Secrets of the Sorcery War

Chapter 6

Ruarnon followed Kahorn over several wooden plank bridges, around small wooden buildings, to a quiet corner containing a single building. It was slightly larger and distinguished by an archway elaborately carved to resemble intertwined branches. Inside the archway, a pair of doors were carved with Urai jewellery, weapons, plants or creatures: seven objects, presumably representing each tribe.

The fireflies stirred again in Ruarnon’s stomach as they stepped through the arch. They resisted the urge to clutch the hilt of the short sword they always carried for reassurance in case it looked hostile and tried to smooth their expression into an open and pleasant one. The Elders were grey or silver-haired, their skin lined, yet each sat on silk cushions on the floor with cross-legged dexterity that surprised Ruarnon.

“Welcome Ruarnon, Regent of Tarlah,” the woman on the far left intoned. “We are well aware of Kahorn’s intentions, but we are not so certain of his ideas.”

The fireflies in Ruarnon’s stomach fluttered in a frenzy. Ruarnon took a deep breath, followed their instincts and Advisors’ guidance and said, “I assume you want what’s best for your people. Perhaps you believe that is what has served you well in recent decades.”

One of the men before them shifted, while a woman leaned forwards with interest. The Elders seemed surprised at where Ruarnon was taking what they assumed was the woman’s invitation to speak, but Ruarnon embraced their instincts and continued.

“But the world is changing. The Zaldean army is missing, murderous creatures have been shipped to our continent from the far side of the world, and I am sorry to inform you that the Zaldeans have designed power bows and power slings that can penetrate even your shield magic. I wonder if anyone can shut out the world in this age.

“The Zaldeans were arrogant and complacent in their military might because they have always been the dominant power over Tarlah. But the damars and the Zaldean army’s disappearance laid them low. If we have more contact with Nartzeer, if he is still a threat to our lands, I would have everyone on this continent stand united against him. Your people have the skills to track damars. Mine have effective tactics to fight them. Together we stand stronger than apart.”

“The damars’ arrival was a shock to our continent, yes,” said a wizened man on Ruarnon’s right. “But there is no evidence to suggest they will return and that our people are in any way disadvantaged by our continued seclusion.”

“There was no evidence the Zaldean army could be swiftly bested and made to disappear, or that Tarlah would suddenly gain the ability to rule the Realm,” Ruarnon countered. “Yet both happened and no one saw them coming. I would rather act to prevent foreseeable threats, then drown when the river floods.”

The woman on the left’s eyes lit up at Ruarnon’s inclusion of an Urai saying in their argument.

“The damars who tried to reach our people died crossing the desert,” the same man asserted. “They are yet to be a threat to us.”

“No one knows why they landed on Zaldean shores,” Ruarnon countered. “Nor do we know where Nartzeer may strike next, or why. What I do know is that your people lack fortifications to defend against the damars. Should they land on your shores, you would need our tactics to rally and destroy them before they overrun your tribes.”

The woman on the left nodded. “I think we can agree that in the event of the damars returning, an alliance with Tarlah would be wise. We know your campaign against them in the Zaldean Realm was highly successful and that your tactics against them achieved what the Zaldeans could not. But what of our relations in ordinary times?”

Ruarnon swallowed nervously. They wanted to recover Uncle Karmarn and the lost Zaldean army. But they couldn’t lie about what that would mean. And Zaldeans in one of Governor Syenne’s provinces, the one formerly governed by the warmongering, traitorous Governor Kerlan, already chaffed at Tarlahn rule of the Realm.

“Tarlahn military supremacy is not sustainable,” Ruarnon replied. “Even if I fail to recover my uncle and the Zaldean army from the west, all it would take is for the current and next generation of Zaldean boys to grow into men and become soldiers for my army to be dangerously outnumbered. And you must know that while the Timbalens are currently keen to maintain a presence in these seas and to expand Timbalen sea trade, their aid is not to be taken for granted. A generation from now, there are no guarantees that Tarlah and the Zaldean Realm will not be at war again. I will do everything in my power to prevent it. But as ruler of Tarlah, I must be prepared to defend my people in all circumstances.”

Ruarnon sighed, discomforted by the other thing they had to say.

“I know shield magic has kept you safe, but if it is the only magic you wield, and if physically pushing magic shields can break them… I fear Zaldean power bows and power slings could pierce your magic. Should the Zaldeans realise that you may be vulnerable to invasion after all. And I doubt the Zaldeans would trade medicinal plants with you if they can take them by force.”

Several Elders shifted. They had sat steadfastly so far, but these ugly ideas had penetrated their masks of wise, calm, unshakable rulers.

“Unless you possess magic I’m unaware of, I fear your people are at least as vulnerable to Zaldean mistreatment as mine.”

“You are sincere in wishing to safeguard both peoples against the worst we know this world can throw at them,” said the woman.

“Have we heard enough?” She asked her companions.

Several eyed Ruarnon, some sternly, others sadly. One by one, they nodded.

“Thank you for telling us your intentions,” she said to Ruarnon. “We will take some time to consider, but we will likely wish to speak to you again this afternoon.”

Ruarnon inclined their head and the eyes of the man opposite them widened.

Kahorn opened the door for Ruarnon and they took several deep breaths as the door closed behind them. Then Kahorn led them towards a nearby balcony on which Mocco waited with Tor and Lenaris.

“They liked Ruarnon,” Kahorn reported.

“How could you tell?” Ruarnon asked. “I found them unreadable.”

“I suspect they wondered if you would possess the arrogance of the first Timbalen settlers our people encountered. I wondered as well. But you showed them respect as our governing body. If anything, you bowed to their positions.”

Ruarnon’s brows furrowed. “Is that not right? In their meeting chambers, in the Urai Capital?”

Tor’s eyes shone with pride. “I doubt any Timbalen Emperor would defer to any governing body or individual, be it at the seat of their power or not. They may appreciate the respect, and I hope they admired how you countered their doubts rationally and calmly, taking nothing personally.”

Ruarnon heard what Tor wasn’t saying in the presence of the Urai, “As I as your tutor and others have taught you."

Kahorn smiled. “I suspect they did.”

Mocco raised a tray, offering everyone goblets of fruit juice. The drinks were a brief respite, and then Kahorn and Ruarnon were called back into the chamber.

“You possess the foresight we prize on our Council,” said the woman on their left.

Ruarnon flushed at her praise.

“I wondered, when I heard of your youth, if we would hear words your advisors had put into your mouth when you spoke. But your conviction and sincerity suggest that much of what you said came from you. That what matters most to you may not be your advisors’ highest priorities. You have a genuine regard for your own and our people. And possess none of the arrogance of your forebears, as we had hoped from the first Tarlahn ruler with Urai heritage.

“We would like to invite you, Kahorn and two advisors of your choice to join us in negotiating the resumption of relations between our two peoples.”

Ruarnon’s smile split into a broad grin.

Negotiating trade and travel agreements took several days. Ruarnon learnt more about Mocco’s training as apprentice Elder and met his cousin Mawana, who captured animals for the Institute of Learning to study. Mawana took them on several jungle expeditions, grinning at leopards in a way that made Ruarnon twinge with guilt at leaving their Australian friends at home. Then the agreements were signed, and it was time to return to Tarlah. Ruarnon, Tor and Lenaris shared a last morning meal with Kahorn and Mocco, at which they were interrupted.

“A coastal messenger wishes to speak to you, your Majesty,” a young woman said to Kahorn. “He says there are dangerous creatures on ships sailing nearby.”

Ruarnon tensed and their heart skipped a beat.

“Damars?” Kahorn asked.

“I do not know what else it could be.”

“What would they be doing south of the jungle?” Lenaris asked.

“Your Australian friends encountered damars on Timraith Island,” Tor replied. “Perhaps these damars have the same purpose as the ones the Timbalens cut down.”

Ruarnon shivered. No one knew why those damars had been shipped east of the mainland when all others had landed on the west coast.

“They must have stayed beyond sight of the Zaldean west coast,” Companion Tor added. “Otherwise the Zaldean governors would have warned us.”

“And they have left our western coast untouched,” Kahorn added.

“Leaving Tarlah as a possible target, if it is damars,” said Ruarnon.

“Then you had best come with us to investigate,” Kahorn invited.

Ruarnon nodded, following Kahorn and Mocco back down the ramp to the jungle floor, where they mounted borrowed horses. Ruarnon rode in tense silence, gazing ahead as Mocco led them through the trees until the trail ended among sandhills. Then everyone followed Mocco on foot, along a rocky point stretching across the water, towards a broad-shouldered man.

“We have seen ships approaching from the West, your Majesty,” the man reported without preamble. “They are south of here and their current course will take them just within sight of our southern coast as they sail east. Some creatures broke out of a damaged cage and dove overboard. They attacked a passing shoal of fish but were unable to swim and drowned.”

Ruarnon closed their eyes and asked, “Were they short, grey-skinned, with pointy teeth and yellow eyes?”

“You have seen them,” the man replied.

“How long will it take them to pass our coast, or reach it, if that is what they intend?” Kahorn asked.

“Two or three days before they reach the south-easternmost point.”

“Then I shall station lookouts on land.”

“We will keep a lookout at sea. The coastal Elders have agreed to suspend sea trade until the creatures move on or are dealt with.”

Kahorn nodded his approval. Ruarnon shivered. Nartzeer had an unknown interest in Tarlah, but he had only used Zaldeans to capture Ruarnon’s parents and Companion Pamoran. Was he moving directly against Tarlah now?