Chapter three: Promises Made, Kept and Broken
Authors Note: I had not planed writing this chapter when I wrote chapter on cartography and so it is not included in the time line. This chapter is divided into three parts; the last parte is set on the day of the trial, the seconde part is set two hundred years earlier and the first part is set during the human era.
Review responses:
Romantic with a pen: Thanks for the support, I'm glade you've enjoyed reading this so far and I hope you like this chapter too.
Jadestare123: Yes, Alathnia is the main character. Thanks for reviewing; this story wouldn't have been the same if you didn't. (S – the story wouldn't be at all if you didn't…)
Alannagirl: I'm glad you like something not as mortally centred as usual. The gods of the Tortallan Parthenon intrigue me. Usually you come across the Triple Goddess but in Tortall they have only two parts of the whole, the Mother and the Crone. So I thought to write the story of the Maiden.DarkladyErisa: Yes indeed the gods are evil, well at least some of them. Most of what I write is poetry, so technically this is my first story. Thanks for alerting me to the guilt/failed-hero side of Alathnia, I think I must have skipped over that. Please tell me how you see her in this chapter, if you wouldn't mind.
Queen Thayet: I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I had abandoned you, I shouldn't have taken so long to update but really I have no excuses.
On Lake Naxen there lies an island. Like a green hill among golden field it rises from the water. Upon the island there is only a ring of stones and a great tree… The ashes of the fire that once burned there have long since have been lost to the wind and the grass.
This island is largely avoided for many stories of strange happenings can easily be found regarding it.
Some call the ring of stones The Ring of Stars, and yet others call it The Circle of Kings.
Some call the tree The Tree of Mercy, but others call it The Tree of Ice and Fire.
Stories are recounted of how Mithros sheltered under the tree during the Wars of Fire and Light, as are others of how a king was struck down by lightning as he prayed while standing among the stones. Yet the most important story, though long forgotten, wishes to be remembered. That is why all who fall asleep upon the island dream.
The Dream Begins
Three men and a woman stood on the island.
One man, blond of hair and ice blue of eye, stood upon the highest point, he was dressed in red.
The woman, light brown of hair and amber of eye, stood with the fire to her back, she was dressed in white.
One man, red of hair and amethyst of eye, stood under the tree, he was dressed in purple.
One man, black of hair and dark blue of eye, stood nearest to the water, he was dressed in deep blue.
"Who is willing to call her? Does anyone wish to do so?" The man in red spoke softly, his voice was light and even.
"Not alone. No, I cannot imagine any of us would wish to call on her alone, seeing as we are in each others presence." The man in purple said, his voice slightly mocking, slightly fearful.
"You are right. Shall we give her our gifts in greeting or in parting?" The man dressed in blue spoke, his voice that of someone used to being obeyed, even among equals.
"In greeting, I think. After all, it has been a while" The woman said softly. Her voice was quiet yet it seemed alive with energy.
The man upon the highest point held his hands before him and the winds wrapped themselves around them.
The woman before of the fire lent behind her and gathered a flame between her palms.
The man under the tree reached above his head and snapped a small leafy branch off, and held it before him.
The man upon the lowest point knelt down at the islands edge and gathered a little water in his cupped hands before returning to his place.
The three Kings – and the Queen – stood like this and together spoke as one.
"Goddess, Great Lady, come to us and walk among us, guide us and bless us. Keep to us your promise and grant us your favour, protect Your People and Your Land. Seek the lost and grant us peace. Walk with us Alathnia. So mote it be!"
Something changed. Things seemed more real, colours brighter, sounds sharper. Yet other things seemed less substantial: the few manmade items upon the island showed this the most clearly. To the eye, it was as if when you placed your hands upon the one of them, they would pass right though. But it was not these changes that the monarchs were watching; it was the figure that stood among them.
Alathnia's lively grey eyes gazed over each of the rulers gathered before her, a smile tugging at her lips.
"I must thank you, my friends, for calling me. Honoured I am to be part of such a gathering!" she said this with a laugh that sounded like rain on a still river.
"Alathnia, it is us who should be honoured. Indeed, we thank you for answering our summons." The woman in white smiled as she said this, and it was fortunate that Alathnia was in such a good mood. Playful was far better than resentful, and a lot safer.
A silver belt knife spun though dexterous fingers. "The last time we spoke, you requested something that at the time I could not give you." Once again Alathnia spoke, this time far more serious. "A symbol through which the promises I have made to you can be seen. Something that both I could work through and that would respond to your heirs. Something that will not change as long as I am with you. It took me a while…"
"A while? Indeed my lady, it has been four years!" the man dressed in blue spoke out, surprise evident both in his face and in his voice.
"If anyone asks, I will insist that I did not hear that comment." In Alathnia's voice amusement could almost be heard, but not quite.
"As I was saying, it took me a while to come up with an object that would serve all our needs and which would have a practical purpose useful enough the be passed down though generations.
With my hands I made these."
Suddenly, on the grass before her appeared four swords. The sheaths the swords were encased in were made of a strong leather, each finely tooled with a different design. The hilts were more similar to each other then the sheaths as the designs were the same, a heron's wings extended. The pommel of each also held a clear crystal. The difference came in that the jewels, which surrounded the crystals. They were of a single type per sword.
The sheath of the sword adorned with sapphires had been engraved with waves.
The sheath of the sword adorned with amethysts was carved with leaves and vines.
The sheath of the sword adorned with rubies had been engraved with a paten meant to represent the wind.
The sheath of the sword adorned with diamonds had been tooled in a pattern of flames.
"My lady, am I to take a sword as well?" The woman in white spoke as if she were unsure of her place in all this.
"Of cause, you are just as capable of wielding the power your sword holds for you as they are." She turned to address everyone. "I am sure you will be able to tell which sword is intended for whom."
As the four monarchs placed their hands on their respective swords the crystal in each hilt flashed with a bright light, pure in its intensity.
"My lady, I know this means something, but of what I am unaware." The man in red spoke, awe evident in his voice.
"That was recognition, the swords way of proving that it knows to whom it should - and does - belong to your hand. Every time the ownership of one of these blade passes on to your heir recognition will take place. The only other occasion the crystals will shine is if you have called for my help and I cannot come. And when it does this it means that I'm working through one of the swords."
"Thank you my lady." The Autumn King spoke again.
"I have another favour to ask of you, something that has not yet been spoken of." The man in purple spoke hesitantly, almost as if he knew not if what he wished to ask was possible.
"My lady, is now the time and place for bargaining such as this? Is this something we need to witness?" The voice of the man in blue was still as confident and self-assured as it had been earlier.
"I want to see this, is this to be another promise? Or something else entirely? I want to know." The man in red sounded curious, but also as though he knew the issue could not be forced.
"Truly, I do not mind if you stay or go, although I would think it better if you were to stay." Alathnia seemed to warm to this idea as it progressed.
"Perhaps we might even help set the price?" The amber eyed woman sounded hopeful.
"Price, why would there be a price?" The Northern King had clearly not expected this, and surprise was evident in his tone.
"There will be a price simply because this clearly will not be something I can give to anyone else." Alathnia replied shortly, as there was obviously no need for more explanation.
"I… I am seeking a way to protect my kingdom. I'm not entirely sure what is possible; perhaps something that draws people within our borders and thus gives us strength." The Northern King became more confident as he went on. "Or perhaps something which can control the very plants and animals of the land to defend us from invaders."
"So it would be possible to say that you are asking for something that will help you retain dominion over those within your borders."
"Yes – that can be said. But might I also ask that it be an aid to mage craft? As well as something that can only be held by my line, so that it might never go beyond the borders of Camelarn?"
"An aid it will be certainly. If I have my way, it will be the most powerful gift ever handed to a mortal." Alathnia's eyes seemed to shine in anticipation, at least, until she began to speak again. "When you consider everything that has been said, your last requests are not in line with the others you have made. You ask that it might be restricted in use to your line. This would mean it would only be held by the rulers of your people, when what you have asked for would sit more easily in the hands of a leader. And when it comes to the idea this tool of dominion never leaving your lands… well, let just say we shall now discus the price."
"As you wish it my lady, and thank you."
"Do not thank her just yet, who knows what the next words spoken could be." The King decked in red seemed quite pleased with this statement.
Now the Queen spoke. "A leader comes from among their people. The best way for a ruler to become a leader is for them to submit themselves to the will of their people. There are different was in which this can be done."
"I suggest another device to be made. This device can be used to contain the will of your people, and thus aid you in the control of the device which you shall use for dominion." The Queen changed her focus from the Northern King to her patron. "Is this reasonable, Alathnia?"
"That sounds quite reasonable. So as long as your people have faith in you, and you know their will. That which proves your submission shall remain with you as guidance.
"I have given some consideration to the shape this item will hold, and seeing as I have come up with nothing suitable I believe I will leave its design up to Chitral." Alathina seemed neither pleased nor displeased with this solution.
"Who is Chitral, my lady?" The blue clad King spoke as though he should have known.
"Chitral is the most powerful among the earth elementals. This is why I think it would be best if he takes on the parts of this that include manipulating nature, while I will work with the mage craft." Alathnia turned once again to face the northern king. "So it is agreed. While your line continues to submit to your people, they alone shall weald to full powers of the Dominion Jewel."
Four monarchs and a deity spoke as one.
"So mote it be."
The Dream Ends
Upon the day of Alathnia's trial, the heir to the Crown of Oak stood among the battlements of the Northern Tower. He faced the south, in his hands he held the Stone of Submission with which he was scrying, and beside him lay the Dominion Jewel. At the conclusion of the trial a great eagle came upon him unawares and snatched the Dominion Jewel up in its claws and flew away. In an attempt to reclaim the stone that the eagle was determined to take the heir of Camelarn knocked the Jewel of Submission onto the flagstones of the courtyard below.
Upon hitting the flagstones the Jewel of Submission shattered.
When I walked among my people
Promises were made
That those who have bound me have broken
Yet expect my people to keep
Another chapter posted
Go me!
One thing I must say
Sorry
I've had this chapter siting around for a wile, I just didn't get around to posting it.
Another thing
If this chapter is repetitive, it was because at school, in French, we have been writing stories for children. The easiest way to do this is to be repetitive, not only does it get your point across but it also takes up room!
I have a Question to put to anyone willing to review.
Are you good with names?
For some gods there are titles but not names (eg. The Great Mother Goddess, The Black God), if you have any suggestions I would appreciate them a lot!
Shadows
Howdee it's meeee, Nicola, your wonderful beta, and I'd like to say it's my bloody fault this hasn't been posted because I fixed it up then Jess's dog ate her USB (oh, greeeat excuse Jess…) so I had to do it all again. And trust me Jess made a lot of mistakes. But she is getting better, so… J
Oh and names… uh I like the name 'Leontine'. Was the name of one of my RPG characters. I stole one of your names so now you can steal one of mine.
And I like this story! Woohoo, and I got to read it before the rest of ya so IN YOUR FACE! –Stripy Giraffe