‘It’s an honour to meet you, King Crystom,’ I said, bowing with my left palm against my right shoulder.
‘Perhaps he presumes that you will naturally start seeing yourself as a Tanzan now,’ Tiaro suggested.
‘Now that Jaria is no more?’ I lamented.
‘Well, there is that, but I meant now that you are bonded with the emperor skyearl.’
‘True…’
‘Queen Emyla,’ I began, setting aside the uncertainty Tiaro’s words roused in me. ‘Tales of your beauty have been vastly understated.’
‘Spare us the platitudes!’ Rekala accused me mirthfully.
The queen, however, beamed and held out her jewel-encrusted fist for me to kiss. Sarlice looked surprised at my debonair words.
‘My husband referred to you as “Astor Talon”,’ the queen said, ‘but I wonder if you would rather be called by your Jarian title of Ambassador.’
‘You discern my feelings well, your majesty, but I am forced to conclude that Astor is the most appropriate title for me now. An empty realm hardly needs ambassadors.’
‘I’m sorry to hear what happened to Jaria,’ she replied with genuine sorrow in her voice. ‘It’s much the same in various parts of the world. You will have heard about the defeat of Watercrag?’
‘Aye.’
I started to form words to describe how I thought Jaria could be restored, but the crowds hushed and Ciera stood up very slowly and looked up at our balcony. He winked at me and began to speak.
‘Be welcome at the Gathering of Minds for the 700
th
year of the Age of Astors. The Gathering recognises Duchess Zar and Anzaii Chalinal from Highford, Duke Vernor from Lokshole, Duke Pelram and Commander Tinok from Condii, Duke Alger from Lantaid, Duchess Silik, Commander Teska, Anzaii Lilyrm and Duke Osk from The Sunbark Cities, Commander Hushoer from New Rosenvale and Specialist Tsek from Ruhor Lair. These minds are on the waves, their thoughts amplified by the channelling powers of the many sapphire trees in this realm and the artefacts made from their leaves and bark. We welcome you into our presence, with the warming light of the Ancient Sapphire Tree of Tanza.’
Tyba whispered in my ear, ‘Each representative from the cities of Tanza has an Anzaii by their side, guiding them through the waves for the Gathering of Minds. The Ancient Sapphire Tree functions mainly as a beacon. Look at it through your wave senses. I have heard it is beyond beautiful to most Anzaii.’
I focused my real eyes on the tree and gradually brought my awareness of the waves down to a single channel. It was like sweeping a firebrand through a vast black plane—suddenly a bright blue spark leapt out at me. Then, twinkling like brilliant blue fireflies, the leaves of the Ancient Sapphire Tree came alive. The entire tree pulsed with life and many faces seemed to be reflected in the shining surfaces of leaf and stem.
Ciera had continued introducing participants in the Gathering who had travelled here from places called Lander’s Bay and Kovain. When he raised his voice, it echoed throughout the dome and some people held their ears.
‘Does Ciera always run these gatherings?’ I asked the queen.
‘Nay,’ she whispered. ‘We take turns between Crystom, myself, Tyba, Clayr and our Sleffion-kin.’
‘Before we move onto graver matters I have a few routine announcements to make,’ Ciera began. ‘First of all, King Crystom has asked me to remind you that the Defenders are calling for new recruits across all of their warrior and service classes. Secondly, a few months ago, the people of Lantaid were happy to receive Talon of Jaria and Sarlice of Lyth.’ He gestured at our balcony. ‘Furthermore, it is my pleasure to reveal that I have finally found my Sleffion, Talon.’
An enormous rush of talking engulfed the Dome. Suddenly all eyes were upon me. On a suggestion from Ciera, I stood nervously to my feet and bowed. Smiles of wonder appeared on a thousand faces and some began to clap. Soon the entire Dome was filled with a sound like rain in a narrow canyon. When the noise had died down, Ciera nodded to one of the other humans on the stage and swept his piercing gaze across the crowd.
‘And now for my most unpleasant announcement,’ he said. ‘The Zeikas have breached the barriers of Tanza once again. We have reason to believe there are large forces already within our realm.’
I gasped in shock, wondering how he had kept this from me. Even if he only confirmed the breach since arriving in Centan, his ability to shield his mind from mine was impressive.
All joy evaporated from the room. Silence fell and people fixed their eyes on the Emperor Skyearl in solemn concentration.
‘During Talon’s Bonding Ceremony, we sighted a Zeika scout. Sightings have also been made by citizens of Highford and Condii. Defender scouts have been sent to the border to help the patrols search for the Zeika warcamps, but we expect the Zeikas to use many wards and spirit circles to conceal themselves.’
I could hear a hesitant murmuring.
‘We have fought off four Zeika incursions in the past twenty-five years,’ Ciera went on. ‘Though their desire for our lands must be strong, there is nothing to suggest they might succeed in their mission this time.’
‘Why are they attacking us now?’ a young man standing towards the back of the hall called out.
‘Why do they ever attack us?’ King Crystom rejoindered, shouting to be heard. ‘The Relts want Tanza for their own and they want us dead.’
Ciera nodded at him from the stage then turned toward the Ancient Sapphire Tree, making it obvious he addressed the representatives from all the cities of Tanza who were still hovering on the waves.
‘Data and wartime log books have been sent on The Wing for the high commanders of every city. You are all required to prepare your armies for attack. As usual, when the Zeikas attack, you are also expected to have an effective relocation strategy in place. It’s not likely we’ll need it, but I have to remind you nonetheless.’
The audience rumbled and hissed with displeasure.
Sarlice and I exchanged glances. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time to come to Tanza for help. No matter where I turned, things seemed to be going from bad to worse. Tiaro conveyed her own sorrow through the waves. I rubbed the earring absentmindedly and it glowed brightly. My other hand went instinctively to the sapphire-leaf belt from Jaria. My perception of the people listening on the waves became sharper. I marvelled at that and spent some time dwelling on each person I encountered. They were not aware of me, it seemed.
Over the next half an hour, Ciera and the others in the dome and on the waves discussed a range of issues. Feeling somewhat out of my depth, I listened only to bits and pieces. There were skyearls whelping in Ruhor Lairs who needed protecting in the event of war; there was a water shortage in Lander’s Bay; an overabundance of crops in The Sunbark Cities were putting farmers from New Rosenvale out of business; the most powerful Anzaii in Highford had recently died of old age.
My hand tightened on the belt. If what Ciera had said was true, perhaps my belt could be used to enhance my Anzaii abilities. It was, after all, fashioned not only from a sapphire tree or a Great Sapphire Tree, but an Ancient Sapphire Tree. When Namal had given it to me, he had said the Jarians suspected there was a ‘spiritual purpose’ to the use of sapphire tree leaves. The belt had been fashioned from the leaves of one of the nine remaining Ancient Sapphire Trees. And here before me was a second.
Across the dome I could hear the beginnings of a song. As more and more people heard, they joined in and I recognised it from Jaria. It was a song for times of battle, both physical and spiritual. It had often been sung before a Kriite demonstration, like the one that had ended my father’s life. Anger boiled up inside me and my fists clenched. Tiaro cried out through the waves, imploring me to direct my frustrations into anything other than hate, so I joined in with the song.
I sung with fervour, barely hearing my voice above the crowd. Some of the human-skyearl pairs had moved to the front of the stage and were singing enthusiastically. Ciera watched me with interest, but he didn’t sing. As the chorus began again I thought of the Jarians at work for the Zeikas. I could imagine the cruel whips punishing the bound Rada-kin, bullying them into submission and forcing their human kin to obey their masters’ every wish.
Visions of death and destruction made sadness well up in me. Worse still was the certain knowledge that many people were suffering long-term torture and deprivation at the hands of the Zeikas. Not just Jarians either, but any who refused to accept their god.
I thought of the countless Kriites in Telby and nearby who would soon suffer under the swelling Zeika Empire. Hadn’t King Flale spoken of them as an acceptable sacrifice for the greatness of Telby?
And there was the princess of Telby scheming and joining forces with Reltland, heedless of the suffering she would bring upon a portion of her people.
A few yards away, the intensity of my feelings resonated with Rekala. She was crouched low with her ears back.
I felt my heart beating harder and heat rush to my face as I realised that the Tanzans wouldn’t dedicate forces to search for the missing Jarians and help the Kriites of Telby until Tanza was free of the Zeika threat. Well I would help them. Together we would drive them back. Rekala lurched forward and roared. I found myself on my feet with my fists in the air.
‘We will not be defeated!’ I shouted. The singing slowly died away as people looked up at the balcony. It was as if my words had somehow reached through the waves into their minds to capture so much attention. Surprised at my own tenacity, a thrill of nerves buoyed me on. ‘No matter what it takes,’ I yelled, ‘we shall not bow to the Zeikas! No matter what, we shall not yield to our enemies, only to Krii!’
They cheered loudly; delegates and citizens from all over Tanza, people listening here in the dome, people connected through the Ancient Sapphire Tree. Skyearls stamped their feet and flapped their wings. Ciera lifted his massive head and roared. The sound was what I imagined an exploding volcano would sound like, deafening and utterly terrifying.
The soles of my feet vibrated in my boots and my teeth chattered. I found myself shouting along with him. People jumped and shouted and raised their fists. It was as if some kind of energy travelled through the entire room with that thundering roar. Slowly the king got to his feet. He stood beside me, placing one hand on my shoulder. I allowed myself to relax and waited for the crowd to quieten.
Crystom looked out over his people and said, ‘Astor Talon is right. The Zeikas buy their lands with blood and cunning. But Tanza is not for sale! Go now and prepare yourselves for war!’
It was the first time someone had called me by my new rank publicly.
‘Astor Talon,’ I thought to myself. ‘If only my father could see me now.’
Chapter Eight—The Council of Water
O
ver the next few days, Centan was abuzz with activity and chatter. Sarlice and I encountered a mixture of feelings towards the prospect of war. Shrewd businessmen were stocking up on foodstuffs, weapons and medicines, which would soon become the most valuable of commodities. Other, more fundamentalist, citizens were offended by such self-serving, capitalist behaviour. They abhorred the idea of going to battle and devoted themselves to prayer and fasting.
Every day we could see great bands of cloud stretching over the waterfalls, providing transport for new Defender recruits. The Defender base was in Hree, a few hours flight or a day’s walk from Centan.
The city smithies worked night and day to get enough weapons and armour constructed for the upcoming battles. Some of those on the night shift dropped in to Dawvor in the evenings to eat, and were eager to discuss world events with Sarlice and I.
Minac was a generous host and showered us with food and gifts. I tried to explain to him that we weren’t likely to be able to carry them all once we started travelling again. He merely shrugged and thrust more trinkets and clothing at us; rabbit-skin slippers, an osprey-feathered headpiece, a jewelled skyearl-eggshell wristband, a set of nyno-scale carry cases, beaded straps and buckles of various sizes and designs. In return, we served people at the bar, waited on the tables and carried meals up to guests in their rooms.
Sarlice and I ate in the taproom, in Minac’s private dining hall or in our room. Despite my frustration at currently being in a state of limbo, I made the most of the respite.
Sarlice caught me staring off into the distance every now and then. My guilt at not being able to help Jaria in time had transformed into a resigned sadness. With an empathic smile, Sarlice would direct my thoughts away from home, distracting me with conversations about the new things we were learning or trivialities from the day.
Whenever she spoke, I was secretly pleased, because I could openly watch her, finding things I had not noticed before. Her eyes widened when she was trying to make a point, shining like blue flames.
There was a mutual agreement between the two of us not to part with much coin during our stay. As we were currently guests at Dawvor and had access to everything we needed it made no sense to waste money on trinkets or provisions. We spent many hours investigating the City of Centan, though, leaving no street and no shop unnoticed.
We were invited to dine with eight different families or groups, and met a wide variety of city residents. I came to understand that Tanza was a free society. It had a king, but its people were free to pursue their own destinies, without the shackles of nobility that oppressed most other societies on Chryne. People who would be considered peasants in Telby owned land and businesses in Centan.
Many of these enterprising individuals enlisted our help in projects including resource organisation, evacuation and escape plans and various messenger services.
Ciera gave Rekala and I the task of contacting two dozen remote families to inform them of the impending war. This involved seeking out Rada-kin living nearby and getting them to relay the messages. It felt good to use my Anzaii-based ability to reach all Rada-kin for something so valuable.
Thirty skyearls occupied the same, massive, room I was in, contacting other skyearls who lived far away from the major cities. The people I was contacting didn’t live with or near skyearls, for one reason or another, and were outside the usual lines of communication. They all conveyed their thanks through the animals that communicated my message to them.