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M.R. Reynolds. The Mountains of the Nare
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17. The Chiatt Crystal. The chamber that stood before them was wide and its curving ceiling reached high above them, it was decorated to resemble the sky above the mountain tops, and it gave them the impression that they stood in the open air. Around the walls were tables and shelves which held objects and scrolls, caskets and jars, each obviously of some special worth or value, for they each had their place, each separated by a respectful distance from the others. But it was towards the centre of the room that their eyes were drawn for this is where a great casket stood. It was higher than a man and double that in length and it was, as Michael knew it would be, made of the dark green crystal that they sought, and just as Michael had dreamed, across it lay the body of a great white wolf. It had not decayed in any way; something in the air of the place had preserved it in an almost mummified state. Around the casket stood four of the Auwinn, the First Ones of Air, and they were exactly as in his dream, shaped like Uxl, but with bodies that appeared as fluid, drifting, it was as if you looked at solid clouds, or clouds at least that had a solid skin to them. They sang in voices that were like ghosts upon the wind, a wordless song that filled the chamber with a vibration more sensation than sound itself. Michael stepped into the chamber and the song stopped. The Auwinn turned to face him with their eyes of swirling cloud. At first, they ignored Michael, Siraal, Nurelle and the two Nare, as they faced Uxl and bowed slowly to him. They spoke together as if their long vigil together had left them of one mind. “Greetings, Uxl of the Tarr, long have we awaited your return to this place. You have travelled far and seen much since you left us. A thousand lives of the new races do not extend to the time that we have waited, but maybe our song nears its end.” Uxl bowed in reply and there was sadness in his voice when he spoke. “It may be so, my friends, in truth. I give you greetings, Ai, Iol, El and you Olix, last of your kind you are for certain, for none have I sensed in all my journeying. The Shiell, First of Water, I could not find, although I have sensed that they live yet. For the Tarr there are now but three for Ayx has relinquished his spirit. We are few and the old ways are now not remembered save by us and those we sang to, the rocks and the rivers, the trees and the clouds, they remember us, and they call to us, but now we can no longer answer for we fade.” The four nodded. “We felt the passing of Ayx, and we sensed the poison in his veins, but his ending was good and his Truth he passed to you. For the others, we too have sensed the Shiell, but we cannot hear them. Perhaps they are hidden, we can no longer tell. Then our song truly is ending, if we are the last, but still we keep our vigil and our ward.” They then turned to Kyre who had paced silently along behind the others deep in his own thoughts. Now he walked forward and bowed his great head “Greetings, Kyre of the Veyix, your kin lies before you, but her spirit has long since fled, she vowed to keep our vigil with us, but no cub came to accept her spirit and her frail body was meant to live only a brief time.” Michael heard Kyre’s reply and he felt his sadness. ‘Greetings, ancient ones, sadly death amongst the Veyix is not uncommon, for our Pack was broken long ago and commune was no longer possible. Those of us that live are still ready to serve as we have always been. Hayleth would have seen it as her duty to honour your watch, her passing was felt, and her spirit is honoured wherever it wanders. The Lost will never forget their own.’ The stillness in the air gathered around them like a cloak as the Auwinn contemplated the fate of the lost. Michael felt that even the act of breathing was disrespectful here and he tried to still the sounds of his heart. Eventually the First Ones of Air turned towards him and they addressed him directly “And now who has come to this place that we do not know? Two Nare of the mountains, bearing a heavy sadness, a deep hurt, and three Cluath, each different each unusual it would seem. This is a sacred place, an ancient place, it was constructed in the earliest of days, it has listened to songs of many thousands of years and it holds all within its walls, all within its rock and stone. The First Ones, those who still live, could call this home should they have need, for only a First One may gain entrance. Uxl has brought you here and now you must speak and explain why you have come.” Michael felt those strange eyes boring into his soul as he prepared to speak, he knew that he must be politic and slow in his approach for what he was about to do was a momentous and possibly a sacrilegious act. As he drew in his breath to speak, he felt Siraal move to his side and take his hand in hers. She whispered, close and quiet “Just begin by introducing us all.” Michael felt her love through his fingers, and he decided to follow her lead “Greetings, ancient ones, it is an honour to behold such as yourselves, who have breathed the first air, felt the first sweet breeze. I am Mikael Dal Oaken, son of Halkgar, born upon the plains, raised amidst the green fields and the rolling downs. This woman of Tath Garnir is known to all as the Hooded Seer, interpreter of visions and dreams, advisor to the Queen and a servant to her people. Her companion is a poor woman who has suffered abuse at the hands of brigands, but she remembers little of her past, Nurelle she is called. The Nare you have asked of are Rotvee Bramkilik, daughter of Nakeket, son of Hriok, a member of the Council of the Nare, the Mrauuk and with her is Kodeet Fraleket, son of Hashett, son of Vargat, a worthy Nare indeed and from an illustrious House. The sadness they bear is the death of our companion, Dakveen Halak, slain by a treacherous hand upon the mountain top.” There was a pause as this information was assimilated. “The House of Bramkilik we know, for they have always been renowned craftsmen and artificers, the House Fraleket we do not know, but we will accept your word as to their status. The Hooded Seer of Tath Garnir is a name we have heard for the whispers in the wind have named her. You are welcome child of Uvarin, and may your sight always be clear and true.” The ghostly reverberations paused and then when they resumed there was an odd tone to their voices. “And now for you Mikael Dal Oaken, son of Halkgar, we have heard your name, we have felt the sound of it echoing through the rocks and the mountains, pulsing in the air that swirls with the four winds and races through the tree tops. But you have many names it would seem, for we have heard the echoes of these also. Twice-Dead, Twice-Born, Ender of Days, the Decider, the Doom of Taleth, Uclan, Outsider, you have been called all of these. It is hard for us to understand and even harder for us to grasp your Truth, your purpose.” Michael felt Siraal stiffen at his side and he saw her step forward and raise her arms to the Auwinn, her voice rang with a deep timbre that resonated through the chamber, she spoke with the Sight upon her and she spoke with power “Hear me! You that breath the ancient air, Hear my words and heed them well, For the voices in the wind have spoken truly. He that comes as Uclan, Outsider, Sent to death by his own kin, Born again to walk upon the face of Taleth, He shall be reviled by blood and Lord alike, But friendship and love he will find, Despite their hatred. From beyond he comes to choose for all, The Decider, the Doom of Taleth, This he is, has always been, But he fears not the darkness, Nor the waters, Strength and honour are his, Let all be forsworn, he will stand true. He comes in hope. To bring life to the afflicted, End suffering and torment for those that burn. He will begin the Ending, Make clear the path for the Stars that shall fall. His touch will break chains, unlock secrets, Wake the waters and restore the forgotten. Doom he is, Doom he has ever been, But Doom is not evil if souls are pure. All that lives shall see their reflection, Find their other, reclaim their balance. Now is the time of choice, Now let the drums of Doom begin to beat, The Ender of Days is come.” She slumped forward as the sight left her and Michael moved to catch her. Her white sightless eyes stared blankly for a moment and then she blinked and was back in herself, she gripped his arms and tears burst forth as her sight receded “Oh, Mikael, sometimes it is pain beyond bearing, to live this life.” For a moment, all he wanted to do was hold her and kiss joy back into her face, caress away the agony of duty and submission, but he knew that his task was not yet completed. He turned to Nurelle who helped Siraal to her feet and stood close to support her. Michael turned back to see what effect the words of the Seer had had upon the Auwinn. They had turned to look at each other and were obviously contemplating what had been said. Michael waited and he allowed Siraal’s words to settle into his thoughts. Some of it was clear enough and spoke of what had already happened, but the rest puzzled him. ‘He will begin the Ending.’ Does that mean that this is only the start? And the mention of ‘Stars that shall fall.’ Enevien had spoken of stars, but what did it mean? And the reference to reflection and reclaiming their balance, seemed out of place here. The choice still seemed simple, but the outcome was apparently going to be more complex than he had imagined. He knew now that although he had known for a good while what he would have to do, he had no idea at what would happen when he did it. The Auwinn turned once more to face him, their faces betrayed no emotion, nor was he able to guess their mind from their eyes. They spoke slowly and with great deliberation “We have listened to the words of the Seer and cast our minds out into the mountains to learn what might be learned. The plight of the Nare we abhor, and we sense the long arm of Corruption in all this suffering and death. We have seen the gifting of the crystal in Uxl’s memory and we realise that this is the same crystal as stands before us here in this chamber. We cannot sanction your destruction of the casket in order to save the Nare, but nor can we ignore their plight. Therefore, we cannot advise you and although we fear what you may do we will not stand in your way. You will make your choice and act as you see fit, our place is not to stop you or aid you save in reverence to the dead. We will remove the body of the wolf Hayleth from the casket and lay her bones to rest with honour. When that is done you shall be free to do what you will.” Michael nodded, but he did not speak for they had moved to lift the body from the casket. As they did so Kyre sang an ancient song that Hayleth would have known, a wordless howl it seemed to Michael’s ears, but he knew that it had meaning for the Packs. His thoughts turned in that sound to the gathering of the wolves who by now must have reached the forces that were set in bloody opposition to each other. The fighting might have already begun, he tried to picture his friends in the midst of battle, but the images would not come, he saw them instead as they had seemed when filled with joy. Their faces swam before his eyes, Ayan and Greer, Danil and Suani, Tuggid, Gath and Palvir, and finally Sorin chuckling into a flask of liquor as he and Gath shared a joke. This was how his heart told him to see them, the battle would come, but that was not what they struggled for. They fought for joy and life, they fought to live free and unstained, and they fought for a future beyond the darkness. For the darkness was not to be feared, for now was a time of strength. Hayleth had now been laid in a far alcove of the chamber and the Auwinn had returned, but they did not stand at each corner of the casket as they had previously done. They stood now on the other side to where Michael and the others stood. The casket was now between them and Michael was free to approach. The others did not move as he took the six steps that were needed to close the distance between himself and the crystal casket. He paused before it and he saw that the surface of the crystal was acting as a mirror, casting his reflection in a strange unearthly green world. It was as if he now stood within the casket, but as he stared at his reflection it became not him, but Mikael gazing back at him, ‘Well, my friend, here we are poised, wondering if this is why we have been made who and what we are. I know that you are afraid, just as I am, afraid that we do the will of the Corruptor, but what choice do we really have? Condemn a race to near extinction? We have known for a long time that this is not an option. Then what are we to do. Within this crystal casket lies the Chiatt Grain, can we achieve our goal without releasing it into the air, we do not know. Can we open the casket without breaking it? No, it is old beyond reckoning and it will crack when we touch it. Can we retrieve the crystal that holds the Grain without damaging it, while the casket breaks around it? Again, we do not know. Do we take the chance and risk the consequences?’ Michael thought about what had been said to him by the Powers, by Cerlinith and in particular by Uvarin, but he also thought about what Julia had said about a reset button, perhaps that was truly what this was all about and only an outsider could do it. If he was an agent of Corruption then this was no reset it was escape and power and revenge, but it felt like none of these. It felt still like a mercy mission, that the Nare needed him to save them and the prophetic words that Siraal had uttered in this very chamber spoke of a future beyond this moment, a future where balance was restored ‘Mikael, you and I are reflections, in a mirror that has been distorted, and it is still distorting both us and our surroundings. Perhaps balance must be restored to all by a creature like us that is ‘balanced’ one by the other, or at least partly so.’ Mikael smiled in the strange floating world within the crystal. ‘You do what you feel is right, my friend, the future will not affect me whatever it is, if there is one at all, which I seriously doubt. I only hope that whoever has planned this big joke is having a good laugh at our expensive, otherwise it will have meant nothing at all.’ Michael hoped that he was right that the Corruptor was not controlling him, that he was acting freely, for then even if he did what the Corruptor wanted, it would have been done with the love of life and Taleth and its people so it could not, must not, lead to evil. He remembered Sorin’s words to him, he had said to trust his heart and Uvarin had told him to trust Sorin. He reached up and he touched the casket *** A howl went up from Sylvan’s left and the sound of drumming began, the Tsarg were attempting to begin an advance that would out flank Leenal’s forces, but none of the scouts had returned so they approached blindly. Sylvan looked across through the trees to where Ayan sat sternly upon her Piradi mount, behind her stretched long lines of Free Cluath riders. Grald Dal Hammett had not summoned them, had not asked for their council, but he knew that they were there and within his heart he had thanked the Powers for them, for the Tsarg number could not be counted and Faradon had Cluath cavalry under his command who wore the mark of the serpent. The Frinakim sat impassive awaiting the call to charge and Sylvan turned her head to view the Pack that sat in similar silence, ready at a sign from her to leap into the fight. The drums continued, snarling voices could be heard, the snap of the whip as they were marched forward. Sylvan knew that the darkness would shroud their number, but their number was not important for they would all die, she had sworn it. Khargahar would pay for her Sisters, her Brothers, her kin, her blood. And although these Tsarg were only his instruments they must be removed before the Avali could taste the flesh of the Corruptor himself. Red eyes glowed in the dark, which was momentarily broken as the clouds that had covered the moon shifted throwing the pale, yellow light upon the hideous faces that stamped through towards the forests edge. A movement caught her eye and she saw Captain Dal Stordik raise her fist. Sylvan rose where she stood, and she felt the Pack rise behind her. The fist slammed down, and two sounds resounded through the trees a thousand Cluath voices shouting as one, ‘Death to Corruption’ and the howl of two hundred wolf throats hurling defiance in the face of the enemy. Sylvan leapt forward and she drove down upon the line of snarling Tsarg. Battle was joined *** The green crystal began to crack and to crumble as his fingers brushed against it. It cascaded down upon the floor around him, shards and fragments aplenty for the cure that was required. As his hand passed further into the casket his fingers lighted upon a crystal of a different nature, it was warm to the touch and it did not break. As he drew it forth the casket continued to collapse around him. The crystal in his hand was fashioned into the shape of an eye it glowed from within and it became hotter as it sat within his hand, soon it would melt or burst into flame. He knew that if that happened the Chiatt Grain would fall to the floor with the broken crystal and touch Taleth. In an instant, he saw a way through, hold the Grain, prevent it from falling. Knowing that he could not be certain what would happen he said a silent prayer to all the Powers that he was making the right choice and then he held aloft the crystal and he squeezed his fingers around it. It shattered with a thunderous crack and his fingers found the Chiatt Grain within and he closed his hand around it. He suddenly knew why it was him who was here for this. The Grain was free, unleashed, but as he had hoped it did not fall and touch Taleth, it touched him that was of Taleth and yet was not. It was free and yet still not loosed upon the world. He felt it burning his skin, as it burrowed into the flesh of his hand and the pain drove him to his knees. In his head he could hear laughter, but the laughter of more than one voice. Khargahar laughed it was true, he could feel his chains beginning to loosen, but they did not break, they did not shatter and disappear and someone else was laughing too, there was something that Khargahar had forgotten, something very important. The pain in Michael’s hand was excruciating he heard his own voice cry out as darkness took him and he fell to the floor of the chamber amidst the shards and the fragments of green crystal. But he did not awaken immediately to damp grass. He found that he was floating, and he opened his eyes. He was drifting in the clouds above Taleth, the laughing voice was showing him the whole of Taleth spread out in the moonlight like a rumpled tablecloth. He saw the battle raging, white mage fire bristling like lightning amidst the forces of Corruption. He saw the Queen plotting in Tath Garnir with the Lords who had failed to answer sworn oaths to Leenal. He saw the capital of the Nare where Muakir and her father moved from house to house administering tiny drops of the precious cure to keep their people alive until their return. He saw the deep chasms below Fellas and a shadow stirring midst the dark and ugly flames. But he also saw that out at sea that there was something that stirred there, something that had power and it was now released from the deepest of sleep. The laughter turned to words in a voice that was all voices, a sound that was all sounds, understanding came as much through feeling as through comprehension ‘Michael Oakes, you have done well, and you too Mikael Dal Oaken, son of Halkgar, but this is not the end, this is merely the beginning. Remember this, new despair brings new hope, new foes will bring new alliances. This is a time of strength and you have been strong. But strong you must continue to be, your true task will become clear as your journey continues, but for now the first part has been successfully completed. Fear not the darkness.’ The darkness and the damp in the air swept around like a cloud and he felt the cold beneath him, but it was now the cold of the grass. Dawn had broken over Glastonbury and he now wished that he had worn his thicker coat. He struggled to his feet and he felt the damp seeping up through his socks. Someone had stolen his shoes and he suspected that he knew who it might have been. He looked at the light that crept across the countryside with his mind full of thoughts of a battle raging far away and a swirling ocean. He began to make his way down the hill. Some questions had been answered but there were new ones bursting into life within his mind. However, the voice had been right, this first part of the journey was over, and he felt a certain warmth in the fact that he was headed for a place that he now looked on as home *** End of Book Two. Michael’s Journey will continue in ‘Dreams of Fire’ Book Three of ‘The Journeys of Michael Oakes’ The World of Taleth. Including the Ancestral Lines of the Nare [Names in bold appear within the book, others are referenced, or appeared in Book One] The Powers. Cerlinith (f) Associated with Nature and growth. Carun (m) Guardian of animals. Hantor (m) Guardian of the Cluath. Minead (m) Guardian of the Cluath. Yvelle (f) Guardian of the Antaldi. Palleon (m) Guardian of the Antaldi. Ragarad (m) Guardian of the Nare. Takden (m) Guardian of the Sha-ellev. Shintani (m) Guardian of the Sylian. Uvarin (m) Guide to the Majann and the Seers. Khargahar (m) The Corruptor. The Wolves (Spirits of the Avali) The Aurian Guides of the Antaldi. Dravion (m) Massil (m) Mishrel (f) Tharive (f) Grinier (f) The Dri Guides of the Majann and the Seers. Balior (m) Bryelle (f) Friesse (f) Huinshi (m) Karlynn (f) Nilus (m) Sylvan (f) Companion to Sorin, the Majann. Tiriel (m) Tulok (f) Uvan (f) Vinar (m) The Linath Guides of the Sylian. Feaz (f) The Nemett Guides of the Sha-ellev. Kuvarish (m) Ushkoriv (m) The Raell Guides of the Cluath. Hishak (m) The Trillani Guides of the Nare. Grevial (m) Jaahkir (f) The Veyix Guides of the First Ones (The Lost) Hayleth (f) [Deceased]Her spirit appears to Michael. Kyre (m) Present at the breaking of the Chiatt Grain. Lonett (f) [Deceased] Companion to Uxl of the Tarr. Zedak (m) The Races. The Auwinn. Ai. Iol. El. Olix. The Tarr The First Ones of Earth. Uxl The ‘First of the First’ Ayx. The Antaldi. Danil Lebreven (m) Antaldi/Cluath, Archer of the Frinakim. Enevien (f) [Deceased] Seer to the Antaldi. Fah Devin (f) Of the Valeen. Fah Nalisse (f) Member of the Ruling Triad. Fah Risall (f) [Deceased] Former member of the Ruling Triad. Laniall (m) Of the Valeen. Mirell (m) Nephew of Vitta. Nuall (m) [Deceased] Majann of the Antaldi. Reveen (f) [Deceased] childhood friend of Fah Devine. Sentielle (m) Of the Valeen, tasked with carrying Vitta. Suani (f) Cousin to Danil Lebreven. Tarien (m) Member of the Ruling Triad. Tendiste (m) [Deceased] Of the Valeen. Thinvere (m) Of the Valeen. Tuali (f) [Deceased] Mother of Danil Lebreven. Ulin Ruan (m) Messenger. Vitta (m) Majann to the Antaldi. Vuar (f) Member of the Ruling Triad. The Cluath. Anith Dal Stordik (f) [Deceased] Sister of Ayan. Ayan Dal Stordik (f) Captain in the Frinakim. Brakis (m) [Deceased] Sorin’s father. Buack Dal Ganard (m) [Deceased] Grandfather of Danil Lebreven. Calix (m) Legendary Majann of the Cluath. Cassiell (f) Daughter of Leenal and Finah. Cathal (m) Thug for Hire. Dinar (m) [Deceased] High King before Kintell. Duvan (m) Petty thief. Fahb (m) Hired hand in Tath Garnir. Faleck (f) Rider of the Frinakim. Lord Faradon (m) Leader of the rebellion against Leenal. Faras Hal (m) [Deceased] Ancestor Faradon who gave his name to the city. Filain (m) Son of Lord Faradon. Filius (m) Bard to High King Leenal. Finah (f) Leenal’s Queen. Frappo (m) Thief and murderer. Frella (f) Head of the attendants at the King’s Court. Galeanid (m) Seer to the Queen. Galmin (m) Rider of the Frinakim. Garull (m) [Deceased] Ancient Majann of the Cluath. Gath Dal Hurik (m) Soldier of the High King. Gillad (m) Orphan boy, servant to Ayan. Grald Dal Hammett (m) General of the Cluath army. Greer Dal Stordik (m) Rider of the Frinakim, cousin of Ayan. Grineth (f) Piradimuatt, Piradi master for the Frinakim. Halkgar dal Oaken (m) [Deceased] Father of Mikael Dal Oaken. Hanallin (m) Son of Leenal and Finah. Hargarth (m) [Deceased] A famous Cluath Cavalry Captain. Havianik (m) Rider of the Frinakim. Hooded Seer (f) (See Siraal) Jael (m) Legendary Cluath warrior. Jarrad Ranell (m) Soldier in the pay of Queen Finah. Kintell (m) [Deceased] High King in the time of the first Great War. Krakis (m) Petty thief. High King Leenal (m) Ruler of the Cluath. Magellin Lucastor (f) [Deceased] Famous Bard of the Cluath. Maltir Dal Stordik (m) Father of Greer. Manal (m) Attendant to the King’s Court. Mettak (m) Rider of the Frinakim. Meneld (m) [Deceased] First High King of the Cluath. Mikael Dal Oaken (m) Ender of Days (see also Michael Oakes) Muat Lise (f) Seer of the Cluath. Nargus (m) Hired hand in Tath Garnir. Neemar Dal Ganard (f) Grandmother of Danil Lebreven. Palvir Dal Tharl (m) Soldier, son of Tuggid Dal Tharl. Piat Kahord (m) Majann to High King Leenal. Raldor (m) Soldier in the service of Lord Faradon. Rikat (m) Servant to Galeanid the Seer. Sarath Dal Ganard (m) [Deceased] Father of Danil Lebreven. Sepho (m) Attendant to the King’s Court. Shalkim Dal Oaken (m) Mikael’s uncle. Sianal (f) [Deceased] Kintell’s Queen. Siraal (f) The Hooded Seer of Tath Garnir. Sorin (m) Majann and Healer. Starak (m) Soldier in the service of Lord Faradon. Teldak Dal Hammett (m) Leader of the Frinakim, Grald’s brother. Terann Dal Farak (m) [Deceased] Orphan servant to Calix. Tiok (m) Sorin’s childhood name. Tuggid Dal Tharl (m) Soldier of the High King. Utho Treek (m) Rider of the Frinakim. Varell (f) [Deceased] Sorin’s mother. Vinat Dal Stordik (m) Cousin of Ayan. Yathis (m) Guardsman of Tath Garnir. The Nare. Barak Duralk (m) [Deceased] Nare stone worker. Bakund Halak (m) [Deceased] Dakveen’s ancestor. Bruak Shiveer (m) Member of the Mrauuk. Churak Ulumik (m) [Deceased] Legendary metalworker. Dakveen Halak (m) Exiled Nare. Dunark Halak (m) [Deceased] Brother of Dakveen. Gariok Bramkilik (m) Member of the Mrauuk. Hakard Shiveer (m) Nephew of Bruak. Hashett Ikklemit (m) nephew of Yagash. Kodeet Fraleket (m) Malak Bramkilik (m) [Deceased] Nare stone worker. Muakir Ulumik (f) Daughter of Sheramkir. Nameed Nagesset (m) Brother of Shuok. Rotvee Bramkilik (f) Niece of Gariok. Ruakim Kemsik (m) Sheramkir Ulumik (m) Member of the Mrauuk. Shuok Nagesset (m) Brother of Nameed. Ukliket Ikklemit (m) Brother of Yagash. Uttmesh Ikklemit (m) [Deceased] Nephew of Yagash. Yagash Ikklemit (m) Member of the Mrauuk. The Sha-ellev. Uphik-Mresh-Ludim (m) The Sylian. Ukthor (f) Lost Majann of the Sylian. The Piradi. Furaam (m) Korinne (f) Luac (m) Bonded with Faleck. Metta (f) Sakia (f) Bonded with Danil Lebreven. Turic (f) Bonds with Michael
