Will and the Word
Chapter 19
Belgarion sidled up behind his wife wrapping his arms around Ce'nedra "How do you feel possibly being regent of Tolnedra"
"You mean other than allowing our son and his wife to ascend the throne of Riva?" The little queen asked quirking an eyebrow before shrugging "The weather is at least more tolerable in Tol Honeth. It helps that the great houses are deathly afraid of you. How do you feel?"
"I can understand the reasoning behind it." Belgarion admitted, "it does not mean I have to like it!"
"Let us talk about something closer to home," Ce'nedra said suggestively bringing a smile to her husband's face. Let's talk about how our newest family member is likely to cause worldwide apoplexy."
"Likely? Oh no! not likely I am sure" Belgarion asked impishly "I will bet triple your monthly shopping allowance that he will be struck dumb by all the attention."
"Oh, I will take that bet," Ce'nedra said a rare sparkle in her eyes. Holding out her hand to shake and was surprised when Belgarion kissed the back of her hand and drew her into an embrace
"That would have been a suckers bet" Belgarion admitted "Thankfully I brought more than enough coin to purchase whatever my Queen might want." They both heard some good-hearted coughing around them but all too soon they were interrupted
"Mother, could we talk to you and father for a moment?" Beldaran called out from her embrace with Harry. "
"I wonder what they need us for?" Ce'Nedra asked
"It could be anything" Belgarion answered, "More than likely our daughter has thought of something we have not" grabbing Ce'Nedra's hand he walked over to where the younger generation was saddling their horse everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the King and Queen of Riva "Yes, Oh Daughter mine?"
"Mother, could you intercede with Uncle Varana to let Harry set his tent up on the grounds," Beldaran asked, "you saw in Harry's pensieve the concept of the portkey."
"Harry, you look like you have a plan." Ce'Nedra inquired "The more I know the easier it will be to convince my uncle."
"I would like to set my tent up somewhere in the imperial compound and I would like to give all the visiting dignitaries and their children a piece of jewelry, a hair clip, or maybe a belt that will double as a reusable portkey" Harry began when he noticed everyone looking at him. " I need to hide my tent so we have a secure location in the case of an assassination attempt."
"Do you believe an attempt will be made?" Taryn asked his brow creasing with worry
"Taryn, I know you have led a semi-sheltered life" Kheldar answered "if I wanted to upset the world order this summit would be the place to do it. Harry, are you planning to use magic or sorcery to make the items?"
"No, I was going to turn the ladies loose in the market," Harry smirked as he reached under his shirt pulled his necklace off and opened the mokeskin pouch, and silently summoned his money pouch to him. "I am sure between my mother, wife, and any other ladies who want to shop would be able to find something for everyone." Handed a large pouch to Beldaran and whispered in her ear.
Beldaran turned to him "But don't we have to melt it down and exchange it first."
"Funny you should mention that." Harry snarked at his wife "After our wedding, I was going through my pouch looking for something to give you as a wedding gift and I noted that my galleons changed. I don't recognize the symbol I meant to talk to you about it just never got around to it." Harry then opened up his pouch and pulled three coins one silver one gold and made of copper. All bore the symbol of the Tolnedran empire.
Ce'nedra gasped "Son, you implied you brought fortune with you. Can you estimate how much?"
Harry frowned as he tried to put this in terms that would not be insulting "Mother, where I came from, I could spend a thousand gallons a day for 100 years and I might have spent 1 percent of my fortune." Harry stopped before groaning "Mother I am obscenely wealthy. From what I understand your position in the empire is solely based on either your proximity to the emperor or how much money you have?"
"That is a very simplistic way of looking at it "Polgara responded, "but essentially correct."
"Well, there goes that plan," Harry said Bitterly
"One thinks that the young pup spends entirely too much energy trying to be something he is not." Poledra said resting a hand on his shoulder "When one is a pack leader. It is impossible to be anything but. Embrace your position grandson."
Harry looks embarrassed but had the good grace to respond "Yes Grandmother. Alright, you lot we have a couple more hours of daylight. Best be moving out I am sure Taryn would like to see his parents." Harry called out turning to Belgarion and Ce'nedra "I am sorry if I stepped on your toes father. Your grandmother is right it is time for me to find my place and since Ulf asked me to protect the children, I am going to extend that protection to all of you. I have never had much in the way of family and the family I have gained I do not want to lose."
Harry once again found his arms full of his wife and mother hugging him. "You are such a sweet boy" Ce'nedra gushed
"You know son you will not be alone in protecting us." Belgarion said handing the reins of their horse to Harry "While I will follow your lead if I feel the need to help, I will do so. I am sure the others feel the same."
"I will be glad for the help," Harry said with a nod "I understand that Taryn has sisters. What should I expect?"
"Well, I have always treated them all as if they were nieces." Belgarion said his expression darkening "Last year when I was visiting them a group of men tried to make off with his eldest daughter she is about your age. Needless to say, we chastised them."
"I take it she is attractive?" Harry asked
"She is an exotic beauty that for some reason any man who sees her is struck dumb" Geran replied as he finished saddling his horse "Except for the men in my family for some reason they remain unaffected. It may be because they changed her when she was a baby."
"Melina does have a thing for Varian!" Edrik broke into the conversation when Harry looked confused "He is our squire-brother we are all under the tutelage of my father. The only reason he is not here is he was acting as the queen's champion at the tournament. The thinking was he was going to be knighted. Something that if it happened it would be well deserved, he is the best of us."
"You will meet him and my parents at the summit" Rhodar spoke for the first time making his presence known "And Like uncle Belgarion said you won't be alone if someone attacks, we will be there to help"
"Thank you, all of you," Harry said humbly "It is easy you forget that I have help again."
They set off at trot Beldaran once again snuggled into her husband much like her mother was with her father. The other ladies grumbled because none of them were of such a slight build.
"What do you think of Harry, Thierra?" Asrana asked her cousin of sorts.
"He too seems to be the good sort." The princess of Algaria said smiling "He is very intense you can tell he cares deeply for Beldaran. Now it is a matter of how he deals with a mass of disappointed suitors when news gets out that our Bel is married."
"I am more worried about how Koiron Honeth will react," Taryn said thinking about the other girl that would soon Join him and Thierra. The contemplative looks caught Thierra's attention
"What is bothering you love." She asked him "talk to me please"
"I wonder who will conduct our ceremony," he asked simply. "I mean I am going to conduct Geran and Eleanora's wedding. Probably Doing Harry and Beldaran's Public wedding. Probably the Twins and Varian."
"Well, we could ask a priest of Belar at the stronghold" seeing the look of surprise on everyone's face "Relax people I would only suggest that at the edge of utter need. Besides I have already asked a member of our extended family if he would officiate. He said yes"
"Who?" Liselle asked "I mean Thierra you are related to most of us if you go far enough back"
"She asked me!" Belgarion exclaimed, "and of course I being my cousin's little girl I was always going to say yes."
Everyone settled into a good pace the younger couples talking amongst themselves. For the better part of an hour, they came over a rise and were looking down into what used to be Mar Amon, Belgarath brought his horse to a halt 150 feet uphill from Relg and Taiba's home "In and around Mar Amon do not focus on the gold that is lying around it will summon the ghosts of those who lost their lives in the sacking."
"Restless Spirits?" Harry asked.
"Not Unlike Luna at our tower love" Beldaran answered "only these are caught in the horror of the Tolnedran invasion"
"It is a dark stain in the history of my homeland," Ce'nedra said softly "The legacy of greed."
"Is there anything I could do to alleviate their condition?" Harry asked, "Not only is it cruel to them it is a danger to even the most devout persons."
"Even one such as I had trouble," Mandorallen admitted "It was disturbing to me."
Relg Watched as his companions stopped, he heard Belgarath give them the warning. He also so the young man sharing a horse with and Beldaran he could not help but think ill of the young man who he knew did not know the Princess of Riva very well. He took out his knife and stalked forward. Until he saw the young man get down from the horse and assist both Beldaran and Ce'nedra down for the horses. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his wife, Taiba there "Put the knife away my love." They both looked on as Ce'nedra and Beldaran locked arms with the young man "Beldaran is with him and Ce'nedra has adopted him you can see it in their body language."
Ce'nedra saw Relg with his knife in his hand looking hard at Harry "Son, the thing you need to know about Relg is he is very devout in his faith. And loves his adopted Niece very much." Harry looked at the slightly shorter man the set of his shoulder and the knife in his hand. Without a thought, he turned and nodded and walked toward the man stopping well within stabbing range
"I am Harry Potter, Beldaran's husband" holding out his hand "I can see by your stance, the set of your shoulders, and the look in your eye that if I were doing something improper with Beldaran no scratch that; any young woman you are more than willing to gut me like a fish." Harry still holding his hand out. "I will tell you what I told my brother-in-law. I have no quarrel with you putting up your blade. If I hurt Beldaran I will gladly let you have a go at me."
Relg looked to Beldaran and Ce'nedra for confirmation both ladies' nod was enough for Relg to sheath his knife "You have my apologies. I am Relg, this is my wife Taiba. Welcome to our home."
Harry nodded his head "Thank you for your hospitality. Taryn, could you come here we need to speak with your mother and father privately." Harry looked around "Is there someplace I can set up my tent where I won't be in the way?"
"Sera could you take Harry around behind the house. He can set up his tent there." Taiba replied Before taking in her oldest and his nearness to the Thierra. "My son, you seem to have brought a lady home does this mean you have chosen?" Harry heard as a very comely young woman led him around the house "Apparently Thierra and Khyri have chosen me who am I to question them." Harry smiled as Sera led him around the house
"Thank you, Sera," he said kindly making the young woman blush
"You can set up your tent anywhere in this grove. Do not go beyond the grove" Sera said "Can I ask you a question?"
"You just did but you may ask another I do not mind," Harry said again smiling "Ask please?"
"Are you and Beldaran married." Sera asked as Harry summoned out his tent and set it up wandlessly "It's just this the first time they have brought a man outside of my father's friends and their families. Is your marriage real or just fiction to protect you from us?"
"Wow…I am not sorry that I am married to Beldaran. Aldur performed our ceremony and formally took us both as disciples." Harry said gently as he finished setting up his tent "I am sorry for how that might make you feel. You and your sisters are a credit to your mother" a smile crossed his lips as the other 14 sisters were arrayed around him "No in a return can you tell me about the ghosts and the relationship with the gold I apologize for my ignorance I have only been in this world for less than two weeks."
"Our people, the Marags…" Sera Started "where never worldly gold never meant a lot to us. The gold that seems to saturate the rivers and lands of Maragor meant nothing to us."
"But gold is very important to everyone else." Harry whispered "Well that is crappy. But something tells me it was more than just gold
"Someone at some point mistranslated a passage in one of our then sacred texts," Sera said sadly
"That does not sound like it would end well." Harry sighed "I am assuming that something most people think is heinous occurred. What was it Someone at?"
"Cannibalism, Ritual Cannibalism," A deep voice said as a glowing figure stepped into the grove "It was an accident someone took the term to consume in the wrong context and the children of my brother Nedra nearly wiped my children out until millennia later only one remained My daughter Taiba."
"Great more gods…" Harry muttered
"Brother, I told you this might not be the best idea" Another glowing figure appeared "Nothing I Can say or do will ever erase the stain of what my children have done to yours."
"I am sorry My lords," Harry said "I mean no disrespect. What brings you here?"
"Peace Harry Potter." The first one spoke, "I am Mara and this is my brother Nedra."
"We wanted to meet you. Ask if we could ask a favor of you." Nedra Continued "Recently we became aware that you can bring the soul of the departed to you. We were wondering if you could ease the souls of those who are still bound to the land."
This request caught Harry completely off guard "I do not have an answer for that. I honestly do not know. I could try but the root cause of what happened to Maragor will still be here. Gold will still draw those who want it here. If I even attempt it, I would leave Taryn's Family at risk."
When neither of the two beings answered "I will try. However, one boy and fifteen girls are not enough to rebuild a society." Harry then looked down and was about to respond when a voice broke into
"Greetings my Lords," Belgarath said as he came around the house with the rest of the family at his back "Do you have a problem that needs my grandson's attention?"
"Belgarion?" Nedra asked before responding "Nay we need your youngest brother!"
"Who is also Married to my many time's great-granddaughter" Belgarath answered with a wry smile on his lips "Hence my grandson"
"We had not thought of it that way Belgarath" Mara said "He also rightly pointed out that such a small pool could not sustain a society. This is why I must ask my son and daughter to travel with their family to the summit at toll Honeth and represent Maragor as its leaders. And that your younger brother assists them with the problems that stem from the misunderstanding and the gold that verily pollutes the land."
"Just that … no pressure then!" Harry grunted "I have an idea on how to deal with the gold and ghosts."
"Do tell then son" Ce'Nedra asked Harry
"I will summon every ounce of gold in Maragor and make it into its currency. I will donate my Silver and Copper so they have three types of currency" He explained quietly "Then I will try to use an ability I acquired when I was granted immortality. I will try to summon the spirits of the dead to one central location and try to lay them to rest. Lastly, I am going to ward Maragor with Anti-greed and anti-violence wards. They may or may not work I honestly do not know."
"Harry, do you plan on doing this all in one go like you did our tower?" Beldaran asked concern evident in her voice "I would prefer for you not to keel over again." Everyone laughed at this
"One time you do something one time and they never let you forget it." Harry complained then Harry had a thought "Relg and Taiba will need some regalia for their change of station, Grandfather you of all of us save Lord Mara know and remember the Marags would you put some of your memories of them in my pensieve so I can see what kinds of things they wore. Everyone else take your ease the table will expand to account for all guests" Turning to Taiba "Ma'am I know you were planning on feeding your family and that we represent food you might not normally be able to provide food for If you, your daughters and aunt pol are of the mind you could use my kitchen to make a meal"
"I will be back shortly" Harry finished shimmering into his Phoenix form. He landed on Beldaran's shoulder nuzzling her he did the same thing for all the girls singing as he went until finally, he landed on Pollera's shoulder and chirped
"Come with me husband our grandchild has asked for us to protect this place," Poledra said gravely "Durnik, Polgara, Beldaran, and Belgarion please shield this grove and the house."
Harry flew following the magic of the land until he came to an amphitheater where he shifted forms Landing in the center, he could hear the echoes of those dark days he closed his eyes and could see the carnage gathering his magic and will. Holding his hand aloft and with a thought, he reached out feeling for every ounce of gold and then summoned it with nary a word.
For a few moments after Harry flew off, there was silence then the earth began to groan and convulse the orb Changed from calm blue to an angry red until Belgarion touched it and conveyed what was going on and the entire clearing was bathed in soft white glow shielding the land and home of Relg's family that they heard and felt nothing.
As the gold began to pile before Harry, he saw the ghosts gathering the rage in their beings evident on their visages as they swarmed around him looking for an opening to shred his mind from his body. For hours the ground shifted and heaved 'Harry love are you okay?' came Beldaran's voice in his head
'I am fine my love' Harry replied in thought 'the last bit of gold is almost here the disturbance I caused has almost run its course. '
'Good I want you to join us as soon as you are done' she then sent some other thoughts that made Harry stall as he digested the image she sent
'Alrighty then' Harry thought about a cold shower
By now the spirits of the dead were screaming at Harry for revenge Harry for his part could understand how they felt and then did something he never wanted to do "Be silent. The gold is going to be used by their majesties Relg and Taiba to rebuild Maragor that cannot happen if you are bent on destroying the living" his magic infusing his voice to carry it to all parts of Maragor. "Please go to your rest. Those who killed you are long since dead themselves torturing the Children of Nedra means bringing harm to the last of your people. I cannot allow that to happen!"
This set the ghosts off they surged toward Harry "Death attend me!"
Even in the grove where his family and friends now sat picking at their food, they could hear whispers of his voice and were comforted until his voice changed from soothing to commanding catching them all off guard as the power that exploded out from the boy seemed it might repeat cracking the world when they heard a response that sent chills down their spines.
"Yes, master how may I serve" the chilling voice answered.
Authors Notes- I have spent the last week on this chapter until today I was stuck at 1600 words and then my muse started talking and you can see the results. Now also during this week i have been working on a map in Campaign Cartographer and writing out source material for a what is hopefully going to be my first published work on DrivetrhuRPG.