An Alliance of Mortals, page 16
part #6 of The New Earth Chronicles Series
A hush fell over those watching as the scryer raised his hands. A sudden acrid smell of ozone made some of the leaders look up as if expecting to see thunderclouds overhead.
But the sky was a clear, pristine blue and the sun hung over them in all of its glory. The smell seemed to be rising from the ground itself and many of those watching shuffled nervously.
“What is happening?” Malcolm whispered to Chao. “It feels like a storm is coming.”
“What you are smelling is a build up of ley energy,” the smaller man replied calmly. “It is answering the scryer's call. Have no fear. It is the very power that created this world in the first place.”
“That isn't very reassuring,” Malcolm said nervously.
A shimmering blue nimbus grew around the still figure of the scryer. An aura of power that shivered and shook like sapphire lightning. And a hum rose out of the earth, a deep vibration that made the watchers shiver.
Callius lowered his arms and then lifted them up again, as if pulling something unseen from the ground in front of him. In response, the earth split open and a spike of rock pushed up slowly into the sunlight.
Black and shiny, the rock was crisscrossed with electric blue veins that pulsed steadily like a heartbeat. It grew and grew until the spike towered over the head of the scryer. And then, as if someone had flipped a switch, the hum of power and the scent of ozone were gone.
Everyone took a breath and stared at the stone spear in wonder, even as Callius stumbled backwards to be quickly caught and steadied by Ethmira.
He turned slowly to look at Tamara and the others behind her.
“It is done,” he said weakly. “The anchor is made and the connection with Caladur is set. Once I create a third node in Kingstone, there will be a permanent three-way conduit between our races.”
He nodded at Tamara.
“The pillar is safe, lady mage,” he assured her. “Have no fear for your people. It can be handled safely, but I would suggest that it not be used casually.”
“How can we activate it, Callius?” she asked him, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“Simply place your hand in its surface,” he replied. “And speak aloud. We have stationed people near our own anchor and they will be able to hear you and respond in the same way.”
There were many dubious expressions in the crowd and Callius smiled at them.
“I know that it looks imposing, but I assure you that it is safe to handle,” he told them.
Tamara looked around at the others and then took a deep breath and strode forward. Sebastian gasped as he realized what his sister was about to do.
“Tammy, maybe you should wait and...”
She ignored him and stopped in front of the towering stone spear. Without hesitation, Tamara placed her hand on its shiny surface and waited to see what would happen.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed. “This feels...amazing. Warm, like a cozy blanket. Callius, I can feel a gentle tingling throughout my body. It is somehow leeching away my aches and pains and filling me with energy. What is happening?”
“Ley energy is an elemental power, Lady,” the scryer told her. “It is a part of this world, and of all the worlds in the universe. We are bound to it and it to us, in ways that even we elves do not quite understand. What you are feeling is a gift from the heart of this planet. A greeting from it to one of its children. At least, that is how I perceive it.”
Tamara removed her hand and turned to look at everyone.
“If it is acceptable,” she said to Callius, “I think that all of my fellow leaders should interact with the anchor. If they choose to, of course,” she added with a smile as some of the group looked back at her nervously.
“It is quite acceptable,” the scryer assured her. “We are all children of the Earth and it recognizes us as such.”
Tamara rejoined her brother and the elves and they watched as several members of the group walked forward reluctantly.
Sebastian winked at his sister and quickly moved ahead of the others be the next one to touch the obelisk. He closed his eyes as he made the connection with the smooth surface and he sighed with pleasure.
“Ah, it's lovely,” he murmured. “Like a warm bath after a long, exhausting day. Delightful.”
Others were obviously reassured now and the entire group shuffled toward the anchor and gathered around it to touch it in turn.
After watching them for a moment, Tamara turned to Callius, who was now standing without Ethmira's aid.
“Are you all right?” she asked him.
Sebastian returned and looked at the young elf with concern as Callius quickly nodded.
“Oh yes, Lady,” he replied. “The ley energy takes a toll on me when I use it, but then it restores me afterward. I am quite well.”
“That's a relief. Now, I have a question for you, Callius,” she said.
He watched her expectantly.
“If the ley is an elemental force of healing and goodness, as you have indicated, how is it that you have used it as a weapon against our enemies?”
The scryer looked startled at the question and Tamara smiled reassuringly.
“I've heard of your deeds on Trillfarness and how you helped to save your people. You didn't just open a portal from there to here, you also harnessed the ley energy and used it in battle. I admire your efforts. But how could you use such a benign power offensively?”
Callius shrugged uneasily.
“I did not like doing it, Lady,” he told her. “I am not one who is drawn to violence. But to save my fellow elves, I had to. As to how, it is as I told you earlier. The ley energy recognizes us as a part of it. Both the ley lines beneath Trillfarness and here on this New Earth are connected to the mortal races. We are all related in a way.”
He frowned as he stared at the glittering obelisk and the people gathered around it.
“But the goblins and the trolls and all of the other misshapen creatures that the Chaos lords have raised to destroy us are not children of this world, or of any other. They were created by dark powers. They are unnatural. And they are anathema to the ley. If such an elemental power can be said to hate, then the ley lines hate the twisted servants of the evil gods. Its very touch is lethal to them.”
He hesitated and gave Ethmira and Malfiess an abashed glance.
“And when it uses me as a conduit to battle such evil, I feel nothing but joy. Isn't that terrible?”
Malfiess squeezed the young elf's shoulder.
“No, it isn't terrible,” he assured the scryer. “Do you think that all warriors enjoy the violence that is part of their calling? Of course not! But in the heat of battle, eagerness must stifle fear. The thirst for victory pushes a warrior onward. And when you channeled the ley power, you were infused with the same feelings. Be grateful for that, my friend. Fear can lose a battle and cost lives. The ley aided you. That doesn't make you a bad person, Callius. It makes you a survivor.”
Ethmira nodded in agreement and the scryer looked relieved.
“Thank you both,” he said faintly. “And you as well, lady mage. I have felt ashamed for my actions on Trillfarness since we arrived here.”
“My name is Tamara,” the mage replied with a warm smile. “Please use it. We are all friends here. Now, when do you expect to travel to Kingstone to install their anchor? I'll feel even better when I know that the entire network has been created.”
“Within a day or two,” Malfiess told her. “When we spoke to Larin, he said that we were welcome at any time. I think that Callius should get some rest before he opens a portal to Kingstone. Once he is refreshed, the three of us will travel down there and finish this network, as you so aptly call it.”
“Excellent,” Sebastian said brightly. “Then if you'd like, I can Gate you and your escort back to Caladur while my sister wraps things up here.”
“Oh, would you, Bastian?” Tamara said gratefully. “I'd appreciate it. When our people are done examining that stone, I want to make sure that the gates are closed, locked and well guarded. I'll sleep better knowing that it is as secure as we can make it.”
“Not a problem,” he said with a grin. “Callius worked so hard to raise that thing,” he nodded at the pillar, “that I feel it is the least I can do for our elven friends.”
After saying their goodbyes, Ethmira and the other elves moved off to one side with Sebastian. Tamara waved at them and watched as they disappeared in a bright flash of light.
“One more anchor to go,” she murmured as she stared at the pillar. “Maybe after it's installed, I can begin sleeping easier. I certainly hope so.”
Chapter 12
Two days after the communication node had been established in the courtyard of Nottinghill Castle, petitioners seeking to gain an audience with Shandon Ironhand in Kingstone were turned away. Several dozen disappointed citizens stood at the front gates and tried to argue with the guards who were blocking their entrance into the palace grounds.
To everyone who questioned them, the ranking officer of the royal guardsmen said the same thing.
“His majesty is not receiving visitors today,” the faceless warrior told them.
All of the guards wore their helmets with the visors tightly closed, making it impossible to tell them apart. The officer had a yellow ribbon tied around his upper right arm, but that was the only indication of rank among them.
“What do you mean, not receiving visitors?” one of the wealthy merchants exclaimed petulantly. “I've traveled across half the length of the empire to see the king. I have very important business to discuss with him.”
She was wearing an elaborately tailored suit made of satin and silk, its many colors making her look like a living rainbow, and her hair was curled and coiffed with great care.
“My orders are clear, madam,” the officer said. “No one is allowed to enter the grounds today. Please return tomorrow morning and you may be admitted into the king's presence then.”
“Return tomorrow?”
The woman looked around at the other supplicants.
“This is outrageous!” she told them angrily. “Is Shandon Ironhand a dictator now? We have the right to speak with him and air our grievances. Are we going to stand for this?”
A rumble of anger rippled through the crowd in response to her words. Without any hesitation, the four guards stepped forward in unison, sweeping their shields off of their backs. Their weapons remained sheathed, but the wall of steel they presented immediately silenced the citizens.
“Are you fomenting sedition, citizen?” the officer asked the petulant woman, his voice as cold as ice.
The merchant stared in shock at the guards as the crowd behind her retreated several steps, leaving her to stand alone in front of the wall of shields.
“N...no, of course not,” she stammered nervously. “I...was just surprised, that's all. Of course his majesty may close the palace if he chooses to. Perhaps he is unwell. He does work tirelessly for us, after all.”
She backed away slowly, as if fearing that any sudden move would anger the guards.
“I'll come back tomorrow,” she told the officer.
“Thank you, citizen,” he replied evenly. “Your cooperation is appreciated.”
The crowd quickly dispersed and the guards hung their shields on their backs again as they resumed their positions.
“I wish that we could tell the people why the palace is closed for business today, Lieutenant,” one of them said to the officer.
“Aye, I do as well,” he replied heavily. “That woman wasn't wrong, you know. All of our people have the right to petition the crown if they feel the need to do so. The seneschal winnows out the nonsense from the real business that needs the king's attention, but they are all allowed to present their case to him.”
He shook his head, his helmet squeaking slightly.
“But orders are orders. The palace is sealed for the day and that is that. I just hope that the higher-ups know what they're doing.”
“The king always knows what he is doing,” another of the guards stated firmly.
“I agree,” the officer replied. “But that doesn't mean his advisors do. Anyway, let's just get through this day and hope that everything returns to normal tomorrow.”
Inside of the palace, Shandon Ironhand was sitting in the throne room, quietly staring into space. He was waiting for a delegation of elves to appear, but they were late. And so he was trying to practice patience. It wasn't working very well.
Falder Oresmith stood next to the throne. He glanced at the king and smiled at Shandon's blank expression.
“Lost in thought, my lord?” he asked.
Shandon turned to look at him and chuckled when he saw Falder's grin.
“Aye, I suppose so. I hate just sitting around when there's work to be done, so I was thinking about what the future might hold for us once this permanent connection is created.”
He stood up, the beads in his beard rattling against his ornate breastplate, and began pacing back and forth across the dais.
“Imagine it, Falder,” he said excitedly. “We'll be able to journey to the surface instantly! If our allies are attacked, we can respond immediately in force and not have to send dozens of drilling machines filled with troops that would arrive too late to help.”
He stopped and smiled widely at the seneschal.
“And we can actually visit the humans and elves as well. As... What's the word? Tourists? Yes, as tourists. Breathe the fresh air, feel the sun on our faces. It's a new beginning for our people, my friend.”
“Yes, my lord, I hope so,” Falder replied.
Shandon frowned at him.
“You look less than enthusiastic about all of this,” he said. “Are you not excited?”
The seneschal smiled ruefully and shrugged.
“I am, my lord. Of course I am. But once everything has settled down and the presence of this anchor thing has been accepted as a reality by our people, someone is going to have to set up schedules for what I believe will be hordes of tourists, as you call them. Both from here to the surface and vice-versa. I am sure that many humans and elves will want to visit Kingstone and our people will want to walk on the surface.”
He shook his head and sighed.
“Think of all of the headaches that will cause,” he added.
The king suddenly burst out laughing.
“I apologize, Falder,” Shandon chortled. “You're right, of course. And as my seneschal, you will be responsible for all of that traffic.”
“Yes I will,” Falder replied heavily. “The day to day business of the palace is run by my office. Fortunately I have an excellent group of hard-working people who help me with my job, but I don't imagine that they will be happy with the prospect of these new duties.”
He shrugged again.
“But my staff will do their best, my lord, and so will I. And once we work out the kinks, I am sure that this new connection to the surface will excite them and make them even more eager to lend their aid to our new allies.”
“Let's hope so,” the king said as he sat down on the throne again. “I am very happy with how well our people have responded to the new threats from the Chaos lords and I want that energy and optimism to continue to grow. And this anchor may help with that.”
Falder nodded his agreement, but his reply was interrupted by a sudden feeling of heaviness weighing down on him. The air pressure seemed to have increased for some reason, but he couldn't locate the source as he looked around the throne room.
He stared at the king in confusion as Shandon jumped to his feet again. He obviously felt the strange effect as well.
“What is happening?” the king exclaimed.
The quartet of guards standing at the doors of the throne room strode forward, their hands on their weapons as they looked around in alarm.
“Oh, I know what it must be,” Falder exclaimed. “I believe that our guests are on their way, my lord. Larin warned me that the ley energy that Callius uses to cross large distances creates just this sort of effect.”
“Did he? Then I wish he was here,” Shandon replied irritably. “Whatever emergency called him away this morning was poorly timed.”
“Emergencies tend to be like that, my lord,” Falder said with a smile.
The king grumbled as he motioned for the guards to return to their posts.
“Our special guests are arriving,” he called out to them.
“As you say, my lord,” one of them replied, her voice echoing around the large hall.
In the exact center of the room, a bright point of blue light appeared just above the ground. It grew quickly into a perfect sphere of sparkling energy and then, with a choking blast of ozone, disappeared again, shaking the entire room as it dissipated.
Six people were left behind as the light faded. Shandon stared at them, coughing and clearing his throat as the stench of ozone lingered in the air. Then he descended from the dais with Falder following closely behind him.
“Welcome, welcome,” the king said with a warm smile. “Ethmira, it is good to see you again. And you as well, Councilor,” he added with a nod at Malfiess.
The group included three rangers, all of whom were wearing thick leather armor. The two males and one female were unarmed, but they watched the proceedings keenly, obviously guarding the other members of the delegation.
“Thank you, your majesty,” Malfiess replied with a bow. “You honor us. I apologize for our rather violent entrance, but Callius said that the closer he gets to the planet's core, the wilder and stronger the ley energy becomes.”
He smiled at the frail-looking elf standing beside him.
“May I introduce our scryer, Callius,” Malfiess said to Shandon.
The young elf was wearing a blood red robe that accentuated his pale skin and wide blue eyes. He stared nervously at the king.
“It is good to meet you, Callius,” Shandon said kindly. “We are all very pleased to see you. Your amazing abilities may be key to the survival of all of our races and we appreciate your efforts on our behalf.”
