Chapter Twenty-Six:
Elephande's Final Journey
"High General, priority message!"
"That'll be Goraban. Assemble the Commanders in my tent as soon as you can."
Understood, High General. It will be done."
Akula started to run back towards his command tent, which stood between the four hills that had constituted the defensive perimeter of Indosyne before the death of Askinqua. On his way, he passed by some officers just standing and talking, and noticed the red Mark on one of the foreheads.
"Afrin, come on!"
"What's happening, Akula?"
"Message, priority one, and I'm guessing it's Goraban! We need all of the Commanders!"
Afrin turned back to the Intyde chief he had been conversing with. "Sorry about this, Niepti, but business calls."
"Perhaps they have control of Haldiar already."
"We hope so, my friend. We hope so," he said, taking off after Akula.
Afrin arrived at the tent at the same moment as Billy, who had been selected to replace Reno.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
"So you're the new Elidiocan?"
"For the moment, at least, until a full council can decide. I was rushed over from Haldiar to participate in the meetings of the Commanders."
"I'm guessing that is a yes?"
"It's about as close to a yes as you'll get, Afrin," he laughed.
"Come on, they're waiting for us," replied Afrin, entering the tent.
"Patriarch, Elidiocan," said Akula, greeting them both. "Make yourselves comfortable, this might take a while."
Afrin nodded, and moved to the back of the tent. Billy sat next to Sulit-Aladan.
Akula nodded at three Intyde aides sitting at a computer terminal in one corner of the tent.
"Patch it through now."
"Coming in, High General. Give it a second, the transmission doesn't look good."
Goraban's face appeared a light green color on the viewscreen. Every so often, the picture would flash blue or red, and to top it off, the audio could barely be heard.
"…have taken the city…little resistance…most surrendered…small uprising…taken care of…High General...Patriarch? Can … hear me?"
"Sir, we can't find the source of the signal disruption, but our best estimate is within five miles of the source."
"Obviously, someone on Cladlenia doesn't want us to hear this message," said Sulit-Aladan.
"He did mention a small uprising," added Billy.
"I also heard he said that it had been dealt with," replied Akula.
"Doesn't look that way to me," said Altoda.
"High General!" said an aide. "We're getting a stronger signal!'
"Put it through."
"Greetings, Commanders!" exclaimed the jovial voice of Cando.
"Cut it out, Cando. Where's Goraban?"
"I'm right here, Patriarch Altoda."
"How is the situation down there?" asked Afrin.
"We had an easy time taking the city. There were only perhaps two thousand Cladlen troops in Haldiar, and most of them surrendered quickly."
General Cando took over. "On approaching the planet, we found a complex orbital defense network, including thirteen orbiting stations. The main defense fleet was away, en route from Anegon, and we were able to gain control of the orbital area before they returned."
He continued, saying, "Cladlen Captain Iishe surrendered about two thousand more troops and has retained his command over the Cladlen here."
Goraban spoke again. "Once Iishe was on the ground, the majority of the remaining Cladlen forces surrendered. Iishe's only request was to allow his troops to remain in their encampment, and we allowed that."
"Iishe is honorable, and took it upon himself to make sure the Cladlen didn't break the truce. There was a small uprising at the signing of the treaty, but Iishe and the other two Cladlen loyal to him have dealt with it."
"Iishe is Haldrian, then?" asked Altoda.
"Pardon me?"
"One of the tasks I performed while under the influence of Iste Elder was the guidance of Friquenda, the father of our good friend Askinqua. At this time, the Cladlen were simply a migratory society. They would find a planet, and then just take whatever they needed from the planet."
"Of course, this caught the eye of the Fallen Elder, and he sent me to lead them to a planet they could keep. We led them to the world of Haldria, home to a peaceful people, known as the Haldrians. The Haldrians were skilled in the art of making weapons, but they had no use for their own weapons. It was shockingly easy for Friquenda to subjugate the planet."
"He got his world, now named Cladlenia, and he got what he needed. The Haldrian people were pressed into helping him create a war machine, the same one his son would later lead against Elephande."
"Stoic by nature, the Haldrians took this for a while, but as the years went by, the injustices committed against them by the Cladlen mounted. There are still a few Haldrians loyal to the Cladlen leadership, but if given a chance, most would join us simply to free their world from the iron grip of the Obisha rulers."
"That is an interesting story, Patriarch," said Billy. "But what relevance does it have to this situation?"
"It would be my guess that Iishe is a Haldrian, and that would explain his willingness to cooperate with you, Goraban."
"Whatever the case is with his ancestry, extend him the same terms we gave on Balecroft," said Afrin. "But give those terms only to those you can trust."
"Is that wise, sir?" asked Goraban. "It might make things worse."
"A good point, Patriarch Goraban," replied Sulit-Aladan. "That was a problem I had after Balecroft. My advice is to wait until a peace is reached here, or better yet, come here and add your truce to ours."
"That is the wisest course," agreed Altoda.
"Well," laughed Afrin, "It looks like I'm outnumbered here. My suggestion is to bring only the leaders here. Leave one general there to monitor the situation, for I fear if Iishe leaves, the Cladlen might go back on the truce."
"I'll stay, Commanders," said Cando.
"No, I need you, Descantes and Delantig there with me," replied Goraban. "I think we can find another willing general though."
"Is that all, Patriarch Goraban?"
"Yes, High General. We'll be there in three days."
"Alright then. You handled this finely."
"Thank you, sir. Goraban, out."
----------
Once again, the Commanders of the Army of Frontain met with Delanate. While Billy had replaced Reno as Elidion's representative, no replacement had been found for the missing Mute.
"Commanders," said Delanate, nodding his head.
"General Delanate," replied Altoda, "has a decision been reached?"
"There has been a decision, yes. It is not unanimous, as I had said earlier, but it is a good majority."
"And that decision is, General?"
"About four-fifths of my commanders favor an immediate end to hostilities, regardless of terms."
"And the Renegades? What is their decision?"
"I don't know. They no longer have a single leader, as all of their former leaders are either dead or missing. However, Mute was favorable to an end of hostilities, and most of the officers share his views."
"Very well then," said Elephande. "Hostilities will cease within the hour. Tell your generals to be at Fates' Circle on the morning of the 28th."
Delanate nodded and walked away to inform his generals.
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Elephande's POV:
In the days between the end of hostilities and the signing of the treaty, the leaders of Indosyne had a full schedule. In those five days, all the pieces left scattered for nearly eight centuries began to come together.
Sometime on the 24th, two days after the end of the battle, I met the delegates from Relendiac. Patriarch Goraban came, of course, and as he had said earlier, Cando, Descantes, and Istean-General-Delantig were with him. Joining them were Cyrus, Allen, a Renegade leader, and a Cladlen leader.
"Captain Iishe, Patriarch," he said, introducing himself. "It is a great honor to meet you after all this time. My father told me you were the hero of the Haldrian people. My grandfather fought at Chilaquand two centuries earlier, and remarked that you were probably the most honorable entity alive."
I laughed at this. "Certainly the Haldrian people have some heroes of their own?"
"We do, but you did what we feared doing. You stood up to Askinqua twice, and defeated him both times. For that, you are a hero to us."
"In that case, I will accept that role," I laughed. "Patriarch Goraban told me there was a small problem at the surrender ceremony?"
"Just a small one, Patriarch. We had an attempt to sabotage that, but I dealt with the traitors myself."
"You are indeed as honorable as the Relendiac leaders have said."
"Thank you, Patriarch," he said, walking off.
I saw that Goraban had remained behind, so I motioned him over.
"A fine leader, he is," I said.
Goraban smiled. "He is. If it wasn't for his rank, I would swear he was a fluke."
"No, the Cladlen do have some outstanding officers. The problem is, most of them have been indoctrinated from birth."
Goraban nodded. "That's what he had told me."
"On another note, Patriarch, who is in command in Haldiar?"
"I left both Ashto and Ranti in the city, along with three Haldrian leaders Iishe trusts. General Djibon is in command of Relenda's defense."
"Very good. You performed well, Patriarch Goraban. It seems that the officers my son chose were truly Helshin's best."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
Next to speak to me were Allen and Cyrus, the new leaders of the Company. The Renegade leader had walked a short distance away, looking somewhat distraught.
"Who is she?" I asked, inquiring about the Renegade.
"Her name is Miran," replied Cyrus. "She was captured by the Renegades in Anegon, and then forced into one of their command posts."
"So she is an old friend?"
"Yes," said Allen. "Afrin met her, I know."
"I see. Your help is greatly appreciated, my friends," I said. "Indosyne will never forget you."
"It was Richard who helped you," replied Cyrus. "He was the one who defeated Askinqua. He sacrificed his life for your cause, something he believed in."
"And for that, he will be welcomed by my forefathers," I agreed. "However, Anegon's Company as a whole also deserves credit. I only ask that you travel with us for a few more days."
"We can do that," said Cyrus.
"Thank you."
Another conversation I remember is the one I had with Delagace the next day. The two of us were the only survivors of Dwindler's War, which had marked the end of the Second Strife.
"Now, my friend," I began, "now you shall see the end of this age."
"And so I shall, Elephande. By the High Elder, I feel old now."
"It's our time, Delagace. Our followers stand ready to lift the torch of the Fourth Strife."
"That is true," he replied.
"I think Defond can manage without you," I laughed.
"I know it can. I'm not worried about my command. I am worried, however, about how Allysulia will fare without their leader. You are a hero, Elephande, and you will never be forgotten, unlike me."
"If they forget you, they forget their heritage," I replied. "Besides, I have faith in Afrin and the others."
"That is good to know."
I sighed. "I think Chilaquand will manage just fine without us, Delagace. Besides, it's about time they removed themselves from our shadow."
Delagace laughed. "It sounds like you have a plan, Elephande."
"I might have one."
"Always the enigmatic legend, aren't you?"
I smiled at this comment, and bid Delagace farewell, retiring to my tent.
As I pondered my legend, I decided that I must leave Chilaquand the same way I entered it – spectacularly. For ideas, I turned to my ancestor Suliantig for help.
"Elephande, there is one thing. You entered Chilaquand at Fates' Circle, and the spirits of that place remain."
"It's a good idea, Suliantig. I think I'll take your offer."
"Very well then, my son. Nobody can know, not even Afrin. Do you understand?"
"I do, Patriarch."
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"There is still a question to be answered," said Cyrus. "Who will command Elidion now, Billy?"
"There was one other who's claim was better than mine, but the Elicani heir is not here. However, I am of one of Elidion's ruling families, so I will probably end up as Elidiocan. Regardless, the Company of Anegon is welcome to stay in Elidion. A few of you are of the ruling families, but the rest are also welcome."
"That sounds like a plan, then," said Allen. "As soon as this is over, we can leave."
Billy nodded. "The ceremony is tomorrow morning, and your presence is wanted."
"Very well then. The Company will attend."
----------
The 28th dawned a light, clear blue over Fates' Circle. The historic locating, long the seat of Allysulia's power, had stood for ages, and would outlast all who were in attendance.
One of the spirits, Allysulia-Major-Akona, long the master of ceremonies for Elephande, spoke up.
"Cladlen General Delanate Obisha, you have agreed to cease all hostilities against the Alliance of Frontain."
"That is correct," replied Delanate.
"Allysulia-Patriarch-Elephande, leader of the Alliance of Frontain, you have accepted this truce?"
"I have, Major."
"General Delanate, you agreed to an honorable surrender. Are there any leaders in your faction opposed to this term?"
There were obviously consequences for speaking out against this, for the entire Cladlen delegation was silent."
"Patriarch Elephande, you agreed to the removal of all but a small force of your troops from the planet Cladlenia. Are any members of the Alliance of Frontain opposed to this term?"
This time, it was Elephande's faction that was silent, prompting Major Akona to continue.
"Very well then, there is no opposition to the terms of surrender, and the document is ready. Will Delanate and two of his subordinates sign in their respective spaces?"
Delanate motioned to the recently promoted General Iishe and General Trianqua, his cousin, and both moved forward. Delanate signed first, followed by Trianqua and then Iishe.
"Good. Now, will the Commanders of the Alliance of Frontain come forward and sign the treaty?"
Afrin signed first, followed by Akula, Altoda, Sulit-Aladan and Elidiocan Billy. Elephande himself was the last to sign the document, handing it back to Major Akona.
Akona looked over the document and nodded. "This appears to be in order. As the master of this ceremony, I declare peace between the Cladlen and the Alliance of Frontain."
At these words, the leaders on both sides started to cheer. Elephande stood for a moment, watching the celebration, and then moved back to the middle of Fates' Circle. He nodded to Suliantig, and a portal appeared as the celebration quieted down.
"Friends, family, allies - I have spent seven hundred ninety-four years in this realm, most of it as the hero of Chilaquand. Time has passed, however, and new legends and heroes have arisen. The Fourth Strife will be your time, young ones. I willingly travel to the realm of Elder Higenti, for I wish to let you forge your own legends. Remember this: I will never truly leave you. I shall return in Indosyne's time of need. For now, I name Afrin, my only son, as my heir. Allysulia-Patriarch-Afrin, lead the Mark well!"
"I shall, Father," Afrin replied.
Elephande smiled, stepping into the portal. "Memdrian! Elephade! I'm coming!"
With those final words, Allysulia-Patriarch-Elephande, the savior of his people, stepped through the portal, from life into the legends of Chilaquand.
As the celebrants moved off, the celebration slowly started anew. Afrin stopped them for a second, and looked back to where the portal had been. Then, he led them in a shout.
"Elephande! Akiz Elder Higenti!"
As the others walked off, Afrin stood a little while longer.
"I shall never forget this day, my father," he said.
Afrin saw Suliantig smiling at him, then walked off, joining his friends in the celebration that marked the closing of the age.
