Chapter VIII
Caleb announced the expedition to the Land of the Lotus while in the Great Hall, which was filled with as many of Queen Elyon's commanders as available to come. He had anticipated shock and dissent. After all, this was Lord Cedric's homeland. The few outsiders who had journeyed into the heart of that foreboding land rarely returned, and those who had survived had strange and sometimes grim tales to tell.
Caleb countered: "As I've said, we aren't going there to indulge in mindless leisure, and we aren't going in there without a plan or prior notice to the rulers.
"And furthermore, this won't be the first royal expedition to the capitol of Žeayia Yikþ. Queen Chesed—infinite brightness to her—has gone before"—at which, the commanders gasped and whispered among themselves—"but because of the War Against the Feared One, we've forgotten many of the things, great and small, that the previous queen has performed."
Then he turned towards Queen Elyon, and she handed him a book. As Caleb held it before the congregation, he marked, "This journal was penned by Queen Chesed. It clearly survived the purges of Phobos, and while I have yet to read all of its passages, I can tell you what I understand based on what I've read:
"The Aaronagim can be approached and reasoned with. But it's vital that we, as total outsiders, listen to them and withhold our judgments; for contrary to what many of us have been taught, Lord Cedric's people weren't always instigating mayhem. In fact, there were times that Escanors—and occasionally Galhots—performed enormities against their people. So, it's important that whoever accompanies Her Majesty on this mission has a good temper, for you may likely hear things that make your blood boil."
Despite Caleb's speech, the dissent continued. Queen Elyon's intention behind the expedition was noble without question. Her commanders grieved, though, that she placed unrealistically lofty expectations upon herself, especially given that she was still learning about their world, her world, and she was fresh to everything that entailed being a monarch.
With all due respect to the Light of Meridian, she needed to be patient. Though the dire goings-on needed to be addressed, she needed to be realistic, and that included executing calculated moves, even if they took longer than she believed they should.
Then Caleb's father rose and stepped towards the dais. The commanders fell silent, for no soul would dare to interrupt the first rebel leader, the Ruddy Wolf of the Battle of Greywoods.
"If the favour of their ruler can instill the right amount of fear we need to maintain any semblance of peace, then I say let the expedition come to pass.
"I know that we can't always reason with certain parties. I know that—and not to demean them at all—the courage of our soldiers isn't always enough. The Yretges, for example—they grow bolder and bolder. They're testing us, trying to get a better idea of our strength and our readiness. And I know this much about them: even black-hearted brigands such as they aren't foolhardy enough to challenge the authority of the Aaronag women. Why! I doubt even Morgon himself, haughty creature that he was, would have tangled with them!
"With all that said, I agree with Vathek: a relationship with the Aaronagim should not be taken for granted. However, I have my own reason. It's not to spare them from pain, though that is important. It's because of this feeling I have, this intuition, that they possibly have the power to inflict vengeance with a thousand times the fury than what Escanors could do. And while I am confident that the Light of Meridian, new as she is to this world and to her powers, could defend us, I would not test the abilities of Dreaded Dames for a moment."
Then Julian turned towards Caleb and gazed at him. He said, "With that too said, I trust Caleb. I trust him to lead this expedition the same way I trusted him with the rebellion. Furthermore, and as every soldier here knows, the spirits of the Dreaded Dames bestowed an incredible gift to him, a privilege that he proudly wears every day since he received it. What-ever help he needs to make an excellent impression upon them, I shall give it to him."
His father's speech aroused many a "Here, here!" Caleb smiled and bowed his head in thanks.
Sixty days gave them plenty of time to prepare. After Vathek had confirmed he had sent his newest letter to Lady Cecelia, Caleb began to study Queen Chesed's journal with Queen Elyon by his side. (Caleb also began to write his own journal devoted to what he had learned of the Aaronagim.)
He was fortunate that Queen Elyon could not read the journal by herself. Queen Chesed's handwriting and language was a far cry from that with which her successor was familiar. Therefore, she could not peek at the passages without a native Metamooran to help her, and therefore, she would not stumble upon unsettling passages without Caleb present to add context.
The journal had begun with minimal excitement. Queen Chesed had initially wrote notes related to what she and the advisors in the Council of the Light of Meridian would have enjoyed knowing. For example, they had wondered if the serpentine shape-shifters had a system of economy and, if so, what manner. They had wondered what additional knowledge of resources, such as the Sei'espian, the shape-shifters might have had.
Other entries included delights such as Queen Chesed's bout of sea-sickness, described in politest way a woman of her station could describe it; a young Phobos—rather, 'Philos' rousing her frustration by covering himself in dirt and leaves, only because he had known the act would infuriate her; and a brief line appreciating the tender comfort of the royal consort after a rough day of travel.
While such entries were not relevant to Caleb's research, they had an unconscious positive effect on Queen Elyon. She had begun to behave more confidently at meetings and when making decisions. She had seemed more formal when a situation called for formality and much more content in casual settings. Eventually Caleb realised that the young monarch had needed to know the Light of Meridian was still only human—or to use more inclusive language, only a person.
People such as Alborn and Miriadel could remind her that she was young and still learning, and they could tell her that Queen Chesed had also struggled in spite of her being raised for her future role. But Queen Elyon had needed to know, needed verification; and whom better to get that from than from her own mother?
On the night before the second visit scheduled to see Cedric, the mood of the journal happened to turn strange and alarming.
The entry began with the indignation that Queen Chesed felt "to have my powers tested in such a reckless and abominable manner; but what should I have anticipated from those whom traffic with daemonic gods and practice Arts that would be better lost and hence forgotten?"
When Caleb read the entry, once to himself and then to the queen, he observed that even the handwriting betrayed how frustrated she had been, for the ink had grown thick with greater pressure applied and more aggressive strokes.
"What... What the heck happened?" asked Queen Elyon.
Caleb shrugged, shook his head, and began to skim further down the passage. Then he admitted, "The thing is, I've read a couple of entries ahead at random, and she seemed okay in them. Still..."
Caleb laid a ribbon between the pages, and he flipped carefully through the journal so as to not damage it. When he could not find the entries he desired, he returned to the passage the ribbon had saved, and he continued to read Queen Chesed's diatribe:
"'To conjure such a thing! To lure my people into such peril! What a fool I had been to agree to their trial!'"
"A what?" interjected Elyon.
"'Those who were not...'" Caleb paused and gulped silently. "'Those who were not slain were driven to shrilling madness, and the limits of my powers were tested: the ability to protect, certainly, but also the ability to resurrect that which has recently died. It is not a power anyone should exercise lightly, and a weariness still lingers in me from all those that I restored.
"'So many of them, too. Each body that had been brutally slain. So many. So many screaming. And Philos. Laïos—thank the Oracle—Laïos shielded Philos from the worst of it.'
"'I am still so weary. I would rest, but that visit from the queens' heralds has stoked my anger, and hence, I am alert like a bull, his patience worn thin. It takes not strength but some skill of some kind that I cannot yet name to not scream to Kandrakar Itself; and I did not abuse the heralds when they came.'
"'They said that their queens, their "Highly Excellent and Dreadful Ladies"—indeed, they are dreadful creatures for what they have done!—were satisfied with the test. My powers assured them that I was no fraud, and I was no braggart, seeking to use the fact that I am an Escanor to try to bend them to my will. Such rubbish! Such flaming refuse! And such gall! I dismissed them and told them that I would hear no more from their kind until they had devised a way to satisfy me! to make whole what they had sundered!'
"'To see them now. If only Mother could see them now! See the abominations they can conjure! How she ever listened to them is beyond me now! How I ever thought to come here, to extend a hand in friendship, is beyond me now! Fury, fury, and more fury!'"
Pages slid dryly against one another as Caleb slowly closed the journal. His face had flushed as he had read the passage, and then the blood had drained when he realised that he had read that terrifying entry to Queen Elyon.
She broke the silence: "Caleb... what... was all that?"
"I honestly have no idea," said Caleb.
The pair fell silent again, and Caleb gazed at his queen, her legs tucked against her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs.
"Your Majesty?"
The queen lifted her head.
"Are you alright?"
She sighed. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess. I'm just... stunned."
"Mmm..." So was Caleb.
"But... But you said you... read ahead, right? That it gets better?"
Caleb blinked and shrugged. "It does. I just don't know what to make of... that," and he lifted the journal before releasing it with a gentle thud. He sighed and rubbed a hand against his head.
"God, I was nervous before," began the queen. She tittered anxiously and continued, "I know! I know! This whole big thing was my idea! And even Vathek said we oughtta be careful because something like that might happen. I mean, he didn't say something like that would happen, but he did say to, you know, be very, very, very careful around them. Hoooooo!"
As Queen Elyon laid her head against her knees, Caleb drew closer and sat before her.
"Do you want to know what I think, Your Majesty?"
"Mmm." She glanced down at him.
"I think we should continue to prepare for the quest. I don't think we should let this one entry sabotage your plan. You heard Vathek: Olindoyo and They Who Are Born from the Ožea Ayiiðæ are pleased that you're sitting on the throne—you!
"Does this entry make me, as your general, pause for a moment? Yes. It does. It ought to. Keep in mind, Queen Elyon, that the Aaronagim are ancient, that they probably have been trafficking with gods and demons; entities that even Phobos was probably very strategic in not interacting with unless he thoroughly did his research.
"That's the point of the mission, though: to cultivate a genuinely friendly relationship with a genuinely dangerous but well-respected people. And your advantage is, perhaps, your genuineness. We've been raised with certain ideas here in Meridian that far from flatter Cedric's people; so, if your soldiers, your ambassadors or whoever else goes act genuine, we might... well..."
"Say something really racist?" added Queen Elyon.
"Yeah. Probably."
The queen smiled dryly.
"But if you are yourself, with all that curiosity you have and your big, kind heart, free from all the... the lies that I've been told and others have been told, they'll probably adore you."
"Or think I'm a weirdo and wonder why the heck I'm on the throne."
"Or think you're weird and find it amusing-slash-charming."
The young monarch tittered, and her limbs untangled. Her glistening eyes and her wide smiled cast a light upon his heart, and Caleb suddenly remembered Cornelia and the other girls, remembered the warmth of that part of Earth (in spite of its weirdness).
"Let's take a break," said Caleb. "Let's take a break from the journal tonight, and when I go to see Cedric tomorrow, I'll see if I can sneak some questions in regarding Žeayia Yikþ. Alright?"
"Sounds like a plan," said Queen Elyon.
Then they bade each other good night, and Caleb retired to his chamber.
Caleb knew that his comrades might also have questions, and as he awaited the portal to Kandrakar, he recalled the warning that Cedric had issued about Olindoyo and the holy Centre of Infinity.
"I don't think we can keep the expedition a secret from them," noted Caleb, "but it's probably not a good idea to bring up Olindoyo's name again and again or at all, really."
Galgheita raised both her eyebrows. "General! If Kandrakar does indeed disapprove of their ruler, then why on Metamoor have we not told Elyon? She can't go this expedition if Kandrakar is against it."
"Did Cedric tell you why?" asked Julian.
"Probably has to do with King Escanor," Vathek interjected immediately. "Galhots wanted him and the other Four Saviours to stay. He was alright with it as long as Kandrakar approved of it, and Kandrakar approved of it. And Cecelia's folk are masters of holding grudges. Well! Unless you belong to Cecelia's clan. They tend not to hold grudges as intensely as the others."
Julian stroked his beard, smirked, and glanced at Caleb.
Oh! You noticed he said 'Cecelia' and not 'Cedric,' too? thought Caleb as he returned the smirk.
Soon the portal appeared, and Caleb, Vathek, Alborn, Julian, and Galgheita tread through the mystical halls, which had lost none of awe they had inspired.
Of course, they needed to cross through the Gauge of the Heart again, and while they walked with a tad more confidence, the experience continued unsettle them.
Julian, being the newcomer, was rendered wide-eyed and agape by the corridor.
"How do they get prisoners into the Tower?" he asked, for surely, an inmate would intend to do harm to a guard or one of the wardens.
"We have another entrance for residents," replied Hiboshé.
Humph! Good news for Phobos, thought Caleb.
The delegates congregated in the same chamber with the luscious cushions. Julian sat close to his son, and Caleb sat more closely to Cedric, whom smirked and eyed him coyly.
"Welcome," bade Endarno.
"Thank you, Your Holiness," replied Alborn with a tip of the head. Then he gazed at Cedric, tipped his head, and asked, "And you—how are you, Cedric?"
"Doing well, thank you," replied the shape-shifter, tipping up his head. "I've been doing a bit of thinking since your previous visit."
"Oh?" Alborn cocked his head. "What about?"
Cedric averted his eyes and cleared his throat. He spoke softly, "I took a bit of time to consider all that you'd said. All that you felt. And, well... I suppose you were right to be angry. Furious, actually, about what I did, in particular the danger I put Elyon in.
"I started to think about my own mother, about what happened to me, everything that had happened to me, and that just so happens to include Phobos, not just his father, and the way Phobos exploited me when I was young and when I was... vulnerable. I was older than Elyon, but still, I thought about my mother and my family and how she and they felt. And honestly, there isn't much difference in the anger, the frustration. And so, I am sorry for that grief I caused, commander, among other things."
Alborn nodded gently, swallowed, and replied, "I appreciate that, general. Thank you."
Caleb smiled.
The meeting continued without any outburst: yes, Cedric would remain for another forty days; Cedric continued to unfortunately keep certain barriers erected. Kandrakar was concerned about his impulsiveness, especially since he had not mastered mindfulness to a point where certain triggers ceased to arouse a violent reaction.
"'Violent reaction'?" puzzled Caleb.
"Sadly, yes," said Endarno. "While Cedric does not have the full array of his powers, he can stand before you as a man or as a serpent; and it is interesting to observe that when he assumes his true form, he tends to cool faster. As a man, he is more alert, more sensitive, more volatile."
"Has he injured anyone?" asked Alborn.
"He has but not maliciously. We have procedures dictating when we must restrain a prisoner, but we have learned that young Cedric must be given space. I have instructed all the guards and wardens to keep their distance when he has a violent episode and to keep other residents safe; for, as you should know, we allow the low-risk to congregate for various activities pertinent to their rehabilitation."
Caleb frowned and gazed at Cedric, whom sat slumped.
"Thank you, Lord Endarno," said Alborn. "We are grateful to Kandrakar for all its aid."
Lord Endarno smiled and tipped his head. Then he asked if any of the other delegates had questions for him or for Cedric.
Caleb replied, "If it isn't too much trouble, warden, we'd like to speak with Cedric in private."
The chief warden blinked and glanced at an equally-puzzled Hiboshé. Endarno said, "For everyone's safety, I cannot honour your request."
Caleb glanced at Alborn and shrugged. Then Endarno continued: "May I know whence this request comes?"
Caleb sighed. Okay, here we go.
"Queen Elyon is organising an expedition," began Alborn, "to Lord Cedric's homeland," at which, the shape-shifter's eyes grew. "And we wanted to ask him a few questions."
The warmth on Endarno's face diminished, and when he turned towards Cedric, the shape-shifter leaned away. The saint asked, "Why is Queen Elyon organising an expedition to the Forbidding Realm of Serpentine Shape-shifters?"
"For a favour, Your Lordship," replied Vathek, "the favour of a Lady. The Light of Meridian believes that if she can earn the favour of a Lady, then those who still oppose her shall think twice before they strike."
Endarno hummed contemplatively, and Cedric glanced at Caleb before he gazed at the meditating saint.
"I doubt that the congregation would endorse her quest," replied Endarno. "Elyon is young, new to the throne, and fresh to Metamoor. The rulers of the Forbidding Realm are ancient. They wield terrible powers, and they can be fickle and are content to be so. If Elyon were lost, that would be a tragedy, especially after the Guardians had laboured hard on her behalf.
"However, neither Kandrakar nor I individually can compel or coerce her to cancel this expedition. I shall bid her good luck and nothing more."
Caleb hummed. No disrespect to the saint or Kandrakar, but Vathek had demonstrated that the Centre of Infinity was biased.
Of course, having a bias wasn't necessarily bad. The congregation of Kandrakar had been biased against the Kahedrins, otherwise they wouldn't have allowed Escanor to aid the Galhots. Kandrakar had been biased against Phobos, otherwise they wouldn't have raised the Veil and summoned two generations of Guardians to fight.
Unfortunately, Kandrakar was biased against the Aaronagim, and that tension had likely arisen for the reason Vathek had detailed.
Then spontaneously, Caleb recalled: 'those whom traffic with daemonic gods and practice Arts that would be better lost and hence forgotten.'
Perhaps he was being naïve, seeking the good in Cedric's people while ignoring legitimate concerns that other parties had.
Then Julian spoke and snapped him out of his thoughts:
"I understand your concern, Lord Endarno, for I share it. With all due respect to Cedric, the Aaronagim are not renowned for kindness. However, Caleb has taught me plenty about them, that there's more to them than guile and malice. And Vathek, too—his relationship, in fact, with a Lady of great esteem is what inspired Queen Elyon."
Endarno perked his head, while Vathek bowed his, a slight flush on his cheeks.
"She did say," began the bashful blue giant, "that the rulers were pleased with the rightful heir's return."
Endarno's eyes grew, and he blinked rapidly. "Really?"
Cedric gaped. "You... You heard from her? Heard from Cecelia?" at which, Vathek nodded. Cedric exhaled deeply and grinned.
"So, what about you, Cedric?" asked Alborn. "What do you think about it?"
The shape-shifter sighed and glanced at Caleb. His eyes moved this way and that way, and he adjusted his legs upon his cushion. Eventually, he answered:
"It depends. I don't recommend going up randomly to any Lady and asking for her favour. There is, of course, the issue of safety, and then I'm assuming Elyon wants to bolster the awe that the Light already evokes? Some Ladies evoke more fear than they do awe. Therefore, if I were Elyon, I would go straight to Cecelia. And if, for whatever reason, either one doesn't feel comfortable with an arrangement, Cecelia can at least point Elyon in the right direction."
"Hmm... Good to know," said Alborn.
"Does anyone else in the delegation have additional questions pertaining to Cedric's rehabilitation?" asked Endarno.
None did; and so, the time had come for each delegate to bid him farewell.
Galgheita was minimalist and pleasant as before. Julian tipped his head and thanked Cedric for his help, at which, the shape-shifter bowed. Vathek excused himself and took Cedric aside. Caleb watched as they whispered to one another. Towards the end, Cedric heaved a sigh, and Vathek patted him on his shoulders before the soldiers embraced.
That left Alborn and Caleb. The young general tipped his head at Endarno as he approached Cedric, and he would have sworn that the chief warden smiled slightly, not a lewd smirk but soft curve of warmth accompanied by eyebrows creased upward.
He knew, thought Caleb, and he saw the hint of gratitude glimmer in those fatherly eyes, of thankfulness for what Caleb had contributed to the former transgressor's life.
As the pair leaned against the wall, Caleb began, "I promise, I won't make eyes at another serpent while I'm there."
Cedric chuckled. "You know, it's quite normal for my people to take up multiple partners. Of course, we do play favourites, buuut..."
Caleb's grin widened. "We-e-elll, when you say that... I mean, the best way to connect with another people is to adopt some of their customs, ya know, to show how open you are to their way of life."
Cedric chuckled again, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Gods, he seemed to fare immensely better.
"In all seriousness," began Caleb anew, "I do have one more question I'd like to ask in regards to you-know-what."
Cedric straightened himself and perked his head.
"Queen Elyon and I have been reading Queen Chesed's journal, the one that you saved from the purges. We're hoping to get some insights, hopefully avoid missteps that the previous quest committed."
"Mmm!"
"We reached an entry last night that was... well, it was disturbing. I didn't know what to make of it, and while I tried to assure Her Majesty that things are different this time, I'm still concerned."
"Which entry?"
Caleb glanced at Endarno and the other delegates. He lowered his voice further and replied, "When Queen Chesed arrived, I guess Cecelia's bosses conjured something to test her," at which, Cedric's eyes widened and darted about, a deep frown on his face. "... test her abilities, I guess, and make sure that she was who she said she was—the Light of Meridian. Do you have any idea what happened? What that was all about?"
Clearly, he did as soon as his face had contorted.
Though Cedric had begun to shake his head, he replied, "The Trial to Behold. It isn't something She conjured. It is something She can become."
Caleb's eyes widened, and he leaned closer. "She what?" But Cedric lifted both his hands, patting the air in a bid to calm him.
"The Ruler has changed since then, not for all hahalim, mind you, but She became keen on Chesed, though... by the time She had explicitly bestowed Her favour... the queen had been lost."
"So, does Elyon still need to—"
"Of course!" Cedric rolled his eyes. "A Lady shall not bestow her favour unless she comes to know the one seeking it. Do you think I would endorse one of your friends without getting to know them? For all I know, I could be endorsing someone with the proclivities of Laïos."
"Point taken."
Cedric sighed and looked into his eyes.
"Foolhardy rebel," he sighed.
"Foolhardy general," corrected Caleb, eliciting a chuckle.
"Do be careful. Her Excellency maybe receptive to Her Majesty, but as to the rest who accompany her..."
"Is there anyway to protect ourselves?"
The shape-shifter groaned. After a moment of thinking, he smirked wryly and replied, "Well, if you do become mired in peril to the extent where the Guardians become necessary, be prepared for a long, long wait. The ruling family has a powerful spell that radiates from the capitol, hindering the sight of Kandrakar. The closer you draw to it, the weaker Kandrakar's vision becomes, or so the ruling family says."
Caleb frowned. "I don't suppose praying to your ancestors would help? Or to your Gods?"
Cedric smirked and reached for his face. "Ožea Đambalæ, hiira-oes uršahöniel."
"I don't know what that is," chuckled Caleb.
"That you'll come back to me alive."
Caleb gazed at those eyes with their wide serpentine pupils, the melancholic shine of their amethyst irises, and the eerie glow of the golden sclerae. He clamped both hands around Cedric's and he said, "I promise. By the strength in the coils of the Great Mother and Father, I promise."
Then he bade him farewell and departed with the delegation.
Annotations:
To see them now. If only Mother could see them now! See the abominations they can conjure! How she ever listened to them is beyond me now! (history) Queen Chesed's mother is Queen Binah, whom during the time of Chesed's expedition had been alive. Binah had begun the process of reconciling with the Aaronagim (visitors to Meridian, anyway).
Chesed had gone further than Binah, but assumptions by her and her council led to the awful Trial to Behold.
Ožea Đambalæ, hiira-oes uršahöniel (Aaronagish) Great Father, help my beloved (lit. my stomach). In Aaronagish culture, it is the stomach, not the heart, where feelings sit; however, Escanor translations will often render uršahöniel as 'my heart' or 'my dear.'