The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations (8 page)

It was so rich, in fact that any citizen of Sheyron that did not earn a minimum amount of currency per year was given a special stipend from the government in order to maintain “A standard of living worthy of a citizen of Sheyro
n (Admiral Gondol).”  In order to qualify for this stipend, a citizen had to maintain a job or profession within the borders of Korsh or on one of the islands.  This made citizenship in Sheyron much prized by the peoples of other nations and many attempted to emigrate.  However, Sheyron had very strict immigration laws and jealously protected her borders.

Being a very wealthy nation, Sheyron also became known as a home of artists and intellectuals.  Professional musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and p
hilosophers were sponsored by the government to “Enrich the lives of the great people of Sheyron (Admiral Hono)” and the arts flourished.  Grand sculptures lined the streets of Korsh and great paintings hung every official building and hall.  And because Sheyron had trade with all the other nations, there was never any fear of hunger or disease.  Because all the other nations relied on goods provided through Sheyron’s trade; such as crops from Walechia sold to Masallah (and vice versa), Sheyron’s trade empire had never been in jeopardy since the end of The Great War.  A shortage of tobacco had been the only thing to provide any kind of unrest in the five hundred years following the end of the war.

             
The political structure of Sheyron was much different than the other nations.  Sheyron had no King, Queen or royal family.  Instead, Sheyron had an “Admiral” that was elected by a special council of military and merchant ship captains.  This Admiral ruled through this council, which met regularly in order to discuss matters of state and/or important social matters.

             
The Admirals had learned early on that the secret to maintaining peace and security for their nation lie in the dependence the other three nations had in their trade with and through the tiny nation.  They had also learned that maintaining peace at home lie in keeping their people healthy and happy.  No nation is without political intrigue or scandal.  However, for five hundred years, the Admirals of Sheyron had not only maintained peace and prosperity.  They achieved a standard of living for themselves and their people of which the rest of the known world was sorely jealous.

Chapter Eleven

              In his deep sleep, Kenner had a dream that was so clear and realistic, it seemed truly real.  He could see sharp, contrasting colors, like violets, reds, greens and yellows.  He could hear voices coming from all around him and the people they belonged to. And in addition to familiar scents, there were strong and sweet aromas he’d never before known.  He was being led down a path through a dense forest filled with trees he’d never before known.  They weren’t as tall as the trees he knew from his forest in the hills, but they were so lush and full there was nearly no space not covered by leaves and vines.  The canopy of the forest was so dense, barely any light filtered through.  Strange animals and brightly colored birds peered at him from above and around him and unlike his mostly quiet woods, this forest was alive with almost deafening noise. 

It was hot and he felt as if surrounded by steam.  On both sides of the path were strange people covered in hair and wearing battle armor.  Despite their formidable
weapons, he did not feel afraid or even intimidated.  Somehow he knew they meant him no harm and that he would be safe. 

At the end of the path was a huge stone building rising above the forest and having a smooth domed roof.  It rivaled in size the palac
es of Kallesh.  Suddenly he was at the top of the stone steps leading to the large doors.  They swung wide and he heard what sounded like hundreds of voices chanting in rhythm.  The inside was cavernous with rows of seats built into the walls and circling a massive tiled floor. 

There were pictures made out of the tiles, but he couldn’t make out what they were, for dominating the floor in the center was a giant, black, hollowed-out tree stump with thick smoke billowing out of its jagged top.  The smoke had
a familiar, but much stronger aroma; tobacco.  The stump was sitting perfectly on its roots and he could see one root stretching out across the floor and tapering off to a series of vines that crawled up a stone pedestal at the far end of the hall.  He could see someone seated in what looked like a throne at the top of the ornate pedestal, but before he could make out the figure in the throne, he was awoken by someone shaking him.

“Kenner,” a familiar voice spoke to him.  “Wake up.  We’re almost there.”

Kenner opened his eyes, but the blinding light felt like daggers penetrating his eyes.  His head felt heavy and as if there were a small blacksmith hammering metal in his skull.

“Headache?” Terri’s voice asked him.

He rubbed his eyes gently and tried to push himself up to a seated position, but the hard ground seemed to move underneath him.

             
“What the hell happened?” He groaned.

             
“I’m sorry about that.” Terri’s voice said again.  “I had to give you a mild sleeping potion.”

He slowly opened his eyes again and
the blur he saw before sharpened into a clear image.  Terri was seated across from him and several other figures in cloaks lined a wooden structure that seemed to barely contain all of them.

             
“Where am I?” He asked.

             
“To be specific, you’re in a boat” Terri answered smiling.

             
“A boat?” He said and almost jumped up.  As he did, he felt it rock underneath him.  Two hands from people he couldn’t see steadied him.  “Why am I in a boat?”

             
“We’re going to see the Lady.” Terri said grinning.

             
His head still hurt and he carefully rose to a seated position.  He could only see Terri and the cloaked people around him.

             
“Where’s Shela?” He asked in an irritated voice.

             
“Two boats behind us.” Terri answered.

Kenner sighed and rubbed his, still hurting head.

              “How long was I asleep?”

             
“Three days.” Terri said simply.

             
“Three days?” He almost shouted.  Again he moved too quickly and the boat rocked.  The hands steadied him once more.

             
“Like I said,” Terri added.  “It was a mild sleeping potion.”

             
“You have a strange concept of the word ‘mild’.”

             
“If you makes you feel any better, I had to take the same potion.  I always do when I visit.”

             
“I swear to the Lady, if I ever get the chance, I’m going to piss in your ale.”

Terri stopped him speaking anymore by putting her hand
on his shoulder.

             
“Look up.” She told him.

Kenner looked above him and was awed by what he saw.

              Soaring above him were huge, black trees, their branches reaching to the sky barely visible above him.  He raised himself more and saw that the trunks of the trees were as large as houses.  His breath was taking away by the massive trees and branches soaring into the sky.  Staring with wide eyes, he found himself giggling like a little boy and then laughing.  Nothing he’d ever experienced or even imagined prepared him for the awesome power of what he saw around and above him.

             
The boat passed next to a tree rooted on the river bank and it seemed so alive and mighty, he felt small and helpless like a child.  He wanted to cry out in joy and terror at the same time, but he had no breath in his chest.  He could also feel the life within the trees.  They were looking down on him and watching.  He felt it.  He knew it.  He heard whispering voices as if trying to speak to him and greet him as a welcome guest.

             
He also saw creatures of the forest running to the banks of the river.  Some peeked curiously from behind the massive black trunks.  Squirrels ran down the trunks.  Rabbits, raccoons and deer flooded the river banks and all seemed to want to look at him in as much wonder as he felt at that moment.  One of these, a mighty stag bigger than any he’d ever seen before appeared on the river’s edge as if presenting himself; showing himself off.

             
Suddenly some of the huge branches of the trees began to reach down to him.  They creaked and moaned in voices that sounded like greetings.  He fell back onto the floor of the craft fearful, but still feeling a sense of wonder.  His face began to hurt from the smile on his face.  He felt like squealing like a baby laughing.  Several of the smaller branches at the end of the colossal arms reaching down reached down into the boat and then one, with tiny, fresh new leaves reached out and touched him.  He felt a sensation like lightning coursing through him and now thought himself more alive than ever before.

             
“They never did that for me.” Terri said amazed.

Before long, there appeared to be doors and windows cut into the trees with lights coming from within.  Raising himself from the floor of the boat, he gazed around him and saw hundreds of the enormous trees with thousands of lights coming from within.  Some were so far away, they looked like stars. 

He saw the wide river around the boat with its water so clear, he could see the stones on the river bed and fish darting around the boats
.  And everything around him was bathed in a soft, silvery light.

             
“Welcome to the Blackwoods, my friend.” Terri said grinning.

             
Kenner then heard the deep groaning sound of a very unhappy Shela.  He looked past Terri and saw her head with a sad face hanging out of the boat.

             
“Don’t worry about her.” Terri told him.  “They’ve been catching fish and feeding it to her for the past three days.”

             
“She doesn’t look particularly happy.”

             
“I’m afraid she might be a little seasick.”

Kenner saw Shela look at him as
if to say “I don’t feel good, Daddy.”

Chapter Twelve

             
Kenner remembered Terri describing the Lady of the Woods once.  But even her vivid description did no justice to the woman standing before him.  He’d never known such beauty really existed.  Her thick brown hair cascaded gently to her shoulders and her dress fell perfectly over a delicate figure.  Her face was like something he’d never known even in a dream and her eyes seemed to smile straight through him.  He now easily understood the loving way in which Terri had spoken of her.

             
There was a gentle strength in her manner.  She was graceful and elegant; but also confident and secure.

             
“And how was your journey?” The Lady asked him.

Waking himself from the tender trance she induced in him, he a
nswered simply.

             
“I’m afraid I don’t remember most of it.” He answered.  “I seem to have slept through it.”

He turned and gave a jesting glance at Terri, who laughed quietly.

              “Yes, well I must apologize for that.” The Lady told him.  “The location of Avalos has remained a secret for centuries and I’m not prepared for that to change just yet.”

             
Kenner’s eyes followed her until he noticed the large red curtain at the far end of the raised platform.  The Lady must have noticed him.

             
“Yes, my dear Kenner.  That is the veil.  It is a doorway between this world and the next and only those chosen may cross its threshold.”

             
She then smiled at Terri.

             
“And how have you been, my dear friend?” She asked Terri.

Kenner looked and saw Terri act curiously.  Suddenly she s
eemed smaller and less composed.  She smiled broadly and she blushed.

             
“It’s been a hard time these past few months, but it is good to be back.” Terri answered.

             
“You are always welcome here, my sweet.” The Lady told her and then turned her attention back to Kenner.  “As are you, Kenner.” She told him.  He started to bow to her in response, but she tenderly touched his shoulder.

             
“No formalities for you, my new friend.” She said to him.  “My name is Kayla and your visit honors both this sanctuary and this blessed land.”