Chapter 5: The ambassador of the crystal

All stories great and small have a beginning and an end but Thra's story has many beginning and many endings. Sometimes there are tears, loss and longing. Sometimes there is joy, love and reunion.

You've been told of how the crystal came to be shattered, broken and lost beneath the castle caverns. And of the mysterious UrSkeks – visitors from beyond the farthest star- were torn asunder by the crystal, divided into two new races: the cruel-eyed skeksis and the gentle UrRu, the mystics.

And of the role Raunip- son of Aughra, the great maker- played in the great division. Of the King, Princess Irene and her friend Curdie beared witness to it all.

No one knows how long Raunip and Aughra wandered through the caves searching for the lost shard. But while they were gone, many changes came to the world above.

The age of harmony had ended and the age of division had begun.

It was more than obvious to the humans that the Great Conjunction had brought about a chaotic change, they just didn't know how much. For few weeks ago, a hunting party of gelfling and humans, had seen the new species and wondered what their arrival meant.

"I saw them from the ridge." One gelfling scout testified.

"Did you see their skin? They shine like the colorful trout in water." said one of the settlers.

"They look like birds, and yet they have quills on their backs like porcupines." nodded another.

"Friends, we must know more about these new beasts."

The tribe shaman elaborated, "These are not like the Urskeks or the others that live in this land, the first are but strange creatures the color of fresh wheat with voices of the mountain and the wisdom of generations. The others are swift, colorful beasts of cruel eyes that favor strangest things and war. They prowl the earth like ravenous wolves consuming everything in their path."
One of the human hunters spoke up, "Your majesty, with your permission, I will lead our warriors to the river and attack. We will destroy these invaders the way we drove out the goblins."

King Gawain, who'd made recovery from his injuries declined. "Nay. Back then we knew how to fight our enemy, I know for a fact that the first group means us no harm. However, the second race is strange to us. Take some men to the valley to observe them but do not attack. The last thing we all need is a new enemy."

He had every reason to be concerned, for the villages of Podlings and Gelflings are being attacked by a new race, the Miners. Now the forests of Thra were not as peaceful as they once were.

_

Sadly the council couldn't even agree that they're in danger, much less what to do about it. Sometimes it seemed that all they did was bicker and fight.

But very soon they were all about to receive a most extraordinary visitor.

Irene had been helping a few of the settler and gelfling women prepare a meal, when suddenly Curdie burst in. His face was pale from horror.

"Get down! Get down!" The young man urged them fearfully.

"Curdie, what is it?" Irene asked in alarm.

"It's one of those bird things! They must've gotten into one of the settlements the other night!"

"What?!"

"It's supposedly talking to the gelfling elders -The king is there too!"

"He is?!" Irene almost cried.

She dropped what she was holding with a clatter and quickly ran to where the elders were meeting.

Within, both humans and gelflings were discussing on whether or not they ought to make a plan against the strange new monsters attacking the podling villages. One of the female elders' daughter rushed in, telling them there was something in the woods.

"Is that proof enough for you?" one of the male gelflings spoke out, "These creatures are already in the forest of Kep, a short journey from this very village! Surely they mean to attack us right here at the very heart of the gelfling race."

Many other gelflings and humans agreed.

"Perhaps now would be the time for us to speak with the ambassador, hear what he has to say." The female elder Carn suggested.

King Gawain nodded, though he looked wary, "By all means."

"If we must."

"King Gawain, settlers, fellow elders, May I present the ambassador from the castle of the crystal… General SkekVar."

It was one of those wingless vultures; an Iris purple one with creamy patches as skin coloration. His dark mane was hidden under an intricate helmet, heavy armor and a crimson warrior's cape. His eyes were a fierce amber that surveyed the entire gathering with cold alien calculation.

Then he spoke. "An honor." SkekVar's voice was aloof and guttural, "I hope we Skeksis can help both gelfling and human in their time of need."

One of the gelfling voiced the same concern as the human settlers. "Help us? These Skeksis appear from nowhere and you expect us to trust them?"

"They are Masters of the Crystal now, the heirs of the UrSkeks." Carn replied, "If the Great crystal trusts them, shouldn't all the races?"

"The Crystal." SkekVar paused thoughtfully, "Yes, it was the Crystal that sent me here. It told us you were in great danger and that we skeksis should offer our help. There is much to be gained from an alliance between us. Many things we can do to protect the gelflings. These are dangerous times, and you will need allies."

"And tell me General, just what is it the skeksis expect in return?" King Gawain questioned cordially.

"In return? The Skeksis need nothing except friendship and trust." The skeksis eyed him emotionlessly, "When the urSkeks made us guardians of the crystal, they told us we must protect everything within the crystal's reach. All we ask is the opportunity to fulfill that great honor."

"But what would you have us do?" asked Carn, "The gelflings aren't warriors. We are peaceful creatures."

"All the more reason you need the Skeksis," SkekVar acknowledged raising a clawed hand. "Supply us with goods and arms, and we Skeksis can protect you, even fight for you if necessary. And we make the same offer to all races present – all you have to do us ask, and we will stand beside you, ready to defend our friends."

This was something big, they would need much discussion. Carn tuned to SkekVar, "All the others will need much convincing, but they will see the wisdom of asking for your help SkekVar.

"For the sake of both Gelfling and humans, I hope they do." SkekVar nodded, "That is all the skeksis ask for. To help others."

"Thank you SkekVar. And tell your elders…" Carn bowed, and raised her small hand to meet his clawed one, "The gelflings are forever in your debt."

"Before you depart," King Gawain suddenly spoke up, "I wish for you to deliver a message to your leader…"

Irene arrived just as the skeksis was leaving. Alarmed, she behind one section until he was out of sight then she ran in to speak with her father alone.

"Father! I saw one of them – he didn't, did he? "

"We unharmed for now, my daughter. And yet times are becoming perilous, he and his race have offered their help to fight off the new creatures attacking the villages in the night."

"Whatever he said, we can't trust him – he and the others tried to attack us the day of the Great Conjunction."

"I believe you. However I cannot say the same for others planning to form kingdoms so close to Thra. Which is why I have a plan of my own… I can only pray the ships arrive soon."

_

Those naysayers had good reason to doubt the skeksis so-called good will towards them. At this very moment, several of the avian creatures were hissing and snarling the misgivings they had about the plan of their leader SkekSo.

"What word of SkekVar?" The periwinkle colored Skeksis with grey-blue eyes and platinum mane was now dressed in armor and holding a scepter in his left hand.

"Still in the settlements speaking with gelflings and the humans, Emperor." answered a lapis blue and yellowish one with cold blue eyes. He was the high priest of the race, SkekZok.

"Hmph. He's been gone too long."

"Be wary of that one, highness." SkekZok warned, "He might try to hatch schemes of his own. And he has much support among the others."

"Highness now is it? Since when did we decide we needed a king?" questioned an Aegean blue one with critical brown eyes. His voice was laced with skepticism.

"Not a king…" SkekZok replied through hooded eyes, "…an Emperor."

"SkekSo? Emperor? Ha!" laughed the dubious one.

He didn't see SkekSo quietly walk up behind him until it was too late. With a blow faster than a serpent bite, SkekSo struck the skeksis on the head with his scepter.

"You forget your place, SkekShod." He sneered. "Does anyone else want to question my rule?"

All the other skeksis present in the throne room shrank back in visible fear.

"I thought so… cowards, no better than the sniveling gelflings."

"You speak of the gelflings your highness… maybe you can explain your intentions with them and the humans to silence those who judge your judgement." asked one of the other skeksis.

"Yes, tell us."

"What do we care what happens to one or the other?"

Another one agreed, "Let them deal with the creatures themselves! Why should we help them?"

"Who said anything about helping gelflings or humans?" SkekSo replied with a malicious glint in his eyes, "We're skeksis… we help ourselves."

To be continued…