Champions of Serenity :Gathering the Circle

Chapter 38

The wood groaned as it gently kissed the dock it was berthed to in the port city of Saldowns. The sun was just topping the cliffs, suddenly making the grey face of the stone glitter with the quartz that made this rock home. Giant cranes secured into the very rock of the cliffs worked lifting cargo from the ships below at the docks and setting it down by the warehouses at the top of the precipice. Stairs and ramps had been cut into the side of the cliff and traffic was heavy going both up and down to Saldowns and the docks below them.

“Doesn’t this place have a natural harbor?” Fini asked as he watched a mule train trudge up one of the ramps, heavily laden with baggage from some travelers like themselves.

“It has a few places that could support a harbor, if you wanted to brave the seas around them and the other natural risks such places here in Catira seem to amass.” Tyra said with a pride in her homeland that most others from Catira seemed to share. “The very perversity of this land is that the more gentle and hospitable it appears, the more dangers it hides. That is why it isn’t more heavily populated; strangers can’t seem to understand the dangers. Come, we will go up the morning stairway, which will take us into the trading district and bypass the slaughter houses and tanneries.”

“I’m just glad we aren’t on the ship anymore.” Airidon said and picked up his single pack and slung it over his shoulder.

They had found a ship willing to take them to Saldowns with no questions asked and had worked as crew to help cut the costs of the passage. Other than Shrina’s habit of waking at dawn and waking her companions as well, no matter what time they got to sleep, the passage was uneventful.

Jehro was the last off of the ship and he came up with the captain, laughing over something they both refused to discuss. With a jaunty wave at the captain, Jehro skipped a step or two as he joined his friends. “Well, we have a friend in him, anytime we need it. And somehow, I think we will need it.”

Airidon shrugged and turned to Tyra. “This is your home, you shall lead us. Where do we look for the tem…”

“Hush, Airidon. Don’t ever speak of it out loud. Not here.” Tyra looked around and made sure that nothing seemed out of place. “Come on, talk about the wonders of the quartz cliffs or the amount of trade or anything but the real reason we are here.” Tyra whispered and then set off on a determined path to one of the many stairways.

As they climbed the stairway, worn smooth by thousands of feet over hundreds of years, they began to feel the heat of the sun beating down on them. Getting to the top, Tyra didn’t allow them to pause until they were well away from the edge of the cliff to admire the city spread out before them.

Brilliant white stone glittered in the sunlight and radiated the heat into the streets and the many wooden stalls covered in bright fabrics and paint. The dirt itself seemed bleached out by the sun and was more grey than brown. People bustled along the traders markets, examining goods from all over Sandeenai: weapons from Emeronia, silks from Trinthalas, clocks from Zenwich, toys from Dubinsk, weavings from Uguam, spices from Jentro, and many other wonders and everyday things needed by those living on Catira.

“This isn’t a bad little city.” Shrina said as she fingered a dagger in a stall bearing the mark of Kelmore. She lifted it and then frowned as Airidon turned away from her and the dagger and walked to a stall selling travel supplies. “What’s up with him?” Shrina asked.

Fini took the dagger, looked at it carefully, and set it back on the table. He gave the merchant a smile to let him know it wasn’t him or his goods that was the problem, and hauled Shrina over to a different area away from both Airidon and that seller. “I thought you had been with him the longest, Shrina. How could you have made so stupid a mistake? Think about it.”

Shrina looked at Fini’s back as he stalked away, anger washing off of him in waves as he moved. “It was just a dagger.” She said softly, still not understanding. She jumped as Jehro touched her on the shoulder.

“No, Shrina, it wasn’t just a dagger. It bore the mark of his home and the special weave of his father. It was one of the last things his father had ever made, just before he was slaughtered by Handsome’s men.” Jehro kept the reproach from his voice as he reminded Shrina of just why they were together in the first place. He allowed it to sink in and then wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her to a different weapon’s stall and found some items she would like from Meckadon.

That night, they slept in one of the travel inns outside of Saldowns, heading into the plains to the southeast. Tyra would say nothing more about where they were going except down from the plateau that the city was built on.

A soft tapping on the door in an odd pattern woke Shrina. She jumped up, dagger in hand, and found Tyra already awake and dressed. “What are you doing?” She hissed as Tyra opened the door without checking to see who it was.

“Tyra!” The tall man could have been her twin they looked so much alike. “I had heard you were in the city yesterday and looking for us. Lucky for you we hadn’t left yet. Going to see my father, is what I heard.”

His voice was a light baritone that filled the air of the room with warmth that had nothing to do with the rising sun. His black hair fell in waves down his back and was held from his face with a braided cord. He wore gray leather clothing that was supple from age and care and the sword at his waist wasn’t decorated with anything more than a braided cord that matched what he wore around his head.

Tyra turned to face those she had come with, all now staring at this man and Tyra waiting for her to introduce them. “Fini, Airidon, Jehro, and Shrina, this is my cousin, Jedidiah Rizlishken. He owns one of the finest trading caravans on Catira and keeps his own trained warriors to guard it. It is his father that we have to see and Jed is the best and fastest way to get to him.”

Airidon stepped forward and offered his hand to Jed. “I’m Airidon Cybrec, and it has been my honor to travel with your cousin.” As the two men shook hands, Airidon took note of the calluses on the man’s hand and nodded his appreciation of the fact that this man knew his way around a sword.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Airidon. I know that when Tyra left us, we all worried about her, all but my father. He seemed to think that she would be back and with friends.” Jed threw his head back and laughed. “For someone who claims to follow none of the spoken of gods, he sure has his inside sources.”

“Perhaps, that is because he follows one who isn’t spoken of, yet revered above all?” Jehro suggested, also offering his hand to Jed. “I am Jehrones Cinnabar.”

Jed narrowed his eyes and looked to Tyra before stepping in and closing the door behind him. “Such things, Friend Jehrones, aren’t spoken of, even among family.”

“Perhaps the time for that is at an end, Friend Jed. And those I call friend, call me Jehro.”

The two men stood toe to toe and nose to nose, the silent battle waging. “Who was it that tipped you off, Jed?”

Jed gave Jehro a nod and turned to Tyra. “Andro. He saw you speaking with Petra and sent one of his boys with a message to me. Who are these people, Tyra?”

Tyra squared her shoulders and met her cousin’s eyes, staring into them. “They are the ones who saved my life when I was captured by the Emperor. They are the ones who are mentioned in that which my Uncle Davis protects; as am I, Jed. We are here to get that from Uncle Davis and claim her who we would name leader despite her heritage. We would also use it to gather the last who are not with us at this time. We are here for that which isn’t spoken of by those who have tongues.”

Jed gave Tyra a sharp look and then looked over her traveling companions again. “I will take you to my father, Tyra, and let him decide if what you are speaking is heresy or truth. I am not wise in the ways of such matters, not as he is. We will leave at noon, by the south gate.” He then turned and left them alone.

“What was all that about?” Shrina asked.

“My uncle is the headman of Neasah, the only place in the entire world that has a temple of Serenity. He is also the one who protects its secrets. We don’t talk about it, because it hasn’t been time. But as Jehro said, that time is coming to an end and woe unto us because we are the ones who have to fulfill it. We need to get ready, we are joining Jed’s caravan and he will probably ask us to help guard.”

Tyra went to her things and started packing them in her bag. Then she prepared her sword and daggers, not saying anything more about either the prophecy or her cousin. The others took her cue and gathered their gear and prepared to take up the job of caravan guards.

Jed nodded as Tyra and the others joined his group just as they headed out of the south gate and down the rutted road to the valley of the plains below. Most of the caravan and guards were family to Tyra either by blood or marriage and her friends took delight in the stories they chose to tell about her. Fini kept very close to Tyra, scowling at anyone who appeared to upset her and he didn’t care if it was family or one of their group. All he cared was that she not be too upset because something was troubling her and he didn’t like it.

It took only two days until they came to a village that didn’t seem to have that much to recommend it. The main street was the same white dust that most of the roads in Catira were, the buildings were also made of the same white stone that all the other buildings appeared to be made of. There were only four buildings that weren’t homes in the village, along with the open air market this area seemed to prefer over shops in the colder northern areas. It was to the largest house, just off of the main square, that the caravan came to a stop.

Jed directed his men to start unloading into one of the four buildings, the one nearest this house, the goods that would be staying here and then having others take the horses to the stables behind this building and care for them. When things were settled to his liking, he turned his attention to Tyra and her companions.

Tyra shook her head and walked to the door of the house and without stopping, opened it and walked in. “Uncle Davis, are you home?” She called out.

The others followed her and stopped on the threshold in wonder. The inside of the house was paneled with a deep red wood that was polished to a high gloss. It was cooler inside by a noticeable difference and they stopped fanning themselves and felt the sweat on their bodies cooling. Woven carpets and tapestries hung on the walls, adding a riot of color and textures that wouldn’t have been guessed at from the hard stone exterior. Piles of cushions were set in groupings to suggest comfort and relaxation rather than formality.

From behind a large silken curtain came a tall man with silver at his temples but otherwise looking just as young and vital as his son and niece. “Tyra, you are late. I expected you two weeks ago.” He looked at those with her and frowned. “I also expected at least one other with you. What happened? Jed, will you please make sure that the bathhouse is ready and tell Mistra that the feast will be tonight. Then you must leave Tyra and her guests and me alone for the next few hours.” Davis didn’t wait to see if his instructions were followed, he took Tyra’s arm and guided her and the others back behind the curtain he had just left.

The room was smaller than the main room, but it also held the same riot of color and charm as the outer room. He directed them all to be seated in comfort and poured them each a tiny porcelain cup of a thick black drink.

Smiling, Tyra sipped at the liquid and closed her eyes to savor it. “Ah, Uncle, there is nothing like this anywhere else in the world. How I have missed so simple a thing as koa.”

Davis smiled and urged the others to try it. Fini took a sip and seemed to growl over it a moment. “Ground ketis root, sylph’s rose hips, delamin bark, and caocao bean. Interesting, I never would have thought of making that exact mixture. It’s boiled and then strained and then boiled again. Only this second time….ah, that is the elusive element…the second boiling is in distilled ginger wine.” He smiled at Tyra and Davis. “This is very good, thank you for sharing such a wonderful treat with me.”

Davis and Tyra looked at each other and broke into a laugh. “My dear friend, no one has ever been able to discover my special secret to making koa, it’s something of a legend here. And yet, with one taste, you have managed to do just that. How?”

Fini looked at all those staring at him, varying degrees of surprise and pleasure on their faces. He mumbled something about it being a hobby of his and took another sip of the warming drink. He did his best to ignore the blush he felt turning what little of his face not covered with hair a deep red and reminded himself that he should keep such speculations to himself in the future.

“Well, my friends, you must tell me of your journey so far. I was expecting one other to be with you; a young woman of remarkable heritage and uncommon beauty. She was with you; I can tell by the way your eyes won’t quite meet mine when I speak of her. I tell you now, she is welcome always to my home as are you. I tell you also, what is spoken of in this room must not be made common knowledge until such a time as Serenity herself makes it known.”

“You know of Serenity?” Shrina asked, setting aside her empty cup and leaning forward on her cushion of golden velvet. “Is She truly as important as Tris thinks She is?”

“Ah, her name is Tris? I have wondered. That would be for her father, Trisandar. I wonder where her mother comes into the picture. Jaqukwen was one of the few Demons I could tolerate.” He smiled at some private memories. A faint sound from Airidon pulled him back to here and now, he looked up and chuckled. “You look surprised, young warrior, but you shouldn’t be. I know what each of you are, I know that which you seek, and I have been instructed by Her who has chosen you to give you the prophecy that binds you to Her. Normally, Dwarves and humans don’t mix so pleasingly, young man, but in you, it is a good blending.”

“What are you?” Airidon asked his tone reverent. It bothered him that things he had always kept to himself were spoken of so casually by this stranger.

“I am the high priest of Serenity. There are things that have been kept secret for ages that must now come to light. And there are things that will be surprising to each of you and some that will horrify you. But before I can begin my teaching of you, I must know of your journey so far.”

The five of them looked at each other and then nodded. Jehro took a breath and began to tell Davis Rizlishken about how they had each joined this group and what had driven them to leave their homes in the first place. The koa cups had been filled again and Jehro was given a ceramic mug of chilled fruit juice to keep his mouth moist as he spoke. The light of early afternoon deepened to the darkness of twilight as the tale continued.

A soft knock followed so closely on the ending of Jehro’s tale that everyone but Davis jumped. “We will be ready for the bathhouse in a few minutes, Jed. The feast will be at moonrise in two hours.” Davis called and then turned back to the five before him. His face was grave and a crease of worry grew between his brows.

“Tris is in deadly peril. When I saw you coming to me for the prophecy, I saw two different versions. In the first, you all six came together and you had very little trouble fulfilling your destinies. But there were other things that happened that I would have tried to change if I could. In the second, only you five came to me and the last was wrapped in the darkness of the vile one’s power. The final outcome of the second is better than the first, but it will be much harder for you all and there will be times when the grief will be more than mere mortals can handle. You must leave here as soon as you understand the prophecy. Once back on Nasinih you must go north, to the very borders of the vile one’s lands to reclaim her who you have lost. You must see with your hearts, not your eyes, for she will be hidden from view. Trust in your skills, trust in the bonds you have forged, and in the end, you will earn that which you seek more than anything.” He smiled then. “Even if you don’t know now what it is you want.”

He would say no more and stood, guiding them to their rooms and showing them how to get to the bathhouse and welcomed them once again to his home. Davis reminded them that they had a feast in two hours and they were the guests of honor so please, don’t be late. Tyra would know where to go for the feast.

Alone again, the five looked at each other. The weight of Davis’s words hung about them like a fog. Each in their turn started to speak and then stopped before giving voice to the thoughts they all seemed to share. Without giving voice to their fears, they nodded in understanding and prepared for the feast.

The bathhouse was a large stone building with heated stone floors. Large pools had been carved in the stone with seats inside as well as room to swim for those more actively inclined. Each room had a different temperature of pool, beginning with blood temperature, to scalding hot, to cool. Pots of incense burned in each room and large walkways allowed for free travel between the rooms. Bathing in Catira was a group activity and as Tyra explained this, she guided them to the bathhouse and showed them how to sluice their bodies down with the warm spray just inside the door and then how to enjoy the different rooms.

The warm pool was constantly flowing, too keep the water clear and bowls of scented soap flakes were near to hand to those sitting at the edge. The five of them scrubbed the dust of travels from their bodies, scrubbing with small coarse balls of something that looked like tangled wire that Tyra called the pumice. Their skin was bright from their bathing and then Tyra guided them into the room where the steam was so thick it was hard to see and breathe. The water was scalding and after the first moment of getting used to it, they found it soothed away the weariness of their travels and eased the ache of all their losses. The water here bubbled and smelled of things soft and comforting, the incense caressing the steam and bringing the added cleansing deep into their very spirits. Finally, Tyra led them to the cool water and showed them how to just plunge in and allow the shock to revive the mind. The bracing of the cool water after the scalding of the last cleaned their minds from the fog of heavy hearts and distressing thoughts.

When they were done, they stood and found soft robes of an absorbent cloth that was the final comfort in the bathing process. They didn’t talk as they bathed, except to compare scents and feelings on the new experience, but then, they didn’t need to.

Back in the house, they changed into clean clothing of loose trousers and full cut tunics, provided by Davis while their travel stained clothing was being cleaned. They frowned at the colors each of them had been given, it seemed that it was deliberate on Davis’s part just one more thing they had yet to learn.

They could smell the feast before they arrived in the public square. Large, legless, tables had been set up in the main square where earlier in the day had been market stalls and carts. Cushions of all colors and sizes were strewn around the tables and everyone in the village had turned out to join the festivities. Foods of all kinds were heaped in the center of the tables and large platters were before each of the places to sit. No one would go hungry this night.

Davis smiled as they joined him near the end of one of the tables and he gestured for them to enjoy. Musicians from the village had set up an area for dancing and some of them were playing softly as the feasting was going on. Dancers in wild costumes came out and teased Airidon, Fini, and Jehro as the new comers to the village, trying to tempt them with pleasures that might or might not be forth coming. A handsome young man tried to divert Shrina from a plate of highly seasoned fruit in a gelatin that she had found irresistible. Nothing of import was discussed at the tables and each of the companions relaxed and enjoyed the hospitality of Tyra’s uncle and village.

The feasting ended as the moon reached its zenith with everyone nibbling on dishes they liked more than others and when no one else had the energy to play music or dance. Cushions were taken back into homes and the dishes were left out for the morning birds to fill their bellies on the crumbs.

Laughter woke the companions, all except Shrina, as Davis found the Siblen looking through his scrolls. “I’m sorry, Majesty, but what you are looking for isn’t stored in my home, what you want is in the temple.”

Airidon came into the library, buckling his sword around his waist, his twin swords already in place on his back. “I’m sorry, Davis, but Shrina has this habit of waking at dawn. She seems to think that the rest of us need as little sleep as she does.”

Davis held up his hand and smiled. “No need to explain, Airidon, I know all about the Siblen. It is part of my job. Now then, can I get breakfast for anyone?”

“That would be wonderful, Uncle Davis.” Tyra said as she finished braiding her hip length blue-black hair. She tied it off with a simple braided thong of white and grey. “Fini would like to help, if you’ll allow it.” She finished knowing that the man she loved rarely ate anything he didn’t help prepare. Davis nodded and he and Fini left the others in the library to talk.

“Now that we’ve each had time to digest what we learned last night, does anyone have anything they want to add?” Airidon stated as he took a chair and fingered a tapestry of a woman whose face was hidden in a blaze of starlight.

Jehro stared at the same tapestry and then his eyes widened. “Airidon, do you know who that is?” Jehro’s voice was reverent and everyone in the room turned to look at it.

Tyra walked over to it and gently brushed the halo of stars in fascination. “I’ve seen this since I was a child and I never could figure out who it was. Uncle Davis said that it was handed down to him from his grandfather and no one ever knew who posed for it. It’s supposed to represent the magi line of my family.”

“You are a wizard, Tyra?” Shrina asked, turning her attention from the image to her friend.

“I have wizard blood in me, Shrina, but I don’t know how much and I’ve never really learned anything beyond simple fire starting that any good conjurer can do.” Tyra shrugged and took a seat by the fireplace and took a book from the shelf.

“Jehro?” Airidon asked when the girls were deep in discussion over the fashions in the book Tyra had opened.

Jehro turned bright green eyes to Airidon, tears glittering in them. He dropped the half-Elf image and stood in his normal Chameling form with his wild red hair. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion, wonder, and awe. “Airidon, that is Serenity.” He stated simply and wiped his eyes.

“I wondered if anyone would recognize it.” Davis said as he entered the room with a tray laden with cheese, crusty bread, and a fruit filled steaming cereal. “Only a true champion would be able to see the eyes in the stars. That is something I wish I could see, but I am not given that gift, not yet anyway. We will eat, and then go to the temple.”

The group ate in silence, each watching the image of Serenity, lost in thought. Many leagues away, on Nasinih, three minds blazed with the image of Serenity and each of them wondered where such an image came from and what it meant.

Shægnek smiled as the prophecy she had worked so hard on was finally being brought to light. She wondered if anyone other than herself and Serenity knew about all the subtle under tones to this prophecy. It would be interesting to watch as her brothers and sisters figured it out.

“I didn’t know you had given that tapestry to your High Priest.” Shægnek said as she felt Serenity enter her library.

“It isn’t the one you created, my sister, it is just a copy. I was pleased by their reaction to it. I have chosen true and you have created true. I thank you, Shægnek, for your help in this prophecy.” Serenity smiled and stood by the window to watch.

“When did that happen?” Chaos demanded when he saw the image of Serenity touch the minds and hearts of her chosen champions. He scowled when he saw the original on the wall of Shægnek’s library. He walked over to it and took a closer look. Then his scowl deepened as he started to notice just how it had been made. “What else do you have hidden in here?”

“Chaos, dear, don’t be angry. It’s part of her job and she has done the same with every prophecy she’s been charged with. Even yours, if you notice.” Serenity said softly and guided her brother back to the window. “Now, watch as it unfolds.”