Chapter Ten: Debts Paid and Debts Made
The sun was well up by the time Tylia began to get nervous; her golden light streamed through the little window in Theodore's room.
It was almost time.
Masys had long since gone to make the preparations that Tylia had requested. Tylia smiled at that thought: Masys had always been the most…helpful of her royal cousins.
For the last hour or so, Tylia had been teaching Theodore the finer points of Jhondraelael courtesy. One thing she refused to let happen was to have this bumbling human--charming as he might be--ruin her newest plot.
A clear bell rang, followed by the sound of a flute in a sad, haunting, alluring melody. Tylia smiled again; it could only be Masaelaer. He had always been gifted with music.
"Come, Theodore--and try not to disappoint me."
"I won't." He looked so dignified in the Aelaeli1 that Myrdaeraes had brought him, dark blue and smoother than silk. She laughed as he picked up the black trench coat, glanced at it and dropped it again.
"Sorry," he muttered. "Force of habit."
She grinned at him and beckoned. He followed her into the hall, where Petrius materialized out of the half-shadows.
Morning, two-leggers. Theodore jumped, which only made the pa'das laugh.
"Does he always do that?" the young man asked.
"Appear out of thin air like that?"
"Yes," replied Theodore, almost sullenly.
Yes. Petrius replied smugly.
"Only where there are shadows," Tylia corrected with another laugh. "It is a bit of pa'das magic; when we get to the Underdark, you'll learn why it is so useful."
"I see." Theodore sounded slightly annoyed, but also intrigued as they started down the stairs. "You like startling people, don't you, Petrius?"
Yes, repeated the large cat, only slightly more smug that before.
"That music is beautiful," Theodore commented, changing the subject.
"Yes. It is an old, old song, though Masaelaer manages to make it sound like a summons," Tylia replied, cocking her head. "Any other time and you might hear his sister singing the verses. It is a song about the gods, after all. It is called Tysaelyl's Jhastael."
The halfbreed's face was smooth as they reached the bottom of the stairs. All of Si Tys was gathered in Tyraesi's great hall. Tylia caught sight of her other three human 'charges' near Saeras. Korthus was once more perched on Scorpius' shoulder. The royalty were arrayed in the center in white robes as before, though they were decorated with aquamarines rather than sapphires.
Theodore's wooden case was set on a waist-high table some twenty feet or so in front of them, unopened. A crystal that glittered with a red light was placed on top of it. Tylia nodded her approval; it was an alarm crystal, most likely set by Masys, that would shriek if moved by any other.
"Masys." Tylia's voice was cold as she came to stand behind the table. Theodore shivered almost imperceptibly at the change. The Aelai stepped forward, bowed slightly and removed the crystal. It faded swiftly to clear as he returned to a place near Tyraesi's trunk. "I seek permission to address Si Tys os ei Syral Mestaes."
"Si Tys recognizes you, Pelaer Tylandraes," the Col replied formally.
"I seek permission also for Theodore Lupin, who stands with me today." This was not a request, however it was phrased.
"No human has ever addressed Si Tys in open session." The Cel's comment was not an objection, merely an observation.
"This human will, Cel. And you shall be glad that he did." Tylia almost smirked as Theodore unconsciously straightened at her words.
"Si Tys recognizes Theodore Lupin as well," the Col agreed after a moment.
"It is my honor to stand before you, Si Tys, Majesties, Highnesses," Theodore said with a perfectly proper bow.
"Theodore has recovered three artifacts which have been lost to Si Thysaer for over two thousand years," Tylia began, pitching her voice to sound louder, stronger. "It is by his own choice that he returns them now, with full knowledge of their value both to us and to…others."
"Is this so, Thol Lupin?" the Volaer inquired, curiosity tingeing her face and voice. Most Jhondraelaer were taught from birth that humans were greedy, grasping creatures.
"It is so, Your Highness," Theodore replied with a certain amount of pride.
"Let us see these 'artifacts,' then," the Col said, just a hint of impatience in his voice.
Theodore stepped up to the table and slowly opened the wooden case. From it he pulled a bow made of black wood and inlaid with a silvery wood in the shape of Jhondraelael symbols and masyrdaes2. This he passed gently to Tylia, who held it with reverence as Si Tys gasped at the sight.
As the words 'Melaes' bow' and 'Pasaer' Shali3' began to be whispered, Theodore drew forth a quiver made of black-stained leather and inlaid with designs that matched the bow. A second round of whispers followed the quiver's appearance: 'Jhondraedaes4.'
"These things I found together with one other," Theodore began before the shock on the royalty's faces had faded. "The names of these items Tylandraes has provided me. To my understanding, they are a pair, used by a Tyrn Voli at the beginning of the Aelael War. That Voli, Melaes, was killed by a Pasaer, and his three items lost to legend. And so it is my honor to return to the Jhondraelael people Pasaer' Shali and Jhondraedaes."
"It is our honor to receive them," murmured the Cel. She took the bow and her husband the quiver. "And our pride to have them back in the hands of our people again."
"But you said 'three,'" came Myrdaeraes' voice from the crowd of nobles. He came to stand near the royalty. "And you said 'with one other.' Have you the third?"
"I have, Meistaraes," Theodore replied with a bow. "Kesaraes5, please come here."
The Tyrn Voli, confused by the use of his 'official title,' stepped forward skeptically.
"Tylandraes has told me much of you, Kesaraes," the young human told the black-clothed Elf with a smile. "Your accomplishments impress me a great deal. And so it is to you that I return Keidylyr6, Melaes' knife. Do with it what you will."
The shock on the Jhondraer's face would have been comical, if he had not looked so serious. He accepted the long knife with reverence. As soon as it was in his hand, he turned and kneeled before the Volaer and offered it to her. She took it from him with a very strange look on her face.
Tylia was fairly certain that--other than Shondral--she was the only one to understand the full extent of that look. It was one of pain and pity for the forced 'lower status' of her brother.
"Such a weapon is not for the likes of me, Thol Lupin," he murmured, passing back through the royalty to disappear into the crowd.
Theodore nodded--Tylia had told him to expect that. She had also told him to expect the 'Kesaraes' to be wearing the blade later, furtively. She had not, however, told him of Shondral's true position.
"My gifts have been given," Theodore said with a bow. "I expect nothing in return, for I have merely put them back where they should always have been. It was my pleasure and my honor to serve the Jhondraelaer in this way."
That was a key component of any ceremony like this; to have asked for compensation would have been unutterably rude.
"Your gifts were well given and are well received," replied Their Majesties with an equal bow. "We shall reward you as we see fit, since you ask for no reward yourself."
"And first of all, there shall be a feast!" Masys exclaimed, moving forward once again with a clap and a smile.
Jhondraelaer dressed in pale blue began to bring in tables, chairs and pillows as individuals in pale red brought in food.
"Eat and be merry, Thol," Masys laughed. "Your gifts are welcome here and so are you! Never shall Si Thysaer turn you away, nor any you bring here."
"You honor me, V-Aelai," Theodore replied with a nod, tripping over the Aer's titles.
"And you honor us." Masys glided over to one of the tables, where Eileen appeared out of the crowd of Si Tys and the servers. She gave him a smile and they talked as they gathered food.
Pyra and Scorpius also appeared, coming over to Theodore and Tylia as the human pulled a smaller wooden box--about four inches on each side--out of the larger case before closing the case firmly. Tylia placed an alarm crystal of her own atop it, which quickly filled with a crimson color.
"Quite a little show there, Teddy," Scorpius commented with a smile.
"Thanks, Scorpius, but I'm not done," replied Theodore with a grin.
"Meistaraes!" Tylia called above the increased noise of Si Tys. Myrdaeraes looked up from the place where he was speaking to his niece and nephew. "Your presence is required, please."
Myrdaeraes nodded and glided around the table that lay between them. Tylia's two cousins followed.
"Yes, Pelaer?" Tylia gave no sign of her disgust at the title; if she could call him by title, he could do the same to her.
"Meistaraes." Myrdaeraes turned his attention to Theodore. "It is my understanding that, while you and your wife are the heads of Tylandraes' family, you are not the eldest."
"That is so," Myrdaeraes replied slowly. "My mother is eldest."
"Would your mother happen to be here in Si Thysaer?" Theodore asked politely. Tylia had told him that Myrdel was often away from the forest, visiting friends among the other Aelaer cultures. It was even true, though the whole truth was that Myrdel was the head of one of Myrdaeraes' elite spy teams, one that associated with the other Magical Peoples.
"Yes. She just returned from a visit with the Maelael7 royal court. Why?"
"Because this last of my gifts is for her," Theodore explained, lifting the little box to bring it to the Jhondraer's attention.
"Then I shall have Tyraesi tell her that she is wanted," Masys commented, suddenly appearing next to Peji Masaelaer, Eileen just behind. His eyes clouded for a moment, but he smiled as they cleared. "She will be down shortly."
"Thank you, Aelai Masys," Theodore replied with a smile.
"May I ask…?" Myrdaeraes began tentatively, gesturing to the box in Theodore's hands.
"The contents are for her eyes foremost," Theodore replied firmly, with a little shake of his head. A Aelael woman in green appeared suddenly out of the crowd and floated toward the little group.
Her hair, pulled back into an elaborate bun, was the silver of age. Her eyes, deeply green, complimented her dress nicely, which was loose, flowing, and the color of new leaves. Its sleeves were full length and blossomed into long trails at the wrists.
"Jhadia8 Myrdel," Tylia said with a bow. The lady nodded regally. "Might I introduce to you my allies? Pyra and Scorpius Malfoy, Eileen Morani and Theodore Lupin? These others you know."
"It is my pleasure to meet you," Myrdel replied in a voice that sounded more like a purr. "I am Myrdel, the eldest of the Sholel family. You are the one that my great-great-grandson allowed to commune with Tyraesi."
That comment was directed at Eileen. She looked Myrdel over, then nodded.
"Yes, Jhadia, I am the one," the young human replied with no trace of fear or surprise in her voice or face. "And it was a great honor."
"So it was," Myrdel agreed, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"It is my honor to meet you, Lady Myrdel," the other three humans chorused. Theodore and Scorpius gave Myrdel's title in the Jhondraelael tongue.
"Jhadia, I have a gift for you," Theodore continued. Myrdel's eyes flashed with curiosity. "I found this in a little Muggle shop and Tylandraes has told me of its original owner. It is yours, or was once, a long time ago."
He handed his box to the lady, who opened it slowly. Her eyes widened and closed quickly after she caught sight of the contents, and she snapped the box quickly closed again.
"Shori oli9, what is wrong?" Saeras asked, placing a hand on her great-grandmother's suddenly shaking arm.
"That is impossible," Myrdel murmured calmly, her eyes still tightly closed. "I lost that long ago. Surely it was destroyed."
"It was not, and I am returning it to you, Jhadia," Theodore replied. He reached over and opened the box again, withdrawing something that glittered in the light. "Here. Take it."
Myrdel's eyes flickered open and she passed the wooden box to her son. With gentle fingers and a sad look, she took the glittering object. When she opened it, a clear, tinkling melody played.
"Thank you, Theodore." Myrdel's voice was soft but clear. "This music box was given to me by a very dear friend--a Pas named Ukkor. He made it for me and programmed it to play my favorite song: Tysaelyl Vaezylol10. I lost it when Si Thysaer was attacked during the War, and never hoped to see it again. I am in your debt."
"That its return brings back memories of your friend and that it makes you smile--" and she was smiling, now, "--makes us even, Jhadia."
Myrdel nodded, kissed his cheek and swept away as gracefully and suddenly as she had swept in.
"Now I'm done, Scorp," Theodore informed the younger human with a satisfied smile.
"That was very sweet of you, Theodore," Saeras commented with a smile.
"Speaking of sweet," Theodore replied, switching topics quickly. "Tylia tells me that you sing."
Saeras blushed lightly, glared at her young cousin, and nodded.
"Only if I accompany her, however," Masaelaer added with a smile for his sister.
"Well, that is perfect, then," Theodore replied with an even smile. "I wanted to hear a replay of that flute-song from earlier anyway."
"Tysaelyl's Jhastael11?" The siblings looked at each other with twin grins. "We can do that."
Masaelaer seemed to pull an ornate flute from thin air and played a quick series of notes on it. Much of Si Tys fell silent at the sound, and turned to watch.
"You have to help, Tylia!" Saeras laughed, grabbing her cousin's hand. "Your friends will need a translation!"
Tylia sighed and moved to stand next to the short Aer.
"Get on with it, then, Masaelaer," she growled.
He grinned and began a slow, sad tune, the same one that he had used to call Si Tys to the ceremony. His eyes closed and he swayed to the music, adding to its eerie, haunting quality. Saeras' eyes closed, too, and her voice, when it came, was soft and slow and immeasurably sad. Still, there was a note of hope in it.
Tylia's voice joined hers in like manner, though in English. Although the two were singing at the same pace, and their voices intertwined as though dancing, their audience could hear both voices clearly.
"Eilyl talia ei pae tae tysti eil kai
Sai basti mar Ai aelaes cyrn.
Syl si shol tae shyrn eil si jhaelaer tae thar,
Tia jhyli mar shi shor si syl eir.
Shael tia aer tar syri os tia pandraes paes,
Si shys' taes mol mar shaendrol sai saes.
Sher baelaes tysi thys byrn sor sael
Mar tia mol shi jhoraer thys thor eil thael.
Thys sor sar pae myr shaeraer shi,
Air mar shi tia sar sai jhyl thys si.
Thys os, thys os, thys taelesor
Mar ai maes syl aelaer saer.
Thys si eil thys mi shai syl si thys ti,
Sai myrn caes taesia ais air myr shi.
Shi air byr os thari sai taer eindral eir jhar
Ail mysti thas Thysaer ail sar shys var.
Sher jhaer iar shi vaeloraer 'maer
Ail tia cyri caesi shaelaer Caes caer.
Shaelaer si caer os Tyraesi
Mar saesi shi eir jhar 'si eil ti.'
Ialor sael Ai mar jhyl thys si
Eil thys mi shai syl si thys ti."
"Although many a day may come and go
Thy name shall I ever know.
Though the winds may blow and the leaves may fall,
My love shall be with thee through all.
When my eyes catch those of my daughter dear,
The world's clear sight will begin to tear.
But never more from now till then
Shall my sight be lifted from field and fen.
For till that day shall blessed be,
It shall be my task to look for thee.
For years, for years, for centuries
Shall I search through endless trees.
For thee and for she who took thee from me;
To show her mercy if it should be.
Be it not our fate to meet again at last
In some far forest in that world past.
But let us be reunited 'stead
In my house here beneath Her head.
Beneath the head of Tyraesi
Shall there be at last 'thee and me.'
Until then I shall look for thee
And for she who took thee from me."
"How sad…"Eileen murmured as the gathered crowd cheered and clapped.
"Who are the people in the song?" Pyra asked as the crowd began to disperse. "The singer, and the one being sought and the other, the 'she who took thee from me?'"
"The singer is Tysaelyl Jhasaerol," Saeras replied as her brother began a quick, spritely tune. "He is our chief god. He seeks his daughter, Aelorae. Aelorae is the goddess of good Pasaelaer, of those that wish to return to light and life on the surface of the world. The last is Jhyr, chief goddess of the Pasaelaer."
"How did Jhyr take Aelorae from Tysaelyl?" Pyra inquired quickly; her eyes seemed to shine with her interest.
"When the world was young, Tysaelyl and the other deities lived on the earth," Saeras began, closing her eyes to concentrate on the story. "At that time, there was no division between the Aelael families, no Jhondraelaer and Pasaelaer, no Maelaer12 or Shydaelaer13. There were merely Aelaer. Likewise, all of the Aelael deities formed one pantheon, and there were no divisions between them. Save one. Her original name14 is lost to all but the great scholars and the gods themselves, but she betrayed her husband, Tysaelyl, and led many of his children, mortal and divine, into the dark ways of hatred and anger.
"For this rebellion, Tysaelyl cast down those deities and disowned those of his mortal children who had followed his treacherous wife. He cursed them with sinister features and gave his wife a new name: Jhyr. Aelorae had no willing part in the rebellion, for she loved her father dearly. However, Jhyr tricked her into distracting Tysaelyl at a critical moment, which allowed Jhyr to poison the Protector and weaken him. Tysaelyl did not blame Aelorae, but she blamed herself. She took upon herself the exile of her mother, swearing that she would not return to her father's pantheon until she could return with all that he had lost."
Pyra looked suitably impressed, but her brother less so; there was a different question on his mind.
"I noticed that Tyraesi was mentioned in the song," Scorpius commented easily. "Could you explain that to me?"
"When the gods graced the earth," Myrdaeraes replied, glancing up into Tyraesi's vaulting chamber. "Tysaelyl was said to have planted a unique tree with dark silver bark and burnished gold leaves. He called her Tyraesi and nurtured her as though she were one of his own children. She grew quickly and strong, and developed of her own accord the ability to communicate with his mortal children. He was delighted and blessed her to live forever and to be a center of the Aelael world."
"That's why you'll never see a temple in Si Thysaer," Tylia added. Scorpius glanced at her, curious as to her meaning.
"Tyraesi is our temple, Scorpius," Masys explained with one of his flowering smiles. "Planted, raised, nurtured and blessed by our chief god. We ourselves could create no better than that which he has given us."
"Also," added Masaelaer with a knowing smile. "It is said that when Tysaelyl finally rescues Aelorae from the clutches of Jhyr, they will return to grace the earth again, if only for a night, and that they will dance in the meadow just outside, under Tyraesi's leaves."
1Elfweave, a special cloth that is, as a rule, worn only by the Jhondraelaer. It is exceptionally light and smooth and holds colors and dyes better than other cloths.
2Starflowers; small, silvery flowers that grow only on the graves of the Jhondraelaer
3Darkness' Bane; a legendary bow that was wielded by a Crown Prince at the beginning of the Elven War. That Prince was killed and Darkness' Bane--as well as Melaes' other two weapons--passed into legend.
4Lightkeeper; the quiver that goes with Pasaer' Sholi. It was lost at the same time as the bow, and along with Melaes' knife.
5Guardmaster
6Gryphontooth; Melaes' long knife, the last of his legendary items
7Sea Elven
8Lady
9Literally 'wise one;' a Jhondraelael title for any family member of a higher generation than 'grandmother' or 'grandfather'
10Tysaelyl Rejoicing
11Tysaelyl's Lament
12Sea Elves
13Wood Elves
14Jhyr's original name is Eiseri.