AESSA'S CHILDREN: BOOK ONE -- THE LAST BORDER
By V. A. Watts
(c) 1993
NOTE: This work is under a registered copyright and unauthorized distribution is prohibited and will be prosecuted. All characters are fictional and of my own invention. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Note on pronunciation: Proper Names and nouns within the language most commonly used on Aessa, Lliyassean, allow that each letter have its own sound. The first vowel in each word is long, the following vowels hold the short sound. Therefore, the name Thana is pronounced: T-HAYN-AH. Maygra is MAY-IH-G-RAH, Kieri is KI-ERR-IH, and Jael is JAY-EL. Diminutives such as Jai and Mag are pronounced as written, so Jai would be Ji (long "I") and Mag would be Mag with a short "a". The use of glottal stops is pervasive. Words ending in "I" are masculine gendered, "a" indicates feminine gender, "n" indicates plurals. Partial Glossary is at the end of each chapter.
Laurien could not deny the Council. Despite the fact that Web had taken no lasting harm, nor had been tapped deliberately, it had been a reckless abuse of the Keep's trust. Even Doren and Ialana could not deny that a judgment be rendered quickly. Sarai had absented her vote for obvious reasons, although she was not held to fault. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Merida, Rhys and Kevyn were called to account, and it did not take long for the Council's ranks to be reduced by three. Of the three, only Rhys was recovered enough to face the charges and accept the verdict. He did so without protest, unable to honestly defend his actions or trust his own judgment fully: In the two days that had passed since Maygra's cure, his sleep had once more become frequented by nightmares. They were not as disruptive as the nightmares of his youth, but they were debilitating enough, a fact very few knew.
He took some comfort in the debate that followed. There were more vocal protests at the motion placed by Brevad and Fayr, but in the end, he and Kevyn were stripped of rank, although Merida retained hers and the Rhemans were once more ordered under close guard, though with the exception of Mikayl and the children, none of them were in any physical condition to move more than a few feet from their beds.
Rhys excused himself from the rest of the proceedings and headed toward the near vacant west wing once more. Merida and Kellas had agreed that until she was fully recovered, Maygra was not to be left unattended. She slept most often, waking briefly to eat or talk, only to drift off again, more often than not in mid-sentence.
Jurrana met him in the midst of her nursing duties, carrying a tray back toward the kitchens. Rhys did not mention the Council's decisions, but entered Maygra's chambers quickly.
He was surprised to find Merida and Kevyn present as well as the Rhemans.
"I thought you were resting," he said quietly to Merida.
"I was, but I knew you would come here first," she said, a faint teasing tone to her voice. The smile that accompanied it faded as Rhys related the events of the convention.
Kevyn took the news calmly, but he did excuse himself from the group to stare out over Ravon's sweeping lawns.
"I expected it," he said softly when Rhys approached. "It hurts, that Laurien . . . ."
"He fought that battle, Kev, and lost," Rhys said. "If it's any comfort, Brevad will not take your place, Maric will, with you his second. Laurien was able to gain that much and Maric would not take the post without that concession. This is disciplinary action, not a judiciary one. You have not lost your place in the Watch, only your command."
"There is comfort in that. I don't think I could serve under Brevad. Who will they answer to if not you?"
"To Laurien," Rhys said, with a faint smile. "Unless the First Council decides otherwise."
"I'm sorry," a soft voice said and both men turned. Damyn had already moved to Maygra's side, casually checking her condition as Mikayl slipped behind her when she tried to sit.
"There is nothing for you to apologize for," Mikayl said, pressing his lips against her forehead. He had been startled by the hostility his own arrival caused, not understanding what had occurred until Sarai and Maric managed to speak to him. Vaena had been incensed by the treatment her kin rendered Mikayl, less so his kin, for she had found him a valuable asset to the patrol.
"I never meant to divide your folk," Maygra said, resting against her brother's chest. "We should have gone when we had the opportunity."
"That's nonsense." Merida said. "You take too much on yourself, Maygra. This order came at Fayr's request, nor is it the first time he has manipulated events to get the Council to support his views. I would have thought Ialana and Doren would have more sense," she said shortly, with a glance at Rhys.
"It was not by an overwhelming vote -- nor was your confinement," Rhys said wearily. "The latter at least has less to do with punishment than because they don't know what else to do. Fayr cannot determine how much influence Maygra has on the Web so he wants her where he can keep an eye on her."
"I'd like to take a fast mount into the hulden, just to frustrate the man," Maygra said, a glint of humor in her eyes.
"If I didn't think it would make matters worse, I'd help you," Kevyn said with a chuckle, Jael echoing his laugh. He sat on the floor, playing with Kion and Maric's son. Kiva and Renn were nearby, the lessons Sarai had set them at forgotten as they listened to the discussion.
"Does confined mean I can't practice?" Renn asked, his brow furrowed.
"I believe the phrasing was `closely supervised', Renn," Rhys said reassuringly. "Which means you'll have to have someone -- preferably from the Watch -- go with you. Which you do anyway."
"They're mad because you saved, Maygra?" he asked his brother.
"They're angry because of the methods we used, kiri," Damyn responded with a smile. "Not because we saved Maygra."
"I wouldn't be too sure," Maygra murmured sleepily. "I'm sure half the Keep would be happier if I were not here."
"That's not the same as dead," Jael said quietly, lifting Kion into his lap. Kevyn glanced up sharply, Jael responding a half second later. The link between the two men had grown stronger, an acute awareness of one another sharpened by crisis. Neither they nor anyone had found an opportunity to explore the link fully, although Kevyn now seemed well able to tend his own memories, awake or asleep and Jael had ceased his intervention. Merida was not comfortable with the situation, and while her disposition toward Jael had softened, there was still friction between them. Kevyn was aware of it and made a conscious effort to include his sister in on what had alerted he and Jael.
Rhys was aware as well, moving to open the door and admit Ravon's Masyr-Maen. Laurien entered briskly, barely suppressed anger providing extra energy. Sarai followed, Doren and Yarena behind them, formal emissaries of the Masyren.
"I can see that Rhys has informed you of some part of our decision," Laurien said. " But I prefer you hear the rest from us. We have heard from the Makyer Masyren, and the First Council is somewhat unwilling to defer to our judgment. It seems Maygra's influence is not limited to our Web, but has affected the entire Net. It has become Ravon's primary mission to discover a way to remove that influence. Don't speak just yet, Damyn," Laurien said quietly when the Healer began to protest and Rhys realized, belatedly, the Maen's anger was not directed at them, as he had supposed. "Our sister Keeps are not demanding anything so drastic as to force severance, but they are very interested in knowing how such a thing could happen. I am afraid you will have to submit to examination by some of our people's finest Gift masters," Laurien said. "Sarai has been judged too . . . personally . . . involved to be properly objective. As have I. There will also be sent to Ravon someone sufficiently experienced to command our defenses -- Telvest of Gul'Esta should be here before the end of harvest."
"Telvest is a Guardian!" Rhys said sharply. "The man has no experience in Lorisa's blind raids. His own experience is in maintaining an uneasy truce between Gul'Esta and the Juren nomads."
"Nevertheless, we are to give him every assistance -- including you, Rhys," Yarena said calmly. "Hopefully he will be wise enough to heed your counsel. His primary reason for coming is not as a military commander, but to install a series of Web Stations along Arris."
"They can't be serious," Kevyn said. "Place Webs closer to Morvan? What kind of sense does that make?"
"It is to provide early warning should Lorisa decide to attempt an all-out attack," Laurien said.
Rhys watched Sarai carefully, noting that Laurien was gripping her hand tightly. She met his eyes, shaking her head faintly. "They've asked you to step down, haven't they?" he asked Laurien.
"As Masyr-Maen, yes. I will retain my place on Ravon's Elder Council," he said after a moment, refusing to acknowledge the shocked look on Merida and Kevyn's faces. Rhys's face remained impassive.
"Laurien," Maygra said softly and the older man released Sarai's hand, to sit on the edge of the bed, taking Maygra's fingers gently in his own. "You should have followed your first instinct it seems."
He chuckled softly. "Perhaps I should have. You, at least, would be far better off had I agreed to your request for supplies and let you find your own way, but we, I think, would be no better off than we are now, Masyra. It is our indecision that prompted these decisions, child. I only regret you have been drawn so deeply into them."
"Do I truly influence the Web so deeply?" she asked, a little tingle of fear in her voice. "I am aware of none of it. I can Hear Rhys, and Damyn, to some extent, but there is nothing else to indicate my Gift is anything more than it ever was."
"Which is as Aessa wills it," Sarai reminded her, laying her hands on Laurien's shoulders. "Finish what you came to say, Lauri," she prompted gently.
Laurien sighed. "Until the First Council can make it's own investigation, you are barred from using your sorcery, Rhys. For obvious reasons this must be a voluntary restriction."
"He can't!" Merida protested. "His Gifts are minimal -- you can't deprive him of what the rest of us take for granted!"
"This was a compromise," Doren said sadly. "The other option is exile, Rhys. That Raida's patrol is still missing has caused a great deal of concern, both here and among the First Council."
"What else, Laurien?" Rhys said stoically. "What other demands has the First Council made that Ravon must answer to?"
"Nothing that can't be survived, or at least endured, and I cannot blame them for reacting so strongly to a badly handled situation -- a fault which is mine alone. Because I believed . . . still believe . . . the best talents to handle Lorisa are here already, I failed to keep the other Keeps fully apprised of our situation. Unfortunately, I am not to be alone in their reprimand."
"How can they judge what they do not understand?" Maygra said hoarsely, pulling away from Mikayl's restraint. She sat on the edge of the bed, catching Damyn's hand gratefully when he reached to steady her. "They don't intend to attack Lorisa, do they? They will remain defensive, rather than mounting the offensive attack we all know will be necessary."
"That decision has not been made," Doren cautioned. "Do not make their same error, Maygra, and judge them too harshly. This has caught them off guard and they are acting in what they think to be the best interests of both Aessa and our people."
"Our people are barely aware they're in danger," Maygra said, rising to face the Crafts master. "My mind may be free of their Voices, Masyr, but I remember them. And I remember my own folk dying. I will do anything in my power to keep Rhema's Voices from having company. I don't care what your First Council thinks."
"Nor I," Damyn said quietly. "Lorisa has rendered her horrors far too freely and we may not have the time to convince the First Council of this."
"Do you propose to take her on alone, the two of you?" Yarena scoffed.
"If necessary," Maygra said, locking eyes with Laurien. "What do you want, Maen?"
Laurien studied her intently. She was leaning heavily on Damyn's arm, her face paling under the physical strain, but the green eyes were bright and clear, and the challenge was back. A steely glint he had not been certain he would ever see again.
"I want her stopped," he said at last, but Maygra's gaze did not fall, and he realized what she asking. "I want her destroyed," he added more softly, a faint tremor washing over him.
"You can't mean Ravon to stand alone, in defiance of the Council?" Yarena asked.
"I might," Laurien said taking Maygra's hand. "Perhaps I was too hasty in accepting the Council's judgment. I have made some grave mistakes, but I think I might be wise enough to learn from them. I am not asking for your support Yarena, nor yours, Doren, but I do demand the right to argue my point."
"As do I," Rhys said with a faint smile. "From what I've heard, I am not accused of anything. I will wait my answer until I am, but I will try to keep a low profile," he added with a wink at Sarai.
"Summon the Masyren, Yarena," Doren said evenly, but Laurien was quick to notice the twinkle in his eyes. "It would seem we adjourned too quickly."
Yarena turned quickly, her back stiffening. Doren lingered. "I think Ialana and I will rather enjoy this fight, but we are badly outnumbered," he said with a faint smile.
"Not so," Sarai said. "For though he does not know it yet, Maric now sits on the Elder Council as well, and I think I can guess where his loyalties lie."
Doren chuckled. "So he does, but there are vacant seats yet and the whole Keep might yet be consulted."
"That worries me far less than the reaction of the First Council," Laurien said. "We will follow shortly, Doren," he said gratefully.
"Do you think Ravon can stand alone?" Merida asked. "Rhema could not."
"Rhema was unaware and unprepared," Jael said, picking up Kion. "Ravon is not. Will the Keep follow you in defiance of the First Council, Maen?"
"I don't know, but I have to admit, I do not feel too anxious about the outcome. Perhaps I needed only to know that Lorisa was a mortal enemy, not of ours, but of Aessa's," he said. "The Lady's presence among us is the least you have done for us, Maygra, but it is that presence that our people respond to best."
Maygra nodded, her fingers seeking Rhys's behind Laurien's back. "Some of us respond better than others, Laurien," she said, giving Rhys's hand a light squeeze. "Some of us still reserve the right to disagree with Her from time to time," she said quietly, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Even a Goddess must have a conscience."
Laurien stared at her, open-mouthed at what amounted to blasphemy, but there was no irony in Maygra's tone.
"Perhaps," he agreed slowly. "But perhaps it is Her children that need to heed their own consciences. I trust we can agree on that much at least?"
She nodded. "At least. For now," she added with a faint smile. "I won't promise you more than that."
"Please don't!" Laurien said, only half teasing. "I think you have made the only promise that really ever mattered."
Here will you find what Gift I have given you, Maygra, daughter of Ila and Makaen. In this place, in this time, will you surrender all you love for all you love. Here will you gain all that you demanded of Me and lose all that you have gained for yourself.
No one else heard the faint reminder nor did Maygra say anything, even to Rhys. She leaned against Damyn's shoulder, her fingers still entwined with Rhys's and her eyes drifting over the faces of her family. "Now, our only problem is how to keep it," she said softly, not resisting the small Voice within her.
~the end~
GLOSSARY
A'del'eva:..............Literally: "By your oaths to Aessa" A war cry and a summons. (think au seccors)asa:........................Literally: Truth. an affirmative as in, "yes" or "is it not so?"
Graen:....................pl. Mountains, (also Grae; Mountain)
hait:........................ "To Me" or "Here", imperative, a summons.
kira'sai:...................f. sister, little sister, beloved sister, [familial]
kira:........................f. little one, child (diminutive)
kiri:........................m.little one, child (diminutive)
kiri'nai:...................m.brother, little brother, beloved brother [familial]
Makyera:................f. First, as in a title.
Makyera Gen:........as in First Sword a title, overall commander of the Watch (also: gen... sword, shield, defense)
Masyra-Maena:......f. title of rank for females, equivalent of Lord-Master, title for a member of the Elder Council (or Lady-Master)
n'gari:.......................large lizards, desert scavengers, about the size of a rhinoceros, but looking more like komodo dragons.
Shadrai:...................Literally, Shadow Speaker.
shan'nai:.................m.Wise man or brother, an affectionate term of respect. Used between equals.
shan'sai:..................f.Wise woman or sister, an affectionate term of respect. Used between equals.
theris:.......................fruit bearing tree native to Elerak and the Eastern Plains, rather like a pulpy pomegranate
uralen:.....................pl. Ural; a large cliff dwelling bird, average wingspan is about 20 feet, scavengers mostly.
varin:........................a breed of extremely stocky, sure-footed horses, powerful bodies but small heads. (pl. varinen)
vegen:........................historically they were small leather-winged creatures, not unlike bats, but with elongated snouts and long flattened tails used as messengers for the gods. (pl. vegenen)