Techromancy Scrolls: Soras (25 page)

He nodded. “The ability to think while under pressure is one of the most dangerous weapons nay Knight...” He grinned. “...or Sora, can wield.”

Then he stood taller and took a deep breath and exhaled. “I have my eye on you Tiny Wexbury, I believe some of the whispers I have heard may be true now. You aren't exactly what you appear now are you? And that amber energy you call forth?” He smiled and shook his head as I stood there not knowing what to say.

He chuckled. “I don't expect you to answer. And any suspicions I may have will be kept private, because, as I said, Solomon owes you a debt I can never repay.”

He handed me the package he was holding. “A token from the leader of a holding to the leader of a Gypsy family. An offering of peace. A Treasure of the Realm. I cannot give it to a Knight of Wexbury, but I can give it to an emissary of peace from the Mountain Gypsies whom my wife wronged. And you are a woman of both worlds.”

I looked at it and untied the ribbon and folded the silk covering back to reveal the blade of Lord Cedric. It was beautifully restored, highly polished and honed to a razor's edge. It reflected the light of Father Sol as it rested atop a leather scabbard.

The hilt had new embossed leather bindings and the crest of Solomon gleamed on the circular pommel. Engraved on the blade itself were three crests, the crest of Wexbury, the crest of the Lupei family, and my personal family crest.

I just blinked at it. This blade was close to two thousand years old, held by Lord Cedric himself, and he was gifting it to... me? He said, “That is Hera, the long lost sister blade to Zeus.” He drew his long sword and I realized it was bronze as well and matched the design of the smaller parrying blade.

I scrunched up my eyes and asked a stupid question through my shock, leave it to me to find knowledge more important than physical things. “Hera?”

He nodded and explained, “Our scholars have learned that Zeus was a god of the great Wizards of the Before. Hera was his wife.” He shook his head sadly. “We have lost so much knowledge that we had known even back in Lord Cedric's time. He had known of those old gods when he named the blades and we have just recently re-learned that lost knowledge.”

I nodded, it was why I lived for my visits to the great library, where I could commune with the Techromancy Scrolls to learn of things long forgotten, to help usher in a new era in these modern times as we quickly catch up to what the Wizards of the Before had.

He smiled at me like he knew the thoughts tumbling around in my head. He sheathed Zeus and reached for the smaller blade. “Here, let me assist.” He took the weapon and slid it into the sheath that I saw had all of the crests embossed on it. Then he looped it on my sword belt on my hip opposite Anadele, then secured the straps.

He stepped back to examine me and then smirked, “Tiny, but dangerous.”

I squinted an eye and shook my left fist at him and he laughed heartily. I couldn't stop myself from grinning at the big bear of a man.

He straightened up again and rested a hand on the hilt of his sword lazily. “I have arranged for diplomatic escort and a peace envoy to accompany your group to Heaven's Gate. To help make reparations to the Lupei family.”

He handed me a scroll that bore the wax seal of Solomon. “This writ is a pledge from Solomon to the Mountain Gypsies. They need but to call and our blade is theirs in defense and support. Will you, Sora Laney of the Lupei, accept this burden and deliver it to your conclave?”

The words sounded terribly formal to me. So I accepted with a somber face and a tilt of my head. He handed it to me and then a grin split his face, “Good!” Then he said behind his hand like he was being sneaky, “Now Wexbury is not the only realm to enjoy a special advantage with the People.” He paused and added with a smirk, “Sora.”

I squinted an eye at him and said, “I smell a rat here.”

He humorously lifted his arms to smell his pits, then winked.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Men. Still, he was funny. You don't generally expect that from a Duke.

He offered his arm and I took it with a curtsy, saying, “Your Grace.”

He placed a hand over mine and said as he lead me toward the little arch, “That oath goes for you too Tiny Wexbury, you need but just call and the sword of Solomon will come to your aid. My men will answer to the wielder of Hera.”

I blushed and straightened up as we stepped back into the livery courtyard. I regarded the man a moment as he led me back to my Lady. He put up a really good front. Though I could see the pain from the betrayal of the woman he thought he loved, and his Prime Techromancer, hovering over him like a specter. I had no doubt that this man could weather it.

As he placed my hand back on Celeste's arm, I caught her eyeballing the other blade on my hip. I whispered as the Duke stepped away, “I fear you will need to instruct me in dual wielding now.”

She just cocked an eyebrow with a slight grin, then helped me into the wagon. I vexed her by moving to the driver's seat to sit with Alexandru, who was at the reins, instead of with the injured.

I heard her chuckle as she mounted Shadow. The honor guard fell in line behind us and that signaled the war horns of the keep to bellow in a long uninterrupted ten count as we started toward the Whispering Walls.

We rode the Ring until close to nightfall, before we departed onto Gypsy trails through the Hinterland. Our Wexbury Knights flanking both the wagon and Celeste, they really took their duty seriously. There were ten Solomon Knights and one scholar in the peace contingent with another wagon.

The ground which our Greva had originally covered in two days, pushing our horses, took almost four on the return trip, taking safer paths, traveling slowly with the wagons. It gave me more time to appreciate the beauty of the land.

We stopped at various waterfalls as we journeyed into the Whispering Walls. One in particular demonstrated to me once again, that the artistry of nature surpasses anything our artisans could ever hope to achieve. The water was falling from a sheer cliff face maybe a thousand feet. It caused the falling waters to fan out looking like a ethereal veil. We had heard the roar of it from a half mile away as we approached.

We had our midday meal there and Dru explained, “These waters are called Angel Veil. They come from where only angels dare to tread. This is one of the first wellsprings to feed the Great Sea after the Great Impact. Breathing life into the habitable lands. It is fed from the glaciers on Father Stone and the surrounding mountains.”

Then he smirked at me. “I once saw an angel fall from a cliff, not unlike this one, and live.”

I blushed at the man and Celeste shook her finger at the flirtatious man in mock warning. He answered her with a toothy grin.

Mother Udele was getting anxious as we got onto another trail that looked familiar to me, with Heaven's Gate towering behind it, taking up most of the view. Realizing that we were above the clouds as I looked around, I saw the glacier pass we had started this adventure at. I understood why Mother was fidgeting. She was excited to go... home.

I seriously missed my spelled cloak, I was bundled up in a heavy jacket and a green riding cloak as we moved under the great ice bridge at the summit of the pass. Celeste had moved to the wall and struck it with her blade and brought me a chip of the ice, saying, “My Lady.”

I blushed and looked at the ice. It was crystal clear with that blue glow which was just an illusion. It was hard as stone. I smiled at her and she winked and then just looked straight ahead as she rode tall in Shadow's saddle. I may have giggled at her.

Verna rolled her eyes at us and stuck her finger down her throat. Hey, she was worse than us, always making out with her husband in public. Then I snorted as Kristof rode up to her and presented her with her very own ice shard. She blushed and pushed him out of his saddle, causing chuckles all about us. Then she gushed over the ice when he wasn't looking.

When we crested a ridge but a couple miles from the Meeting Spot, we marveled at the incredible sight before us. For as many gypsy bands who were gathered before we left, the entire valley was now filled with colorful wagons as far at the eye could see. There were tens of thousands of people milling about now. It must have been ninety percent of all the Mountain Gypsies in all the lands of Sparo!

Ranelle had our little caravan halt there. Then she boarded the wagon and had me stand. She looked me over head to toe and adjusted my two blades on my hips then nodded. I looked over to see a grinning Celeste leading Goliath to the side of the wagon. My smile threatened to split my face. They were going to grant me the dignity of riding to the conclave on my own horse.

I stepped over the side of the wagon to slide onto Goliath's back. It felt good like it was supposed to. He and I were a team, and moved as one, something that was as natural to me as breathing now. I have to admit I have missed being in the saddle on the return journey from Solomon.

Then we led our group down into the valley, Ranelle sandwiched between Celeste and me, our Wexbury knights fanned out behind us, with the others following. When we first entered the makeshift path through the enormous caravan, through the gaps left between individual bands, all were silent. Stopping what they were doing in their individual camps to look on in amazement. Many followed behind all the children that ran along behind our motley crew.

The Solomon contingent looked extremely nervous at the hateful glares they were receiving. I'm sure word had spread through even this sea of Gypsy wagons that Solomon was not involved in the plot. It may be just because they were strange Altii, and now the relationship between the People and the Altii were strained close to the breaking point because of what a few had perpetrated on their kin.

Murmurs were flowing through the camps in a wave in front of us as we approached the Meeting Spot. Then I had to smile as I felt almost like I was arriving home as I saw familiar wagons up ahead, with the brand of the Lupei on them.

As soon as we crossed the imaginary boundary between the last family's encampment to the Lupei, a huge roaring cheer went up. They started chanting Mother Udele's name and I beamed back to her as she stood strong and tall in the back of the wagon.

Thousands of Lupei crowded in and we had to stop for fear of trampling people. Mother blinked and asked a woman trying to touch her hand from the ground, “How... how many?”

The woman smiled and said, “With the return of you and the Greva of our Soras, every Lupei is present to herald your return, Mother.”

I looked away as a tear ran down Udele's face. If I hadn't, I would have started bawling at it, and the last thing she needed was one of her Soras blubbering and embarrassing her.

Someone started yelling above the sound of the crowd mobbing us. “Make way! Can't you see that our Mother and Soras have important business to attend? Shoo! Make way!”

I grinned and caught Sylvia's eye. She started to smile but then she went pale as she took a good look at me as the crowd parted. Then she looked toward the wagon to see Udele and she looked positively green.

Mother called out to her, “Alexi of the Aratreya is in need of immediate care. The Alti healers could not do much but keep him comfortable until we could return. I fear he has deteriorated during our return trip. Please see to him until an Aratreya healer can arrive to assist.”

Sylvia nodded and looked between Udele and me. Mother Udele reached down from the wagon and cupped her cheek and said, “There will be time enough for Laney and myself later. Alexi is in need of your skill now. He took on the entire enemy on the waves of the Great Sea to allow for our escape.”

I grinned at her as a murmur went through the crowd. She was playing Alexi up, and it was well deserved. This demonstrated why she was Mother of the Lupei, she played the game well. I was relieved that Alexi would get the care he needed finally. He was indeed a hero borne of a commoner, and it rang thru to me like a kindred spirit.

Once the fisherman was unloaded and whisked away to Sylvia's wagon, our group started forward again to the meeting spot. When we arrived, the Solomon knights were surrounded by the Great Mother's stewards with swords drawn and arrows at the ready.

Ranelle just sighed and raised a hand and said in a booming voice over the angry shouts from the gathered crowd. “Lower your weapons, they are an envoy of peace, they are not our enemy.”

She slipped off her mount as we stopped, the crowd all took a knee as soon as she touched the ground. She motioned for everyone to rise.

I slid out of the saddle and winced and gasped when my back burned at the jarring impact with the ground. I staggered but held onto Goliath to steady me. Celeste was instantly off of Shadow and offering her arm. I took it gratefully.

Alexandru had carefully lifted Udele to the ground and skillfully supported her, disguising the extent of her injuries that were still healing. I had to smile at the big man, he was such a soft touch underneath all of his bravado.

I looked to the horizon, Father Sol was getting low, we had perhaps another half hour of daylight. I looked to the east to see the Three Sisters rising in the sky, pale ghosts in the light of the sun between gathering clouds.

We all waited at the edge of the stone arc of the Gathering Spot and I noted that the other twelve Mothers of the conclave were already seated. Those almost invisible scouts of the People must have seen our approach and informed the Mothers.

Ranelle made a little stay motion behind her with her hand and we stopped. She strode purposefully to the huge chair on her side of the large wooden table and looked at the conclave, inclined her head in acknowledgment then smiled and sat.

With that, the crowd quieted and you could hear the maddening whispers as the wind threaded its way through the peaks. She said, “I see word arrived of the success of our mission, and the postponement of the vote until our return.” She seemed pleased as the women of the conclave tilted their heads in agreement.

Then she stood and looked at the empty chair across from her. She said loudly to the crowd, addressing them more than us, “Mother Udele, would you please take your place on the War Council to complete the conclave?”

The crowd roared as Mother Udele freed herself from Dru's arm and stepped carefully to the center of the smooth stone arc. She held up a hand and the crowd quieted. She said, “Great Mother, with respect to you and my sister Mothers, I am still recovering from my captivity and fear I am not as objective as I ought be.”

She looked back at me and gave me a wicked smile. Mother Luna, she was going to... She cut my thought short as she said, “I would appoint my Sora, Laney of the Lupei family as my proxy on the council.”

I sighed. The last time I sat at the War Council, things didn't exactly go smoothly.

The conclave started protesting and arguing. We all winced as Ranelle slammed the stone onto the table to get their attention. She smiled sweetly, which was kind of scary, then said with authority, “It is within the rights of every Mother to name any of her Soras as proxy.”

Then she smiled sympathetically to Udele and said, “Your substitution is accepted Mother Udele. For the duration of this vote, Sora Laney shall be Mother of the Lupei.” She beckoned me forward. Celeste gave my hand a little squeeze and pushed me gently forward on reluctant legs. Then the Great Mother said, “Someone, please get Udele a chair.”

A steward rushed forward to take Udele's arm and led her to our group as another steward seemed to materialize with a little wooden chair for her to rest upon.

I swallowed and stepped up to the table. I inclined my head to everyone and some returned the gesture. Tianna gave me a cute tiny wave then looked down at her hands as she blushed. I grinned, she was going to be a heartbreaker when she reached the age of majority. She reminded me so much of myself once upon a time.

Ranelle looked around then said, “We are to pick up where we left off on the vote. First, we need to hear from Mother Laney of the Lupei on the outcome of her Greva's mission to rescue Mother Udele and her investigation into the Dark Knights.”

I blinked in confusion for a moment, why had she not just told them? Then I understood, it was protocol. Since it was technically me leading the mission for both the Lupei and the Altii, I needed to tell everyone what occurred, even though it was obvious everyone in attendance had already heard.

I looked around nervously. I paused at the horrified look on Tianna's face as she stared at my hand. I guess the scars from the Monolith and the angry red and puckered skin and black stitches, where my index finger should be, were kind of jarring. Her eyes traveled up and paused at the burns on my neck. The poor girl looked sick. I gave her a reassuring smile.

Then I looked around, Celeste and Ranelle giving me encouraging looks. I swallowed and said as loud as my horse, raspy voice would allow. “Our Greva was successful in locating the ruins where the Dark Knights of the Altii were holding Mother Udele. With the aid of Alexi of Aratreya...” I paused and gave Tianna a proud smile.

Then I continued, “We were able to free Mother Udele and learn about the origin of the Knights who slaughtered the people of the Lupei and kidnapped our Mother.”

I pulled out the sealed scroll that Duke Liam had given me and held it up high. “It was a rebel faction, not sanctioned by the Lord of Solomon, nor any other realm. The Duke's own wife, Duchess Aelwen, and his Prime Techromancer Kennick had schemed to overthrow Duke Liam and seize control of the realm and throw the lands of Sparo into disarray.”

That sparked grumblings and shouts throughout the crowd. I waited for Rain to slam the stone onto the table like a thunderclap to quiet them down since my voice didn't carry well anymore, even with the aid of the shape of the Meeting Spot.

Then I added, “Those who perpetrated the heinous act have been brought to justice, save Duchess Aelwen and a handful of traitorous Knights. Duke Liam has sent word to all eleven realms to be on the lookout for the fugitives and a call to bring them to justice. A heartbreaking act on his part as it is a death sentence on the woman he believed he loved.”

I held the scroll out to Ranelle and a steward stepped beside me, retrieved the scroll and ran it around to her. “That, Great Mother, is a pledge from Duke Liam himself. Condemning those who perpetrated the act, and swearing that Solomon did neither authorize nor condone the actions of the Dark Knights. He further pledges the sword of Solomon should the Lupei or any other of the People call upon Solomon for aid.”

That got some more positive murmurs going. Some of the women of the conclave leaned over to whisper to each other as Ranelle broke the wax seal and read the scroll, then nodded, holding it up panning it for the crowd to see. I hid a smirk, she was such a showman, but I understood she needed to be.