Day 249 (227th)

Day 249 (227th):
It was dark when I awoke in our room. I felt the familiar weight of Set across my feet and Vanity by my side. The breathing of my sisters was closer than normal. I realized that at least two of them were in bed with me. Without even thinking about it, I realized it was Callie on my right and Sarah on my left. Set nuzzled my leg when he realized I was awake.
"The sun will be up soon. You scared everyone. The people who made the bad thing are in jail. The green lady said she did it because a Well said the babies would grow up to be bad. Narisha wrote it all in your book."
I eased up so not to wake my sisters. Set retrieved a candle and my journal. We went out to the balcony to read Narisha's words. I wanted to apologize to them all and explain as I read her account of my vision sharing. By the end, I knew we would have to go to this Well. I sat on the snow-covered balcony and watched the sun rise.
"Do you think the babies will grow up bad?" Set asked as we sat in the pre-dawn cold.
"I don't know yet. They are still too small inside Elenvarna to know anything about them. I think this Well is corrupted by the portal. We need to see it for ourselves to know for sure."
"I hope it is so. I do not like the idea of babies not yet born becoming bad people. I would not like to have to return and fight against them."
"Neither do I. It would be very sad."
"Are you cold? I can get a cloak."
I felt for a moment, "Amazingly, no. Here I sit on a cold metal seat, ankle-deep in snow, in the middle of winter, and I am as comfortable as if I were wrapped up in a thick blanket sitting before a roaring fire. That is very odd. Vanity? Do you have any ideas on this?"
"Faeries, dragons, and some clerics are known for being very resilient. Your recent vision, linking you with Fate, may have imparted a bit of temporary godhood. I suspect this may fade over the next day or two."
"More like a week or more," Fate interrupted, "My influence, many have noted, lasts a bit longer than some since my powers are more personalized and individual. Some have endured blizzards for a month after we linked for a vision."
"Will the babies be bad?" Set asked with such innocence that I was near tears.
"No, Set, the babies will not be bad. That Well is corrupted. It has become separated from Scotvla's waters and she cannot renew it. When you girls go there, to prove its impurity, you will find a missing treasure. Gretta will lead you to it."
"Do they know it is missing?" I politely asked.
"They actually believe it is lost forever. Anna will get the full account when it is found. Your sisters wake. We will talk more later."
I felt Fate's presence leave. My sisters' panic was strong at first until they decided to look outside. I smiled at them as they flung open the balcony doors and converged upon me. Questions and observances assailed me until I got them to stop. We went back inside where I assured them that I was fine, not freezing or in any discomfort, fully myself, and with full memory of what had happened. I was able to inform them that Fate was certain the Well was corrupted. Not wanting to influence them, I said nothing of the missing treasure.
A brisk knock sounded upon the door. Narisha, Orania, and Janesh entered after we told them we were all up and about. They were glad to see me conscious and lucid. I apologized for the scare, but explained that Fate's presence was, sometimes, too much for my mortal body to hold and I have collapsed before once Fate departed. They, too, were told what Fate had said about the heirs and the Well. It was decided, after breakfast, to go to this Well and see what could be done. I said nothing about the treasure to them as well.
Servants arrived shortly after dawn with laden trays. I received many side-long glances and shadowed stares. Certainly my activity yesterday was told and retold throughout the castle. Just as certain, overnight it had been embellished, exaggerated, and twisted. I doubt any of us could recognize more than a shred of truth in the tale these people had heard.
After eating, we bundled up and headed for the Well. I tried to convince them I didn't need all the extra clothing, but everyone insisted, so I just gave in to them. I was neither hot nor cold as we rode through the snow-covered kingdom. Scotvla's cleansing was lifting the grayness of the area and I was able to see some of the beauty of the land underneath.
In a few hours, we reached the Well of Truth. While the three elves did not seem to find anything amiss, we seven could clearly tell it was corrupted. Sarah told how sick it felt. Lisa described a festering sensation in and around the Well. Anna and Alice told of confusion, hurt, and anger clinging to the area. Callie said she did not trust the ground beneath her as the area was so weak. Gretta seemed distracted by something, but told all of the silence of the area. I described the swirling energies and chaotic pulses coming from the Well. We all went to the Well to see what twisted images would appear. No sooner had the last of us settled around it, the water began to show things we knew could never come true. Lisa was seen on her knees, pleading for mercy from an obviously weaker opponent. Sarah was shown torturing children and laughing about it. Gretta had piles of gold and jewels about her, refusing any who asked for even a single copper. Callie was shown destroying things in a fit of rage. Anna was fat and lazy, bossing people around and beating any who were not fast enough. Alice was in a brothel, servicing the poorest of the clients. I was shown dressed in exaggerated regalia with Set, looking evil and mean, commanding dragons and riders to conquer land after land. We backed away.
"What now, Sisters?" Janesh asked, a bit shaken form what he saw, "Something must be done."
"The waters need to reconnect to Scotvla's underground sea," I told him, "Callie, can you sense where the separation is?"
Callie walked around as if walking on glass. Finally, she found it.
"Here, a cave-in is keeping the water away from the rest."
We gathered at that spot. We felt down to where it had collapsed. Just as with the walls of Baaloc Prime, we channeled our energies to Callie as she and Wrath reformed the cave beneath us. We knew it was clear when the Well rapidly drained like water down a pipe. Just as rapidly, fresh water entered. The scenes were much different. Happiness and joy abounded in wave after wave of images. Callie reported the land "firming up" slowly but steady. Narisha, Orania, and Janesh were much happier. Gretta kept looking off to the west of the Well.
 I placed my hand on her shoulder,"Go get it, my sister, it is very important."
She crunched through the snow to a small pile of rocks. We all watched her eagerly. Set joined in the digging when Gretta began moving snow and stone. In a few moments, she unearthed a plain sack holding something nearly as large as Set's head. Set sniffed it and pronounced it "good". Opening the sack, Gretta nearly dropped it as its song poured from within. She reached in and pulled out the largest crown I have ever seen. While it could still fit on a human or elf head, the upward size of it was massive. Anna and Alice got a little dizzy as its history washed over them. Dawn went to Gretta and inspected it. When she trumpeted, the crown responded with a melody of its own. Our elf friends knelt in the snow as their knees gave out in shock.
"It cannot be!" Narisha exclaimed, "That has been lost for four generations. Sarvicnal's great-great-great-grandfather was the last ruler to wear it. When he died defending Crialas, no one could find it. We just gave it up for lost and made new crowns."
"Why did music come from it when Dawn sang?" Lisa asked.
"The metal is called 'Siren Silver'," Anna reported, "Supposedly, the god of music had his silver pipes stolen and cast towards the Mortal Realm. As it melted during its passage through the sky, drops landed sporadically across the land. Usually made into instruments, it is said to find and create harmony with anything musical."
"The king who fashioned it," Alice said as she took up the tale, "hoped its harmonic properties would also bring the kingdom into harmony. It seemed to have worked for a while."
"It was hidden for a generation or two by kings who did not believe," Narisha added, "only after one hundred seventy years of fighting did Sarvicnal's ancestor remove it from hiding and wear it to restore harmony."
"Maybe it will work again," Gretta commented as she returned it to the sack.
We all crunched our way back to the horses. Everyone was quiet during that ride.
Back inside the city, we had an idea to look for the Memory Cave. Taking a northwest line from the castle, we looked and felt for any cave or cavern. An argument outside a cheese shop got our attention.
"GET OUT! I will not have you destroying my store!" shouted a female elf with a broom, brandishing it like a club.
The targets of her "attack" were the historians from yesterday. The group was trying to explain, but the woman would not hear of it. We rode over to break up the argument. The historians were both relieved and angry by our arrival. They and the woman all tried to speak at once. We finally got the story out that the historians had surmised that the cave the woman used to ripen her cheeses was the Memory Cave. They, unfortunately, had went about it all wrong and barged into the shop and started pulling at the shelves and knocking things over. No wonder the woman was upset. Gently, we explained to her what they had been looking for inside the cave. While she wasn't fully convinced, we promised to keep her shop tidy.
We entered a quaint looking shop. Cheeses and related items were displayed everywhere. In the back, we saw the evidence of the historians attempts. We picked up the scattered cheese as Callie and Anna felt out the cave. Callie reported feeling "soft spots" in the walls. Anna felt each "spot" and received bits of history. By touch alone, they found the "spot" that felt like the portal. Callie "persuaded" the wall to move and the hole to be revealed. A large scroll was extracted, holding within it a collection of smaller pages. Looking revealed that it was, indeed, the written instructions for the original construction of the gateway. We thanked the owner. The historians begged to see it. We promised they would get their chance as well as the other scrolls within the walls. They pouted but accepted. We got back on our horses with large hunks of cheese from the woman as thanks for restoring her shop. Narisha seemed uncertain about eating in the saddle, but gave it a try. It was a nice easy lunch.
When we arrived at the castle, the Crowns met us at the door, anxiety plain upon their faces. Narisha was the first to speak.
"Your Majesties! Great news! Not only has the original ritual been found, but a lost treasure discovered!"
"Slow down, Narisha," King Sarvicnal chastised, "First things first. What about the Well?"
"Sire," I began, "the Well has been repaired. Scotvla's waters circulate freely and now true and accurate images can be viewed across its surface."
The Crowns were relieved to hear that. Narisha was beside herself, wanting to tell them what we had found. Orania had left to resume her duties. Janesh was a silent sentinel, watching without comment. Sarvicnal turned to the anxious Narisha.
"Now, what were you saying? The ritual was found?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Memory Cave is now a cheese shop just off Market Square. The girls Anna and Callie found its hiding place. The notes were also with the compiled scroll."
"Wonderful!" Queen Elenvarna exclaimed, "The gate can be rebuilt soon."
"Plus," Narisha continued, "the girl Gretta discovered a lost treasure. King Sarvicnal, you many remember paintings of this."
Gretta handed the plain sack to Narisha, who opened it and presented the crown to the King. Elenvarna nearly fainted. Sarvicnal was speechless. Set, during this silent time, decided to "taste" the crown. As Narisha held it, Set licked the crown, making it vibrate slightly as his tongue flicked off the end. The Crowns gasped as their crowns and jewels resonated with the crown. Some "gems" on frames in the hall where we stood tried to resonate, but shattered in small sprays of glass dust. This surprised all of us.
Janesh recovered first, "That is a unique way of finding real gems."
The Crowns smiled at his dry humor. Sarvicnal took the crown from Narisha as if picking up an infant.
"I never thought I would ever even see this, let alone hold it. My father's only regret was he never wore this. He told me many times that it was his greatest wish to be crowned with it. Once the gate is complete, I will fulfill his wish and be crowned with this crown, to truly unite this kingdom."
Queen Elenvarna was near tears, knowing how much this crown meant to the King's family. Sarvicnal summoned guards to take the crown to the most secure part of the treasury and have it locked up for safety. The guards respectfully took the massive crown and walked away.
We and the Crowns began walking. Narisha went to chronicle these events. Janesh followed us like a shadow. By their glows, I could see that the Crowns wanted to say something, but could not bring themselves to voice it. Finally, near their apartments, they found a question they felt comfortable asking.
"How are you affiliated with Fate?" Elenvarna asked me.
"I didn't know it when I was younger, but I have been Fate's cleric my whole life. I accepted unusual outcomes and events easily and did not ask 'Why did this happen?' when things occurred," I told them.
"It's true," Callie piped in, "Whenever something odd happened, she would say 'That's Fate' or 'Its Fate' or 'Fate had a hand in this'. Her favorite response is 'I believe in Fate'."
Everyone nodded.
"So, all these events; finding your swords, finding each other, your adventures, meeting gods and powers, and discovering lost relics, makes perfect sense to you, Kayla?" Sarvicnal asked almost accusingly.
"Absolutely," I replied, "I have no doubt it was all meant to happen."
"Such belief," Sarvicnal replied softly, "That is a rare thing in Crialas. With the portal's corruption and all the intrigue and backstabbing, I doubt even children have such faith."
"I have faith," Set added, blowing little puffs of smoke at us.
"Yes, Set, you do have faith," I said aloud, reaching down to rub his head, "Your faith has strengthened mine."
"Bonding to an emperor could make or break any one's faith," Janesh observed.
We were inside the apartments when Janesh spoke. The Crowns looked at him.
"What does that mean, Set being an emperor?" the Queen asked to all of us.
"Queen dragons occur in one egg per clutch," I began, "King dragons occur maybe once in 1-2,000 years. Emperor dragons are lain but only hatch when their rider is a very unique and special person. Falcon, the master trainer at Demagram, says only three other emperors have hatched in the 15,000 year history of riding dragons."
The Crowns were stunned. Janesh merely nodded in agreement. Then came the hard question.
"How are you unique enough to get an emperor?" the King asked, very accusingly.
"I am a natural-born cleric of Fate, a marked Sister of the Swords, heir to the Faerie Queen, and a dragon rider. I would say that makes me a bit unique," I responded in my defense.
"None of that makes you unique," he countered. Poking at my chest, he asked again, "How are you unique enough to get an emperor?"
My sisters made to separate us, but I motioned for them to stay back. Looking in the eyes of the elf king, I told him without fear, "I'm not, but he hatched for me and that is all that counts."
For a brief second we stood there, eye-to-eye, toe-to-toe, neither of us flinching. Then, Sarvicnal began to laugh. We all looked at each other as if he had lost his mind.
"That," he said as he walked away, "was the answer I was looking for. That you could voice, without faltering, that you, as yourself, are not so special as to expect such a boon, but accepted it, and him, without any doubts. That makes you unique, Kayla. Plus, you just did something that, if you were anyone else, could have gotten you killed. As the holder of Vanity, you are perfectly matched. You will have nothing to fear from me."
The King went, alone, to another part of the apartments. The Queen, confused by her husband's actions, stood there, dumbstruck, with the rest of us. Janesh was smiling. Lisa faced him, slightly red with anger.
"What was that all about?" she asked him hotly.
Janesh motioned for us all to sit.
Once seated, he explained, "Our kings, since the first king of Crialas, drill into their sons that blood, heritage, birth order, name, etc. are meaningless. Each prince has to prove that he, as a person, understands that their position can be, and is at times, taken away without warning. A rebellion, coup, invasion, plus a host of other things, can turn a prince into a beggar at any moment. He wanted to be sure that you girls, Kayla in particular, understood that anything could happen to rob you of all that you have. There is a saying, 'Any man can be a King, but few Kings can be a man.' You have to know yourself without titles before you can use the title well."
We could see the wisdom of this. All of us could name at least one person who, without a title, had no identity of their own.
Placing that aside, the Queen decided to show us the portraits of the past kings wearing what she referred to as "the Elvador Crown". We walked down a hall we had not been in previously. Elves of various ages were portrayed in poses ranging from combat to surrounded by family and with a babe in his arms. It was obvious when the crown had been hidden and what it had been lost. What I found odd was the even though it was the same crown, some artists changed the size of it. On a few, it was central, eclipsing the king who wore it. On others, the crown was barely visible, almost hidden among other ornaments and complex decorations. We examined these until a servant told us dinner was ready.
The King met us at the table. From his glow, I could tell he had been doing something he enjoyed. Orania was also glowing brightly. They exchanged coded looks over our heads and behind the Queen. It got to the point, after one particularly odd exchange, Elenvarna banged her goblet on the table.
"What the chautak is going on between you two? All those weird looks are driving me insane!"
The whole room became silent and still. Orania and Sarvicnal stared at the Queen, who was glaring at them hard enough to drop the temperature of the room. Sarvicnla cleared his throat a few times.
He began in almost a whisper, "My love, calm yourself. Orania and I have been working on a surprise. A pool of Siren Silver has been found on the southern border. Now that the Elvador Crown is back, a companion crown is being made, for you, my love."
Elenvarna was weeping, as were most of us and the servants. The pair embraced so hard, they actually smacked together with enough force that they both lost breath. They held each other as they regained their breath and whispered between the two of them. We were happy and relieved that those odd looks could stop.
The rest of the meal was taken up by Sarvicnal's explanation of how and where the silver had been found.
Parting company after dinner, we went back to our rooms. We talked for a while about the scroll, safely in Narisha's care, the Crown, safely in the treasury, and wondered if anyone had told the green woman about the corrupted Well. We decided to go down and see them tomorrow, if we could.