Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 7
Sekali returned home and laid her down in the comfort of their bed. Instantly, she fell asleep as he quietly laid down beside her and closed his eyes.
Mahkaia voice brought Sekali out of sleep.
“Come on, let’s go get changed. We still have a bit of business to do. Where is the satchel?” Sekali sat up, his thoughts slowly focusing. Waving a hand, he yawned and stood.
“I dropped it in the shelter. I’m sure it is still there.” Mahkaia grimaced.
“We better go get it. We have to go see our master before we can do this.” Sekali nodded, grabbed a new set of clothing and headed into the side chamber to wash up. Apparently, Mahkaia had been up for some time, for she was cleaned up, dressed and wide awake.
As he scrubbed his face, images of the carnage flashed in his mind. Slowly, he dried his face, sadness piercing his heart. He had seen men and women die on The Watch, witnessed the slaughter of a battalion of well-trained warriors and ran his blade through a thousand foes, witnessing their spirit depart. He, a mighty warrior of The Watch, had broken the necks of a hundred foes and watched them fade into death. Witnessing the slaughter of those he fought so hard to protect disturbed him deeply, the images of their broken and torn bodies, mingled with the horrified cries of their loved ones, was a haunting reminder of his failure.
Looking into the eyes of the man in the mirror’s reflection was becoming more difficult with each failure. Shaking his head, Sekali closed his eyes and stood up. Taking a deep breath, he tried to force the images out of his mind.
“These murders would not be happening if those of the Living World were honorable. But now we rot in this wasted land, while those of the Living World take their freedom for granted. Once again, you have failed them,” Sekali hissed.
In anger, Sekali turned to leave, and found Mahkaia standing there in silence, a look of pain twisting her beautiful face. He froze, realizing she had overheard him. Ashamed of his actions, he lowered his head, not knowing what to say. He expected her to reprimand him for his words. She drew close and gently embraced him.
“Sekali, what happened was not your fault. The service you render to this people has saved thousands of lives. How can you possibly believe you have failed them by devoting your life to their protection?” Mahkaia brushed fresh tears that streamed his face unchecked. He wanted to bring them back; never let anything happen to them. The desire burned within his mind to see them all living in peace and happiness. Embracing her, Sekali did not how to reply. She was right. Her next words shook him, and stripped him of the false beliefs about himself.
“The time you have in mortality, every moment, depicts the course of not only your life, but the lives of those around you. Don’t waste that time accusing yourself of events which are not yours to control. Live, Sekali, live.” Mahkaia tightened her embrace for a moment, then left him standing alone.
After donning himself in a fresh set of plate armor, they departed, retrieved the satchel of bones and headed for the Monolith.
A short time later, they approached the Mystic’s dwelling hand in hand, and entered as before, approaching the central area of the massive structure slowly. The torches still burned as before, but Sekali’s thoughts were bent upon Mahkaia. As they approached the same area as before, they were stopped by the same faint whisper.
“My apprentice informs you both were Joined last evening. Congratulations to you both. I am pleased that you have found happiness in the dark of your home. In doing so, you are mastering the future.” Both saluted respectfully. Sekali bowed, being the first to speak.
“Thank you master. Master, we seek permission to leave the citadel for a short time. Mahkaia has prepared the skeleton of the Vahkrin to be . . . raised.”
He immediately knew he should have let Mahkaia inquire, and by the look she gave him, he was right. Cringing, he fell silent, stepping back one pace, signifying that she would lead the conversation. Mahkaia bowed shortly.
“Master, I would raise the Vahkrin Skeleton to serve our people. I believe it would be a good study, and a good shield to protect The Watch, if only for a season.” Kneeling, she waited patiently for a reply that came all too quickly. But it was not the response she had anticipated.
“The future of your life is clouded, Mahkaia; I see all our people, and their future to some degree, but yours is now hidden from before me, locked away in a place I cannot perceive.” Sekali saw Mahkaia flinch at his master’s words. Composing herself with some difficulty, she explained.
“The Vahkrin cursed me, master. I made a mistake in not preparing more fully for the conjuring. What can be done?”
“Come to my personal chambers. No, Sekali, you must wait until she returns. We shall not be long.”
Sekali formally knelt, feeling helpless as his wife continued on without him. This was serious, for the master never bid another enter his personal chamber lest it was of dire importance.
Time instantly slowed to a crawl, each minute dragging on as if reluctant to keep its normal pace. When he and his wife were together, time passed more quickly that this, even as they served on The Watch. This was, by far, the worst situation he had ever experienced. Every passing minute challenged his patience. He needed to know that Mahkaia would be alright, that everything would turn out fine.
Sekali felt dread begin to creep within his mind as though a thousand spiders had instantly hatched within his skull, enmeshing his thoughts within chaotic webs of fear and doubt.
This dark siege would forever challenge them, whether at the hand of nature, or the terrors which stalked this land of woe. None were immune to the dangers of the wastelands, least of all Mahkaia, who harbored great and terrible power. The trials they faced seem to overshadow them as pervasively as the mists obscured the sun’s light.
“No! We will win, we will!”, he growled.
For nearly an hour, he focused on the tunnel before him, rejecting the persistent feeling of there being no hope or victory for the situation. The time in which he waited for his wife was the longest hour of his life.
The joy of being Mahkaia’s husband was now overshadowed and subdued by the power of another. What would happen? Could his master help Mahkaia? If not, could he and his wife overcome the power of the Gorilith’s spell?
Finally, Mahkaia came into view, heading toward him. Sekali instantly stood and waited, relieved to see her again. At her approached, she held out a hand, which he took, and continued up the tunnel in silence.
Once outside, Mahkaia turned to him with no discernable expression, holding Sekali’s eye in silence. Gently, he took her other hand, searching her expression in vain for any glimmer of hope. Not knowing what to say, Sekali fell into a void of mind numbing silence as his stomach tightened painfully.
There were no words spoken between them, for what could he have said? What could he possibly do? Stepping close to her, he wrapped her in his arms, holding her for a long while. As their two bodies came together, she melted into his arms, trembling. For the first time in all the long years he had known her, he watched her emotions spill in the form of tears as she collapsed within his embrace.
“Mahkaia, Tell me what happened,” he whispered gently, struggling to contain his own emotions, threatening to overwhelm and break him down. Slowly, Mahkaia composed herself, hesitated, and then shook her head.
“No, I just made a mistake,” she lied. “If this were to happen on The Watch, I could have let us all down; I could have caused the death of many of my people.”
He noticed how she struggled for words at one point, briefly, and gave her a look that meant he didn’t fully believe her. But Sardakk Elves do not lie, and so he let it go, assuming she held a greater meaning in all this -- one he did not understand. Hand in hand, they slowly walked in silence to the east gate of Sardakahn, one of only two entrances to the citadel.
Coming to a halt before a team of eight men and women known as the Portal Guardians, Mahkaia and Sekali respectfully, and were saluted warmly in return.
This was a team of elite fighters who wore the black, silver-runed robes of the Guardian class, posted as a last defense, should The Watches fail.
Early in his years, Sekali had taken an interest in the history of his people. Within the Shaklith Library, which stands near the center of Sardakahn Citadel, he recalled reading through many passages within the Tomes of Necron, a more than ten-thousand book history, kept by the order of the Recorders since the Sardakk Elves arrived within the Wastelands. Sekali recalled one particular history involving the Portal Guardians, which spoke of a time when all three circles of The Watch had been driven back from the pinnacles, their numbers reduced to less than half as a fierce enemy drove them back against the gates of Sardakahn, overwhelming them steadily. But the gates did not remain closed to ward off the enemy, as was the normal strategy during such a battle.The gates were unbarred, and swung wide by the Portal Guardians, who fell as one upon the enemy who fell before them like wheat before the scythe. Like dragons, they cut into the ranks of the enemy in a terrible display of wrath and power, blades shining as the black smith’s hottest coals, cutting into their enemies, and scattering their ranks into chaos in a whirlwind of fury, desperate to save their beloved brothers and sisters. That day, the record states, the Portal Guardians slew ten-thousand, driving and scattering them back into the obscurity of the Wastelands. So fierce were their attacks that these creatures never came up against Sardakahn again.
As the two approached, one of the Portal Guardians stepped forward and saluted Mahkaia respectfully.
“Peace ever flow from the power of your enchantments.” He then turned to Sekali, saluting in the same manner. “Peace ever flow from the stroke of your blade.” Sekali saluted him, a sense of pride welling up within. Mahkaia smiled brightly.
“May the essence of eternity forever empower you.” The Portal Guardian drew near, a childlike grin spreading across his lips.
“What brings you to the gate, my friends?” Mahkaia motioned Sekali to open the satchel he carried. Quickly, he did so, showing him the remains within.
“I have been given leave to take these remains out of the city to animate.” The Portal Guardian raised an eyebrow and nodded.
“So be it. May Vannar go before you.” Turning, he made a quick hand motion. Instantly, the stone gate swung outward on its own, grinding upon its massive hinges. Turning back to Mahkaia, he smiled.
“Be careful enchantress. It would be a blow to the defenses of our people, should you fall.” She nodded soberly, then led the way out into the thick flowing sea of mists.
As the gates slowly closed behind, Sekali felt suddenly tense, realizing he and his wife were outside the protection of the citadel. Turning, Sekali scaled the massive walls with his eyes. From the outside, the citadel had always reminded him of monstrous claws, piercing up through the charred surface of the earth, grasping up at the blackened mists. Mahkaia’s attention was drawn up as well.
“Most races would have been wiped out.” She looked over and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, the corner of her mouth showing a slight smile. “We should go. The master foresaw our deaths, had we gone on a hunt. We are not hunting, but there is still that danger. Come.” Sekali looked down at her in silence for a moment, his face hard as stone. Mahkaia’s hand slipped off his shoulder, catching his hand in a firm grip as she turned to lead him out into the mists. Quietly, he drew his blade and pulled her against him, sheltering her with his other arm.
They passed by the first, then second watch in silence as the scream of some creature echoed faintly in the east. As they passed the out watch, they were saluted by a warlock amidst six warriors fully plated in finely crafted armors, swords unsheathed.
“Hail, Mahkaia.” Whispered the man at the center and top of the pinnacle. “Where are you going?” Mahkaia smiled and saluted.
“To raise the bones of a Vahkrin my husband and I slew not long ago.” The man’s eyes brightened at her words.
“So you have finally married him?” She nodded soberly and smiled.
“I wish you both the best.” Instantly the smile faded from his face, which become hard as stone. “A Vahkrin? Mahkaia, beware. I suspect the soul of such a being does not fully rest unless its body is wholly destroyed. It could prove traitorous.” Saluting, he turned his attention to his duties.
“I wish you both enduring happiness through many ages,” he whispered sentimentally.
“Thank you, Jerstel, and may your watch be fruitful.” Sekali and Mahkaia then continued on, soon vanishing from the sight of anyone who could possibly aid them, should they need it. Sekali felt as though they were stepping into a dragon’s lair as they silently made their within the vapors, which eerily flowed about them. Traveling for a few minutes, Sekali felt his heart begin to beat more quickly as they moved between two large mounds of smouldering earth, giving him the distinct impression of walking within a dragon’s lair.
Being well out of earshot from Jerstel and his warriors, Sekali knew they were truly alone.