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sparkindarknessOk, as I said on an early post I have prequels to the current plot of Kyernath when he was last free, way back in the 17th century. I actually have more of them than I have plot for the current time period. I believe this is because the muses want me to suffer and are evil and have been fed too many cookies.
Still, I will try to space them between the modern arc where I think they will be most appropriate (or rather randomly, whichever works).
So here is the first, the decision and why Kyernath was allowed to exist.
Nadyenka shook her head again, firmly putting one large tome down atop the pile already in front of her, her seamed face creased still further in a scowl of disapproval. “Aiden, this is madness. Look at these records,” she gestured abruptly at the massive collection of lore. “Records of our history. The lore is beyond doubt or reproach, ‘tis not possible for a thing to repeat itself so often and for it not to happen again. We cannot allow this.”
Keir ran his hand absently through his hair, a nervous habit from childhood when his endless ramblings around the Camaalis estates had tangled his hair so badly that it kept falling into his eyes. He patted Aidan‘s arm sympathetically, the Cloud Strider was a good man, but naive at times. “We value your kindness and gentle spirit, Aidan but the risk is too great, especially now of all times.”
Aidan slumped a little, soothing the ostentatious decoration on his sky blue robes, a movement that seemed to give him strength and calm. “I know that times are exceeding hard, but the storm has passed. Are we to..”
“Passed?” Interjected Nadyenka harshly, the flames on the candles flaring higher at the Elementalist’s spluttering incredulity. “We are still deep in the middle of the storm, we but rest in the calm, the eye. Do not let it lull you into a false sense of security. Camaalis still fights in the New World, the country still trembles under threat of religious conflict and Europe eyes us hungrily. And now you would seek to preserve an evil that history teaches us will try to destroy us all?” The fires leaped nearly to the ceiling as her voice rose in outrage.
“Just because it has happened in the past doesn’t mean it will happen in the future.” Aidan put in calmly, but Keir could see the doubt in his face.
“It has happened every single time in the past, cousin.” The Life Weaver put in gently. “Every single time without lapse or exception. Our ancestors tried, and failed. This path has been walked and it leads only to pain and death. I know it seems cruel but we have no choice.”
“No choice.” Aiden sat down heavily. “Alas that it should be so, that we need kill an innocent for the crimes of his forbearers.” Nadyenka opened her mouth, but Aiden quieted her with a placating hand. “I know, it’s necessary, Nadyenka, but I do not have to like it. It has happened before, we cannot change or stop it.”
They sat in silent, sad contemplation. Too often of late had the Camaalis faced defeat and impossibility. Too often had they been badly surprised, badly weakened and forced into actions they would rather have avoided.
“Alas, indeed that it should be so.” A strong but aged voice cut the thick silence as the remaining occupant of the room spoke. “Alas that Camaalis should forget who and what we are and finally succumb.”
Keir blinked and looked to the ancient who sat at the head of the table. Covered in heavy furs from some past barbaric age. His pure white hair framed him like a cloak, falling to his ankles and studded with ornaments, some magical talismans he had created but most the awards of recognition that a Camaalis earned from his lifetime’s deeds. There were so many awards in Ahern’s hair that on a lesser man you would wonder how he could life his head. No-one wondered about Ahern for few could bring themselves to believe the ancient couldn’t do anything he wished to.
Ahern radiated power and confidence. He was the most respected Camaalis alive, held with a reverence that bordered on awe for some members of the family. He was a Cloud Strider, Earth Singer and Wave Dancer of incredible strength. He had a knowledge of herb and runelore that challenged even those who were born with the talents. It was said that he had studied tomes on spirits and daemons that gave him and insight Shamans would envy. But above it all, and whispered most often with the deepest of respect, was his mastery of the Word. He was the first Camaalis in centuries to have earned the title of Namer for the amount of the Word he spoke.
There was an even deeper silence after the echoes of his critical words died. Clearing his throat and gathering his courage, Kier spoke. “Grandfather, what troubles you? I do not understand.”
Ahern speared the Life Weaver with a hard sapphire glare. “The principles of Camaalis, boy, never did I think they would be lost.” His huge, heavy white brows ground angrily downwards at the confusion on their faces. “Camaalis is never forced, we do what we think is right - not what others tell us is right, even if the one doing the telling is history.” His iron hard glance at Nadyenka was nearly enough to pin her to her chair. “Camaalis is not bound by the past. We are strong and we are powerful because we act as a family and because we are always ready to experience the new. We are strong because we have never accepted that the impossible exists.”
He pointed a strong, sun darkened finger at Nadyenka. “You have studied history. The last Sorcerer was decades ago, and he was killed in infancy. As were the 7 before that. 3 before that were destroyed before they had chance to gather any real power, The only Sorcerers in the last 3 centuries who have had a chance to use their powers and act against us were all manipulated by outside forces. In short, it has been over 3 centuries since Camaalis even tried to preserve and teach a Sorcerer. Am I correct?”
Nadyenka nodded, mutely.
“3 centuries, Nadyenka.” Ahern growled. “Has Camaalis learned nothing in 3 centuries? Have we achieved nothing?”
She shook her head, lowering her eyes before his stern gaze.
“We have learned a great deal. We have achieved even more. We have done this because we were willing to try the impossible and make it work. Now, in the true spirit of Camaalis, Aidan comes to you with the impossible that he is willing to try. What is your answer?”
Kier joined Nadyenka in stammering his support. Almost to his own surprise, he actually meant the positive words he uttered. Ahern had lifted the veil of old prejudice from his eyes, to think that he, a Life Weaver, was willing to see someone die because of a 300 year old failure. He squared his jaw with determination, he would help Aidan and, by all the gods, they would succeed.
*****************************
Ahern watched them leave, all buoyed by the new enthusiasm to save the Sorcerer. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to be troubled. Nadyenka and Kier had been right in many ways, the risk was great and ill timed - but they would not be Camaalis if they did not try. And a Sorcerer’s skills, if finally brought to heel, could save Camaalis against the storms that gathered all around them.
He sighed heavily. “I am getting to old to have such doubts.” He muttered to himself.
“Not so, my brother. It is when we get so old that we have only certainty that we must worry.” Whispered a shape from the shadows. It leaned gently into the room, but never moved from the thick darkness.
Ahern laughed wryly. “True, sister, certainly true. Would that we had more reason for surety. I wish we had not lost so many Seers in the wars, and that those we had could see clearer.”
“As well wish for success in all endeavours, if you waste time wishing.” Chuckled the shadow. “What will pass will pass. At least now, if we do fall, we will fall as Camaalis, not as the shell we were becoming.”
The shadow faded back into the wall leaving Ahern to toast its final words.
Still, I will try to space them between the modern arc where I think they will be most appropriate (or rather randomly, whichever works).
So here is the first, the decision and why Kyernath was allowed to exist.
Nadyenka shook her head again, firmly putting one large tome down atop the pile already in front of her, her seamed face creased still further in a scowl of disapproval. “Aiden, this is madness. Look at these records,” she gestured abruptly at the massive collection of lore. “Records of our history. The lore is beyond doubt or reproach, ‘tis not possible for a thing to repeat itself so often and for it not to happen again. We cannot allow this.”
Keir ran his hand absently through his hair, a nervous habit from childhood when his endless ramblings around the Camaalis estates had tangled his hair so badly that it kept falling into his eyes. He patted Aidan‘s arm sympathetically, the Cloud Strider was a good man, but naive at times. “We value your kindness and gentle spirit, Aidan but the risk is too great, especially now of all times.”
Aidan slumped a little, soothing the ostentatious decoration on his sky blue robes, a movement that seemed to give him strength and calm. “I know that times are exceeding hard, but the storm has passed. Are we to..”
“Passed?” Interjected Nadyenka harshly, the flames on the candles flaring higher at the Elementalist’s spluttering incredulity. “We are still deep in the middle of the storm, we but rest in the calm, the eye. Do not let it lull you into a false sense of security. Camaalis still fights in the New World, the country still trembles under threat of religious conflict and Europe eyes us hungrily. And now you would seek to preserve an evil that history teaches us will try to destroy us all?” The fires leaped nearly to the ceiling as her voice rose in outrage.
“Just because it has happened in the past doesn’t mean it will happen in the future.” Aidan put in calmly, but Keir could see the doubt in his face.
“It has happened every single time in the past, cousin.” The Life Weaver put in gently. “Every single time without lapse or exception. Our ancestors tried, and failed. This path has been walked and it leads only to pain and death. I know it seems cruel but we have no choice.”
“No choice.” Aiden sat down heavily. “Alas that it should be so, that we need kill an innocent for the crimes of his forbearers.” Nadyenka opened her mouth, but Aiden quieted her with a placating hand. “I know, it’s necessary, Nadyenka, but I do not have to like it. It has happened before, we cannot change or stop it.”
They sat in silent, sad contemplation. Too often of late had the Camaalis faced defeat and impossibility. Too often had they been badly surprised, badly weakened and forced into actions they would rather have avoided.
“Alas, indeed that it should be so.” A strong but aged voice cut the thick silence as the remaining occupant of the room spoke. “Alas that Camaalis should forget who and what we are and finally succumb.”
Keir blinked and looked to the ancient who sat at the head of the table. Covered in heavy furs from some past barbaric age. His pure white hair framed him like a cloak, falling to his ankles and studded with ornaments, some magical talismans he had created but most the awards of recognition that a Camaalis earned from his lifetime’s deeds. There were so many awards in Ahern’s hair that on a lesser man you would wonder how he could life his head. No-one wondered about Ahern for few could bring themselves to believe the ancient couldn’t do anything he wished to.
Ahern radiated power and confidence. He was the most respected Camaalis alive, held with a reverence that bordered on awe for some members of the family. He was a Cloud Strider, Earth Singer and Wave Dancer of incredible strength. He had a knowledge of herb and runelore that challenged even those who were born with the talents. It was said that he had studied tomes on spirits and daemons that gave him and insight Shamans would envy. But above it all, and whispered most often with the deepest of respect, was his mastery of the Word. He was the first Camaalis in centuries to have earned the title of Namer for the amount of the Word he spoke.
There was an even deeper silence after the echoes of his critical words died. Clearing his throat and gathering his courage, Kier spoke. “Grandfather, what troubles you? I do not understand.”
Ahern speared the Life Weaver with a hard sapphire glare. “The principles of Camaalis, boy, never did I think they would be lost.” His huge, heavy white brows ground angrily downwards at the confusion on their faces. “Camaalis is never forced, we do what we think is right - not what others tell us is right, even if the one doing the telling is history.” His iron hard glance at Nadyenka was nearly enough to pin her to her chair. “Camaalis is not bound by the past. We are strong and we are powerful because we act as a family and because we are always ready to experience the new. We are strong because we have never accepted that the impossible exists.”
He pointed a strong, sun darkened finger at Nadyenka. “You have studied history. The last Sorcerer was decades ago, and he was killed in infancy. As were the 7 before that. 3 before that were destroyed before they had chance to gather any real power, The only Sorcerers in the last 3 centuries who have had a chance to use their powers and act against us were all manipulated by outside forces. In short, it has been over 3 centuries since Camaalis even tried to preserve and teach a Sorcerer. Am I correct?”
Nadyenka nodded, mutely.
“3 centuries, Nadyenka.” Ahern growled. “Has Camaalis learned nothing in 3 centuries? Have we achieved nothing?”
She shook her head, lowering her eyes before his stern gaze.
“We have learned a great deal. We have achieved even more. We have done this because we were willing to try the impossible and make it work. Now, in the true spirit of Camaalis, Aidan comes to you with the impossible that he is willing to try. What is your answer?”
Kier joined Nadyenka in stammering his support. Almost to his own surprise, he actually meant the positive words he uttered. Ahern had lifted the veil of old prejudice from his eyes, to think that he, a Life Weaver, was willing to see someone die because of a 300 year old failure. He squared his jaw with determination, he would help Aidan and, by all the gods, they would succeed.
*****************************
Ahern watched them leave, all buoyed by the new enthusiasm to save the Sorcerer. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to be troubled. Nadyenka and Kier had been right in many ways, the risk was great and ill timed - but they would not be Camaalis if they did not try. And a Sorcerer’s skills, if finally brought to heel, could save Camaalis against the storms that gathered all around them.
He sighed heavily. “I am getting to old to have such doubts.” He muttered to himself.
“Not so, my brother. It is when we get so old that we have only certainty that we must worry.” Whispered a shape from the shadows. It leaned gently into the room, but never moved from the thick darkness.
Ahern laughed wryly. “True, sister, certainly true. Would that we had more reason for surety. I wish we had not lost so many Seers in the wars, and that those we had could see clearer.”
“As well wish for success in all endeavours, if you waste time wishing.” Chuckled the shadow. “What will pass will pass. At least now, if we do fall, we will fall as Camaalis, not as the shell we were becoming.”
The shadow faded back into the wall leaving Ahern to toast its final words.
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Date: 2005-11-24 10:40 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-01 10:30 pm (UTC)