Ways of Power 1: Power Rises (23 page)

39

The ship made it several miles past the shoreline of the southern continent before landing on a wide platform on the top of a massive tree. The blue sea had been traded for an ocean of green. The silence of the sky was drowned by the echoes of life in the jungle. The strange songs of birds intertwined with howls, hoots, and growls of animals Rancoth had never heard before. He could only imagine which sounds matched the different animals that he had learned about from picture books or illusionists’ spells.

After disembarking, Rancoth could see that the platform was actually a living growing part of the tree. He and Dorbin made their way down a grand spiraling staircase that wound around the massive plant. Much like the platform, the stairs too appeared to be modified branches grown from the trunk.

Descending beneath the forest canopy, a whole new world opened up before them. The filtered sun bathed the tree city in emerald light. Bridges of vine and branch connected every trunk which had been modified as they grew and continued to grow into dwellings, shops, schools, and any other building imaginable.

Even though Rancoth had finished reading his book about the Elfkin and had been taught about their culture from a young age, he had not been fully prepared for the majestic artistry of the Elfkin flora singers. Every twig, every leaf, every root was lovingly sung into harmonious function by the flora singers.

Rancoth and Dorbin were greeted by two tall slender Elfkin on a platform still a hundred or more feet above the forest floor. Both men were startlingly white, with contrasting dark gray hair. One of them bore a long scar down the left side of his face. His eye was missing, and the once proud pointed left ear was nothing more than a flap of pale skin.

Despite his grotesque appearance, he stood proud, and was the first to greet them. "Honored guests, welcome to the city of Elu'Menashan. I am Cha'Modera, Chief Dal'Asaid's war advisor. He apologizes for not being able to welcome you himself, but hopes you will join him for the sunset prayer this evening."

Rancoth bowed slightly and hoped his attempt at making eye contact with Cha'Modera was not misinterpreted as staring. "Of course we would be honored," he said, trying to keep his focus on the war advisor's remaining steel blue cat-eye.

"Good. Now if you would give me the necklace of Aq'Umen, I will show you to your loft."

Dorbin's sudden seemingly innocuous cough was not lost on Rancoth as he studied Cha'Modera's outstretched hand.

"I'm sorry, but I would prefer to give the necklace to Dal'Asaid himself."

A momentary flash of anger and perhaps disappointment flashed across the war advisor's mauled face, but it was gone before Rancoth could really be certain that he had seen it at all.

"Very well," Cha'Modera said, with an almost too formal tone. "This way."

Both Rancoth and Dorbin gave thanks and bid farewell to Captain Don'Kiean who had been standing idly to the side.

"Don't mention it, gentlemen, and please be sure to send my two crewmen back after they finish delivering your things."

They were led to a high loft on the edge of the tree city overlooking the untamed jungle to the west. A beautiful red and blue bird perched on their window, turning its head from side to side as if to keep one eye on them at all times. When they left after storing their things, the bird followed them, flitting from branch to branch, keeping no more than a few yards distance behind them.

After gorging themselves on a feast of succulent fruits, the two of them made their way down to the forest floor. The dank and musty air was ripe with the aromas of life and decay, both vital parts of the forest ecology. The lush and green vegetation was thick; thriving in the warm dampness.

"Is it neverr silent herre?" Dorbin grumbled. "I won't be able to sleep tonight." A new wave of bird calls erupted as they walked by another of the countless trees.

Rancoth shrugged. "I don’t know…it's kind of nice. Everything is teeming with life. It's easy to feel…connected to the world here. It's like there is no way you could feel alone with so many living things bubbling around you." He stopped and looked down at Dorbin. "Does that make any sense?"

"No," Dorbin said. "I would rratherr have some peace and quiet.” As their avian escort landed a few feet above them, he added, “And I’d like to not feel like I'm being spied on. Damn birrd!"

"Shhh. Do you hear that?" Rancoth cocked his head to the side. "Now that's no birdsong."

A soft feminine voice could barely be heard singing above the din of the jungle animals. It steadily grew as they made their way towards the sweet wordless melody.

Rancoth pulled the large leaves of a fern back to reveal a young Elfkin girl sitting on some downed wood, singing quietly to a pink flower. The prepubescent girl was making the sweetest music with her voice. As she sang, a light green glow emanated from her emerald lips, and the flower shimmered as it changed in shape.

Petals turned back on themselves and stretched until they looked like feathers. The center of the flower tapered to a point and took on a decidedly orange hue. Within moments what was once a beautiful flower now was the perfect likeness of a bright pink bird.

"What beautiful magic…" Rancoth whispered.

Dorbin only grunted.

Rancoth knew that the practical little man probably was thinking, that just because it was beautiful didn't mean it was useful. But after seeing the tree city and the ship they arrived in, how could he deny how useful the abilities of the flora singers were?

The day started to wane so Rancoth and Dorbin left the girl in her solitude. Neither of them wished to be late for the sunset ceremony with Dal'Asaid. Rancoth wished to improve the strained relations between the two nations that had ultimately been caused by him. He suspected that Dorbin wanted nothing more than to make their delivery and go home.

Once they returned to the city they were ushered by the throngs of Elfkin that were headed for the massive center tree at the heart of the city. The cloud ship was now gone from the large platform where they had landed a few hours before. In its place stood a large pedestal with a stylized representation of the sun on its face.

Upon the pedestal stood a tall proud gray skinned Elfkin man, with midnight hair. Next to him stood a lovely Elfkin woman, with pale yellow skin and rather large breasts. The bird that had been following Rancoth and Dorbin all day flew past them and landed on the woman's shoulder. She appeared to converse with it before it leapt up and perched in her orange hair.

The chief bent down as the woman touched his thigh. She whispered something in his ear, and he turned his steely catlike eyes on them. Rancoth felt his heart quicken, nervous that they had breached some code of conduct. He was certain in that moment that he had somehow let Grecrum and his people down.

After a few moments Dal'Asaid turned his stoic gaze on his people. All were seated before him, hanging upon his words. With his arms raised to the sky, he spoke in a calm confident voice accustomed to unwavering attention.

"Father Sun, greatest of all the spheres burns the sky with joy as he crashes into Mother Earth's nighttime embrace."

"They make love to bring more children,
" the crowd answered as one.

"Earth, she brings forth life."

"
But the Sun must sustain it.
"

"We honor the love between the Mother and the Father."

"
As we embrace by their example.
"

"We do not fear the night."

"
But we beg the Sun to return.
"

The chieftain lowered his arms, a small grin on his face. "Now go my people. Embrace if that be your will, and return in the morning so we may welcome the Sun from his wife's loving arms."

The crowd dispersed; some went down the grand staircase that encircled the tree. Most others simply leapt from the platform, hopping from branch to branch as they descended back to their forest homes. A small party remained around the chief; the wonderfully endowed woman with the bird in her hair, his pale colored and scarred war advisor, and a young greened skinned girl with a pink bird in her brown hair.

The chief spoke softly with his tightnit group before waving Rancoth and Dorbin over.

"High Chief of all the Ray'Deeant Elfkin people, I bring you greetings from Grecrum Arch Mage of the Light Magi race." Rancoth spoke the greeting the way Grecrum had taught him, with his head bowed, and his arms at his sides.

"Where is the necklace of my ancestors?"

Rancoth straightened and pulled a small velvet black bag from within the folds of his teal robe. He then bowed his head again as he handed it to the chief.

Dal'Asaid untied the drawstrings in a slow reverent manner before pulling the sacred object out. He held the tiny swirling white orb close, studying every detail. His features softened, and he slipped the necklace over the pale green girl's head.

When the little pink bird did not make an effort to move out of the chief's way, Rancoth realized that this was the girl he had seen singing and shaping the flower.

"You may wear this until your sisters are safely returned," the chief said. Turning back to Rancoth and Dorbin, he studied them both for a second. Rancoth stood in perfect supplication, head bowed properly. Dorbin returned the chief's hard gaze, his arms crossed.

"You showed wisdom upon your arrival, young demon caller, when you refused to give the necklace of Aq'Umen to Cha'Modera. He would have killed you where you stood if you had allowed it to be given to anyone except me.

"But, then you were seen spying on my youngest daughter, and you bring with you a gross mimicry of the sacred sphere of Aq'Umen atop your hideous tool of destruction. I demand to know why."

Rancoth swallowed hard. "I did not mean any offence by watching your daughter, Great Chief. I was simply admiring her magic, and did not wish to disturb her. I apologize. As for my staff, it is no mimicry. The sphere was my mother’s. It is the reason she had borrowed the necklace from your predecessor. I think she wished to compare them, and to learn more about them."

The bird chirped quietly, and the chief turned his hard gaze to the yellow woman. "What does Flitter have to say, my wife?" he asked.

"She thinks no harm was meant by the two men who watched Chi'Whyn." Her voice was beautiful and every bit as confident as her husband's.

Dal'Asaid slowly nodded and stood in silence for a time. He walked over to the edge of the platform, and watched as the fiery sunset gave way to pale twilight.

Everyone waited quietly as the chief contemplated what he wished to do. As the stars and moon finally began to shine, he made his decision known.

"Very well, you may leave. I have far more important things to worry about right now than you. Thank you for returning my family’s necklace. That solves some of my problems. I can now concentrate on others much closer to my heart. I will send for one of the three sky brothers to take you home in the morning."

As they turned to go, Rancoth paused at the top of the stairs.

"Hay, what arre you doing?" Dorbin whispered. "Ohh no--I know that look! Don't even think it. It's time to go home, we did what we werre supposed to do, damn it!"

Rancoth wasn't listening, and had already started back towards the chief. "Great Chief, is there something I can do to help?"

"No, it is a private matter."

Rancoth stood resolute for a moment, hoping that he would change his mind, needing to prove that Grecrum's trust in him was not misplaced, and thereby further improving relations between their people. The chief turned his back, effectively dismissing him as he resumed his conversation with Cha'Modera.

Rancoth hung his head and left with Dorbin smiling at his side.

40

Rancoth and Dorbin had finally returned home. The whole city had come out to greet them, singing praises of their adventures. The throng of people raised them up on their shoulders and carried them to the Great Tower, where Grecrum stood waiting to receive them.

The Arch Mage declared them national heroes and issued a proclamation that the two were to be treated like royalty for the rest of their lives. The crowd erupted in cheers as Hilbran and Rowley created the images of fireworks above the city.

The pretty twinkling lights rained down upon the people, but instead of dissipating, the hot embers burned the flesh of the horrified onlookers. Joyful cheers transformed into cries of anguish as the searing stench of scorched skin and hair polluted Rancoth's senses.

"See what you have done!" Grecrum demanded as he too ran out to be burned alive. His strangled gasps cut deeper than the rest.

"No, stop! I didn't mean for this to happen," Rancoth cried as he fell to his knees. "Dorbin, what do I do?"

"I don't know, lad. Maybe we should clean ourrselves as well." Then Dorbin too joined in the searing bath of blood and fire.

"I will burn your city and its people to the ground for what you did."

Rancoth looked through teary eyes to see Dal'Asaid standing over him. His pointed hears had elongated, making him look more like one of Rancoth's demons then a proud Elfkin leader.

"Why? Why would you do this?" Rancoth pleaded. "Stop, please stop. I'll do anything."

"It's too late. You shall dwell in the furnace of your own creation for what you did."

"WHAT!" Rancoth jumped to his feet. "What did I do that would warrant this?"

A sickeningly familiar laugh turned Rancoth's stomach, as he watched the chief's face split. His gray skin folded back, and demonic claws peeled away the bits of lingering flesh. Midnight eyes bore into Rancoth's very soul.

"You should have helped them. Now you will suffer!"

"No, I tired, I tried to help he didn't listen. He didn't want m--"

His plea was cut off, as the hated demon wrapped his powerful hand around his neck and began to squeeze, lifting him into the air.

Rancoth fell from his soft spongy moss bed gasping for breath. A second more forceful knock came at the door, and he struggled to his feet, rubbing his smarting knees. Cold sweat poured from his body and caused him to shiver as a cool night breeze blew through the room. Dorbin continued to snore across the room, oblivious to his surroundings.

"How may I help you?" Rancoth asked, more than a little surprised to see the chief's well endowed wife at the door.

"Did you mean it?" she asked.

"Mean what?"

"That you wished to help?"

"Well, yes--yes of course. But, Dal'Asaid made it quite clear that it was a private matter. So I'm not sure what you want me to do. I don't even know what the problem is."

The chieftess scrutinized him closely before continuing. "My husband is a good chief, and an excellent husband. He is wary of all strangers, but you especially because he fears that your evil magic will bring ruin to our land. You did however give him pause today. He was more than certain that Cha'Modera would have ended up killing you when you arrived."

"Well, I'm glad I could surprise him," Rancoth said with a slight grin.

The chieftess cocked her head to the side, reminding Rancoth of her pet bird. "Chi'Whyn's older sisters disappeared two months ago, and despite our people’s best efforts we have been unable to find them. My husband has much to do everyday and with the other tribes vieing for dominance since the necklace of Aq'Umen was missing, he has had to fight to keep our kingdome. You returning that sacred iteam already helped a great deal. Now he can put more of his effort into searching for our daughters.

"I have tried searching in my own unique way, and of course Cha'Modera spends every waking moment looking for my daughters for he loves one of them more then life itself. Now, if you truly wish to help, and gain not only my husband's trust, but the gratitude of all my people, then find my daughters and bring them home."

Before Rancoth could answer, the woman leapt down from the branch and was gone. He stood dumbstruck at the door for some time before returning to his bed. He sat quietly with his head in his hands, listening to the mix of Dorbin's garbled snores and the songs of the night time creatures.

"Dorbin. Dorbin, wake up."

"humfhenn ahh nice--bottom…."

"DAMN IT DORBIN, WAKE UP!"

Dorbin leapt from his bed, hands instinctually going for the hammers that normally hung from his belt. "What's the matterr?" His eyes were still bloodshot from sleep and his mustache was flattened on one side.

"We need to talk," Rancoth said quietly.

"This betterr be good. I was having a nice drream," Dorbin growled, sitting back down on his bed.

"Hmm, so I noticed. Dal'Asaid's wife was just here. Apparently her two older daughters have gone missing."

"So…?" Judging by his tone, Dorbin already didn't like where this conversation was going.

"So, I thought we should help find them."

"No."

"And just why not?"

"You hearrd the chief. It's a prrivate matterr. You don't go sticking yourr nose wherre it isn't wanted. That's why not."

"Fine, you go home. But I'm going to try and help."

"Rran--no. You'rre being silly. We did what we came to do. It's time to go home, lad."

Rancoth shook his head, grabbed his staff, and made for the exit. Dorbin leapt up and blocked his way, arms barring the door.

"Rran don't. You'rre developing quite the herro complex, and it's going to get you in trrouble."

Rancoth closed his eyes, as images from his nightmare played across his imagination. "I have to Dorbin."

"You haven't even got any idea o' wherre to starrt, do you?"

"No."

"Then at least wait till morrning so we can talk to the chief."

Rancoth shook his head. "Like you said, it's a
private
matter. So he's not likely to point us in any direction that leads us anywhere but home. Besides, I get the impression the cheiftess wanted our discussion to remain a secret."

"What makes you say that?"

"She didn't have her bird with her."

"Hmm." Dorbin thought for a moment, and then shook his head. "So what? Arre you going to just searrch the whole damn forrest?

"No." Rancoth licked his lips. "I thought I'd get some distance from the city and use Pordly."

Dorbin shook his head violently. "Arre you crrazy!?"

Rancoth shrugged his shoulders. "He's proven good at finding people in the past."

"Yeah, but it always turrns into a disasterr when you use that currsed cloud o' smoke!"

Rancoth sighed and looked up at the stars through one of the holes in the ceiling. "I'm not asking you to stay. In fact, please go. Go home and let Grecrum know that we did what he asked us to. But don't stand in my way. I need to do this." He looked back down at Dorbin. "I don't have a choice."

Dorbin dropped his hands at his sides and shook his head. "All rright, let me get my things. That inferrnal mind rreaderr would neverr let me sleep if he thought I abandoned you."

Rancoth breathed a sigh of relief. He would have searched for the Elfkin princesses alone, but deep down he’d hoped he wouldn't have to. No longer feeling the need to rush out, he gathered a few more things that he thought they might need as Dorbin got his ax and shield.

The two of them slipped out of the tree city and made their way west. Rancoth hesitated when he looked back before they were completely out of the city.

"What?" Dorbin asked.

Rancoth shook his head. "Nothing." For a moment he thought he saw a tall pale form following them from the treetops, but it must have been his imagination.