpretation.

Sensing she was losing her argument, Yseni formulated a desperate plot. Rising, she gestured for her party to follow her lead. “Ah, Judge Soretti, I appreciate your wisdom. I ask our hosts' permission to allow us to reflect and discuss what we have heard. May I suggest a half hour?” Seeing no objections, Judge Soretti granted the recess.

Once outside the tent and well away from the others, Yseni called a still-fuming Wojaht to her side. “Captain, are you still loyal to your Tarylan oath?”

Wojaht bowed. “Of course, High Seer. I am your servant, as are the men who follow me.”

Yseni sighed with relief. “It is a joy to find a loyal Verdan. Now, Captain, what we do here will determine the destiny of Verde. My orders will sound unusually harsh, but difficult decisions must be made today.”

Wojaht bowed. “I will carry out your orders to the best of my ability.”

The High Seer smiled like a proud mother. “Good. Now listen to me well. I want your men to attack this tent and kill everyone in it but the Seers.”

The captain stared in disbelief, trying to comprehend what he had just heard. “But High Seer we all came under a parlay truce. By Verdan law, everyone is guaranteed to be protected.”

Yseni grabbed him by the collar and pulled him nose to nose with her. “We Seers are the Verdan law. The others will endanger our society by allowing those intruders safe passage. Do not fear any repercussions. We will blame the Nuvens. We will say they became enraged by our decision and attacked the others.”

Wojaht felt sick to his stomach, but said nothing as he listened to Yseni's plot.

“Make sure that bothersome Commander Striff is killed,” she said. “If we are lucky, his fellow Enforcers will feel compelled to avenge him. If not, kill his men during the confusion. Go now. I will make an excuse. Perhaps I will say you are telling your men to stand down and are preparing to return to Fortress Bryann.”

Wojaht nodded. “I will do as ordered, High Seer, but how can we ensure you and the other Seers will not be harmed during the attack?”

Yseni paused, then smiled. “Call out Agusto Harn's name loudly when you attack. That will be the signal for the others and myself to take shelter.”

For the first time in many hours, the captain smiled. “With pleasure, High Seer.”

20

Wojaht Gafla did not divulge the goal of the terrible mission to the Tarylan troopers or even to his four lieutenants. The captain did not want to give his men too much time to think about the ramifications of breaking Verdan law and turning them into murderers.

Sergeant Onji Haiko listened with great interest, but did not find fault with falling into ranks to form an honor guard for the Seers according to the captain's orders. Thinking a peaceful solution must have been reached, Onji saddled up with his fellow troopers and rode toward the tent. When the Tarylan strike force reached within a half kilometer of the parlay tent, Wojaht ordered his men to halt. He turned and faced his troopers with a determined look.

“Fellow Tarylans, what we do here today will be an act of great importance and necessity. The future of Verde Valley lies in our hands. I demand your full obedience.”

Onji scowled as he leaned forward on his mount. He sensed something was very wrong. These were not the orders for an honor guard. The captain rode up and down the ranks, looking each man in the eye. He paused briefly when he passed Onji. The sergeant sported a strange expression, but Wojaht was too caught up in the moment to bother with this underling.

Returning to front and center before his men, Wojaht delivered his orders. “Men, we have been searching for the killers of Capt. Agusto Harn and his men for weeks now. Well, we have found them and the traitors who protect them. On this day, the Seers are entrusting us to protect our fellow Verdans and avenge our murdered comrades. We need to act now or we may never get such a chance to kill our enemies gathered in one spot.”

Wojaht raised his hand. “Prepare your weapons. On my signal, we will attack the tent and kill everyone in it but the Seers. The High Seer and her party will seek protection under the tables.”

The captain had turned his horse and was preparing to lead his men toward the tent when he was startled by a voice calling from the ranks. “Captain, sir, I request to speak.”

Wojaht whirled around and shouted, “Who dares this outrage?”

Onji slowly guided his mount out of the ranks. “Sir, I request to know if Trooper Hubart Avery is in that tent.”

The captain was startled by the sergeant's audacity. “Yes, Avery and other Verdan traitors await us in the tent, including two of those murderous Nuvens,” Wojaht said, frowning. “We have been ordered to eliminate all the enemies of Verde. Now fall back in rank, Sergeant, or you will lose all your privileges.”

A somber Onji regarded his officer for a moment then unstrapped his javelin pouch from his back and let it fall to the ground. “Sir, I do not believe Trooper Avery or the other Verdans to be traitors. I cannot carry out your orders. Effective immediately I am resigning from the Tarylan Guard.”

The veteran of seventeen harvests of Tarylan duty knew his rights. By law, a guardsman could not be punished if he resigned. Onji turned his horse, rode off a short distance, and waited.

Before a shocked Wojaht could respond, the majority of his troops also dropped their javelin bundles and announced their resignations. They parted ranks and joined Onji. The captain was stunned beyond words. He spun around to see who was left in his strike force.

Only fifteen young and very nervous-looking troopers remained, including his four lieutenants. All the veterans had left to join Onji. Such a mass resignation during active duty had never occurred in recent memory. Wojaht felt helpless and abandoned.

Even in this desperate moment, the captain knew these troopers were within their rights to voluntarily leave when they wished. Resignations were rare among young and healthy Tarylans. Realizing he could no longer threaten these men, Wojaht frantically tried another tactic.

“Men, I understand your reluctance, but the Seers have assured me this unpleasant task must be done to secure the safety of our fellow Verdans. If you rejoin our ranks, I promise all of you will be rewarded with extra pay and privileges.”

Onji took a quick survey of his companions. No one flinched. “I'm sorry, Captain, but we have made our decision. We will not take part in this business.”

Without waiting for Wojhat's response, Onji and the others turned their horses away from the strike force and left for home.

Feeling furious and betrayed, the captain screamed after them, “Traitors! You are all traitors. I will see you are punished for your cowardice.”

Onji stopped and spun his mount around to face his former officer. “Captain, if you call me and my brothers cowards again, I will challenge you to a formal duel. As a Verdan citizen, that is my right. I don't think you are willing to fight me, Wojaht Gafla!”

The stunned captain smoldered, but said nothing else as he watched his former troopers make their exit.

¶ ¶ ¶

Before re-entering the tent, Yseni gathered the other Seers around her. “I have arranged with Capt. Gafla to take care of this troublesome situation.” Zasha, unaware of what had been planned, cast a suspicious glance at her friend.

“I cannot allow these murderous Nuvens and traitorous Verdans to flaunt our laws and threaten our society,” Yseni said in a hushed but threatening tone. “Be warned. Gafla is coming with his men to remedy this problem. Take protection under the tables when you hear Agusto Harn's name called out.”

Zasha shook her head at the High Seer's audacity, but dared not challenge Yseni in front of the other women. She gestured toward the tent. “What do we do say to them until our troopers arrive?”

Yseni smiled. “Why, I intend to give them everything they ask for in the spirit of reconciliation. Do not be surprised at what transpires in there. It will be meaningless very shortly.”

With a flourish, the High Seer whirled around and marched toward the tent, confident her plan would work. Zasha's stomach churned nervously as she and the other Seers followed their leader inside.

As before, the Verdans and Nuvens stood and bowed as the Seers took their seats. Yseni smiled benevolently and raised her hand, the formal gesture in Verdan society when one asks permission to speak. A surprised Judge Soretti glanced around the table, then granted the High Seer permission.

“I first must apologize for the absence of Captain Gafla,” she said. “I felt his presence was an obstacle to negotiating a peaceful settlement. He has returned to his men while they prepare to stand down.”

Seeing the expressions of surprise across the table, Yseni paused for dramatic effect. “The other Seers and I were very impressed with your eloquent arguments and moved by the passion of your beliefs. We now are convinced the Nuvens' intentions were misunderstood and acknowledge them as the children of the lost ones.”

Rajeev gasped, not quite believing what he had just heard. However, he continued translating to Raaf and Juban, whose smiles grew wider and wider as they understood what had just transpired.

“This is most gratifying news, High Seer,” Judge Soretti said smiling. “I cannot speak for the others, but I am greatly relieved and grateful for the wisdom you have demonstrated.” Without any prompting, the other Verdans let loose with a chorus of cheerful ayes.

Zasha was impressed by the High Seer's performance. It appeared the others were falling fully into Yseni's trap. Everyone but the truth-sayers were smiling warmly. She noticed all three showed no emotion, but stared at the High Seer. Watching those women made her uneasy.

I will not mourn those witches when Gafla's men cut them down
, Zasha thought, smiling genuinely for the first time. Seeing the Seer's reaction, one of the younger truth-sayers looked surprised, then smiled back. Zasha had to fight to keep from laughing at the other woman.

“You asked us here to negotiate,” Yseni said. “You will find we will be most accommodating.”

Judge Soretti carefully unrolled a scroll. “We respectfully ask the High Seer and her council to consider these requests.”

Yseni encouraged her to continue. “Please read them.”

The judge nodded and began. “The Nuvens offer their sincere apologies for the loss of your troopers and ask for cessation of hostilities by the Tarylans.”

The High Seer bowed toward Raaf and Juban. “We accept their apology and so order all hostilities to cease.”

Judge Soretti continued. “After Raaf and his party return to their valley, they believe many Nuvens will wish to cross the mountain to settle in Verde Valley. They want your blessing to do so.”

Yseni looked up and down the row at her council members. Of course as puppets, the other Seers readily endorsed the Nuven request. “We gladly give our blessings to welcome the children of the lost ones.”

Judge Soretti read the last request. “Once settled in Verde Valley, the Nuvens wish to be considered Verdan citizens with all the rights and privileges.”

By now, Yseni had been hoping to hear Wojaht’s signal, alerting her and the other Seers to take shelter. She was growing anxious for the bloody solution to their troubles to begin. Yseni shrugged. “This request should be considered by the Verdan Assembly, not just the High Council of Seers.”

Judge Soretti smiled. “The Assembly already has approved the request.”

Trying to mask her irritation, the High Seer again surveyed her council, who agreed without argument. “Ah, wonderful, we are in agreement then,” Yseni purred. “I will be most anxious to properly greet the Nuvens who choose to settle here. They will be a welcome addition to Verde Valley.”

An ecstatic Juban stood up to speak. “Please forgive my clumsy Verdan talk. My fellow Nuvens wish to thank the Verdans who help us. We are grateful for the most kind blessings by the Seers. We are, ah, happy not to fight your warriors.”

Juban looked to Rajeev for approval. Before the professor could respond, however, the Verdans at his table erupted into hearty applause. Not to create suspicion, even the Seers politely clapped.

“Wonderful, wonderful. That was most gracious,” Yseni said, doing her best to smile at Juban. She kept waiting to hear Wojaht's alarm, but nothing came. “Well, what is next?” the High Seer asked.

Judge Soretti stood and handed a scroll to an aide. “This is the agreement I have just read and you have agreed to. The Verdan Assembly has signed it and we request the signatures of the High Seer Council to make it binding.”

Stalling for time, Zasha asked to study the document. After several minutes, she handed the document to Yseni, who also took her time reading it. With still no sign from Wojaht and her heart beating so hard from anticipation, the High Seer tried to keep her hand from trembling as she signed the document, then passed it among her council members. Each Seer took her time signing, but the Tarylan troopers never appeared. After the scroll was handed back, the other Verdans and Nuvens started to personally thank the Seers.

Sensing her leader was about to explode in a rage, Zasha begged for their understanding. “It has been a most momentous occasion and indeed a taxing day,” she said, trying to mask her disappointment. “Please forgive us, but we require time to rest and meditate. There will be another day to celebrate what we have accomplished here.”

Barely able to contain her shaking nerves, Yseni nodded to the others, rose, and hurried out of the tent, followed by the other Seers. The High Seer had barely left the tent when she saw a subdued Wojaht Gafla standing alone.

Yseni stomped over to her captain, grabbed him by the collar like a mother with an unruly child and dragged him with her until they were well out of earshot of the tent. Before he could say anything, Yseni released him angrily and slapped him across the cheek with all her strength. The force of the blow made him take a couple of steps backward.

“Where are your men? You were supposed to have attacked the tent long ago,” she hissed, still not daring to be heard by the other Verdans.

Wojaht straightened himself, then told her of the mass resignations by Sergeant Haiko and the others. “I beg your forgiveness, High Seer, but only fifteen youngsters and four untested junior officers were left. We would have been barely able to attack the tent, much less take on any Enforcers.”

Yseni shook her head violently and strode away with Zasha following closely behind. After several minutes, the High Seer stopped and fell to her knees. Zasha knelt beside her in an attempt to offer comfort.

Rocking back and forth, Yseni looked at her confidante. “Mother Verde, what have I done Zasha? What have I done?” She burst into tears of rage. “I — I have just opened Verde Valley to the people we have worked to seclude from us for two centuries.”