Seers of Verde: The Legend Fulfilled: Book One (36 page)

23

On the morning of the fifth day after the Verdan attempt to smoke them out, the Defenders of Temple Darya watched with grim curiosity as another army appeared to join the Verdan siege force. The newcomers seemed to keep a small distance between themselves and the first army. After a short time, the newly arrived force turned and marched toward the temple.

Egan Pozos squinted into the sun at the oncoming group. Something was familiar about the banners that fluttered in the wind as the army grew nearer. The Defender blinked and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was correct.

With an excited whoop, he called to the temple’s Defenders on the ground. “It’s the flags of the other nine sister temples.”

Anyone who could manage it raced to the parapets to get a look. As the troop drew nearer, it was clear Egan was correct — the flags of the other nine Nuven temples were displayed along with a strange banner no one recognized.

One of the Seers called. “It’s the flag of the Tarylan guard. They are marching with the Nuvens.”

Witt Peyser quickly signaled for the shouting to stop. It was unheard of for Nuvens to accompany Tarylans, the hand-picked protectors of the Seers. The steward of Circle Sankarikiller suspected a trap. However, Witt was relieved to see Defender elders from each of the nine temples. Shouting familiar greetings, the Nuvens among the newcomers tried to reassure the Temple Darya Defenders the siege was over.

Witt and the other Defender elders were discussing who they were going to send to negotiate with this new army when they were interrupted by Seer Lanella.

“Forgive my intrusion, good sirs, but perhaps I can be of assistance. Please allow me to accompany you to talk with them. I will be able to tell if my people come in good faith.”

The elders eyed her with suspicion. Lanella flashed a comforting smile. “I know you do not trust Seers, but we have not given you any cause to doubt us. We stayed here with you during the siege and now I offer my assistance to assure the safety of Temple Darya.”

The Nuvens agreed to include her. Not even Witt could argue how this young woman could hinder the negotiations. In less than a half hour, Witt, four elders, and Lanella were lowered in a rope lift from the top of one of the temple’s walls.

When they reached the ground, they were warmly met by Defender Elders from the other nine Nuven temples. Lanella was formally greeted by someone she called High Seer.

A small man with a long flowing blond mane approached Temple Darya’s Elders. “The Seers are here to help,” said Reynald Caleria, Defender leader of Temple Vonn. “All of our temples were under siege, such as yours, but the Seers halted the hostilities.”

Witt was incredulous. “How did they do that? The Verdans were determined to avenge the villagers they accused Defenders of killing.”

Reynald shook his head. “Temple Vonn is not nearly as well fortified as the mother temple. Our walls were almost breached. We were preparing to fight to our last when the Seers saved us.” The elders from the other Nuven temples echoed the same story.

“The truth has been found out about who murdered those villagers,” Reynald said. “It seems a band of renegades was responsible. A Verdan troop discovered them trying to loot another village and kill the people there.”

Witt stepped forward. “Who are these bandits? Verdan or Nuven?”

Reynald shrugged. “The Sankari said they killed six Nuvens and four Verdans. They have been trying to catch this band for four harvests. The bandits were just murdering thieves.”

Temple Darya’s elders looked shocked. It was unusual for Verdans and Nuvens to join forces in such grisly business.

High Seer Rufina stepped forward, introducing herself. “Elders of Temple Darya, I give you my word that those responsible for the murders of those innocent villagers have been killed. It is most unfortunate that undesirables from both our peoples have caused so much grief. Hostilities have now ceased at all the temples,” she said gesturing toward the Verdan army, which now had scattered and was moving away from the temple.

Witt scowled. “Forgive me, High Seer, but all the hostilities have ceased? Have you also convinced the Sankari to stop their unwarranted attacks on our people?”

Rufina smiled benevolently. “Yes, we finally were able to garner a promise from those wayward Verdans to cease their attacks. They now recognize the futility of their actions.”

Trumpet blasts drew the attention of the group to the Verdan army. The calls were not sounding an attack; rather, they were mournful, a retreat. No flags were being brandished nor men calling out.

The army was breaking up into disorganized groups and leaving the area. The catapults were abandoned. Witt didn’t bother to mask his stunned expression as he watched the Verdans leave without either side claiming a victory.

Reynald laughed, slapping him on the back. “You and the Defenders of Temple Darya have inspired awe in us all. Now it’s time to enjoy the peace we all deserve.”

24

Manor Stillinger strolled through the construction site in one of Mt. Kiken's huge caverns. Even the stoic Tarylan general was impressed by what he saw.

Dozens of new black-winged gliders were lined up on one side, awaiting pilots to test fly them before being released to a storage area, where they could be fetched later when needed. Hundreds more were in the final stages of being completed.

Long wooden tables, lined by Verdans intently working on the gliders, stretched into the cavern as far as Manor could see. He did not bother suppressing a pleased grin. Part of his scheme was coming to fruition.

Manor picked up one of the new gliders to examine it. He nodded approvingly at the workmanship. The general found no loose fittings or flaws in the woven material that stretched over the wings.

“Can I help you, sir?” asked a burly, bald man.

Manor turned and smiled. “Ah, foreman, your workers have done an impressive job here. The gliders look sturdy and ready to fly.”

Kelz Ajolla beamed at the compliment. He knew the general was a man of few words and meant what he said. “Thank you, sir. The last of the gliders you ordered are being completed now. The test flights have gone very well, too. Only a few minor flaws have been found, and no flyers have been lost.”

Manor nodded absentmindedly while studying the glider he held. It had been many lunars since he had flown. He missed that rush of excitement when leaping off a ledge, followed by the exhilaration of being lifted by an air current. Nothing could compare to the feeling of freedom one experienced when flying.

“Where’s the launch site?” the general asked Kelz. Assuming Manor wanted to watch a test flyer, the foreman smiled and told him to turn left out the cavern’s entrance, and then follow the cut-out incline to a large ledge. Manor nodded, hoisted the glider over his shoulder and set out.

“No general, not that one. It hasn’t been tested yet!” Kelz cried out in surprise.

The general winked at the foreman, who had now turned white with fright. “How many times does one get to take a maiden flight? Besides, I’ve looked over this glider. It looks to be perfect.”

Kelz tried to change Manor’s mind, but the general would not be convinced. “Sir, a few of our test flyers have crashed, but they are experienced and don’t take unnecessary chances.”

Manor reached out and gave Kelz a playful slap on his sweaty cheek. “Don’t worry, foreman. I have flown many times. Besides, life can be so dull if you don’t take a chance once in awhile. This whole project you’ve been working on for lunars now is one giant chance,” he said gesturing toward the workers. “To achieve an ambitious goal, one has to step out into the unknown.”

The general turned and walked out of the cavern, carrying the glider. Kelz’s protests rang in his ears for many minutes after he had left.

¶ ¶ ¶

Rufina was enjoying the warm summer evening on her rooftop patio atop Fortress Bryann. She half-reclined on a padded lounger. Her eyes were shut as she enjoyed the cool night breeze on her face. A strange whoosh of air caused her to blink with surprise. She half-rose and searched the sky, but nothing stared back at her except Verde’s two moons and the constellations.

The High Seer had just settled back down again when a stronger gust of air startled her. As she looked up, a shadow passed overhead, blocking out the light from Luz Primo.

Too frightened to call out, Rufina watched as the shadow pulled around again and dove for the patio. Something heavy landed with a solid thud, followed by a familiar laugh. Rising, the High Seer slowly walked toward where the shadow had set down.

“Who dares intrude on me?” Rufina demanded, unable to disguise her fright.

A laugh rang out again. The Seer now recognized her visitor’s voice and stopped to compose herself, but her heart still raced from the excitement. “Manor Stillinger, is that you?” she snapped, this time with more authority in her voice.

The Tarylan general chuckled as he walked out of the shadows. “Greetings, High Seer,” he said bowing with exaggerated formality. “I personally wanted to demonstrate how well our new gliders are performing.”

Rufina started to scold him, but couldn’t help admiring the man’s bravado. “Very impressive, General. Even when I was looking, I could not see you flying overhead. The gliders are as invisible as you predicted.”

Manor walked slowly toward her. He was still breathing heavily from the excitement of his flight. The glider’s maiden flight had been spectacularly successful.

The Tarylan leader had launched himself off the takeoff ledge and was immediately swept up by a strong updraft. He grew bored with flying over Verde City. Spotting the lights of Fortress Bryann gave him an idea.

Without the Tarylan guards noticing, Manor drifted overhead, amused at his secret vantage point. Swooping around the fortress, he spotted Rufina in the moonlight, relaxing on her large patio.

The High Seer was now scolding him for scaring her, but her words did not sting. Ever since Rufina had taken him as a lover, he had been able to tell her intentions by her tone and body language.

Without saying another word, Manor embraced her. Rufina exhaled softly and returned the hug. It had been many lunars since the two had been together. The preparations for the attack on the Nuven temples had taken up all their waking moments.

The High Seer started to massage Manor’s back, when he bent over and picked her up. Rufina only let out a soft gasp as she enjoyed being in the snug security of his strong arms. The general carried her to a lounger and gently set her down. The last time they had been together, Rufina had controlled the lovemaking. Now it was Manor’s turn.

The High Seer watched with growing excitement as the general stripped off his clothes. She also started to slowly disrobe, but he stopped her. Before Rufina could say a word, Manor grabbed her garments and tore them off in one swift motion. The thrill of their plans falling into place to defeat the Nuvens translated into a night of violent lovemaking.

The next morning, both were exhausted and sore from the previous night’s activity. An unusually relaxed Rufina watched as Manor leaped off her ledge with his glider, caught a gust of wind and soared overhead. He circled the patio twice then headed back to return the glider to poor Kelz, who was probably sick with worry.

25

Aron and Verinya embraced with the frantic passion of lovers separated for too long. They held one another tenderly and reveled in each other’s touch. Neither would have objected to having this rare time together stretched out for many hours, even days. Almost no one at Temple Darya noticed when the couple snuck off together.

Despite being in the middle of a crushing hug from a baker’s daughter, Egan Pozos managed to smile when he saw the Seer follow his circle brother off to their rendezvous.

All the Nuvens broke into a wild celebration as soon as Witt Peyser and the other Defender Elders returned with the news the Verdan army had disbanded, ending the siege. The reaction was the same at the other nine Nuven temples. Cheering and dancing broke out in the courtyards and hallways.

As a token of peace, the Seers from Fortress Bryann had brought dozens of bottles of their best wine to share with their Nuven brethren. The celebrations lasted for days at the ten temples. Even other Nuvens who lived nearby, including many of the vendors, joined in.

Tents were pitched outside the temples when the number of celebrants grew too large for the structures to accommodate. Large bonfires sprang up as the singing, dancing, and storytelling lasted well into the third night.

Aron and Verinya escaped to the safety of a small, out-of-the-way storage room. The Defender locked the door, then ensured their privacy by sliding several large wood planks crosswise through brackets on either side. It would take an army to interrupt them now.

He had managed to commandeer an unused cot, flasks of water, and even a jug of ale. She had gathered some cheeses, breads, dried meat, and fruit in a basket. They intended to be alone as long as their supplies and bodies could hold out.

The lovers had never been together longer than an hour or two. Now they had time to sleep in each other’s arms after a vigorous session of lovemaking, wake up hungry, dine and satisfy their passion all over again.

After the third day of their private bliss, Aron ventured out of the room to investigate the goings on of the temple. Much to his chagrin, the celebrations had ended. The tent city outside the walls had been dismantled. Repairs were being made everywhere, including the bridge that had been torn down over the ravine.

The Defender and Seer reluctantly parted. In their last, passionate embrace both pledged life-long devotion to each other despite the different destinies that had been planned for them even before their births.

Aron took his time returning to his barracks. He expected to be playfully tortured by his circle brothers, but resolved not to give away his forbidden affair with a Seer. Much to his surprise and relief, Aron saw that his circle brothers also were straggling in after three days and nights of drinking and debauchery.

No one spoke as they shuffled in. A few collapsed on their cots, hoping to capture a few minutes of precious sleep. The peace of the barracks was abruptly shattered when the door flew open with a crash.

Witt Peyser stomped into the room and surveyed the scene with disgust. “What a sad sight this is!” he roared. “On your feet! Attention!”

Even the sleepers managed to jump from their cots. Most of the circle looked like they could hardly manage to draw a bowstring.

“The present fight might be over, but you are still Defenders. I expect you ten to remember that,” Witt snarled. “Circle Sankarikiller has been ordered to investigate a disturbance in one of our mountain villages. Apparently no one has heard from this village for days and all roads to it have been blocked.”

The steward paced up and down, shaking his head in disbelief at the sorry condition in which he found the circle brothers. “You have less than a day to prepare yourselves for this mission. Pack rations for about a week’s outing. We leave at first sun.”

Witt started to leave but turned back. “I expect you to act and look like Defenders when we leave the temple tomorrow.” With a snort of disgust, the steward marched from the room.

Witt made sure he was well away from the barrack’s door when he allowed himself to burst out laughing. The circle brothers were a sorry-looking sight, but he knew they would be ready the next day. The young always recovered quickly, especially when given the proper incentive.

While preparing to leave, Aron barely had time to scratch out a quick note to Verinya and leave it in their secret place in the garden. Even Tevan demanded attention, but the busy Defender barely acknowledged his kinsman.

“Time to go home. I want to see Mama and Papa,” Tevan demanded, pulling insistently on Aron’s shirtsleeve.

The Defender tried to be patient, but exasperation was evident in his voice. “Yes, yes, Tevan. As soon as I return l will take you home. I promise. Now go find Verinya. She will take you to market.”

Tevan plopped down on the barracks floor with a heavy thud. “Now. I want to go now,” he sobbed. “I miss Mama and Papa.”

The other circle brothers stopped what they were doing and glared at Aron. Shaking his head in embarrassment, the Defender knelt down and gave his cousin a hug. “When I come back, we will ride home together, Tevan, but you need to be good until then,” he said wiping away his kinsman’s tears.

Tevan smiled as he rose and gave Aron a vigorous hug. “I wait for you, Aron. I will be good.” With a hearty wave to all in the room he set out to find Verinya.

# # # # #