By;fernand jiro
Domaen Palima
The wind blew gently through the trees and grass, carrying with it the harmonious songs of birds and sounds of crickets finishing their nightly orchestral composition. In the peaceful surrounding of the countryside morning Raleigh knelt near the very tree that had seen the end of Thanus Varagen’s tyranny the previous day. Silently he prayed to the High Father for guidance and strength. His life has been different ever since the reception and his first meeting with the princess. Grand journeys, perilous danger, and mysterious phenomena all within the past month yet something deep inside him stirred; he knew it had only just begun. So Raleigh knelt praying to the High Father.
“Raleigh!”
Raleigh looked up and turned to see Bria running up the valley side. He smiled and stood up slowly. “Hello, Bria. How are you this morning?”
“Good! You?” she asked with a bright smile.
“I am doing very well,” he replied as he looked out to the sunrise. “I was just out here praying to the High Father.”
Bria crooked her head. “You mean you were talking to him?”
Raleigh smiled to her and nodded with a small chuckle. “Yes…I was.”
“I talk to him too,” Bria replied proudly.
“Oh?”
Bria nodded. “I talk to him when I can’t talk to Imogene.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Raleigh asked. Bria nodded her again vigorously, anxious to hear the secret. With a smile Raleigh leaned down and whispered softly, “I talk to him when Mornic is unavailable too, just like now.”
Bria smiled and giggled. “Oh!” she exclaimed suddenly. “I almost forgot to tell you that Pallan wants to talk to all of us.”
“When?” asked Raleigh.
“Right now in the big house down there,” Bria replied as she pointed down into the valley.
“All right. You go on and tell her I am on my way.” Bria smiled and began to skip down into the valley, humming to herself. Raleigh watched her for a moment in awe of her carefree nature. A small smile curved his lips and he turned to watch the rising sun again. “Guide us, High Father,” he murmured before he began down into the valley toward Varagen’s elegant house. He was careful of his footing, using his staff often to regain his footing on the slippery, dew covered grass of the morning.
As Raleigh approached the buildings of the Varagen estate many of the local people who had attended the festivities the night before greeted him. A barrage of grateful conversations and praises surrounded him as each person vied for their liberator’s attention. Some even offered gifts of heirlooms or other valuables they had managed to keep hidden from Varagen to repay their debt. Raleigh politely turned down their offers, feeling more than a little overwhelmed by their attention. He did his best to navigate through the small tide of people as he made his way to Varagen’s house.
Just before he was able to reach the safety of the front door one of the men stepped in front of him. He dressed in loose fitting garments with a head wrap on his head. A smile caressed his face and with smooth gestures the man put his arm around Raleigh and began to talk as they walked away from the rest of the crowd. The thick musk of a man who worked hard day and night filled Raleigh’s nostrils. He attempted to politely excuse himself but the man was too quick to react.
“My friend, you have done a great service for us,” he said. “We merely wish to express our gratitude.”
“I…I understand,” replied Raleigh, “but…”
“I am Hadin Maremo, at your service,” the man continued with a bow as if Raleigh said nothing. “We are simple people.” He turned to look at the people behind them. “We have lived under the rule of the Varagen family for over a hundred years.”
Raleigh blinked. “I…did not know it was that long of a time.”
“You and I are of the same mind,” Hadin stated. “With the Varagen’s gone after such a long rule we have no one to lead us. Someone just like Varagen…or even worse could come in and take over. We would be helpless to stop them!”
“I…suppose,” Raleigh murmured as he contemplated Hadin’s words.
“I knew you were the right man to talk to,” grinned Hadin. “You could save us from that fate.”
“What?!” exclaimed Raleigh thoroughly confused.
Hadin leaned close and whispered quietly. “It’s your right. You and your people defeated the Varagen’s. Take his land, his wealth, and lead us into a new age.” He made a subtle gesture forward and up to the sky as if he had just delivered a heavenly vision.
Raleigh stood stunned at Hadin’s words. “I…”
“And to make sure no one could question your ties to this land you could marry my daughter so your children could rule.” Raleigh eyes widened at the suggestion but Hadin gave no time to respond. “She is a fine young, willing and able in every way. My lord.” He bowed slightly as he uttered the title.
Hadin’s posture suddenly stiffened again and his tanned face lost some of its color. From behind them a soft, cold voice murmured, “And you would live life in relative luxury, is that right?”
Raleigh turned to see Caslian standing close behind Hadin, almost pressing against him, then faced Hadin. “You…were trying to use me?” asked with an astonished look in his eye.
“No…I was looking out for…ow!”
Caslian shifted his stance a little, leaning closer. “Looking out for yourself,” he interjected. “Leave now.”
Hadin fell away from the assassin and placed his hand on his back. He backed away a few steps before turning and running off. Raleigh looked to Caslian with a puzzled look on his face. “Why was he so scared?” he asked.
“Don’t ask,” Caslian replied. “It’s better that way. Follow me.”
Raleigh pondered Caslian’s words for a moment before realizing the assassin was leaving him behind. He quickly ran to catch up and together they went to the house. Inside comfort exhumed from every direction, thick fur rugs on the floor, elegant paintings decorating the walls and priceless statues greeting visitors. Caslian looked around, studying a few of the more elaborate decorations carefully. An occasional grunt or murmur kept Raleigh’s eyes fixed on him.
“These people must not understand the value of some of these objects,” he commented.
“Why do you say that?” asked Raleigh, confused.
“Varagen has been out of power for nearly a full day, yet no one outside has attempted to take any of his valueable.”
Raleigh looked around again. “Maybe they have other values,” he suggested.
Caslian looked to the apprentice priest. “Such as?”
“Family, hard work, community,” Raleigh answered. “These are nice objects but I do not think I would steal for them.”
Caslian chuckled softly. “That is you, boy. Living like servants under Varagen might have made these people bitter though.”
“They are waiting for us to take what we want,” said Pallan as she came out from behind a corner. “We defeated Varagen so we have claim to all his belongings. What we do not take is free for the people to loot.”
“How interesting,” Caslian commented softly.
Pallan nodded. “Come, we have some things to discuss.”
Raleigh looked to Pallan as she turned back down the corridor she came from followed by Caslian before catching up to them. The long corridor was filled with more statues, paintings, and colorful plants that left just enough room for two people to walk side by side. From beyond the exit of the corridor Raleigh could hear the sounds of giggling and splashing water. A bright light shone through the archway, denying a glimpse of what was making the sounds until they left the corridor into a large atrium filled with many diverse and exotic looking plants.
Bria sat next to a shallow pool in the middle of the atrium with her feet dipped into the water, kicking playfully. The water glistened brightly from the light that shone from above through a large opening in the ceiling. Above them the warm blue sky began to gather the light of the rising sun and poured it into the atrium. It was a two-story house with the second floor over-looking the atrium. On the other side of the pool stood Daegan watching Squill as he playfully splashed some water at Bria who giggled and kicked some back.
“Ok you two,” Pallan said with a playful smile. “Have a seat at the table. We have some things to discuss.” She strode around the pool to the other side of the atrium to stand at the head of a long table that the Varagen Family had once used to eat their meals. To her right sat Caslian, Bria, and Raleigh while to her left sat Daegan and Squill. She stood for a moment to be sure everyone was listening before continuing. “Last night I spoke with many of the people from the local farms that came for the festivities in order to learn as much as I could about the land we are in. Instead I learned about many different folk stories and legends that these people use to tell their history with. Very little of what was said was agreed upon from one person to the next.”
“So we cannot be sure what is real and what is a drunken embellishment,” grumbled Caslian.
“What do you mean?” asked Raleigh.
Pallan thought for a moment. “Everyone mentioned something called the Combine, a sort of alliance of kingdoms, that governs this land. However many of the older farmers and ranchers claim that centuries ago their ancestors ruled themselves and that this Combine was formed after many of the original kingdoms invaded and created what is now called Haber as some sort of common land between them.” With a small sigh of frustration Pallan continued. “It could have some truth to it…but more likely it is a simple story passed down to tell younger generations to explain their current state. I do not think anyone can ever say for sure anymore, however.”
“Oh…I see,” replied Raleigh as he pondered her words.
After a moment Daegan asked, “Is the Combine a military alliance?”
“Maybe,” replied Pallan. “Some of the more…fanciful tales included demons and ground shattering battles. One of the old men claimed a great evil was born in the mill that we stayed in the other night and that is why the Combine was eventually formed. As I said, it is hard to tell what is true and what is embellished.”
“If there is any truth to the story the it was probably the birth place of a warlord,” commented Caslian.
With a nod Pallan continued. “Possible. Regardless of the legends we could find here one of the ranchers told me of a city about a day’s journey from here called Katli. It is supposed to be the capital of Haber where an appointed official called the Administrator is in charge. Or at least he is supposed to be. From what I have seen so far it seems he does not have of any real power. Today we will prepare for the journey. There are two carts in the stables we can use to carry some items to sell at the market in Katli. The rest will be left here for the people to divide among themselves. Raleigh and I will gather the supplies needed for the journey. Everyone else can go through the house and take what you think will fetch us a good price at market.”
“What about the others?” asked Raleigh.
There was a pause in Pallan’s voice, her words being caught in her throat before they could be heard. “We…have to go on without them,” she murmured softly.
“Wh…what?” stuttered Raleigh. “But…we have to find them…”
Pallan did her best to avoid looking into Raleigh’s eyes. “We have to survive, Raleigh. We are strangers here. We…”
“We have to find them!” exclaimed Raleigh. “Mornic, Imogene…Princess Mayla…”
Bria looked to Raleigh then to Pallan. “We…can’t find Imogene?”
“You said we could not go running around in a strange land to find Daegan and Squill,” Raleigh retorted. “Yet we did and because of that we found Caslian and Bria.”
“Enough!” shouted Pallan. Her fists were clenched as she searched for the strength to say what must be said. “We knew where Daegan and Squill were, Raleigh. We had Sheya to help guide us. It was luck that we found them…as well as Caslian and Bria.” Her voice caught in her throat again under a heavy lump.
“They are gone,” Caslian uttered flatly, saying what no one else could say. He looked down to Bria who could barely hold back the tears. “Even Imogene.”
Bria turned and buried her face into Raleigh’s chest and began to cry. Raleigh gently put his arms around the young girl and rubbed her back slowly. No one spoke at the realization that they would be on their own became clear to them. They sat listening to Bria weep until Raleigh slowly stood and took her out, doing his best to comfort her.
“We will begin our search for valuables upstairs,” Daegan murmured. He stood slowly and walked to the nearest stair staircase, followed by Squill.
Pallan’s gaze followed them until they were out of sight then turned to Caslian who remained seated to her right. He stared across the table into empty air for some time in silence. Neither said anything for some time until Caslian stood and broke the silence.
“They will come to terms with it in time,” he said softly.
Pallan sighed through a ragged breath. “Hopefully I will as well.”
Caslian nodded. “If you will excuse me I have some matters to attend too,” he stated flatly before turning to leave the room.
Slowly Pallan sat down in her chair, her thoughts drifting to Mayla and Laye. Their faces were etched into her memory, every feature painfully clear. Mayla’s laugh echoed in her mind as she remembered a spring ride through the countryside that the three of them took. The smell of the wild flowers and the look of happiness in their eyes as the weight of Jalstiria was lifted for a short time overwhelmed Pallan. Her face fell into her hands and gradually tears began to descend onto the table and collect in a small pool. In silence Pallan sat surrounded in luxury, yet she had lost everything most precious to her.
Caslian looked back to her for a moment as he approached the hallway they entered from. He studied Pallan carefully for a moment then lowered his head and continuing through the hallway and out of the house. The sun’s light began to pour over the crest of the hills overlooking the valley. Many of those that attended the festival lingered, eagerly awaiting their chance to plunder the riches of the Varagen house and take back what they felt was rightfully theirs.
To his left Caslian heard the sound of a child weeping. His eyes closed as he attempted to prepare himself for the task at hand. With a slow, deliberate turn Caslian made his way to the sounds of sorrow to see Raleigh sitting on the ground holding Bria tightly in his arms. Her face was buried in his chest, sobbing at the loss of her companion.
“Loss is never easy,” Caslian murmured quietly from behind them. Raleigh looked up from Bria, staring straight ahead to children playing around a tree. Caslian moved closer and gently sat down next to them. They sat in silence as Bria continued to cry into Raleigh’s chest. After some time passed Caslian began to speak. “With mortal hands we bury fleeting flesh, our mortal minds filled with thoughts of that which lies beyond our grasp.”
Raleigh looked down and closed his eyes. “Don’t…”
“It is our duty,” replied Caslian. “It is our last gift.”
Bria buried her face deeper into Raleigh’s chest. The apprentice priest tightened his embrace around her and steadied his nerves then eased her back. “Bria, maybe now you should talk to him.”
“Who…?” she asked as she looked up to him, tears continuing to stream down her cheek through reddened eyes.
Raleigh gently wiped her tears away and smiled. “The High Father. Go talk to him.” Bia nodded slowly and stood up, slowly walking away to a secluded area of the valley. When she was far enough away Raleigh spoke. “Why?”
Caslian arched his eyebrow. “Why what?”
“Why did you say those words?” he asked, his eyes fixed on Bria.
“I did say them correctly, did I not?”
“That is not the point.”
“Then what is the point?”
Raleigh faced Caslian, staring deep into his eyes. “The Final Gift is done for those who have passed on. The others have not.”
“What about the crew of the Gallant?” asked Caslian, returning Raleigh’s stare. “May I offer the gift for them?”
“I…”
Caslian chuckled softly. “I cannot tell whether you are being prophetic or foolish.”
Raleigh clenched his fists. “You laugh at their deaths?”
“So you admit that they are dead now?” retorted Caslian.
Raleigh slumped his back; his breathing coming through ragged shudders. “They…can’t be…”
“Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t,” murmured Caslian.
Raleigh looked up to Caslian with glaring eyes. “How can you be so…cold?”
“A gift. A necessary one in my line of work.”
“I suppose anyone who would slaughter innocent people would have to be,” Raleigh replied. Caslian twitched at the venomous remark. “Pallan told me what you are.”
“No one is innocent,” Caslian replied. “Everyone is guilty of something.”
“Even Bria?” Raleigh asked quietly.
Caslian fell silent for a moment. The sounds of the children playing nearby filled the air as the assassin and apprentice priest sat without a word shared between them. A sudden, gentle wind began to blow through the valley, stirring the tree leaves and blades of grass to life. Its cool bite brought Caslian out of his stupor and with a smooth, flowing motion he stood up.
“Do not mistake my intentions,” he murmured. “I do not wish to hurt.”
Raleigh nodded. “I understand.”
Caslian looked toward Bria. “She will too, in time.” He turned slowly and began to walk back toward the house.
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