Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 42
After the evening meal was finished the three elves, who had prepared it, collected all the utensils and whisked them away. It was upon their return that a seriousness overshadowed them all. Finyat fidgeted next to Uther uncomfortably as the dwarf listened intently, if not soberly. He had a mug of drink in one hand, his other hand rested upon the Shallant’s shoulder for support. Sekali secretly frowned upon his drinking in such a time as this, but said nothing.
The fire was stoked up high as the dragon and Mabuhi discussed some business. At length she arose and bid Sekali and his companions to her side. Sekali was impressed to see Uther stand without help. He stalked up to her, Finyat at his side (as usual). Mabuhi gave them all the most loving and gentle smile.
“Sekali, Uther, Finyat, you have been chosen by a long time friend and ally of ours, the Knowledge Master. He is the same who entrusted you each with an amulet, and a key, divided into three pieces. This key is the secret to the Sister City and the City of Knowledge wherein you met the Knowledge Master. There is a great legend between these two cities, if this key is fit together correctly into a certain place in the Sister City, it will rise up from the depths of the ocean in which it now rests.
“Long ago, these two cities thrived in peace and prosperity, but evil took hold and sway within the Sister City and a great and terrible curse was sealed upon it. The people fled from it. In the end, it was sealed up and thrust into the depths of the Veleighen Sea, which you, Sekali, beheld in vision while you were in contact with the Saga Natur.”
There was a murmur and a few gasps from all about him as Sekali listened, enthralled by what Mabuhi spoke of. She continued after holding up her delicate hand for silence.
“This Sister City was, and still is, linked with the ancient and ruined city to the east of this forest, which bears the same curse as the other. The inhabitants of the City of Knowledge fled as well, as it fell into ruin and decay. Sekali, Uther, Finyat, you have visited its Timeless Library, and have spoken to its keeper.” She stopped just long enough to quickly take a sip of water, then continued.
“Before the Sister City was brought down into its depths, the great Fates, Supernaturalist and even a group of powerful Enchanters were called together by its rulers and beseeched to perform one great act of mercy upon it, for these rulers loved their home, and their people. But the great evil ones fought against them in that same hour as they were gathered together. There was no turning back then, and the ones called upon began quickly devising a plan to preserve the Sister City. Its people were gone, save one full battalion of the most trusted and faithful of their military; powerful men and women who had studied the craft of martial warfare all their lives, within the now desolate guilds. They were all guild masters; we know this by the knowledge spared to us within the Timeless Library.”
Again Mabuhi took a sip of water. All were silent, grim, intent upon the legend she rehearsed to them, which began to intrigue Sekali greatly. Even the Silver Stag intently listened, unmoving, ears pricked forward.
Sekali had exited the Wastelands in search of knowledge. He had stumbled into legend; a legend in which he was now caught up. He could see plainly, that what happened in the next moments in history could very well affect his own people. From the look upon Finyat and Uther’s faces, he surmised they realized the significance and impact of it in their lives as well.
Mabuhi took a deep breath, sighing heavily, looking as though she carried a heavy burden. She continued her story.
“It is to my regret that I reveal to you my thoughts on the purpose of the Veleighen. This is only speculation on my part, but I fear the worst. If we prepare for the worst, we can only be that much more readied, as my Mother always says. The Sister City is linked physically with this city, the City of Knowledge to the east. If the Sister City was rebuilt, it could be our demise, or it could be a great asset and blessing to our defenses against the enemy. I believe that enemy to be the military and its leaders of the Valanir North Lands. A ship can take one on a steady flow of wind to the Valanir North Lands in three moons’ time.
“I will reverse my course of speech now, back to the concealing of the Sister City, because you three,” she held a hand out, signifying Sekali and his companions, “are the literal key to its rising. These amulets you carry are three parts of the Relic known as the Sundering Key. If this key is properly fit together and placed into a depression upon the altar built just for this purpose, the Sister City will rise from the depths of the Veleighen Sea. The significance of this is great, and terrible to think of, for you see, this Sister City and the City of Knowledge are physically linked, as I have said, by two portals; one at either city. Somehow, I suspect, the two cities are more than merely linked in this fashion. We believe they are alive, like a brother and sister from the same mortal parents. I know nothing more than this and I have studied long within the Timeless Library. I can find no further information other than this to support what I have researched.” Again Mabuhi took a sip of water and continued.
“Armies can be sent from one city, through the activated portals, into the next by the hundreds, and in a short period of time. We do not know if another key can be constructed to function as the one you three now carry, but within the Veleighen civilizations there are guild masters, I believe, who rival the power of the ones who initially sealed up the Sister City and created the key. This is my greatest fear; we know they hunt for the Sister City. If they find it, and manage to duplicate, or manipulate this key, they will send their armies through and war will bloody this land. Our freedom will be compromised.” She closed her eyes and bowed her head. After a tense moment, she spoke one last time on this subject.
“Sekali, Finyat, Uther, you three are not known to any as an enemy. This is why you have been chosen by the Knowledge Master, to find and raise the Sister City. You must find it and fit the key into the altar, or destroy the altar altogether so she can have her eternal rest in her watery grave. We will leave this entirely up to you; but know this, this city is precious to us. Please save her if you can, without risking her loss to the power of the Veleighen. You could very well perish in this deed.
“I must warn you that two other groups of three have been sent on this task. They have never been heard from since. We suppose they have perished. Whether the serpents of the Navarian or Veleighen Seas swallowed them up, or the enemy found and killed them, we know not. But one thing did happen, which was most assuring and hopeful. The Knowledge Master who dwells within the City of Knowledge reported these three amulets - the key - reappeared in their resting places both times the others failed in their tasks. By the wisdom of the ancient guild masters, we have a protection against the loss of the key.”
Mabuhi embraced all three companions, quietly whispering to them. “You do not have to do this thing. I am begging you for your help.”
Sekali nodded sternly, signifying he would do this task. Uther growled.
“If it will spark some fighting, I’m in!”
He grabbed his axe handle, and then shrunk from brandishing it, looking around as if the Saga Natur had suddenly and secretly made its presence known only to him, silently threatening him.
Finyat fidgeting uneasily would not look up into her eyes.
The dragon whispered loudly from behind Mabuhi. “Treasure and riches and fame will follow you in this deed, Shallant.”
There was a sly look in its eyes, which gleamed with a burning fury that suggested it would go if it were possible. But it was enough to instill courage, derived from greed, and of course the lust to wander, within Finyat. Slowly a grin spread across his face and he looked up at Mabuhi and nodded.
“I hope you do become rich, Finyat. I am, and will ever be a resource and friend to you and your companions for this bravery. Thank you.”
Finyat blushed, not knowing what to say as she parted from him. He simply bowed. “You are most welcome, milady.”
Finyat did not see it, but the dragon’s eyes fiercely gleamed in approval.
Each and every creature and person silently bowed to the three. To Sekali it seemed as though they were saying farewell forever . . . as if the three were receiving farewells at their own Sending.
Quietly the circle of man and creature dispersed and vanished into the forest. Soon all were gone but Mabuhi and the three. She turned to them and bade them rest, informing them they would be traveling on the morrow to the City Port Navan.