The Lupine Saga 58

Posted on February 13, 2021 by James Ashman

“Jane Melonscone enters!” the herald announced. It was a normal afternoon meeting in Fidel’s throne room, however today Jane was entering through the corridor. Vacant from her place in the gallery, she had come seeking a direct audience with Fidel. Being a high-noble, her entrance was announced.

“Madam, are you not going to interrupt from the gallery today?” Fidel asked with a chuckle.

“Funny. Now, dismiss the room except for those that are closest to you. Every noble must leave, as well,” Jane said in a demanding voice.

“Madam, please. State what you need. There isn’t a need to go to such great lengths,” Fidel said calmly.

“There is. I’ll be using something today. That. Dismiss the room.” Fidel sighed as Jane spoke. Jane walked closer to Fidel and spoke again very quietly.

“Those who do not know the real reason why that woman is at your side should be dismissed,” Jane said. Fidel then dismissed the room except for a few select people. Even the other high-nobles were dismissed. There were only a few people left in the room. They were those who knew Fidel’s secrets.

“The room has been cleared. Speak, Madam,” Fidel said.

“You don’t have to speak that formally with me right now,” Jane said.

“Fine. Then what do you know?” Fidel asked. He eyed Jane cautiously.

“It breaks me to say this. To do this. But I won’t hold back. You, you’re not going to be around much longer, are you, Fidel?” Jane asked softly.

“Jane, how can I respond to that? I can’t lie well to you, can I? Your perception is amazing, as always,” Fidel said with a laugh.

“This isn’t funny! You brought a doctor from the water kingdom to stay at your side all day long for years, and you think I wouldn’t realize that your life is coming to an end? Just, just how do you think I feel about that?” Jane asked. She sounded angry and hurt.

“I know. I’m sorry. You’re right. I ache, I hurt, I can barely walk, and I don’t know when I will leave. The accommodations Miss Aoi has made for me to help me keep up my appearance have been amazing, but I’m still helpless,” Fidel said with sincerity.

“I knew it. You ridiculous man. Too ridiculous. I won’t feel bad if I use it now, selfishly,” Jane said. Her voice was trembling, but still held a resolute aura.

“It’s within your right. I promised. I was a fool, but not a liar. Even if I add another regret, it won’t matter. I’ll be looked at however people want afterwards. I suppose I can guess what you’re leaning towards, Jane,” Fidel said.

“Fidel. Fidel, just why haven’t you done what’s right? Even I did. I can’t regret it now. I’m asking for it. If I don’t, what will happen? Write it, finish it. I already know you will,” Jane said as she reached into a pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. It had a few scribbles on it, but no real words.

“Wait, Jane. Maybe I misunderstood. What do you mean, if you don’t ask for it? What you want, tell me directly first,” Fidel said. A rush of old memories filled his mind and he half smiled.

“Sovereignty. Who will rule when you are gone?” Jane asked. A few people in the room wanted to yell out in objection, but they kept quiet out of respect for Fidel.

“Ah, well that’s easy. My son,” Fidel answered with a smile.

There was a gasp in the room, even though there weren’t many people. Jane was white-faced, and her mouth was slightly open.

“Your, you have a son?” Jane asked quietly.

“This, I suppose, is the first most of the people here have heard of this. But it’s true. I’m sorry, Jane. You know, as well as I, that the heir becomes the ruler. I cannot give you this. But there is something, wait, no, never mind.” Jane took a few steps back and let the truth sink in. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and calmly breathed.

“Your son, how old?” Jane asked in a quick manner.

“I will not tell,” Fidel said. His face didn’t betray his words; he was serious.

“But who, where, how? You’re not that old, Fidel, your child can’t be old enough to rule!” Jane said. She took a few steps forward and got closer to Fidel, who had started speaking quietly.

“Until he can, the country will last. Rising is strong; the people can work as long as they know there is someone who will rise to the throne. They will accept going for a few years without a singular ruler. My legacy is a group of wonderful advisors who should be around long enough to guide him. Makeen is also filled with wonderful guides. You don’t need to worry, dear Jane,” Fidel said just loud enough for Jane to hear. He said each word with care and concern, as if to reassure Jane’s fears. He had forgotten to watch his words, and didn’t see Jane’s eyes open widely in realization for a moment. It was too quick to notice, and afterwards she immediately responded.

“You know, Fidel, you are someone I still haven’t figured out. Just when I think I’ve come closer, you pull away. I cannot control or predict you. I’m glad. But this doesn’t end it.” Jane smiled politely, and handed Fidel the paper. She then stepped back.

“What is it you want, Jane?” Fidel asked. He reassumed his royal tone and volume.

“Power, prestige, nobility. I have these. I want royalty. I want to give something to the future as well, so that, in time, those in my descent will do something that honors me, as I want to do for my ancestors. Dead as they are, they each did something that honored a previous ancestor, knowing that their descendants would repeat that. Fidel, do you understand?” Fidel nodded at Jane, and took a pen in hand. He placed it on the paper. On the sidelines, the various people in the room were concerned with what Fidel would give Jane. They were filled with several questions, the most important one being why Fidel was so nice and accommodating to an incredibly intolerable and arrogant woman.

“This will fulfill not only our promise, but my will. I apologize to those whom it may harm, and to those I make happy, I rejoice over. You who will be affected by this, you may hate me again. Maybe, you will understand in time. Oh, dear Jane, one more thing. What is your youngest girl’s full name? The girl with both families blood. Practically royalty herself, correct?” Fidel asked. Jane smiled as she realized what Fidel meant by his asking. In her heart, she felt relief, as she had been wondering if Fidel would really fulfill his promise towards her. She knew that she no longer had to spell out exactly what she wanted, as Fidel had already guessed it. He knows me too well, Jane thought.

“Yes, Sire. Ruby Louise Melonscone. Did you direct all that towards me? Ruby, did you give her something that will fulfill my desires in the process?” Jane asked, respectfully. Fidel finished writing and held up the paper in his hand. He showed the words to Aoi first, and placed it in her hands.

“Aoi, please hold onto this. Show it to Jane and the rest of the people in this room,” Fidel commanded.

Aoi held the paper up. Jane saw the writings before she could turn away. She cursed herself internally, since she didn’t yet know what the words meant, and no translation was written below.

“Fidel, you made me see the Right, the edict. Tell me, what does it mean? Will you make me regret the trust I placed in you? Should I have just asked directly?” Jane asked with worry in her voice. Aoi finished showing the paper to the people in the room, and sat down again. Fidel took the paper from her hands.

“Madam Jane Lucrene Melonscone. By the promise that Fidel has given to her, he will give a command in her favor. This command is that Fidel’s son will be married to the daughter of Jane Lucrene Melonscone, Ruby Louise Melonscone. That’s pretty much what it says, the short version at least. I know it’s too late to ask, but do you accept, Jane?” Fidel asked. As he finished speaking, the people in the room committed the words to memory, so that later on they could fulfill the edict.

Jane started crying. She dropped to her knees and cried for a minute. She soon stopped, wiped her face, and then stood up. She was smiling.

“Wonderful. Just wonderful. Mother to the queen, I accept, Fidel! You fulfilled it. Thank you. Thank you.” Jane walked up to Fidel, who sat smiling in his throne.

“You’re welcome, Jane. You’re welcome. I’m, I’m sorry, Mai.” Jane reached down and took Fidel’s hand in her own. She kissed it, and then looked at Fidel’s serene face. He was staring into the distance. She hadn’t paid much attention to Fidel’s last words.

“Fidel, Sire, King, who is your son? You can tell me now, right?” Jane asked. Fidel didn’t respond.

“Yes Sire, your son? And the exact translation of the edict?” Rillin, the old advisor, asked. Fidel didn’t answer. Behind Rillin was Diren, the hare. Diren looked at Fidel, then at Rillin, then at Jin, who also happened to be present. Diren noticed that both were frowning in silent contemplation.

“I’ll keep silent till his inauguration, so please, tell me,” Jane said. Fidel kept quiet.

“He has his reasons. The boy is still young,” Diren said quickly. He had answered impulsively. He took a sharp breath in worry as he looked at Jin and Rillin. Jin was frowning at Diren, and Rillin looked surprised. Both human men were thinking that Diren, a naturally rash hare, knew something they did not, which was true.

Diren silently cursed the impulsive blood that coursed through his veins. He thought over his words again, and then breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that his words didn’t betray any additional information, as it must be obvious that any child Fidel had would be relatively young. But if Diren had been human, the others wouldn’t have paid any attention to his words. Being a hare, though, Rillin and Jin both secretly thought that Diren was naturally prone to thoughtlessly revealing secrets. They noted Diren’s action in that instant, and then went back to observing the commotion around the king.

“No. That’s not the reason, Diren,” Aoi said as she stood up. The three advisors looked at Aoi. She put a hand on Jane’s shoulder. Jane looked up at Aoi with disgust in her eyes.

“Don’t tell me even you know who the boy is? Even an outsider? Really, Fidel?” Jane asked, half spitting at Aoi, half pleading towards Fidel.

“No, I don’t know. Madam, please. Let go of him,” Aoi said quietly, “so he can rest.”

“I won’t, not until he answers.” Jane refused to budge.

“He won’t answer you. He won’t answer anyone, anymore. Please, look up.” Jane looked up as Aoi moved one hand to Fidel’s face. She moved her hand softly over his eyes. Jane watched in horror as Aoi closed the eyes of the lifeless king.

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The Lupine Saga 57

Posted on February 6, 2021 by James Ashman

The giant turtle opened his mouth wide, inviting the group to step inside. Darius appeared frustrated. He didn’t get the answer he was hoping for. The group looked at the mouth inviting them in.

“You, you won’t eat us, right?” Va’il asked cautiously.

“No, I do not eat flesh,” the creature said with a huff, which was actually a laugh.

“Then, thank you. You? You are? Your name?” Va’il asked.

“Tenrai. Keeper, your name?” Tenrai asked.

“Va’il.” At that, Va’il took the first step. The rest followed with some hesitation. There was more than enough room, which made the experience even more frightening. Ten men could be eaten whole by a single creature. The seven small people took some relief in the fact that Tenrai was a vegetarian.

The mouth opened, revealing a dark tunnel in front of them. Darius and Var pulled out a few candle-torches, and then blew on them to light them. They stepped out of Tenrai’s mouth and handed a few candle-torches to the boys. They quickly moved up the incline that the tunnel made.

“Great fortuity,” Tenrai said as he pulled his head out of the tunnel. In its place was water. They were in a low spot that moved to higher ground, so they did not have to worry about water entering the tunnel.

It didn’t take too long to reach the room filled with golden luminous stones. The tunnel that Tenrai had brought them to was obviously much more direct than the one Va’il had taken in the past. Everyone considered asking Va’il more about what had happened to him in the past, but they arrived at the room before anyone could ask.

“This is amazing,” Var said.

“It really is,” Darius said in agreement.

“Ever seen so many stones in one spot? It’s almost like daylight,” Zeick said.

“This is wrong. Very wrong,” Va’il said, breaking the mood.

“How so?” Darius asked. He was still amazed by the sight.

“It’s empty, the statues are gone,” Va’il said. The room was completely empty except for the raised pavilion in the middle.

“Statues? There were statues here before? The maroon were here then!” Geon said excitedly.

“I had no idea we housed those things,” Darius said.

“But they are gone! Why did they go all that way, just to come back to Rising, if they were here already?” Va’il asked.

“Didn’t I say it before?” Geon asked rhetorically. “They didn’t know which direction to go upon waking. They wandered for a while, then the item, something made them want the item. So they are coming back to get it. Maybe it is still here.”

Geon had been speaking quickly, and his voice was filled with excitement. For him, this was part of a learning experience that none of his ancestors had known. They could only pass on knowledge. He was excited that he could finally use the knowledge that he had been given and have an experience he could pass down to those that would follow him. He started walking towards the pavilion. The group followed him up the steps.

“This is, this is it,” Geon said when he reached the top.

“What’s that?” Pete asked and pointed to the pedestal.

“It houses the item,” Geon said, then walked over to the pedestal.

“The glass orb? Is that the item?” Va’il asked.

“Orb? Where?” Geon asked with a worried tone. Va’il caught up to him and looked down. There was no longer a glass ball sitting on the pillow.

“It was here, before. A glass ball. It’s missing now. Could it have been the item? Is this bad?” Va’il asked in a rush of words.

“Glass? Ah! Glass, of course it would look like it; that explains it. That explains those legends. I see now. Oh, I see. This, this is horrendous.” Geon’s voice had risen quickly, and then fallen, as the weight of his realizations hit.

“Well?” Darius asked.

“The item, the mother’s item. That’s what it is. The maroon are the children that sleep to her song. If Va’il is right, then there was an orb here that would be the item we need. The only thing that will satisfy or stop the maroon is the mother’s item. They all look like sand, right?” Everyone nodded at Geon.

“Well, what is glass made of? Sand. The item, I didn’t understand until now, what it is. It’s the mother of these particular maroon. Maroon do not die like we do. But, if I’m right in my understanding, they can be turned into glass. They might even be able to do it to themselves, I’m not sure. I’ll need to read the writings we have again. They sleep because of the resonance with the mother orb. That’s how they communicate, by resonance and vibration. The mother orb must have been lost or taken, the resonance was muffled, the maroon children awoke, searched for the orb, lost their way, and then something must have made the orb resonate again, causing the maroon to feel that and start making their way back! The orb, Va’il, are you sure it was here when you were?” Geon asked.

Va’il recoiled from the quickly spoken explanation. He thought about it all again.

“Yes, it was here. Right here, when I left,” Va’il said. Geon’s countenance dropped.

“Then, even though this is good to know, we still haven’t solved anything. Where could it be?” Geon asked, his voice still a mixture of happiness and sadness.

“Could someone have taken it?” Pete asked. Kelin, standing behind everyone, perked his ears at Pete’s question.

“Maybe. But wasn’t this place sealed? If it wasn’t for Va’il and your strange relationship with Tenrai, could anyone else even get in?” Geon asked.

“Taken,” Kelin said. Everyone turned to look at him. “It was definitely taken by someone.”

“How can you be sure?” Darius asked.

“Va’il, you’ve either been hiding this or forgot. What important fact have you left out?” Kelin asked.

“Not sure what you mean,” Va’il replied defensively.

“You weren’t alone down here, that’s what I mean,” Kelin said. The attention focused back on Va’il.

“Oh. Oh right. I didn’t think to mention that. But, wait, then you’re accusing her of stealing?” Va’il asked.

“Yes,” Kelin said firmly.

“I don’t know. I don’t think she would have,” Va’il said while racking his mind. He was trying to recall the exact events that had happened in the past.

“Look, she might not have been evil in doing it, since she didn’t know the consequences, but don’t you think it makes more sense that she took it? Are you sure, absolutely sure, she didn’t, Va’il?” Kelin asked.

“I can’t be sure. But what you said makes sense. And the more I remember, the more doubts I have. It’s the best lead we have. But, then, what can we do? I don’t know who she is. Wait, Darius does!” Va’il said.

“Who are you talking about?” Darius asked.

“Remember, Darius, three years ago, when a certain noble girl caused a cacophony of problems for you? The youngest daughter of a certain family,” Kelin said.

“Melonscone,” Darius said with a mournful laugh.

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The Lupine Saga 56

Posted on January 30, 2021 by James Ashman

Early the next morning, the group of seven set out. First, they visited the homes of the boys and informed their families that the children would be with Darius and Var on special orders. Kelin’s family had already approved. Pete’s mother wanted to invite the entire group in for breakfast and a talk, but the group didn’t have time for that. She happily sent Pete away with a smile and a tear in her eye, being the somewhat eccentric person she was. Zeick’s mother silently accepted the situation with a sigh. Mai’ou, for her part, was stunned by the whole thing. She managed to voice her approval, after Va’il’s short explanation. He told her that he was going away for a short while, and this time he was actually telling her, and that even the royal guards were coming along. With Darius standing by, Mai’ou could only agree.

The morning was still early when the group left Rising. The seven of them walked at a quick pace. Time passed quickly, so it was noon when they reached the familiar sight of Lake Tershi. They took a little while to eat and rest, and afterwards approached the lake’s edge. Darius pulled a small glass jar out from a pocket.

“I know this has been a very fast pace of events, but is everyone ready for yet another stunning event?” Darius asked with a knowing smile.

“Yeah, of course!” Va’il replied eagerly.

“Please sir, of course we are. The wisdom of ancients is something I’ve longed to hear,” Geon said.

Darius opened the jar and poured a small amount of clear liquid into the lake. He put a lid on the jar and returned it to his pocket. He then stood there, waiting. A few minutes passed in silence.

“What was that?” Va’il asked.

“Saliva. Spit,” Darius replied.

“Spit? Who’s?” Va’il asked.

“That, dear boy, is a secret. Just wait. He should arrive soon. In fact, look at the water,” Darius said.

Va’il looked out over the lake, searching for any disturbances or clues. While he looked, a small wave soaked his feet. It surprised him, since he had been a few feet from the water’s edge. He looked down as another wave came close to his feet.

“Ah, that,” Kelin said.

Va’il looked up. In the middle of the lake, something was rising out of the water. The giant creature caused an even larger wave that forced Va’il and the rest to run away from the lake’s edge. After they had gotten far enough away, they turned and admired the creature that was now making its way to them one giant step at a time. Each of its four legs looked like enormous trees. The shell on the creature’s back was darkened brown with hints of gold and blue. Its head was so large that swallowing Var whole would pose no problem. Va’il knew that such a creature was something to be feared even by the most violent or voracious of lupus. The creature looked down at the group with its large yellow eyes. Then, it spoke.

“Someone called?” The creature’s words echoed loudly throughout the area.

“We did,” Darius said while standing firm. The creature brought its head close to Darius before speaking again.

“And you are? King of Rising? Keeper of the covenant?” The creature spoke much quieter than before, at a volume just right for the circumstances.

“Darius, commander of Rising’s royal guard. I come on the behalf of King Fidel, of Rising,” Darius said stiffly. Even he found it difficult to remain calm when being interrogated by an unquestionably superior being.

“Keeper is required. Proof. I will speak with none other. Give me the lock of hair as proof.” The creature opened its mouth and stuck out a long tongue.

“Proof? Hair?” Darius asked.

“Give me a lock of hair,” it said, then repeated the same motions. Darius quickly pulled a knife out and cut off a small bit of his hair. He placed it on the outstretched tongue.

“Is this what you wanted?” Darius asked cautiously.

“Not right at all. Different,” the creature said slowly, then again stretched its tongue.

“I’m not right. But, hair? Var, you try,” Darius said. Var obliged.

“Not right,” the creature repeated.

“Fidel didn’t mention this,” Darius said with a sigh. He tried remembering what happened many years ago when he last met this creature, but at the time he was too awestruck by the sight to pay attention to what had actually transpired.

“Not right. Different,” the creature said yet again. Darius saw Zeick pulling his arm away and shrugging his shoulders in disappointment.

“What are you doing?” Darius asked with an irritated tone.

“He’s asking for hair, I figured I’d try as well. Maybe he’s got a taste for something different?” Zeick shrugged at Darius.

“There is something more to it. Fidel may know. It might be a riddle of some kind, or other way of proving who we are. A taste for hair? I don’t know anymore, but we can’t take chances,” Darius said.

“What’s the harm? He’s asking. Let’s try something tastier,” Kelin said as he plucked a short hair off Pete. “Even swine have a hair or two, right?”

“Not right,” the creature said.

“Fine, I suppose.” Darius gave in as Geon cut off a portion of his own hair.

“I offer this to the ancient one. You are from ancient times, correct?” Geon asked as he placed the hair on the tongue.

“Not right. I will not answer any other question until the keeper arrives,” the creature said.

“Just the two of us left, Va’il. Let’s see how what reaction mine gets,” Kelin said as he gave a piece of hair to the creature.

“Still not right. One of you is left? Just one more, then I leave,” the creature said.

Va’il took a pinch of hair with his left hand, and used a knife in his right to cut it off. He walked towards the giant turtle, hair in hand. He could smell the creature’s breathe as he got closer. The taste of the lake’s water was the same as the smell of the turtle’s breathe. As he dropped the lock of hair on the creature’s tongue, he remembered when he almost drowned three years ago. One detail he had forgotten made its way to the surface. He had seen something yellow before passing out. The creature’s yellow eyes reminded him of that.

“Acknowledged, you are from Rising. You again, I see.” The creature moved its head towards the ground and then back up in a motion that was supposed to be interpreted as a bow.

“Again?” echoed Darius and Kelin.

“Now I can speak freely. It has been a short time since we last met. You woke me just a little while ago, but disappeared then. Back now, young one?” the creature asked.

“I guess. You must mean a few years ago when I almost drowned here,” Va’il said.

“A few years to you, a couple days to me, it makes no difference. Now, why have you come?” the creature asked. Darius stopped questioning the conversation, and decided to speak up.

“If you don’t mind, we have a few questions to ask, if you can help, and if you know,” Darius said carefully.

“I shall, I will, and I may know. To answer an earlier question, yes, I am ancient, in your terms. Five thousand years ago I lived, and I shall live for that much longer and more. Do you have a question about those times?” True to his word, the giant turtle was speaking much more coherently and quickly than before.

“Then, we will be straight to the point. The maroon, that ancient species, has been destroying cities. We are unable to stop them. Can you tell us anything that will help?” Darius asked.

“The maroon? The ones that aren’t made of flesh?” the creature asked.

“Yes, them,” Darius said.

“Curious. That cannot be right. You must be mistaken. It cannot be the maroon,” the creature said with firmness.

“But it is! They are awake and searching for a way to sleep again,” Geon said.

“Cannot. Otherwise, I have failed. Understand, I am the guardian of the maroon’s sleeping place,” the creature said.

“You are? Where?” Darius asked.

“Below ground. Below Tershi, they sleep. I watch from here,” the creature said.

“But how, then, is it that they are out? Could they have left without you knowing?” Darius asked.

“I doubt they could without me knowing. They will sleep unless disturbed, and I’d know if they were disturbed,” the creature said.

“You’d know? But what if someone walked in through the entrance in the forest? The cave that leads to that room, it wasn’t sealed before I was there, I think,” Va’il said.

“You! Of course, the disturbance back then. But the cave you speak of, it isn’t what you think. It cannot be entered, it can only be exited. It was opened because you were coming, it sealed because you left. Appearances belie the truth, young one. The important thing, is that you were there. My failure is twofold,” the creature said with grief.

“Failure? But how did I disturb it?” Va’il asked.

“I do not know. You should go, see what is there. Fix what happened,” the creature said.

“Wait, but what about the maroon? How do we defend against them?” Darius asked.

“Likely, you will find the answer below. The maroon are a peaceful species. Invulnerable to your weapons though. They just want to sleep. Go now, and find what they are missing. I will take you,” the creature said.

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The Lupine Saga 55

Posted on January 23, 2021 by James Ashman

“Ah!” Darius said, a look of surprise appearing on his normally calm face. “Him!”

“Yes, you remember too, Darius? One of your first assignments in the royal guard, correct? A while after my coronation,” Fidel said with a large smile.

“Why didn’t we think of him first?” asked Darius.

“He doesn’t exist in books or in common knowledge. Of the people in this room, only, let’s see, four would know of his existence. He doesn’t like to be troubled, after all. Therefore, I announce to the rest of this room, that the following conversation will be something you are not to repeat. That is normally assumed with our discussions, of course, but this even more so,” Fidel said, to the shock of a few in the room. This select group of people was privileged to almost everything Fidel knew, so it was very surprising to hear such an announcement. The few people in the room all acknowledged Fidel individually, after which the conversation continued.

“Darius, you are to take these children, and your subordinate here, to him. The giant turtle who lives at the bottom of Lake Tershi. The being who was born five thousand years ago, who lived through a different time than us.” Fidel’s words surprised everyone in the room, including Darius.

“Sire, all of the children? And just Var and I?” Darius asked.

“Yes, all. They know quite a bit now, after all, correct? And, it has to be only you two; I don’t want more people to know of his existence.” Fidel said.

“Even still, these four are unrelated. They should be returned to their parents and asked to be quiet. I’m sure they will be silent about this matter. In fact, we didn’t have to tell them about this, especially if we want to keep his existence secret,” Darius said.

“Darius, I can think of no one better to send than these children. I’m sorry, but I cannot explain to you. You will understand, in time. There is a specific reason, and it will be revealed to you once you reach Lake Tershi, I promise,” Fidel said reassuringly.

“But Sire,” Darius said as he approached Fidel directly. He whispered to Fidel, “Don’t you need to personally come?”

“That, my dear Darius, will not be necessary. Get ready to leave. And please, inform their families, give the families a story they will believe, even if it’s incredible. I’m sure you can come up with something accommodating.”

“Yes, Sire,” Darius said quietly with displeasure. He took a few steps away, and stood where he was before.

“Oh, but first, you boys, do you want to go?” Fidel asked. “I should have asked you first.”

“Yes,” answered Va’il and Zeick instantly. Kelin approved as well, and Pete felt he had no choice but to go along with his friends. Saying no wasn’t an option. Va’il silently thought that he shouldn’t worry Mai’ou again, but his conscience reasoned it out for him quickly. That, and his overwhelming excitement. Mai’ou won’t worry, since the king himself is sending me, great, he thought.

“Wonderful. Then I have another thing, for the half. Come here, Va’il.” Va’il gaped as he was being asked to approach the king. He managed to close his mouth and then remembered how to walk. He walked up to Fidel’s throne, and stood just a meter in front of him. Fidel sat happily, smiling widely at Va’il. He suddenly had a serious look upon his face, and then spoke very quietly with Va’il, so that no one, not even Aoi, could hear him.

“Va’il, come closer.” Va’il did as he was told, and from then on, their conversation was in whispers.

“Sire?” Va’il questioned Fidel silently.

“I want to show you something. Here, watch this.” Fidel pulled out a piece of paper that he had been hiding between the arm of his throne and his leg. A pen also appeared, this time from the other side. Fidel was careful to make sure that no one but Va’il could tell what he was doing and what he had. He wrote on the paper, and Va’il watched.

They weren’t words, but scribbles in Va’il’s opinion. Va’il wondered what Fidel was doing, as it appeared that he was doodling incoherently and letting his hand move randomly on the paper.

“Now, Va’il, look at this. Okay, now look at me.” At Fidel’s prompt, Va’il looked at the paper, and then looked at Fidel. Fidel’s green eyes looked back at him. Va’il thought, for a moment, that Fidel’s eyes looked very similar to his own.

“Enough,” Fidel whispered, “I’ve confirmed it. You can learn it.”

“Sire?” Va’il asked, confused.

“Just listen to me. When I stop talking, go back down to your friends, watch me, see what happens, and then follow Darius. I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you more time, but I’ll give you this gift. You saw how I wrote? You can do this too. It will probably be easier if you use your left hand at first, since your dominant hand will tend to write words it already knows and is used to. When you want, no, need, someone to do something, or need them to stop doing something, you write. To learn, get a paper. Close your eyes, and think very hard about what you want someone to do or stop doing. Let those words become etched into your mind. Then move the pen across the paper. Write however you hand feels like moving, not how your mind thinks it should. Your right hand should eventually be able to do this as well. When your hand stops, what appears on the paper will look like gibberish. Show it to the person. They will do what you wanted them to do. They will. They always will, repeatedly if you want. Don’t think this a joke, either, and don’t abuse it. Never abuse it. Free will is so important, and you will always doubt your choices in life. Regret means much more than regretting a result, but it can mean regretting each individual action, and each one further breaks down into many smaller actions, and so on, all of which you can end up regretting to the smallest of action. I don’t want you to have too many regrets, so don’t abuse this. You’ll regret many things, and wish sometimes that you had used it when you didn’t. Sometimes, things have to take their course. Even if it doesn’t always end up well. I know; I’ve done something that won’t end well. But it led me to meeting you, so I won’t regret it. I’m sorry, Va’il. Oh, and one last thing. The words written here are a command to shut your eyes for seven seconds. That’s how I know you can write these. Go now,” Fidel whispered.

Va’il stumbled down the steps, confused but happy. He didn’t understand what Fidel had said or the importance of what had just happened. He smiled and considered the paper. He had stared directly into Fidel’s eyes, without blinking, he was sure of it. He doubted whether Fidel was serious or not.

“Aoi, come here, for a moment,” Fidel said. Va’il looked up as Aoi walked over to Fidel. He pointed to his lap. Va’il watched as Aoi looked down. She shut her eyes. She brought her hands to her face and rubbed her eyes for a few seconds with her fists, as though something was irritating them. She then looked at Fidel with a puzzled look. He waved her away, and then she sat back down looking very puzzled. As observant as everyone in the room was, including the nobles in the balcony, no one but Fidel and Va’il had realized what had transpired. Being a foreigner, Aoi had no realization or excessive thoughts whatsoever about what had just happened to her. She, most definitely, would never tell anyone about the paper Fidel made her read.

Fidel dismissed the entire room. It was too late to leave for Tershi, so Fidel sent messengers to the boy’s families informing them of where the children were. As they walked through a series of hallways, Va’il appeared paler than usual. He was shocked, and the other boys could tell. Kelin teased him for a few minutes about being shocked over talking with King Fidel, but Va’il didn’t respond. He didn’t tell anyone of what transpired or what Fidel had said. He never would. He felt that he had learned something very important, and telling anyone would break the mystique of the knowledge he had received. Not only that, but he felt like the conversation he was forced into was something that was his alone, that he didn’t want to share with anyone. Not even Mai’ou. It was his. He felt guilty for a moment about being selfish, but then he remembered Aoi. Internally, he knew that Aoi had closed her eyes for exactly seven seconds. It was this event that made him forcibly remember the words that Fidel had said to him. That night, he recited Fidel’s words over and over, still unable to grasp their essence, as he tried to sleep. Eventually, after repeating a version that was similar many times, he fell asleep.

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The Lupine Saga 54

Posted on January 16, 2021 by James Ashman

“Four, that’s four Var,” Darius said as he walked towards the boys. They all took a step back as he approached. It hadn’t registered that he was walking towards them on purpose.

“That’s not all, sir. One more, definitely,” Var responded. The two men walked up to Va’il and the rest. The boys looked at each other with questions in their eyes.

“You’re the ones, right?” Darius asked gruffly.

“Maybe?” Pete blurted the first thing that came to mind in his confusion. Kelin shook his head at Pete’s response. Va’il smiled a little.

“Of course you are; you all remember stowing away on that mission, correct?” Darius asked. The boys nodded in unison.

“And the other one?” Var asked.

“Sir? What other one do you mean?” Va’il asked carefully.

“The boy with the dark skin and painted cheeks,” Var said.

The four exchanged thoughts with their eyes. The questions that each of them had were answered internally. Va’il nodded once to Kelin. Kelin looked at Pete and Zeick, and then cocked his head to the side while looking up. He took a moment, then looked back at Va’il and nodded slowly and carefully.

“He’s our friend, yes,” Va’il said.

“Excellent,” Darius said with a sudden smile, “in that case, let’s go get him.”

“Can we ask what this is for?” Kelin asked.

“I suppose I can answer that now, instead of waiting. Just don’t tell anyone we meet along the way. You five are going to meet the king,” Darius said quietly.

Kelin, Va’il, and Zeick all started laughing, while Pete stood there, dumbstruck. Var and Darius exchanged confused glances, but before they could ask what was happening, Va’il spoke up.

“Great, great. Let’s go get Geon, that boy you’re asking for. But, you really mean it; we all get to go to the king?” Va’il asked. He couldn’t believe how things were working out.

“Yes, absolutely. I don’t know why, but you will,” Darius said honestly.

Laughing as they walked, the boys led Darius and Var to Pete’s house, where they told Geon what had happened. Geon looked like he could leap for joy, but he didn’t for fear of breaking his xylophone. He dressed in his original clothes, and then put on a dark mantle to cover them.

The group chewed on the snacks that Pete’s mother had insisted they take while they walked to the castle. When they got to the gates, they marveled at how the guards parted upon simply seeing Darius. The boys had never been inside the castle before, but they weren’t able to take the time to investigate the sights. The fountains, forges, and towers would have to wait for another time, if they ever got the chance.

“One day, I’ll climb to the top of that tower,” Va’il said as he pointed to the highest tower. After that, they were inside the castle, making their way through a dimly lit hallway.

“Darius, royal commander, has arrived,” a servant shouted as Darius entered the room. A few ministers and advisors were present, but not nearly as many as earlier. Only a few nobles who had nothing better to do were in the gallery above.

“Darius! Var, I believe. Did you find them?” Fidel asked the instant he saw Darius. The boys were still inside the hallway; the massive bearan was blocking their way. Darius and Var then walked towards the king.

“Sire, I brought them as asked,” Darius said while kneeling before the king. The boys hadn’t moved from their position in the hallway.

“First things first, clear the room of those who don’t need to be here,” Fidel said with authority. There weren’t many people in the room to begin with, so only a handful of minor authorities and smaller nobles left. The room was left with those who were powerful and already knew most of the kingdom’s affairs.

“Well, come, come inside the room,” Fidel said towards the boys. Out they walked, one after another. As he walked out, Kelin quickly looked all around the room. He stopped walking and looked towards his right at the back corner of the room. A lupus was staring back at Kelin. They each raised a hand and waved at the other. Kelin nodded at the lupus man, and then caught up to the rest of the boys. He looked upset for a minute after that.

“As I thought; a group of somewhat familiar faces. We’ve met before, children, have we not?” Fidel spoke gently to the group of boys. Zeick and Geon couldn’t understand what Fidel meant, however Va’il, Kelin, and Pete all took a step forward. They had realized the importance of being in front of the king, and were acting as politely as possible.

“It’s been three years since the play that the king graciously attended to watch us in. I’m, as before, Kelin, son of Doufer,” Kelin said with a slight bow.

“Pete, director. I mean, just Pete. Well, just the son of a merchant. Sir. Sire,” Pete said as he stammered.

“Va’il, son of Mai’ou and none other, you highness,” Va’il said while he bowed and smiled.

“You three, relatively hard to forget, it appears,” Fidel said while laughing, “for now I’ve had to call you here personally.”

The boys looked up, then at one another. The question they had begged to be asked. They forgot about their real goal for a minute.

“Why?” Va’il asked while forgetting to be respectful.

“Your friend there. Remove your cloak.” Fidel said while pointing at Geon. Geon did as he was instructed, and removed the dark coat. Fidel smiled upon seeing the figure. “This is what you wanted, correct?”

“You know who I am?” Geon asked, somewhat astonished.

“I’m surprised I did, when I heard your description, quite by accident. I’m taking this another step, and have assumed you wanted to meet with me anyways. Correct?” Fidel asked. His casual tone was slowly becoming more serious.

“As to be expected of King Fidel, Rising’s monarch. Even finding me, I am truly impressed by Rising, yet again. The stories don’t do you enough justice.” Geon spoke respectfully and slowly. He said things that seemed overblown to Va’il and Pete, but he looked and sounded very honest. Kelin knew Geon was following proper etiquette.

“We should get to the point. Please speak, boy. And, your name?” Fidel asked.

“Geon will be fine. I’ve to ask for access to knowledge, your information on the maroon. I heard that Rising’s king had the best information.” Fidel frowned when he heard what Geon said.

“Diren, wasn’t there only those few?” Diren appeared at Fidel’s request. He was holding a large but thin book.

“Sire, it’s not much. Tell me, Geon, what did you bring to help? Surely, your information is better. We only have this.” Diren handed the book to Geon. Geon opened it and flipped each page one by one. No one spoke for the five minutes that Geon took to skim the book.

“This, this is it?” Geon asked Diren. Diren nodded.

“All of what we have on the maroon. A little about what they are, their last appearance in history, and knowledge about your people,” Diren said with a grim expression.

“This is hardly more than what I have! My only advantage is communication!” Geon said with exasperation.

“Geon,” Fidel said solemnly, “didn’t you come to help?”

“Sire, no offense, but I came to ask for help. To ask me for help is useless. We have very little as well. The only thing I know that the information you have doesn’t cover is knowledge about the item that sleeps the maroon. But, before you ask, all I can say is that I know it exists, but I know not what form or where. I came in hopes that you knew where or what it might be,” Geon said.

Fidel’s face tired. Aoi was sitting silently at his side, watching him closely. She looked worried, but said nothing. Above, in the gallery, Jane Melonscone silently watched the events unfold. She had no words to say, and her usual abnormal smile was missing. She gained a look of concern when she saw Fidel slump slightly, and continued watching the proceedings intently.

“No. No, nothing. As thorough as our knowledge of the current world is, the information from that long ago, no one remembers, so to speak,” Fidel said sadly.

“I see,” Geon said while looking down, “and apologize, for bringing false hope. I never expected that there was no information to be found.”

“Remember?” Fidel asked aloud to no one in particular. He said with excitement, “Remember? Of course!”

“Sire?” Geon quietly asked.

“Remembering! That’s it! Written words remember things of past for us, but there is still the memory of those who were there!” Fidel said to no one again. Aoi looked very concerned, and was about to stand up.

“Is he alright?” Zeick asked.

“I’m more than fine, young one,” Fidel said while surprising Zeick, “and I just remembered. Someone, who has a memory that remembers the last five thousand years!”

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