The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (34 page)

The giant and the girl both stared at the Seraph in surprise. Granu turned on Ader.

“She must be questioned!” protested the Keltaran. “We must find out what her people intend!”

“On the contrary, Granu.” smiled Ader. “It is not we who must question, but she.”

Once again the giant and the girl could not hide their confusion.

“We accomplish nothing by forcing information from the girl.” continued Ader. “First, she is a Borz Windrider. When captured the Windrider assassins choose death over betrayal. Second, she is not beyond misleading us in order to hide the truth. In the end whatever she did reveal to us could never be trusted. Therefore, it is imperative that we ask her to question all that she has seen and heard. All that she is about to see and hear. Only with her cooperation will we come to the truth.”

“There is nothing you can tell me that will convince me to betray my people.” said the girl firmly.

“I do not ask you to betray your people.” said Ader. “Just that you listen and think. Perhaps we should begin with introductions. We know you, but I doubt you know all of us.”

The girl shook her head to indicate her ignorance.

“The great mountain hovering over you is Granu, disowned prince of the Keltaran people and Abbot of the Monastery of Awoi.” said Ader.

The girl narrowed suspicious eyes at the Keltaran and the giant scowled and turned from her, moving toward the edge of the firelight.

“Well, that went splendidly. We can move on.” smiled Ader. “The younger Elf clutching the blade at his side is Prince Eidyn of the Grey Elves.”

Eidyn’s hand quickly released his blade and moved to his side. He cautiously bowed, never taking his eyes from the young woman.

“The older is Lord Teeg, trusted advisor to the court of Leinor and Ertwin of Luxlor.”

The old Elf stepped forward and touched two extended fingers to his forehead then lips, bowing lightly.

“May you find shade on this day.” stated the old Elf solemnly.

The girl’s hard expression didn’t change.

“Knowing the traditional greeting of my people doesn’t convince me of your good intent.” snapped the girl.

“Ah, but I also know that custom and good manners require a Borz warrior to return a greeting with grace whether it be from friend or foe.”  sniped the old Elf in return as he looked down his nose at the Windrider.

Vieri bit her lip and frowned. Finally, she bowed.

“And may the winds still, keeping the sands from your eyes.” she replied to the Elf.

Teeg smiled and returned the bow. The Windrider turned to the Seraph.

“And what of you old man? What will you call yourself today?”

“I am called Ader by those assembled here.” said the Seraph.

Vieri's eyes narrowed again and she searched her mind. The name seemed somewhat familiar.  Ader moved toward Cefiz. He knelt low and placed his hands on the Guardsman’s head and chest.

“However,” continued Ader gently closing his eyes. “Your people have never known me by that name, and I dare say I haven’t visited the Borz for quite some time.”

“You were amongst the Borz?” scoffed Vieri. “When? I may be young but I possess a long memory.”

Ader concentrated on Cefiz.

“Oh, it must have been ....three... maybe four.....”

“Seasons?” laughed Vieri. “Trust me, old man. Outsiders are not welcome amongst the Borz. I would know if....”

“.....centuries ago...” smiled Ader opening his eyes and looking to the girl. “I believe your people’s favorite name for me was Berbati.”

A bright green light spilled from the Seraph’s hands and engulfed Cefiz. The Windrider backed away in fear and covered her eyes from the piercing light. The Guardsman’s restlessness abated and color returned to his cheeks.

“I did not intend to ignore the Borz.” said Ader as the green light pulsed around Cefiz. “But often my duties in the greater world drew me away for a time.”

The light flashed and faded as Ader withdrew his hands from Cefiz.

“He will sleep comfortably for a short time now.” said Ader standing. “I do not believe he’s in any danger.”

The Seraph turned to the girl and bowed.

“I am pleased to meet you Vieri Shan, daughter of the sands.” said Ader touching two fingers to his forehead then lips.

The Windrider stood gaping at the Seraph. She glanced down to the rosy cheeked Cefiz then back to Ader, unable to speak. Teeg slid up behind her.

“Now is the time where you return the greeting to Holy Berbati, the voice of Avra.” whispered Teeg.

The girl blinked then quickly touched her fingers to her head and lips, returning the salute.

“You .... it .... is a myth.” mumbled the girl.

“Pardon, my dear?” asked Ader.

“Holy Berbati.” said Vieri. “He is ...a character. A myth.”

“Oh, I assure you I am real.” said Ader. “Perhaps not as Holy as some might wish, but I am known as Berbati amongst your people.”

Vieri frowned and furrowed her brow.

“I see confusion in your face Vieri Shan.” said Ader. “And that is why I suggest you ask questions. Seek answers.”

The girl looked up, her gaze piercing Ader.

“You demonstrate great power.” said Vieri. “but so do many servants of Amird. How am I to believe this is not just a masquerade?”

“Ah, excellent question.” smiled Ader. “However, the answer is evident in how I displayed my power. The servants of Amird derive their power from Chaos. They are no more capable of accomplishing what I just did than you are. By its nature, Chaos is destructive. Amird’s servants can only use their power to destroy. Their ‘creations’ are really twistings and corruptions of things Avra has already placed on this world.”

Vieri accepted this answer as she searched for more questions. She turned and approached the fire. Granu became uneasy and moved closer. Ader frowned.

“Before we continue.” said the old man. “Perhaps you can allay the fears of my large friend. Will you agree to act with civility while in this camp.”

“The destruction of evil is the most civilized of all things.” stated the girl solemnly.

A grumble rose from Granu.

“Then will you agree to refrain from violence?” asked Ader.

“Have no fear, old man. I made a vow to ... Cefiz. I will not....” said Vieri, her eyes moving toward Kael.

“Try to kill me.” stated Kael, finishing her sentence.

“Complete my mission.” returned the girl.

“I don’t know who you are or why you think you must kill me,” snarled Kael advancing. “But I’m no one’s ‘mission’.”

“Calm yourself, Kael.” said Ader. “Perhaps Vieri Shan would be willing to share that with us. If the reason for your death sentence is something we are supposed to be a party to, she loses nothing by imparting this information.”

Vieri glared at the boy for a moment, then addressed her comments to the Seraph.

“The boy is the vessel Amird desires to reenter this world.” stated the girl firmly.

Ader narrowed his eyes as he assessed this information. Kael looked from the Seraph to the girl then back again.

“The what?!” blurted Kael.

“The vessel.” repeated Vieri, looking at the boy. “The body that Amird will inhabit to take form on this earth.”

Kael threw a confused look to Ader then Teeg. The Elf raised an eyebrow and frowned.

“She refers to several passages of Delvin Scripture that speak of a vessel that would one day carry the spirit of Amird as he returned to claim this world for Chaos.” said Teeg.

Ader’s voice rose in a soft chant.

                                          “In the East he shall rise

                                          born to carry the one that good despise.

                                          From the line of Almu and Seraph man

                                          removed from his kingdom by Amird’s plan.”

“That sounds like ... me.” mumbled Kael.

“The vessel.” stated Vieri.

“Stop calling me that!” shouted Kael rounding on the girl.

“I will call you what you are!” she returned with fire in her eyes.

“Call him what you will, Vieri Shan,” interrupted Ader calmly. “But he is not the vessel.”

Kael rolled his eyes in anger at Ader.

“The Scripture doesn’t call the vessel by name.” continued the Seraph. “It simply describes him. I will agree with you that the description loosely resembles many aspects of Kael, even aspects that you do not know, Windrider. However, throughout the centuries there have been many whose life stories approximate this vague description.”

“I’m not concerned about history, old man.” said Vieri. “I’m concerned about the here and now. The boy is the vessel.”

“Based on a resemblance to some vague verses of Delvin Scripture.” scoffed Granu.

“What of the proof of Cefiz?” asked Eidyn. “He spared your life. He would have been killed by the Ulrog. He has been a protector and friend to Kael this entire time. Does all of that mean nothing?”

“Rada was warned that the servants of Amird are capable of doing and saying anything to fool the world.” snapped Vieri. “The Guardsman may even be capable of sacrificing his own life to protect the vessel.”

“I am not the vessel!” shouted Kael. “And why wouldn’t Cefiz kill you instead of tricking you?!”

“Because the perseverance of the Shan Borz is legendary!” returned the girl quickly. “Perhaps your group thought there were more than one of us. There may be! Perhaps you fear the Borz joining in the fight against you, and you hope to beguile us into an alliance!”

As the girl rambled, Teeg’s eyes widened and he slowly moved toward her. She shrunk from the old Elf as he moved in close.

“What do you mean ‘warned’?” asked Teeg carefully.

Vieri went silent as Ader eyed the old Elf and allowed him to pursue the question.

“Answer me, girl!” demanded Teeg. “Certainly you realize how ridiculous your arguments sound and we possess very little time to entertain your sense of pride! You were fooled! The very  subterfuge you were warned about was perpetrated upon the Borz before you ever left the desert. Who warned you of our supposed sinister alliance?!”

Vieri’s vision spun across the group and panic entered her face.

“Think of it, girl!” shouted Teeg. “Your entire people are being misled. Only Avra knows what they are capable of doing and they will all be doing it for Amird and the minions of Chaos!”

“Rada...” she hesitated. “Rada believes the boy to be the vessel.”

“Why?” asked Ader softly.

“The Counselor.” whispered Vieri searching the ground in front of her.

“The Counselor?” said Kael.

“Who is this Counselor?” asked Teeg sharply.

“I do not know.” mumbled Vieri in return.

Teeg turned and exchanged a glance with Ader. The Seraph lightly nodded and the old Elf continued.

“He is not a Borz.” Teeg stated rather than asked.

“No.” said Vieri, her head hanging lower with each response.

“He is an Elf.” hissed Teeg almost inaudibly.

“Yes.” whispered the girl in return.

“IMPOSSIBLE!” blurted Eidyn. “None of our people are capable of such a thing!”

Teeg spun from the girl and strode in front of the fire, his mind racing. Kael searched each face in the group. All showed shock save Ader. The Seraph turned to the girl.

“So now at least we know where we stand.” said the Seraph. “The Borz are aligned against us and a traitor lurks in the house of Leinor.”

“I tell you that is not possible!” protested Eidyn.

“All things are possible when Chaos runs unchecked through this world, Eidyn.“ said Ader.

“You are going to believe the tales of this .... assassin!” exclaimed Eidyn. “She’s tried to kill Kael on several occasions, and she stands here a captive. She is capable of saying and doing anything to save her own skin!”

Vieri’s head shot up.

“I speak the truth, Elf!” shouted the girl. “If your people didn’t hide away in their wood, the world might not be in the situation it is!”

“What do you mean by that, Windrider!?” barked Eidyn.

“I mean that the Counselor demonstrated the cowardice of your people to Rada! He told us how you retreated from the fight against evil and abandoned the Zodrians to the edge of Ulrog cleavers!”

“That’s ridiculous!” returned Eidyn. “The Grey Elves have always answered the call of their allies.”

Teeg spun on the prince.

“Patience, Eidyn.” warned Teeg. “We can afford the damage to our honor if we let the girl speak and determine how deeply this lie has been woven into the fabric of the Borz. Assess the situation and determine what is more important to you, the information or your pride.”

Eidyn stared at the old Elf then clenched his teeth and set his jaw. Teeg nodded his approval then turned to Vieri.

“Go on Windrider.”

“The Counselor informed Rada of the existence of the vessel. With his assistance, Rada was instructed to eliminate the vessel before it could be filled with the spirit of Amird.” said the girl.

“I must agree with Prince Eidyn.” said Granu turning back to the group. “This is nonsense. Kael to be used as some holder for the spirit of Amird. Ridiculous.”

“Why?” asked Ader.

Granu turned to the Seraph in shock. The giant had no response.

“Why does it sound so ridiculous?” continued Ader. “In fact, most of it is true.”

“What?” exclaimed Kael as the others in the party looked about in confusion. Once again Vieri tensed and glared at the boy.

“All of what the Borz has said is true.” explained Ader. “Except the part concerning Kael being the vessel. Kael is not the vessel.”

“Izgra.” said Eidyn.

“Yes.” answered Ader. “The Half Dead is the intended vessel of Amird. He has risen to power in the East, the lost kingdom of Astel.”

“But the prophecy states that the vessel is born from the Elves.” protested Vieri.

“And a descendant of a Seraph.” added Granu.

“As I said.” smiled Ader. “The prophecies are vague. The second portion of the description could apply to you Abbot. However, it applies to only one. Izgra Admir, son of Ilver Admir and Alel of Forend.”