Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 68
“My people, and strangers from the Zurkel Mainland, welcome to the second, and more serious part of my council. I trust all have been fed well and have socialized with one another as do brothers and sisters . . . family?” There was a great host of drinks raised into the illuminated night air. Ellianess smiled, and then laughed quietly, as if to herself.
“It is well, I have so many loving, caring souls as you all. I love you all dearly, and it is my love for you that causes me great anxiety and fear in your behalf.” A murmur fell like rain throughout the massive assembly, but Ellianess held up her hand once more, signifying she would speak further.
“Three have come, according to the legend, to raise the Sister City, up out of the depths of the Veleighen Sea.”
The more part of the elves present were astonished at her words, causing a murmur to break the brief silence that followed. She waited patiently, as does a loving parent who waits for a child that is full of energy, and needs to express it. Looking over at a man seated to her right, she smiled, an expression of concern etching into her silver eyes. He placed his hand over hers, and stood. As he did so, his white hair blowing in the slight breeze, caressing its way through the trees, all elves fell to dead silence. When there was utter silence, he bowed to Sekali and his companions.
“I am Valishur, and it is an honor to have you here.” The three bowed respectfully in return. Valishur turned to his people and continued, “My people, your queen has given you words this night that you have ever been raised with, yet hearing them only as tales and legends handed down to you by your fathers and mothers. Listen to me now, my people. Listen and know the truth!” Valishur held out his hands to the throng before him. All eyes were upon him, waiting.
Looking down at Ellianess, he waited for a moment, as she looked at him. It was as if the two were mind-linked. Within a brief time, he nodded, as did she, and turned to many hundreds of elves who waited, still as stone, their attention fixed on him.
“My people, more than twenty ages past, there was indeed a living city known, in truth, to you all as the Sister City. This city does exist, I tell you of a truth, for I was there, with many others, who were called on to seal it safely from the hands of the Veleighen many ages ago. They are the same Veleighen who dwell on this continent.”
The tale went on throughout the night, telling of the rise and fall of two great cities, linked to each other in a living state of being, crafted by the great ones of old. He spoke to them of the purpose of the two cities; their power to unite kingdoms in great strength and power within hours by a great and magical passage through the heart of each city known as The Great Gates.
These two cities were set against by evil before the first history books were completed. The gates were created in answer to an ancient threat of evil, which source has long been forgotten by most within the boundaries of Utaemia. These two cities were alive with a spirit of their own. But as the Sister City was brought down into the depth of the sea, the other city, the City of Knowledge fell into chaos and began to decay into ruin.
“And so we can suppose that our beloved Sister City is the spirit of the City of Knowledge. When it was taken from us, the other fell.”
Valishur politely stopped, giving his full attention to an elf of great stature as he arose in silence.
“Speak.” Ellianess whispered.
“What is meant by these cities being alive, my lord and lady?” He bowed slightly, reverently, and again sat himself down.
Ellianess rose in silence, touching Valishur’s arm. Valishur sat down, nodding at her respectfully as she began to speak.
“Give heed to my words, my people. What is meant by these two cities as being alive is just this: These two cities have a spirit, an awareness, within them each. Plainly put, my people, as you live so also do these cities, though both be deep in slumber. It would take a powerful army to invade and capture either of the two cities if they were discovered and claimed. For what nation inhabits either of these cities, they are upheld by that city. The elements of stone, and all other elements that these two cities are created with, would rise up against all who invade; the very stones would hinder them, thwarting victory to an invader, and attempting to secure the victory for a people presently possessing the key to them.”
Off to the side, the elf woman who had led Sekali and his companions to her home came forwards and grimly knelt beside the three, continuing to listen to every word spoken. At the mentioning of the key, her eyes wandered to the three companions she had brought here, her heart skipping a beat. Then the tales were true; they had finally come. She could not help but rise in silence, waiting to be acknowledged.
Ellianess turned her attention upon her instantly and held out a hand and nodded. “Aria, daughter, what have you to say. Speak, Daughter of The Guard. I knew you would have say in this matter.”
“Mother, I beg your blessing to let me see these three to their goal.” There were gasps and murmurs as all present looked from Aria to Ellianess.
Ellianess smiled.
“You have ever been of the Guardians of the Forest of Utaemia. You would leave Utaemia to the hands of the Veleighen?” Without hesitation, Aria nodded.
“Yes. It is time to reclaim our home. I miss it, you as well, mother . . . father. I will speed them in their course if you will but grant me your blessing. Otherwise, I can do nothing for them.” Aria waited, not setting herself down again, while Ellianess stared at her with no expression.
Valishur stood and neared Ellianess, whispering quietly to her. Ellianess nodded and he sat down once more.
“Come to me, daughter. I believe you are the key to their success.” She beckoned Sekali, Uther and Finyat before her as well. Slowly they arose and did as they were bidden. Hope kindled fiercely within Sekali, and within Uther’s eyes there seemed to burn a conviction. What lay within the thoughts of Finyat, I do not suppose even Ellianess could have spoken for a surety. Aria joined the three before Ellianess and the man, shaking visibly. Ellianess stood forth and embraced Aria tightly.
“I release you from your Guardian’s Oath to protect and serve this homeland directly. And I give you my blessing as you have requested.”
Instantly the silver runes at the borders of Aria’s Guardian Robes faded. Ellianess spoke in a hushed whisper. “It is done, daughter. Now a new charge I give you: See these three successfully to their final destination. Use what skills and power you have obtained throughout your life to bring us home.”
Aria nodded, tears welling up in her eyes as Ellianess turned to the three.
“Do you accept Aria’s aid?” The three merely nodded in silence. As they accepted her, instantly, upon the borders of Aria’s Guardian Robes, there appeared silver runes which the three could read, unlike before. Their names appeared all along the borders of her robes. Aria turned from Ellianess and knelt before the three.
“Now I am your shield, I am your weapon. I will bleed for you, and take upon myself the wounds that you would be inflicted with. I have spoken.” She bowed low to each of them as she knelt.
Uther fidgeted uncomfortably, not quite sure what was expected of him, and so awkwardly bowed in return.
“Ummm, thank you, Aria. I hope you will not enjoy my kohakk for me. That is one pleasure I can handle myself.” There was a great laughter that filled the grove.
Finyat nudged Uther hard with his elbow. “Uther, be serious,” he whispered.
At this, Uther frowned, glaring at Finyat hard. “I am being serious, Shallant!”
Ellianess laughed suddenly and raised her hands into the air. “Please, my people, let the third part of this great council begin, thus continuing the first.”
With that, many drinks and cheers were raised.
The entertainers were the ones to break the host out of the heavy seriousness of what had just occurred. The games resumed, the elves began to dance and sing, and the food and drink again were consumed.
Ellianess and Valishur left their seats and joined the throng, merrily interacting with all their people.
Sekali joined the festivities for a time, and then wandered into the forest, heart and mind beginning to fathom the weight of the task at hand.
Unknown to him, Aria was watching over him a short distance away.